Business Manners: Sharing the Love with Cookies!

When You Give A Mouse A Cookie...

Yes, it happened again.  Those awkward moments that happen one time or another.  But how do we are take the next step?  What should be our response?  This happens to us all the time.  The most recent experience revolved around a cookie, yes, a cookie!  O.K. so you're thinking...cookie no big deal...  Well a cookie can become more of a nuisance than a savory, sugary treat.  

Something that seems like common sense to a few people may not be so common to others.  Such is life, I guess.  No, not such is life.  This is the time to make the common sense common again, and if that means we have to start with a cookie, then so be it!

Here's a hint: if you decide to bring treats whether it's to the office, a business meeting, a social gathering with friends, please bring enough food (and a bit extra) for everyone!  Common sense, right?  Well it should be.  Don't get me wrong, it's very thoughtful of you to take the time and purchase a treat for a special person in the office, but if you choose to only buy one cookie, then try not to give it while everyone else is watching.  It's a bit rude.  Now you are allowed to buy what you want for whomever, but out of consideration for others, maybe instead of buying one large cookie for one person, maybe you could purchase enough cookies for everyone.  Maybe not so innovative of an idea, but definitely one to keep in mind for future events.  Spreading the love for today!

A Bit of Eye Candy.

Here are a few of our favorite sweet treats.

Credit: Betty Crocker

Credit: Sweet Lavender Bake Shoppe

Credit: Macaroons

Credit: Carrie's Confectionary

Credit: My Recipes

Salsa Me Silly

It's that time of year again...time for canning, preserving and creating those homemade memories to last a lifetime!  Well that's if I was Betty Crocker, which I'm not, but I try! 

This past weekend I attempted homemade salsa for the first time.  I have watched my dad make it, but I wanted to try it myself!  It worked out great!  The hubby and the kids loved it, even my 1 year old appreciated the homemade taste!


So I thought it would be fun to share the recipe!  I just made it up as I went, sorry for not having the exact measurements...

I started with a few fresh tomatoes from the garden. 

1.     Chop and peel the tomatoes.  I used about 15-20 medium sized tomatoes.

2.     Next chop 2 onions (small) and 10 cloves of garlic (I love my garlic). Place the chopped onions and garlic in a strainer.

3.     Pour a pot of boiling water (about 4 cups) over the onions and garlic in the strainer.  Let the onions and garlic cool.

4.     In a large pot combine the tomatoes, cooled onions and garlic, chopped jalapeno peppers, chili powder, cumin, a touch of sea salt, oregano and black pepper. 

5.     Stir over medium heat until the salsa boils.  Once cool, place it in a tupperware and let it sit overnight in your refrigerator. 

6.     After letting the salsa marinate overnight, place it in a food processor and slightly blend.  I prefer mine to have some chunks of tomato and peppers still visible, but if you prefer it creamy, blend it all the way! 

  





7.     Enjoy with family and friends!

Margaritas All Around

Written By: Ooh La La (Danielle Marie)

It was margarita night at our house yesterday!  Our guests were in heaven!  We had everything from Skinnygirl Margarita cocktails, guacamole with a hint of tequila and for dessert, you'll never guess, we had Margarita Cupcakes!

Margarita Cupcakes: Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker

http://bettycrocker.com/recipes/margarita-cupcakes

Cupcakes

1 box Betty Crocker lemon cake mix

1/2 cup of water

1/2 cup of olive oil

1/2 cup of Skinnygirl margarita (my sub from original recipe)

1 tsp. grated orange peel

3 eggs

1 box lime gelatin (.3 oz box: my sub)

1 box (4 servings) of strawberry gelatin (my substitution)

Frosting

2 containers (12oz each) Betty Crocker Whipped fluffy white frosting

Green gel food color

Decoration

1/4 cup white decorator sugar crystals

24 thin lime slices (3 limes)

24 cocktail umbrellas

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular size muffin tins.

In large bowl beat all cupcake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds.  Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.  Divide batter evenly among muffin cups.

Bake 18-22 minutes (toothpick comes out clean).  Cool 10 minutes; remove cupcakes from pans to cooling racks and cool completely.

In medium bowl, mix frosting and food color until blended.  Frost cupcakes.  Sprinkle sugar on small plate; roll edges of cupcakes in sugar.  Cut small slit in lime slices; twist and place on cupcakes.  Poke 1 umbrella in each cupcake.  Store loosely covered in refrigerator.  

Makes 24 cupcakes.  Enjoy a mouth watering treat!

The final result: a margarita cupcake!  Can a cupcake get any better than this?

Don't forget to enjoy a glass of Skinnygirl Margarita with your Margarita Cupcake!

Life is Good!