Order Your Girl Scout Cookies TODAY

My girls would LOVE to have your order!! 

• This year, the price is $4.00 per box.
• Expected delivery is in February for initial orders.
• Cookie Flavors are the same choices as last year (detailed below).
• All cookies are Kosher.

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Lemon Chalet Cremes

Vanilla sandwhich cookie w/ hint of cinnamon-ginger spice and a refreshing zesty lemon creme filling

* I am told these are Vegan!

Trefoils

Shortbread cookies

CLICK HERE to see serving suggestions

and recipes using this classic GS cookie!

Check out the recipe for the original Trefoils

Do-Si-Dos

Oatmeal cookies w/ creamy peanut butter filling

Have You Tried Do-Si-Do Chicken, or Peanut Butter Sandwich and Jelly Pie?  Click here to see these recipes and more!

Samoas

Vanilla Cookies, covered w/ caramel, rolled in toasted coconut and striped with a rich, chocolaty coating

For Recipe Ideas Like Samoan Cheesecake and More, Click Here!

 

Dulce de leche (New 2009)

Inspired by confections of Latin America, these are bite sized cookies rich with milk caramel chips

Thank U Berry Munch: (New 2010)

Real cranberries provide a delightful tartness in these hearty cookies sweetened with creamy white fudge chips.  Yumm!

*  I am told these are Vegan.

CLICK HERE to get the recipe for a SALAD with these cookies, or trail mix or other recipe ideas. 

Tagalongs

Tasty cookies topped with creamy peanut butter and covered with a chocolaty coating.  (Vicky's favorite)

Find Scrumptious Tagalong Recipes by clicking HERE!

Thin Mints 

Thin wafer, covered in a smooth chocolaty coating,
made w/ natural peppermint.  For Thin Mint Recipe Ideas, Click Here!

==================================================

SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS

HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS

You may also purchase cookies to be donated or contribute to the troop's GIFT OF CARING
- our troop will be sending the donated cookies to soliders in Afghanistan/Iraq (if possible).  Alternatively, the cookies will be donated to our local food bank - Interfaith Relief.  Please specify if you'd like to donate to one of these causes. 

===================================================

With your help, the Girl Scouts are building the leaders of tomorrow,

 changing the world for the better.... one cookie at a time. 

Learn more about the HISTORY OF GIRL SCOUT COOKIES by clicking HERE.

In Loudoun and Dulles, contact vchrisner@verizon.net
to find out how to place your order.

Outside Loudoun, visit http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/ to find a troop near you!
*  Dietary Information for Girl Scout Cookies can be found here: http://s3.amazonaws.com/www.littlebrownie.com/downloads/NLIs_All.pdf

A Treasured and Inexpensive Gift

Looking for a nice "Thank You" gift for business or professional contacts?  Perhaps during the holidays, you "forgot" to acknowledge your postal carrier, kids' teacher or babysitter, the lady that cleans your house.... Well, here's a great (and cheap) way to say THANK YOU.

Everyone LOVES Girl Scout Cookies.  They are a part of "Americana", and treasured tradition here in the US.  Ever wonder why?

You know the saying "Little girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice".  Well, the that's only the first ingredient in Girl Scout cookies.  Then, we add entrepenurialism, individualism, morals, values, character, sunshine, and love of the earth, humanity and animals.... and you get Girl Scouts.

Girl Scout cookies represent all of this -  they put all those great things in a box and add America's favorite flavors - Chocolate, peanut butter, mint, coconut....mmmmmm! 

I can't think of a better gift you can buy for $3.50.  So, look around you... who do you need to thank? Then, place your order!  Click Here to Find Out How

If you are using these gifts as client gifts for your business, they may be tax deductible - check with your tax advisor.

* * * * *

Following our series on GS Cookies, be sure to stay tuned for more information about LIVING IN LOUDOUN COUNTY.

For information on our local real estate market, please tap into the resources at http://www.therealestatewhisperer.blogspot.com/

To search for homes for sale, check out the HOME SEARCH option at http://www.vickychrisner.com/

If you time it right, your housewarming gift maybe Girl Scout Cookies

or perhaps a recipe made with Girl Scout Cookies!

Curious what the value of your home is?

Just click here for a free market snapshot.

Recipe for the first Trefoil Cookies

Juliette Gordan Low established the Girl Scouts in 1912.  By 1917 cookie sales were being used as a fundraiser for troop activities. In July 1922, American Girl magazine, published by Girl Scout national headquarters, included the following recipe for shortbread cookies, suggesting to the girls that they could produce these cookies for 26 to 36 cents for 6 to 7 dozen cookies and to sell the cookies for 25 to 30 cents per dozen as a fundraising activity.  The recipe was supplied by Florence E Neil, a council director in Chicago.

The "First" Girl Scout Cookies: 

Trefoils

1c butter
1c sugar (plus additional for optional topping)
2   eggs
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 c flour
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder

Cream the butter and cup of sugar, add well-beaten eggs, then milk, vanilla, flour, salt and baking powder.  Refrigerate for at least an hour. Roll dough, cut into trefoil shapes, and spring suger on top if desired.  Bake in a quick oven (375 degrees) for approximately 8 to 10 minutes or until edges begin to brown.  Makes 6 to 7 dozen cookies.

I laugh when I read this, and wonder what a "quick" oven is - I am pretty sure it's not a microwave - it must be time for a call to my grandma. 

If you are "Jonsing" and need a quick GS cookie fix, this might do it, so try out the recipe.  But the true fix for craving GS cookies - especially our more modern Samoas, Thin Mints, and Tagalongs - is to order some of your very own through your local Girl Scouts. 

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER FOR GIRL SCOUT COOKIES! 

And, do it fast!  This is the last week we're taking orders.

Check out earlier posts in this blog, too, to find recipes using GS cookies - like Do-Si-Do chicken, Thank You Berry Munch Salad, and Peanut Butter and Jam Pie!

 

Thank U Berry Munch! (Salad with COOKIES!)

Our Newest Girl Scout Cookie, THANK U BERRY MUNCH, is scrumptious.  It is a light cookie, with cranberries. 

When I tasted it, I imagined a hot summer day that I'd been playing outside with the kids, getting parched and my blood sugar running low.... and being treated to this cookie!  It would be delightful to have coupled with some rasberry tea, lemonade or a mix of gingerale and cranberry juice (a favorite "spritzer" of mine)... ahhh.... simply refreshing. 

It bet it would also be fantastic with a hot fruit flavored tea and a touch of honey on a chilly spring or fall day.

With it being new this year, I've not had time to really experiment or day dream about experimenting with recipes with this cookie... but some bakers have.  They have some great ideas!!!  And, if we use them we can have cookies in our salad.  I love this diet plan!  It's one even I might be able to stick to in 2010.

Try out some....

Berry Munch Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad

For the kiddos, maybe

Thank U Berry Munch Granola

Or maybe some

Thank U Berry Munch Bread Pudding

I also suspect you could crush it up and make it into a pie crust which would be wonderful with a cheesecake filling or vanilla pudding filling with cranberries mixed in.

These are really interesting recipes, admit it.  You know you need a box, even if it is just to try out these recipes.  So, just click here to find out how to order Girl Scout Cookies in Loudoun/Dulles or elsewhere!

And, stay tuned to http://www.livinginloco.blogspot.com/.  I have a few more recipes I will be posting soon!

The Classic Girl Scout Cookie: Trefoils

Girl Scouts have been selling shortbread cookies for more than 60 years, and this classic (called "Trefoils" by Little Brownie Bakers), remains a favorite.  An online opinion poll found at GirlScoutCookies.org reports that 5% of us claim it is our favorite GS cookie (a 3 way tie for 4th place); but the GS organization reports that the shortbread cookies account for 9% of sales, rating 5th.

Personally, I think these are refreshingly simple and I love eating them (for breakfast) after dipping them in my coffee.  PLEASE do not tell my children I eat cookies for breakfast - it would shatter their image of me...or shatter the image I wish my children would have of me.

ABC Bakers, one of the commercial bakers producing GS cookies, offers a serving suggestion of sandwiching ice cream or sherbert between the cookies. 

Little Brownie Bakers offers a recipe for a Cheesecake cup using Trefoils.

I also found a GS council web site with a recipe for "Strawberry Angel Surprise"; and "Nutty Chocolate Delight"  - two yummy desserts made with GS Shortbread cookies.

I suspect you could make a really good pie crust by using crushed shortbread cookies & butter; and I bet that would be wonderful for a pudding pie, ice cream pie or even cheesecake. 

Be sure and check out our other posts, including recipes with other GS Cookies!! For a list of all GS cookies being offered in our region, and to find out how to place an order, click here!

And, be sure to stay tuned to learn more about GS cookies, and cookie sales in Loudoun County!

****

Following our series on GS Cookies, be sure to stay tuned for more information about LIVING IN LOUDOUN COUNTY.

For information on our local real estate market, please tap into the resources at http://www.therealestatewhisperer.blogspot.com/

To search for homes for sale, check out the HOME SEARCH option at

http://www.vickychrisner.com/

If you time it right, your housewarming gift maybe Girl Scout Cookies

or perhaps a recipe made with Girl Scout Cookies!

Curious what the value of your home is?

Just click here for a free market snapshot.

GS Cookies, Not Just For Dessert Anymore! Check Out These Great Recipes - including DINNER recipes - with Do-Si-Dos

The GS Cookie "What's Your Favorite" online poll suggests that only 5% of us rate Do-Si-Dos (AKA Peanut Butter Sandwich) as our favorite.... but some how, the Girl Scouts report that 11% of cookie sales are for Do-Si-Dos.  I guess the people who like those cookies best buy twice as many boxes.

Well, Do-Si-Do fans, we're taking orders!!!!  Order plenty for "now" and later, and order enough that you can try out one (or more) of these interesting recipes:

What's For Dinner? 
Peanut Thai Chicken made with Do-Si-Dos!
Do-Si-Do Chicken

Then, for Dessert try out one of these:
Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream Sunday Pie.
Do-Si-Do Cheesecake

Be sure and check out our other posts, including recipes with other GS Cookies!! For a list of all GS cookies being offered in our region, and to find out how to place an order, click here!

And, be sure to stay tuned to learn more about GS cookies, and sales in Loudoun County!

****

Stay tuned for more information about LIVING IN LOUDOUN COUNTY.

For information on our local real estate market, please tap into the resources at http://www.therealestatewhisperer.blogspot.com/

To search for homes for sale, check out the HOME SEARCH option at

http://www.vickychrisner.com/

Curious what the value of your home is?

Just click here for a free market snapshot.

Tagalongs, My Favorites!

There is a discrepancy between the Girl Scout cookie sales reports and the online voting at GirlScoutCookies.org as to whether Thin Mints or Samoas (aka Caramel deLites) are America's favorite cookie.  Regardless of which you trust, Tagalongs (aka Peanut Butter Patties) come in a solid 3rd place.  Since these are my personal favorites, I am a little shocked, but that's fine, it means less competition for me!

Follow these links to see recipes for:

Fudgy Peanut Butter Balls (requiring only 3 ingredients, and found on the ABC Bakers web site)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Parfait (which reads like a rather challenging recipe) or Southern Peanut Butter Pie (I am imagining it melt in my mouth right now), both found on the web site for the GS Council of Western Washington.

I found several recipes for basic milkshakes incorporating crushed Tagalongs, but this one which is a banana-vanilla tagalong shake is intriguing: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1713157

And, even though these sound really, really good, it goes against my grain to chop up these cookies in anything other than my very own mouth.  I love them almost frozen, or completely melting in my hands!  I simply love these.  The only problem, I open a box and those darn cookies run and jump into my mouth and next thing you know they are on my hips!  To me, another hour on the bike at the gym seems worth it to enjoy these wonderful treats!

Have you ordered your Samoas, Thin Mints or Tagalongs yet? Place your order early!!  In Loudoun and the Dulles area, please contact me for details.  Elsewhere, please find a cookie sales-scout near you at http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/.

***

Stay tuned for more information about LIVING IN LOUDOUN COUNTY.

For information on our local real estate market, please tap into the resources at http://www.therealestatewhisperer.blogspot.com/

To search for homes for sale, check out the HOME SEARCH option at

http://www.vickychrisner.com/

Curious what the value of your home is?

Just click here for a free market snapshot.

Thin Mints, More than a Cookie! A Key Ingredient for These Tasty Treats!

Remember, you can only buy Girl Scout cookies once a year... but they freeze well, and there are so many things you can do with these American classics!

GirlScoutCookies.org has an ongoing poll, and as of today, THIN MINTS are the second favorite GS cookie.  But, the Girl Scout organization reports Thin Mints are #1.  Last year, our troop sold exactly as many Thin Mints as Samoas, so how can we really know? 

In any case, here are some Thin Mint Recipes to get your creative juices stirring...

THIN MINT BROWNIES - suggested by Little Brownie Bakers (the bakers that make Thin Mints)

THIN MINTS PIZZA SUPREME - leave it to Rachel Ray to come up with this one! Yum!
THIN MINTS CHEESECAKE - continuing with my theme from yesterday, I must highlight a cheesecake recipe!
DOUBLE LAYERED MINT CHOCOLATE CAKE - offered to us by the Central Texas GS Council
THIN MINT ICE CREAM - in the mood to make your own ice cream?  Try this recipe from ABC Bakers.

For a simple option, add crushed Thin Mints to your already made milkshakes - made of  Mint Chocolate Chip, Chocolate or even Vanilla Ice Cream.   As Dairy Queen found out last year, this is a sure fire crowd pleaser!

Be sure and check out our earlier post on Recipes With Samoas, the #1(?) GS Cookie! 

For a list of all GS cookies being offered in our region, and to find out how to place an order, click here!

And, be sure to stay tuned to learn more about GS cookies, and sales in Loudoun County!

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This message brought to you by Vicky Chrisner, a Loudoun/Dulles area real estate agent, wife, mom, Girl Scout Leader and long time community member of the Dulles area who currently makes her home in Leesburg, VA. Managing blogs and community resources like this is a labor of love.

They are created and maintained for the benefit of friends, neighbors, and clients as a community resource. Please enjoy! And, whenever you need real estate services, please think of her first...after all, now you have a friend in the business.

Stay tuned for more information about LIVING IN LOUDOUN COUNTY.

For information on our local real estate market, please tap into the resources on "The Real Estate Whisperer"

To search for Loudoun County Homes For Sale,
check out the HOME SEARCH option on this page (CLICK HERE)

Curious what the value of your home is?

Just click here for a free market snapshot.

Got Samoas? We Got Recipes!

According to an ongoing poll at http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/, 34% of us voted that Samoas are our favorite Girl Scout Cookie offered!  (The GS organization, however, reports that only 19% of the cookies sold are Samoas; topped by Thin Mints which account for 25% of the cookies sold.)

My troop is now taking orders for Samoas and other Girl Scout Cookies in Loudoun County, VA!

Not only are they a great cookie, but you can use them in lots of recipes.  Little Brownie Bakers (the bakers for the GS cookies we get locally), offer recipes for:

* Fried Samoas Shrimp (not sure how I feel about this one)
* Samoas Dream Cake (mmm...I am dreaming already)
* Samoas Sweet Rolls (Sounds scrumptious, but it's not what your thinking, these are made with crepes)
* Samoas Trail Mix (very "Girl Scout" don't you think?)

Samoan Cheesecake: Someone on uses the basic recipe for "Philadelphia Cheesecake" and crumbles up Samoas to add to the filling, and garnishes with a few extra for a nice presentation.  I LOVE cheesecake, and this sounds wonderful.

ABC Bakers (the "other" company who makes "Caramel deLites"-a similar cookie also sold in some regions by GS) offers a recipe for a Chocolate Caramel Coconut Dessert which sounds scrumptious! Click here to see this recipe.

Stay tuned for more Girl Scout Cookie News!  In Loudoun, contact me for details on ordering.  Elsewhere, go to http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/ and find a place near you to buy your own.

Remember, they are available only once a year, so buy enough to freeze!

Gifts of caring are also encouraged if you'd like to share this yummy tradition!

****

Stay tuned for more information about LIVING IN LOUDOUN COUNTY.

For information on our local real estate market, please tap into the resources at http://www.therealestatewhisperer.blogspot.com/

To search for homes for sale, check out the HOME SEARCH option at

http://www.vickychrisner.com/

Curious what the value of your home is?

Just click here for a free market snapshot.

Changing The World, One Cookie At A Time!

The Loudoun Chapters of the Girl Scouts are kicking off their cookie sale

December 18th (Friday). 

My girls would LOVE to have your order!!  They are $3.50 a box.

****

This year's choices are:

(ALL GS cookies are Kosher)

Lemon Chalet Cremes

Vanilla sandwhich cookie w/ hint of cinnamon-ginger spice and a refreshing zesty lemon creme filling
* I am told these are Vegan!

Trefoils

Shortbread cookies

CLICK HERE to see serving suggestions

and recipes using this classic GS cookie!
Check out the recipe for the original Trefoils

Do-Si-Dos

Oatmeal cookies w/ creamy peanut butter filling

Have You Tried Do-Si-Do Chicken, or Peanut Butter Sandwich & Jelly Pie?  Click here to see these recipes and more!

Samoas

Vanilla Cookies, covered w/ caramel, rolled in toasted coconut and striped with a rich, chocolaty coating

For Recipe Ideas Like Samoan Cheesecake and More, Click Here!

Dulce de leche (New 2009)

Inspired by confections of Latin America, these are bite sized cookies rich with milk caramel chips

Thank U Berry Munch: (New 2010)

Real cranberries provide a delightly tarness in these hearty cookies sweetened with creamy white fudge chips.  Yumm!

*  I am told these are Vegan.
CLICK HERE to get the recipe for a SALAD with these cookies, or trail mix or other recipe ideas. 

Tagalongs

Tasty cookies topped with creamy peanut butter and covered with a chocolaty coating.  (Vicky's favorite)

Find Scrumptious Tagalong Recipes by clicking HERE!

Thin Mints 

Thin wafer, covered in a smooth chocolaty coating,
made w/ natural peppermint.  For Thin Mint Recipe Ideas, Click Here!

==================================================

SUPPORTING OUR TROOPS

 & HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS

You may also purchase cookies to be donated or contribute to the troop's GIFT OF CARING
- our troop will be sending the donated cookies to Afghanistan/Iraq (if possible).  Alternatively, the cookies will be donated to our local food bank - Interfaith Relief.  Please specify if you'd like to donate to one of these causes. 

===================================================

With your help, the Girl Scouts are building the leaders of tomorrow,

 changing the world for the better.... one cookie at a time. 

Learn more about the HISTORY OF GIRL SCOUT COOKIES by clicking HERE.

In Loudoun and Dulles, contact vchrisner@verizon.net
to find out how to place your order.

Outside Loudoun, visit http://www.girlscoutcookies.org/ to find a troop near you!
*  Dietary Information for Girl Scout Cookies can be found here: http://s3.amazonaws.com/www.littlebrownie.com/downloads/NLIs_All.pdf

More Recipes with Girl Scout Cookies

In prior posts I have added links for recipes made with the most popular Girl Scout cookies offered, including Samoas (aka Caramel deLites), Thin Mints, Tagalongs (aka Peanut Butter Patties), Do-Si-Dos (aka Peanut Butter Sandwiches) and the traditional Trefoil (aka Shortbread) cookies. 

There are a few other recipes I wanted to share with you that caught my attention while doing research for these posts:

Lemon Chalet Cremes:  Lemon Out of Site Delight - a Lemon pie that sounds delightful

Dulche de Leche: Dulche de Leche & Chocolate Delight

Thanks A Lots (sadly, our area doesn't offer this cookie, but I liked the recipe): Thanks-A-Lot Chocolate Eclair

You'll notice themes with many of the recipes:

Plainer cookies (like Trefoils, ThanksALots, Thank U Berry Munches) can be crushed and made into a pie crust, and then by adding a complimentary ice cream (soften it in your microwave first and then spread into the pie and re-freeze) or pudding (follow pie filling recipe) or cheesecake.  Then add some garnish like fruit, cookies or whip cream.

Fancier (like Samoas) cookies can be crushed and put into pudding with other favorite additives and served as delightful treats.

I also found some recipes intriguing - like the shrimp prepared with a recipe using Samoas, or the Do-Si-Do Chicken, and my favorite, the Thank U Berry Munch salad.

So, get creative with your cookies this year - buy an extra box or two, just to see what you can invent!  Then, submit the recipe to me (must be original), and I will post it and circulate it through the GS community, and your first box the next year is on me!

Remember, if you are in the Loudoun or Dulles area and would like to purchase GS cookies, we'd like to have your order!  Click here to find out how to place your order!

MARCH UPDATE:  Oh!  A new site offering recipes with GS Cookies... try these out (CLICK HERE)

LAST CALL!  We're placing final orders for GS cookies.  Email me TODAY with your order!