A Valetine's Day Story

REWIND back to 2004 - I was at college in Alabama and Jarrett was 7 hours away at college.  Usually, due to work, I wasn't able to come home from the time I went back after Christmas until March.  It was basketball season, gymnastics, swimming and then baseball back-to-back-to-back, and I had to be present at all of the games/meets, so I just couldn't get away.  Valentine's Day was approaching and while I couldn't go home to visit Jarrett, I wanted to do something special for him.  So, I decided I would make him cookies and ship them to him. 

Now, keep in mind, I DON'T bake so what may seem like an easy, mundane task was extremely difficult for me.  His favorite cookies are oatmeal raisin, so I found a recipe and got to work.  Little did I know, that was the easy part!  I also wanted to make him heart shaped cookies with icing on them.  So, I went the easy route and bought a roll of plain cookie dough, premade icing and heart shaped cookie cutters.  Before I knew it, my entire kitchen was covered in flour (so the dough won't stick while you roll it out) and cookie dough, and red icing was everywhere!  I was amazed at what a mess I could make even with premade dough.  In the end, those too turned out okay. 

So, I packaged up all of his cookies and sent them to his house for him to get for Valentine's Day.  At the time, he lived with his brother, who for whatever reason was home first on the day the cookies arrived.  I'm not sure why, but Brother opened the package, found the cookies and ate all of my heart shaped cookies!  Jarrett never even got to see the cookies that I worked so hard at making for him.  I was SO upset.  Thankfully, Brother doesn't like oatmeal raisin cookies, so he didn't eat those, the ones I actually made from scratch, so I guess that was okay.  Imagine how mad I was when Jarrett called to say thanks for his oatmeal cookies and had no idea what I was talking about when I asked him about the others.  This is typical brother-in-law for you.  At least he thought they were good!

Anyway, here's the recipe for those oatmeal raisin cookies.  I actually kind of impressed myself by making them.  I have made them a couple of times since then and they always turn out pretty good.

OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup butter flavored shortening
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup raisins

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F


In a large bowl, cream together the butter, butter flavored shortening, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Stir in the oats and raisins. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes until light and golden. Do not overbake. Let them cool for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets to cool completely. Store in airtight container.

A Much Needed Break & the Most Awesome Chili EVER

Well, it's the week of Thanksgiving.  First of all, I am thankful to finally have some time off.  For two weeks straight, I worked over 50 hours a week, 13 days without a break.  I need some time to relax and I am hoping for that this week.  My sister is here with her two youngest kids, so I probably won't get to rest entirely, but a break from the office is definitely welcomed. 

While I'm not at my "job,"  I am working on a few projects.  The Barefoot Belle is hard at work creating Christmas cards, recipe cards and invitations for people.  I am thankful that people are trusting me with some of the big moments in their lives.  I am also working on a few Christmas presents for our family (more to come later).  Let's just say Jarrett's awesome calendar last year was a big hit and someone will get a repeat.

I missed Foodie Friday...again.  But I have been dying to share a recipe and now it's cold enough to do so.  It has a story behind it, so here goes - when I worked in Alabama, I was placed with the meanest man in the office.  Apparently, before me, no student could get along with him.  He was mean, but I stuck it out and gave it back to him everytime.  My first semester, he made me clean out his entire office, which hadn't been done in years!  And everyday, I'd go in with a smile, tell him he should be nice, and would talk his ear off.  Well, turns out, I love him!  And he loves me!  We got really close and everyone else was amazed by our relationship.  When I graduated, he gave me a crock pot and his famous chili recipe.  I was sworn to secrecy until recent, but I've been given permission to share.  I know some of the things sound weird, but try it.  It really is the best chili ever!

Roots' Chili

INGREDIENTS
2 lbs. Ground Turkey (or beef)
1 chopped onion
2 packages Rach Dressing mix
2 packages Taco Seasoning
2 big cans Stewed Tomatoes
2 cans White Corn
2-3 c. Water
16 oz can Black Beans (don’t drain)
16 oz can Pinto Beans (don’t drain)
16 oz can Mexican Chili Beans (don’t drain)

DIRECTIONS
Brown meat and onions

Dump everything into a crockpot and simmer for a few hours.  ENJOY!