The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

I want to preface this post with the statement,

"I can't cook".

I mean...I can. I do every night.

Just not well.

I don't particularly enjoy cooking.

I LOVE baking.

(Even though odds are with me that I'll screw something up somehow)

It's the sweet tooth in me.

I found the ULTIMATE chocolate chip cookie recipe today and thought I would give it a whirl.

OOOOOOOOO...I'm in heaven!

Crispy on the outside...gooey chewy on the inside.

My best critics agreed...they were divine!

I made them EXTRA LARGE too...because one big one feels

a lot less guilty than 3 or 4 little one's.

Would I like another? (In the famous words of my mother) "Oh, alright".

Just one more.

For now.

Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons hot water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Cream together the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Dissolve baking soda in hot water. Add to batter along with salt. Stir in flour, chocolate chips, and nuts. Drop by large spoonfuls onto ungreased pans.
Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are nicely browned.

A little Zona Fun

The two little's desperately needed to be sprung from our winter's imprisonment (our home) so we spent the morning with friends,

Greta and Jack, at Zona Rosa.

Bec, did you ever think when we ran around Arcadia Addition with pigtails in our hair chasing the ice cream truck that our future would bring play dates chasing our own children instead?

(I'd still chase an ice cream truck with you though)

Amazing.

We had fun...were tuckered out...and napped well.

I call that a success. Two little honey's.
Kate loves the camera. She now has her VERY OWN Disney Princess Camera :)



Snack Time

Bye Friends (Kate is helping)

Wordless Wednesday

A lesson in sacrifice

Sitting at the dinner table tonight, Jonathan noticed that I was drinking water and not Dr. Pepper. He asked me why and I proceeded to explain to him that I had given it up for Lent. Confused, he asked me to explain further so I simply elaborated saying Lent is a time when you give up something you really, really like as a sacrifice to show your love for Jesus. I asked what things he really liked and would be willing to give up for a while.

He pondered the notion for a moment...looked up and said, "I think I'll give up this sloppy joe."

Sweet as can be...

This little guy (neighbor's newborn son) definitely gave me the fever for a spell.

Flashback Friday

How does this happen? This is why I try to enjoy every moment with my kids...some days I think they'll be small forever...and I'd be endlessly happy with this life if I could freeze time. I realize these days are fleeting and I should embrace them...as crazy as they may be at times.

THE CONFESSION...my other lover.

This probably isn’t the most appropriate place to reveal this, but here goes. For years, I’ve been in love with two men. I’ve decided it just isn’t right anymore. I have to end it and move on with my life with Jason. This is really difficult for me considering the other lover is a Doctor and is sooooo sweet and comforting to me. But, he really complicates my life and just plain isn’t good for me.

I can remember when this affair got hot and heavy...ironically it was actually Jason who introduced me to the Dr. way back in high school. So this really is his fault.

I’m in love with Dr. Pepper.

Ever since, I can honestly say that there have been days, probably even weeks, when all I’ve had to drink was Dr. Pepper. Even at the conclusion of a long run, the only thing I could think about was seeking comfort in an ice-cold Dr. Pepper. Who needs water anyway? Isn’t there water in Dr. Pepper?

When pregnant, I knew the “no caffeine!” rule. I wasn’t buying it...so I did my research (on the internet, which is so reliable and trustworthy, right?) I found several studies that showed having up to X amount of caffeine per day didn’t have an effect on the fetus. Turns out that amount of caffeine translates into like 4 Dr. Peppers a day. I did show restraint and decided to try to limit myself to one a day (okay...two. maybe three) and try my hardest to drink water the rest of the day. As soon as each of my 3 children were born, I went back to my 3-4 (5-6)sodas-a-day ways.


So for Lent, I have decided to end the affair completely. I'm sure my heart is more broken than the Dr's.

I’m on day 2 sans caffeine...surprisingly, I'm doing okay.

Just don't ask Jason how I'm doing.

Goodbye Lover

Welcome to the family Will!

Meet William Jason Kazmaier born last week in New Hampshire. Congrats Jim and Tara! He's a cutie! We can't wait to meet him in person. :)

Our little munchkin

I took this little man and his little sister to Target yesterday morning.

On the way, Nick said, "Yes! I love 'da store!" "Mommy, I be so happy!".

Target makes me happy too.

(Then he and his sister fought, pushed,and hit each other in the cart the whole time. Meowed like cats for all to turn and ponder as they passed by. The grand finale was the "face-plant-yourself-in-the-middle-of-the-check-out-isle-and-scream-at-the-top-of-your-lungs-to-see-if-mom-will-cave-so-I-can have-that-pack-of-bubble gum" tactic)

I confess.

I caved.

I'm officially one of those mom's. :-( It's okay though, right? His Montessori teacher did say gum was good for strengthing muscles in the mouth to help with speech).

I'm rationalizing.

Green with Envy

I should have saved this post for St. Patrick's Day, right?

Are these shoes not to die for? These were a birthday gift from friends Greta and Jack and Kate can't stop obsessing over them. I don't blame her...I wouldn't mind a pair myself.

The task? To find a dress that will go with these beauties.

You're welcome to join in the hunt. :)

All about them

No romantic dinner alone for Jason and I

...but we spent it with the three most perfect products of our love.

Lucky in Love

Our 19th Valentine's Day together.

This is something that is so significant, it blows my mind.

At the heart of our relationship lies friendship that has remained at the very core since we first met and I wouldn't be the person I am today if it were not for that chance blind date 19 years ago. He has taught me so very much about life that I didn't know before I met him. He constantly reminds me of life's purpose. I can share anything with him, including every fear and every embarrassment without judgment or condemnation. He is always in my corner, always my advocate. I can also expect loving advice that provides clarity and often merited criticism dealt with affection.

He is the father of my children. I feel humbled that he is my partner in the very thing that is central to my whole world. My children are my heart. They are as much a part of my being...my soul as anything. Their fears are my fears, their sorrows are my sorrows and they have brought an overwhelming amount of laughter, spirit, (exhaustion) and bliss to my world. My love for them makes me almost burst with joy.

A friend of mine (thank you Bec) shared a very beautifully written, honest and grounding blog with me this past week. Even a week later, it still speaks to me. One line in particular;

"... life is about love and truly experiencing the beauty we are meant to know." has provided perspective for me.

Life is nothing without love. Beauty can be found in anything.

Love, Dad

Love,

Dad

The card has been signed the same since 1st grade when I first received roses from my dad, even though at the time he was in either Honduras or Japan (sorry dad...all I remember is that you were gone...and I was amazed you were able to give me flowers from so far away). Thanks for never forgetting...I always look forward to receiving them! ;)

The tattle tale

I loved the argument between Kate and Nick this morning in the car on the way to take Jonathan to school:
"My mommy!"~Kate
"No My Mommy!"~Nick
"MY MOMMY!"~Kate
"No MY MOMMY! Mommy? Shissy won't share mommy"~Nick

Wanna Kiss?

Reading with Daddy

We still continue to be amazed at how quickly he has picked up reading...and more importantly, how much he seems to love it. He reads one book a night (assigned from school) and beams with pride when he's finished (and so do we) It is our hope that he never loses his passion for reading or learning.

Having a Daughter means...

I heart you.

This recipe is my Great Aunt Lydia's...usually reserved for Christmas cookies, but they are oh, so good. Aunt Katie gave us new cookie cutters...and Jonathan insisted we use them (I didn't put up a fight...so much for trying to get rid of the Holiday fluff I've gained). They will be gone before nightfall...that I am sure of.

I'll make more.

2/3 c butter
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
3/4 t vanilla
1/4 t almond extract
2 c flour
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
4 tsp milk

Beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat well to mix. add vanilla and almond - mix.
Sift flour, sift in baking powder and salt. Stir into shortening mixture. Stir in milk. Divide dough into half and chill at least one hour.
Heat oven to 375 - grease baking sheets or use parchment paper. bake 8-9 minutes until golden brown.

Library Time

Jonathan and I have been using the Library quite frequently lately as we are doing the R.A.F.T (Reading Aloud Family Time) and reading chapter books together. We read one each night and once a week, we have been going together pick out more books. I also signed up Nick and Kate for Toddler Time at the Library on Friday mornings. Music, dancing, bubbles, reading, parachute fun, crafts and toys. They both seem to like it, but you could tell they were in the company of kids who knew the protocol. They were a bit reserved....that is until the TEDDY BEAR came out during one of the songs. Kate got up off my lap and ran toward the librarian and ripped the bear out of her hands and ran! The other kids got quite upset at the injustice of the abducted mascot. Leave it to my offspring :)

Almost gives me baby fever....almost

These Toes Were Made for Running...

I got one of these last Friday with a couple of running friends: (and no, these are not my feet. Even with a pedi, my feet sadly look nothing like these)*sigh

Then I ran this on Sunday: (and bruised a toenail, which inevitably means, it will fall off, and probably not grow back in time for flip flop season). Fabulous.

Amy and I.

I placed 19th overall out of the women and 5th in age group for the 10K. Not bad for an old decrepid broad running 6.2 miles in a stinky, stuffy man-made cave. It was painful.

So what did I do this morning you ask?

Signed up for this:

(Went to sign up in March last year with three other running friends and it was FULL ALREADY. So I registered today, the first day it was open....while my muscles ache and my toenail is throbbing).

My goal? To requalify for Boston....and not get pregnant trying. ;)