A Fallish Hodgepodge

It's another Wednesday and another Hodgepodge and it's all about fall today.  Just the word "fall" gets me excited.  It's a hard choice for me between fall and spring being my favorite times of the year.  I'm sitting on "ready" for fall this year for sure.

1. It's fall y'all! Officially that is and in the northern hemisphere only, so if you're visiting from down under happy spring! Does it feel like fall where you live? Does it look like fall aka are the leaves beginning to change? What is your favorite fall color? Scent? Flavor? 

It hasn't felt much like fall at all but if the forecast is correct, tomorrow should bring some fall temps with fall "feels."  A few leaves have began to fall but thankfully there will be NO leaves in our yard.  We have a treeless yard except for the cedar trees by the bank of the pond.  We had enough leaves at our old house to last us the rest of our lives. The leaves have started slightly turning their colors but nothing significant.  My favorite scent would be cinnamon and my favorite flavor pumpkin.  

2. What's something you're not? 

UNORGANIZED!!!!  I came by my bent towards organization from both my Dad and Mom.  They were both highly organized and structured and I truly have never known any other way.  I thrive in an organized environment and struggle with unorganization.  I am pretty much in control of the organization within our home and I have always run our household by these two mottos: "everything has a place and everything in it's place" and "don't put it down, put it up."  It's really simple as far as I'm concerned.

Now, organization goes further than just within the walls of our own homes.  Businesses, meetings, organizations, facilities and the such all need organization.  But, I'll leave it at that.............

3. Share a favorite quote related to fall and tell us why it's a favorite. 

I love this quote because I truly do feel so invigorated and a bit like a "fresh start" when fall unveils itself.  I'm waiting with baited breath right now.

4. Besides Thanksgiving, what's your favorite fall meal? 

Oh, I do love fall food and for us that means, soups, stews, chili's, and gumbo with a side of cornbread.  We eat more than our fair share of this type food beginning in fall and continuing through winter.  I enjoy this type of cooking far more than any other cooking.  What's not to like about a "one pot meal?"

5. Share a favorite photo you took last fall? 

We always go to our daughter's in Oklahoma every October while she and the boys are on Fall Break.  This was taken last year while we were there.  Now, these 3 are sooo much bigger and Clancy will be 13 years old next week. What????  We look forward to seeing them very soon.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

If you have been hanging around here very long then you know that I LOVE to bake cookies.  And, I just baked what may be the most delicious cookie ever.  It's the Almond Joy Cookie. I am giving you the recipe just in case you want to try your hand with them.

Almond Joy Cookies

Inspired by the favorite almond, coconut, and chocolate candy bar, these loaded Almond Joy Cookies are sure to steal the show on any holiday cookie platter or cookie swap they show up at.  

Active:

15 mins

Total:

4 hrs 15 mins

Yield:

Makes 3 dozen (serving size: 2 cookies)

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup (8 oz.) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups (about 9 5/8 oz.) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup lightly toasted sliced almonds

Directions

Instructions Checklist

• Step 1

  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Beat brown sugar, granulated sugar, and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and beat just until blended. Add vanilla, and beat until blended.

• Step 2

  Stir together flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in a large bowl. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, and beat on low speed until fully incorporated, about 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips, coconut, and almonds until evenly distributed. Cover and refrigerate dough 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. 

• Step 3

  Preheat oven to 350°F. Using a 1 1/4-inch cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop cookie dough 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until lightly golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheet on a wire rack 5 minutes; transfer cookies to wire rack, and cool completely, about 30 minutes.

I made these Monday and Hubby and a couple of our neighbors said they were the BEST cookie they had ever eaten.  So, next time you need cookies, give them a try!

 NOTE: I was able to find toasted almonds, they were not sliced, but rather whole.  But, I chopped them and they worked great.