Wordless Wednesday - Peony

 Peony - however you say it "piney", "peeney", pe-ony"...

They are the Indiana State Flower and they are beautiful!!

Sugar Cookies - 2 Maids a Baking

My all time favorite, go-to, never-fail, sugar cookies! I make these for pretty much every holiday and quite a few times in between. This is another great recipe to involve the kids in - just be prepared for non pareils flying all over the kitchen!!

Start with 1 C. of softened butter. What better way to begin a recipe?!?!

Add powdered sugar, egg, vanilla, and...

my FAVORITE ingredient in any recipe  = almond extract! (I love this flavor!)

Add flour, soda and cream of tartar, a little at at time. Place this dough in refrigerator for an hour or so (can be up to 2 days.) I love to make this ahead and have it on hand to just throw some cookies in the oven when I have the time!

Roll out on floured surface and cut into shapes. Bake at 350 for 7 min. (I like them a little soft!)

Once they are cooled, I make a simple glaze for icing and then put on the sprinkles! Find a festive plate and there you have it!

Feel free to grab the button below and link up!

Sugar Cookies

1 C. butter

1 ½ C. powdered sugar
1 egg
1 t. vanilla
½ t. almond extract
2 ½ C. flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. cream of tartar

Mix softened butter, powdered sugar, egg, vanilla and almond. Add flour, soda, and cream of tartar, a little at a time.


Place in refrigerator for an hour or so (can leave up to 2 days). Roll out on floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters or drop by spoonful onto cookie sheet. Either dust with sugar now or ice after baked. Bake at 350 for 7-8 min.

Planting Corn

This is what planting corn looks like.

And yes I do think his tractor is sexy!!!

Strawberry Shortcakes - 2 Maids a Baking

Welcome to this weeks Two Maids a Baking!!

It is strawberry season and that means one thing around here

Strawberry Shortcakes!!

If you are anything like me you will know what I'm talking about when it comes to berries.

I always have to buy more than I need because I like to snack while I'm baking!!

I start by mixing up the dough.

Add flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in the shortening. Mix until it looks like fine crumbs.

Add the milk until just blended.

On lightly floured surface, gently smooth dough into a ball 

Knead 20 to 25 times

Roll out to 1/2 inch thick

Use a floured 3-inch cutter, I use a cup

Bake them up 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet

Split warm shortcakes in half. Spread with butter

Layer with strawberries



and layer with sweetened whipping cream 

and repeat

Final product!! Yummy!



Feel free to grab our button and link up one of your recipes below!!

<BR> <P><center><a href="http://www.twomaidsamilking.blogspot.com"><img src=" http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a405/crisgoode/2maidsaBaking.jpg " /></a></center></P> <P>
Linked to:From Mess Hall to BistroJoy of DessertsTuesday's at the Table

Let's Eat at Flip Flops and Pearls



Sweetened Whipped Cream

Whipping cream is great on so many things.

So in my opinion it deserves its own blog post!

Measure up one cup of whipping cream

Add your vanilla and powdered sugar

Simple Chicken in a Bag

It's grilling season. Thank the Heavens!

I love to grill.

I love that almost anything can go in foil and cook on the grill.

I love that foil can be tossed and I don't have a full sink of dishes to mess with after dinner.

Here is a simple recipe that can be tossed together in a flash!!

Quick and Easy Strawberry Bacon Spinach Salad

I made this for a family gathering and my SIL wanted the recipe. I told her that I would post it on the blog and then she could have it! It has taken me a couple weeks to get it posted which resulted in her "reminding" me... so sorry Abo!  

I love this recipe because it is so quick, so easy and so yummy good!

Start by grabbing your favorite salad bowl, combine the spinach, sliced strawberries, walnuts, bacon (i use the package you see below... less clean up!!) and onion ( I always cut onion in rings, makes it easier for people who don't like it to pick it off!)

2 Maids a Baking Linky - Featuring Friends

Today is our 7th week for Two Maids a Baking! I know, I can hardly believe it!

So, to celebrate I thought it would be fun to feature some of the recipes that have linked up over the last couple weeks!!

Aimee from Shugary Sweets

Almond Pound Cake with Blueberry Sauce

Tina at Mommy's Kitchen

Mandarin Orange Cake

Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker

Cream Puffs

Megan at Gal in the Middle

Easy Double Chocolate Trifle

Martha at The Kitchen Cookie

Brownie Ice Cream Dessert

Walking by Faith @ Little Rays of Sunshine

Melt in your mouth Almond Cookies

Don't they all look delish!! Thanks to all of you who have linked up!!

So, what has been baking in your kitchen?

<BR></P> <P><BR></P> <P><center><a href="http://www.twomaidsamilking.blogspot.com"><img src=" http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/a405/crisgoode/2maidsaBaking.jpg " /></a></center><BR></P> <P><BR></P> <P>

Pulled Pork Barbecue

I love me some pulled pork. I love me some BBQ.

I can't go on without saying that I have done this from the very beginning and when I say beginning I mean beginning.

Cooking a hog is the best way and most tasty pulled pork BBQ. Hands down.

I served this up to my hunny and he said it tasted just as good! Huge complement!

So without further adieu. Here is the easier and less messy way to make it.

Take a coke and a beer and pour in your crock pot.

Add some minced garlic. I added about 2 tablespoons.

Grab your hunk of meat (I used a pork shoulder) and toss it in the crock pot. Season according to how you like it. These are my go to for any type of meat. Feel free to add some liquid smoke if you have some.

 

Let cook for 3 hours (depending on size). Remove any bones and pull apart the meat. 

Cook for another hour in juices. Or until done. Remove the majority of the juice but not all. Leave about 2 cups and pull apart the rest of the meat.

Add your favorite BBQ. Sweet Baby Ray's wins at our house. I add until it "looks right" you can also leave the BBQ on the side for people to add on their own. I like to spice it up and used mostly the Hickory & Brown Sugar and then added a 1/2 cup of the Honey Chipotle! 

Mix all the yummy goodness up!

And there isn't a pulled pork BBQ sandwich picture because we were too busy licking our lips!

What is your favorite kind of BBQ?

Also linked to:
Made by you Monday
Made from Scratch Tuesday
Flip Flops and Pearls