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. :)