I just came back from New York - Bronx.

Get a change please visit the The New York Botanical Gardens.
See The Orchid Show one of a kind until April 6.
Just go down for the day - takes 3 hours to drive down and the cost is $20.00 per person.
This place is bigger than Franklin Park and then some.

If you cannot go then visit during the summer for the other shows.

They have over million sprays of orchids.
You will never see this in Boston.

Visit:

newyorkbotanicalgarden.com
nybshop.org

Wine Fest

Finger Lakes Wine Festival Watkins
Join us for the region's largest wine celebration – the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, supported by Corning Museum of Glass. Over 70 prestigious wineries from Upstate New York will be on hand to offer tastings and sales. Enjoy quality arts & crafts vendors, gourmet foods, wine seminars, cooking demonstrations, live music, pace car rides, and Corning Museum's Hot Glass Road Show. Grab your toga and kick-off this three day celebration Friday evening at "Launch of the Lakes". If you prefer a more relaxed tasting atmosphere, come on Sunday for all of the same great fun, food, music and of course, wine!

If anyone is interested visit the Travel Meetup Group and look for memeber Kaceen.ould love - Kaceen told me about good rates for bed and breakfast.

Oatmeal Superchip Cookies by Maureen M Tamburro

2 STICKS OR 1 CUP BUTTER, SOFTENED
¾ CUP PACKED LIGHT BROWN SUGAR
½ CUP GRANULATED SUGAR
1 t. GROUND CINAMMON
2 LARGE EGGS
2 t. VANILLA EXTRACT
1 t. BAKING SODA
½ t. SALT
1-1/2 CUPS FLOUR
3 CUPS UNCOOKED OLD FASHIONED/OR QUICK OATS
1 PKG (12 OZ.) SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE CHUNKS (you also can use “chips”)
1 CUP PECANS – CHOPPED (OPTIONAL)

In large bowl mix first 8 ingredients (butter thru salt) until well blended
Stir in oats and chocolate chunks.
Drop tablespoonfuls one inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees F. Bake 10 – 12 minutes or until golden brown.
Cook cookies on wire rack.
Makes approximately 45 cookies.

Whit Chocolate Chip Cookies with Macadamai Nuts by Donnna

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 cups white chocolate chips
1 cup chopped macadamia nuts

Cooking Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Makes 36 cookies.
In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, stir into the creamed mixture. Finally, stir in the rolled oats,white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts. Drop by tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven.
Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks

Cranberry Almond Biscotti by Elice

Makes: 38 Prep Time 35 Minutes Bake Time: 45 Minutes

1 cup Sugar

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/4 tsp Salt

3 Eggs

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 tsp Almond Extract

2 3/4 Cups All Purpose Flour

1/2 Cup Silvered Almonds

1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries

1 Egg Beaten

1 tsp Water

. Preheat Oven to 325F

. In a large mixing bowl stir together sugar, baking soda and salt.

. Stir in eggs, vanilla and almond extracts.

. Sit in flour and silvered almonds.

. On a well floured surface knead about 10 times. Divide dough in half.

. On a slightly floured surface shape each half into a 9 inch log.

. Place each log 4 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet. Pat each log flat to about 10 inches

by 2 1/4 inches.

. Combine beaten egg and water, brush onto each log.

. Bake for 30 minutes.

. Cool completely. Slice logs into 1/2 inch thick pieces. Place each slice on an ungreased cookie

sheet. Bake 5 minutes until bottoms are lightly browned, flip and bake 5-7 additionl minutes

until bottoms are lightly browned.

. Cool and store in air tight container.

. Extra cookies can be frozen until needed.

Cookie Recipes from Our First Cooke Swap at Saburs March 2008

Our First Cookie Swap was a success and I am still eating the cookies as I type.

Each one was unique , and the aroma was awesome.

Can't wait for the next cookie swap.

Thanks again everyone.

I will now be posting them with picture for everyone and view and use at their own leisure.

Bon appetite...