CHA- Sneak Peaks

So, I have been checking out CHA new releases and sneak peeks. Queen and Company has a giveaway on their blog here:http://www.queenandcompany.typepad.com/ Check it out!

Hi y'all! And for this post, I have a recipe to share. Here are some cookies that go perfectly with a tall frosty glass of milk. But be warned, they are for true chocolate lovers only! I took several of my favorite recipes, combined them and tweaked the recipe for our tastes and they came out yummy!

Triple Chocolate Cookies

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1/3 c. cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon (this enhances the chocolatey flavor)

Combine this in a small bowl, set aside. Preheat the oven to 375.

1 cup butter (2 sticks, no substitutes- TRUST ME real butter always makes for better cookies!)
3/4 cup granulated (white) sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar (I used light brown)
2 tsp. pure vanilla
2 large eggs

Beat these ingredients together until creamy. Gradually add flour mixture, beating only until well blended.

Then stir in:
1 cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Drop by teaspoonful (or tablespoonful, if you like them big) onto an ungreased baking sheet - I like to line my baking sheets with parchment paper- it keeps them from burning on the bottom. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes-I usually go about 9, I don't like dry cookies. Cool on baking sheet for a few minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely. Enjoy!

Jan 18: Today's picture is of a card I made for one of the twins' friends' birthday party. I used papers from the Princess Collection by Hot Off The Press, and I cut the rosebuds and tag with my Cricut, using Paper Doll Dress Up and Plantain Schoolbook. To make it special, I added Diamond Stickles to the red part of the flower, and green Stickles to the stems.

Jan 17: All packed up to head over to the in-laws.Since Fran is sick, we all try to pitch in when we can, so Ernie doesn't have to be alone, and he has some help. Lisa went back home this week to spend some time with her hubby, so we are taking shifts during the week too.



Jan 16: Natalie and Cecilia got all snuggled in to watch "E.T. The Extraterrestrial" on H.B.O. with me. Evan watched it with us, but he did not want his picture taken. I had never seen it before- so funny to see Drew Barrymore as a small child! I loved the movie, by the way!




Jan 15: I LOVE my Cricut! and this "shoe organizer" I repurposed for cutting station is perfect for a cutting station. Only $30 at Big Lots!





Jan 14: This is the book I am reading right now. I am enjoying it quite a lot!




Jan 13: There is nothing I love better than some new magazines and a hot bath!

Jan 12: I cleaned the twins' room today (and organized their books and toys )- no small feat!




Jan 11: Cecilia was Sooo mad- and have NO idea why!



Jan 10: Evan brought home all "A's"! I am so proud of my hard working little guy: 2 "98's", 3 "100's"!




Jan 9, here is a pic of the card I made for Eric for Valentine's Day(I think- I may still make more to choose from). I used my Cricut, SCAL, and some Basic Grey pattern paper.





Jan 8: Here is a glimpse of my life right now, exercise, pedometers, and a measuring tape. So far, I am 4 lbs. down!

Jan 6:
Scrapbook stuff makes me smile! I got this haul at Wal Mart after Christmas for 50-75% off. The stamp sets, glitters, and etc are all by Martha Stewart. I even got a set of cookie boxes for the gifts I give next year. I have been eyeballing these papers, glitters, and stamps all season, but couldn't justify buying it. But when you can get it for less than $5, sometimes less than $2, it's a little easier to justify.

Project 365

Ok... about Project 365. The whole idea, at least for me is to practice and improve my photography by taking at least one photo a day, recording our day to day life in the process.

Here are the photos I have taken so far and a bit about them.

Jan1:
Mexican cornbread:I never had it before I met my husband, but now I have to have it ; with chili, with Ham and Beans, and today, with our traditional New Year's Day dinner of Ham, Cabbage, and Potatoes, and blackeyed peas on the side for good luck. The trick with cornbread is not to over mix it. You'll kill the baking powder/soda. After you add the wet ingredients to the dry ones, just stir with a spoon until blended. And a well seasoned cast iron skillet, preheated in the oven and sprayed with cooking spray or buttered is key also. Yum,Yum!

Jan2:

Hot Oatmeal (Playing With Photoshop):I thought I would play with Photoshop a little bit to make this photo "more exciting". My girls LOVE oatmeal (with a little milk, butter, and brown sugar of course!). I used the diffuse glow filter on this photo. I love how it softens it! This would be great for Christmas morning photos, I think! After I gave Natalie the oatmeal, she said,"Pease can you open the window?" "Why?" I said. She replies, "'Cause I want my oatmeal to cool down!" I guess you can't argue with that logic, huh?

Jan3:

Holiday Returns: I had a pj set from Old Navy that I got for Christmas, but it was too big for me, so I returned it and got this sweater.

Jan 4:

The Sunday morning newspaper: reading the paper with Eric on Sunday morning is one of my favorite things to do. I always enjoy this special time with my hubby if we get the chance to spend a little time chatting before the kids get up, drinking coffee and reading the paper together (truthfully, though, he usually drinks coffee and I usually have a Cherry Coke Zero). We missed this week though, cause he had to spend the night at his parents, helping with his mother. But I went in and had breakfast with them.

Jan5:

And it's back to school for the kiddos! Natalie and Cecilia wanted to wear my gloves (they each grabbed a pair,then said, "Ha ha, none for you!" Little stinkers!