Indian Rocks Beach

This will probably my favorite Florida photo for the year.

Maria's Ginger Crackle Cookies

Maria's Ginger Crackle Cookies - the best

Here's a fabulous recipe for an old fashioned ginger crackle, or gingersnap cookie.
It's adapted from a recipe in The Weekend Baker, by Abigail Johnson Dodge.

2 1/2 C. flour
1 C. sugar - for the dough
2/3 C. sugar for rolling the balls of cookie dough in
1 1/2 t. ground ginger
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. ground cloves
1/4 t. salt
8 T. softened butter
1/4 C. shortening
1 egg
1/4 - 1/3 C. light molasses

C. = cup, T. = tablespoon, t. = teaspoon

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper, if you have it.

In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients, except for the sugar, and mix with a wire whisk.

In another large bowl, combine the butter, shortening, and ONE cup of sugar. Add the egg and molasses. Beat until blended.
Gradually pour in the dry ingredients. Mix until well blended.

Shape the dough into one inch balls.
Roll each ball in the remaining 2/3 C. sugar.
Place 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees F. for about 13 minutes until they're puffed up and lightly brown on the edges. Let cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet before removing them.

Who Has Which Blood Type

Type
O+ 1 person in 3, 38.4%
O- 1 person in 15, 7.7%
A+ 1 person in 3, 32.3%
A- 1 person in 16, 6.5%
B+ 1 person in 12, 9.4%
B- 1 person in 67, 1.7%
AB+ 1 person in 29, 3.2%
AB- 1 person in 167, 0.7%

Source: BloodBook.com
http://www.bloodbook.com/index.html

Found a Treasure

Several years ago, I found this oil painting in the back of a Florida closet. Twice, I almost donated it to a rummage sale. I never cared much for it, but I think it was the frame. Without the plastic wood frame, it's really quite nice. A new frame will give it a whole new look, and off to the Adirondacks it will go.
There's even information on the back. Mildred Marsh of Manhattan Beach, Minnesota painted it in 1987. It's Island Lake, going into the Whitefish Chain - Minnesota. It was a gift to Edna Klaus.
It's lovely.

Reusable Grocery Bags

This goes into the 'stumbled upon' category.
There's an article in the New York Times about the tax on plastic bags in Ireland.
In 2002, a law was passed which adds 33 cents to every plastic bag.A photo shows a cloth bag at a Superquinn store.
I like it. I want one. I wonder if there are any on eBay.
Do any of the stores in England have bags like these?
We're currently drowning in plastic bags - the broom closet is overflowing with them.
It's time we switched to the reusable ones, but it would be so much more fun to have one from Dublin.
This could be more fun than collecting bookmarks from libraries.
Here's the New York Times article.
Motivated by a Tax, Irish Spurn Plastic Bags

Groundhog Day - 2008

Here's the link to the official Groundhog Day site.
They're saying that Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow this morning, so there will be SIX more weeks of winter. Doesn't he always see his shadow?
http://www.groundhog.org/prediction/