#283 - Top 5 for 2009

I loved Kami's idea for the Top 5 Sites visited on her blog in 2009. So, I decided to do it for my blog and also throw in a few fun facts about my first full year of blogging (I only have tracking info from March-present, but still interesting).

Top 5 Posts for 2009
1. Clever Halloween Costumes, maybe it inspired Rachael & Jordan?
2. Quiet Book from the 70's
3. Prune Bags from Argentina - it really is hard to find info on these bags.
4. Homemade Flash Diffuser - I miss Kar . . . come back and visit.
5. Jumbo Rice Krispies - I still haven't been able to find these at the store, have you?

Some other fun facts about A Million Things I Love . . .
Top Visitors
1. Maryland - I think Baby O and I account for most of those visits (we like to watch Elmo and make Jiffy Rolls)
2. California - shout out to Casi
3. Idaho
4. Washington
5. Oregon

Day with the Most Visitors - October 27, 2009 (118 visitors) - wowzers! *this is not common :)

Most Visitors come from google or A Fro, And You Know.

Total of 228 posts this year, the most in February/September (tie) and the least in October.

If you want to track your blog, you can use google analytics...it's free and sort of fun to see what's up with your blog.

Stay tuned for tomorrow to see some of my 2009 favorites...

#282 - Cape Breton Pork Pies

When I was little we visited Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and had these yummy "Pork Pies". They are a sweet treat and not a savory food like the name might imply. I recently came across the recipe on the internet and combined a few to make my own version of Cape Breton Pork Pies.

Cape Breton Pork Pies
Makes approximately 30 mini pies/tarts

Pie Shells (basically a shortbread recipe)
2 Cups white flour
4 Tablespoons powdered sugar
1 Cup (soft) butter (I used salted butter)

Mix the flour and powdered sugar. Cut the butter into small cubes and kneed into the flour. Within a few minutes, you’ll get an (almost) greasy ball. Roll dough into small balls and flatten. Press the dough into small muffin tins (like the ones I used for Baby O's birthday cupcakes). When you’re pressing you can make the shell thin because it will expand as it cooks. I made 30 shells. Bake at 425F for 10 minutes. Let cool.

Filling
2 Cups chopped dates
1 1/2 Cups water
1 Cup packed brown sugar
Juice from 1/2 a lemon
(there are many variations of this)

Bring the above ingredients to a boil, then simmer for about 10-15 minutes. It should get thicker. Blend ingredients in blender to make a smooth consistency. Let cool and spoon into pie shells. (I had some date mixture left over, because I didn't want the tarts to be overflowing with this filling.)

Icing
2/3 Cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons maple syrup
1 Tablespoon butter, softened

Mix together until smooth and add a dollop to the top of each Pork Pie. (I filled a zipper bag with the icing and cut a small tip of the corner of the bag to squeeze out the icing.)

I think these taste best when put into the fridge for a day or so.

I wish I had gotten a picture of all of them. This is a picture of the last two that Baby O had thrown on the ground :)

Enjoy!

#281 - animal coloring book & a new box of crayons

I was lucky enough to win this giveaway at Red Roko. It was a cute Zoo Animal Coloring Book and a brand new package of 24 Crayola Crayons. Baby O loved them and was so fascinated by all the different colors of crayons.

Thanks Red Roko!

#280 - Grandma and Grandpa arrived

Grandma & Grandpa arrived...well, at least a box with their picture all over it did. We miss them, but loved the gifts they sent.

#279 - Our car is stuck

Oh, I love the snow! Baby O and I went outside at least two times a day to play in it. I wish it would snow like this every year.

#278 - 10 Little Monkeys

Baby O's favorite new song is 10 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed. I saw this cute glove and I think it would be fun to make one someday.

#277 - Gingerbread House for your Hot Chocolate

Someday when I have nothing else to do but bake, I'll make these.

#276 - Food, Inc.

After reading this, I checked this movie out from Netflix.

I just watched it and was reminded why I became a vegetarian in the 7th grade (it only lasted for a few years, but I still am not a huge fan of meat.)

Seriously, go rent or check this movie out from the library. WOW!

#275 - smiling's my favorite

For Karli. Via

#274 - Micro S'mores