Almond Lovers Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have never used almond paste before and really had no idea what to expect, but it was super easy to use and very tasty! I wish I had some almonds on hand to chop up and add to these, but they were pretty fantastic and easy to make!

James helped me and we doubled the recipe using half butter half Crisco and instead of using the suggested 6 ounces we used the entire can of 8 ounces. I love almonds and figured it wouldn't hurt to add the rest!

Almond Lovers Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup Butter, soft

3/4 cup Sugar

3/4 cup Brown Sugar, packed

3 oz. Almond Paste (although I used 4 oz and loved it)

2 Eggs

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

2 1/2 cups Flour

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoon Salt

12 oz bag Chocolate Chips

3/4 cup chopped Almonds (I didn't add them, but they would have been great)

Preheat oven to 375. Beat together butter and sugars until well combined, light and fluffy. Add the almond paste in pieces and mix until well combined. Add eggs and vanilla, mix. Add flour, baking soda and salt. Mix until combined. Add chocolate chips and chopped almonds. Scoop onto baking stone with a medium cookie scoop. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool on baking stone a few minutes and then transfer to cooling rack. Makes about 3 dozen.

Since I doubled the recipe and I love having A cookie when I want we scooped all the cookies onto jelly roll pans lined with parchment paper and put them in the freezer to harden. Once they're hard I put them into gallon sized freezer bags and then pull them out as I need them. I love doing this and have given them as gifts or treats when I am taking a meal into a family. That way they can be used when needed and they'll always be hot and fresh!

Oh and just a hint I usually write what they are and up the baking temp by 25 degrees if I am going to cook them frozen. Seems like they take so much longer to cook if I follow the recipe when doing it frozen and I can use the same baking time if I just add a few degrees to the frozen ones!

The Playground

This morning after gymnastics we had a play date at the park. The weather was good for spring on Whidbey Island, slightly blustery and there were lots of kids to run around with. James and Miles have only been in gymnastics together for a few weeks, but they are a perfect match.

Logan climbed the slide over and over again. Wasn't that easy with the cowboy boots on, but like any other boy he keeps on going. I am amazed how big Logan is getting. He loves being an independent kid and having the freedom of being big.
You can't really see it in this picture, but he's got 2 new teeth just coming up. One on the bottom even out the bottom three and a molar on the top. I knew they would all come in at the same time. That's the way we roll around here. We are late with all our developmental stages so its almost to be expected.

Hank

About a month ago Curtis walked in the door with a puppy...not just a cute little fluffy puppy but a 40 pound 15 week old puppy. Hank is a Black Russian Terrier and at full grown weight he will be about 150 pounds and stand around 28-30 inches tall. Hank is a playful puppy and loves playing with the kids.
Usually they have a much longer coat, but because Logan loves hair too much and I hate dog hair that clings to everything in your house (don't want to have to brush him all the time either).

Sleeping

Its been a long time since the boys were both able to sleep through the night...sadly. I usually get James some time during the night to snuggle in with me and/or Logan thinks he needs a bottle 2-3 times a night. But for the last 2 nights I have been allowed to sleep alone all night and both boys have slept through the night! Makes me glad that they are taking all the craziness that is going on in their lives and not stressing over it. Being a single parent isn't easy, but I feel like we've never been better. We all have our moments when life isn't great, but recently we've been having a lot of good times here in our little house. We have a great yard that will soon be fenced and we've had some unbelievable weather to play in it. Our water hasn't been the clearest, but we just look past the brown and pretend we're swimming in Deer Lake.

Tonight we ate dinner at my parents beach house along with my adopted grandma, her son and my sister and her family. There were a lot of people for that little house and 2 dogs to liven things up- that or maybe it was the 4 kids 5 and under running around. It is always fun to get together and let the kids play on the beach and have some good food. I do enjoy a good salmon and we have been blessed to know the right people with the right talents. My little brother fishes, but is only up here 2 weekends a year. But our adopted grandma has a son that fishes in Alaska and always brings home too much. So you mix some BBQ Salmon, sun and family...it spells a good time!

Sour Cream Banana Muffins

Here's another cooking post! I love banana bread, cake, muffins, cookies...the list could go on. I found this recipe and had bananas leaving us, so I figured no better time then the present. I have never tried a sour cream recipe before and its a same. These were so moist and yummy!

Sour Cream Banana Muffins

1 cup Sugar

1/2 cup Butter, melted

1 Egg

2 cups Flour

1/2 cup Sour Cream

1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoon Vanilla

4 very ripe Bananas, mashed

Mix and bake at 350 for 25-28 minutes. Makes 18-20 muffins.

I didn't take out the second pan right when it beeped and they got a little color to them, so I think going for the 28-30 minute mark might be better!

Seven Layer Brownie Bars

I was playing online the other day looking for new fun crafty sites when I found these brownies...and how could you not try them out? Wow, amazing! Plus the recipe is beyond easy, minimal clean up and fast too! This recipe came from becomingbetty.blogspot.

Seven Layer Brownie Bars

1 stick Butter, melted

1 box Brownie Mix

1 cup Shredded Coconut

1 cup Butterscotch Chips

1 cup Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips

1 cup chopped Pecans

1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk

Melt butter in a 9x13 pan in oven set to 350. Sprinkle brownie mix over melted butter. Top with coconut, butterscotch chips, chocolate chips and pecans. Drizzle with sweetened condensed milk. Bake for 30 minutes.

Logan had a big first today. He sat down on his potty chair and went
potty. None of it went into the bowl, but he hosed down that bath mat
like a pro! We gave him lots of clapping and cheers and boy was he
proud.

My boys love pasta!

Pasta has always been an easy sell on these boys. I can put pretty much anything with it or on it; they will eat it and love it! I asked James to smile and he gave me this cheeseball smile! Wonder where he gets that from??

He'd never done this before but for the entire meal he kept his foot on the table. Doesn't look very comfortable and those socks are disgusting. This was Logan's 3rd helping of pasta!

Still can't help wearing our food. I guess I can't really say anything about that. I have been caught many of times with food on my belly these days.

Here he is!

On the 30th Curtis and I spent an hour and a half with our ultrasound technician and found out that we are having a boy! He has 2 legs, 2 arms and his profile is precious! The original due date the doctor gave me was June 3rd and this ultrasound determined its the 31st of May. He still seems too small to me, but I am sure I won't be singing this song in a few months!

The technician said she hasn't seen a baby be so active in a long time. He stayed on his back the entire time, but he went from head down to head up and back to head down! That's my boy! I don't have the kind of kids that sit still. Heck I don't sit still well. Never have, used to drive my mother crazy!

Sleeping

It is just after 2:00 on a wet Monday afternoon and you may want to know what is so special to make me come out of hibernation for? My kids fell asleep for naps in the same room and in their own beds at the same time! Logan was the first one out and James was out after sneaking out for a cup of juice (he left evidence on the kitchen floor. Both missed juice and the pitcher still sitting on the floor.). So now, I sleep! I love Monday afternoons with sleeping kids!