Tag Archives: Christie Cote

Excursions in Baking–Peanut Butter Bars

07 Saturday May 2016

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excursions in baking black

Or excursions in no-bake(ing)? This recipe doesn’t actually require baking so I’m not sure if this counts as an excursion in baking, but regardless it is a yummy desert!

The original recipe can be found HERE and I also made some tweaks by using Oreos instead of graham cracker crumbs with another excursion in Baking post, which can be found HERE.

The ingredients below are of the standard measurements. I used a 7 x 7 inch pan because I like thicker bars; user a larger pan if you want them thinner.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cups Graham Cracker crumbs
  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 4 tablespoons peanut butter

Directions:

  1. Use an electric chopper or a food processor to turn the Graham Crackers into Graham Cracker Crumbs.

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  2. Put the Graham Cracker crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter in a medium bowl.
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  3. Mix together until well blended.
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  4. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased pan. With the standard recipe I like thicker bars so I use a square 7 x 7 inch pan. when I doubled the recipe I used a larger pan that was around 12 x 8 inches. The chocolate is for the next step, I just forgot to take a picture of it before I added it for this recipe.
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  5. Melt the chocolate and 4 tablespoons of peanut butter together. I miserably fail at the stove method for doing this, so I used the microwave. I feel like you are less likely to ruin the chocolate this way. I microwaved in thirty second increments and stirred the chocolate and peanut butter together until it was fully melted and combined.
  6. Spread the chocolate mixture over the prepared crust.
  7. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
    IMG_8947
  8. ENJOY!

 

Christie Cote

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Excursions in Baking–Peanut Butter Oreo Bars

07 Saturday May 2016

Posted by in Baking

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excursions in baking black

Or excursions in no-bake(ing)? This recipe doesn’t actually require baking so I’m not sure if this counts as an excursion in baking, but regardless it is a yummy desert!

The original recipe can be found HERE, which I also made without changes and will also share in a separate post. *EDIT* My post using the original recipe can be found HERE.

The ingredients below are of the standard measurements, but I doubled the recipe. The original recipe calls for gram cracker crumbs which I also made, but I decided to try Oreos instead and it was a  hit! In this case I used the limited edition Peanut Butter Oreos, but the first time I made it I used both and it would come out just as good with just regular Oreos.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cups Oreo crumbs
  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 4 tablespoons peanut butter

Directions:

  1. Use an electric chopper or a food processor to turn Oreos into Oreo crumbs. I currently have a small chopper which I’m in love with, much more effective than plastic bags and meat hammers… I now want too get a larger food processor to make it even easier! 

  2. Put the Oreo crumbs, confectioners’ sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter in a medium bowl.
  3. Mix together until well blended.IMG_8931
  4. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased pan. With the standard recipe I like thicker bars so I use a square 7 x 7 inch pan. when I doubled the recipe I used a larger pan that was around 12 x 8 inches.
    IMG_8933
  5. Melt the chocolate and 4 tablespoons of peanut butter together. I miserably fail at the stove method for doing this, so I used the microwave. I feel like you are less likely to ruin the chocolate this way. I microwaved in thirty second increments and stirred the chocolate and peanut butter together until it was fully melted and combined.
  6. Spread the chocolate mixture over the prepared crust.
  7. Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
    IMG_8950
  8. ENJOY! (Please ignore awful cutting. I forgot to take a picture before I brought it to work to serve and was stuck using a steak knife to cut it instead of a proper knife.)

Christie Cote

Breaking Pointe teaser

10 Sunday Apr 2016

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I’ve been working on editing Breaking Pointe so it is ready to sed to beta readers before I schedule time with my editor. I wrote the rough draft of Breaking Pointe for my first NaNoWriMo a couple of years ago. I really love this story and when it is ready to be released into the world, I hope others will love it too!

Here is a little picture teaser I just made.

Breaking Pointe by Christie Cote
Release Date: TBD

Liv Foster lived and breathed ballet. She grew up training, and perfecting each move with hope to be a professional ballerina until her love of ballet was stolen from her. One night was all it took for her to become their prey, changing everything she believed in.

This time she isn’t the prey…

THEY ARE

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Rain E-Book giveaway on my FB Page!

06 Sunday Mar 2016

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Hey Everyone!

I’m giving away an e-book copy of Rain on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChristieCote/posts/1001653999909808. Go check it out. Who knows, I may give out more than one, just give me some good book recommends!

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Created by Tiffany from I’m a Book Shark

RainRain by Christie Cote

BUY NOW: Amazon

Taylor Sullivan took her life for granted until she received news that would change her life forever. In a state of denial she met Kyle, who didn’t end up being what she expected. She wasn’t able to escape her new reality, but with his friendship, just maybe she could survive it.

 

 

Christie Cote

KITTENS!

01 Monday Feb 2016

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Because Kittens!12509620_10205352438721411_6463472998856134737_n

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Sora cleaning Simba (white nose/mouth) whether he likes it or not!

A couple of weeks ago, well I think it was a couple of weeks ago, it’s been crazy, I got kittens. Two male kittens whose kennel names were Han and Yoda. Someone clearly liked Starwars. We have renamed them Sora and Simba. Sora is from the game Kingdom Hearts, one of my all time favorite video games and Simba is from my favorite childhood movie the Lion King. They are just too cute for words, so I had to share.

Simba is a cuddler, but Sora would much rather be running around chasing things. That is all I have! I’m just overdosing in adorableness over here :).

 

Simba and I before I had to head to work since Sora wouldn't let me hold him.

Simba and I before I had to head to work since Sora wouldn’t let me hold him.

Sora

Sora actually allowed me to hold him long enough to get a picture with him and his brother! 🙂

 

Hiatus Post

18 Monday Jan 2016

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Hello Everyone!
Wow, I haven’t made a blog post in quite a while. Things just get away form you when life is busy! I signed up to do NaNoWriMo in November, fully intending to give it my best shot, then at the end of October I got Pneumonia for the first time ever. Pneumonia… one major ass kicker! I was out of commission for a month and was out of the office at my day job for about two weeks. Thankfully I was allowed to work from home since at the time I was temporary and didn’t have any sick or vacation time. I don’t do well being sick and having no energy and all of the other fun symptoms of pneumonia for that long I was beginning to lose my mind. To anyone who lives through chronic illnesses and any kind of serious condition, I commend you. You are one badass person to get through whatever it is. I couldn’t handle having pneumonia so I can never begin to understand how someone gets through having cancer or whatever illness they might have. I try to envision it and write about it, but I can’t even begin to understand how that really feels.

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I did write a little during November. I had planned to join a writing group who was meeting once a week during the month at a local bookstore. I had joined the pre November session before I got sick and managed to make it to one session during November and wrote a bunch in that session. It felt pretty amazing. I was focussed, inspired, and productive. I started working on a story idea I had had for probably a year, called Finding Home. I wrote a little bit outside of that session as well, but definitely didn’t come anywhere close to completing NaNoWriMo. Another writer problem.. I have too many different ideas that I want to write and not enough time! AHHH.

Writing, oh how I miss writing. I have been so busy I just haven’t been able to take the time, especially after staring at a computer screen all day at work it is difficult to come home and want to spend more time typing on a computer. I need to get back to it though and find a way to manage my time better. After this week my work location will be moving closer to where I live, which will cut down travel time, so I hope that helps.

I had spent some time going over Breaking Pointe as well and then when I was getting closer to get it to Beta readers life got busy again so I need to start going over it from the beginning again. Hopefully I can get my act together so I can get feedback, revise, get it edited and out into the world.

2 year wedding facebook headerDuring my time away I have been settling into my new house and getting some home projects done. I celebrated my first Thanksgiving and Christmas in my new home. I celebrated my two year wedding Anniversary  and six years together with my husband as well. I’ve also been making new friends and getting out of the house.

I even managed to read a little. I’m currently reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah Maas. My bestie from Michele from A Belle’s Tales gifted The Assassin’s Blade to me for christmas insisting that I must read it. I devoured that one and have now started Throne of Glass, which has been very difficult to put down! I love getting lost in an amazing book, and it has felt fantastic to be reading again.

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I have been listening to lots of Audio books of books I have already read and loved. I’m obsessed with the Amazon program where you buy the ebook of a book and then get the audiobook at a discounted price! I’ve gotten some amazing deals. I’m currently listening to the Harry Potter books and am on Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I was ecstatic when the audio books finally came to Audible. The sad news of Alan Rickman’s death was even more heartbreaking since I’ve been wrapped up in the Harry Potter series recently. He was an amazing actor and played Snape perfectly in the movies. RIP Alan! Your talent will be missed and I’m sure the hurt is greater felt to people who actually knew him personally.

So this is a snapshot of my absence in the blogosphere. I plan to finish this book series and hopefully get back to writing. I didn’t make any New Year’s resolutions, but I do want to get Breaking Pointe finished this year and another book written. Those are my writing goals.

What are your goals this year? How is everyone doing? Feel free to pose any specific questions to me as well! I would love to hear from you.

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Thank you for making a difference in our world Martin!

 

Best Wishes,

Christie Cote

New Event-2015 Cape Elizabeth Author Fest (MAINE)

07 Saturday Mar 2015

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Hi Everyone,

I’m really excited to share that I was invited to the 2015 Author Fest in Cape Elizabeth Maine. I recently accepted their invitation and look forward to meeting all kinds of readers and authors there. The event information can be found below, as well as on my EVENTS PAGE. I will be signing copies of my debut novel, Rain. Books will be available for purchase through Bull Moose at the event, or you can bring your own copy if you already own one. There will also be a ton of local authors to meet. I hope to see any readers in the area there! I also want to say thank you to Bull Moose for recommending me for the event!

MAINE

Saturday, April 11, 2015
CAPE ELIZABETH
2015 Cape Elizabeth AuthorFest
Cape Elizabeth High School
345 Ocean House Road
Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107

Christie Cote

Rain is now available on Smashwords!

22 Sunday Feb 2015

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Hi Everyone!

So, I finally sat down and reformatted Rain to get the e-book up on Smashwords. I was enrolled in Kindle Select, making Rain, an Amazon exclusive e-book. After the last cycle, I decided not to enroll again because I was not seeing the benefit of being Amazon exclusive, so I’m making Rain available to other platforms. Rain is now available on Smashwords, and you can find it HERE. If you are someone who has reviewed Rain in the past, I would absolutely love it if you posted your review on Smashwords as well and would be very grateful! If you are willing to do that, please send me an email at contact@christiecote.com and I will send you a code to purchase Rain for free on Smashwords, since you can only review purchased books.

To celebrate, I’m also doing a little giveaway on my facebook page! Like my page if you haven’t already, and leave a comment on THIS post with what your favorite Sunday activity is, to enter to win an e-book copy of Rain!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Best Wishes,

Christie Cote

Midwinter’s Eve Giveaway Hop 2014 Winners

01 Thursday Jan 2015

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midwinter hop[3]

Thank you all who entered my giveaway for the Midwinter’s Eve giveaway Hop! It was a lot of fun. I appreciate all of the visits, likes, follows, and comments. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and gave as well as received awesome gifts. I have two winners for the giveaway, who have been notified via email that they won!

AndTheWinnersAre

1. Janan Cheskis- Autographed copy of Rain and SWAG.

2. L.J. Redding- An e-book copy of Rain and SWAG.

If you didn’t win, keep a look out, there will be more giveaways! Congratulations Janan and L.J.!

Remembering September 11, 2001–13 years later

11 Thursday Sep 2014

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Our memories are crazy. Ask us where we were and what we were doing thirteen years ago on any other day and we probably wouldn’t know, or be able to picture the day. Most of us have a pretty vivid memory of September 11th though. I believe this is called a flashbulb memory. I was young, in 5th grade at the time, but I remember.  I had just moved from Vermont to Maine a week or two before it happened. I was in a new state, and new school in Westbrook Maine in Mrs. Noise’s class. It is rare that I even remember my teacher’s names from that far back, but I remember hers.  It was first apparent that something was wrong when we weren’t allowed to go out for recess. I mean that was a big deal.  We were kids and had a lot of energy and needed to play outside to get it out. My class began to become more alarmed as we watched parent after parent arrive to pick up their children.  Mine didn’t come. I just watched through the window at all the others leaving, speculating about what could possibly be happening. I never could have guessed. No one would tell us what was going on, but we were stuck in that classroom, no longer doing work until the ones that had not been claimed by their parents were free to go. I took the bus home like I normally did and went home. My dad and step-mom weren’t there. The TV was on playing the footage over and over again. I was confused and scared and didn’t know if something had happened to my dad and step-mom too.  I watched it until they came home. I think that was the first time I understood what a terrorist attack was. I still didn’t understand the why or even what happened to its full extent, but as I learned more I gained a little more understanding. I still don’t understand how people can just take so many innocent lives. I get being pissed at the US for whatever reason, I know we don’t have the best track record, but the people being attacked aren’t the ones that did whatever it was that pissed them off. I suppose not everyone has a rational mind. SIGH. I guess I will never really understand, just like I never understand when people go on shooting sprees and stuff like that. This world has turned into a very scary place.

Today I remember that day. I didn’t know anyone who died or was hurt, but I am thinking about all of those lost lives and the brave firefighters, police and all first responders that were there that day. They deserve to be remembered every day, but as our lives get busy we lose sight of that, so today is the time to put our busy lives on hold for a few minutes to honor all the lives affected by September 11, 2001, A day I, and so many others, will never forget.