Blog With Friends: Traditions

Today’s post is the next in our series of Blog With Friends theme collaborations. Each month a group of bloggers get together and publish a projects based on a theme. What I love about this partnership is that it’s not bloggers with similar interests or strengths but a diverse group coming up with a variety of posts. In any given month we may have a recipe, sewing tutorial, crafts projects, book review and/or a technology post all related to the theme of the month.

There will be individual project pictures and links to what everyone else has to offer at the end of my post, but here’s a peek at what we all came up with:

This month our theme is Traditions. My contribution is Peppermint Creme Sandwich Cookies.

This time of year is just steeped in tradition. No matter what your religion, chances are there are yearly activities you look forward to in December. Most of these are family related, but the one I'm honoring today is about friendship.

Every year, either with friends or neighbors (or both) people get together for a Holiday Cookie Exchange. Which, we all know, is about so much more than just cookies. With my friends, we'd actually bring a cookie dough. We'd have lunch and spend the afternoon baking our cookies together.

The neighborhood exchanges would generally be in the evening. We'd all bring an appetizer and 3 dozen cookies, spend a few hours together and go home with a tray of assorted treats.

I have some great memories of these events over the years. One year the party was just three houses up, but it was icy. Not wanting to walk carrying our cookies (no, that's not a euphemism) in the ice, a bunch of us somehow (probably just with the promise of all those treats) talked my husband into picking everyone up in his car and driving us up the street.

Then there was the time it was my turn to host and everyone ended up staying till the wee hours of the morning doing shots of Vanilla Rum. I take no responsibility for that one. Who am I kidding, that was all me.

Although I'm a big fan of traditional cookies, I also like to bring something new each year. It's a fun time to experiment with the flavors of the season and I've always got a house full of kids willing to taste test.

Because I don't always have all day to spend in the kitchen, I like breaking up my recipes into tasks that I can do ahead, or even partially ahead. For this cookie I started a day in advance. I made the filling, placed it in a sealed bag and stored it in the fridge. 

At the same time that I was crushing the candies for the filling, I crushed extra for the embellishment along the sides.

To bake and assemble, I brought the filling to room temperature while mixing up the cookie dough. 

From there it was easy peasy. I baked, cooled, filled and decorated.

As always, any time you make one of my recipes, feel free to post a picture of it to my Baking In A Tornado Facebook Page. I'd love to see it!

Be sure to visit all of this month's other Blog With Friends projects:


Robin of Someone Else's Genius shares her recipe for a delicious dinner, Shrimp Thermidor.

Rabia of The Lieber Family blog shares how to Creating a Family Time Capsule as a winter family tradition for years to come.

Lydia of Cluttered Genius shares recommendations for Family Favorite Holiday Movies. 

Peppermint Creme Sandwich Cookies

                                            ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients (makes 3 dz):
4 TBSP butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2/3 cups baking cocoa
2 TBSP chocolate syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup buttermilk

4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 TBSP butter, softened
1/4 tsp peppermint extract
1 jar (7 oz) marshmallow creme 
10 oz peppermint candies, finely crushed
1 cup powdered sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper.
*Beat 4 TBSP butter with brown and white sugars until smooth. Beat in vanilla and eggs.
*Lower speed and carefully beat in 1 cup flour, then 1/2 cup buttermilk, followed by the baking cocoa, salt and baking soda. Once incorporated, beat in the other 1/2 cup buttermilk and the chocolate syrup. Last, beat in the final cup of flour.
*Scoop or pipe about 1 TBSP batter onto baking sheets, about 30 per sheet. Bake approximately 8 minutes or until they puff up and the centers are completely set.
*Allow to sit on the baking sheet for one minute before removing. Cool completely before filling.
*While the cookies are cooling, beat the cream cheese and 2 TBSP butter until smooth. Beat in the peppermint extract and marshmallow creme just until incorporated. Mix in the powdered sugar and a little over 1/2 of the crushed candies. Place in a piping bag or a plastic gallon bag with the corner clipped.
*Pipe about 1 TBSP filling onto the flat side of half of the cookies. Cover with the other half of the cookies to form a sandwich. Press together gently.
*Place the rest of the crushed candy on a plate, roll the sides of the cookies in the candy.

*NOTE: I like to  store these in the fridge and bring to room temperature for serving.

Secret Subject Swap: That Unicorn Better Come With A Maid

Welcome to the December Secret Subject Swap. This month 15 brave bloggers picked a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style. Today we are all simultaneously divulging our topics and submitting our posts. Read through mine and at the bottom you’ll find links to all of today’s other Secret Subject participants.

My subject is: You open your door and walk in to find glitter everywhere. What do you do?
It was submitted by: Dinosaur Superhero Mommy.

Now I may not be Sherlock Holmes. In fact, I'm not even Stephanie Plum, but even I can deduce that there is something going on here. I am positive this is not how I left my house.

I've been in situations I could not immediately grasp before and I can tell you right now that, like it or not, the first thing I'm going to do is look for the Candid Camera crew. For those of you young 'uns who don't know, Candid Camera was the original Punk'd. Not celebrities but everyday people were secretly filmed reacting to all kinds of set-up absurd situations, then shown a camera crew and told to "smile, you're on Candid Camera".

I know that would be my first reaction because it had happened before. When I was a freshman in college, one night while home on winter break, my mom was going out with friends and had allowed me to borrow her brand new car to go shopping with my sister. When we left the mall and went to where I'd left my mom's car (I told you it was brand new, right?), the car wasn't there. My sister started looking around, clearly we just had the spot wrong, right? Not me, I stood in the empty spot twirling around looking in all directions, laughing, waiting for the crew to come tell me to "smile, you're on Candid Camera." In fact, I was expecting the crew right up until, back home later on, the State Police called to say they had found the car {{phew}}, and that the kid who stole it had totalled it {{cancel that "phew"}}.

I digress.

But old coping mechanisms die hard so I have to say that the first thing I'd probably do is look around for that camera crew.

Spicy Spanish Casserole

 The next thing I might do is look for Happy-Go-Lucky Leprechaun. Lucky and I have a history. I first encountered him around St. Patrick's Day of 2014 when he snuck into my alter-ego Suzie Storm Tornado's house, stole her Lucky Rainbow Cookies and {{gasp}} wore them as pants.

 He was back the following week when Suzie tried and failed to outsmart him with a scheme involving her Dark Chocolate Chip Bread. He even returned the following March when Suzie was about to make her Creme de Menthe Shamrock Cake.

But no, this glitter isn't Happy-Go-Lucky. It's December, not March. Lucky is in hibernation. Or in his war room planning his next attack . . .

 So . . . look for the disco ball and black lights?

Oh, I know, duhhhh, I'm on Facebook, I've seen all of those memes, unicorns poop glitter. Sheesh, everyone knows that. There's a unicorn in my house. That's it. And unicorns bring good luck. I like good luck. I NEED some good luck. Bring it on. How does this work, do I make a list? Rub its belly? Pick up the glitter and sprinkle myself with it?

Whatever it is, let's do this. 

But one more thing. Looking around my house at all of this glitter, let me just say that if that unicorn wants to live long enough to poop in another home one day . . . he better have come with a maid . . .

Here are links to all the sites now featuring Secret Subject Swap posts. Sit back, grab a cup and check them all out. See you there:

Not That Sarah Michelle 
Spatulas on Parade

Sparkly Poetic Weirdo 
Southern Belle Charm 
 Rena's World
Dinosaur Superhero Mommy
The Bergham Chronicles
Never Ever Give Up Hope 
The Angrivated Mom 
Someone Else's Genius 
Confessions of a part time working mom 
The Lieber Family Blog 
Juicebox Confession 
Climaxed 

Spicy Spanish Casserole

                                                                          ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients:
4 pre-cooked flavored hot sausage links, sliced (I like Jalapeno Cheddar or Chipotle and Roasted Garlic)
1 cup long grain rice
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (15.25 oz) corn kernels, drained
1/2 cup salsa
3/4 cup water
1 small onion, chopped 
1 small red pepper, chopped
1 tsp + taco seasoning
1 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

Directions:
*Grease a 2 quart round casserole dish with non-stick spray.
*Spread the rice into the bottom of the dish.
*In a bowl, mix the sliced sausages, diced tomatoes with their juice, drained corn kernels, salsa, water, onion, red pepper, 1 tsp of the taco seasoning and 1 cup of the shredded cheese. Pour over the rice.
*Top with the other 1/2 cup of cheese, then sprinkle with more taco seasoning.
*Cover tightly and cook an hour and 15 minutes or until the rice has absorbed all the liquid.
*When serving, uncover very carefully.

 

A Holiday Story: Set In Motion

I am so excited today to revisit a fun and successful project started a year ago, the Progressive Story Project. Today's post is the third of these ventures. But it's not with a new story.

Last December, 18 bloggers collaborated to write A Holiday Story. Each of the authors added their voice to what turned out to be an amazing piece of fantasy.

I don't think anyone was happy when the project ended. Many of the writers wanted to continue and there were requests for more on my FB page from readers as well. After weighing our options, we, the authors, decided to maintain the integrity of A Holiday Story by keeping it holiday oriented and presented at holiday time. So we began a second project.

This past July 18 bloggers, some original participants and some new friends, presented Storm Past. Equally successful, this piece took on a completely different tone, way darker. Once again we were sad to see it end.

Today I'm so proud to present a return to last year's A Holiday Story. As always, I've listed the author of each segment above their contribution along with a link their blog. They each have a unique style of writing and voice, I encourage you to check out their blogs.

Before you read on, be sure to read the first three chapters:

A Holiday Story 
A Holiday Story: Part Deux 
A Holiday Story: The Finale 

 Karen of Baking In A Tornado

Bethryn hung up the phone in a daze. So many thoughts swirled through her mind. She had a job interview and she actually was ready. There was hope that she would not so much lose the house as move on from it.

But there was trepidation too. This was a new, start-up company and it would entail a move. Can she take that kind of a risk with her son?

"Stop", she told herself. Talk to Leon, hear him out, get the facts before mentally taking the steps. It might not be right for her. She might not be what they're looking for.

She did know this, though, three years ago holiday time was about painful change. This year holiday time holds promise.

And this she knew too: if ever there was a time it was now. Damon had shown that he was ready to move on. As they took those steps over the next few days, whether Leon Atnas would ultimately be a part of it or not, there was more to share here at home. The key, the quill feather pen, the old ink well, the special paper, it is all part of Damon's history. 

Her mother's story still needed to be told.

 Tamara of Confessions of a part time working mom

Long after everybody had gone to bed, Bethryn was lying there, wide awake, thoughts chasing each other through her mind.

She never had a video job interview, and her last "regular" interview was many years ago. What questions would Leon ask? Was she going to be able to answer them at all without making a fool out of herself?

The last couple of years she had been taking care of Damon at home, living off the insurance money she got when her husband passed away. She didn't have any current business skills, much less some that might be required in a fast-paced start-up environment.

She realized that she had forgotten to ask Kamryn what field Leon's firm was in, and where it was located. Where exactly would she have to move?

"Since I can't sleep, I might just as well get up and do some research" she said to herself.

She poured herself a chai tea and logged on to the computer, but as she googled "Leon Atnas", the only thing that the Urban Dictionary came up with for ATNA was the acronym for "all talk no action."

Bethryn was confused.

"OK, I get that it's a start -up firm and they may be super busy, but shouldn't they have a website?"

She took a long sip of her sweet and spicy tea and all of a sudden it hit her. LEON ATNAS was SANTA NOEL backwards! Oh my goodness, what was it? An all year round Christmas shop? A toy store? A bakery? All of the above?

 Lydia of Cluttered Genius

Bethryn's mind was reeling with the possibilities. Her heart was pounding, but she forced herself to think clearly: It could just be a coincidence. Right?

She closed her laptop and sat back. If it was a Christmas-related field, she'd have this completely under control. She knew kids. She knew toys. She was comfortable in all things related to gifts. Working with someone who baked would be easy, too. She and her mother had spent countless hours in the kitchen baking sugar cookies and cakes around the holidays.

Bethryn allowed her mind to wander around all of the thoughts, and she drifted off into a restless sleep. Tossing and turning, she continued to wake herself up as she murmured questions of what this opportunity might entail.

The next morning, she stumbled out into the kitchen and greeted her mother and Damon who were happily putting together a puzzle.

"Mom, Damon, we need to talk."

 Robin of Someone Else's Genius

They continued with their puzzle as if she hadn't spoken. Bewildered, she spoke again, increasing the strength of her voice.

"Mom. Damon. We need to talk!" No response. It was as if she didn't exist here, in this moment. Suddenly she couldn't remember what important enough to drag her from a fitful sleep, what she desperately needed to discuss with her family.



A fog began to cloud the image of her mom and son, commiserating over the puzzle pieces and she felt unsteady. Her head began to swim and half-realized memories floated by, but she couldn't grab ahold of any to ground her in this dream state.

A figure materialized in front of her, amidst the swirling grayness. It was Wywren, her late husband! Only . . . something was different. She couldn't put her finger on it until he held out his hand to introduce himself.

"Welcome, Bethryn. My name is Leon Atnas. Shall we begin?"

 Meg of Just A Little Nutty

She reached to shake Mr. Atnatos' extended hand but found herself being helped up into a small blue sleigh and seated next to the man she felt that she already knew. Two exquisite, intricately hand stitched quilts were placed upon her lap as her thoughts swirled quickly, as she tried to make sense of all of this. The horses were signaled and they were on their way. Faintly, she could hear Frank Sinatra crooning about having a merry little Christmas.

The sleigh was picking up speed and seemed to almost float along the top of the empty snow covered street. The wind, smelling lightly of peppermint, rushed past her cheeks and swirled through her hair but was no colder to her than a warm summer's day. It tickled her neck and she smiled and laughed. 

He glanced over at her, clearly enjoying her happiness.

 His eyes were soft golden flakes of amber that sparkled slightly and drew her in. His smile was a little crooked but genuine. His face was so expressive and her eyes wandered around, drinking up the delicious familiarity she saw there.

She had so many questions to ask him. Then he started humming along to the music and her senses seemed to scramble a bit more.

He leaned towards her and whispered in her ear, "Bethy, you need to get up."

"What?" She asked him, extremely confused.

~~~ Continue reading here: A Holiday Story: First Steps ~~~