Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

This is your lucky day, I am going to share my favorite sugar cookie recipe.  This sweet treat is one of Jack and Adam's favorites and I have to agree, it is pretty darn tasty.  I think it is the addition of the cream cheese that makes them so soft and chewy.  Go ahead, make them.  You deserve a treat!

Recipe Adapted from Cooks Illustrated 

2 ¼ C. All-purpose Flour 
1 Tsp Baking Powder
½  Tsp Baking Soda 
½ Tsp Salt 
1 ½  C. Sugar, Plus Extra for Rolling
2 oz Cream Cheese, Cut into Small Pieces 
6 Tbsp Unsalted Butter, Melted and Still Warm
¹/₃ C Oil (Vegetable or Canola) 
1 Egg
1 Tbsp. Milk 
2 Tsp Vanilla
1 C. M&M's or More

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line  baking sheets with parchment paper. 

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combine sugar and cream cheese in a large bowl (no need to stir them together yet).  Pour the warm butter over the cream cheese mixture and whisk to combine - the mixture won't be completely smooth yet, that's fine. Whisk in the oil then the egg, milk and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth. Use a rubber spatula to start folding the dry ingredients into the wet. When the dry ingredients are partially incorporated, add about three quarters of the M&M's to the dough. Continue mixing until a soft dough comes together. (Don't wait to add the M&M's until the dry ingredients are completely incorporated - you'll end up overmixing.) 

Portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about the size of a large walnut.  Working quickly (if you handle the dough too much you're more likely to wind up with flat cookies), roll the dough into a ball with your hands then roll in the extra sugar. Repeat until you've used all of the dough, placing 12 cookies on each baking sheet. Use the bottom of a glass to flatten the dough balls into discs.  Gently press 2 or 3 more M&M's into the top of each cookie (this is a great job for your “helpers.”)

Bake the cookies, 1 tray at a time, for about 11-13 minutes, or until the edges are set. The tops will be puffy and slightly cracked. Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack and let the cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes then transfer them to the rack to cool completely.

ZIP LINE!

It took two Sundays, a little ingenuity, and a some heavy duty supplies but we now have every Ninja-In-Training's dream in our front yard.  A ZIP LINE!

 When we moved into this house we knew the boys would be in heaven with the space they would have in our yard.  And for some reason Adam thought they would need a zip line to add to the fun.  Well once that promise was made to Jack, he wouldn't rest until it was fulfilled.  So one Saturday night, Adam told Jack when he got up the next morning to come wake him up and they would go out and build the zip line.  Little did Adam suspect that Jack would come tapping on his forehead at 4:30 in the morning.  "Hey Dad, let's go out and build the zip line."  Adam was able to sneak in a couple more hours by giving Jack free reign of the Kindle down on the couch.

Adam's first attempt at the zip line included a heavy duty line.  However, the line just couldn't be tied tight enough to withstand the weight of our Ninja-In-Training (N.I.T.).  I learned a new word, Adam called this curvature of the rope catenary, did you know that?

So a quick run to Spenard Builders Supply and Adam had the necessary supplies to build a sturdy and safe zip line.

Zip line supplies

 Nolan was quite the assistant in the process, using his trusty sword to clear the brush in the pathway.   However, he did have to test out his ability to walk on the steal cable without losing his balance.  Well done, Nolan! 

Once the steel cable was installed and tightened our N.I.T. gave it a test run.  We were pretty impressed with his arm strength.  He loved it, but for safety's sake a swing seat was next on the agenda.

With the swing installed and a ladder attached to the tree, Jack was ready for take off.  Notice the helmet?  Our boy will play in the sandbox wearing his helmet.  Safety first.

 Nolan doesn't need zip lines.  Just his sword, long grass, and an imagination.  I'm pretty sure he was looking for snakes in this picture.  Thankfully there are NO snakes in Alaska.  Bears on the other hand...

 I'd say the zip line is a success.  He can get on himself, pull the seat back up to the start himself, and have hours of Ninja Training.

However, we did have to set a few rules in regards to playing on the zip line.  The most important one, you ask?  Don't stand in the way of the person on the zip line or you may end up on your back.

JUST ASK NOLAN!

Company's Coming - Grilled Chicken with Three Tomato Bruschetta

When my husband informed me that we were going to have company for dinner this week, I was so excited.  Not only was it another adult for me to converse with, he was from Ohio!  So, I began thinking about what I would serve our guest.  One of our favorite go-to-meals is grilled chicken with bruschetta.  Garlicky with basil and just a little kick - I may go for a second helping while I write this up.

Joe and Adam worked together while Adam was stationed in Marblehead, Ohio.  He is very charismatic and a great story teller, I enjoyed hearing stories about Adam from before I knew him. Joe, is a captain for an outfitter in the bush near Holy Cross, Alaska.  He has been coming to Alaska to hunt since 1997 and has been working as a guide for the past five years.  He comes in July and stays through October.  He seemed quite happy with dinner and mentioned he'd be back in a few months to do it again.  It didn't take too much arm twisting to get him to take a bag of sugar cookies for the road. I look forward to seeing him again.

Grilled Chicken with Three Tomato Bruschetta

For the Chicken

6 Boneless Chicken Breasts
¾  Cup Balsamic Vinegar
½ Cup Olive Oil
3 TBSP Steak Seasoning (I used Montreal Steak Seasoning)
¹/₃ Cup Dijon Mustard
1 TBSP Sriracha
4 Garlic Cloves, Minced
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Ground Black Pepper

For the Bruschetta
1 Pint Yellow Cherry Tomatoes, Halved

½ Pint Cherry Tomatoes, Halved

4 Roma Tomatoes, Seeded and Chopped

15-20 Basil Leaves, Roughly Chopped (I used the basil found in the squeeze tube)
6 Cloves Garlic, Minced
1 TSP Dried Parsley
1 Lemon, Juiced
1 TBSP Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (I used Adam’s homemade blend)
½  Tsp Salt
½  Tsp pepper

Directions
In a bowl, whisk together all ingredients in chicken breast marinade (from balsamic vinegar to ground black pepper) and place in large re-sealable bag with chicken to marinate in the refrigerator overnight. I always place mine inside of a bowl, just in case it decides to leak.

In a separate bowl, combine all ingredients in the tomato topping and marinate in the refrigerator overnight.

The next day, preheat grill to medium high heat. Cook chicken breasts for 8 to 10 minutes or until cooked through (165 F). 

Serve with Bruschetta on top of chicken or on the side.  Make your meal complete with crusty bread and a fresh green salad.

White Beans & Ham (Slowcooker Recipe)

I can't get over how good this made my house smell.  I know that you are not supposed to take the lid off of the crock while it is cooking, but I could not resist.

Now this recipe would be an awesome rib sticking meal after Easter or any holiday when you have a left over ham bone.  We just moved, our freezer is empty, and their is no ham bone in sight.  So I made due with chopped, pre-packaged ham from the deli section.  

This recipe is so easy and I owe thanks to Plain Chicken for its creation.  I did modify it slightly to suite our tastes.  We love Cumin and probably could have added more.  And if we had hot sauce in our fridge, I know Adam would have doused his.

Slow Cooker White Beans & Ham

1 Pound Bag Dried Great Northern Beans

1 Pound Chopped Ham

6 Cups Water

2 TBS Onion Powder

1 Tsp. Cumin

1 Tsp. Garlic Powder

Salt & Pepper to Taste

Hot Sauce (for serving)

Rinse and peek through beans for any funky looking ones and remove.  Add the beans, ham, water, onion powder, cumin, and garlic powder to the crock.  I use a crock pot liner, which makes clean up SOOO much easier.  Cook on low for 8 hours, or until the beans are tender.  Serve with fresh corn bread.

Look Who's One

We finally had our household goods delivered on July 3.  We were thrilled to be able to have our things back and be in our house for the Fourth of July and a very special first birthday.

Claire joined our family and filled our hearts on July 5, 2012.  She came very quickly and has been a joyful addition every day since.  She is easy going, happy, and loves to watch the antics of her two big brothers.

Claire's First Year

Before we left Michigan our families got together at my brother Tony and sister-in-law Wendy's home for a send off party.  They included a celebration of Claire's first birthday, as well.  I was able to bake my girl her own smash cake and share this milestone with those we love.

Turns out our then ten month old girl wasn't too thrilled with the attention or the cake.

However, spending time with her cousins - that she could handle!

We attempted another smash cake on her actual birthday.  

This time it was a success. 

I am pretty sure she gets her love of cake and frosting from her mom!

Thunderbird Falls

We have yet to move into our house.  We have bounced between hotels, condos, and temporary military housing for the past 40 or so days.  The end is near, hopefully, with our household goods being delivered shortly after the fourth of July holiday.

We have taken the time to visit and explore our neighborhood and what is offered next door.  Our neighborhood is called Thunderbird Heights, which is named after the section of Chugach State Park next door that houses Thunderbird Falls.

The falls are located one mile from the trail head.  It is a pretty easy hike, once you get past the initial incline.  Adam carried Nolan on his back and I had Claire.  Jack, Claire, and I spent the majority of the hike looking at Nolan and Adam a good fifty feet in front of us.  I guess Jack and I need to start hiking a little faster.

This photo was taken by Jack.  He was begging and begging to use the camera (that we had him carry in his backpack).  I'd say he did a pretty nice job.

Mommy's team.  It's a winning group!

There is a separate trail, that is a little more difficult, that leads down to the base of the waterfall.  It was stunning and SO loud.  It was noticeably cooler and the spray made Nolan shiver on Adam's back.

The boys went a little further than Claire and I did.  I was a nervous wreck as they traversed the slight hill, but they had a handle on it and got a close up view.

We picked up a fancy pair of waterproof boots for Jack, called Bogs.  I think this is the best investment we have made this far.  He can walk through any puddle or mucky goop and not ruin his tennis shoes or pants.  He even waded in the stream to test them out.  They passed the test.

Alaska Native Cultural Center

On my mom's final day in Alaska we chose to visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center.  Now, my mom and I are both history buffs, but even if you don't have a huge interest in history, this place is a lovely way to spend a few hours.

The center offers many presentations throughout the day.  When we arrived they were just beginning their show on native dance.  It was fascinating.  The dancers told stories through their movements.  The native tribes had no written language or alphabet, everything was communicated through the spoken word and dancing.  Because of the small quarters in the meeting houses the dancing was focused on hand movements, as there was just not enough room to move around.

The center had replicas of the dwellings of six native tribes on their grounds.  Each area was completely hands on and furnished in the manner of the tribes.  

Grandma Laurie, Jack, and Nolan

We learned that one whale could provide sustenance to an entire tribe for an entire year.  These whales would be hunted in a boat that was like a large canoe made out of animal skin and just 12-15 feet long.  Once the whale was harvested, many boats would come out the 80 miles to drag the whale to shore.  Preparing the whale could take four complete days and not one part was wasted.  This is still done in some areas of the far north west, in the same manner.  

Eagle River Nature Center

As my mom's visit came to an end we decided to do a few final site seeing adventures.  Between Anchorage and our home in Chugiak, Eagle River is nestled.  We had heard that Eagle River had a great nature center with walking trails.  So we hopped in the car, on another 80 plus degree day, and went to check it out.

When we arrived, we learned the nature center itself was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.  Disappointed we found a trail guide and selected a 3/4 mile path.  After saturating ourselves with bug spray we walked behind the building.

We were in awe!  This was just the trail head, we hadn't even started the hike, yet!

Not letting the bugs or the heat deter them, the boys set off on the trail.  It was a well groomed path the led to a beaver viewing bridge as well as a salmon viewing bridge.

Our first stop was the beaver viewing overlook.  Oh my word.  The water was so still that the reflection was perfect, just like what you would see in a mirror.  I am pretty sure my mom and I stood there with our mouths agape.  We didn't see any beavers.  The educational signpost detailed how beavers will eventually use up all of their building materials in an area and have to abandon their work for an area full new material.  That must have been the case, here.

The salmon viewing bridge was appealing to the boys.  Jack kept hinting at how "refreshing" the water looked.  As tempted as I was I didn't give in to his pleas to "take a dip."

There were no salmon to be seen here in late June.  They typically run from August to October.  We will have to return to see the action.