'Ol Fashioned Molasses Cookies

Courtesy of Grandma Marjorie Thomas

These Molasses Cookies were from a recipe a friend's grandmother gave me before she passed away.

Their subtle spice and deliciously chewy center make these a favorite of mine year round. 

Here's what you do:

1 C butter softened

1/2 C Shortening

2 C Casting Sugar

2 Eggs

1/2 C Molasses

4-1/2 C All-purpose Flour

4 Tsp Ground Ginger

2 Tsp Baking Soda

1-1/2 Tsp Cinnamon

1 Tsp Ground Cloves

1/4 Tsp Salt

3/4 C Turbinado Sugar

1: In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. ( You may choose to use all butter or all shortening. Enlightened Cooking has a great post on butter vs. shortening) http://enlightenedcooking.blogspot.com/2008/04/butter-vs-shortening-in-baking.html

2. Combine the flour, ginger,baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in a medium sized bowl. (I usually sift together my ingredients all though it is not necessary.) Gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.

3. Shape dough into 2-in. balls and roll in Turbinado Sugar. Place them 2-1/2 in. apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 400 for 13-15 mins. (Oven time will vary. My oven is old and the temp is always hotter than what it says.) Remove to wire racks to cool. 

4. ENJOY ^^

The Mosswoods By Astrid Yrigollen

A friend of mine recently wrote a great book for YA readers! 

The Mosswoods is available for both NOOK and Kindle! 

And please check out the author's page as well! 

http://www.astridyrigollen.com

Back of Book:

Poppy Mosswood like most 17 year olds wants to lead a normal life. But the Mosswood family is anything but normal. Keepers protect the land from humans who would exploit it. For in the forest dwell wondrous creatures and dangerous beings. Beings that would love nothing more but to overthrow all of mankind. Ruthless billionaire Preston Buckthorn moves to town planning to marry Poppy to his son Brad. Brad wastes no time trying to win her heart but his love is warped by the taint that runs in his blood.
As Poppy is taken in by Brad's charms the appearance of a handsome stranger from the forest awakens her heart even though it is forbidden by both their worlds. From his long dark green hair to his piercing eyes, Ashtel is beautiful and powerful. He feels the danger that has emerged to threaten both of their worlds.

Torn between pledging herself as a Keeper, Brad and Ashtel, Poppy is unaware of the true identity of Preston Buckthorn and that his sinister plan includes much more then just owning Mosswood forest.

Review:

I love the way the author created the world of Mosswood forest. The people and creatures that dwell inside are imaginative yet believable. She did an excellent job of weaving it together with our modern world.

The main character struggles with finding a balance between her family's wishes and her own. 

This is something I could relate to and I am sure others will too!

This book does need some fine tuning and corrections. 

But overall I enjoyed it immensely and can not wait for the sequel!