Recipe Test: The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie?

I recently saw a recipe on Pinterest for the perfect chocolate chip cookie. Now, this is a big statement for someone to make. Could it really be perfect? And how do they define perfect? In my opinion, it would be slightly crunchy on the outside but soft and moist on the inside with just the right cookie-to-chocolate chip ratio, all in a perfect circular shape.

Could one cookie really accomplish all of my expectations? The answer, to my surprise, is yes. This cookie is a little piece of heaven in baked good form. Mmmm! And just in time for Christmas cookie exchanges and gifting.

You can find the fabulous recipe on this site, appropriately named The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie.

Make these cookies today - your tastebuds will thank you! Enjoy!

Lessons from a Toddler: Help

I think one of the reasons God gives us children and the blessing of parenthood is so that through our children, we may more accurately see ourselves in relation to Him. I always smile when Nash does something that makes me realize a new aspect of my relationship with Christ. Tonight was one of those instances.

Nash is becoming more and more independent. It's wonderful, heartbreaking, freeing and terrifying all at once. It's fine when he wants to try to take his shirt off himself but another story when he doesn't want to hold your hand while you walk across the parking lot. As I watch Nash struggle with new things, I know that I could step in and get it done quicker but then, how would he learn? Tonight after we put PJs on, he really wanted to put his sock on himself. He ran away from me holding it yelling "I do it. I do it." I knew he couldn't accomplish this task, but if I stepped in and just did it for him we'd be in full force tantrum mode. So, I let him run off and proclaim his independence. And as he plopped down, he realized this was way outside of his abilities and quickly changed his chant to, "Hulp."

How often do we run away from God holding our burdens saying, "I do it. I do it." Our God is merciful to give us freewill, He allows us our independence to choose which way we go. And as soon as we pause long enough to try to figure it out ourselves, we quickly see how incapable we are and cry out for help. I'm so thankful that God is patient and faithful to help us despite our stubbornness. And even more than that He is capable. That's where I rest tonight - in His hands that are able to deal with my "sock" of a problem that is trivial to Him in comparison to what He is capable of but that He lovingly helps me with.

"'Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.'"  Matthew 11: 28 - 30

The Big Green Egg

I absolutely love anything cooked on a Big Green Egg. If you have never experienced its goodness, then let me enlighten you. It looks like this:

My parents purchased one a little over a year ago and it produces some of the tastiest meals I have ever had - from salmon to burgers to steaks to pizza! It also has this amazing smell that seems to waft for miles. Every time I pull up at their house for dinner and the smell of the Egg hits me, my mouth starts to water and I quickly have to wipe away the drool.

Now, this is all good...unless you are out on a stroll with the fam and you get hit with the smell. Reminds me a little of vampire thirst in Twilight (go ahead and judge - I'm not ashamed that I liked those books). You smell the goodness of meat being slowly smoked on this glorious invention and it's all you can think about. I've decided to start a petition. Just like in elementary school when we were taught you could only bring in candy or sweets if you had enough to share with the whole class, I think you should only be able to fire up your Big Green Egg if you have enough to share with your neighbors. It's just the right thing to do. We'll see what the HOA thinks.

-Amy

A Drive Down Memory Lane

My husband had to take his beloved '99 4Runner into the "doctor" this week after his check engine light came on. I've never seen anyone love a vehicle as much as he loves Kirk (yes, we name our cars). Kirk has 150,000+ miles on him and the hubs is praying that he gets to see 300,000. He was very anxious and nervous while Kirk was away. Luckily, 2 days and a chunk of change later, Kirk is back home with a clean bill of health. Whew! The close call with Kirk made us reminisce about our 11 past vehicles. That's right - eleven. Here they are!

 
The 'Lero (and my old college roommate Sarah!)  [2002 - 2006]
This is the car my parents bought me when I left for college - major upgrade from my 1984 Mercury Grand Marquis!

The Jeep [2005 - 2006]
Loved this car - it stayed with us for about a year then went to live with Nathan's sister.
 

The 50cc Vino [2006-2007]
Yes, Nathan used to drive this around Fayetteville in below freezing weather. It couldn't go faster than about 30 mph (downhill, of course). Other drivers loved him. It was particularly awesome to see him on this tiny scooter, with full armor and helmet on!

The Honda [2006 - 2008]
This was originally Nathan's dad's car, then his sister's, then mine. We traded the Jeep for the Honda while I was commuting to Siloam Springs from Fayetteville. They never had a single problem with it - then I owned it and it broke down every other month. My ability to destroy mechanical things is really a talent.

The Vespa [2007 - 2008]
After growing tired of never being able to go over 30 mph, Nathan upgraded to the Vespa. We both loved this ride - he even drove it all the way from NWA to OKC for an oil change, in full armor and helmet of course.

The Passport [2008-2009]
This was Nathan's rainy day car - cost us less than our most recent Kirk repairs. It had the worst screech every time you turned it on, the A/C didn't work, and the doors didn't lock. We always hoped somebody would steal it...

Bonnie Lass [2008-2009]
When the Vespa no longer had enough power for Nathan, he upgraded once again. This time to a Triumph Bonneville that he and his dad drove to Atlanta to pick up. This exact bike used to belong to Alton Brown. He loved this thing - I hated it and spent many evenings praying for his safety!!

Ruby [2008-2009]
After killing the Honda (yes, I killed a HONDA), I decided I needed something new that would be more resilient. So, for the first time in my life, I had a car payment for this Ford Edge. That lasted less than a year - car payments are stupid. Plus Ruby had no power - I need some pedal to the metal action, friends.

Kirk [2009 - present]
God finally answered my prayers and helped Nathan get over his love of 2-wheels in favor of something safer and more practical. We bought Kirk off Craig's List from a family that was having their second child the next day and had just bought a mini-van. Their desperation to have one less thing to deal with worked in our financial favor!

Richard [2009-2011]
This was my "get out of debt" car. Richard - or "Dick" as I called him when he acted up because I'm classy like that - had a lot of get-up-and-go, which Ruby lacked. He is who we brought Nash home in, so there will always be a special place in my heart for him - despite doors that didn't lock, oil leaks, and torn interior leather. Still better than a car payment!

Ms. Patty [2011-present]
And finally, we've arrived at my current vehicle...Ms. Patty the Caddy. She's got get-up-and-go, a DVD player for road trips, and doesn't break my back getting a kiddo in and out. Not to mention she was in a wreck in her early days and has a rebuilt title, once again working in our financial no-car-payment favor! We're all about the the deals!



And last but certainly not least - the best ride of all! Nash is starting his car collection young!

Just a Quick Hello

Holy moly - the last post I made was Little Man's One Year birthday party?! That's crazy, friends! Life seems to be on fast forward with him. He's learning new things every day as he is quickly approaching two. It's so fun to see him experience things for the first time. Just this week he's learned how to fist bump. Definitely a milestone and important life lesson.

Look at his cuteness...

In other news, my work computer got a virus when I stupidly downloaded a browser from a fishy source randomly caught a virus this week. I am constantly amazed at how terrible people can be. I mean, really, what's the point of creating computer viruses? It made for a frustrating week of trying to get old files off, having my wonderful IT guys at work build me a new computer so they could overnight it to me, working off our home Mac (don't get me started on Office for Mac...), and feeling like a complete fool for downloading catching such a virus. In order to make myself feel better, tonight's dinner will be from Pioneer Woman - her food (*cough*butter*cough*) makes a rough week better. Here's what we're trying - fingers crossed it will be amazing!!

Spicy Lemon Garlic Shrimp. Yes, please.

Happy Birthday, Little Man!

Wow - I am so behind on my blogging, but I could not miss the opportunity to relive my son's amazing Little Man birthday party. I still cannot believe I have a one-year-old. It's been such a great year, but I'll leave the gushing for another post.

Today, I'm reliving his wonderful party. We had the best time, and thanks to the ever so talented Elyse Fair (www.elyfairphotos.com), we have some great pictures to remind us of the day. Here are the highlights:

The decore: ties, everywhere - around lamps, hanging from chandeliers, tied nicely on a coat rack, and of course, on every guest.

The food: Big Man Brisket, Macin'-on-some-Cheese, Little Man Crackers (aka Goldfish), and Root Brewskies.

The cake: Mustache cupcakes

The activities: Paper tie decorating, reading of The Book of Nash, and best tie contest

And last, but certainly not least, the man himself: my wonderful, funny, sweet, shy, silly, little man Nash

Gosh I love him! :)

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Since I've moved back to Edmond, I have noticed more and more how alike my mother and I are. But Friday night was eerie. Hubs and I had been prepping all week for Little Man's birthday party (it was amazing - more on that later this week). So when Friday night came, I was pooped and was not going to be cooking! We decided to hit up our favorite restaurant down the street. Just as we got situated in our booth (not an easy task with a 1 year old) who should walk in but my parents! We had to laugh that when we both decide not to cook, Interurban is the restaurant of choice. We enjoyed a nice meal and parted ways. There's a grocery store down the street which reminded me of a few last minute prep items I needed for the party. As I was walking through to the back of the store, cutting through some random aisle, I ran smack into my parents once again buying their last minute prep items as well!

I really am my mother's daughter...and proud of it! :)