A New Year

I spent New Year's Eve in Birmingham with Meredith. We had a blast. Her friend Mark had a party at his house. It was tons of fun. There were cute boys :) As usual, I didn't bring my camera so there are no pictures.

I always liked the idea of a new year's resolution. I keep the whole eat better and exercise more one every year. I also have another resolution for this year. I want to learn how to cook. Really cook. Besides, I figure I might as well try to learn how to cook while I am waiting on my Prince Charming. They always say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach :) I am not completely hopeless in the kitchen, but I can't make much. I am good with making chicken fingers and french fries in the oven and mac and cheese on the stove. That is about it. So as a part of my resolution I baked a cake for Christmas. I got an early start on the resolution. It was just a cake from a box, but I figure you have to start somewhere. Since then, I made oreo chewy cake cookies. I learned that I can't put anything on the bottom rack of the oven without burning them. I also made oreo balls, which are amazing.

So on Saturday's instead of moping around being bored, I will cook a real dinner for myself. Then I can eat the leftovers throughout the rest of the week. I can't seem to cook big meals after a long day of work. This Saturday I am going to make baked chicken drumsticks. I got some shake 'n bake for the chicken. I am going to do green bean bundles (whole green beans in little bundles wrapped in bacon). I bought some corn on the cob to fix. I guess I will cook that on the stove. I am still thinking about a dessert to go along with my dinner.

Here is the reciepe for the chewy oreo cookies and oreo balls.
Chewy Oreo Cookies

1 Chocolate Cake Mix
2cups whipped topping
2 eggs
1 can vanilla frosting (16 ounces)
Powdered sugar

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Mix together cake mix, whipped topping, and eggs. Let chill for 2 hours in the fridge.

Roll cookie dough into small balls, and then roll the balls in powdered sugar. Space balls evenly on cookie sheet.

Bake 7 to 10 minutes. Cool. Spread vanilla frosting between 2 cookies and serve

These can be made with any flavor cake mix and frosting mix.


Oreo Balls

1 package of Oreo cookies
1 8 ounce block of cream cheese
1 package of Almond Bark

Crush cookies in a food processor or by placing in a zip top bag and beating until a fine powdered texture. Mix cream cheese in with cookie crumbs. Roll into small balls and place on cookie sheet. Freeze for at least 1 hour. Melt Almond bark according to package directions. Dip each ball into Almond bark and place on waxed paper until cool. Store in air tight container.