Thanksgiving Baking

sprinkling confectioners sugar on cookies

     It's that time of year again.  The aroma of pies and cookies baking are in the air.  I got an early start on my thanksgiving baking by making these old fashion vanilla cookies.  It's a very simple tasting cookie that is quite a contrast to the rich tasting pies that I usually make for the holidays.
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cups of sugar                  1 1/4 lbs of flour
2 sticks of margarine             3tsp  baking powder
4 eggs                                    1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp of vanilla                       1/4 tsp salt
preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cream margarine and sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla.  In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients.  Add dry ingredients to egg mixture.  Take a heaping tablespoon of dough and roll out about 4-5 inches and make into an S.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Cool on rack.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Rebuild, Restore, Recover

     Mother Mousse Bakery in Staten Island will be selling these t-shirts to benefit the victims of hurricane Sandy.  The cost is $15.00. 100% of each sale will be donated. The NYCB family of banks will match every donation.  That means for every t-shirt sold $30.00 will be donated. 
     If you are in Staten Island please visit Mother Mousse and help support a great cause.
     

Last Week Hurricane, This Week Snowstorm, Next Week???

Trees are down everywhere

     As everybody and his brother knows, last week the east coast was hit with a devastating hurricane.  Our hometown of Staten Island was hit especially hard.  Fortunately, we were very lucky to sustain only minimal damage.  Only a two day blackout and some missing shingles on our roof.  But many of our neighbors weren't so lucky. So many homes and lives completely destroyed.  Everyone on Staten Island has been spending an endless amount of hours trying to help our neighbors.  We on Staten Island are very grateful for all the help and donations from across the country and overseas.  It is very much appreciated.  

A lantern is our only light

A tree taking down wires

            

   And now we have a snowstorm!!!!

Our yard a week after the hurricane

chickens looking at the snow

The snow covering the leeks, cabbage, carrots, parsnips and beets

     What will it be next week???