SpruceHill

Not disappointed

I was a little worried when I got my new camera that I would not be able to get good macro shots from it. I have heard a lot of people say that about their Nikon SLR cameras.

 

 
 
  
 So far I have not been too disappointed.  

In Search Of the Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie.......

 
I have searched and searched for the ultimate chocolate chip cookie. I have to admit that I have about 10 or more recipes in my recipe binder. But you see there is a problem. I have had the best Chocolate chip cookie of my life, but there is a catch. The person who makes them refuses to give out the recipe. Don't you just hate that? I do, I don't understand it one bit. Ever since I bit into that cookie or I should say cookies. I have been searching to replicate them. No luck so far but I recently found one that comes close.

The Ingredients

3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
2 sticks unsalted butter softened
1 1/4 c. packed light brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 (12 oz.) bag semisweet chocolate chips (2 c.)

1. Adjust the oven racks to the upper- and lower-middle positions and heat the oven to 325 degrees. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl and set aside.

  

 
2. Beat the butter and sugars in a large bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed until combined, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla until combined, about 30 seconds, scraping down the bowl and beaters as needed.

 

 

3. Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly mix in the flour mixture until combined, about 30 seconds. Mix in the chocolate chips until incorporated.

 

3. Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly mix in the flour mixture until combined, about 30 seconds. Mix in the chocolate chips until incorporated.

 

 

 

4. Using two spoons  scoop the dough into balls and lay on two baking sheets, spaced about 2 1/2 inches apart. Bake until the edges are golden but the centers are still soft and puffy, 15-20 minutes, rotating and switching the baking sheets halfway through baking.

5. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then serve warm or transfer to a piece of parchment paper and let cool completely.

In the recipe that I am trying to replicate, the cookies are gigantic mounds of cookie and chocolate. I can't seem to get close to the consistency but these are well worth trying. They made about

 

In the recipe that I am trying to replicate, the cookies are gigantic mounds of cookie and chocolate. I can't seem to get close to the consistency but these are well worth trying. They made about 50 nice sized cookies. I also added about a cup of white chocolate chips to part of the mix.
 

 

 

Stitch

At the barn were the girls ride there are a lot of horses and ponies, but they also have a donkey named Stitch.

He is quite a character. He gets into a bit of trouble now and again.

He is a bit of a stalker out in the field. He will follow you around and if you aren't careful he will walk up behind you and bite you. Sometimes he gets out and scares small children.

His cuteness makes up for it though.

And those ears! Who could not love those!

I could take about a million pictures of him.

 
He has a bad rap but he puts up with a lot too.

He makes things a bit more interesting at the barn, you never know what he will be up to next.

Always waiting

One of our new goats Cocoa has a favorite spot at the fence.

 
I can see her spot from my bathroom window. Whenever I pass by it I look out and there she is, standing and waiting. Looking towards the house.

In the sunshine and in the rain.

 Waiting for cookies? Or maybe just a scratch.

I know that goats like to stand on things but I'm thinkin that her legs get tired standing there. When my hubby comes into the kitchen he says "Your goat is out there waiting for you!"

  She's a funny little thing. I think I'm going to have to find something else for her to stand on though.

My thighs hurt just watching her!
  

Thankful

The weather outside is rainy, dreary and cold. I need some brightness in my day.

 
I found so much color outside in the last few days of sunshine. Fall is in full swing and the trees are blazing with color.

   


 
The girls are finally all back at school after a week of H1N1. They did not have really bad cases, thank goodness. Little E had it the worst, she bounced back well though. I am thankful for my healthy kids today,

What are you thankful for?