Finding Roots

I cannot even count the number of times I have heard someone from my town say "I can't wait to get out of this town!" Mostly growing up, but sometimes even now, I hear that same sentiment. So I started wondering...is it odd that I LOVE the town I live in?! I am so happy that I still live in the same town that I was born and raised in. I love that it only takes 5 minutes to get from my house to my moms. I love passing by the high school I graduated from. I love running into a childhood friend at wal-mart. I love going to football games when my old highschool is having an undefeated season. I love knowing that I graduated from the same high school that my dad did. I love the idea of my children growing up in the same surroundings that I did. I know that living here isn't for everyone, but I for one have loved every minute of it. I'm so glad that I have "roots" here.

Carrot Cake Cookies

A while back, I found a recipe for Carrot Cake Cookies that I knew my dad would love. He always has carrot cake for his birthday, so I knew these would be right up his alley. So I was looking for an occasion to make them, and I figured Easter was the perfect time. I'm not very good at baking, so I was a little nervous, but they turned out really well. They were a huge hit at Easter!! I found this recipe here, and only modified it slightly.

1 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 large egg½ teaspoon vanilla
1 cup coarsely grated carrots (2 medium)
1/3 cup raisins

FILLING1 cup cream cheese
1 tbsp honey

Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 180°C. Butter 2 baking sheets.Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.Beat together butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla in another bowl until pale and fluffy. Mix in carrots, and raisins; then add flour mixture to this and beat until just combined.Drop 1 1/2 tablespoons batter per cookie 2 inches apart on baking sheets and bake, switching position of sheets halfway through baking, until cookies are lightly browned and springy to the touch, 12 to 16 minutes total.Cool cookies on sheets for 1 minute, then transfer cookies to racks to cool completely.While cookies are baking, blend cream cheese and honey in a food processor until smooth.Sandwich flat sides of cookies together with a generous tablespoon of cream cheese filling in between.

If you like carrot cake, you will love these!!

A Whole Lot of Nothing!

That is what has been going on in my life lately!! I realized that I hadn't blogged in almost a month, so I started thinking of what I needed to catch everyone up on, and thats when I realized it. We haven't done much of anything lately!! I haven't been cooking as much lately, however I have managed to have a few flops!! We've just been having a lot of simple dinners, and trying to get our house organized. My husband has really been stepping up and helping around the house lately, which is awesome!!

I need to blog soon about my latest obsession...COUPONS!! Until recently, I was never big on coupons, but I have totally become obsessed. If you use coupons a lot, let me know what works for you. I'm still trying to figure it all out, but I'm getting there.

Well, I guess thats it. I just wanted to make a quick appearance!