Pinterest Recipe Day! Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

I have made this dessert three times now and it is gone pretty much before 24 hours is up.  Needless to say, it is yummy!  And not only that...it is easy to make as well.  I originally pinned this recipe to my Pinterest "Food" Board (Follow me at Barbara Lemmons Rogenmoser) because HEY...Who doesn't like a dessert that has chocolate chips in it?!  I had nothing to lose and possibly everything to gain.  So, here are the ingredients and instructions for making this simple, quick and yummy dessert.

(www.lilluna.com)
        INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flour (sifted)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cup chocolate chips

I melted the butter first and set it aside to cool.  Then, I added the brown sugar, egg, vanilla, baking powder, salt and baking soda to my butter and mixed it all together in the mixer.

                                    Next, I added the sifted flour and mixed it some more.

                                          I sprayed my baking dish and put the mixture in it.
(And I'm not gonna lie...I always enjoy licking the beaters and mixing bowl afterwards.  This yummy mixture did not disappoint me either!)

Finally, I poured the chocolate chips on the top of the mixture and then put it in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.

              OH, YUM!  We could hardly wait for these to cool off before slicing into them.

MY SUGGESTIONS:
*I would suggest doubling the recipe.  That way you can make a bigger pan of these delicious cookie
  bars because BELIEVE ME...they won't last long!
*Every time I have made this recipe, it has taken a little longer than the recommended baking time. 
  Just set your timer and check them, adding a few minutes until the center is done.

                   Try this yummy recipe.  I'm pretty sure once you do, it will be a party/game day/any time
                    dish around your house!

0

Losing One's "Man Card" Couldn't Be More Fun (From a Woman's Point of View)

While I was still in Ohio, Hubby got real ambitious.  He gave his four LSU tickets away to the kids to go tailgate and watch the game in Baton Rouge.  That's when I asked him, "Who's watching Parker?"  Then quickly reminded him that his mother and father were out of town for the weekend.  From the other end of the telephone line I could almost see the look on his face.  I told him that I supposed HE would just have to watch her...after all it was a day game.  It wasn't like he would have to keep her overnight by himself.  He reminded me that he had never kept her by himself.  I reminded him that I had.  No big deal...right"?!  (He-He!)

Now, I have kept Parker Ann many times by myself, even overnight when Hubby has been out of town.  Yes, she likes to keep you busy, but the most important rule is:  PACE YOURSELF.  I tried to emphasize this rule when Hubs face timed me early Saturday morning.  Sure, the game was a day game, but that also meant that Parker would be dropped off early and they wouldn't be back until late.  I'm afraid he did not heed my warning concerning that rule.

I could hear Parker saying, "Poppi, we are going to make cookies!"  And then I heard her dragging her step stool out of the pantry,  along with the canister of sugar and flour.  SO...baking cookies was FIRST on the agenda bright and early that morning.

The next text I received was of Parker in her car seat.  I asked where they were going...to the Fair!  Oh, Wow!  It still wasn't even noon yet and they had already baked cookies and were heading to the fair?  I could foresee an early crash and burn.  Oh, not from Parker Ann...from Hubby!

When they arrived at the Fair, Hubs sent a text that said, "What is the matter with me?  I never did all of this by myself with my own kids...I think I'm losing my "Man Card" today.  I replied, "I think it's sweet.  You've become a Poppi, that's what has happened to you."

  They visited the baby barnyard, where Parker was able to not only look at but also pet the animals.

He was sending a group text, so this is the picture that came next, along with this message:  "YES, we washed our hands afterwards."

              Because we KNEW they would be heading over to get their FAVORITE FAIR TREATS!

       And then, Parker looked over at Poppi and said, "Hey, can I have a taste of your candy apple?"

                                            Seems she liked it a LOT.  And finished it off!

Don't let those eyes fool you; they are not "Sleepy Nap Eyes.  They are "I Have Had An Overload Of Sugar Eyes" and will not be taking a nap today.  OH...It still wasn't noon yet!  (I think Poppi might be a little bit of a rookie!)

Next, they went to the library.  Parker LOVES the library and can tell you exactly what she wants to do there.  She played on the computer first.

                                       Then colored some beautiful pictures to take home.

              And had Poppi read her some books and play games with the stuffed animals there.

FINALLY it was time for lunch.  When Poppi told her they were going to Micky Dee's for lunch, she said, "No, Poppi, we're not going to Micky Dee's; we're going to McDonald's."  OK...so he taught her a synonym that day.  While at McDonald's, Hubs got to witness what we mommies have had to see for years; the often times unruly behavior displayed in the play area.  As he was telling me about it, I had to laugh inside.  "And there was this little girl who was WAY too old to be jumping on top of the shoe rack; she was school age and could read the sign herself...not to mention that she wouldn't listen to her grandparent.  She was just breaking rules left and right, when suddenly she appeared at our table, in my face and said, HEY!  Can she come play with me??"  Never changing the inflection in his voice, he said, "Absolutely not."  Confused, the child once again asked, "Even when she is finished eating?"  Once again he said, "Absolutely not."  OK...so, he let Parker play on one part of the equipment for a little while...with him standing there next to her.  When I asked Parker about her trip to McDonald's later she said, "Ya Ya, that little girl was just breaking all the rules, so I couldn't play with her."  I thought this was a good experience for him to see what we moms have had to endure forever. (He-He!)

He went home in hopes of watching some of the LSU game on television while Parker napped.  He put her in the play room, turned her movie on and settled into his recliner.  That's when her sent me this text message:  "I NEED YOU!  I don't know HOW you do it."  Now, THAT is what I'm talking about!  (Ha Ha!)  I've been waiting 30 long years to hear those words.  And ya know what my reply was?  "I'm a Ya Ya and I have magical Ya Ya Powers!"  About that time (10 minutes after putting her in the play room...), Parker came back into the room and said, "Oh, Poppi, I am so glad I took that nap...now can we paint?!"  I don't think they painted, but Poppi DID make Play Dough cupcakes with her while they watched the game.

In all honesty, I have to admit that he did really good with a 3 year old...all day...by himself.  I don't know many grandfathers who would be up for that task, so I have to give him 2 THUMBS UP!  After all, as I like to say..."You were just making some more memories.  And to me it looked like you had an awfully  LOT of FUN losing that "Man Card" of yours!" (wink, wink!)

0

When YaYa Comes To Visit...

I spent a week in Ohio with Caitlin, Kevin and Holli.  I really thought that Robby would be able to make the trip with us, but he had to work.  So...Off I went into the "Wild, Blue Yonder" again.  Flying this time wasn't too bad.  Or maybe it's just that I'm getting used to it because I was actually delayed for a couple of hours going.  Anyway, I finally made it there and then proceeded to make every single minute count while there!

                I did a fair (OK..A HUGE) amount of rocking, hugging and snuggling on this little one.

                               And some mornings, she just "magically" appeared in my bed!

        We went on afternoon walks where we had to bundle up because of the cool weather...

                And that is where Holli ended up taking her afternoon naps most of the time.

While I was there, it was time for Holli to get her 6 month check-up...with shots...and to get her ears pierced! (YIKES!)

After weighing and measuring her (She's over 15 pounds now and 26 1/2 inches long!), the pediatrician started marking her ears for the piercing.

                              Look at that sweet little face; she had no idea what was coming.

                                                                            OH NO!!

        Seriously, the ear piercing was not bad at all; she stopped crying almost immediately.

                                                                    BLING, BLING!

                See, she wasn't even crying...Until they gave her that tray full of shots (Boo...)

                        After a day of all those needles, we moved on to more fun things...

                                                 Like getting dressed up every day...

                                                                            

                                                                    To eat out...

                                                                             And SHOP...

                                                                     Till we DROPPED!!

And then one day while we were rocking, I told her I was going to have to leave in a couple of days.  She said, "What do you MEAN you're going to be leaving?!"

I had a GREAT time visiting the Cleveland Crew and, of course, was sad to leave them.  But don't worry...They will be flying south in a few weeks.

P.S.  I'm already trying to teach Holli to say, "Daddy, we want to be 'Snow Birds' so we can fly south to YaYa's House for the winter!"  (Do you think that will work?!)

0

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

Well, I made it back from Ohio without a hitch.  I got up at 3 am on Sunday to take the early flight back in hopes of no delays...and it worked!  However, although I got back early, I brought a nasty little stomach bug back with me.  But there was something sitting on the counter when I got in that made me feel significantly better; I had won a gift basket from a raffle!

I bought the tickets before I left for Ohio from a little girl who attends the school where I used to teach.  They were giving away five themed gift baskets and the raffle tickets were only $2 each, so I just told her to put two tickets on each basket, gave her a twenty dollar bill and then pretty much forgot about it...Because you see, I NEVER win anything!

Well, for never winning anything, I sure did hit the JACKPOT this time...

            That would be the list of things and gift cards that came with my Spa Basket.

Pretty AWESOME, huh?!  Hundreds of dollars worth of goodies!  Now, I can't WAIT to start using all of those gift certificates and start pampering myself.

0

Pinterest Recipe Day: Delicious AMISH COUNTRY BREAD Recipe

I love baking bread.  I love eating bread.  It's just as simple as that.  And although I haven't baked bread in a while, when I saw this recipe on Pinterest the other day, I KNEW I had to make it!
This Amish Country Bread recipe was not only simple and quick to make but delicious as well.


Ingredients (www.daydreamkitchen.com)
4 T sugar
2 T butter
3 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup hot water
2 T Rapid Rise Yeast
5 cups flour

                     Add the hot water and yeast to a plastic bowl.  Stir and let sit a minute.

                                     Mix all of the dry ingredients together in another bowl.

                                     Melt the butter and add to the yeast and water mixture.

                                                              Stir wet ingredients.

                                                      Get the bread hook on your mixer.

Start with all the wet ingredients in the bowl and gradually add the dry ingredients in.  Mix either by hand or in the mixer for not less than 10 minutes.
 

                          I mix my dough in the mixer for a while and then knead it by hand.

                          I put a little oil in the bottom of the bowl and set the dough in it.

                            I then cover the dough with a dish towel and let sit for 1/2 hour.

Next, spray a bread pan, place the dough in it and cut a nice pattern in it.  Let sit for 10 more minutes. Then, brush the top of the bread with an egg white and sprinkle with course salt.

                  Bake for 25 minutes in a preheated 400 degree oven.  Take out and ENJOY! 

As you can see, even a beginner can bake this bread.  It is a very simple recipe that takes very little time (where most breads take much longer).  This is a great bread for anyone to try; it was YUMMY and I definitely recommend this recipe.                                                                             

0