Cookie Time!

Never thought I would be posting recipes but this one is definitely worth sharing!

A couple of months ago, I found a recipe on a wonderful blog I visit almost everyday:
www.housewifebarbie.blogspot.com.

This recipe makes cookie batter from a cake mix, 2 eggs and 1/3 cup vegie oil.
I’ve been playing around with it the recipe, trying different flavors and icings and frostings.

My newest favorite tastes like a chewy brownie with chocolate-caramel swirl chips.

Here’s how to make them:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix together until smooth:
1 - Devils Food Cake Mix
2 - eggs
1/3 cup - vegetable oil
Then stir in ½ package of Nestle Chocolate Caramel Swirl chips.

This batter is very thick, I’m not sure a hand mixer will be able to handle it, I’ve been using a Kitchen Aid stand mixer.

I’ve been using a small cookie scoop to shape the dough into 1 inch balls.

Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 8 minutes at 375 degrees. Cool for 3 minutes before removing cookies to rack to cool completely. With the richness of these cookies, I leave them unfrosted.

This recipe will make about 3 dozen cookies, if you start with ¾-1 inch dough balls.

I really like these cookies as I can mix up the batter, and using a rotation of 3 professional size heavy duty aluminum cookie sheets, be done baking and have the kitchen cleaned back up in less than an hour and a half. Baking might not seem like a giant undertaking to some, but after 8+ hours at a desk, a 40 minutes one way commute, made twice a day, dinner to prepare and a son to take to sports every night, anything above breathing regularly can be overwhelming!!!

Other variations I’ve tried:

Use a Spice Cake mix. Before baking, I use the bottom of a heavy drinking glass dipped in granulated sugar to flatten the cookies. Then frost with a butter cream vanilla frosting spiced with ground cinnamon. I made a single batch Sunday afternoon during the Bowl Game. They didn’t even make it to the ripe old age of 24 hours old. Gone, hence a quick baking session again today!

Use a Lemon Cake Mix (again, flatten balls before baking) and frost with an icing made from lemon juice and powdered sugar. I’ve been adding a drop of yellow food coloring to the frosting and dotting with snow flake sprinkles!

I hope post will encourage someone else, who might be pressed for time, or simply tired after a long day at work, to treat themselves and their family with a home baked batch of love!

The Bald Eagles Are Back!

Today was a glorious day! Clear blue cloudless sky, above freezing and without a cold wind. Best of all we had several bald eagel sightings including this pair sitting in a tall bare tree alongside Grandview Road heading into town.

The Bald Eagles usually return to the Skagit River basin in early February. Could this herald an early spring? (i hope, i hope!)?

Winter loosens her dark hold on us....

Mid January and the days are lengthening!

I am no longer arriving at work at 8am still in the dark, nor going home at 4:30pm again in the dark! If only today's 'chance of showers' hadn't meant snow! I am longing for spring!

When having a trying day...I'll try to remember....

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

The Truth About Cats and Dogs

Just had to share the funniest email I've received in a long time!!

"Excerpts from a Dog's Diary"

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!
9:30 am- A car ride! My favorite thing!
9:40 am- A walk in the park! My favorite thing!
10:30am- Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!
12:00pm- Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm- Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm- Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm- Milk bones! My favorite thing!
7:00 pm- Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm- Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm- Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

"Excerpts from a Cat's Diary"

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now......

New Year Resolutions

New Year resolutions bring to mind the self-improvements I promise myself every year: make better food choices and be more active to improve health and reduce weight and stress. To think kinder thoughts and be mindful of what I say. To be a more loving wife, a better parent, more organized and productive, both at home and the office. To finish projects, craft and home improvements.

How to prioritize all that I want to accomplish?

As I dwell on what should be done, I am reminded that life is a process, a journey. A journey we make by taking it one small decision at a time. I realize that during the day-to-day rush to get things done, I often loose sight of the very things I still am trying to install into my almost grown children.

One of which is: Choices. Small choices, big choices. "Make good decisions" has become a catch phrase.

What I want to do is to be more mindful of the decision making process.

Decisions. Am I making the small decisions that will lead me to make the correct Big Decisions when it faces me. Will I recognize a Big Decision when I come to it? Or will I, in my haste get on with life, think it only a trivial choice and bulldoze my way through it?

My Mama sent me a quote that got me to thinking about all of this:

One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And, the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility. ----Eleanor Roosevelt

My resolution this year will be to remain mindful of the important points in this quote.

As my children journey into adulthood, I will pray that the choices they make, will be made as a conscious decision towards their end goal, and not a knee-jerk reaction to, or rebellion against the choices I have made in my life's journey.

Fish Lips and other tall tales of travel...

SisterA saw this fish in the Benihani Restaurant in Broomfield, Colorado while on a business trip. She knew no one would believe her tale of a blued eyed square white fish with lips and a chin, so she snapped a photo as proof.

I forgot to ask if he was a mascot for the restaurant or a menu item! *grin*