Cookie Time To Help

A long time ago, before Nestle Toll House cookie dough came in a slice and bake tube, my mom used to make homemade cookies. I still have strong memories of watching her do the hard part of putting the dough on the pan-carefully and precisely. While I don't make cookies much, I still want that to be an memory my kids have. Today, I invited them into the kitchen with me instead blowing through the recipe myself. We all know how the story goes-they don't do it quite right, they're so cute and excited, and we all feel warm and fuzzy all over. 

We made John's favorite cookies, Quaker Oats vanishing oatmeal cookies. Instead of 1 cup of raisins, we use a whole bag of chocolate chips. Life is short-choose chocolate. 

Phone Drop Update

Hello! Here is an update of my life via pictures from my phone-mainly cute things that my children are doing. The picture above is a picture of iced coffee and some flowers I cut from a field. I was treating myself because I got a new job with my favorite boss of all time doing something that is very close to a dream come true. More to come on that...

Burl and Fern are the sweetest of playmates.

I adore their rowdy tricks and funny antics. Pull the cushions off the sofa, pile the pillows, make a mess...these two get very creative during the days.

She walked in with this outfit and told me she has to go to the beach and to work.
Toddler talk paired with toddler style is edible.


While we frequently get twin yolks from my dad's chickens, one of those babes produced the biggest egg I've ever seen. Bless her heart.

First nails done in color. I never paint my nails, but I felt this huge bong and draw to have both our nails painted pink. Fern's girliness is rubbing off on me.


About 92% of the time, Burl is in warrior mode.

Our newest 4-week old friend had his first pool visit. Fern was so excited to have him join us. She was extra attentive when he was awake and moving.

I made tostadas for the first time and an avocado/kidney bean salad. The kids raved about this meal. Burl asked if we could have it again the next night.

Obviously, there's not much excitement going on here.
I'm just raising babies, making food, and enjoying the slow pace.

This Week's Menu

Every night we have dessert after dinner. Most times it is fruit, and sometimes we have cheese slices or bread with butter. Very rarely do we actually have a sugar dessert, but it does feel special on those nights! On really great nights, we go outside to eat our dessert. However, this time of year we seem to be food for the mosquitoes. They enjoy us more than we enjoy our dessert outside, but we still make attempts every so often because it feels special in a small way. Here's what we're eating for dinner this week:

Shrimp bowl, salad

Fish tacos, green beans

Chicken tortilla soup

Pizza

Dinner out

High School Mixed CDs

Dear all high school students, past/present/future, there is no other music as good as the music you discover(ed) in high school. Due to the time of year and the back to school everything, I'm feeling nostalgic for my music. Instead of listening for my songs to come on the radio and dashing to the tape player to hit PLAY and RECORD, I simply browsed my iTunes Library. I wanted a quick mixed CD, but ended up with too much to fit on just one. I divided into guys and girls: 

Dreams by The Cranberries

Linger by The Cranberries

Cowboy Take Me Away by Dixie Chicks

Wide Open Spaces by Dixie Chicks

I'm the Only One by Melissa Etheridge

Come To My Window by Melissa Etheridge

Wonder by Natalie Merchant

Jealousy by Natalie Merchant

Sweet Surrender by Sarah McLachlan

Adia by Sarah McLachlan

My Favorite Mistake by Sheryl Crow

If It Makes You Happy by Sheryl Crow
Strong Enough by Sheryl Crow

Fast Car by Tracy Chapman

These Are The Days by 10,000 Maniacs

She Talks To Angels by The Black Crowes

No Rain by Blind Melon

Run-Around Blues Traveler

Round Here by Counting Crows

A Long December by Counting Crows

Hanginaround by Counting Crows

Mr. Jones by Counting Crows

Satellite by Dave Matthews Band

Hey Jealousy by Gin Blossoms

Wild Night by John Mellencamp

Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam

Jeremy by Pearl Jam

Black by Pearly Jam

Better Man by Pearl Jam

Daughter by Pearl Jam

Send Me On My Way by Rusted Root

If I had to pick one song as my high school anthem it would be These Are The Days by 10,000 Maniacs. It takes me back to senior year when I played it 49209885 times in a row; worked on end of the year projects (mainly, journal pages for English class); and felt like the world was mine. Class of '99!