Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Yummy Jumbles

Jumbles Cookies 3
We have spent some time at home, so I decided to bake some jumbles cookies. Jumbles are a type of drop cookie that you can add all sorts of mix-ins into. If you look online, there are so many different recipes for jumbles cookies, but I used the one from the book, Field Guide to Cookies.

Jumbles Cookies 2

Jumbles Cookies 1
Jumbles are more of a cake-y cookie than a crispy cookie, and they are really easy to make. They aren't overly sweet, so they are really nice with tea.

Making jumbles cookies.

Putting in the pecans.
Would you like to make jumbles, too? Here is the recipe I followed.

What you will need:
2 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons orange zest
1 cup sour cream
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

First mix the flour, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl and set this aside.

In another large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, vanilla, and orange zest and mix until everything is combined. Add half of the flour mixture to this and mix on low until everything is combined. Add the sour cream, and mix well. Finally, add the rest of the flour mixture and mix well. Fold the pecans into the dough.

Next, chill the dough for 30 minutes.

Prepare cookie sheets with parchment paper. Drop tablespoon-size amount of dough on to the cookie sheets, approximately 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, and let cool.

Enjoy some cookies!

Going into the oven!

Out of the oven!

Happy Acorn and Sleeping Bunny Pins and the Dainty Squid

We have been so busy getting ready for the holidays that I forgot to show you some lovely photos that feature my Happy Acorn Wood Pin and my Sleeping Bunny Wood Pin. These photos are by Kaylah from the Dainty Squid blog, and boy, aren't they cute?

What I Wore: Layered - photo by Kaylah Doolan of the Dainty Squid blog 2

What I Wore: Layered - photo by Kaylah Doolan of the Dainty Squid blog 3
I think the Happy Acorn and Sleeping Bunny make such a cute pair, don't you?

What I Wore: Layered - photo by Kaylah Doolan of the Dainty Squid blog 1
You can get your very own Happy Acorn Wood Pin right here or you can get the Sleeping Bunny instead!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

My Christmas in Pictures

I hope everyone had a good Christmas holiday! Here are some photos from our Christmas. My family's Christmas tree.
Trifle dessert! Yummy!
Christmas eve dessert.
Yummy blueberry pie that Cristina made.
The red nosed reinbeer.
Merry!
Cute gift tags from Vanillery Garden.
Nilla getting ready for the holidays.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays from Rancho Cocoa! We hope everyone is having the best holidays! Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Past Memories: See Rock City

candyland!
When Raoul first moved here, we visited Rock City for the holidays! We like Rock City as a neat place to visit, but it is especially neat at Christmastime. The gardens are decorated with so many lights! It is amazing!

the tree

mushroom rock
I remember it was so cold that day! We bundles up, but it was very windy on the mountain that night. BRRR!

beautiful birds

frosty the snowman

raoul

missy

raoul

the entrance to fairyland

the star

me

welcome to

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Christmas Past Memories: Beautiful Blythe

Merry Christmas! Blythe!
My Blythe dolls like to get in the Christmas spirit, too. Here they are celebrating on the fire place. Don't they look cozy?

Harmony Melodee Petunia is in her stocking.
Harmonie Melodie Petunia really likes Christmas. She was good this year, so I think she will get the pair of shoes she asked for.

Audrey Pumpkin ready for Christmas!
Audrey Pumpkin was very good this year, too. In fact, she was so good that she baked us cookies each day in December. We really like her. She gets an extra pressie from Santa.

Sadie is ready for the holidays!
Sadie, well, let's just say Sadie is no angel. I mean, look at her. She is a mess. Coal again, my poor dear.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Christmas Past Memories: Disneyland

Back in 2007 we went to Disneyland! I expected to not enjoy this place, but it was really fun and amazing! I have never really been to a theme park with rides, well, except for teeny ones, but that does not count. I also have never been to Kennywood, the very popular amusement park in Pittsburgh. I also don't know how to swim, so there you go. Anyways, back to Disneyland...

Disneyland 1808

Disneyland 1811
I think Disneyland is the best at Christmas cos there is a parade every minute and they had lots of decorations and great costumes. It is so festive.

Disneyland 1822

Disneyland 1834

Disneyland 1832

Disneyland 1830
I know it looks like a storm is welling up in the background, but it never rained that day. I think it scared some people away that day because there were hardly any long lines and we got to go on so many rides.

Disneyland 1824
Who's been naughty??

Disneyland 1848

Disneyland 1855

Disneyland 1854

Disneyland 1862
I am thrilled to be here at Disneyland! We flew right in and drove straight to the park with Raoul's sister and later met more of his family there. They have season passes to go all the time.

Disneyland 1869

Disneyland 1874
Of course we rode the teacups!

Disneyland 1881
Here is my favorite, Small World. I just love the wreaths and Christmas lights.

Disneyland 1907
Inside was even better! I love Mary Blair.

Disneyland 1909

Disneyland 1966

Disneyland 1961
We had such a fun time, it is really nice to look at these pictures and remember this fun vacation to Disneyland!