Daring Bakers: Panna Cotta & Florentine Cookies

The February 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Mallory from A Sofa in the Kitchen. She chose to challenge everyone to make Panna Cotta from a Giada De Laurentiis recipe and Nestle Florentine Cookies.

So I was a little put out by the fact that they wanted us to make two different desserts this month. In fact, I had decided to skip this month, but boy am I glad that I change that decision. I haven't tried the panna cotta yet, but the floentine cookies are amazing.

Recipes here

I honestly haven't eaten this yet.. but it sure is pretty! Its basically a milk jello topped with fruit jello.

The cookies started like this.

The Florentine cookie dough was wonderful, and as an added bonus there are no eggs in it so you can lick the bowl as much as you want
The cookies ended like this.

For some reason, my cookies got progressively more burnt, even though I reduced the baking time for each batch. The ones with no browned edges were the yummiest, but the others were easier to work with. The cookies are suppose to have a chocolate backing on them, I may or may not get to that. It's been kinda a crazy day.
Harvey couldn't wait for the cookies to be done, and he really liked the dough, even though it is mostly oatmeal.

Sorry for the weird breaks, but I am new to this editing thing.

Brownie Stuffed Cookies

I recently read a recipe over on Picky Palate for brownie stuffed cookies. Co ahead and click that link, they looked wonderful. Anyways, I was determined to make them. However, I decided to use my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, and then discovered that we didn't have enough flour. This was the result.

Very flat cookies. The dough I had chosen was too soft to stay shaped up around the brownies. I tell you what though, it didn't stop anyone from eating them. They were still very yummy. These things are huge though. Harvey took 3 days to eat his cookie.

New Video Camera

Harvey plays with his shadow.

Sorry for the low light, Harvey was supposed to be taking a nap, but when I came in to check on him this is what he as doing.

New Hairdo

A week ago, I broke down and took Harvey to the barber. It was quite dramatic. There were many tears, but none of them from me.
Anyways I took some pictures that evening, but he wasn't very cooperative.

See what I mean? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE this picture, it just doesn't show his hair off very well.
Half hour later and this was the best I could get. No smile, in a dark hallway, doing his best to ignore me. So I gave up and waited for a time when I knew Harvey would be happy.

Bath time is always the best time for smiles around here.

Boxed In & Giveaway Winner

You may not be aware but Harvey loves boxes.

Also, Harvey dislikes clothing about as much as he loves boxes.

Seriously, Its amazing he still has all his toes and fingers. We keep our house a balmy 64 degrees in the winter, could enough for me to wear shoes indoors.
Harvey doesn't seem to mind the cold most of the time though. He just keeps stripping his carefully prepared outfits and runs around in his diaper... if we are lucky.

And now for the results of the Yoplait Delights Giveaway...
Congratulations to Wendy Miller! Wendy please leave your e-mail address on this post so I can get your info to have this sent to you.

6th Sense

Harvey has a 6th sense when it comes to sweet foods, and not just when it comes to finding them in the cupboard. He can tell when I'm cooking and comes running every time to "help" clean the spoon. He's like a cat with canned food.


Seriously, it's uncanny.

Though one time, I was making mashed potatoes in the mixer and he came in demanding the spoon. So, you know, I gave it to him. He didn't trust me to hand him food for a week. Is it mean that I find this hilarious?

Loves

Harvey would just like to say that he loves you.

He also loves cookies.

Harvey's New Dresser

Went to a local antique market with a good friend looking for a dresser for Harvey. I knew exactly what I wanted. I wanted a long & low 4-6 drawer solid wood dresser that was raised up on legs so that it would fit both under a window and over a heat register.

This is what I came home with.

Well it just goes to show that sometimes you don't know what you really want. It is solid wood and does have enough drawers, but that is where the similarities end.

This one turned out to be prefect for Harvey though, and he is loving it.

Turn out, those adorable dressers with the spindly legs are kinda top heavy. It makes them a tad wobbly, and there is no way they would stand up the the kind of abuse a toddler will put them through. Especially this toddler who has already tried to climb this dresser by using only the knobs.

Anyways, Harvey is pretty stoked to have his own dresser and not have to share with the new baby.

Happy Christmas

For weeks after we put that tree up, Harvey would drag a box under it and just sit there like he was a present too. Merry Christmas Everyone!

Failure to Nap

Let me start by saying this. Harvey has always napped well. He LOVES naps. When I try to push his 10 am nap back to 11, he finds his "gankie" curls up and reminds me to put him in his crib. That being said Harvey is to the age where he no longer needs 2 naps, but since he refuses to delay his morning nap, he is cranky at 5pm.

So 3 pm rolls around, formerly a good nap time, now usually a quiet time. Either way I get a good hour of chores done. Until Monday. I come in after putting Harvey down for his afternoon nap, which for the record this time he really did need. Up at 5 am, first nap at 9. Daylight savings, ect.




This is what I came back to less than an hour later. Harvey had stripped completely, including removing his diaper.



He was bouncing up and down. His crib was a good 2 feet away from the wall.



And he was having the time of his life.

Harvey is 2!!!

Here are some pics from Harvey's 2nd b-day. You can't tell from the pic, but Harvey has twice as many toys now.



Anyways, we just had Harvey's friends over. It was a small party, but a lot of fun.

We did face painting, made puppy hats and played pin the tail on the puppy. Harvey did everything except wear a hat.

Harvey now has 2 tricycles, 2 puppy dogs, (one of which wags her tail and he calls "Roxy") 2 bull dossers, an airplane, and some bath toys. He LOVES them all. Thanks everyone for making Harvey's birthday so special.

Moments with Harvey

So today, I ran into the grocery store to get two things. That was it. A quick in and out trip. Harvey was with me, and I had put him in one of those car carts. He loves them, they have a steering wheel and make noises. So again I was in a hurry and as we went past the deli Harvey LEANS out the car and starts pointing frantically. He wanted a cookie. Our grocery store give out free cookies to kids who ask nicely. But I mean Harvey isn't even 2 and he's only had a cookie once before when our friend (who happens to work there) got one for him. SO HOW IN THE WORLD DID DID THIS KID REMEMBER ABOUT THE COOKIE?

But anyways Harvey very nicely said "Cookie" to the lady behind the counter, and when I prompted him to say please, he yells out "DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESE" Everyone in the entire store was able to hear that boy's need for cookies. Needless to say he got his cookie, I got my yogurt and we got out of there.

Stuck

Harvey is fairly curious by nature, and as a result often times gets himself into situations he needs help getting out of.

For example, video taps fascinate him for some reason.

Here is a closer look. Notice his thumb is stuck.

Of course I, being the good mom that I am, always comes to Harvey's rescue. I never would sit there and laugh at his frustration while trying to find my camera.

Mad Science

A science experiment begins.

Hello, what's this?

I must investigate.

Just as I thought.

My knuckles are too big to fit through.

Well cat you have been saved from poke-age this time.....

Back off I'm doing science.

Bananas

enough said.

Harvey's Shoe Fetish

Harvey likes grownup shoes and clothing. I have seen his put on his dad's shirts and my pants and then fall down on his face when he trips over the extra length. But the funniest thing for me is when he puts on our shoes and tries to walk around.

Putting on my old soccer cleats.
Trying the cleats out.
His dad's dirty sock from the laundry bin.
And of course, Dad's boots.

Sorry about the various stages of undress in these photos, Harvey is very messy and it is easier to clean him than his clothes.

Mom.... can't you tell I'm busy? Sheesh.

Vacay with the Fam

Harvey and I went on vacation to visit our family up in the Pac NW, while Captain was off training with the national guard. And, since most of the peeps who read this blog were there while these pics were taken, I'm gonna type about something else and let the pics stand for themselves.


Harvey is learning how to speak, and while I think he is a genius, I am aware that you all may need an English to Harvey dictionary.

Bah = Ball
Nonononono = No

Noh = Nose
BaBye = Bye bye

Puhpee = puppie
DahDEEEEEEE = Daddy

bahtol = bottel
juu = juice / drink

kihee = kitty
Cat = Cat
Poo = I need to use the toilet

whasit = what's this?
whasat = what's that?

Bahbe = baby
bahk = book
deeeeeees = please

yohgoot = yogurt
mama= mom

Waho = wow
Uhtoh! = uh-oh

There are probably more words that he knows at the moment, but mostly he says "uhuh" grabs our hands and points to what he wants. Love you guys!