My friend/neighbor and I decided to have a little KAL and knit a pair of the Ultra Easy Ruffle Socks.  A super easy pair of socks to maybe get some sock mojo going over here.  Maybe, maybe not.  The construction of the heel is super simple.  Not a completely defined heel.  It's a perfect pattern for beginner knitters.  I'm using yarn from my stash acquired from one of my past Knitcrates.  
 I whipped up an Orange Ricotta Cake over the weekend using my sourdough discard.  If you have been visiting this space for a while, you know how much I love to bake.  However, over the years I haven't done much baking because no-one seems to want to eat it.  Including me!  But, doesn't a baked good and knitting just go together?  I think so!  

This cake is a keeper.  And, I plan on making it on repeat this summer!  I left off the glaze topping this time but definitely want to try it the next time.  

 I also made a Chocolate Chip cookie that supersedes any I have made in the past.  I know that is a tall order, however, it's true.  I have tried to duplicate the delicious Levain cookies from New York.  This is the closest I have ever gotten.  I followed this recipe.  (I'm going to also jot it down below in case the link one day expires. )

This. Now THIS is what I call a dreamy day.

I used to spend a lot of time baking cookies and trying new recipes.  I don't bake as much as I used to.  However, when I do, I get super excited to pair it with my yarn.  It's all just so delicious.  

 And what could be better than Big Birdie by The Lamb & Kid paired with the most amazing fall cookie.  They are called Acorn cookies but all I see is little knit caps.  Still.  Oh, and I don't make them Gluten free.  I used unbleached white flour.  

SO, whenever I have a coffee and knitting date at my home I want to make my friends something yummy to go with the yarn and coffee. Actually, I love to have something special most weekends with my coffee! And Sundays are usually that day.

I woke up knowing exactly what I wanted to accompany yesterdays coffee + yarn session!

Last week while I was swimming my morning laps I had an urge to eat a biscotti.  Not a usual craving for me for as I am swimming.  I am usually thinking about toast.  And actually, any toast will do.  Must be a carb craving.  But this particular morning it was Biscotti.  Orange walnut to be exact.   

As soon as I arrived back home I searched my recipes for a particular recipe that someone gave me years ago.  I had never made them but remember eating hers and enjoying the soft texture which I really like in a biscotti instead of the traditional crunchy ones.  
While my hair was still wet I was mixing the dough and sneaking in tastes that made my mouth wanting more.  I made one batch of orange walnut and then while they were baking made more dough to make an almond version.  I made two smaller "logs" with this batch instead of the one big "log" I used for the Orange Walnut. One log will give you a big biscotti and two logs will give you smaller biscotti.   In the end I couldn't decide which flavor or size I preferred more.  
Easy Biscotti

 I stink at decorating cut out cookies.  And truly would rather be knitting instead of decorating.  However, I sent these in a few care packages and must say they were received with a smile.  And this recipe is a keeper.  

I sure hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day.  To me, it's not about just the love you share with a significant other.  It's the love you share for all of life and anyone or anything you love.

If you have been around here for a while, you may remember my cookie of the week.  Those memories are some of my favorite.  My children were young, and baking cookies was a weekly thing.  Over time, I stopped baking cookies weekly.  I started to eat less sugar and in turn feed my kids less sugar.  I received a message a couple of weeks ago that one of my readers misses cookie of the week. I miss it, too.  So in honor of cookie of the week, I made the most delicious sugar cookies to ship in college kids care packages.  I savored one with my knitting and I can honestly say it is still one of my favorite combinations of life.  Pure love.

Thanks so much for all of the wonderful feedback on One Lovely Sweater.  I will be sure to get back to everyone in the next week!

I'm always trying to sneak in foods that lean towards the healthier side.  It really isn't that hard with the regular meals, however, when it comes to the sweets, I seem to struggle a bit.  So, when I saw these pop up over on Julie's site, I knew I had to make them.
Grain free, vegan chocolatey goodness, I tell you!  The texture is a tiny bit different, but I promise those kids will never know they contain chick peas.  They truly are delicious.
We didn't have any chocolate nut butter, so I used almond butter and added some cocoa powder.  The truffles sprinkled with shredded coconut are my favorite.  I double the recipe and popped some in the freezer for those afternoons I spend with my yarn.

Happy Saturday!

The name pepper is given because they contain pepper.  They are actually nut free. Egg free, too.  Every time I go to make them, I think about trying a different flour.  Almond, maybe?  But then, I figure, why mess with what I know to work!  I will try one day... and will be sure to let you know.
This recipe makes a lot.  Enough to keep some in the freezer to pull out on those afternoons or evenings when it's you and your yarn. They are the perfect companions.  And a great crispy, spicy treat.
The last time I posted this, I had a sweet comment from Schone Vrouw from Holland.  Schone mentioned that this is an old Dutch recipe.  They celebrate Sinterklass (we call him Santa Claus) on the 5th of December.  Sinterklaas gives presents and he has Pieten to help him.  It is very traditional and according to the legend of St. Nicolass, he threw money for a girl to get out of trouble.  This money is represented by pepper nuts.  In holland, they call something very expensive "peperduur" because of the 16th century price of pepper.  The Sinterklaas tradition started somewhere around that time. Hence, the name pepper nuts!
Pepper Nuts:
3 sticks of butter, melted
6 cups of flour
3 cups of sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 cup room temp water
Mix dry ingredients.  Add melted butter and slowly add water.  Dough will be sticky.  Roll dough into "snakes" and place on cookie sheet.  Pop into the freezer until firm.  Cut with scissors into small pieces.  Lay on cookie sheet being careful not to place pieces too close to each other.  Bake at 350° for 12-14 minutes.

 Growing up, we had a neighbor who absolutely loved her job of being a homemaker.  Her home was extremely tidy.  Not a thing out of place.  Her kitchen small, efficient and wonderfully cozy.  Her living room was like a showroom to me.  The furniture was perfectly placed.  The pillows were always fluffed.  The vacuum marks in her carpet were always visible. There was art on the walls and ribbon candy in her candy dishes.  Always, ribbon candy.

 I love fall.  So so much!  My heart gets a little happier with the cooler mornings.  Makes me want to knit and bake.   All. Day. Long.
I made these cookies a couple of weeks ago to ship to Charlie and Libby.  They were a huge hit. Not too sweet and hold up well in the mail.  I think it's the tablespoon of vanilla that makes these extra delicious.  I definitely think they will be a new favorite.
Feeling the halloween, fall vibe, I decided to add orange sugar crystals this time around.  I almost always roll the dough into a log when I can.  I roll the dough in the crystals and then pop them into the freezer for about an hour before cutting and baking.
I thought this was so funny.  Libby face timed me when I was photographing the cookies.  So she joined me in the photo shoot. :)

Happy Monday, Friends!

And that yummy cake up there?  Its absolutely the easiest, quickest little cake.  I usually make it with strawberries, but we have had an abundance of pears from our CSA, so pears it was.  My mom is a huge fan, and we are trying to pack a few extra pounds on her, so this was made twice this week.  It's really delicious with coffee!

Happy Friday, Friends.
Have a wonderful weekend!

 And then Libby went to work on the mixing and it reminded me of the times she had her cooking channel in middle school.  She would close the kitchen doors and start talking and baking away.  It was the cutest.  (Did I mention she is going to College in a few short weeks?  AGH!)
 Libby used to make sure no one came in the kitchen, getting upset when the boys would torment her.  
I highly recommend keeping an emergency box in your kitchen. (I purchased this box from Target.) They didn't look exactly like the photo on the box, Libby's were way cuter. ;)  And, they were delicious!

I decided to switch projects and see if I could finish Elen before working anymore on Pink Memories.  This one requires a little more concentration which was holding me back.  Time to forge on!
We tried a new Snickerdoodle recipe and it was a huge hit.  I should really put a limit on the amount of cookies my kids eat. But really?  How can I tell them to stop at two when I can't stop at three.  Just happy we had some left to pack for lunch today.  After reading Erin's comment about the toffee doodles from Starbucks, I decided to add cinnamon chips to half the batch.  (Didn't have heath bits.)  Oh my!

Happy weekend, friends!

I wouldn't be a good friend if I didn't share this cookie recipe.  If you like lemons, SO GOOD!

Happy Weekend!  I'll be back soon to announce the winner of the MOODmatcher lipsticks.

xx

I just couldn't help myself.  I cast on for Pink Memories... the yarn is so yummy.  Even more than these snickerdoodle bars which says A LOT.  Cause they are our favorite.  Especially Charlie's.  And I sort of made them for him.  He is home from OSU.  Yippeeeeee!  (It always amazes me how early the Colleges let out for the summer.)

 This is what happens.

I've made ice cream sandwiches before.  But not for a while.
And when I looked back to find the recipe we love,  the link had been removed.  (ack!)
So, I found a new recipe.  Made the cookie.
Piled delicious ice cream on half of the delicious cookie.  
Placed the other half on top of the ice cream.
Popped them back in the freezer to harden.
And made a big delicious mess when I cut them.
Then I froze each delicious mess in its own paper sandwich bag for a warmer day.

The kids rated them a 10.  I would like to find one with a softer cookie, like the last recipe.  This is the one we will try next.

Happy weekend! xx

**UPDATE!  A very awesome Abelian (Dot) found the old link!  Thank you, Abelien!**