RECIPE: Baker's Best Snickerdoodles

This is just what I needed to bring a huge smile to my children's faces. got the recipe from "Rosie's Bakery Chocolate-Packed Jam-Filled Butter-Rich No-Holds-Barred Cookie Book" by Judy Rosenberg  during my trip in Boston.

baker's best snickerdoodles

Preheat the oven to 375F. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper, or grease them lightly with vegetable oil.
Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together into a small bowl and set aside.

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream the butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and vanilla together in a medium-size mixing bowl until light and fluffy, 1 minute. Stop the mixer once during the process to scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula, and scrape the bowl again at the end

Stop the mixer once during the process to scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula, and scrape the bowl again at the end. Add the eggs and beat on medium speed until they are blended, about 30 seconds. Scrape the bowl. Add half of the flour mixture, and mix on low speed for 10 seconds. Scrape the bowl. Add the remaining flour mixture and blend on low for 25 seconds, stopping the mixer twice to scrape the bowl.

Combine the cinnamon with the 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Stir together thoroughly, and pour into a plastic bag.

Measure out generously rounded tablespoons of the dough, and roll them into balls with your hands.

Place 2 cookies at a time in the cinnamon/sugar mix and shake the bag to coat. Then place the balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets,

bake until the centers are risen and slightly cracked and the edges are crisp, 16 to 18 minutes. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets.

YUMMY Cookies

Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar (for this recipe i just use 3/4 cup sugar plus 2 tbsp)
1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs

Procedure:
Preheat the oven to 375F. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper, or grease them lightly with vegetable oil.

Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together into a small bowl and set aside.

Combine the cinnamon with the 2 tablespoons sugar in a small bowl. Stir together thoroughly, and pour into a plastic bag.

Using an electric mixer on medium speed, cream the butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar, and vanilla together in a medium-size mixing bowl until light and fluffy, 1 minute. Stop the mixer once during the process to scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula, and scrape the bowl again at the end.

Add the eggs and beat on medium speed until they are blended, about 30 seconds. Scrape the bowl. Add half of the flour mixture, and mix on low speed for 10 seconds. Scrape the bowl. Add the remaining flour mixture and blend on low for 25 seconds, stopping the mixer twice to scrape the bowl.

Measure out generously rounded tablespoons of the dough, and roll them into balls with your hands. Place 2 cookies at a time in the cinnamon/sugar mix and shake the bag to coat. Then place the balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets, and bake until the centers are risen and slightly cracked and the edges are crisp, 16 to 18 minutes. Cool the cookies on the baking sheets.

If you plan to snack on them the first day, place the cookies on a plate or simply leave them on the baking sheet. After that, layer the cookies in an airtight container, using plastic wrap, parchment, or waxed paper between the layers, and store the container in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Bring the cookies to room temperature before eating. Makes 30 cookies.

YOU are my ONLY ONE

During his historic tour of 2001, James Taylor treated his audiences to magical concerts of greatest hits, personal favorites and new songs from his upcoming October Road album. What Rolling Stone called ". . . a good natured evening of dependable, reassuring musicianship . . ."

Only One
You are my only one, you are my only one

Well, I'm telling you now, now you're my only one
(second time: Don't be leaving me now, now you're my only one)

I've got two long legs like to carry me
Two sharp eyes to look for the light
I've got two strong arms to hold on tight
And two good friends on my left and right
But only one only one, and (second chorus)

Now there's only one road before me
Too many turns in the way
Thousands of things to do today
Millions of moments, I must admit
But only one only one, and (first chorus)

(Bridge) Taken for granted and pushed aside
All that it wanted was a place to run and hide
Missing message in a hollow tree
Hidden deep inside a memory

And the memory seems like dreams
Hundreds of hopes in the past
Nevertheless it was never the last
Hold on strong or you fade out fast
And only one only one

Oh, you are my only one, you are my only one
Don't be leaving me now
Believe in me now
Well, I'm telling you now, now you're my only one

Yeah, you are my only one, you are my only one
Don't be leaving me now, now you're my only one
Yeah, you are my only one, you are my only one
Well, I'm telling you now, now you're my only one

Yeah, you are my only one, you are my only one
Don't be leaving me now
Oh, you are my only one, you are my only one
Well, I'm telling you now, now you're my only one

Oh, you are my only one, you are my only one
Don't be leaving me now
Oh, you are my only one, you are my only one.

Secret of Life by James Taylor

Performed by Taylor in HD with stunning sound quality.

In the early '70s, when he appeared with his introspective songs, acoustic guitar, and calm, understated singing style, James Taylor mirrored a generation's emotional exhaustion after tumultuous times.

Just as Bing Crosby's reassuring voice brought the country out of the Depression and through World War II, Taylor's eased the transition from '60s activism and its attendant frustrations into the less political, more inward-looking '70s.

The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time
Any fool can do it
There ain't nothing to it
Nobody knows how we got to
The top of the hill
But since we're on our way down
We might as well enjoy the ride.

The secret of love is in opening up your heart
It's okay to feel afraid
But don't let that stand in your way
'cause anyone knows that love is the only road
And since we're only here for a while
Might as well show some style
Give us a smile.

Isn't it a lovely ride
Sliding down
Gliding down
Try not to try too hard
It's just a lovely ride.

Now the thing about time is that time
Isn't really real
It's just your point of view
How does it feel for you
Einstein said he could never understand it all
Planets spinning through space
The smile upon your face
Welcome to the human race.

Some kind of lovely ride
I'll be sliding down
I'll be gliding down
Try not to try too hard
It's just a lovely ride.

Isn't it a lovely ride
Sliding down
Gliding down
Try not to try too hard
It's just a lovely ride.

James Taylor - Wichita Lineman - Grammy Nominated

 I am a lineman for the county
and I drive the main road
Searchin' in the sun for another overload
I hear you singin' in the wire
I can hear you through the whine
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

I know I need a small vacation
but it don't look like rain
And if it snows that stretch down south

won't ever stand the strain
And I need you more than want you
and I want you for all time
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

And I need you more than want you
and I want you for all time
And the Wichita Lineman is still on the line

Disneyland Birthday

The highlight of our daughter's 4th birthday celebration was spending two days in Hong Kong Disneyland. And a Birthday Dinner Buffet with the Characters at Enchanted Restaurant.

For Our Children

“Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.” 
― Victor Hugo

Boracay, Philippines 2006

For Our Children

Father, hear us, we are praying,
Hear the words our hearts are saying,
We are praying for our children.

Keep them from the powers of evil,
From the secret, hidden peril,
From the whirlpool that would suck them,
From the treacherous quicksand, pluck them.

From the worldling's hollow gladness,
From the sting of faithless sadness,
Holy Father, save our children.

Through life's troubled waters steer them,
Through life's bitter battle cheer them,
Father, Father, be Thou near them.
Read the language of our longing,
Read the wordless pleadings thronging,
Holy Father, for our children.

-Amy Carmichael, from "For Our Children."

Phantom of the Opera in MANILA

The Phantom of the Opera is a classic for everybody of all ages and my daughter was very excited to watch the broadway.  I want them become a person with culture.  I believe that it's good that at young age they learn and have a fine appreciation of arts, etc.   I bought ticket at the Lower Box.  

My daughter  said During the Overture, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She was freaked out when the chandelier crashed, and cried in the final scene. my son was just ok.

i bought the ticket Last April 2012

while the kids were watching Phantom, hubby and i went to Sofitel for a Drink. The show is from 8 - 10:30 pm. 

trying the new oakley glasses of hubby



enjoying the breeze of Manila bay at the Sunset Bar

enjoying the Margarita while sitting in a comfy chair

p.s.
tita Carmzie Oplado sorry if we didn't stay long during your Birthday we bought the ticket last april and we can't cancel. i was really freaking out and super stressed at your party because it's already late and we only have 20 minutes to reach CCP ;-) and you know that hubby was still relax trying to FINISH the FOOD even he knows we're almost LATE for the show. HALER. Thanks tito Perry Alog for lending your CAR super fast talaga we were travelling 160, takot na takot sila kaya nag seatbelt.

watching POTTED POTTER

Potted Potter Comes to Manila and I was able to buy ticket at 40% off.  my daughter is a fan of Harry Potter.   



POTTED POTTER takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all seven Harry Potter books (and a real life game of Quidditch) into seventy hilarious minutes. This fantastically funny show features all your favourite characters, a special appearance from a fire-breathing dragon, endless costumes, brilliant songs, ridiculous props and a generous helping of Hogwarts magic!






Created by double Olivier Award Best Entertainment nominees Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, the show is a must-see for Potter addicts and a great introduction to the series for anyone who’s ever wondered what all the fuss is about. Even if you don’t know the difference between a Horcrux and a Hufflepuff, POTTED POTTER will make you roar with laughter. This brilliant family entertainment is perfect for ages six to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed).

visiting Rosie's Bakery at Boston

I heard great things about Rosie's Bakery from Heny Sison,  I finally made it at their Boston bakeshop last October 31, 2010 and bought the famous Chocolate Orgasm Brownies. All of the cakes, brownies and cookies on display looked mouth watering. I wanted to sample one of everything! I will post later her recipe Baker's Best Snickerdoodles which i baked  for our merienda today which was included in her Rosie's Bakery Chocolate-Packed, Jam-Filled, Butter-Rich, No-Holds-Barred Cookie Book

a DAY out with Thomas the Tank Engine

My son is now 14 years old, but it is only now that I had the chance to put this into Project Life Album.  My son loves Thomas the Tank Engine when he was 4 years old.  He plays with them everyday, building tracks and racing them around the floor and tables.  I even bought him Thomas a table, chair and a Treasure chest.  He watches the videos alternately with Barney, Tele-tubbies, Bob the builder and Blues Clues.  Thomas the tank Engine came to Rockwell in Makati, we had a fun time and I took lots of pictures.

Anika's 4th Birthday: A Rapunzel Party

ANIKA wanted a Princess Birthday party at her school and dressing up as Rapunzel would be FUN.  So i bought her a dress during our trip to Hongkong Disneyland.  She wanted to be Rapunzel for she is in love with the movie "Tangled". By the way, its a Tangled Themed party but she likes her cake to be "Dora."

my daughter dressing up as Rapunzel

she wants to be Rapunzel but she wants a DORA CAKE.  Cake made by my friend Kit-kat of Kalea's Food Confections

The kids thoroughly enjoyed the cake, and Anika's favorite part was blowing out the candles.

with classmates.  The party favors were also a hit, The bags contains chocolate I got from Costco, Stuff Toys,  pens with Notebooks personalized with her classmates name on each page.  There's also writing board which i got from Divisoria.

Anika  had a blast. Thank you Classmates and Teachers.