Cookies

Today would be the perfect day to try a new cookie recipe.  It's cold and gray outside, and there is nothing like the smell of cookies baking. 

Hot Cocoa Cookies

I can't take the credit for this recipe.  I found it here.  I halved the recipe because I had a limited number of bitty marshmallows.  Jake goes through them pretty quickly.

• 1 1/4 cup room temperature butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 1/4 cups flour
• 4 packages instant cocoa (don’t use sugar free)
• 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup mallow bits

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add in eggs and vanilla and stir until combined
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, hot cocoa mix, baking soda and baking powder.
5. Add in flour mixture to butter mixture until well combined.
6. Fold in mallow bits and chocolate chips.
7. Drop by 1 1/2 tablespoon rounds onto parchment lined baking sheet.
8. Bake for 9 – 11 minutes until edges are lightly browned.
9. Remove to wire racks and cool.

Yum!!  I will say that I left them in a bit too long. Because of their color, it was hard to tell when they were done.  They were a little crunchy, but I happen to love crunchy cookies.

So...my little man has been studying youtube videos about claw machines to get tips. I'm. not. kidding. This was the catch on his second try at Walmart. He spotted this item and called it a "guaranteed grab". I think he got that off of one of his training videos. ;)

 
We had a surprise 4 inches of snow last weekend.  We were suppose to get a dusting.  We had to act quickly because the temperatures were expected to warm quite a bit the next day.  I took Jake to the "big hill" at our local elementary school.  He had a blast!  I know I look a bit scared. I was trying to hang on!  The temp was hovering around the freezing mark and many sledders had been there before us. That made this steep hill very icy.  We had to struggle to get up, and then I had to dig the heels of my boots in to keep the sled from flying down the hill without us.  I was barely hanging on when I took this iPhone picture.

Trevor was in the studio last weekend.  I just love his sweet face.

The icing on the toes just cracks me up!

I just love this shot of Trevor and Mommy.

Here is a family favorite from Mike and Kathy's lifestyle home shoot.

We had to talk Mike into this pose, and it's my favorite!  Every family that schedules a home shoot is getting this pose! ;)

I have a busy night ahead. I'm photographing the variety show for an area elementary school.  I can't wait to see these kids perform!