Meeting Time

As the coordinator of our campus Adopt-A-School program, I have to plan monthly meetings.  I like to have a theme for each meeting because that makes planning easier and more fun.  Since we are nearing on Valentine's Day, I chose that as our theme.  I don't get too fancy because I don't have the time, but I like to have a few table decorations and treats.  It is my way of saying thank you to the teachers and community partners that take time out of their day to attend and make our school a better place.

 



 I served carrot sticks, vegetable crackers, Rasberry Chipotle Ranch (because it is light pink and delicious!), Hershey Hugs, and homemade Chocolate Cherry cookies.  Check out my post from yesterday for the recipe.  These cookies received rave reviews from everyone at the meeting!

The napkins, plates, and table cover were from Dollar Tree.  The heart-shaped platter and heart-shaped bowl were from HEB (less than $2 each).  The white bowls are my everyday china, and I made the centerpiece with some random decorations I hade stored from my teaching days.  I put a wedge of Styrofoam in the vase, and then stuffed pink Valentine's Day tinsel around the foam to cover it up.  I then poked themed picks (like you would use in a bouquet or wreath) into the Styrofoam. 

 

Make your  meetings more meaningful with a few tasty treats and a little effort to spruce up the way you serve them.  The extra mile will make your teachers' day. 

My First!

My first blog post.  Inspired by so many people who have encouraged me to share recipes, ideas, and the things I'm passionate about.  I truly hope you enjoy.

I spent this afternoon making some delicious, decadent cookies for a meeting I have tomorrow.  I am a firm believer in the idea that if you need to have a meeting, you must provide a tasty treat.  It just sets the tone for a more enjoyable conversation.  My meeting is Valentine's day-themed, so I decided to try a new recipe-Chocolate Cherry M&M Cookies.  M&Ms make these seasonal candies for Valentine's Day each year, and I thought a chocolate cookie would be the perfect backdrop for turning these M&Ms into a baked dessert. 

 As you can see, the red, maroon, and pink colors of the M&Ms lend a festive feel to these Valentine's day-inspired cookies.

 

I also added chocolate chips to make this a truly decadent cookies.  A glass of milk would be a perfect pairing!

 

Chocolate Cherry M&M Cookies

 

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour (regular flour works fine also)
• 2/3 cup baking cocoa
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 1 large package of Cherry M&Ms
• 1 (6 ounce) package of chocolate chips

 

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 350F.
2. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in small bowl and mix together.
3. Beat butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in large mixing bowl until creamy.
4. Beat in eggs.
5. Gradually beat in flour mixture.
6. Stir in chocolate chips and M&Ms.
7. Drop tablespoon sized balls onto baking sheets (lined with parchment paper).  Press cookies slightly.
8. Bake 9-11 minutes or until centers are set.  Cook on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies