MONKEY MUSINGS DAILY OPEN DISCUSSION #53 11/24/09 - 1/21/10

[Green Eyes]

GE? Have you started shopping? I've done an itsy bit.............. not much!

Sad to say no. But since we moved here my list has gotten very short, just kids and grand kids. So we send gift cards. With daughter here I am waiting to see what she is getting them and will get something to go with what she has gotten them.  Then will bake and send brothers and sister some goodies.

Fresh baked goodies from Grandma are the bestest gifts!!     My son still looks forward to peanut butter balls and fudge at Christmas.

Mine look for the fudge and Chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cookies with Reese's pieces chips

Do you make chocolate or peanut butter fudge? Something tells me you do both............. right?

Only chocolate fudge but I try every year to make divinity. So far after 40 years I think it's turned out about 5 times 

[crazybabyborg]

Oh, GE! My Mom used to make heavenly divinity! I miss it so much! I've never made it, but I love, love it! I remember mom used to say you couldn't make it on a rainy day!  I have no idea why that would have anything to do with it, but she did say that!

[Green Eyes]

The Christmas baking has got to easier than the Halloween Cookies, right?  You outdid yourself for that and you made some memories, too!   

Oh I hope so.  Yes it's all drop cookies but the sugar cookies.

[crazybabyborg]

The Christmas baking has got to easier than the Halloween Cookies, right?  You outdid yourself for that and you made some memories, too!   

Oh I hope so.  Yes it's all drop cookies but the sugar cookies.

Well, I cheat on cookies. I buy a sugar cookie mix, and then ice them with canned cream cheese frosting. Then I sprinkle with red or green sugar, and it's Christmas cookies!   

[Green Eyes]

Oh, GE! My Mom used to make heavenly divinity! I miss it so much! I've never made it, but I love, love it! I remember mom used to say you couldn't make it on a rainy day!  I have no idea why that would have anything to do with it, but she did say that!

I have no idea but it's true. I've had batches I would have to put in cake pans and eat it with spoons.

[Green Eyes]

The Christmas baking has got to easier than the Halloween Cookies, right?  You outdid yourself for that and you made some memories, too!   

Oh I hope so.  Yes it's all drop cookies but the sugar cookies.

Well, I cheat on cookies. I buy a sugar cookie mix, and then ice them with canned cream cheese frosting. Then I sprinkle with red or green sugar, and it's Christmas cookies!   

That works for me. 

[crazybabyborg]

I do make pumpkin bread................ I've got a really good recipe, and the fudge and peanut butter balls. And, of course, those intricate Christmas cookies!    Honestly my son associates Christmas with the cookies, because I've made them that way since he was little.

[crazybabyborg]

Oh, GE! My Mom used to make heavenly divinity! I miss it so much! I've never made it, but I love, love it! I remember mom used to say you couldn't make it on a rainy day!  I have no idea why that would have anything to do with it, but she did say that!

I have no idea but it's true. I've had batches I would have to put in cake pans and eat it with spoons.

I wouldn't know where to start with divinity, but hers was perfect everytime. She would buy the ingredients early and watch the weather. One morning we'd get up to cold cereal and milk and she would announce it was a good day for divinity, and the eggs would just have to wait!   

[Green Eyes]

When my kids were little they would talk me into buying those little christmas cookie recipe books at the check out stand at the store. Because they thought some thing in them looked good.  Some turned out great others not so much. 

[crazybabyborg]

There's a couple of things I know I'll never be able to replicate that Mom made. One is divinity, and the other is sour dough bread. She kept a starter going and always had fresh bread baked. It was a hobby for her. I asked many times for her to show me how, but she was a better cook than a teacher, and wasn't the most patient person in the kitchen, so it just never worked. My son often wishes for his Mamaw's bread. I can do Sour Dough bread, but it's a far cry from hers.

[crazybabyborg]

I got locked out!   

GE, it's loading really slowly! I'm going to get ready for bed. If I don't make it back, have a great night! God Bless (from a bonifide sinner!)   

[Green Eyes]

There's a couple of things I know I'll never be able to replicate that Mom made. One is divinity, and the other is sour dough bread. She kept a starter going and always had fresh bread baked. It was a hobby for her. I asked many times for her to show me how, but she was a better cook than a teacher, and wasn't the most patient person in the kitchen, so it just never worked. My son often wishes for his Mamaw's bread. I can do Sour Dough bread, but it's a far cry from hers.

That was my grandmother.  Only bread I make is in a bread maker. My kids still ask for their favorit cookies. Oldest is 40 amd youngerst 32. I will make them until I can't. They are still my babies. 

[Green Eyes]

Ya me too. Have to be up early, Good Night & Sweet Dreams

God Bless

[Northern Rose]

Divinity
(you need a stand mixer)

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup light corn syrup
2 egg whites (room temp)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup diced candied cherries
1/4 cup diced candied pineapple
1 cup chopped walnuts

In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, water and corn syrup.   
Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil.
Cook over medium heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 250 degrees F (hard-ball stage).
Remove from the heat.
In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Slowly pour hot sugar mixture over egg whites, beating constantly with a stand mixer.
Add vanilla and salt. Beat until candy loses its gloss and holds its shape, about 12 - 14 minutes (use a timer). Stir in fruit and nuts.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

[trimmonthelake]

Happy Friday Monkeys.   

[nonesuche]

TGIF !! This may be the first week since August that I haven't had to work 70 to 80 hours and I am so thankful !

I went to search something on bing.com a moment ago and saw this  and thought I'd share - seems even Bing likes the monkeys !!

www.bing.com

Everyone have a great monkey day !

[Lovinlife]

Good.   I'm glad the Ohio Supreme Court has said no appeal.  Lovin', do you remember if there were any child endangerment charges or other charges against him too?  Not only was Bobby Cutt's a murderer, but he also left his young son in the house alone for a many hours, and there was all that bleach that was used around the crime scene and etc.    I guess the murder charge against Jessie Davis and her unborn daughter was the most important of course, but I don't have any problem with having all the crimes committed stacked up on this guy either.   Thank you for bringing the info.  I remember this case, and I will need to go back and read about it again.    And as always, I wonder if Bobby Cutts will have to serve the entire sentence?  Or is he going to get off in a few years for good behavior or prison crowding or something?  Grrrrrr....

And I'm hoping if Cutt's lawyers ask the court to appeal their decision (which I would expect they would do) I hope it meets with anohter refusal.  I'm hoping there will be justice for Jessie Davis and her unborn daughter and Bobby Cutt's  will serve his sentence for what he did.

MUFFY  This tragedy happened about 10 miles from me.   I remember how hot it was in the summer of 2007.  I cried many tears for Jessie, her unborn daughter just weeks of being born, and Blake, her two year old son, left alone by his father for over 24 hours while he disposed of poor Jessie's body.  This piece of chit can't get enough bad, IMO.

There has been lots of good done for Blake & his Grandmother, who has custody, in this area even though the tough economic times have hit our area extreemly hard.  It is nice that people still care.  I've got to go pack lunches and get Bubba to school.  Have a great day.

On February 15, 2008, Cutts was convicted of the murder of Davis and the aggravated murder of her unborn child. He was also found guilty of associated charges, including aggravated burglary; gross abuse of a corpse; and child endangering.[40] Cutts faced the possibility of life imprisonment or a death sentence.[41] The jury, in its penalty phase, declined to impose the death penalty. The judge sentenced Cutts to life in prison with no eligibility for parole until 54 years of his sentence has been served.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jessie_Davis

[Green Eyes]

Divinity
(you need a stand mixer)

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup light corn syrup
2 egg whites (room temp)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup diced candied cherries
1/4 cup diced candied pineapple
1 cup chopped walnuts

In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, water and corn syrup.   
Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture comes to a boil.
Cook over medium heat, without stirring, until a candy thermometer reads 250 degrees F (hard-ball stage).
Remove from the heat.
In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Slowly pour hot sugar mixture over egg whites, beating constantly with a stand mixer.
Add vanilla and salt. Beat until candy loses its gloss and holds its shape, about 12 - 14 minutes (use a timer). Stir in fruit and nuts.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

Thank You Northern Rose,
I have tried to make this every year  I don't know why I have such trouble with this even those fool proof ones.  I will try again like I always do.     Glad to see your feeling better.

[SunnyinTX]

I do make pumpkin bread................ I've got a really good recipe, and the fudge and peanut butter balls. And, of course, those intricate Christmas cookies!    Honestly my son associates Christmas with the cookies, because I've made them that way since he was little.

CBB - please share our pumpkin bread recipe!!

[SunnyinTX]

Here's a link to great cookies, cakes, candies...etc....

http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/cat0001.asp