Saturday, October 16, 2010

Chocolate Chip Cookies (Twyla)



(I first had these cookies at Twyla's so around here they are Twyla's cookies. She found the recipe by searching for cookies here. I've found they take WAY more flour than the recipe called for - so much that I wonder if there is a type o. My changes in ().)
(makes 48-52 large cookies or 16 doz T size cookies)



Cream together:
1 ½ cup softened butter
½ cup oil
1 ½ cup white sugar
1 ½ cup brown sugar  (I used 3 C of Rapadura total)
Add one at a time:
5 eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon extract
Stir in:
2 level Tbsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups wheat flour
2 cups white flour  (I ended up using  8 -9 C of flour; 1/2 hard white and 1/2 soft white wheat).
Knead in:
12 -16 oz. package Semi-sweet Chocolate chips
1c chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts
Add more white flour, kneading it in until the dough is stiff like bread dough, and the chips just begin to fall out as you knead. (I didn't knead but did add WAY more flour). 
Shape into golf-ball size balls (used the big Pampered Chef scoop), flatten slightly between palms, and lay the thick disks on a cookie sheet to bake about 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven before they begin to brown. Cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes before removing. Cool completely on flat surface before storing them in an airtight container.
For more of our favorites, click the recipe tab at the top of the blog. 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Friday, October 15, 2010

One Goofball


ONE goofball extremely anticipating his Dad's return....ONE Day - so close you can SMELL it.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Fantastic Family Night

Another very full week...well lived.  Bible studies, lunches out, some school, MOPS and news....Mike is in Baltimore tonight....still not home...but certainly closer. 


There are  many surprises being planned around here; I dare not say much more....other than.....I've told the kids this would be the last family night before Dad was back. I let them know I was sure he'd be back by next Friday. Always dangerous to say, but I feel confident. If you are local, remember....Shhhhhhhh....we're surprising our youngest ones. The older ones remember one trip like that and want to recreate the moment for the younger ones.

We decided to spend this family night preparing surprises for Dad's homecoming.....finished photos will have to wait as they'd spoil the surprise if Michael happened to check the blog.... we started making his favorite dessert, we've made posters and signs.....we bought balloons (I've been assured they'll last for weeks....as I didn't want to order balloons and have a last minute change. LOL)

Jared prefers creating his masterpieces on the computer....

The rest of us gathered at the table....


I'm not sure Stacia really understands what the poster she designed is for..... but it's sweet.

And look at the Daddy Jar after they all grabbed their Daddy candy this evening. I think there may be just enough to share the last candies when Dad makes it home (though I did buy another bag today in case I need to add a few....kids are thinking Dad won't be home until Wed or Thurs so actually I'll add some tonight.....I'm stunned how my close my  "extended guess" as to a homecoming date has come.




Looks better than this one - and frankly this long nightly candy countdown may have cured me of my m/m fetish.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Two Choices


I recently read that every choice is a seed. The thought has stayed with me...obviously not new as the name of this blog for over five years has been "choose joy".  I'm thankful to the Holy Spirit for the reminder to evaluate what I'm planting in my daily choices. 

Today - TWO DIRECTIONS to choose from (we went left before we went right). ::snort::




Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Three!



THREE kids in front of THREE computers. 


Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

After six weeks Jared is officially crutch free. He will have some more Physical Therapy to strengthen the ankle, but he is walking...and happy for it. We celebrated.....dessert first.....


Then....well....dessert again. Actually we ate out...but Stacia really loved the chocolate fountain....NO she did not eat from the chocolate fountain...this was her second trip. 

We also checked out a few shops.....

Ok, we went in and explored. Yes, the name of the shop is Drug Store's Shop - what every girl likes....and it's a clothing store.....and the mascot is a pig....because girls like to commune with mother nature.....it's all on the shirt...which I will probably have to go back and purchase. LOL 

This bag caught my eye...see DRUG STORE...pigs...symbol of happiness, who would have guessed? AND the quiet noize....I so understand. 

Another fun store name....also clothes. 

We had never checked out Sports Authority. Jared is happy once again. LOL Arielle was thrilled to find a SELECTION of modest swim suits....and chose the one Stacia is holding. They were 30% off and we discovered at the door that they give a 5% military discount too. 

Jared's nickname is STITCH

Bought swim caps for all of us so we can go to the public pool. 



In addition to celebrating at the mall....we went to the gym, schooled, saw our sweet physical therapist, cleaned and went for a walk. A full day.



Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

FOUR!


FOUR Unabridged audio books....perfect for bedtime for three young men...or so they tell me. 


Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...