Messy & Wet = Fun, Fun, Fun!

A night of playing outside with daddy after supper quickly became a huge mural of sidewalk chalk designs on the garage floor to the idea of getting the chalk wet and creating even better designs to the best idea of getting the hose, filling up a bucket and getting completely wet!  What a fun sight I was summoned outside for Monday night!

Heavenly Montana-Sized Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe was shared by a co-worker after she made & brought a batch of these super yummy cookies to work one day.  Today I made a batch of my own and was reminded just how good they really are (and super easy to make).  I love their big "monster size" and the fact that you can alter it a bit to suit your tastes.  One thing is for sure --- this cookie is Y-U-M-M-Y!

Ingredients

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups rolled oats (old-fashion or quick-cooking)

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
OR
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips and 3/4 cup butterscotch chips
OR
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips and 1/2 cup Craisins
OR
whatever combination you would like to try!


Directions

Preheat over to 325 degrees.  Grease cookie sheets.

In large bowl cream butter and sugars.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Beat it into creamed mixture.  Mix in oats, chocolate chips and walnuts.

With a 1/4 cup measure, scoop out 1/4 cup batter per cookie, placing 5 inches apart on greased cookie sheets.  Bake for almost 20 minutes or until top is dry and slightly cracked.

Makes 18 4-inch cookies

Say What?!

Anthony has had quite the statements recently that have caused lots of laughter.  I love the things he comes up with!


A: Momma!  Penguins could live in our house.
M: Why do you say that bud?
A: Because you keep it so cold in here.

Hhhmmm...I thought AC on those ridiculous hot and steamy days was a good thing, but the Bubsa Boo clearly thinks otherwise.


Thursday night I was making supper when Anthony strolls into the kitchen just as I'm putting the taco pie all together.

A: Eeeeewwwwwwww!  You're putting dog poop on our supper?!  (Be sure to read this completely loud and obnoxious!)
M:  Anth, it's called refried beans and they're really good.
A: Well, it looks like dog poop.  I don't want to eat dog poop.

Okay, he has a point.  Refried beans DOES look a bit nasty even though it tastes great, but does it look like dog poop?!


Saturday night we were driving back from St. Cloud and a visit to the ER (Stupid mom moment.... Apparently, Bounce Depot's bouncies + this momma doesn't mix well together!  Ugh.) when Anthony became all exasperated with us.

A: (loudly stating) You two are air-a-toot-ies!

Of course we giggled because he was so serious and loud and totally frustrated with us.  I finally turned around after he stated it a few times to get the definition of such an obscure word.

M: What does that mean, bud?

A: It's when you can hear, but you don't hear just like Papa Marv.

Oh my goodness!  Mark and I couldn't stop laughing at his definition!  Sorry Papa Marv!  I guess we're all just a bunch of air-a-toot-ies.

Pioneer Woman Cooks

I'm still not sure what's more exciting --- the fact that I finally got the Pioneer Woman cookbook or the oh so cute butterfly wrapping/bow around it?

Hhhhmmmm..... 

 

The cute wrapping/bow decor - which is something I could try, but never execute - has yet to come off.  It will someday, but for now I'm just appreciating it's whimsical playfulness on the cover of this much anticipated and wanted cookbook. 

Oh the recipes I'm going to try!

Chicken Pot Pie (again...)

Apple Pie

Guacamole

Pico de Gallo

Perfect Pie Crust

Artichoke Dip

Breakfast Bowls

Sangrias (YUM!)

Potato Skins

Cinnamon Rolls

Buttermilk Biscuits

Egg-in-the-hole

Maple Pecan Scones

Cornbread

Meatloaf (Side note: PW covers it in bacon!)

Twice Baked Potatoes (Making them tonight!)

TH thanks you TH for not only borrowing your cookbook to me, but then turning around and surprising me with my very own.  You made my day!

Our Wonder Dog

Last week we had another scare with Zoey the Wonder Dog.  Her back legs are progressively getting worse and will continue to do so.  Just like a person every once in awhile her legs "go out" leaving her with the inability to move without crying out in pain.
Hearing her cry out in pain is the worst...
The knowledge that she's a dog and her lifespan is short to begin with is hard too...
Luckily the mixture of pain pills and anti-inflammatory medication is doing the trick for right now and she seems to be somewhat back to her old self --- running in the backyard, performing crazy 8's and making herself cozy on her favorite spots.  However, she's doing all of that just a bit more gingerly and slower that she has in the past.
I know Zo's days are numbered and that's heartbreaking to me because I haven't loved a dog like this since the days of Sam in my childhood.  I so wish I could extend her life so she could always be with us.  It's only been five years; however, I cannot imagine our family without her.  She truly is our Wonder Dog.

Brown Blankie Love

Basking in July's Sunshine

We

love

summer!