Thankful 2013 November 26, 2013

I have a couple of posts drafted, but I just haven’t had the time or energy to finish them.  I’m battling a yucky cold, have my mom visiting, and am enjoying cozying up on these cold nights.  Blogging has been put on the back burner, so I apologize for anyone who has been eager to read.

Since it is almost Thanksgiving, though, I felt it only appropriate to at least get a “Thankful” post up.

I am so thankful for these two. No matter how many gray or white hairs they cause me, I would not be a mom without them. And I love being THEIR mom!

I’m thankful for this guy. Laughing with him and the love he gives me and the kids is what has gotten me through everything, especially the past couple of months.

I’m thankful for the landscape that surrounds us. I have seen some amazing sights in my life, and am thankful for locations like this to remind me of the beauty that surrounds us in nature.

I’m thankful for the wonderful example of true love my parents set for me and my sister. The memories I do have of my childhood include a loving marriage of two fun-loving people who appreciated each other in the ups and downs life threw at them.

I’m thankful for all of my family from aunts and uncles to cousins and in-laws and all those in between.

I’m thankful for all the memories that we have created over the past year.

I’m thankful for my friends who have continued to stay in touch despite distance and time.

I’m thankful for the chance to make new memories in our new home this year and for many years to come.

So much more, but my cozy couch is calling my name on this cold night.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!  I hope your celebrations bring joy, love and especially laughter!

 

 

You Need These In Your Life November 8, 2013

The kids were off Wednesday for parent/teacher conferences.  So in the morning, we sat down with the iPad and checked out my Yummy Desserts board on Pinterest.  I told the kids to pick something that we could make together.  Mason pointed to everything.  Cooper said, “I only like cookies and brownies so that’s all I want to make.”  Enter the Brookie Cookie from Cookies and Cups.  I pin a lot of Shelly’s recipes – she always gets my stomach growling for sweets!

Our family is a big fan of Brookies (a mix of brownie and chocolate chip cookie), but we’ve only ever had them in bar form (brownie base with chocolate chip cookie dough dropped on top.)  The idea of forming a cookie was definitely intriguing, so I knew we had to give it a go.

Well the “we” quickly turned into “I” since the kids had worn themselves out jumping in leaves and walking around the neighborhood.  So while they got their Mario Kart Wii on, I got my baking on.

These are now my FAVORITE cookie!  I can’t get enough of them.  Seriously….  You need these in your life!

Here is the recipe from Cookies and Cups:

Ingredients:

Chocolate Chip Cookie

1 cup butter at room temperature

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1 Tbsp vanilla

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3 cups flour

2 cups mini chocolate chips

Brownie

1 (18 oz.) box brownie mix (I used Ghiradelli Double Chocolate)

1 1/4 cup flour

3 eggs

1/3 cup vegetable oil

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°
• Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

For chocolate chip cookie portion:

• Cream butter and both sugars together for 2 minutes until fluffy and light.
• Add in eggs and vanilla and mix until incorporated.
• Mix in baking soda and salt.  Then add flour and mix until combined.
• Stir in chocolate chips and set aside.

For the brownie portion:

• In a large bowl, combine brownie mix and flour.  Whisk together.
• Stir in eggs and oil until combined.  Dough will be thick.

To make the magic happen:

• Form chocolate chip cookie dough into 1 inch balls.  Scoop an equal size of the brownie mixture and squish it together with the cookie.
• Place on baking sheet 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 9-10 minutes until edges are golden and cookies are just set.
• Allow to cool for 3-4 minutes on baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

If you want to be really crazy, spread some peanut butter on one of them and make a cookie sandwich!  (I have to give that genius creation credit to my husband!)