Jam Filled Cookies

These cookies are delicious and so easy to make!  The original recipe is found here.  I also made a batch and used peanut butter and chocolate chips instead of jam.

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup fruit preserves, any flavor  
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• a pinch of salt
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1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F 
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and egg yolks. Mix in flour a little bit at a time until a soft dough forms. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. If dough is too soft, refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes. Place balls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Use your finger or an instrument of similar size to make a well in the center of each cookie. Fill the hole with 1/2 teaspoon of preserves.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown on the bottom. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

Creamy Cilantro Dip

This dip is the bomb!  I use it as a dressing on salads, a dip for chips and veggies and I even pour it over homemade chimichangas!  It's honestly good on everything!  I've been making this recipe for a while now and I finally measured out all the ingredients so I can share it with you.

Creamy Cilantro Dip-

1 Bunch of Cilantro  (cut off an inch of the ends)

1 pkg cream cheese (softened)

8 oz. sour cream

1tsp. garlic powder

1tsp. chili powder  (If you like it hot add as much as you want!)

1 C. green salsa  (I use a medium heat to make the dip more spicy)

I always use my food processor to whip this dip up, but you could use a blender too.
Start by mixing/blending the softened cream cheese, then add each ingredient.  The dip will be a nice minty green color. Chill for 1 hour and then serve!  It's eassssssy!  

 Enjoy!   

the best potato salad ever.

A couple weekends ago it was just beautiful!  To honor the weather we had a celebratory BBQ.  I decided to whip up my favorite potato salad.  Potato salad is either out of this world good, or super gross.  Sometimes there is way too much mustard and relish, and other times the potatoes are mushy mush.  I had been on a quest to find the perfect potato salad recipe, and alas, I have found a keeper.  This recipe is fool proof, plus it has bacon... bacon makes everything better.

Here's what you need:


2 pounds clean, scrubbed new red potatoes

• 4 eggs

• 1 pound bacon

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped

• 2 cups mayonnaise

• salt and pepper to taste

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Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain and set in the refrigerator to cool.
2. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
3. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
4. Chop the cooled potatoes, leaving skin on. Add to a large bowl, along with the eggs, bacon, onion and celery. Add mayonnaise, salt and pepper to taste. Chill for an hour before serving.

I got this recipe via

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  I followed this recipe almost exactly except i only used 4 eggs.
  
  
  Now, I'm going to give you a little advice on how to boil your potatoes... chop before you boil.  Cut your potatoes into bite size pieces and then boil them.  This way you can pull them out and test them until they're perfect.  Now you don't have to worry about them getting all mushy mush.
  
  
  
  
  enjoy!
  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

Motivation

Ok lets be real here... I am in NO way a healthy hardcore worker-outer enthusiast but I sure want to be! KC and I have been hitting up the gym every night getting our sweat on and it feels SO good! Last night she sent me this blog, Can you stay for Dinner  and if Andie's story isn't inspirational then you're insane. And I mean crazier than Brittney Spears when she cheated on Justin Timberlake (sorry I brought this up, I never wanted to have to re-live that again).


Yikes... sorry about that I recently saw this list of top 90's pictures and well it's been on my mind... BUT After reading her recipes and workout plans can I just say I'm so ready for this week! It was just the motivation I needed, and I can tell her blog will be one of my new favorites. What is motivating you this week? Help a sister out!

 via