The Wizard of Oz Party..

Every year, Tootie's party is based on her favorite book from the previous year.  This year was the Wizard of Oz. 

The gift bags: stickers, ruby slipper cookies, bookmarks, lollipops, wizard of oz, silly straws, courage medals, rainbow candy, rainbow sun catchers, and bubbles:

 The cookies:

 The rainbow cake:

 Our next door neighbors:

 Opening the gifts:

 Paul as the Wizard:

 The Tin Man:

 Pin the heart on the Tin Man:

 The Roar like a lion contest:

 The Soberons:

 Grandma came as the Wicked Witch:

 "Uncle Henry", The Scarecrow, and the Wizard:

 The lion and the "Yellow Brick Road":

 Our Family:

 The "Wizard's Balloon":

 Oh No, the cake fell on the witch!

Holiday Gifts...

I know this is a sickness, but I am already starting to think about christmas. We are trying to make as much as we can for gifts, so that means starting early. This is what we did for TootToot's teachers and Beau's coworkers. It is Cowboy Cookie Mix- fun and easy to put together. Both Beau and I have some stuff in the works for family and friends this year, too. The trick is getting it completed before the holidays!



(Here is link to how to put together the cookie mix:http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/cowboy-cookie-mix-in-a-jar/Detail.aspx )

Nutella.

Tonight, Nora and I made cookies. I decided to try a new recipe for Nutella Oatmeal Cookies. (As usual, I have NO idea where I got the recipe. I found it on a scrap piece of paper in my recipe box.)

The cookies are delicious. They are heavy on the butter so they flatten out a good deal in the oven. The result is a cookie that is crunchy on the edges with a nice chewy middle. Yum.

Nutella Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup plus 2 tbsp all purpose flour

1 tbsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup butter, room temperature

6 tbsp Nutella

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup quick-cooking oats (not instant or regular)


Preheat oven to 350F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silpat mat.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a large bowl, cream together butter, Nutella and the sugars until mixture is fluffy.

Beat in the egg and the egg yolk, followed by the vanilla extract.

Working at a low speed or by hand, gradually blend in the flour mixture and the oats.

Drop teaspoonfuls of the batter (1/2-inch balls) onto prepared baking sheet, leaving at least 2-inches between cookies to allow for spread.

Bake for 10 minutes, until cookies are set.

Cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes.

Store in an airtight container.

** Post note: looks like the recipe is from the Baking Bites blog**