Thin Mint Imposters

Sweet Swap

Click on Sweet Swap link to see other receipes and how you can join in on the fun!

Thin Mint Imposters

Waaaay Easy.  I have absolutely no measurements, but DO NOT be scared, really these are pretty fool proof.  I think these taste A LOT like the Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies.

Ingredients:

1 Box Chocolate or Vanilla Wafer Cookies. 

 *Chocolate ones are harder to find, Vanilla really does work ok.

Chocolate Almond Bark or semi-sweet chocolate chips melted. 

(I usually start with 1/2 pkg of almond bark for one batch. ) 

Peppermint Oil

Directions:  Melt almond bark/cc as directed.  Add very, very little peppermint oil and mix well.  Taste!  Taste testing is very important.  Some like it really minty some don't.  This oil is STRONG stuff DO NOT DUMP.  I use a toothpick, Old infant Tylenol dropper or something of the sort.  Some come w/a dropper already.  If you want more minty flavor  add more, but again little at a time.  After determining the right amount of mint.  Dip vanilla wafers.  Tap off excess chocolate and place on wax paper.  When chocolate is hard and set.  EAT & ENJOY  (These are great for Cookie exchanges and FREEZE GREAT.)  I would recommend not sharing these cookies in a container w/other cookiesin the freezer as they do give off a small amount of minty "breath"

Update

I took Owen to the ENT Dr for his 6 month tube check up this morning.  His ears aren't infected, BUT his TUBES are. Sigh...so we are back to the drops that cost me an arm and a leg last time.  However-GOD IS GOOD.  My reg. peditrician had SAMPLES!  Remember the rash caused by all the gross drainage last time. Well, prayers please that we don't have that problem again.  My reg. family dr also did a strep test, because Owen hasn't really ate anything for 3 days.  He's been living off of milk and fruit chews.  Tested negative for that.  Thinking something viral and/or ear issues.  He hasn't had a fever since last night so hoping we are on the mend.  He didn't fight Brent tonight w/the drops, praying I have that same luck in the morning. 

Almond Danish Swirls

Per your request Courtney-These are WAAAY easy and takes very little ingredients! 

Almond Danish Swirls-

Paula Deen (one of her very few reciepes that has NO BUTTER)

6 oz cream cheese (softened) I have used 1/3 less fat and works FINE

1 tsp. almond extract

1/2 c. powdered sugar

1/2 c. slivered almonds (chopped fine)

2 (8 oz) cans refrigerated crescent rolls (1/3 less fat works FINE here as well)

1 egg white

1 tsp water

Glaze:

1/2 c. powdered sugar

4 tsp milk

1/2 tsp almond extract (I use only 1/4 tsp)

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, almond extract, and powdered sugar until fluffy.  Fold half of the chopped almonds into the cream cheese mixture.  Seperate 1 can of dough and assemble into 4 rectangles.  Firmly press the perforations to seal.  Press or roll each piece of dough into 7x4 in. rectangle, spread each with about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese filling to within 1/4in. of edge.  Starting at short end, roll each rectangle tightly into a cylinder.  Repeat w/other can of dough and filling.  Place on plate, cover w/plastic wrap chill until firm.  Preheat oven to 350.  Remove chilled dough from fridge.  Cut each roll into 4 slices.  Place 1/2in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.  In another small bowl combine egg white and water.  Brush over the top of swirls.  Sprinkle w/remaining chopped almonds.  Bake 18-20 minutes until light brown.  While swirls are baking combine ingredients for glaze.  Cool the swirls for 3 minutes on wire racks.  Drizzle icing over the swirls.  Serve warm or cold.  Yield: 32 more or less

NOTE:  I wrote the directions as stated, but I don't do near the steps they require.  This is where I change it up.  I take entire roll of dough and press all together and roll into nice size rectangle ( I don't measure).  So instead of 4 rectangles I have ONE big one.  Repeat for 2nd can of dough.  I then roll up like cinnamon rolls. Then follow receipe as stated. I sometimes chill, but if in a hurry no need.  Only reason for chill is makes cutting a little easier.  I use a bread knife.  I also have used whole almonds pounded w/hammer or chopped almonds chopped a little finer.  Any questions let me know.  These are waaay addicting.  I would also suggest that if you aren't a major almond extract fan to not put in as much as stated. Extract tends to go a long way. 

Enjoy!

Beautiful Sign

This was taken last week after the rain.  There was acutally a double, but it was pretty faint and my camera didn't pick it up.  Either way-stll beautiful.

Sunday

Wow has the weather been awesome this weekend.  We had a fabulous time yesterday.  The WILDCATS WON!  We also had a quick fishing trip and hike at my parents. 

Sunday: Owen is the sicko today.  Actually he is only running a fever.  But I think a high one.  The reason I say "think" is because our thermometer has disappeared off the face of this earth.  We had it 1 week ago w/Garrett, we even had it 3 days ago, but NOW we don't.  Last night at 3am my husband was looking through our house w/a flashlight.  I mean he went into every room.  Again this morning we looked.  Still not found.  The reward is up to 1.50 if anyone can find it! Tylenol and ibprofen are our new friends.  Owen and I stayed home from church today.  He is playing right beside me now, because of the healthy dose of meds 90 minutes ago.  A slight cough. Not sure if its what G had.  I am thinking it could be ears and teetth.  His hand has been in his mouth a lot the last 2 days and I think his ears are causing some problems too.  We have our 6mo. check up w/the ENT on Tuesday.  Looking forward to what the dr. says then.  

I hope you all have a great day today!  Enjoy the weather and the beauty of the outside!

Attempt Number 2

Here is my second attempt w/cinnamon rolls.  I think they turned out rather well.  Stll need some perfecting, but that only happens when you try more.  If I try more I (we) EAT more.  So I'm going to put practicing on hold for awhile.  Especially since we are starting the Sweet Swap tomorrow. 

I went ahead and did a quick cream cheese/powdered sugar frosting.  Sorry, Kelly didn't have time to try and make yours, but sure yours would have been GOOD too!

Dominos

Maddie wanted me to post this:  She built this about 10 different times, before Owen finally left her alone.  Enough Said.

Selfishness vs. Sacrifice-What wins?

For a few days now I have had a LOOOOONGGG post all drafted up about this "30 day Giving Challenge" that was brought to my attention from This Gal.  The link describes what she wants us to do.  For 2 weeks now I have been avoiding this subject.  I know why I have been too: Because I'm chicken, scaredy cat, non-confident in my choices, stingy.  But the  post I have drafted is WAAAY long and wordy. I tried to explain every rational reason and opininon.  But really I just need to buck up.  My opinion may not be popular and it might not make sense to ANYONE, but atleast I can say I tried...right?

The beginning:  11 weeks of the Beth Moore Bible Study: Daniel-  This was one of the top ones I have ever done.  If you have never done this JUST DO IT!  It takes time and committment, but OOOOHHHHH SOOOO GOOOD!  It will make your brain work.  First half of the study is on the man of Daniel (way much more to him than the lions den), second half is about prophecy, fulfillment, and end times.  Second half is hard, but she makes it easier to understand.  Ok-enough plug on that, but this is where "My Giving Challenge" started and I didn't even know it. 

In week one of this study she challenged us to "give up" something for 7 weeks if we wanted to.  I wanted to, but everything seemed to much or too hard.  So I didn't.  Have felt convicted every week since.  And on the 7th week when she congratulated the ones that accomplished this, I felt even worse.  The 7 weeks had FLOWN by.  I COULD"VE and SHOULD'VE done this, but I chose to be SELFISH.

Fast forward to the 30 day giving Challenge.  I read the post, I liked it.  I thought my family could surely do something right?  But again everything I thought of seemed to hard, to much time, blah, blah, blah.blah.  SELFISHNESS!  But the funny thing is, I could tell God was wanting me to do something.  I kept having this nagging feeling. I really thought I need to post or say something, but what?????

Friday Nov. 6-Week 11 of Beth Moore.  Study Guide....  SELFISHNESS vs SACRIFICE........DING, DING, DING.  She  asked us to read this:

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, with-out self control, brutal, not lovers of good, treachous, rash, concieted, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-having a from of godliness but denying its power.  Have nothing to do with them.    2 Timothy 3:1-5

She then said that the root of all these listed above is SELFISHNESS.  I was thinking-NO, NOT ALL of those things are because of selfishness. But I am wrong.  If you sit and meditiate-ALL of these things in some form or another involve selfishness. 

I know this because I have been/done those things.  I know that we are not perfect, but we can try, and to be honest, somedays its just TOO HARD.  I take the easy way.  I would rather be proud (selfish) to say I'm sorry.  I would rather be unforgiving (selfish) because forgiving at times makes it seem like what was said or done is letting the other get away with it.  I have no self-control (selfish) when it comes to certain things.  NONE of which are good.  Frankly, I am going to stop there, because I am too embarrassed to say anymore. 

Present Day:  Have I ever given up/sacrificed something that it "pinches",  makes things a little uncomfortable?  Step out of my comfort zone so much it pinches?  Has it made me sit up and think?  NO, NO, NO.  I haven't.  Sad, but true.  Has my family?  NO, NO, NO.  Have we ever gone to a homeless shelter?  Have we ever given more than 100 dollars to something/someone other than our church?  Have we ever taken time to go to the nursing home to play a game with an elderly person?  Done a mission trip? Volunteered my time at a camp? Delivered meals on wheels? One word: NO

So what can I do?  A million different things. Giving has no end.  But ALL are going to take effort and sacrifice.  Not all HAVE to be BIG things.  Remember the saying: A little goes a long way.    I firmly believe that, but the first step in that is actually DOING something.  A baby just doesn't get up and run.  They take a few steps and fall down.  Get back up and try again.  Then they get braver and take more steps.  Before long its easy.  They don't even think about it.  I want GIVING/SACRIFICING TO BE THAT WAY.  I want to get to where I don't even think about it, that I don't think twice about it.  In the words of NIKE, I want to "JUST DO IT"

I thank you for letting me share these rambling thoughts.  Selfishness comes in all different ways, Some stand out, some are hidden.  I'm going to try and be more aware every day of how I act and respond.  Bottom line:

I WANT to be a GIVER!

"Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindess, humilty, gentleness, and patience"  Colossians 3:12