Chocolate Croissants

I watched "Its Complicated" last night.....and I know I am behind on my movie viewing.  Of course I saw the wonderful chocolate croissants and my mouth was watering, so my daughter and I had to make some today.

This is the easiest way to make chocolate croissants and I know that we cheated a little bit, but who cares these are wonderful with out the long wait!

All you need is a package of frozen puff pastry that you defrost for about 2 to 3 hours in the refridgerator.  A 1/4 cup of dark chocolate that is at least 60% Cocoa, an egg that is beaten and a pinch of sea salt if you like salt with your chocolate.

Take your pastry dough and roll it out on a floured surface.  Once you have rolled it out to about a 1/2 inch thickness you will cut it into 4 squares.  You then cut the squares diagonally to make 8 triangles. 

Chop your chocolate into slivers and place a small amount on each large end ot the triangles.  Then roll the dough up and over the chocolate.  Make sure you pinch the ends shut so that the chocolate doesn't ooze out while baking.  Roll until they look somewhat like cresent rolls.

This is the dark belgian chocolate I  used for mine.  You can use milk chocolate if you don't like dark chocolate.....I like the dark just because it has less calories and more antioxidants.

When you are done rolling each croissant carefully place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

You should pre-heat your oven to 425 F. 

Your next step is to beat 1 egg and brush it on the tops of your chocolate croissants.  When you are ready to bake them turn the oven down to 400 F.  Bake them for about 12 to 15 minutes or until they are slightly browned on top.

You can let them cool for about 8 minutes and then what are you waiting for.....open mouth and insert!  They won't last too long!  If you don't finish them while they are still warm you can microwave them for a few seconds to warm them up later.

Art for the sake of Art

I have had the idea for a long time, to create a place in which people of all ages could come and take low-cost art education classes....a place that artists and craftspeople could network and sell their art work and handicrafts.....a place where the working artist could help support themselves while inspiring creativity in their community...a place where handmade is honored and respected...a place where craftspeople are not competing with products that are made overseas! 

Well this place has been started! It is called Artefactory Exchange and classes start June 14, 2010. 

We have gotten a partial website up and running and you can see what we have accomplished in just a short span of time.  Go to www.artefactoryexchange.webs.com to see a list of current art education classes that we have available.

If you are reading this and find this interesting, we are also looking for talented artists and craftspeople to teach classes or sell in our gallery.  We plan to have a Bi-Annual Handicraft Fair in the future and will let you all in on the details when we have them.

One of our classes is a kids class for 8 to 12 year olds.  This class will focus on abstract art and design...the project will specifically explore the work of Wassily Kandinsky.  Pictured to the left is an example of his style done by a kids class.

Adult classes will feature Metal Smithing, Jewelry Beading, Pencil Drawing, Pottery, Precious Metal Clay, Painting Techniques, Fiber Arts and more!  We feel with all of the cuts to our art programs, Artefactory Exchange is a way to help the community....a private enterprise for the public good.

Artefactory Exchange is located at 111 Madison St. Oneida, NY.

How was your Mother's Day?

My Mother's Day started at 4:30am with my black furry little dog making her small high pitched noise she makes right after jumping off my bed.  Now this noise doesn't wake me up, it is actually the noise of her jumping down off my bed that awakens me.  I wake up right after she jumps and then I wait to hear if she is going to make that noise that almost sounds like a question mark....like ok I jumped off the bed... I am not sleeping any more, so aren't you going to get up and take me outside so I can go potty?

I thought that once my child hit a certain age sleeping through the night on most nights a given, but sometimes these furry children don't follow the rules!

I definetly love my child and my furry child, but can't a mother get a full nights sleep on the eve of Mother's Day! 
Well I did get up a little later than usual so that was good.  I exercised and ate my breakfast then we were off to my Mother's to have an earlier dinner with my family.  Dad cooked and cleaned up so that the three mothers didn't have to.....what a nice father, husband, and son in law he is! 

We stuffed ourselves and conversed for a while then my daughter and I chauffered our grandmother/great grandmother home. All in all it was a good day to be somebody's mother!

I hope you had a good Mother's day too.    It is the little things in life that matter!

Sunny days: Fantastic Cookies

Man I have completely lost my daughter to the infectious sunshine and warmth!  Looks like baking has gone completely out the window today!  Good thing we baked some fantastic cookies yesterday.

And yes, some of those very blue blueberries went into our newest creation!

Let me introduce you to "The Patriot".  Yes it is a red white and blue cookie just waiting to melt in your mouth!

And I should know about the melting in your mouth..since the cookie you see here is the last one....well was the last one! These cookies have coconut, blueberries, cranberries, cherries and last but not least white chocolate.

They will be available at The Market @ Oneida Commons. So get out there and try a bag for crying out loud!

Buy Handmade

Have you ever heard of a term called "Craftivism"?   Well as hand crafters and bakers, my daughter and I really have a grip on what it means to buy handmade whenever it is possible.......And  I can tell you that we have been in the same sinking boat that everyone else has been in since the economy took a nose dive, but I can honestly say that as careful as we are with our money, handmade always takes a priority over mass produced in CHINA!

So guess what Walmart we are not your #1 supporters!   Here is the definition of "Craftivism".... a form of activism centered around the practices of craft...especially handicrafts.  Whenever possible help to support your local artisans. I think with all of this technology we have become disconnected and most importantly we have become way to obsessed with Cheap!  Cheap is part of what put us in this hole to begin with. 

So the next time you need to buy that birthday gift, wedding gift or that mother's day gift....try not to drive directly to Walmart or any other huge chain that imports most of their inventory from overseas.  Maybe it is time you tried your hand at making something.    You will probably surprise yourself and the person on the receiving end will really appreciate your effort!

Creating can be a great way to get rid of stress!

Madison County Courier

Youngster’s cookie business going strong


Posted By Margo On April 27, 2010 (12:00 pm) In Business & Finance, Front Page, Oneida



Mckenzie Foote is pictured with mom Shannon Crandall with some of her specialty cookies. (Aaron Gifford).



‘Footie’s Goodies’ owner, a sixth-grader, said experience has been fun and educational



By Aaron Gifford



(Oneida, NY) Mackenzie Foote could tell by the look on others’ faces that there was money to be made.



The eyes light up after that first bite, and the cookie is devoured quickly. No one can eat just one. Mackenzie figured people would be willing to pass by the grocery store cookie shelves and make a special trip for her baked goods, even if they cost more.



She was right: During her first and only sale day at school earlier this year, Mackenzie made a $45 profit.



“But then I got in trouble,” said Foote, 12, a sixth-grader at Seneca Street Elementary in the Oneida City School District. “So I had to figure out another way to sell them.”



“She loves to bake,” said her mother, Shannon Crandall. “Everyone was eating them, so she decided to start selling them.”



So Foote brought them to the Oneida Commons co-op, where Crandall is a member. Word about Footie’s Goodies spread quickly, and she accommodated some large orders for the local chapter of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and other civic organizations.



Then she started selling them during the Friday open mike nights at La Vie Boheme Bistro in downtown Oneida.



Next month, Mackenzie will sell them at the new downtown weekend flea market behind the Kallet Civic Center, which runs through the summer.



And, of course, she’ll have them at her lemonade stand, which she has operated since she was 8. Last year, Mackenzie donated her lemonade revenues for the year ($45) to Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association.



Crandall, owner of the All About You day spa, paints, draws and makes jewelry. She said her daughter has always been interested in the idea of selling something she can create.



“I’ve always had a creative outlet myself,” Crandall said. “Maybe this family has creative genes.”



Mackenzie spends about four hours per week on the business, often preparing the batter at night before bed and finishing the baking the next morning. She tracks her sales carefully to determine how many ingredients to buy.



“I wanted this to be a learning experience for her,” Crandall said. “It’s really worked out well for her.”



Mackenzie said she also makes extra money babysitting.



“She’s got a nice little bank account going,” Crandall said.



Mackenzie takes dance classes three times a week and aspires to be a professional dancer some day. She was previously interested in a school teaching career, but a few recent episodes with young children “that tried my patience” put that idea up for reconsideration, she said with a laugh.



Her specialties are M&M bars, peanut butter cookies, double chocolate espresso cookies and “Blue and whites” – white chocolate cookies with blueberries. The cookies are priced at $2.25 for a small package.



“Sugar cookies aren’t as complicated, but I still like making them the best,” she said. “It’s always fun to put the sprinkles on. There’s just something special about it.”



Article taken from Madison County Courier-Madison County News - http://www.madisoncountycourier.com

URL to article: http://www.madisoncountycourier.com/madison-county-business-news/youngster%e2%80%99s-cookie-business-going-strong-13469/

Oatmeal Scotchy Surprise

We have been trying to get our act together since we got home from our vacation.  So in the meantime try out our Oatmeal Scotchy surprise recipe.
 1 1/4 Cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
2 sticks of unsalted butter
3/4 Cup granulated sugar
3/4 Cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract or grated peel of 1 orange
3 Cups quick oats
1 2/3 Cups butterscotch morsels
3/4 Cup chopped pecans
Optional 3/4 Cup of whatever you want to sprinkle on top for the surprise!

I can't tell you what we use or I'd have to kill you!   Just kidding around.  We have used different things every time we make them so be creative....you could even go half and half if you like.

1. Pre-heat oven to 375 F

2. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract (or orange peel) in a large mixer bowl.

3. Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a separate small bowl.

4. Gradually beat the flour mixture into the butter and sugar mixture.

5. Next stir in oats, butterscotch and nuts.

6. Prepare a  9x13 pan by spraying with non-stick spray.  Put batter into pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle surprise topping on.

7. Bake for 22 to 28 minutes...or until center is no longer gooey.  Use a toothpick to test center.

Last but not least, cool on rack, cut and eat!

I would love to hear what your surprise topping is and how it worked out.  Please let me know.