Chocolate Surprise Cookies

I came across these wonderful looking cookies the other day on picky-palate. So I thought it would be wonderful to surprise my Hubby with them, since his two favorite things are chocolate chip cookies and brownies. What could be better than to combine the two?

To start I whipped together a quick batch of brownies from a box.

While the brownies cooked, I made a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies. However I didn't have chocolate chips, but I had some mini M&Ms and mini rainbow chips. I had a little helper also, my Little Man wanted to watch and help measure, with one hand the batter was made. And it looks so pretty with all the colors.

Then after the cookie dough was made and the brownies were cooked, I stuck the cookie dough in the fridge to set up a bit while the brownies cooled, maybe about an hour.  When the brownies were ready to cut I used my pampered chef mini spatula to cut about 1" squares. I then took my pampered chef large cookie scoop and put a scoop on the bottom and scoop of dough on the top to sandwich the brownie.

Very gently I smashed the sides together so the brownie wasn't showing. These babies are huge, I barely got 6 of them on a large cookie sheet. I lined the cookie sheet with parchment paper, which made them very easy to remove for cooling.

After baking them at 350* for about 18 mins, I let them cool on the cookie sheet for a couple of minutes and then transferred to a cooling rack. Aren't they just beautiful.

My Hubby loved them and like the surprise in the middle.

I hope you enjoy them if you make some for your family. They were a big hit here. Only thing though, one batch doesn't make a lot of cookies, only about 10. But you'll have half a pan of brownies left over.

New Life

A few weeks ago I had noticed a birds nest on our playground. I didn't think too much of it. It was nice out the other day and I took Little Man to go down the slide. When I looked up there was a momma Robin sitting on the nest, I didn't want to disturb her so just put Little Man on the slide, then she flew off. So I got up there and there were four perfect little blue eggs in the nest. I took pictures however they were deleted.

I went out last night to take another picture, I was too late. They were already hatching. Three were completely hatched, and one was just coming out of it's egg.

I am just amazed by these precious little birds. How amazingly intricate the nest is that the robin forms from scraps and weaves it together and then how she can lay 4 eggs that are probably the same size as her, then these little birds arrive. God will take care of the birds, I know he loves us so much more!!! Matthew 6:26
"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

It was so beautiful to see this new life being born. It was very encouraged and excited.

Blessings

Listening to the radio this morning, Laura Story's song Blessings came on and it truely spoke to me.

"What if my greatest disappointments, Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy".

Nothing on this earth will satisfy me or sustain me except for my relationship with HIM. I try so hard to fill voids with different relationships and by doing things, but in the end am left disappointed. Disappointed that I've put so much work and effort into something to not have it work out. Some of my greatest disappointments are things I have done or that I've allowed others to make me feel.

When Christ took the pain and punishment for us he bled for sins. That day I recieved forgiveness, hope, and love.  If I allow myself to know in my heart the love that Christ has given then I can share that with others. Only a love that someone as great as our God can provide. Nothing we have done or will do will change His love for us.  This is so apparent this Easter weekend. His love for me was so great that he died for me. No one can love me as much as Lord Jesus Christ. That is the God I serve and praise.

Flower Headbands

I was preparing today to have a special Easter dinner with my husband and the little guy tonight. It was going to be a time of remembrance of Christ journey to the cross. We will do this another night, as we were invited to a Birthday party at the last minute.

So then comes the thoughts of we are out of money and I need a present. My mind starts processing and thinking about what I have around the house. Then I thought of it. I knew I had some fabric and have heard that it's easy to do. So I made my first attempt at making a fabric flower headband. I scrounged around and found some different fabrics and some beads and off I went. It was easy and turned out oh so cute.

Flowers:

Synthetic Fabric cut into various size circles (doesn't have to be perfect)
lite candle or a source of flame
thread
beads

Cut circles out and singe the outside, layer as you like and sew them together. Add beads or a button in the center. Hot glue to a headband.

First Holiday

Tonight we dyed Easter eggs. I feel that now that I'm mom I get to start doing all those fun family activities especially around the holidays. Even though my little guy isn't even 1 yet and could care less about doing things that he actually can't do yet. Actually I think we liked doing these types of things before you know like going to see a kids movie opening day, but without a kid.  Yeah that was my husband and I. So now at least I have a kid that I can do things with and not look like such an oddball.

Easter was the first holiday my husband and I celebrated when we first started dating. So it has always been special for us. Every year we have gotten each other an Easter basket filled with yummy treats. This year however, the basket is going to our little guy. I did get a few things for my husband, and I think most of the candy will be consummed by us loving parents. :)

I'm getting excited, of course I've had his Easter basket put together for about a week now. I like doing things ahead of time. Good thing he is still too little to know. I'm planning an Easter dinner for the family tomorrow night on Good Friday. This was we get our time to celebrate what Christ has done for us. He is Alive and Risen!!! Praise God! We will take some time out and reflect on that.

Flowers-Flours

This is the first year I'm celebrating mother's day as a mom!!!  Technically we did something last year but I wasn't officially a mom yet. Being a mom has been rewarding and challenging, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Over the weekend we went to an antique store where not everything in there is an antique. I wasn't really finding anything I needed or wanted to have after looking around for awhile. Then there it was, a newer kitchenaid mixer. I just thought hmmm...I wonder how much it is. It was $125...really?  That is a great price, I said hey honey that mixer is only $125. He said do you want to think about it or maybe get it, I said both. We looked at a couple other things then he said OK.

So I got a KitchenAid mixer for my first Mother's Day gift. My husband said, I'll still get you something for mother's day, then he said I know, I'll get you flours!! Wheat, white, bread, etc.  HaHa, my husband the jokester.

I hope to get many years of use from my mixer and I know my arm will be thankful for it when I'm making cakes.

Thrift Store Junkie

Everyone always wants to know what your hobby is. I usually am not sure how to answer this question. Today I decided that going to the thrift stores is my hobby. I love finding a one of a kind deal. I can spend hours digging for things. An addiction? Perhaps. I don't always find something and most of the time I go in looking for something in particular. But occasionally I'll just go in and see what I can find.

Today I wasn't looking for anything really, but came out with a huge white serving platter for $4, a small clear plate that I needed for a cupcake stand for $1.75, and a kids play vacuum for $3. I think I did well.

I really like going to the thrift stores that have sales. I know things are usually inexpensive to begin with compared to retail, but sometimes I don't want to pay what they are asking. So when I can get it for half off I get super excited.

So that's it, as crazy as it sounds...my hobby currently is thrift store shopping. Well...among other things too. Like making a quiet book, planning my son's first birthday, and making cupcakes for an upcoming wedding.