Luva You

"Luva You" is how Tanner and I sign off on notes/emails/phone calls to each other.

Today is Valentines Day and we are probably not doing anything romantic or special today (unless Tanner has some surprise up his sleeve or something), because we celebrated Valentines Day on Saturday! I don't know why we celebrated on Saturday. I'd like to say that it wasbecause we are so incredibly in love that we couldn't wait, but it probably was because it was just more convenient. So, on Valentines Saturday, I made Tanner some delicious cookies. Tanner's favorite treat are chocolate Turtles. But that's boring to gift, so I made Chocolate Turtle Cookies instead! SO yummy! Tanner loved them (of course).



Here is the recipe:
CHOCOLATE TURTLE COOKIES **

1 c. margarine, softened
1 1/3 c. sugar
2 large eggs separated, plus 1 egg white
4 Tbsp. milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. flour
2/3 c. cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. chopped pecans, finely chopped
28 soft caramel candies (like the little individually wrapped square ones)
6 Tbsp. heavy cream or whipping cream

1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add egg yolks, milk, and vanilla and mix until incorporated.

2. Sift in flour, cocoa, and salt. Mix wet and dry ingredients until just combined. Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour, until dough is firm.

3. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

4. Whisk egg whites in small bowl until frothy. Place pecans on plate. One at a time, roll dough into 1" balls, dip in egg white, then roll in pecans until covered. Place balls 2" apart on prepared baking sheet. Using your thumb or index finger, make indentation in center of each ball. Bake until set, 10-12 minutes. (You may need to redo your indentations when the cookies come out of the oven. Careful, their HOT! so use a teaspoon measure this time.)

5. Microwave caramels and cream in bowl, stirring regularly, until smooth (about 2 minutes). Fill each cookie with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of caramel mixture. Let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack and *cool completely.

* I found that cooling the cookies outside (it was really cold out) or in the freezer really helps the caramel set, so it's not so gooey and messy.

** Mom E., if you are reading this, you might want to add this recipe to your collection. I think that it may be worthy for the Christmas baking list.


For our Valentines Saturday we went out to eat at East Side Mario's, complements of Mom and Dad Allred (thanks!). We ordered a ton of food and has a great time. Gwen did really great and loved the bread (which there was an unlimited supply of!) I ordered ribs...yup. (I'm tired of watching Tanner order ribs and wishing that I had.) Tanner had the meatlovers pizza. It was a fun night!

I love Tanner so much. He sacrafices so much and works so hard for our little family. He is so wonderful. And handsome :)


Tanner, you are our Valentine!

Luva you,

Jenny and Gwen