Donations and recipes...

Another Sunday with Church over at noon and the rest of the day ahead of us...

We decided to take advantage of another opportunity to do something as a family that did not require money and also helped the food bank. Snowbird ski resort was having an "appreciation" day and tram rides were free with a donation of one can of food per person. Nicole and Chay had been on the tram before but it was a first for me. The ride was almost like an amusement park ride at times when the tram's incline increased. The view was amazing and it brought back memories and actually made me miss skiing and had me thinking that I really need to take up skiing again (if it weren't for the fact that I'm afraid I would break something since the last time I skied was at least 18 yrs ago). The temperature today was in the 70s again, comfortable but not hot like it was when we went to Gardner Village, and at first it was chilly when we stepped out of the tram at the top of the mountain but, in a few minutes we acclimatized and it felt warm. The cool breeze in the tram on the way down was actually refreshing.

(If anyone knows how I can flip pictures straight from my card onto the blog, please let me know)

We were able to get spots right by the doors so we could enjoy an unobstructed view. Chay was looking for animal life but didn't see any. The previous time he rode the tram, he saw an elk wandering the mountain.

I don't know what this look meant...

At the top of the mountain.

Chay found an area with a large number of ladybugs and was enjoying picking them up and showing them to Blade. Nicole held on to Blade because he didn't want to hold the ladybugs and the last thing we wanted was for him to tumble down the mountain.

It was invigorating to walk on some of the paths at Snowbird and enjoy the Fall colors and just be out in nature.

Remember the Millers who made a donation to the survival of our backyard and received cookies as a Thank you? Well, they LOVED the cookies and today requested the recipe. So, I gave them a copy of the recipe I used and since it's ideal to always give the food item with the recipe, I made a small batch of sugar cookies. However, since they already knew what the cookies tasted like, I decided to make the "flaky" sugar cookies because they are quick to make and included that recipe also. Also, Sheila wanted the recipe and I needed to include a picture of the cookie along with the recipe, so I "killed two birds with one stone".

Nicole tried the cookies again and said they tasted good but still really likes the "regular" sugar cookies a lot more. She did however like the cream cheese icing I put on the cookies (nothing beats cream cheese icing...mmmm Mom's cream cheese icing on her carrot cake)

The recipe is a copycat recipe for sugar cookies at "Paradise Cafe and Bakery". I haven't been to this restaurant so I have nothing to compare it to.

Paradise Bakery Sugar Cookies

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup icing sugar
2 cups shortening
3/4 tsp vanilla extract (I also added 1/2 tsp almond extract because it gives it more flavor)
1 egg beaten
4 1/3 cups cake flour (this is what makes it so flaky)
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt

Mix together the sugars and shortening.

Mix on slow speed for 30 second.

Increase speed to medium and mix for 3 minutes. Slowly add vanilla extract and egg while mixing.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Gradually add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl, mixing on slow speed until just blended. do not overmix.

Dough may be rolled out on lightly floured board and cut with cookie cutters or scooped with an ice cream scoop and placed directly on cookie sheet. If scooped, flatten with palm of hand.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 9-10 minutes. Cookies are done when small cracks appear. Ideally, the edges do not brown.



And for Jacqui, here is the recipe for the chicken enchiladas. And I hope Alana's turned out great today. I don't have the recipe written down anywhere because it's so simple but, I'm glad it is written down now because in the future, when I can't remember how to make this, my family will have the recipe and will be able to carry on...

Chicken Enchiladas

*Flour tortillas
*5-6 chicken breasts (boiled and then pulled into shreds) (that sounds like you need to really attack it but I just mean pull it into strips...)
*1 small or large can diced green chilis
*1 can cream of chicken soup
*1 16 oz container sour cream
*cheddar cheese (shredded)

Mix the green chilis, chicken soup and sour cream together.

Add the chicken.

Spoon onto tortilla and wrap up "burrito" style. (Roll up one end, fold in the sides and then continue rolling up)

Place in pan/casserole dish with fold side down.

Cover with cheese (generously of course).

Cover with foil and cook at 350-375 degrees F for about 45 minutes or until hot throughout. The sauce usually bubbles out when I make it and then I know it's ready. Remove the foil the last 5 minutes so that it can melt nicely. If you don't cover it with foil, your cheese will get hard (not good).