Chewy Coconut PB Cookies!

I found this recipe on Pinterest one day and today was the day for testing it out!  This recipe came from Roxana's Home Baking blog.  They are good - just saying!  I did add extra flour to the recipe as I felt it was too soft without it................

Chewy Coconut PB Cookies:

1/2 c. butter, softened
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. Creamy Peanut Butter
1 small package Coconut Cream Instant Pudding Mix
1 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
**I also doubled the recipe as I was pretty sure I was going to like them!!!!

YUMMY COOKIES :)

TWO WORDS:  MAKE THESE!  

TWO MORE WORDS:  You're WELCOME

Yummy Cookies:
1 c. butter, softened
1/4 c. sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 small package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. White chocolate chips
1 c. butterscotch chips
Mix all together. Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes 

Chicken & Dumplings - (Martha Stewart style............)

Ok - we just returned, last Sunday from a week in the Punta Cana region of the Dominican Repulic..........we loved the weather; the views; the ocean, the people, the resort, the drinks, however, the food left something to be desired, and by desired, I don't mean by our stomachs,,,,,,,,,,,each of the five of us in our family has come down with some sort of stomach malaise, either during or upon returning from our stay.................not fun, just sayin.............therefore, the other night, I made this (on high recommendations from my eldest daughter!) - and it was indeed very good and has thus replaced the previous Chicken & Dumpling recipe I used to make:

Martha Stewart Chicken & Dumplings:

5 tbsp. cold butter, divided
1 small yellow onion, minced
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
2 carrots, sliced
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour, divided
3 c. chicken broth
2 c. diced cooked chicken
salt & pepper
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. parsley
1/2 c. milk

In a large saucepan or skillet, melt 3 tbsp. butter .  Stir in onoin, celery and carrots and cook about 5 minutes.  Add 1/4 c. flour and cook stirring for 1 minute.  Gradually add in the broth, stirring constantly, then bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.  Stir in the chicken and season with salt & pepper.
Make the dumplings by mixing together 1 c. flour, baking powder and parsley, cut in 2 tbsp. butter.  Stir int he milk.  Spoon the batter by spoonfuls on the top of your simmering chicken mixture.  Cover and simmer for 13 or so minutes until your dumplings are cooked through.  YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Almond Bark Chips:

Melt some almond bark, I did 1/2 package at a time to give me time to work with it:  Dip your favorite brand of wavy potato chips in, set on wax paper to firm!

Well, our snow WAS gone and then yesterday Mother Nature decided to remind us it is winter and I do live in Minnesota..............freezing rain; sleet; and then snow.  Then overnight we had blowing and the temp dropped.  This prompted me to get up this morning and make a pot of Bacon Cheeseburger Potato Soup!  I got it done in time to run my hubby some up to school for his lunch, (or so I thought), turns out he was already eating lunch.................well I had some anyways!

He will have to eat his later! Here is the recipe - which I have posted before:

Potato Bacon Cheeseburger Soup
1/2 c. onion chopped
6 slices bacon, partially cooked and cut into pieces
1 # lean hamburger
4 good sized potatoes, peeled and diced up small
fresh ground pepper

Place these items in your pot and let start sauteeing on med-high heat.  Stirring frequently keep sauteeing until bacon and hamburger are thoroughly cooked.  Stir in about 3/4 c. flour. 
Add 1 carton reduced sodium Beef Broth
Add 2 c. water
Stir to mix well.
Reduce heat and let simmer for 30-40 minutes. 
Stir in 1 can fat free evaporated milk.
Stir in 1-2 c. cubed american cheese (I used Land O Lakes) my favorite!

Reduce heat to very low and let simmer until cheese is all melted. 

Merry Christmas & Happy New year to you :)

From my family to yours!

Hello!  I have not written a blog for a very long time and for that I apologize.  I do have a facebook page, and I do post to that much more frequently.  Its hard to keep up with all of the stuff, that's for sure.  I was featured here on this website, so I figured I better get my rear in gear!
http://blog.thebesty.com/post/104854034327/youve-got-to-try-jill-maries-yummy-recipes
http://blog.thebesty.com

I find that super exciting!  I don't know how all of you are coming with your Christmas preps; shopping, wrapping, decorating, baking, card sending, letter typing......etc.  We booked a trip for our family for the week of Christmas, so I have been very lax in doing any of the above mentioned tasks.  I do always bring treat trays to a few people so I need to get in the spirit of baking and do that.    We will be flying out to the Dominican Republic, I can't wait, since winter came early in Minnesota this year and we had a very long, snowy, cold November.....................

Last night, instead of baking I was watching The Middle (on ABC), it is one of my favorite shows, anyways this week it focused on Frankie, the mom and how she decided to just let all the hustle & bustle leading up to Christmas slide.  She was found laying on the couch eating fudge her mom had made for her, in her PJ's..........her kids and husband all started to panic and they all explained how they love Christmas and she can't just not do Christmas, so of course on Christmas Eve, she was up all night baking, decorating, wrapping, etc., and her family woke up to what they are used to for their holiday tradition!  We may feel under appreciated (as wives and moms) during this busy season, but rest assured, your husband, and kids are all thankful and the Christmas memories you share are based on what you have created as memories for them............so we lumber on!!!!!

Today I did make some Mint Oreo Bark and some Yummy Squares.  They are now properly chilling in the freezer to be added to the trays that I make to share - hopefully Sunday I can tackle a few baked cookies, to get those checked off the list as well.  I also have the cards and letters now ready to be stuffed and mailed......................Happy Holidays to all!  Jill @ Life By Jill Marie

Hey don't forget to come visit me on FACEBOOK as well (Life By Jill Marie)

My yummy squares recipe can be found in the archives on my blog and for this MINT OREO BARK:  I melted one package of vanilla almond bark, stirred in a whole package of broken mint Oreo's - spread out on wax paper, let set and then broke it up into what I consider bite size pieces :)
ENJOY!