Friday, April 24, 2009
Roseville Library Art Show!
If you haven't heard, the Downtown Roseville Library is playing host to our elementary school's Art Docent Art Show. All pieces will hang through the month of April. Please come check it out and support your city libraries!
Downtown Roseville Library Art Show
Month of April
225 Taylor Street
Roseville CA 95678
And no, when you visit the show, the art is not just laying on the floor as seen above! These photos are taken at my home when I was working out how to best mat them!
Downtown Roseville Library Art Show
Month of April
225 Taylor Street
Roseville CA 95678
And no, when you visit the show, the art is not just laying on the floor as seen above! These photos are taken at my home when I was working out how to best mat them!
O' the Luck o' the Irish!
Where a Kid can be a Kid!
Is that the tag line for Chuckie Cheese?
Either way, Chuckie Cheese is where we went for a school fundraiser. The kids had a blast, I had nightmarish flashbacks of when I worked at Discovery Zone (does anyone remember that place?), and Sam and I both realized that no matter how little tokens you give your kids-
THEY LAST FOREVER!
Either way, Chuckie Cheese is where we went for a school fundraiser. The kids had a blast, I had nightmarish flashbacks of when I worked at Discovery Zone (does anyone remember that place?), and Sam and I both realized that no matter how little tokens you give your kids-
THEY LAST FOREVER!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
My Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
I've had a few requests for my chocolate chip cookie recipe,
but I feel guilty because I can't really claim it as my own.
I basically stole the Nestle' Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe
and tweaked it to my liking!
Enjoy!
Olivia's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Give or take 4-dozen large cookies or
6-7 dozen small cookies
4 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. (2-sticks) un-salted butter, softened
1 c. (1-stick) Crisco Butter-flavored Shortening
1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 large eggs
6 c. Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Morsels (or more!)
2 1/2 c. coarsely chopped toasted walnuts (optional)
2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 large eggs
6 c. Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Morsels (or more!)
2 1/2 c. coarsely chopped toasted walnuts (optional)
Directions:
Using a medium bowl & a whisk:
Combine the flour, baking soda, & salt and set aside.
Stop:
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees
Using a mixer and the paddle attachment (medium speed):
Cream the butter and shortening.
Add the granulated sugar, combine
Add the brown sugar, combine.
Add the vanilla and eggs, combine.
Scrape the bowl as needed.
At low speed:
Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture until incorporated.
Finally add the morsels & nuts.
Scoop golf-ball size mounds of cookie dough onto a large un-greased cookie sheet. Place cookie mounds 2-inches apart (I usually bake six cookies to one large baking sheet).
Bake one cookie sheet at a time at 375 degrees for 7-8 minutes. Do not over bake! This is the secret for moist, chewy cookies. Remember, all ovens times vary, but look for cookies with only the slightest browning on top. They will not look done, but they are. Keep in mind that once out of the oven, they will continue to cook on the hot cookie sheet.
Let cookies rest for 3-minutes on the cookie sheet, allowing them to set. Then transfer the cookies to a cooling rack for 7-minutes. Handle the cookies gently, they will still be very soft.
Once firm, you can stack the cookies in an air-tight container and they will keep for 5-7 days-I think.
The reason I'm not sure is because they don't last that long at our house!
Notes:
If you're trying to keep things on the lighter side,
try my Chocolate Chip Cookies...Lightened Up!
If you're trying to keep things on the lighter side,
try my Chocolate Chip Cookies...Lightened Up!
You can cut this recipe in half, but I find that the cookies are not quite the same!
Also, if you prefer smaller cookies, just adjust the baking time to 5-6 minutes and keep a close eye on them.
Monday, April 20, 2009
A Legacy of Love
“Do we exemplify [a] legacy of love?
Do our homes?
Bernadine Healy, in a commencement address, gave this counsel:
‘As a physician, who has been deeply privileged to share the most profound moments of people’s lives including their final moments, let me tell you a secret. People facing death don’t think about what degrees they have earned, what positions they have held, or how much wealth they have accumulated. At the end, what really matters is who you loved and who loved you. That circle of love is everything, and is a great measure of a past life. It is the gift of greatest worth’
(“On Light and Worth: Lessons from Medicine,” Commencement address, Vassar College, 29 May 1994, 10, Special Collections).”
Do our homes?
Bernadine Healy, in a commencement address, gave this counsel:
‘As a physician, who has been deeply privileged to share the most profound moments of people’s lives including their final moments, let me tell you a secret. People facing death don’t think about what degrees they have earned, what positions they have held, or how much wealth they have accumulated. At the end, what really matters is who you loved and who loved you. That circle of love is everything, and is a great measure of a past life. It is the gift of greatest worth’
(“On Light and Worth: Lessons from Medicine,” Commencement address, Vassar College, 29 May 1994, 10, Special Collections).”
Thomas S. Monson,
“Dedication Day,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 65
“Dedication Day,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 65
Easter Traditions: Sugar Cookies
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Happy 80th!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Who loves General Conference?
We do!
It's only been recently that our family took the plunge and subscribed to cable. Prior to that, we listened to conference on-line, and before that, we'd just take the kids to the church and watch it there. Now, we are so grateful to be able to watch all the sessions of conference from the comfort of our home.
A favorite tradition is special Saturday and Sunday breakfasts, with simple picnic lunches for the break, giving everyone a chance to stretch their legs and enjoy the good weather outside.
When it was time for the afternoon session, Owen became a little testy at one point with his stuffed bear, who didn't seem to be behaving reverently at all, leaving Owen no choice but to put him on timeout!
Conference Highlights:
I really enjoyed the talk, "Come Unto Him", by our newly ordained apostle, Elder Neil L. Andersen. My favorite quote from this talk is:
"I know that I am not what I must become."
For me, this isn't a statement of discouragement, but one of inspiration.
I do know what I must become.
I know I'm not there yet.
I will never get there in this lifetime.
But I must always keep trying.
From the Priesthood session, Samuel could not stop talking about, "Man Down!", by President Henry B. Eyring.
"I testify that you were called of God and you are sent to serve His children. He wants that no one be left behind...God will give you inspiration and strength to meet your charge to help His children find their way to the happiness made possible by the Atonement of Jesus Christ."
"I know that I am not what I must become."
For me, this isn't a statement of discouragement, but one of inspiration.
I do know what I must become.
I know I'm not there yet.
I will never get there in this lifetime.
But I must always keep trying.
From the Priesthood session, Samuel could not stop talking about, "Man Down!", by President Henry B. Eyring.
"I testify that you were called of God and you are sent to serve His children. He wants that no one be left behind...God will give you inspiration and strength to meet your charge to help His children find their way to the happiness made possible by the Atonement of Jesus Christ."
We love hearing the words of the prophet, the apostles, and other leaders of the church. We know their messages to the world were inspired by God, and that the counsel they provide is what the Lord would share with us if he were on the earth today. How grateful I am to know that the heavens are not closed, and that we in the latter-days are blessed to have the true church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
on the earth today.
on the earth today.
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