Virtual Cookie Exchange

My dear BYU friend Elsha Haberle challenged her blog readers to a virtual cookie exchange (http://corncowsandkountrylane.blogspot.com/2008/08/cookie-exchange-contribution.html). I willingly accepted the challenge, for yet another reason to bake my VERY favorite cookies of ALL TIME. That's right folks. Of all my 30 years of existence, these are my favorite. Truly.

And now I take the opportunity to challenge my blog readers to join the virtual cookie exchange. Post your favorite cookie recipe for the world wide web to enjoy!

WHITE CHIP ISLAND COOKIES
Ingredients:
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) white chocolate chips (I prefer Nestle)
1 cup flaked coconut, toasted if desired
3/4 cup chopped macadamia nuts or walnuts

Directions:PREHEAT oven to 375° F.COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in egg. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels, coconut and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.BAKE for 8 to 11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Left To Tell

In 1994, I was a junior at Lafayette High School. I was living happily with my family in our suburbian home. I was a member of All State Orchestra, Lafayette Orchestra and Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra. I was in my high school's production of "Music Man" and was dating my first boyfriend. I attended seminary and church regularly and had a very care free, concern free, very blessed existence.

Across the globe in 1994, Immaculee Ilibagiza was surviving a horrific Rwandan Holocaust. She hid in a 3' by 4' bathroom with 7 other women for 91 days. There were almost 1 MILLION people murdered in 100 days. She lost virtually her entire family and most of her friends. Read about her experience in the rivoting book "Left to Tell". Her amazing communion with God and story of positive thinking and hope is truly inspirational.

English is her third language, so the writing style is not the most prolific I have read, but you forget about that once you feel her story, experience her fear and live her power of hope.

Who Hates Phone Books?

Please don't confuse me with tree huggers... I still proudly wear a bra and stay away from dread locks and broom skirts with tank tops. I do however HATE receiving phone books (seemingly) every week on my door step. I use this new fangled thing called the world wide web to look up information and I don't want the LARGE phone books cluttering up my counter tops. I end up throwing them away. I just received a link from a friend (Thanks Bonnie!) where you can stop the insanity, if you feel the same about these oversized, only good for booster seat, books.

http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/

It only takes a few seconds!

Tribute to the Olympics

Anyone who knows Greg, knows that this kid LOVES the Olympics. So, for the past 10 days, we have parked our big booties on the couch, watching the pristine athletic prowess of international sportsmen/women, while Greg and I argue over who's turn it is to get the cookies, chips and soda. We've got spirit, yes we do! We've got spirit how 'bout you?

While doing some Olympics research, I came across an event, that has sadly been discontinued. The event I speak of is SOLO synchronized swimming. I'm sorry, WHAT? Who exactly are you synchronizing with sweetie? This exercise in stupidity sneaked its way on to the O-list in 1984, only to be cast out in 1992. What a shame.
Emma has been participating in her own Olympic events. She and her cousin Tyler received Bronze medals in synchronized drooling and sitting.
Emma also received a silver medal for SOLO synchronized sitting. In practicing for this event, her mother only let her fall and hit her head twice a day on hard floors or sharp corners. PLEASE. You mean to tell me that she could actually do damage to that "orange on a toothpick" head of hers?
Unfortunately, though Emma made the Olympic team in eating, she was not able to qualify for the final round, because she does not eat her cereals very well. Only wants those fruits and vegetables. Lucky for Greg and I, she was able to pick up a product endorsement contract because of her baby breast cleavage (see below pic). Should get us a nice rest home some day.
She brought home the GOLD medal in the "Hop on Pop" event and sent all the other competitors home crying.

Anyone else feel like the Olympics are basically over now that Michael Phelps has won his EIGHT gold medals? All the hype for that... and NOW WHAT? Bring back SOLO synchronized swimming and then we'll talk.

Lucky

My sister introduced me to this amazing song called "Lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie Callait. I just had to share it. I tried to find the music video on You Tube, but had no luck. This little video I found has the words included, which makes the song even more endearing. ENJOY!

Over the river and through the woods...

We just got back from a wonderful trip to Kentucky to visit my family. Matt and Corinda blessed their baby girl on Sunday, which was the main purpose behind our trip. But who am I kidding, the REAL purpose of our trip was for some crazy fun in my beautiful home state.

Greg devouring the INFAMOUS Kentucky Hot Brown. Melanie, this picture is for you! If any of you are ever in the mood to consume your daily allotment of calories in ONE sitting, please consult the following recipe: http://southernfood.about.com/od/kentuckyrecipes/r/bl10424b.htm

I promise you, it will be worth your extra cellulite. Although I must say, that they always taste better when eaten in Kentucky.
Emma loved time with her uncles. Here Uncle John is feeding her. If you are curious about the "feeding utensil", you can check out: http://booninc.com/squirt.html It is the most amazingly convenient baby item I have found in awhile. You put the baby food in the base of the spoon and squirt it out as needed. Really really really really great for traveling or eating on the go.
I think her smile says it all. Uncle Glen is seriously the cutest uncle and she loves him.
Pool party with the fam. Everyone in my family was here for the weekend, except for Uncle Chuck serving an LDS mission in Fiji.
Emma with cousin Aliya (Matt and Corinda's baby who was blessed).
Emma with cousins Ben and Tyler (Jeff and Ashlee's boys). Ben LOVED to get right in the middle of the babies and "play" with them. It usually ended in crying.

I think I can safely say that DaVinci was thinking of Emma when he created the Vitruvian Man. Here our Vitruvian princess is sleeping in her pack and play at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Thirty Something

Greg and I share a birthday week. Being the very selfish person that I am, I generally do not like sharing my special birthday time with anyone... however, it has been fun through the years to celebrate together and PARTY HEARTY all week long!!

Greg shares his birthday with the pioneers. I think they would approve us celebrating with a Texas sheet cake and a new grill. Pioneer children sang as they walked and baked and grilled...
Ever good chef deserves an even better apron. Greg has a t-shirt that proudly declares "this is my party shirt"... everyone always comments on it... so I thought he should have a matching apron. The bottom says "get your grill on" and YES, I know that the "G's" are backwards, I had some trouble figuring out the iron on letters alright? I'm 30. Let's call it a senior moment.
Don't ask me what made me laugh so hard in this picture. I don't remember. I DO remember that Greg threw me a FANTASTIC 30th birthday party and put together a pre-funeral book of all the things that people actually like about me. Crazy, I know. He also got me a solar oven, which I have been requesting for quite awhile (this will soon get a blog post of it's own).

What a guy!!
Here't to another decade of fabulous blessings and enjoying every moment of it. When I was 20, I imagined myself doing exactly what I'm doing at 30. What a wonderful world. Thank you to all of you that made our birthdays spectacular. We loved every second!