New Beginnings

I am so excited for what is in my near future. In one week when I return from spring break I will be back in the classroom!!! I so miss being in the classroom with students. After extended absences like this, I know that is where I belong and I can't wait until I have my own classroom. I also have my nephew's 1st birthday in a couple of days! He is getting so BIG. I can't believe one year ago I was sitting outside the delivery room hearing his first cries and holding his perfect little self for the first time. Now he is walking, talking and babblin' away. Love you Noodle, OXOXOX
 

Wedding 1/15/2011

I married my hubby this January on the 15th. We had a 10am ceremony followed by a lunch reception at Edinburgh USA in Brooklyn Park. Our bridal party consisted of: my sister, his sister, my best friend, his best friend, his brother-in-law, my brother, my nephew and his niece. Later that evening, we went to Two Stooges bar and pool hall for the after party.

Mrs. Hoff

Yesterday I married the man of my dreams and I became Mrs. Hoff!! I will have more info and pictures to follow.

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Alterations are almost done!!

So I finally got the bustles done on my dress, all fifteen of them!!! I am so excited I finally get to work on wedding stuff again now that finals over.

Christmas Cookies

So today I spent four hours making cookies. I made 4 dozen double chocolate chip macadamia nut, 3 dozen cornflake wreaths and almost 8 dozen spritz cookies!! I love days where I get to bake like this. I have listed my recipes as separate posts so they are easier to find. I have to say that these were some of the best Christmas cookies I have made to date. I have to give credit to my new Cookie Pro Ultra spritzer. I received it for a shower gift and this is the first spritzer I haven't had problems with. It worked perfectly from the start. It is Wilton brand and I got mine from Bed Bath and Beyond but I have seen them at Micheal's as well. This is a MUST HAVE for cookie bakers. Plus there is not batteries or cords, it is all some sort of weird fantastic pump system. Very easy to use and works amazing!!

Spritz Cookies

I was so pleased with these spritz cookies. Normally I have a lot of trouble getting the dough the right consistency, but these were perfect first and second time through.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups butter (3 sticks)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder





Directions:
1.Cream butter and sugar until smooth and slightly fluffy
2. Add egg, milk, vanilla and almond extract. Beat well
3. Gradually add flour and baking soda until smooth
4. Place dough in press and press on ungreased cookie sheet
5. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes

Double Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

These are the best cookies I have ever made!! I had gone through many recipes for these cookies and I was having a hard time finding one that stuck together well with out drying out. These are an absolute must try at least once, but I know they will become a favorite!

Ingredients:
12 oz chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
3/4 cup butter, cubed
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
8-10 oz white chocolate chips/chunks
1/2 cups coarsely chopped macadamia nuts (I use roasted for added flavor)

Directions:

1. In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water (but make sure it doesn't touch the bottom of pan), stir bittersweet chocolate and butter until smooth, 5 minutes. Remove bowl from over water; whisk in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.

2. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to chocolate mixture and stir until well blended. Stir in white chocolate chunks and nuts. Cover and chill dough until firm, at least 1 hour.

3. Shape dough into 2-inch balls and place about 3 inches apart on a buttered 12- by 15-inch baking sheets.

4. Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven until the edges cooked but still soft in the center, 12 to 15 minutes. If baking more than one pan at a time, switch pan positions halfway through baking.

5. Let cool for 5 minutes on sheets; transfer to racks to cool completely.
Makes about 30 cookies