Cookie Time

Fridays are usually a fun day for Natalie and I. We go to storytime at the library then do another activity together. We love Fridays because we are done with all the housework for the week and get to spend time together doing whatever we want. Today we made chocolate swirl cookies. They are delicious as you can tell by Natalie's face. Once she tasted the batter, she kept nodding her head, saying yum and couldn't keep the beaters out of her mouth.

CHOCOLATE SWIRLS From This Week For Dinner

1/2 C sugar

1/2 C packed brown sugar

1/2 C butter, softened

1 pkg. (3 oz) cream cheese, softened

1 egg- 1 t. vanilla

2 C all purpose flour

1/2 t baking powder

1/4 t. salt

1 C semisweet chocolate ships, melted and slightly cooled

Heat oven to 350F. In large mixing bowl combine sugars, butter, cream cheese, egg and vanilla. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add flour, baking powder and salt. Beat at low speed until soft dough forms. Fold melted chips into dough until lightly marbled. (do not overmix)Drop dough by heaping teaspoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 mins, or until edges are light golden brown. Cool completly before storing.

We Be Jammin'

This week I found a great deal on some peaches and so we decided to try our hand at making peach freezer jam last night. I can't believe how easy it was. I don't know why I haven't done this before. We made a few jars and I think it will be gone by the end of the summer. I am already debating whether I want to buy more supplies and peaches to make even more jam. Jon and I thinking of doing a little experimenting and maybe next time we'll make raspberry peach jam.

Our Budding Pianist

I took this picture this morning while I was at the computer and Natalie was playing the piano. It has recently become an enjoyment of hers to use the picture books as piano music and serenade me while I am on the computer. Maybe she is showing her future career in music at an early age or wanting to get a head start on all the practicing she will do when she starts piano lessons.

*The picture wasn't posed. I asked Natalie to smile and she did this on her own.

Rained Out

This weekend was the City of Allen's 4th of July celebration. I look forward to the good food, fun entertainment and fabulous fireworks every year. Unfortunately because of the rain this year, it was a bust. We got there between rainstorms and the area was almost empty. It looked like only City of Allen employees and a few volunteers were on the park grounds. Usually the park is packed with people with few places to park and the grass covered in blankets waiting for the fireworks. We ate about ten bites of our dinner before those in charge said we had to leave the tent because of lightning. We decided to turn around and go back home. They had cancelled the entertainment and were only planning on the fireworks at 10pm. We have loved all the rain, but were bummed about the party. Hopefully next year the sun will be shining and the blankets back.