Cranberry Orange White Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. butter, softened

1 1/2 c. sugar (or brown sugar works too--chewier cookie)

2 t. orange juice

1 t. vanilla

2 eggs

1 T. grated orange zest (I used *orange crystal & orange extract)

2 1/2 c. SR flour

2 c. (12 oz. bag) white chocolate chips

5 oz. (2/3 c.) dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 375. Cream together butter, sugar, orange juice, and vanilla. Cream together on high for 2 min. until fluffy and pale in color. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in all orange zest*. Gradually add flour to creamed mixture. Stop & scrape bowl. Beat until fluffy and moist. Add white chocolate chips and cranberries by hand. Cover and chill for 1 hour, if desired, I usually don't.  Scoop dough in 2"  balls and place on lined cookie sheet. Leave 3" apart. Bake 12-14 minutes until lightly golden. Cool 5 minutes and remove from pan. These are so good with a cup of cocoa in the morning or evening. Santa loved these this year! Store in a covered container.

*Shaping cookies into tall cookie dough balls before baking results in thicker cookies as they don't spread out as much.

Before baking:

after baking:

Grilled Cheese Sandwich

2 slices of bread

2 slices cheese, your choice: American, Colby Jack, etc..

butter

bacon slices, cooked

Spread butter on outside pieces of bread. Place buttered side down in a skillet with melted butter. Place cheese slices on unbuttered side of bread. Place cooked bacon on top of cheese slice. Place other slice of buttered bread on top. Butter side up. Cook in skillet until cheese is melted and bread is lightly toasted to your liking. Serve with bowl of soup or salad.

How to Prevent Gnats

1/2 c. water

2 T. vinegar

1 T. sugar

6 drops dish soap

Combine all ingredients and place small containers with solution inside around where gnats are seen. I have also placed the solution in a jar, covered with plastic wrap, and poked holes in the wrap. The gnats are attracted to the sugar but get trapped in the jar and can't find there way out again. This works great!  

Crockpot Diced Potato Loaded Soup

After cooking:

10.5 oz. pkg Bear Creek creamy potato soup mix

2, 2 lb. bags frozen diced potatoes

8 c. chicken broth

diced onion, to taste

9 oz. real bacon pieces

8 oz. shredded cheese or  2 c. velveeta cheese, cubed

Place 2 bags frozen potatoes in bottom of lined crockpot. Add dry soup mix, chicken broth, onions, & bacon. Stir. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours, or on high for 3 hours. Remove lid and mash some of the potatoes. This will cause the soup to thicken up. At this point, you can add the cheese, stir, cover, and cook an additional 30 minutes until the cheese melts. Or, you can serve the potato soup as is and add cheese to individual bowls. This is a very filling and hearty soup. Milk or water may need to be added to it before serving, depending on preference for thick soup. I served with grilled cheese sandwiches.

*This also makes great mashed potatoes if you don't add the milk at the end. 

Picture below is before cooking.

Skillet Chicken Thighs

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, pat dry with paper towel

McCormick sweet onion bacon seasoning, enough to coat thighs

2 T. olive oil

1 T. butter

minced onion

3 cloves garlic

1/2 c. chicken broth

1 T. lemon juice

1 t. thyme

1/4 t. crushed red pepper flakes

1/3 c. heavy cream or sour cream 

parsley, optional

Heat skillet to medium heat and add olive oil. Place chicken thighs in hot skillet and cook until skin is crispy, about 5 minutes. Turn chicken and cook another 8-10 min., until meat thermometer reaches 165. Transfer chicken to plate. (I placed the plate in microwave to keep chicken warm) Add butter, onion, and garlic to skillet. Cook 1 min. Stir in chicken broth, lemon juice, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low and stir in sour cream. Simmer 5 min. stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens. Place chicken in sauce. Garnish with parsley if using. Serve immediately. I served with rice, homemade bread, a Caesar salad. Yum!

Chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs if desired.