Let's Talk About Cookies.

Do you remember last February when you saw that cute little girl in a little green vest covered with the cutest little badges? Your heart leaped for joy when she sweetly asked “Would you like to buy a box of Girl Scout cookies?” You then nodded because you didn’t dare speak for you might be a little too enthusiastic and scare that little freckle faced Girl Scout away. She hands you the order form and you excitedly look down the list of cookies until you see your favorite. 

If you are anything like me… your eyes finally landed on… Wait. Caramel Delights!?!?!?

Where the heck are the Samoas?! They look the same… but the name has been changed to Caramel Delights?! 

Suffice to say that I was furious. Why you ask? 

First of all, Caramel Delights is probably the most unoriginal name. There are probably a billion and one different types of candy/cookies that bear the same name. 

Second, the best part about that cookie is not the caramel. It’s the coconut!

Third, Samoas are my childhood. I was once a Girl Scout myself. I spent many long hours standing in front of grocery stores begging people to buy cookies from me so that I could get that beach towel with a pony on it. 

Fourth, when someone says “Do you want a Samoa?” the first thing that comes to mind is a doughnut shaped coconut cookie with chocolate drizzled on top. You then think of a freckle faced little girl in a green vest with the absolute cutest smile who just wants a beach towel with a pony on it. When someone says “Do you want some caramel delights?” You think of caramel squares, chocolate covered caramel…. I could go on. 

So last year when I saw that Samoas were no longer Samoas I contemplated not buying them as sort of a boycott. I bought them anyways because I have absolutely no self control when it comes to Girl Scout cookies. 

This year when a lady at my work was selling them I jumped at the chance to buy way more cookies then I’ll ever need. As my eyes scanned the list of cookies I noticed something magnificent…. Samoas are Samoas again!!!! I was overjoyed. I then bought way more boxes then I’d like to admit. I need to thank whoever boycotted Carmel Delights and made the Girl Scouts change back the name because I wasn’t strong enough to. Thank you!

Also, why is it that the best cookie on the face of the earth can only be purchased only for a short period of time each year? It’s so sad. But maybe thats why I appreciate them so much.

Carli

Jam & Cookies

This weekend Courtney roped me into helping her & Ben make Jam. Pear Jam. Strawberry Jam. Concord Grape Jam. Not only were we making jam… but we were canning it so that in a few years we can eat this jam when the world is coming to an end. This jam will be a small treasure in a world of darkness. Ok… that was a joke. I doubt that the jam will last that long because we will be eating it. Maybe a couple months to a couple more months… but you never know…

Our jam tastes lovely. I didn’t get a chance to photo document the actually canning because it is quite dangerous and intense. Multiple people were burnt. If you have ever done any canning without an actually canning machine then you know what I am talking about. Well… maybe you don’t because you probably are much better and have a much less dangerous method of canning  down pat. We were inexperienced.

After that lovely (and when I say lovely I mean not very lovely) experience of making and then canning jam, we decided to celebrate our completion with a Papa Murphy’s pizza and a half dozen Ruby Snap cookies! 

I have talked about Ruby Snap before and I will talk about them many more times to come. They are so delicious!!!!! Guess what I just recently discovered!?! If you are not fortunate enough to live in the Salt Lake area you can order frozen cookie dough by the dozen and have it shipped directly to your homestead! I highly recommend doing so…

Do they not look divine?! If you don’t think so then you are definitely mental, because they are baked heaven. Each cookie has a pinup girl name such as Penelope (the peanut butter cookie dipped in chocolate on the far left), Judy (orange with orange cream cheese frosting second to the left), & Mavis (a chocolate dough that has a slight kick. I can’t remember what exactly is in it but it is glorious). The cookie in the middle with the fresh strawberry on top is the cookie of the month. It is a strawberry peach cobbler cookie with goat cheese frosting and fresh strawberry on top. 

Such a lovely weekend…

Carli

The Farmers Market.

Little did I know that this thing called the Farmers Market that has been right under my nose for all this time… It is glorious! There is a plethora of vendors selling all types of things from veggies and fruits to jewelry and then all the way to guys playing the didgeridoo while his girlfriend danced with a hoola hoop on the background. I mean seriously… How strangely cool is that?! Very strangely cool I must say. I regret not getting a picture.

Courtney & I had a wonderful time viewing the strange talents, partaking of the wonderful Ruby Snap cookie of the month, and browsing the vendors. We even got some nice heirloom tomatoes, fresh garlic, onions, and peppers for a salsa. We love salsa.

I must say that the farmers market is quite possibly my new favorite thing. I am going next Saturday for sure. Also, Courtney & I are already planning on having a booth of our own at next years farmers market.

Carli

Samoas.

I have a bone to pick with the Girl Scouts of America personages. 

Why change the name of a cookie that has built up such a fan base? A cookie that has made the people of Americas mouth water? The cookie that makes a person drive all over town to find it? A cookie that has a history in this great nation. 

When someone says Samoas, the first thing you think of is those cute little dimply faces of the girls who so kindly deliver to you such a divine treat that you find yourself buying boxes and boxes of such cookie, and freezing them so that you can enjoy them year round. 

Caramel Delights?!?!? What!? Why!?!?

When someone says Caramel Delights you don’t think of Girl Scouts. You think of those bland little caramel squares, or some other caramel treat that will never measure up to the deliciousness of a Samoa.

Why make such a big deal about this you may ask?

Answer: Samoas are a part of my life. A part of my childhood. We have a history, and I am sure many others feel the same. 

Ok so America has been doing a lot of “changing” lately, and we sure do need it. But there is no need to change something that doesn’t need changing. Like my Samoas.

That is all,

Carli