Friday, October 26, 2012

EmWrites about Hospitality

Hey Friends!
I was invited to guest post over at my good friend Emily Miller's blog today!
Emily is a close friend I made while living in the great city of Chicago, and has taught me many things including a reverance for Patron Saints.
She is a newlywed that blogs over at EmMillerWrites, writes for Start Marriage Right and The Chicago Sun-times! 
Over on her blog she has been doing a FANTASTIC series on Hospitality called You're Welcome.
This series has a lot of awesome stuff about being hospitable and why being hospitable is important so go check it out!
Also-Emily is in general really fun and witty....so take some time to check out her blog in full.
Don't worry-she gave me permission to let you blog stalk her!

Have a good weekend!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

That one time

So remember that one time when I told you that my husband was in a band, and that band was going to have a concert?


Well-that totally happened!


Like, two months ago..... :)


But I have PROOF!



It was the best ever having a concert in our backyard. 
We had over 80 friends and family come by and we even got to meet some new neighbors! 
Soon there will be a song clip up of the show.....but Mr. Gill is in charge of making that happen-as it will be showcasing his band. 

One last thing:



I LOVE Fall and all the joys that come with it, like watching my nephews play in the leaves!


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Truffles!




Truffles.

Cookie Dough Truffles.

Seriously, these are SO SO good.

AND Bonus-if you can make chocolate chip cookies-you can totally make these!

















I first found this recipe on the blog Love and Olive Oil a couple of years ago when I was looking for a sweet treat to bring to a function but I didn't want to bake.

















The only modification I've made to the recipe is to add a little bit of espresso powder, because all chocolate chip cookie things are better with coffee!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles

Yield: 3-4 dozen
Prep Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 1/2 hours

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup milk
1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
14 oz dark chocolate candy coating

Directions:

Beat butter and sugars and in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add milk and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt and mix on low speed (or by hand) until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips.
Cover and chill dough for 1 hour.
When dough is firm enough to handle (it may help to lightly flour your hands), form dough into 1" balls and arrange on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Place sheets in freezer and let chill for 30 minutes.
Melt chocolate candy coating in a double boiler or in microwave according to package directions. Using forks or a dipping tool, dip cookie balls into candy coating to cover. Tap fork on side of pan to remove any excess coating, and return to waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Chill until set.

These are great to just have in your freezer to pull out when guests are over.....if you can resist the tempation of having them in your house!

*Jenny G