Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

I don't know anyone that doesn't love a good chocolate chip cookie.  You are going to love me for this recipe.  Our family's favorite time to eat chocolate chip cookies is right out of the oven.  I judge a cookie by how it taste the next day (if there are any left), not out of the oven (because even a bad cookie is good then).  Let me start by telling you I saw this recipe on my sister's blog and thought the cookies looked great (pretty and thick).  As I stirred up the dough, all my expectations sank because the dough seemed dry, and I figured they'd end up being dry and hard.  Gag.  Clearly, I know nothing about baking science and what determines cookie softness. 

Straight out the oven we were all in love.  Warm, thick, ooey gooey melty chocolate but not overly sweet or salty - just right!  They were fantastic.  I told everyone to eat up because, like I said, my expectations were low for how they'd taste the next day.  When I woke up the next morning (today) I had two things on my brain - 1) How do these chocolate chip cookies taste and 2) Buying a dresser on craigslist.  {I've been on a dresser hunt for about 2 months and have really picky taste, and a small budget, so I couldn't wait to tell the seller I was coming to get it today.  Then the seller tells me the dresser already has a buyer, but if they don't show tomorrow to pick it up, I'm next on the list.  Let's be honest, it's already sold - cue my tears!}  So, on to the good news, the cookies were so great this morning.  Like maybe that's what I had for breakfast because I was eating away my already-sold-dresser sorrows... or maybe because they were still soooo soft and perfect.  The fact is they are now all gone, and the kids and Kevin are going to be majorly disappointed when they get home.

A little heads up, this recipe requires a wee bit of planning.  The butter needs to be room temp (I laid my butter out after breakfast).  Also, the dough gets refrigerated (I made the dough after lunch, and baked it after dinner).  My cookie smarts tell me that refrigerating helps gives them the thick consistency, and also gives the dough time to soak up all those flavors.

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

(Makes about 28 cookies)
Ingredients:
1 1/2 sticks salted butter, at room temp
3/4 C Domino light brown sugar, packed
1/4 C Domino granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 C all-purpose flour
2 tsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking soda
1 C chocolate chips

Directions:
Cream together the butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (I used my stand mixer).
Add in the egg and cream together.
Mix in the flour, cornstarch, and baking soda.  Mix until combined.
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Let the dough rest in the fridge before baking - at least 3 hours.  I went ahead and scooped my dough (using my cookie scoop) into dough balls, then covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated.  If you don't scoop them into balls before refrigerating, the dough is going to be really hard to work with.

After the dough has chilled (mine chilled 4 hours), preheat oven to 350*.  Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper, and bake the cookies 10-11 minutes.  Mine all baked for 11 minutes and that was perfect.  Let them cool on the cookie sheet for a couple minutes before transferring to foil to cool.

Store in air tight container.

Perfect cookie - my nails could use some attention though...

And if you happen to have a dresser like this for sale, that's cheap, let me know!  Isn't it pretty?!  It will take me a few days to get over not getting it! Waaaa

2016 Review

I'm completely overwhelmed when I look back at this past year ("Overwhelmed" is the song in my video below!).  It's been an absolutely great year where we've felt blessings poured over our family time after time.  Most of our smiles came from watching the kids play, listening to what they had to say (and they way they'd say it), or laughing at something they did.  We took time to relax, ate lots of snow cones, made time for date nights, and we played with all 16 of our pets.  When I think back over the past decade, I can't say any year compares to the joy we've experienced this year.  While there were a few bumps in the road, I just look back at the year with such a grateful heart.  Thank you 2016 for being so kind to us!

Things We Celebrated (sort of in chronological order):

Allie got glasses 

Girls attended the Father Daughter Dance

Hayden got baptized (2/13/16)

Started a new tradition of a special Valentines meal at home - cooked by me!

We added 5 new chickens to our flock 

I was able to make the girls Easter dresses and Easter baskets for all the kids

9 years of marriage

Allie lost her first tooth

Hayden turned 8

Austin got potty trained (we've been buying diapers for 8 straight years!)

Kevin built an amazing play house/outdoor fort for the kids 

We had our first outdoor clothes line that we actually used

We hung a hammock in the backyard

Kevin and I took our first "couples only" vacation since having kids

I made my first quilt top 

Allie turned 6 

We started getting blue eggs from our new chicks

Allie joined a little cheerleading group

Allie started kindergarten, Hayden started 2nd grade

Cute new lunchboxes for school

Hayden rejoined scouts and sold a ton of popcorn

Krissy turned 4

Krissy and Austin decided they really were friends

Krissy & Austin learned how to ride their bikes

Allie got baptized 11/26/16

We bunked all the kids in one room - best decision ever!

Kevin & I both turned 33 (Kevin's favorite number)

Austin turned 3

The Bumps in the Road:

We had 3 new black baby silkie chicks die

Austin got a bee sting in his foot

Austin stepped in hot ashes and got 2nd degree burns on his left foot

One of our chickens, Sunny, had her wing amputated

My last living grandparent passed away

My van broke down on the road and we were briefly stranded at a gas station

Krissy got a bee sting in her foot

Chicken problems like bumble foot and a lash egg

Countless temper tantrums and meltdowns (not just from the kids haha!) 

There were also arguments, sick kids and parents, money stress, me wishing I'd take better care of myself, and all those other real life problems

Clearly the good outweighs the bad though!

If you have 5 minutes, I made a video of pictures and video clips from the past year.  It's my favorite video I've made to date :)

We welcome 2017 with open arms! 

Christmas Day 2016

I always love how the tree looks when all the gifts are put out!  It looks like a lot, but each kiddo got 4 gifts.

Normally we try to mix in books and clothes with their Christmas gifts, but we didn't do as many toys for birthdays this year (because we did the outside play house).  Each kiddo got a family game we could all play (Hungry Hungry Hippos, Pie in the face, Connect 4, & Pictionary), and the rest were toys we thought they'd enjoy.  For their "big gifts", the girls both an American Girl doll, Hayden got a real bow and arrows, and Austin got a race car track.  

Hayden also got a toy gun and Quixel 3D (it's a set of beads you can build 3d figures with).  Allie got a mommy puppy that has babies in it's belly, and an extra outfit for her doll.  Krissy got shopkins and an extra outfit for her doll.  Austin got a nerf gun and a light up gun.  Seems like we were into dolls and guns this year!

Kevin got me really warm pink gloves for the snow (hoping we get some!), a phone charger to keep in my purse, and a gift certificate to get a pedicure!  I got him a really awesome flashlight. I know that sounds boring, but I'm a really practical gift giver, and he's said a million times over the last 10 years he wished he had a good flashlight.  So, I bought the best one on the market and it should last a long, long time!

The kids were squirming through the Christmas story and were dying to open gifts - I couldn't find my good camera, so Kevin gave me his phone to use.  The pictures aren't the best, but this is all I have from Christmas morning!

Christmas morning my counter was covered in sugar cookies, homemade bread, and breakfast cake!  I also had some "sampler" plates put together to take to friends and family!

After gifts, we got ready for lunch with Kevin's family.  After lunch, we headed to my parents house for an early dinner because my dad had to work that evening.  It's hard to believe, but I didn't hardly get my camera out the whole day!  I snapped a couple pictures of Krissy + Eleanor, so here they are!

(Allie and Krissy had matching dresses that were Christmas gifts from their Mamaw)

We had a Merry Christmas and hope you did as well!

Austin's 3rd Birthday Party

We planned Austin's 3rd birthday party to be on his actual birthday - the 26th - but we had to post pone due to me catching a stomach bug.  A few days before Christmas, Hayden had something similar, so I'm guessing I got it from him.  

A day after his birthday, we had the family over for his party.  Everyone was here, and it was so fun!

Kevin grilled cheeseburgers.  I made baked beans, hashbrown casserole, and also served chips, fruit, and a side salad.  Drink choices were punch or lemonade!

Austin enjoying dinner :)

My favorite picture of the evening - these 4 cousins in age order!  Maybe next time we can get all the cousins in age order?!

He got lots of cute gifts - clothes, remote control monster truck, books, tricycle, boots, toy tractor - he was thrilled with it all!

I made Austin's cake - and planned to make it simple!  The "dirt" is crushed oreos - and the cake was half yellow, half chocolate.

He loved when everyone sang to him!

We ended the evening by the kids playing "Pie in the face".  Everyone slowly trickled out and I realized I forgot to take family pictures like I usually do.  Once everyone left, Austin realized he never ate any cake (he was too busy playing with this new toys), so he ate cake, we read his new books, and he went to bed!

Austin's 3rd Birthday Interview

Happy Birthday Austin!

Interview done 12/21/16

How old are you going to be?
Um two (I say actually you'll be three!) and he says, "Yessss"

What's your favorite tv show?
Daniel Tiger

What's your favorite movie?
Mmmm Diamond Castle

What's your favorite color?
Boo (Blue)

What's your favorite sport?
Backetball

Who is your best friend?
Allie

What's your favorite thing to eat?
Um like Chick a Lake (Chick Fil A)

What do you want to be when you grow up?
A dinosaur Rrrrarrrr

What do you like to take to bed with you?
Like a ni-nee (that's what he calls his blanket)

What's your favorite toy?
Like monter trucks

What's your favorite thing to do with mommy?
Holding hands

What's your favorite thing to do with daddy?
Giving hugs...... and I can wrestle daddy

Merry Christmas 2016

Our Christmas card this year.

In late November, we usually head to Christmas Lake to take our Christmas card pictures.  This year we were all looking forward to it.  In fact, the kids were really upset we just went for pictures and we didn't stay the night.  And Santa had left the Christmas shop an hour before they closed, so we didn't get to see him either.  Before we left home to head to CLV, Krissy asked Kevin if he was going to be silly.  He is always standing behind me getting the kids to smile and laugh.  He usually is climbing trees, using sticks as antlers, doing hand stands, and acting crazy.  One year I should have someone take pictures of Kevin because I'm sure they would be entertaining.

Earlier this year, my dad spent a lot of time clearing trees in their front lot so you could see the lake from the deck.  They have also planted some pretty holly bushes, so we had lots of choices where we could have taken the kids pictures.  Kevin insisted we do the lake view, and I think he was totally right.  The background almost looks fake it's so pretty.

I'd love to tell you I had so many choices for the Christmas card, but that's just not the case.  I didn't realize I was on manual focus, so almost every picture I took was out of focus. I got so lucky to get this great shot of everyone looking and smiling and it was half way focused. 

This shot was another one that was half way in focus and I thought was sweet.  Not really front of the Christmas card worthy, but cute none the less.

I also had every kiddo pose for individual pictures.  You can't have too many pictures, right?

The girls outfits were on clearance at BornToBeSassyBoutique on Instagram.  They were $10 each for the top and bottom.  I decided not to personalize them so we could pass them on to other people when we were done with them.  I did make them little monogrammed necklaces that turned out really cute.  The boys had the plaid shirts already - actually the one Austin wore I think is the same one Hayden wore for our 2010 Christmas card.  I'll have to see if I can find that picture!

As always, I print my Christmas cards at Sams on Black Friday weekend.  It's 100 one-hour photo cards and envelopes for $15.  Can't beat it. 

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!  We have plans to see lots of family and celebrate Austin's 3rd birthday!

Clean Oven Door

This past weekend, Kevin and I spent time doing chores around the house that we've been putting off.  He fixed light fixtures, changed bulbs, hung a towel holder, worked on the garage door, and probably more things I'm forgetting about.  I worked on cleaning the inside of the house. One thing I've wanted to do for literally years was clean my oven door.  I didn't take a "before" picture because I didn't think I'd be able to figure out how to do it... but there were fuzzies, and a couple drips that ran down the glass.  I'm not a stickler about having a clean house, but I hate having a dirty oven.  So you can imagine how much that dirty door bothered me.  I have no idea how all the dirt and spills got in there, but I surprised myself and got it all cleaned!  There are 2 screws at the top of the door.  I just used a phillips screwdriver and unscrewed them, then the door popped apart.  

It was super easy and I couldn't believe the gunk that had built up that I didn't even realize was there.  My handle popped off when the door split apart, and I needed Hayden to give me a hand when I was putting it all back together, but other than that, it was a very easy project!

I should warn you that the glass you are cleaning is sharp, especially the edges.  Who knew, right (insert sarcasm)?!  I had to take a break from cleaning to clean my fingers and get the bleeding stopped.  I blame the cuts on my chapped hands.  Dern cold weather.

It looks like a new oven and I am excited I know how to do this!  

You can actually see your reflection in the window now :)

(Kid Friendly) Holiday Punch Recipe

I was looking for a fun, festive drink to make for our Christmas party we had this weekend.  I saw one on Pinterest that looked like it had potential.  The original recipe called for Cranberry juice and Ginger-ale.  I'm not a fan of either, so I substituted!

Ingredients:

1 whole can of pineapple juice (1.36 L)

half of a 3 Liter container of cran-raspberry juice

half a 2 Liter of sprite

cranberries, washed

lime, washed and sliced

Pour together the pineapple juice, cran-raspberry juice and sprite; mix gently.  Add the cranberries and sliced lime. You can also add ice, but if it's not drank right away, it will get watered down.  I'd recommend putting ice in the cups!  (Learn from my mistake!)

I refrigerated my juices and sprite ahead of time so the punch was already cold.  I'd recommend doing that if you have time and fridge space!

We had 15 people at the party (10 adults) and this recipe served us perfectly!  It's very easy to double if you're having a bigger party.

Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Santa Claus Came to Town!

Friends of ours have a family friend that loves to dress up and play Santa.  She asked if we'd wanted to have a little get-together this year and have Santa show up.  I'm always on board for fun things like that!  I offered to host, we invited our parents, I made some yummy snacks, and we had so much fun!

The punch was a hit!  Sweet and carbonated and the kids loved filling up little punch cups and passing it out!  (Look for the recipe tomorrow!)

Chopped beef cheese ball (also made meatballs that I didn't get pics of!)

Caramels, Gingersnaps, Sugar cookies

Caramel Recipe

Sugar Cookie Recipe 

(The sugar cookies are best if eaten the same day they are made!)

Santa was walking up the drive way and Allie says, "That's not the real Santa.  He has a curly beard and the real Santa doesn't."  I just shushed her, and we welcomed Santa.  After Santa left she wouldn't stop saying "That wasn't the real one!"  He was a very good and sweet Santa... even if he had a curly beard!

The kids each got a hand knitted scarf (made by Stephanie's mom) and a beany baby dog from their Mamaw.  Their Mimi made goody bags they got too!

Garrett wasn't a fan of Santa this year.

Our friends the Sextons!

Kevin and I got scarfs too!  We love them!

Garrett still didn't like Santa!  haha

Cutest little backwards-hat-wearing boy I know.