the cookie jar

Found a fabulous cookie jar at Target the other day.

Target is like my second home.

I was on a special 'cookie jar' mission yesterday because the children and I have been baking cookies often around here.

I wanted something that could be left on the counter and this was much more attractive than a Ziploc baggie or a Tupperware container.

(i don't do either one of those...martha taught me otherwise)

So here you have the new house for our cookies.

She has the greatest seal so the goodies stay fresh and the mouth on this jar is generous...plenty of room for two little hands at one time...in case there are doublefisted cookie snatchers in our home.

(landon)

All that for under $16.

In our cookie jar this week...

.....

Classic Chocolate Chip

I have tried probably 15 different chocolate chip recipes and this is by far the best.

Mr C can't be trusted around these.

Honestly, he has no self discipline when cookies are involved.

He should be ashamed of himself.

(maybe i'm being a little too hard on the guy)

Alright...enough of running my Mr C under the bus...jot this recipe down for the next time you decide to bake...it's easy peasy:

Ingredients

.....

1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 3 tablespoons water

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

12 ounce package chocolate chips

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Preheat oven to 350

Cream together shortening, sugars, eggs and vanilla.

Add soda dissolved in water.

Blend in flour, baking powder and salt.

Add chocolate chips.

Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

(i swear by using a Silpat Baking Mat on your cookie sheet...it keeps the cookies from burning or sticking to the cookie sheet)

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All that is left to do is pour a big glass of milk and start dunkin' these guys.

Oh...you might want to head to Target first and pick up a fab cookie jar too!

They go great with your morning cup of coffee as well.

Trust me.

I also like them crumbled on top of vanilla ice cream...or vanilla ice cream smooshed in between two cookies is nice.

(maybe it's me that has no self discipline around the cookie jar)

No matter...homemade cookies make everything okay.

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See you next time my friends!!

Anyone out there have any to die for cookie recipes that I should try?

snipets from landon's room

Hi there.

Been a busy busy summer so far.

That makes it hard for blog regularity.

(that sounds like bad tummy problems...blog regularity)

Just thought I would post a few images of Landon's room.

You remember Landon, don't you?

He's the best.

He's the cutest kid.

Says he wants to marry me and live with me forever.

I had to break the news and let him down gently.

No marrying your mommy....

but you can live with me forever...that's okay by me.

(i want another one just like this guy...the boy...not the turtle)

hee hee

For Landon's room...

...he has the Boat Bed that I'm sure all of you have seen at PotteryBarn Kids.

I wanted to avoid too much of a fishy or nautical theme.

I'm not into overly doing a child's room by plastering gunk everywhere.

I tried to use a few elements that would work with the bed and its blue and white stripe on it...but I really tried to steer clear of doing too much.

We added some dark cork boards hung at the little guys level so that he could display his own artwork and change it around as he wants.

His bedding is also PotteryBarn Kids and has blue fish all over. I have quilts from PBK in all 3 children's room and I love them. Landon's has a green and white gingham on one side and is so great and easy on the eyes.

(that is landon's 'doggy' and boy has he been through it all)

We were thrifting at Goodwill last month and Landon insisted on this blue suitcase for his room.

We just stacked it on his night table and it comes down when he pretends to pack for his vacation.

I love to have their artwork framed and then hung in their rooms.
This is a self-portrait that Landon made last year in preschool at The Evergreen Cottage.

It is seriously one of my most favorite things in our home.

A simple yellow chair from PotteryBarn Kids with a powdery blue chair cushion on top.

I found the chair cushion last week at Homegoods for $10.

This sailboat and buoy are also from Homegoods.

The bot was $11 and the buoy was clearanced for $3.

I found this flag board at Michael's crafts last year for about $30.

I just like the hint of red it adds to the room.

This oar is a new favorite...I found it at TJ Maxx last week for $16.

I think I might head back to see if they have any left.

I love the chippy paint on it and the 5.

I have a horrible obsession with numbers on decor these days.

Do you love that chippy paint too?

Still a bit of work to do on the little guys room.

Apparently he thinks that he needs a flat screen tv...I disagree.

I tried the drop cloth curtains and am still trying to decide if I like them or not.
I saw them done on so many other blogs and I loved it in other rooms but am not sure if I love them In Landon's room. I will let you know and post a picture of what I decide on.

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Hope to get in some sort blogging routine this summer...forgive me if it takes some time.

Happy summering!!

(is summering a word?)

No matter...

HAPPY SUMMERING!!

since you asked

I had a few comments and emails asking about the recipe for the broccoli we had at Sunday Dinner last week. The recipe was introduced to me by my sister and is from Ina Garten...my absolute favorite cookbook author and #1 on my list of who I would love to cook with someday. I am certain that once you try this recipe...you will not go back to your former way of preparing broccoli. This preparation is perfect for summer when broccoli is so easy to come by. In fact, I am heading to the fruit market as soon as I finish this post to pick up some more for dinner tonight.

So grab a pen or hit print.....here it comes:

::::::::

Parmesan-Roasted Broccoli

(2008, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics Cookbook)

Ingredients

.....

4 to 5 pounds of broccoli

4 garlic cloves, peeled an thinly sliced

good olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons julienned fresh basil leaves (about 12 leaves)

........

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees

Cut the broccoli florets from the thick end of the stalks, leaving an inch or two of stalk attached to the florets. Discard rest of stalks. Cut the larger pieces through the base of the head and pull the florets apart. Place the florets on a sheet pan large enough to hold them in a single layer. Toss the garlic on the broccoli and drizzle with 5 tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until crisp-tender and the tips of some florets are browned.

Remove the broccoli from the oven and immediately toss with the 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil, the lemon zest, lemon juice, pine nuts, parmesan and basil. Serve hot!

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If you make this...let me know what you think. I could be partial to it because I am a sucker for anything with lemon as an ingredient...and you can really taste it on the broccoli. It's lovely.

I'm off now to drag...errr...I mean take my children to the market!!

(clearly not one of their favorite errands to run)

Just a note...this side dish goes really well with a loaf of crusty french bread smothered in butter and a summer pasta.

Don't forget the lemonade!!