Friday, September 21, 2012

Put it on the Calendar


I cannot live without my calendar.  I admit it.  I'm talking old-school sits on the desk and you write on it calendar.

Watching news of all the devastating wildfires this past summer, I’ve actually thought about what I would grab if I had to rush out of my house.  Obviously I would be sure all the people made it out.  Belongings that make the list are jewelry, make-up, pictures, laptop, cell phone, anything that has bits and pieces of my life stored in there.  But here’s my list in order:  pictures, calendar, then jewelry and that other stuff (I might have put make-up higher on that list, but I learned my lesson.  When moving here I brought a year’s worth of Maybelline in case you can’t buy make-up in the Midwest but it turns out you can).  So yes, the calendar even goes before my recipes.  I truly cannot function without that thing.

I know most people don’t write on calendars any more.  I too have a cell phone and a Kindle and a laptop.  I do have a calendar app on my Kindle and I have used it.  But here’s the thing.  I don’t have my kindle on every minute of the day.  I walk by the desk in my kitchen all day long.  I can glance down at that calendar and know everything I need to know about that day and even that month in just a minute’s time.  My schedule, everyone’s schedule is there.  I use different colors for the boys and for Husband to keep track of their schedules.  My “to do” list for the day is on there, but mine’s written in pencil so I can erase an item and put it on the next day, and then the next, and then the next.  So if I ever have to leave in a hurry, that old-fashioned calendar goes with me or this family would end up sitting on the curb paralyzed. 


My kids can be trying, h*ll (heck) everyone’s kids can be trying.  I’ve given them advice, I’ve given them tools, but it is beyond me how it is possible that they are so disorganized.  Clearly they need a calendar…and a bulldozer for the mess they call their rooms. Half the time they can’t find what they’re looking for and I certainly get why. And no matter what they think, I categorically deny that I sneak into their rooms and hide their belongings (although I do admit to the overwhelming temptation).  If it’s something I want them to find, the stock answer is “I don’t know where it is, we need to buy another one”.  Shoes from 3rd grade, pencil nubs, random pieces of paper with notes long forgotten, trash from the food they’re not supposed to be eating in their rooms, all that we can find.



Hidden Peppermint Patty Cookies| www.BakingInATornado.com |  #recipe

Hidden Peppermint Patty Cookies



It’s not just at home either.  I buy them file folders and accordion folders and whatever they need to keep school work organized.   More times than not everything is just shoved into their backpack, or folded 10 times into a little square and put into a pocket of the backpack along with gum wrappers and tech decks.  Yes, I’ve seen it with my own eyes.  I buy them flash drives to keep their school work on and they come home with school issued loaner flash drives because they can’t find theirs.  I have a kid who isn’t organized enough to … say … take his book to school for an open-book test.  And you ask why I’m stressed.

 I do love my kids, I tell them and they know it (well, I think ONE of them knows it).  But sometimes the conversation goes like this:

Put it on the Calendar | www.BakingInATornado.com |  #MyGraphics
Put it on the Calendar | www.BakingInATornado.com |  #MyGraphics





Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com |  #MyGraphics

Hidden Peppermint Patty Cookies
                                      ©www.BakingInATornado.com
**NOTE: My recipe for Homemade Peppermint Patties can be found here: Addicted To Candy

 Ingredients:  
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softenend
1/2 cup sugar 
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
24 mini peppermint patties, unwrapped and cold (keep in fridge) Opt: use a regular sized patty and cut into quarters
1 - 2 squares of vanilla bark
green food coloring


Directions:
*Beat softened butter, sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in egg.
*Mix in flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda.
*Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate about an hour.
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
*Break dough into 24 approximately equal size pieces.
*Give each piece a quick roll between 2 pieces of wax paper. Don't worry about it being even, just get it flattened.
*Put a peppermint patty in the center of each dough piece.
*Manipulate the dough around the patty with your hand. Make sure all of the patty is covered.
*Bake, 1 dozen per baking sheet, for about 13 minutes until they are set. Leave on the baking sheet for 1 - 2 minutes, then remove and cool completely.
*Melt vanilla bark in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Keep microwaving at 15 second intervals until completely smooth. Add food coloring.
*Drizzle the melted bark over the cookies. Let them set before touching them.

This recipe was adapted from Double Chocolate Cookies with a Peppermint Patty Surprise by pipandebby.com (which was itself adapted from Rachael Ray's Everyday magazine).

50 comments:

  1. I love my calendar too. I use technology but everything's getting TOO technology-oriented for my tastes.

    Your recipe looks delicious!
    Found you on Friday Chaos & am now following with GFC. Happy to be here! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh good, I'm not the only one who can't give up her calendar!

      Delete
  2. Stopping by from The Blog Hop! I would be lost without my calendar. I have one on the fridge, but I also keep a small one in my purse. Having kids has erased my short term memory; if I don't write down the appointment when I make it, it will be forgotten by the time I get home to the big calendar! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, now that you've admitted it I'll admit it too. I've got one in my purse as well. Those darn kids, zapping my memory (better than admitting that some of it may be age).

      Delete
  3. My calendar is on the side of the fridge. It's magnetic and GINORMOUS- both because I'm technologically inept and because I'm half-blind. I agree about passing by it everyday..I wouldn't take it with me in a disaster though; what better excuse is there for missing a school meeting?

    I yelled at the boys to throw down their laundry two days ago. It's down today (after threats) and there are two pairs of shorts with tags still on them. I don't even think they were from this year. Bring that bulldozer on over to my house, would ya? Then we can make your yummy cookies and gossip.

    Enjoy your weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like a plan. Two of the things that just make me crazy are when they outgrow clothes that still have tags on them and when they send clean clothes down the laundry shute rather than put them away. Maybe I'll ride that bulldozer to your house. What kind of gas mileage do you think it'll get?

      Delete
  4. Oh my gosh!! I am so happy to hear I am not the only person still completely addicted to a paper calendar!! I have a cell. I use cozi.com online. But if you took away my wall calendar and paper planner - I would probably still be lost! And I use the different colors for each family member trick also.

    Now, please excuse me... I have to go lick the picture of those cookies! (again)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOVE that I posted this and got to find out that I'm not the only one. I feel so much less like a dinosaur now!

      Delete
  5. I love peppermint patties. They make me feel like I'm in the middle of a cool forest. And the only thing I hear, the ONLY thing, hu-nnyyy, is the dew dripping off the cool g-reen leaves. HaHa! (Remember that commercial or am I dating myself?) Found you on the Hop. You're newest follower. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do I have to admit whether I remember that commercial or not? I'm not sure I remember whether or not I remember it. Let me know when you figure that one out!

      Delete
  6. My problem is that I tried putting my scheduled things on my iPhone calendar and stopped writing on the regular one. But then I'd get busy and forget to check my phone calendar, which resulted in missing a few things. So I should just go back to the regular calendar like you :)

    Thanks for linking up with my NO RULES Weekend Blog Party!
    Paula
    lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I spent hours putting everything into my calendar on my kindle, then couldn't figure out how to get back in there to check it, LOL!

      Delete
  7. Ha ha, well I'm kind of the opposite I am the text book version of "I use an app for that", but back in the day, can't believe I'm saying "back in the day" , I loved day planners and organizers! I loved them! Had to have one in my purse!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think, unfortunately, I'm "back in the day" still.

      Delete
  8. Love this idea - a peppermint patty in a cookie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can't take credit for the idea, but I can tell you that everyone seems to love them.

      Delete
  9. These look Amazing!! So delicious. I love peppermint and chocolate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Who doesn't like mint and chocolate? Oh yeah, my Mom, but other than her who else?

      Delete
  10. Stopping by from the blog hop! This is too funny. I used to be a Director for a Private Preschool & had one of those huge desk calendars at work & a duplicate at home. I was lost without it. You're not alone!!! Smooches, Cyn
    A.D.D. Music Mamma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay, love hearing that I'm not nuts and other people depend on the old fashioned calendars too!

      Delete
  11. I have awarded you the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers! Hurrah. No worries if you do not want to pass it on, I am just letting you know you rock!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are amazing. Thank you so much for the honor. Each and every award is meaningful, and your continued support is appreciated.

      Delete
  12. I don't have a desk calendering but I do have a diary still an handwritten one I keep in my bag, can't be without it.

    The cookies sound amazing! Thank you so much for sharing :).

    Thank you for linking up at the I Love my Post hop! I look forward to seeing you next week.

    Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just to be completely honest, I've got one in my bag also!

      Delete
    2. I have an awesome diary post coming up - it's personalised (I have a thing about personalised things lol) Glad I'm not the only one who does things the 'old fashioned' way ;)

      xx

      Delete
    3. I'll look forward to reading the post.

      Delete
  13. Hello, again. You found me via the Hop, so I am returning the favor. And let me just tell you, I just spent an hour and a half reading your blog! I really enjoyed reading every single piece you write. I'd try the recipes but I'm not one of those Moms, lol. Our stuff comes from a box. You said in your comment on my blog it's refreshing to know there's another Mom out there who goes through the same, and I have to reiterate this. Though your two boys are in high school and mine just 5th and 3rd, there are so many parallels I am laughing out loud as I read. And I'm wondering, is this what I have to look forward to? The story of how you got locked out of the house, it's happened to me, too. More than once, and once with the car. And yes, they are evil little boys aren't they?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So funny that you're wondering if this is what you have to look forward to, when my kids were little and people would tell me what was ahead I ALWAYS said "DO NOT tell me what's coming, it's hard enough getting through today"!

      Delete
  14. Oh! the calendar! You're not the only one! I don't know what I would do without it! Life is too busy anymore to be able to remember everything! No electronic calendars for me, thank you! Call me romantic or old-fashioned but if I don't actually HANDWRITE it down I don't feel like I will remember to do it. It helps my brain to process/store the info if I write it. What about the pleasure of putting a tick next to things done or smudge the ones not done and forward them to another day!? I've tried cell phones and other but can't. Paper calendars and organisers are much more handy (for me)!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought I was alone but it's amazing how MANY people are saying that they do the same thing. I guess sometimes the old ways are the best ways.

      Delete
  15. HI - I clicked on your link on the I love my post hop.
    I don't keep a physical diary/calendar but would be lost without the one on my phone.
    The thing I can't do without is my 'to do list' book that I keep beside my laptop. Handy when hubby asks me to look up stuff on the 'net for him! I can be forgetful and the To Do book is a remant of my working life - when our office closed the stationery cupboard got well and truly raided!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I get the list thing, everyone needs something to keep them organized, I just keep my "to do" list on my calendar. I think after so many years of using the same system I'd be lost trying to change it.

      Delete
  16. I use Google calender especially so that I can send invites to the hubs for joint events! But I still use a dry erase calender in the kitchen to see things at a glance...and also because I don't have a smartphone! :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't use a dry erase calendar, if my boys didn't like something I had scheduled it would be too easy for them to just erase it, LOL.

      Delete
  17. if it is not on my calendar on the fridge, the event simple does not exist in my life.
    lovely yummy recipe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, if you want to do it, I'd better be able to see it on my calendar.

      Delete
  18. I like my calendar on Outlook. The cookies look yummy.

    ReplyDelete
  19. i'm calendar obsessed too. i have to have everything in my written agenda, google calendar, and both synced with my iphone! new follower from the blog hop, can't wait to catch up on your posts!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, that really is calendar obsessed. You actually made me feel better!

      Delete
  20. Wish I am organize like you. I think I can memorize all whats needed to do in a day but I'm not.
    I love cookies now I'm craving for it in the middle of the night *sigh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wouldn't be organized at all without that calendar!

      Delete
  21. I love chocolate mint. I love your blog name. So cool. I hope you will share these lovelies at my holiday cookie exchange: http://www.tumbleweedcontessa.com/blog/2012-cookie-exchange-cookies-and-memories/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the invitation. I'll stop by and visit.

      Delete
  22. I have an old fashioned paper calendar hanging on the wall in the kitchen. It's the only way the Hubs knows what's going on.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No one looks at mine but me. I know where everyone's supposed to be even if they don't!

      Delete
  23. I have three (paper) calendars going at any given time. How else would I keep up with all the awesome challenges your dish out?

    Now, can we please talk about these cookies? Holy heck, lady. They are like a dream come true! I never bake for myself but I am absolutely going to. Maybe for Valentine's Day. Maybe tomorrow......

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you like chocolate and mint, you HAVE to try these. Delish!

      Delete
  24. Oh my yum. I can't even fathom how delicious these must be.
    So, my memory is horrible. It use to be amazing, but now I have this cyst making my brain its home, and it seems to make room for it, my memory is limiting new additions and discarding old entries. It's beyond frustrating. I honestly cannot explain the depth of sadness I feel. So, I've tried so many different ways to keep track of everything. Nothing is working. I finally just bought a planner. I'm hoping writing everything by hand, and having it in front of me on paper, is the winning technique. Otherwise, who knows...

    Meanwhile, I have made note to try this delicious recipe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have faith that your doctors will continue to shrink that cyst.In the meantime, keep working on strategies to help you, that's all you can do.

      Delete

Warning: Comment at your own risk. I have Comment Moderation, meaning I approve all comments before they show up here. So go ahead, I'm not scared!