Terrific Tuesday

I still tire easily...but I'm up and functioning. I AM taking naps. 

This morning I had a blast joining the Misawa PWOC as they worked to receive and package cookies to take to those working on the flight line this Holiday season.  I baked cookies here (see the recipes below) and then went in to help the board with extra cookies and bagging. 

Lisa and Tracy - Tracy is my new shopping hero

Shannon, Victoria and Terri (Terri is PWOC J's Titus 2)

I love my time in the PCOC room, but this gave me a chance to connect beyond the walls of the pre-school room. ::grin::

We took Michael's van to Big D's today....the new muffler has arrived.

Tonight, we were thrilled to welcome home Sgt Anderson and Ch. Reeder from their deployment. Is the timing great or what????? I love that they'll be home for Thanksgiving. Thanks to Shannon C for taking these shots which I stole from Facebook.

Ch Mike C & Amelia - Their 2 girls  remind us so much of Bre & Krista

OK - is that Chaplain always a ham? 

Home - Jenn and Ch. Chris R

Welcome home! Will (Sgt A) & Lisa

So happy to have this team home in Misawa. We've missed the spark they bring to chapel life.

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

New Thanksgiving Fun

We have enjoyed these this season. We are not NEARLY through the box of questions, but we'll keep working on them. 

The company also makes a Christmas and Family Dinner box of questions! 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Cocoa Crinkle Cookies (Hersheys)

These are an old favorite and so I made them. The kids loved them and we took 4 doz to PWOC's get out the cookie effort. 

INGREDIENTS: 
2 C sugar
3/4 C Vegetable Oil
3/4 C Cocoa
4 Eggs
2 tsp Vanilla
2 1/3 C Flour
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt

Powdered Sugar

DIRECTIONS:
Cream sugar and oil; add cocoa and beat until blended. Beat in eggs and vanilla.

Stir together flour, baking powder and salt; add to the cocoa mixture; beating well.

Cover and refirgerate until dough is firm enough to handle, at least 6 hours.

Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly grease cookie sheet. Shape dough and roll in powder sugar.

Bake 11 - 13 minutes - until top is cracking and there is only a slight indention when you touch the top.

VEGANIZE:  Try replacing sugar with Rapadura (may be too strong), coconut oil for oil; egg replacer or flax seeds and water for eggs. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

SOFT Gingersnaps (Libby H)

Libby brought these to MOPS. I knew they had added sugar (which I limit) and weren't vegan so I passed them up; but everyone raved about them. When I needed to make cookies for PWOC to deliver to the flight line I knew I'd try these.  They are SOFT and chewy and YUMMY....and I put vegan directions below. 

INGREDIENTS: 

1C brown sugar

3/4 c shortening (get the sticks, so much easier!)

1/4c molasses

1egg

2 1/2c all purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375. Beat sugar, shortening, molasses, and egg together. Add other ingredients. Roll in ball, dip top of ball in granulated sugar. Bake for 10 min.

Veganize: Rapadura replaces sugar; coconut oil replaces shortening/butter; egg replacer or flaxseed/water replaces egg. Rapadura can have a  "molasses like" flavor but that is just fine in these. 

Choosing Joy!
©2012 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...