Friday, May 23, 2008

Fishing...Sort of.....

Ethan got a fishing pole and life vest from my friend Jenna for his first birthday (Thanks, Jenna!!), and Chris couldn't wait to take his son on their first fishing outing. I knew Ethan would likely be more interested in either getting in the water or playing with the worm than he would be waiting for a fish, but I decided to tag along to get some pics.    
"I got it!  Let me hold it first!" 
Luckily, Daddy caught a fish quickly and Ethan couldn't wait to get his hands on it! 

 
"Um, Dad, my hands are all gooey now.  You'd better get that thing off my fishing pole." 
He soon decided that fish were a little too slimy and icky, and let Daddy handle that part.  
 "Here's the fish!"  
It was so big it's good that Daddy was there to reel it in...a whopping 3.5 inches!
"Dad, I can do it!  It's my pole anyway!"

I'm not sure who was supposed to be fishing, Ethan or Chris.   
 Ethan and Chris were frequently fighting over the Go!Diego!Go! fishing pole. I guess the boring black one we brought was not nearly as cool.  By the time we left the pond, I felt like I had twin 1 year olds and decided a cartoon fishing pole would be perfect for Chris for Father's Day! 
 Ethan eventually got bored watching Chris fish with the Diego pole, and so he and I went off and found this beautiful blue heron hanging around the edge of the pond. 

All in all it was a great time.  Ethan and Chris caught three fish, had lots of laughs and giggles, and definitely had the daddy-son bonding time that they both needed.  I enjoyed relaxing by the pond, thanks to the security of Ethan's life vest (thanks again, Jenna!!!).  We can't wait to do it again!  

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

The Yummiest Chocolate Cookies EVER!

Okay, so if you're like me, you can never find "the" chocolate chip cookie recipe and end up with numerous little puddles or bricks when the timer dings.  Worry no more! This "Neiman Marcus" recipe is the answer.  I've since thrown away all my brick and puddle recipes masquerading as chocolate chip cookie recipes. 

I know, you're thinking you've heard that promise before, at least that's what I thought when my mom called with this recipe and promise.  Well, I suspended my skepticism long enough to try them, and they were amazing!  Thanks mom!!!

Here's the email she forwarded to me: (intro and all)

An urban myth is a modern folk tale, its origins unknown, its believability enhanced simply by the frequency with which it is repeated.  Our signature chocolate chip cookie is the subject of one such myth.  If you haven't heard the story, we won't perpetuate it here.  If you have, the recipe below should serve to refute it.  Copy it, print it out, pass it along to friends and family.  It's a terrific recipe.  And it's absolutely free. 

Ingredients:
# 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
# 1 cup light brown suger
# 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
# 1 large egg
# 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
# 1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
# 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
# 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
# 1/2 teaspoon salt
# 1-1/2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder
# 1 1-2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Cream the butter with the sugars using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy (approximately 30 seconds).

2. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract for another 30 seconds.

3. In a mixing bowl, sift together the dry ingredients and beat into the butter mixture at low speed for about 15 seconds.  Stir in the espresso coffee powder and chocolate chips.

4. Using a 1 ounce scoop or a 2 Tablespoon measure, drop cookie dough onto a greased c
ookie sheet about 3 inches apart.  Gently press down on the dough with the back of a spoon to spread out into a 2 inch circle.  

Bake about 20 minutes or until nicely browned around the edges.  Bake a little longer for a crisper cookie. 

Yield: 2 dozen cookies.


Okay, so now you have it!  We obviously left the espresso out, and they were perfect!  Those of you who can cook (yes, you Courtney, Debbie, Kirsten, and probably many others too!), are no doubt thinking that it is silly to get excited about a chocolate chip cookie recipe.  What can I say to explain the huge rush of victory I experienced after years of puddle and brick results?  (Ahh, the little victories of a housewife!)  

If you're still not convinced, I gave a cookie to an expert taste tester, and the pictures below speak for themselves as to his impressions!


Yeah!  Mom can make real cookies now!
Wow, these are good.  Do you have some more?  

Hey, they're all gone.... and I'm pretty sure you ate more than I did!

Saturday, May 3, 2008

Checking out the Florida Beaches!

We finally made it out to Jacksonville Beach.  It wasn't Ko'Olina, and definitely wasn't Lani Kai, but it was sandy, wet, and lots of FUN!  Ethan loves playing in the sand, and Inca loves trying to bite the waves as they crash on shore.  Ethan had a blast playing in the waves too...he knows no fear!  He kept walking deeper and deeper into the water, laughing as the waves crashed up against him.  I'm pretty sure if Chris hadn't stopped him, he would have been in over his head pretty soon!