Phew...It's Friday

First off, HOLY COW! I have not written on here in almost a month. I've been feeling a little guilty as each day passes, not taking the time to reflect and write on the goings on this September. As fall is fast approaching (feels like it's here to me!) I will start to have more time to work on wedding projects, home DIY goals, baking and blogging. I love being outdoors when it's nice but once it starts to get that chill in the air I prefer to heat up the house with baked goods or cozy up with a blanket and a good book...which is what gets in the way of all those darn projects I want to get done.

Has anyone else noticed there is not enough time in the day to accomplish everything???

After a day of getting hung up on 3 times and being "yelled" at (seems a strong word but it was more than being told. It was of a very upset nature. Lectured? Scolded? Unsure) for something I had no control over... what...so...ever, I plan on another night of doing nothing. Nothing but drinking wine. Maybe even the GOOD wine. Hmmmm......

Which leads me to last weekend.

I went to my very first winery. Yes, I'm almost 30 and went on my very first wine tasting adventure. Actually it was just a little winery in Three Lakes, WI but it was a first, nonetheless. Between Tony and I we picked out 4 bottles of wine. It's almost a hobby of ours come fall and winter. We have game nights and movie nights which, of course, go hand in hand with WINE! Ok...I'm sounding like an alch-y. Next topic.

The wine tasting was only a stop along the way on our trip Up North. We went to St Germain, WI for a 3 day weekend with my parents. We had a great weekend eating and drinking and relaxing (there we go drinking again). I got to take a 2 HOUR nap. When does that happen??? We went to our favorite steak joint, Blink Bonnie, and had a few too many cocktails at the tikki bar at Pub n' Prime. We had game nights and ate more food. Just thinking about it makes me want to do it all over again. The only negative about vacation? You have to detox and diet when you get home...talk about a bummer.

 I baked my awesome Banana Butterscotch Bread and I also made two very different and fantastic cookies to take along on our trip. Oatmeal Raisin and White Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Cookies. I found both of these on Pinterest and decided they sounded equally delicious and were a must. One was more of a dessert while the other one could be a breakfast cookie. Not healthy. I didn't say healthy. Just something that would taste good in the morning. Until you get a real breakfast. Hey...it's what you do ON VACATION.

Now, I didn't take the time to take pictures. In fact, I didn't even think of it until after they were gone. That's how busy I was trying to bake and pack at the same time. But thankfully Shelly, from Cookies and Cups, has beautiful pictures that I will also link to her site. These were both a huge success with my family and fiance' (and my coworkers...who got them on Monday). I will definitely be making them again.

This weekend we have a wedding to attend and I'm HOPING to get some fall prep work done...such as pulling up flowers, bringing plants inside and maybe a little nesting. I am looking forward to the weekend slowing down to actually get some things accomplished before it gets cold (....although a friend of mine DID report snow in her area already! SERIOUSLY??? I'm soooooo not ready for that! )

So with that...cheers to a great weekend! What are your plans for the two wonderful days away from work? (Maybe you should make these cookies. Seriously...go for it! ;) )

Me and my fiance'...huh huh huh (this proceeds when said in an
Italian accent. Thank you Miss Amy)

Tony and I with my parents at our favorite spot, Blink Bonnie.

My first winery experience.

White Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Cookies

Recipe from www.cookiesandcups.com

From Cookie and Cups

Ingredients

• 1 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
• 2 cups AP flour
• 3 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 1 (12 oz) bag white chocolate chips
Frosting:
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 3 T. butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 cups sifted powdered sugar

How to Make

1. Preheat to 350
2. Cream butter and both sugars with mixer.
3. Beat in egg, vanilla and pumpkin.
4. Combine dry ingredients and slowly add to butter mixture.
5. Mix until combined.
6. Stir in white chips.
7. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto parchment lined baking sheet. (Batter will be sticky)
8. Bake approx 12 minutes until edges are slightly golden.
9. Let sit on baking sheet for at least 2 minutes and then transfer to wire rack to cool.
For frosting:
10. Combine brown sugar and butter in small saucepan over medium heat.
11. Bring to a boil and continue cooking 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes. Mixture will slightly thicken.
12. With hand mixer beat in milk until smooth. Slowly add in powdered sugar until spreadable consistency. ( I used all 2 cups).
13. Spread approx 1 teaspoon on each cookie.

Notes

Store in airtight container for up to 3 days.

Oatmeal Raisin from Cookies and Cups.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Recipe from www.cookiesandcups.com
Ingredients

• 1 stick butter
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 t. vanilla
• 3/4 c. AP flour
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1/2 t. cinnamon
• 1/2 t. coarse sea salt
• 1 1/2 c. rolled oats
• 3/4 c. raisins
• 1/2 c. white chocolate chips

***you can add walnuts instead of chips if you prefer***

1. Preheat to 350
2. In large bowl with hand mixer cream the butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined.
3. In separate bowl whisk flour, baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon together. Stir this into the butter mixture until combined. Now add oats, raisins and chips (or nuts) until all combined.
4. Line your baking sheet with parchment and place cookies about 2 inches apart, baking for 9-11 min. When cookies get golden around the edges remove from oven. Do not over-bake!!
5. Let cool on baking sheet for 3 min and transfer to cooling rack.