Double Chocolate Bars

I enjoy getting recipes from other blogs - especially "real people" blogs because, if I like them, I feel like I will like their food.  I know, kinda weird, but that is how my mind works!  So, when I saw this recipe posted over at Jenna's Journey I knew I had to try them besides, who can go wrong with Chocolate?? I've mentioned before that I never really made Bar cookies; I always found them dry.  Little did I know that my husband LOVES bar cookies - more than regular cookies.  He likes the dense, cake like consistency of the bar cookie, as long as they are moist and tasty!  Well, this one fits the bill.  They melt in your mouth.   I think you could substitute just about any chocolate chips - add some mint chips around the holiday; or Peanut Butter Chips for that chocolate and Peanut Butter combo! 

Double Chocoalate Bars

Ingredients:2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1.5 sticks butter, melted

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 whole egg PLUS 1 egg yolk

1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degree. Line a 9*13 with foil. Spray well with non stick spray.

Melt butter (I melt mine in the microwave...can you tell I prefer recipes with melted butter? I never think to let it soften).

Using a stand or hand mixer, combine butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla until well combined.

Sift together flour, soda and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Once combined, fold in chips.

Bake for 20 -25 mins - you can test it with a toothpick but that doesn't work very well because you'll probably stick it in chocolate!

Let your pan cool completely, then lift out using the foil. Cut into bars

 

Jackie's Notes: 

I cooked mine for the full 25 minutes and maybe could have gone a few minutes longer. 

I did not line the pan with foil - just sprayed it well.  That way I could keep them in the pan and just cover it. 

 

Enjoy:-)

 

A Thursday Thought

So, I'm sitting here on Wednesday night trying to decide what to write for Thursday.  I usually do a post on Mommy Time - or Tot School. I haven't done anything this week getting ready for fall - (wait for it . . . . wait for it . .. ) it's just too hot !  HA!  We have had preschool ever day.  How?  Well, with this!

"It's Like Preschool On TV" !!!  :-)  Yes, we have watched a ton of Nick Jr. this week.  I'm a little tired of The Fresh Beat Band and Peppy Pig  but I do kinda love Olivia and The freaky Backyardigans :-)   My kids have also surprised me a little this week - they both want fruit and tons of it.  Strawberries, blueberries, bananas, Pluots (plum and apricot mixed - they are kinda good), and Apples.  They want seconds and thirds so the heat must make that cold fruit taste really good! 

We, sadly, have eaten dinner "to go" every night since Monday (I guess that is only two nights!) I even bought an extra Little Ceasars Pizza last night so we could have it for lunch today!   My kitchen is a furnace so, every meal I have planned for this week, has been moved to next week - which will make up for eating out this week since we won't have much to buy.  Had I realized how hot it was giong to be this week - I wouldn't have shopped last week - we would have planned meals out to begin with :-) 

I have a few ideas for upcoming posts and even some new scheduled, weekly posts too.  I hope to get those up and going in the next few weeks.  Sadly, I write many posts in my head as I'm falling asleep and they never make it to the blog HA! 

We also have a huge family reunion this weekend - we haven't had one in 10 years and it should be fun.  Facebook has helped a lot - I have connected with cousins through facebook over the last few years so now we actually get to see each other :-)  And I'm getting together with a group of girls from high school too - should be fun!

So, on that random note - stay cool and enjoy the week!

What I'm Reading

There is a theme in every post I write this week and it includes the words "it is hot" HA!  So . . because it is hot I've done a lot of reading! 

Books I've Read this Week:

 This really is a Timeless Country Love Story in every sense.  One of the concepts I like about this book is how the characters are drawn closer to God; to real relationship with God even through some difficult circumstances.  Relationships are healed; wrongs are made right and, in the end, it is a book that makes you smile.  I would recommend this book to anyone - it really is a great read.

 This book, over all, is written well.  It walks you through the life of a young girl who faces a horrible tragedy and than walks away from all she has knows to find her own way.  As much as I enjoy this book I find it a little over the top.  (Yes this is a re-read)  Every time I read it, I always end up thinking - "can this be real?? does anyone get to really live like this?"  So, maybe a little over the top and a little unrealistic - like too many perfect things when it is supposed to be a story about struggles . . .again, the characters gain a relationship in Christ but it still seems . . .too perfect :-)  I would rate this book about average - if you are looking for something to read, it is an easy read and still enjoyable!

Sorry for the small picture - I had trouble finding a picture of this one!  The title is "In the Shadow of a Secret".  This book comes after "The Bridge Over Flatwillow Creek" but it is not a sequel - it just has some of the same characters.  It was a fantastic little book to read- the characters are very real, the story line keeps you interested, and in the end, again, good wins out.  If you are looking for a feel good read - this is one you will want to try and pick up!

What I'm Reading right now:

 I have finished the first section in this book and will be writing a post about it soon - I haven't started the next section as I really want to concentrate on what I've learned in the first section before moving on.

I look forward to sharing a small review on this one next week :-)

My Devotional books (which I'll pick up in the fall)

What I'm loving Wednesday

Ok, lets be honest, I don't mean to complain at all but, as many  of us in the mid-west are stating, this heat wave is awful.  So, as I'm getting ready to write this I don't have a lot I'm loving . . . .I'm just HOT ha!

But, I heard this song this past week and I do Love It so I want to share - enjoy!

Too Cute Not Too Toot

First up is a really cute idea for using paint chips.  That's my Story and I'm Stickin' To It shares an easy tutorial for making bookmarks.  These would be great stocking stuffers, birthday party favors, or gifts for teachers to make students.  (I always liked to give my students a small Christmas gift - this would have been perfect!!)

The crunchy mamacita shares a Tooth Pillow that she made (and gives the link to her original source)  I'm a few years away from this but it is going to go on my "to do" list.  I think the boys would enjoy this as part of our tradition!

I know, I know - only two posts?  I do a lot of my searching for ideas on the weekends and, due to one busy weekend, I have not had time to really search for ideas.  If you have followed these posts for long, you know that I usually make up for it the following week :-) 

With only two ideas - which one would you pick to make first?

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify - # 7

Remember this?

And this?

Yes, that sweet peaceful feeling that I'm working towards throughout this year in order to simplify my life and the daily life of my family as well.  It is month number 7 of this journey and I think it is time to regroup a little.  I knew that the summer would be hard on my plans - I tend to do a lot of nothing during the heat of the summer :-)  I've been thinking of what I needed to put into action this month but the more I thought about it the more that thought of "regroup" kept popping back into my brain.  So instead of picking something new - I'm going to to do just that, regroup, and list the outstanding projects and what my plans on for each of them in order to get them accomplished.  Because this isn't even going up until the middle of July - I also plan on working towards these regrouping goals in August in order to hopefully get alot accomplished!

Simplify # 1- I accomplished everything on this list already so there is nothing to add :-)

Simplify # 2

Organizing Books, Games, DVD's and CD's

1. Devise a storage system in the truck for the kids DVD's - I just need to find the perfect basket for this - I haven't found anything at home so I just need to start searching places when we are out and about.

2. Hang up Gutter Shelves in the boys rooms for books - I have the gutters; I just have to pick up some spray paint to paint them the color I want.  Once the painting is done, we'll hang them up and fill them with books! 

The Bathroom 

1. Do all touch up painting - I have had the paint for months, it is just a matter of doing this and it will be done.

2. Finishing Touches: Put on a new door knob, the strip to finish the floors, put up a couple pieces of trim, add stripping around the top of the shower, clean off the hinges. 

The Kitchen

I'm going to alter the original list and only list the first few things we want done.  I will get back to the full list but this needs to come down in chunks first I think!

1. Finish cabinets - hang the cabinets, fill all gaps and cracks, do all touch up painting.

2. Paint the trim that needs to be finished.

3. Prime and paint the walls.

So . .once we get all of that completed, we'll move on to the next few projects.

Simplify # 3

Vacation Planning

1. Create a binder of vacation ideas, fliers, packing lists ect

2. Write a master packing list

Gift Wrapping Center

1. Make sure I have all supplies - need to get tape, pens, etc so it is all in one spot.

Tot Time Storage

1. Hang display shelves on the wall to display the boys work.

2. Do touch up painting in the dining room (where the display will be)

3. Create artwork binder for each of the kids

On a side note - I am working on some basic preschool plans for the fall which will also play into this Tot Time Storage.

Simplify # 4

The Outside

The main focus of # 4 was working on the outside but we had to put that on hold due to job change.  We are still hoping to get a few things done before fall but that is not set in stone.  I'm not going to list anything specific at this time as this whole project might have to wait until spring.

Simplify #5

Everything in its place

1. The Basement - I have to clean the basement, again, and organize, again.  I want to go back through everything again (see the key word ha!) and clean out more stuff. 

2. Craft/Scrapbooking stuff - I'm slowly getting this organized but it is still a work in progress.

3. The Stairs - need to make that step basket, and set up a system for keeping the basement clean - instead of just dumping stuff until I can get to it. 

Simplify #6

This was the one that was really a discipline and I can say that I have been working on keeping my house "ready for anyone".  Again, summers are hard - we are outside a lot, it is hot, and we often are just ready to crash  . . .things get let go until fall and that's ok :-)

So, that is where I stand on these right now - I'm really hoping that I can get a vast majority of these marked off by the end of August so I can tackle a few last things before year end. 

On a side note - this week is looking to be one of the hottest and longest heat wave's this area has had in almost 25 years (since 1988!) so, needless to say, nothing is getting done.  I can't paint due to the heat and humidity and I'm not about to do any work - not when I sweat just sitting down HA! Hopefully this will break next week so that I can start August being able to get some work done!

Media Monday - Week 2

Welcome to week 2 of Media Monday sponsored by Women Living Well. To read about week 1, just click HERE.

This weeks topic is - 5 Ways Media Could be Affecting your marriage.  To read Courtney's full post just click the link above to Women Living Well and it should take you directly to her post.  What I'm going to do is take her 5 topics and reflect on those areas in my marriage.

1) Time - Without a doubt, media items can eat away your time and that was last weeks topic.  It was interesting because this past week/weekend I spent less time on my computer, facebook, blogs, etc than I have in quite awhile and, guess what?  I didn't die ;-)  To read more on this topic click the "here" above to read last weeks post.

2) Beware of Inappropriate Relationships on-line - yes, there are people that struggle with this area but this is also nothing new.  There are several people that I attended church with over 10 years ago who met someone through an on-line resource and ended up leaving their familes for a "better life".  Personally, the ultimate safety tool is to make sure your spouse has full access to every media outlet you use - my husband knows all of my passwords and goes onto my facebook site and/or blog often.  I actually set up his facebook account for him so I know all of his stuff and usually read his messages for him since he seldom goes on it anyway :-)  Courtney's take is to have no male friends on facebook - I haven't felt the need to do so.  I have so many college friends that it has been great to reconnect with - I love it!  With that said - most of the time, I'm also friends with their wife or, many people have one account for both people:-)  The other thing, be cautious with what you post - don't post anything you don't want someone to read, talk about when they see you, or that someone can read into (which is the hardest part!)  I post about the weather a lot :-)

3) Disrespectful Talk about Husband's on-line - Here's my point of view.  I don't do it :-)  I don't need to do it because my husband is wonderful.  Seriously.  Why would you even want to do that to your husband - how would you feel if he did that to you?  So, when you are upset with your spouse, talk to only the two individuals that can resolve it - your spouse, and God - pray about it alot!

4) The introduction of P*orn compared to 10 years ago - Like Courtney, this is not a topic I have had to deal with - she gives a link if you are looking for some help.  Again, make sure that you and your spouse have no secrets online - keep the computer(s) in an open area.

5) Looking at others live and growing discontent - This is so true of facebook and blogs . Isn't it amazing how perfect every one's lives look like when you read posts and status updates? It is so easy to grow discontent when you see someone else's vacation photos, photos of new clothes, furniture, cars or even their house.  Those feelings can cause discontent feelings with your spouse - maybe you feel that someone else has it better than you do.  Those feelings can really cause a rift in your marriage relationship!  I personally know people who have discontinued the use of Facebook due to these very reasons or because they have been hurt by what people have said online.  I will admit that sometimes I'm amazed at what people post and how they use a status as a way to get back at someone or to make a point.  I have not had any problem with this but I know people who have and being bullied is never fun, no matter how old you are :-)  If you find you are discontent, take time to talk to your spouse about it, ask them to help you.  Maybe you just need a day away or a  date night.  The biggest thing that I have learned is that the grass is not greener :-)  As I look at a friends pictures of a new house, I have to remind myself of past conversations of unhappiness that they struggle with or as I see or hear discussion about the latest trip or shopping experience, I also remember the complaints about a spouse who doesn't really care.  It isn't an easy lesson to learn but I work on not comparing my spouse, my children, myself or my "life" to what others have - because mine is so much better :-)

I have to admit - reading the above post it doesn't talk a lot about marriage specifically but if you keep those five areas in focus and keep them in the right priority - your marriage won't suffer; it will get stronger. 

Thanks for reading :-)