Best Mother's Day Ever!

OK it isn't over yet - but here's what is so good thus far:

My house didn't burn down. There was a little incident with the fan/heater in our upstairs bathroom this morning. I didn't have time to call the fire department and wait around for them to check things out because I had to get to church to give a talk. I didn't think the Milton FD would understand, so I just said a little prayer that my house wouldn't burn down, and it didn't! Well, I didn't have time to call the fire department, but I did manage to run to get the camera to document the meltdown.

We got these delicious items at church. Smartest move the Bishopric ever made. I don't suppose they will ever include diet coke in the bootie, but oh well these cookies sure beat a wilted carnation with a 2" stem or a potted plant with the flower head popped off. I'll take cookies any day! The hard part was sitting on the stand before my talk admiring the large basket of goodies for over an hour!

I survived my talk. Most of you know I can talk forever, but those minutes leading up to standing up can really turn your stomach inside out. Basically it was a commercial for our upcoming activity "Provident Living, It Just Makes Cents". I got a few chuckles out of the crowd. I will soon post pics of the apron bibs I talked about in my talk.

Don't miss the activity - it's this Saturday from 9-2 - lots of good information for everyone!

I have finally let go of most Mothers guilt. So often we feel inadequate, incapable, and pathetic in this job of mothering. I have taken the advise of my wonderful stake leaders and LET IT GO. You can go ahead and give me a "Mother of the Year" award anytime you like, cause doggone it - I deserve it!

Heather called and offered to cook me breakfast, lunch, dinner, wash my dishes and clean the kitchen. Too bad she lives 2400 miles away! But it's ok cause there is only one dirty pan, one plate, and one fork that needs to go in the dishwasher. But I am holding to that promise this summer when she is here.

Since hubby is out of town and my mom is no longer with us, my adopted sister's hubby and son in law are cooking dinner for all us moms. Very excited for more pampering.

Happy Mothers Day to my beautiful daughters who are amazing women and wonderful mothers!

Scandinavian Almond Bars

These delightful cookies were a big hit this Christmas. We were pretty consistent and when we found a recipe that was loved by all we stuck to it. We made a couple batches of these. Notice there is only ONE flattened "log" on this rack - we ate them as soon as the glaze was drizzled!
Like any good Scandinavian, Greg found these to be delightful.

Scandinavian Almond Bars

Cream together:
1/2 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/2 stp. almond extract
Add:
1 3/4 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder

Mix well and divide dough into fourths. Roll each fourth into a log about the length of your cookie sheet and put two logs on a sheet lengthwise. Using your fingers press each log to @ 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Brush each log with milk and generously sprinkle with sliced almonds. Bake at 325 degrees for 12-14 minutes.

Let cool for a few minutes then slice each log into sticks (check out the photo above - I used a pizza cutter). Then drizzle the following glaze onto the cookies. I got this recipe from Maryellen and she likes a fine line drizzle, but Greg and I agreed - any drizzle is exceptional and these are like heaven in your mouth, fine line or not.

Glaze:
1 c. powdered sugar
1/4 tsp almond extract
add milk SLOWLY a teaspoonful at a time until your glaze is the right consistency.

Maybe this recipe is clear as mud - but the cookies are amazing! Give them a try. Or call Maryellen and bribe her into making you some!

OR come over with your camera, and document the making of a masterpiece and I will post a picture tutorial!

In any case, enjoy!

Four Chocolate Chip Cookies

That is all it takes - 4 chocolate chip cookies, to totally undermine my diet and crumble the resolve that has been mine for the last 12 days. I have been following the South Beach Diet (best diet ever) and sticking with it with incredible determination and virtually no desire to even cheat.
The only time I have a hard time is if I haven't eaten the RIGHT food and I get hungry. It is very important to eat 3 meals and 3 snacks on a regular time schedule so you don't get hungry. Well, I hadn't eaten since breakfast, I was at Maryellen's when Heather VG brought the family dinner around 5pm. Included was a bag of fresh, warm chocolate chip cookies.
I caved. I ate one. The best thing I have ever tasted in my entire life. So of course I ate another one. Then another one. Then one for the road. Four Chocolate Chip Cookies!
On the drive home I came to the conclusion that diets are pointless and definitely outdated and don't work anyway. Why would anyone choose to live without chocolate chip cookies? Clearly I was not thinking clearly (maybe a sugar rush) but I seriously drove home thinking I can't live without another one of Heather's Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies! Tonight, I will not sleep. I will lie awake, cursing V8 juice and sugar free yogurt, and if I sleep - I will dream...of chocolate chip cookies.

Here's a recipe (not necessarily Heather VG's recipe):

1 cup (2 sticks) (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar

3/4 cup (160 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups (315 grams) all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups (270 grams) semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup (100 grams) walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) with rack in center of oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), cream the butter. Add the white and brown sugars and beat until fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in eggs, one at a time, making sure to beat well after each addition. Add the vanilla and beat until incorporated.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and beat until incorporated, adding the chocolate chips about half way through mixing. If you find the dough very soft, cover and refrigerate until firm (about 30 minutes).

For large cookies, use about a 2 tablespoon ice cream scoop or with two spoons, drop about 2 tablespoons of dough (35 grams) onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake about 12 - 14 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Cool completely on wire rack.

Makes about 4 dozen - 3 inch round cookies

Note: You can freeze this dough. Form the dough into balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze and then place the balls of dough in a plastic bag, seal, and freeze. When baking, simply place the frozen balls of dough on a baking sheet and bake as directed - may have to increase baking time a few minutes.