1 Year Anniversary GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY CLOSED

Ok, I have been way slow with this GIVEAWAY.  March is my Blog's Anniversary.  I wanted to do alot more to celebrate 1 YEAR doing this blog, but just haven't done it.  It's crazy to me to think that my blog is a year old already.  Thanks to all of you that have supported me and for all of the wonderful comments.  This blog is turned into more than I ever thought it would be.  With that, Here is what I am giving away for my Anniversary to one of you!

It's a Flirty Apron!  Have you heard of them?  I first saw them in the mall in Provo about 5 years ago.  I thought they were so cute, but never got one for me.  A few weeks ago I saw an add to purchase "irregular" Flirty Aprons for more than half off the regular price.  I took the chance on the "irregular" title, and bought two.  One for me and one to give away!  The "irregular" on this one is just some smudging on the print in a few spots.  You can only see it if you are looking closely.

Anyway, it is an adorable Apron!  And I am GIVING IT AWAY!

To enter for a chance to win this APRON, all you have to do is:

Leave me a Comment!

Please leave contact information in your comment.  I will only contact you if you win!

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This GiveAway will close March 31st at 9:00 PM

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Good Luck!  And HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Kristi's Kitchen Kreations!

Cookie FANS!

Many of you know that Monday is "COOKIE MONDAY" at our house!  I have tried really hard to make sure I have cookies coming out of the oven every Monday when my girls walk in the door from school.  Some days it is a challenge to get the cookies done, but other days it is a challenge to not eat them all!  I started Cookie Monday when my girls started school in the fall of 2009.  We had just moved from Utah, my girls were starting a new school and the only thing I thought to do to help them when they got home from their first day was make them cookies.  That's when I decided to do it every Monday!  I also have a friend back home that inspired me to make cookies more often.  My girls spent a few afternoons at her house after school a few years ago.  They came home and told me how MRS. M. always had cookies for her kids after school.  Mrs. M. has inspired me in more ways than this, but almost everytime I make cookies for the kids after school I think of her and miss her.  Thanks Mrs. M., we ALL look forward to Cookie Monday!

In honor of Cookie Monday, I wanted to start something new!  I want to share pictures of Cookie Fans!  So, If you have a picture of you or your young one(s) making cookies together, and would be willing to share it, please send it my way!  I want to try to post one a week for Cookie Monday!  E-mail the picture to me at Kristirowley @ hotmail . com.  Please type in the subject bar, "Cookie FANS!"

Check out our first COOKIE FANS!

This is the CUTEST or should I say HANDSOMEST picture!

These COOKIE FANS made the colored cookies for St. Patricks Day.

Thanks for sharing J. Family!

Chocolate Chip Cookies III

1 2/3 cup shortening
1 1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 tsp. vanilla
4 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp. soda
1 1/4 tsp. salt
3 cups chocolate chips
optional: nuts

Cream together shortening and sugars.  Add egg and vanilla.  Mix in dry ingredients, then the chocolate chips.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

*This recipe came from my mom.  All three chocolate chip recipes that I have posted have the same ingredients, just different amounts.  It does make a difference in the taste of the cookie too.  When I made these I used my "BIG" cookie scoop.  The outsides had a nice warm crunch and the inside was soft and melty.  These didn't last long at our house!

March Weekly Menu 4

Sunday:  Jim's B-day!  Fried Chicken/Mashed Potatoes with Chicken Gravy/Corn/Rolls/Jello

Monday:  Spaghetti

Tuesday:  LEFTOVERS

Wednesday:  Homemade Chilli/Homemade Bread 

Thursday:  McDonalds

Friday:  Pizza

Thanks to all who have "LIKED" my Facebook Page.  I Love reading your comments and appreciate your support.

Homemade White Bread

This recipe came from Allrecipes.com

3 cups warm water*

3 tablespoons active dry yeast

3 teaspoons salt

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 cup white sugar

8 cups bread flour

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, salt, oil, sugar, and 4 cups flour. Mix thoroughly, and let sponge rise until doubled in size.
2. Gradually add about 4 cups flour, kneading until smooth. Place dough in a greased bowl, and turn several times to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled.
3. Punch down the dough, let it rest a few minutes. Divide dough into three equal parts. Shape into loaves, and place in three 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch greased bread pans. Let rise until almost doubled.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 to 45 minutes. The loaves may need to be covered for the last few minutes with foil to prevent excess browning.

*I added 1 cup powdered milk to the warm water.
**So no, this is not as good as Grandma Opal's, but I am quite pleased with how this bread turned out.  I love when a dough is a "good dough" which gets there by lots of kneading.  I allow my mixer to do the kneading, and it still takes about 10 minutes.  If you do it by hand I would suggest kneading it for 15 minutes.