New Blog

So this blog started out as a baking blog, but I realized I have so many other things to talk about so I switched directions. Now it will be about just randomness (baking, my little one, jewlery making, crafting, and anything else I can come up with)! I'm going to try my hand at jewlery making. Starting off small. Waiting for earring posts to arrive in mail so I can have a go at it! Very Excited! Trying to talk my sister into sharing this blog with me, she is amazing at making things on the sewing machine! Off to work I go!

Today's Scripture

Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
-Psalm 119:89 (NIV)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies!!!

These are the best peanut butter chocolate chip cookies EVER! You must have a large ice cold glass of milk neaby after you eat one of these! I think next time I might experiment and chop up some mini peanutbutter cups to go into these instead of chocolate chips. YUM!



2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup peanut butter- crunchy or smooth, but not natural
1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips, whatever kind you have on hand
1/2 cup granulated sugar for rolling cookies

Preheat to 350 degrees F
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed for a minute or two, until smooth and creamy. Add the peanut butter and beat for another minute. Add the sugars and beat for 3 minutes more. Add the eggs one at a time, beating for 1 minute after each addition. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl and, on low speed, add the dry ingredients, mixing only until they just disappear. Mix in the chocolate chips. You’ll have a soft a pliable dough.
I use a large ice-cream scoop to portion out the dough onto parchment lined cookie sheets.

BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Ever!

Serves 8
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups mixed milk and semisweet chocolate chips (about 9 ounces)

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
4. Add egg and vanilla, mixing until they are fully incorporated.
5. Add flour mixture, and beat until just combined.
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. Transfer dough to a 9x9 glass pan, and press to flatten, covering the bottom of the pan. Bake until the edges are brown and top is golden, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool, 15 to 20 minutes. Cut into bars. Serve each with a large glass of ice cold milk.

Jello Cake

Here is my grandmas recipe, this is my dad’s and hubbys FAVORITE cake in the whole world it’s similar to a soda pop cake.

1 box white cake mix (or a from scratch white cake)
1 box strawberry Jello
1 Box Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix
1 Tub of Cool Whip

Bake cake. Make Jello but DO not refridgerate or let set. Poke holes all over cake with large serving fork or wooden spoon. Spoon liquid Jello mix all over cake maybe half the jello liquid. Place cake in fridge for at least a couple hours until cake is cooled. Make instant Pudding, mix in half the tub of cool whip, spread on top of cake and put back into fridge. Keep in fridge until ready to serve. Refridergate leftovers – if there are any!! It’s the yummiest summer cake ever!! The Best! Pictures to come soon!

M&M Valentine Day Cookies

These cookies are d-lish! Great to make for any holiday, since the M&M company usually put out colors that coordinate with every oliday. Hope you enjoy them! Hope each and everyone one of you have an AWESOME day!

1 Cup softened butter
1 Cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 Cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 Tablespoon real vanilla extract
2 1/2 Cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 bag regular M&M's

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla until well combined.  In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking soda and salt.  Add to wet ingredients.  Mix until just combined.  With a medium cookie scoop, scoop dough onto a silpat or parchment lined baking sheet about 1 1/2 inches apart.  Bake for 9-11 minutes or until slightly golden on outside edges. Lightly press M&M's into cookie .. let cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet then transfer to cooling rack to finish cooling.

approx 3 dozen cookies

Local Farmers Markets

I am a HUGE fan of Farmers Markets, they support local growers, the produce is so fresh straight from the ground .. plus it's usually cheaper than the grocery store!

Here are some links to some local Farmers Markets..

Los Angeles Area: http://www.farmernet.com/

Bakersfield Area: http://kernfarmersmarkets.com/

Central Coast: http://www.slocountyfarmers.org/

Quick & Easy Chicken Marinade

As a new mom (or a seasoned mom) we are always looking for ways to make dinner easier, but I don't like to trade healthy for easy. So take a few boneless skinless chicken breasts and marinate them (marinade recipe below) for at least 2 hours then BBQ them. Then you will have chicken already cooked for a few extra lunches, dinners, or a snack (chicken salad, fill a pita with some chicken and veggies, add to pasta the options are endless)!


(5-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts)
4 tablespoons of BBQ Sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons of yellow mustard

Wisk all ingredents together, marinate for at least 2 hours in a ziplock bag.. then BBQ!

Sales in your E-mail

As we all know being a new mom (or veteran mom for that matter) keeps all of us very busy so what better than a personal shopper for FREE! Set up an account at http://www.shopittome.com/ and choose your favorite brands and clothing size. The site will search the Web for steals and e-mail you daily with the finds. Why didn't anyone think of this sooner!