{"id":1993,"date":"2024-12-04T19:58:37","date_gmt":"2024-12-04T19:58:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/?p=1993"},"modified":"2024-12-04T22:51:31","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T22:51:31","slug":"december-4-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/2024\/12\/04\/december-4-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"DECEMBER 4, 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>MEDICAID CORNER WITH APRIL DIEHL<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/The-Medicaid-Minute-1-791x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1999\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/The-Medicaid-Minute-1-791x1024.jpg 791w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/The-Medicaid-Minute-1-232x300.jpg 232w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/The-Medicaid-Minute-1-768x994.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/The-Medicaid-Minute-1-1187x1536.jpg 1187w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/The-Medicaid-Minute-1-1583x2048.jpg 1583w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/The-Medicaid-Minute-1.jpg 1700w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\"><strong>COIC OPORTUNITY<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>COIC is paying tuition for anyone wanting to enroll in the winter term if they are currently enrolled in the Bend-La Pine School District!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-724x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-724x1024.png 724w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-212x300.png 212w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-768x1086.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-1086x1536.png 1086w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-1448x2048.png 1448w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image.png 1587w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-large-font-size\"><strong>COACHES CORNER<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DIPLOMA OPTIONS\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please discontinue using the District tri-fold brochure for diploma options. This brochure does not contain the most up to date information. At this time, TLC is waiting to create an updated brochure\/visual due to the changing graduation requirements over the next couple of school years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moving forward, invite your school counselors to IEP meetings when discussing diploma options!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>GINGERBREAD COOKIES<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-3-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2003\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-3-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-3-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-3-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-3.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>ere is my favorite&nbsp;<strong>gingerbread cookies<\/strong>&nbsp;recipe and one of the most popular Christmas cookie recipes on this website. Soft in the centers, crisp on the edges, perfectly spiced, molasses and brown sugar-sweetened holiday goodness.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whenever I think of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/75-christmas-cookies\/\">Christmas cookies<\/a>, gingerbread cookies come to mind first. Well, after&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/christmas-sugar-cookies\/\">Christmas sugar cookies<\/a>&nbsp;of course! Their spice, their molasses flavor, their SMILES, and their charm are obviously irresistible. Gingerbread cookies, you have my heart.<br>The full written recipe is below, but let\u2019s review a few key ingredients here first. Gingerbread cookie recipes all start the same and mine comes from my mom. To her recipe, I add a little more molasses and increase the amount of spice flavors (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice). Because of the added sticky sweetener (molasses), I add a little more flour to help soak it all up. Just like when we are making&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/pinwheel-cookies\/\">pinwheel cookies<\/a>, a bit of extra&nbsp;<strong>flour&nbsp;<\/strong>helps the cookies can keep their shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"614\" height=\"508\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2004\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-4.png 614w, https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/files\/2024\/12\/image-4-300x248.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 614px) 100vw, 614px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ingredients<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>3&nbsp;and 1\/2 cups (440g)&nbsp;<strong>all-purpose flour<\/strong>&nbsp;(<a href=\"https:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/how-to-measure-baking-ingredients\/\">spooned &amp; leveled<\/a>)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 teaspoon&nbsp;<strong>baking soda<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1\/2 teaspoon&nbsp;<strong>salt<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 Tablespoon&nbsp;<strong>ground ginger<\/strong>&nbsp;(yes,&nbsp;1&nbsp;full Tablespoon!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 Tablespoon&nbsp;<strong>ground cinnamon<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1\/2 teaspoon&nbsp;<strong>ground allspice<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1\/2 teaspoon&nbsp;<strong>ground cloves<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>10 Tablespoons&nbsp;(142g)&nbsp;<strong>unsalted butter<\/strong>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/room-temperature-butter\/\">softened to room temperature<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>3\/4 cup&nbsp;(150g) packed light or dark&nbsp;<strong>brown sugar<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>2\/3 cup&nbsp;(160ml; about&nbsp;200g) unsulphured or dark&nbsp;<strong>molasses&nbsp;<\/strong>(do not use blackstrap; I prefer Grandma\u2019s brand)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1&nbsp;large&nbsp;<strong>egg<\/strong>, at room temperature<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>1 teaspoon&nbsp;<strong>pure vanilla extract<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>optional:<\/strong>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/easy-glaze-icing\/\">easy cookie icing<\/a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/royal-icing\/\">royal icing<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Molasses + spices<\/strong>&nbsp;for flavor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Egg<\/strong>&nbsp;so the gingerbread cookies have structure and richness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Brown sugar&nbsp;<\/strong>instead of white granulated sugar. I always use brown sugar when its flavor fits.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Make Gingerbread Cookies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s walk through the gingerbread cookie recipe so you feel confident when you begin baking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Chill the dough:<\/strong>&nbsp;The dough is sticky once it\u2019s all beaten together in your mixing bowl and therefore, it absolutely MUST be chilled for at least 3 hours. Give yourself enough time in the kitchen or make the cookie dough and chill it overnight. You want your cookie dough firm so the cookies hold their shape and you want your cookie dough manageable so you can work with it. You won\u2019t have either unless you have chilled cookie dough!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Wrap up the dough:<\/strong>&nbsp;It\u2019s easiest to wrap the dough in plastic wrap before chilling. Scoop out 1\/2 of the prepared cookie dough, plop it&nbsp;onto a long sheet of plastic wrap, wrap it up, and flatten it out into a disc. Repeat with the other&nbsp;1\/2&nbsp;of dough. Then chill. See that photo above? That\u2019s what you\u2019re doing, but you\u2019ll have 2&nbsp;discs. Why are you doing this? It\u2019s easier to roll out the chilled cookie dough when it is in a disc shape. Also, the cookie dough chills faster when there is less volume. And it\u2019s just easier to work with smaller portions when rolling\/shaping!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Roll it out:<\/strong>&nbsp;After chilling, roll out the chilled cookie dough discs until about 1\/4-inch thick. Don\u2019t be afraid to flour your hands, rolling pin, work surface, and everything in the world. By that, I mean: the cookie dough can become sticky as you work. So, don\u2019t be scared to add more flour to the work surface. The flour spots on top of your shaped cookie dough will bake off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/gingerbread-men.jpg\" alt=\"rolled out gingerbread cookie dough with a gingerbread man cookie cutter\" class=\"wp-image-42087\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/gingerbread-men-2.jpg\" alt=\"gingerbread cookies without icing decorations\" class=\"wp-image-42083\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Place the cut-out cookies onto a lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart. The cookies won\u2019t really spread, but you want to make sure they have enough room to breathe. They are gingerbread people, after all. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Decorate Gingerbread Cookies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After they\u2019ve baked and cooled, it\u2019s time to decorate the cookies. We\u2019re talking smiles, eyes, bow-ties, buttons, squiggles, whatever your gingerbread cookie loving heart desires. This is when it\u2019s really fun to have a friend or little baker in the kitchen with you. You can use the easy&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/easy-glaze-icing\/\">cookie icing<\/a>&nbsp;or my traditional&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/royal-icing\/\">royal icing<\/a>&nbsp;recipe, whichever you prefer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tint the icing with a couple drops of food coloring to spice things up, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many of the tools I include in my list of favorite&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/sallysbakingaddiction.com\/best-cookie-decorating-supplies\/\">cookie decorating supplies<\/a>&nbsp;will be helpful for decorating these cookies. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MEDICAID CORNER WITH APRIL DIEHL COIC OPORTUNITY COIC is paying tuition for anyone wanting to enroll in the winter term if they are currently enrolled in the Bend-La Pine School District! COACHES CORNER DIPLOMA OPTIONS\u00a0 Please discontinue using the District &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/2024\/12\/04\/december-4-2024\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":769,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stc_notifier_status":"","_stc_notifier_sent_time":"","_stc_notifier_request":false,"_stc_notifier_prevent":false,"_stc_subscriber_keywords":"","_stc_subscriber_search_areas":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[60073],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1993","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-attachments"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1993","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/769"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1993"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1993\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2010,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1993\/revisions\/2010"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1993"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1993"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bend.k12.or.us\/the-special-edge\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1993"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}