My Favorite Snickerdoodle Cookie Recipe

These are by far the best snickerdoodle cookies I've ever had and they're very easy to make!

Ingredients


1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
 
Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cream together butter, shortening, 1 1/2 cups sugar, the eggs and the vanilla. Blend in the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt. Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls.

Mix the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Roll balls of dough in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until set but not too hard. Remove immediately from baking sheets.

I'd love to hear how they turn out!

- Ashley

Share Your Gardening Tips

I am so happy that spring is right around the corner! I don't know about you, but I'm tired of this cold winter and ready to spend some quality time outdoors! I wanted to start a discussion to share gardening tips, advice, and knowledge.

Some of My Favorite Place to Buy Supplies

For cheap accent lighting and other garden decor, I love to go to Target or Walmart. I've even bought seeds from Target before and they turned out great.

For plants, I like to go to Lowe's or Alsip Nursery. Also, a place that my Mom introduced me to, Sunrise Greenhouse in Grant Park, IL (http://www.woldhuisfarms.com/index.html). Although it's quite a haul from Lockport, this place is like a "Sam's Club" for flowers! I normally get the majority of my garden goodies at Sunrise!

Some of My Favorite Things to Grow

I absolutely love to grow all things edible! My must-haves include grape tomatoes and green onions. Last summer, I grew candy onions (sweeter than Vidalia!), strawberries, cilantro, basil, and three breeds of lettuce, in addition. I also love my Lavendar plant that keeps my patio smelling nice! This year, I want to grow some green beans since I love eating them and some kind of roses. Any pointers?

Now It's Your Turn to Share

Now I invite you to share some of your insight and knowledge about gardening for other fellow gardeners to comment on and learn from!

- Ashley

Are You Ready To Buy Your First Home?

With all this talk going on about the $8,000 first-time home buyer credit, you may be asking yourself, "Am I ready to buy my first home?" Here are some helpful articles and tips taken from move.com's How-To Guide: Buying Your First Home: http://www.move.com/guide/first-time-home-buying.aspx?source=hp

Step One: Are You Ready?

Now's the time to ask yourself: Do I know what I want? Do I have the money? Is my financial house in order?

10 Steps to Home Ownership: http://www.move.com/home-finance/buyers-basics/guide-how-to-buy-a-home.aspx

How Do I Get Started?: http://www.move.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/can-you-afford-to-buy-a-house.aspx

Six Signs You're Ready To Buy: http://www.move.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/signs-that-youre-ready-to-buy.aspx

Tips for Squirreling Away Your Down Payment: http://www.move.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/how-to-save-when-buying-home.aspx

Step Two: Get Organized

When it comes to buying your first house, sometimes you simply don't know what you don't know... yet.

Should You Buy a New or Existing House?: http://www.move.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/buy-old-or-new-home.aspx

Condo vs. House: http://www.move.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/to-buy-condo-or-house.aspx

Do You have Buyer's Paralysis?: http://www.move.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/home-buying-problems.aspx

Pulling The Trigger: http://www.move.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/tips-on-first-home-buying-decision.aspx

Step Three: Taking Charge

There's nothing so complex about buying a house that you can't understand it with a bit of knowledge.

Take Charge When Buying A Home: http://www.move.com/home-finance/mortgages/take-charge-when-buying-home.aspx

10 Mistakes You Can't Afford: http://www.move.com/home-finance/mortgages/10-mistakes-you-cant-afford.aspx

Borrowing From Family and Friends: http://www.move.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/borrowing-from-family-and-friends.aspx

Step Four: Rent vs. Buy

Pay a landlord or pay a bank? That's the question renters face as they consider stepping into homeownership.

Renting vs. Buying: http://www.move.com/home-finance/mortgages/should-you-buy-or-rent.aspx

Am I Better off Buying Now or Renting?: http://www.move.com/rentals/finance-and-budgeting/What-you-need-to-know-about-renting-or-buying-in-the-20-top-markets.aspx

Renting to Own: http://www.move.com/home-finance/real-estate/buyers/benefits-of-leasing-home.aspx

Again, all of this information is from move.com, but I thought it is quite a useful guide for first-time home buyers! I hope you enjoy this resource and don't forget to call me when you're ready to start looking for your first home!

- Ashley