Monday 30 January 2012

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yesterday afternoon I spent some time in the kitchen making a batch of chocolate chip cookies. The recipe I used is one I got a couple years ago from my sister and I've been using it faithfully ever since. It's easy, quick and most importantly provides delicious results!


Chocolate Chip Cookies

3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
1 large egg
2 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 bag (12 ou
nces) semisweet chocolate chips (for this batch I used chocolate chucks, yum!)

Heat oven to 375F. Beat sugars, butter, vanilla and egg in large bowl with electic mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt (dough will be stiff) stir in chocolate chips.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto cookie sheet.

Bake for 7-10 minutes or until light borwn (centres will be soft). Cool for 1-2 minutes then transfer to wire rack.

Hope you enjoy!




Sunday 22 January 2012

The Gift of Snow

Since I live in the part of the world, Canada, that does happen to get snow in the winter, it means I often have to spend some extra time before I go to work in the mornings scrapping off my car and shovelling my sidewalk and driveway.
When I was younger snow meant bundling up in snow gear and playing outside with my sisters. We built forts, threw snowballs and got to go sledding.
But something changed a couple years ago when I went off to college. The first year I stayed in a dorm which was connected to the main building so I never really noticed when it snowed. The second year though I moved into a basement apartment and had to walk and take the bus. Then I started understanding why most adults can't stand the snow. And now that I'm living in a place with a driveway and sidewalk I'm responsible for clearing off and I have to drive on the snowy and icy roads, I'm really becoming resentful of the winter weather conditions.
It is hard not to get a little grumpy when you have to work outside in the 10 below zero weather and shovel off five centimetres of snow.
Instead I'm trying this winter to look at snow as a gift. Snow is a gift because it gives me a few minutes to get outside and breath in the fresh air and do some free exercise. No paying for a gym membership for me, I can just go outside and pick up my shovel. Snow is a gift that allows me some time alone with my thoughts where I can clear my head and appreciate the silence. Snow is a gift that allows me the chance to wonder and marvel at God's world and the beauty of creation. Fresh snow covering the ground, trees and neighbouring houses always paints a beautiful, perfect picture.
So thank you God, for the gift of snow, and help me to continue to appreciate it this winter.

Monday 16 January 2012

Weekend Wreath Project

This weekend I tackled a small wreath project.
My inspiration came from here: http://teachcraftlove.blogspot.com/2010/06/front-door-wreaths_22.html. Actually I found the photo on Pinterest, a website I have been spending too much time on lately!

All of my supplies came from my local Michaels craft store. Here's the break down on the cost:
wreath - $3.99
white carnations - 3@ $0.89
blue flowers - $1.99
Wooden #1 - $0.05
Wooden #8 - $0.05
Wooden #0 - $2.49
Total - 11.29

Here is what everything looked like before:


It was overall pretty quick and simple. First I cut off the stems from the flowers and and kind of "dry" place them on the wreath without using glue to see how they would look.
Then I pulled out some white craft paint and a small sponge paint brush, both of which I got from the dollar store a while ago to paint the wooden numbers white.


I just gave them one quick coat. The paint covered the numbers well, but still gave it kind of a white-wash feel that I liked.
After giving them a couple hours to dry I broke out my little glue gun and glued the flowers and numbers in place.

Presto!

I really like how it turned out, now I just have to find the over-the-door wreath hanger I put away with all my Christmas decor.

I linked this post here: