A special Weekend Show Off Party...

I want to start off this post with a story, it is a true story.  The year was 1996, I was in 7th grade.  I played the saxophone.  I sat next to a boy who played the trombone.  He asked me if I wanted to see something cool, but it was a secret and I could not tell anyone.  Of course I said sure, to my astonishment, he opened up his warn out back pack and showed me a pistol.  I think I should have felt horror, or something, but I did not. I was curious, a little scared, I had no idea what to do.  I kind of nudged my friend next to me to pay attention.  We sat through the rest of class just kind of stunned.

I took a long time to put my saxophone away, after band was lunch.  After class I was going to tell the teacher.  To my surprise he was in his office sleeping on a cot.  I did not dare wake him up so I went to lunch.  Luckily my Aunt who worked at the school was on lunch duty.  My friend and I told her what happened.

She immediately told the administration what was going on, and expected swift action.  There was none, it was over an hour before they found the young man, and took the gun away.  It turns out the pistol, thankfully was not loaded, and everything turned out OK.  The administration did not even call my parents or inform any parents of the incident... you see it was Pre Columbine.

This incident was taken almost unbelieveably lightly. In 1999, the world was devistated be Columbine, and it also changed.

We live in a different world now, a world I pray every morning as my daughter goes to school that she will be safe.  She has had lock down drills, and safety is always an issue.

Last Friday I watched in horror as the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary unfolded.  I am heartbroken for the families affected by this needless tragedy.

 A few other bloggers and I have teamed up for this week's link party with a cause.

Kelley at The Grant Life and Adrianne at Happy Hour Projects both host a weekend link party that opens on Thursday afternoon. This week, they joined forces and also opened up the party to as many co-hosts who want to join to donate $0.05 for each link to the Newtown area's United Way.

The thing is - that's not all. Some other bloggers heard about it, and also wanted to match 5 cents a link - so for this special party, for every link you add, $1.00 will be donated to the Western Connecticut United Way.  Isn't that incredible?

Even more fabulous bloggers offered to help us spread the word by co-hosting today's link party. So no matter what blog you are visiting when you read this, we all thank you for supporting the party and the cause. Because of how widely hosted this weekend's party is. links you add here will be immediately visible on several blogs! The details are below including who is donating, and what you
should link today. Thanks for coming by!

Weekend Show Off Party

Welcome to the Weekends!

I hope in the hustle bustle, you are finding time to enjoy Christmas with your family, at least that is my goal this year!

Here were some great links last week!

Marty's Musing shared how to decorate a mantel... if you do not have a mantel!  I love her ideas because I do not have a mantel.

Semi Homemade shared Chocolate Banana Bread with a secret, Oh how I love a food secret, this looks very interesting, I might have to try it out!

Through the Eyes of the Mrs, shared ten ideas to display all the holiday cards you receive!

Navey Wifey Peters shared a beautiful silver and gold wreath!

Family Home and Life shared a 'Gramma' Activity binder for kids, they are super great reusable activities!

There were so many wonderful projects linked up, I am excited to see what y'all have come up with this week!

Weekend Show Off Party

Welcome to the Weekend!

Christmas is in the air I can feel it! Unfortunately so can my waistline, I need to contain myself.  That being said here are some great examples of Christmas treats from our last show off party!

Six Sisters Stuff made my day with these Grinch cookies!

Green Acres Hobby Farm made a delicious Chocolate Surprise for her friends birthday... will you be my friend, my birthday is in June!

 

Sew-licious made Peppermint Shortbread Cookies, with Eggnog Frosting... for real! 

Winnie is at it again with her Chai Cardamom Pound Cake, have I ever told you how much I love Cardamom... if only it was not $40 a pound ugh.

Finally with all of this baking, who is making dinner?  Semi Homemade Mom gives us an easy solution for dinner, pulled pork rootbeer sandwiches, sounds great!

I am so ready to bake! Lets see what you have been up to!

Mom's Soft Gingersnaps with Pumpkin Pie Dip

Don't you love a cookie exchange?  Today you are invited to come to a virtual cookie exchange with me and several other amazing bloggers!  So be sure to check out my cookies, and then some other great cookies from some fellow bloggers at the end of the post... but beware, you may want to eat cookies all day!

 

There is nothing better than a homemade cookie!  Today, I am going to share with you my AWARD WINNING recipe for Soft Gingersnaps, with here is the clincher... pumpkin pie dipping sauce!  These gingersnaps won the award for best cookie at a Cookie Exchange I went to a couple years ago, they are that good.  These cookies are light, crunchy on the outside and perfectly soft and delicious on the inside, and if that were not enough, you dip them into delicious pumpkin sauce!

 

Mom’s Soft Gingersnap cookies

Source: Allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/3 cup white sugar for decoration

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the brown sugar, oil, molasses, and egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger; stir into the molasses mixture. Roll dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Roll each ball in white sugar before placing 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 minutes at 375 degrees.  Do not over bake!

Pumpkin Pie Dip

Source: http://alemonsqueezyhome.blogspot.com/

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• Gingersnap cookies

Directions
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Beat in the pumpkin, sour cream, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and ginger until blended. Serve with gingersnaps. Refrigerate leftovers. Makes 4 cups.

These make great gifts for friends and neighbors!

Now, I hope you'll check out some other fabulous cookie recipes to try this holiday season from some very talented bloggers!

Andes Mint Cookies from Artsy Fartsy Mama

Snowman Oreo Truffles from Repeat Crafter Me

Cereal Wreaths from Bear Rabbit Bear

Mocha Cookies from One Artsy Mama

Christmas Mice from Happy Hour Projects

Mars Bars Squares from Becoming Martha

Thin Mint Cookies from Create.Craft.Love

Soft Gingersnaps w/Pumpkin Dipping Sauce from Ladybird Ln

Marshmallow Chocolate Squares from Jessie Street Designs

Peppermint Bark from Wait 'Til Your Father Gets Home

Spiced Chocolate Bark from Chase the Star

Don't tell you I didn't warn you, these look amazing!

I like to Link at these great parties!