Link-tastic

I'm taking an online class this semester (maybe it is mostly so I can start getting student discounts).  This is the first class I've taken at the community college, and my adviser was kind of new to advising soooo...I got registered for the wrong class.  Not to worry!  Big Time Timmy Jim realized it before it was too late, and I was able to straighten things out.  I'm guessing its a combination of a lot of things (especially that I registered for the class at the last minute) but I had NO IDEA how to access the course until yesterday.  Aaaaand the class started a week ago.  And I missed an assignment.  It was only 10 points, but technically I have an F right now. All because I didn't have the right link. We're off to a great start!

I'm sure it will all work out in the end, but I would hate for this to happen to any of you.  So, I'm going to share some links with you that you don't need at all.  But, they're kind of fun.

Coconut Caramels

Six years ago, I was newly married, in a new town--new state!-- and unemployed.  I knew all of 6 people in town, and there wasn't much sunlight.  It was cold and snowy.  I was isolated and (if we're honest) a little depressed.

One of those 6 people I knew was my cousin, Jenn.  (The other 5, if you're wondering, were 1) Tim 2) Mike (Jenn's husband) 3) Bella (Jenn's daughter) 4) Luke (Jenn's son) and 5) Seth (Jenn's son)).  Jenn and Mike are the reason we moved out here-- Mike got Tim a job.

The weather was bad, so the kids had a snow day, and Jenn invited me over to bake Christmas cookies with them.  For those of you who do not know her, Jenn is a very, VERY talented baker.  For those of you who may not know this, the key to being a pretty good cook (or baker) is to know good cooks.  With good recipes.  Jenn is one of those people.  This is one of her recipes.

Jenn, thank you so much for the hospitality you showed us in those early days, and continue to show us.  It is such a blessing to share a town with you and count you among my close friends!  You are a blessing to so many people.  Thanks for being you!

Thank you also for this recipe.  It was a game-changer for me.  I usually don't like coconut, but I really can't get enough of these!  I know this is a bold statement, but I think Tim and I agree that these are our favorite cookies at Christmas time.

Coconut Caramels

• 1 c butter at room temperature
• 3 cups packed brown sugar (1 c + 2 c)
• 2 1/4 c flour (2 c +1/4 c)
• 2 c shredded coconut
• 2 t baking powder
• 4 large eggs
• 2 t vanilla

Preheat oven to 350.  Beat together butter, 1 cup brown sugar, and 2 cups flour,  Press evenly into an 11 x 17 inch baking sheet.  Bake until just golden, about 15 minutes.  Remove, cool slightly

For topping mix coconut, 2 c brown sugar and 1/4 c flour, baking powder, vanilla, and eggs.  Spread over cooled crust.

Bake, rotating sheet halfway through until filling is set, about 20 minutes.  Cool on wire rack completely.  Cut and store in airtight container.

Lacey Cookies

Part of making a marriage work is learning how to blend the cultures of your families of origin.  Around the holidays, this becomes especially apparent.  While it can be difficult, there are many positive aspects as well.

Like the acquisition of new recipes!

While the holiday treats repertoire in my family of origin was expansive and diverse, somehow we missed out on these cookies!  Good thing I married Tim!  This is one of his family's favorite Christmas cookies.

My friends, it is with much pleasure that introduce you to... Lacey Cookies.

Pumpkin Week: Pumpkin Gingerbread

Hi Kids!  I'm back, and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving like I did.  I was talking to my coworker today and said it was the best turkey dinner I had ever had.  She said it was the same case with her.  I wonder why that is... did they feed the turkeys something different this year?  I don't know, but everything was AMAZING.

Friday and Saturday me and my family (but mostly my family) worked our tails off to throw a 30th anniversary party for my parents.  Everything turned out well, and it was a great party.

Now...back to Pumpkin Week.  You know... that thing I started two weeks ago?  SOMEDAY I will finish this bugger up.  Here's the latest (and maybe my favorite) installment.

Pumpkin Gingerbread is wonderful, and amazing, and cozy, and delicious, and really pretty easy to make.  But it seems impressive.  But its easy.

Pumpkin Week: Pumpkin Bread Pudding

So this one time two years ago, Mandy came to visit and run a race with me and Sapphire and Leah and Lalaiana.  After the race we cooked up a storm to celebrate Sapphire's birthday, including donut cheeseburgers (cheeseburgers with donuts as the buns).  Then we did the Holiday Stroll really quickly because we had to get back and watch PW's Thanksgiving Throwdown with Bobby Flay.

It was quite a day.   I was very tired.  And full.

Pumpkin Week: Pumpkin Bars

It's no secret that I'm a disorganized mess that can't get things done on time.  So is anyone surprised that the pumpkin week that I promised last Friday is just starting now... on Tuesday night?

You know how it's the easiest recipes that you make that people love the most and ask for the recipe most often?  Like Macaroni & Cheese and Santa Fe Cheese Soup. That's what these pumpkin bars are.  This is definitely my most-requested dessert recipe.  But maybe that's because I make it frequently, because they're so easy.  And delicious!

Mom! Mom! Mom!

Last weekend my Mom came to visit, and we had a great time.

First stop (after picking her up from the airport) was Sam's Club.  Tim and I don't have a membership to Sam's or Costco, so I was wanting to check out the prices on a few things and see if it was worth it.  While they have lower prices on some things, I think it we would just end up buying a lot more stuff that we don't need.

This & That

The measure of a good "this & that" post is the number of labels you can legitimately assign to it, right?  Let's see how good I am.

There's lots of stuff going on around here.  The most exciting is a secret project I am working on that I can't wait to finish and show you.  I'll give you a hint: it involves my sewing machine.  I'm super, super excited about it.  But don't get excited... its really not that exciting.  I get excited about little things.

Peanut Butter Week: Peanut Butter Play Dough

Remember how Tim and I are DINKs? (Dual Income No Kids)  Hence, the blog name "Dinkin' Around"?


I am using that as my excuse for not actually making this recipe.  There are no children at this house to appreciate it.


It has nothing to do with the fact that I am lazy.

Peanut Butter Week: Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies

I had a friend in college that would make these cookies all the time.  I would be working the front desk in the dorm, and what a blessed sight it would be to see Angela peek around the corner with a plate of cookies!

Peanut Butter Week: Peanut Butter Pie, Two Ways

Happy Pi Day, everyone!  In honor of this irrational number, we had pie today.  And in honor of peanut butter week, I made peanut butter pie.  Two kinds, actually!

Peanut Butter Week!

Well friends... the much anticipated event is now here.

That's right!  A whole week (that's seven days, folks, not my usual chintzy 5 or 6) of recipes involving peanut butter.  And I really have a variety planned.  Of course there are gazillions of "amazing" peanut butter desserts out there, but honestly, most of them are too rich for my taste, and they quickly become redundant.  I do have a few desserts planned for this week, due to a special occasion, but there are also several main dishes and even something for you crafty-types.  So get excited!  (Unless you're Rachel, or anyone else who has peanut allergies in your home... my deepest apologies).

Oatmeal Week: Peanut Butter Fingers

Apparently Oatmeal Week is happening nation-wide!  Rachel in Colorado beat me to the punch with her pineapple granola recipe on Tuesday, and Devan in North Carolina shared Whipped Banana Oats yesterday, which I can't wait to try!

Apple Week: The Finale

There is one more recipe that I feel I need to share with you.  I first had it when my coworker, Char brought it in to work.  Pioneer Woman posted it, so I will just direct you over to her versions.

Apple Week: Apple Fritters and Donuts

"Some people say football is a matter of life and death.  I assure them its much more serious than that." - Bill Shankly*

When my family moved to a smaller school district the summer before I was in 4th grade, my parents started taking us to the high school football games.  Before this, I didn't even know that there were such things as weekly high school games, much less that we could go to them.  

Apple Week: Apple Cake

This recipe is from my one, true mommy.  I haven't made this one in awhile, but boy is it delicious!

Apple Week: Dutch Apple Pie

One of the bestest wedding shower gifts I received was given to me by our family's "go-to" pie friend.  Mary Ellen Martin makes some of the best pies I have ever tasted!  Her gift was a beautiful pie plate, a rolling pin, this apple pie recipe, and a pie baking lesson.  Having a pie baking lesson was the perfect "just for fun" activity to give me a break the week before my wedding.

Apple Week: Apple Crisp

This recipe is from a cookbook I have called More With Less.  The premise of the cookbook is that we should be good stewards of ALL the resources God has given us, and that we should take that into account when cooking.  The recipes are healthy, nutritious, and filling, as well as very tasty.  It is a great cookbook for people heading overseas because the recipes are flexible so you can use whatever grains and cereals are available.  It is also a great book for frugal cooks that appreciate making foods from scratch (I'm looking at YOU, Rachel).  A few times a year I resolve to use the concepts and recipes in the cookbook more.  I can't say I have made significant progress, but I have made small steps toward eating less processed foods and make a few more things from scratch.  And we eat more beans.  Check out the cookbook for WAY more info on balanced meals and nutrition.

Apple Week!

I don't know about you all, but I had a lot of fun doing raspberry fortnight this summer, so I'm bringing it back this week!  Only its not raspberries, its apples, since its apple season.  Get excited! (and there was much rejoicing...yaaaaaaaaaaaaaay)

Raspberry Fortnight: Raspberry Sauce

Well kids, here it is.  The grand finale!  Of the three recipes I brought into work (individual raspberry cobblers by PW, raspberry buckle by BHG, and this one), my coworkers said this was their favorite.