For The Love of Milk Duds

Halloween is riding up on our heels and with that, I have found myself obsessed with thoughts of Halloween and more specifically...Halloween Candy.

I love Halloween, not just because Ghost Walks is Friday, October 29th...and I will be right in the mix of things that go bump in the night at Olde Towne, but moreover it is one of the most enjoyable kid's holidays, like ever.

I am one big kid, too. I am not into the scary, scary stuff, although I have promised a certain Little Brother of mine that I would go to see Paranormal Activity 2 this coming weekend with he and Russia. There must be buttery soaked popcorn involved or I will not go. I'm serious.

Every evening, in Olde Towne, there is a certain select group that gets together for a "happy hour" of sorts. I call it "time spent in the tree house". We gather at an apartment that is on the top floor of a four story building. It's pretty high up there. No elevators, either. If you walk out onto the back porch of said apartment, you feel like you are in a tree house because there are literally tree branches all around. It's the best place to wind down one's day and it gives us all a chance to catch up. The group is one of my cores and I trust them all.

Last night, we watched "Scare Tactics", a show hosted by Tracy Morgan where "victims" are scared by different scenario's played by very good actors. Of course, the scenes are staged well enough to scare the bejezzus out of the victims. We laughed and laughed. Then somehow, someone came up with the idea that they should do something like this. Then the men looked at the women.

Oh, heck no.

I will not fall prey to their shenanigans. I better not or someone will be in big trouble.

If I do fall for their tricks, then said perpetrators will not get any of my candy or my Halloween goodies. My favorite Halloween Candy, besides candy corn, is the little packages of Milk Duds. Oh my absolute goodness. I adore those little balls of buttery, gooey, caramelly love dipped in a chocolate jacket.

I will share a wonderful recipe with you. This is great for Halloween treats for your family and friends. Never ever give these to those "stupid boys" who like to scare innocent victims. I swear, if I get caught in their trap, I will not be held responsible for their safety. I will kick the all and then they will not get my special Milk Dud Cookies.

I promise. But, for you...you get the recipe. I am good like that.

MILK DUD COOKIES...Oh, my....yumminess.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 and 1/2 cups butter flavored shortening (Crisco Butter Flavored)

1 and 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter

2 cups granulated sugar, divided

1 and 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

4 eggs

3 and 3/4 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 (10 oz) package Milk Duds

In a mixing bowl, cream the shortening, the peanut butter, and 1 and 1/2 cups of sugar, and the brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring after each addition. Combine the dry ingredients and add to the creamed mixture until thoroughly blended. Chill in the fridge for at least one hour.

Shape 4 teaspoons of dough around a Milk Dud (Ball of Goodness) until completely covered. Roll ball in remaining granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes on metal racks.

Makes about 8 dozen cookies. I want at least that many for myself, so I double the recipe. I can be nice sometimes.

I said...sometimes, but in the case of these friends of mine...if I get scared, someone is gonna pay.

I swear.

This is Home Girl and I'm not playing ya'll.

Music; the fabric of my life

Like many of you, my musical heritage was influenced by parents and my grandparents; by the many people who waltzed in and out of my young life. I had older sisters and I was exposed to their thoughts on popular music of their peer group..which I was not a part of.

I have my own thoughts on what I like and dislike in music, but I am not bound by any set rules. I do not covet any one genre of notes. I have never been this way. Even as a little girl, I was very fickle when it came to my own musical selections.

If I had one of those Ipod things, here is a list of the first 25 songs I would have on it. These are in no particular order.

1. Sweet Baby James, James Taylor

2. Nessun Dorma, Pavarotti

3. Watershed, Indigo Girls...a song I can actual sing.

4. Like the Way I do, Melissa Etheridge

5. Whip It, Devo

6. St. Judy's Comet, Paul Simon...from the There Goes Rhyming Simon Album....my oldest sister used to sing this to me. She had a gorgeous voice. I do not, that is why I played the flute. I attempted to sing this song to all my kids when they were itty bitty...I bet they wouldn't have this song on their Ipods. Just say'in.

7. We've Only Just Begun, The Carpenters...there are just too many memories to recount hearing this song.

8. So Far Away, Crossfade

9. O Let's Do It, Waka Flocka Flame

10. Numb, Linkin Park

11. Rodeo-Hoedown, Aaron Copland. I have played this piece so much, I have it memorized permanently.

12. Welcome to the Family, Avenge Sevenfold~ I know, right? This surprises even me.

13. No Woman/No Cry, Bob Marley and the Whalers

14. I'm Not Afraid. Eminem

15. If I were a Boy, Beyonce'

16. Noctourne in E Minor, Opus 72, Frederic Chopin

17. Mi Mancherai, Josh Groban....like no one else can.

18. Unredeemed, Selah...a song that can make me smile.

19. Straight Outta Compton, NWA

20. Baby featuring Ludacris, Justin Bieber

21. 4 Minutes Featuring Justin Timberlake, Madonna

22. Bye, Bye, Bye., Nsync...yes, there has to be an Nsync song on my list and this one is my favorite.

23. Part of your World, Disney's Little Mermaid.

24. Meet Virginia, Train

25. Run Around, Blues Traveler...just such a cherry, friggin' song...how could you stay down after hearing this song.

There is the short list and you may notice there is no country on my list. I am not a huge country fan. I just never really got it...well, wait...there is one song I like.

I'll Pray for You, Jaron

Have a great Monday Everyone

This is Home Girl and yes...I do listen to Waka Flocka Flame. What? You got something to say?

Fall in Virginia

The area has been taken hold by much cooler temperatures and a brisk breeze. It's definitely hoodie time. I love hoodies. I love Fall. I cannot wait for a hot cup of something caffeinated to be in my hands as I walk the streets of Olde Towne on a Saturday. There is just so much to do and so much to see.

This weekend its Schooner Days. There are at least 40 schooner rigged vessels moored at the either the High Street Landing or the North Landing. There are historical displays to see, period dressed docents to talk to, shops to visit, Sea Shanty songs to listen to, and sea fare at more than 14 different restaurants. A Farmer's Market is set in the midst of the fun.

There will be Wine Tote making this afternoon. These fully lined, handled wine totes are made from the cutest all cotton fabric in Halloween and Fall themes. They make a great gift to Boo someone with a nice bottle of wine.

(Again, I apologize for the lack of pictures. It will be remedied soon.)

There will also be some baking. There is nothing I like more than baking in the Fall. I am making something I dreamed of. I don't know whether it will work or not...but I am making...are you ready for this...

I am making Sweet Potato and Cinnamon Apple Short Cakes with vanilla cream. Just like Strawberry Shortcakes but all dressed for Fall. Can you imagine? I will be drizzling a little caramel over the cream to give it that certain...Je ne sais quoi.

If all goes well, I hope to have a new recipe to share with you next week...it will be my little Fall gift to you and even if it is not Fall where you are, it will help bring Fall right to you.

I also might through some football into my day and definitely spending some time with my love and his brother. It's always fun when the boys are together in the house.

Enjoy your weekend!!!

This is Home Girl and I am going to enjoy this Fall day to its fullest.