Coconut Macaroons

Each year dear friends of ours invite us to a Jewish Seder in their home. This year the hostess asked if I would bake some macaroons. I thought I would share the recipe with you!

Coconut Macaroons
Recipe from Ina Garten
(Makes 20-22 cookies)

14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Maraschino Cherries cut in half (optional)

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Combine the coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whip the egg whites and salt on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until they make medium-firm peaks. Carefully fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture.

Drop the batter onto sheet pans lined with parchment paper using either a 1 3/4-inch diameter ice cream scoop, or two teaspoons. Press a cherry half into the cookie.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown.
Cool and serve. Store in an airtight container.

My Bluebird

"Be like the bluebird who is never blue,

For he knows from his upbringing what singing can do!"
Cole Porter

My First Afghan

I have wanted to learn how to crochet for years and years. I always thought it would be so wonderful to whip up an afghan for a baby gift or a prayer shawl for a hurting friend. My friend, Loretta, came over one time to teach me; but she is left handed and I just couldn't grasp the whole concept. So, I just continued to knit scarves and scarves still longing to learn to crochet.
After Christmas Bethany and I began going to a local yarn shop, Knitting Friends, on Thursday nights for their "Sit and Knit." A lady mentioned YouTube videos so I decided to search for crochet videos and that is where I met Elizabeth. She has patiently taught me to crochet with the wonderful videos she made for a friend. Her friend had suffered from a stroke and couldn't remember what Elizabeth had taught her in their time together; so Elizabeth kindly made videos for her so that she could remember and crochet when she was at home. I have been soaking up all of her instruction and have finished my first afghan... my first "TaDa" crochet project. One day I made a Granny Square and just kept going. My friend, Pam, at the yarn shop told me it was time to add more colors so I fearfully added a few more colors and found that they made the center square POP! Thank you Elizabeth for teaching me and for your wonderful videos. Here is a picture of my afghan, spread out on Bethany's bed.
Happy Day Friends!

My New Blog

Hi Friends,
I am Julie, a homemaker in western North Carolina. I thought I would start a new blog about the happenings in our home and family, things I create with my hands and in my kitchen and beautiful sightings in our yard from our many feathered friends who visit us each day.
I am married to David and we have three almost grown children - Benjamin - 23, Bethany - 20 and Samuel - 18 (on Wednesday). We have a sweet dog named Millie who brings us joy each day.
Happy Day Friends!