C is for Cyclone

Our good buddy, Andrew, taught us how to make a 

cyclone in a bottle. We had hours of fun! 

Instructions: fill one 2-liter bottle nearly to the top (leave about two inches of space) with water. Hold the other bottle upside down on top of the first bottle and tape the two bottles together using four or five layers of duct tape to avoid leaks. With all of the water in the bottom bottle and holding the bottles as shown above, use a quick stirring motion to get the water moving. Turn upside down, set bottles on a flat surface, and watch your cyclone appear!

Elizabeth Mitchell

Do you know Elizabeth Mitchell's music? She is one of my favorites. I love her album "You Are My Little Bird." E listens to "Little Bird, Little Bird" on repeat for nap time. Elizabeth has such a soft, soothing voice. Her version of Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" is great.

Many Months, No Post

I haven't posted for ages!

It's a good thing you are so much better than I am, Audrey!

I've always found silhouettes so enchanting. My mom had some beautiful silhouettes done of my three older siblings when they were about 5, 7, and 9. An immensely talented woman looked at their profiles and created the most perfect likenesses of them - freehand!

I could never accomplish such a task, but I have always wanted to have silhouettes of my children. Since we are in school (and my budget is tight), I decided to make some of my own. I was inspired by NieNie, who makes silhouettes of her family each year to document how they have grown. Of course, I am inspired by her for so many reasons. She is truly a miracle.

Above is the new header for my personal blog. I am going to make black silhouettes from these to hang on my wall. Below are miniature versions for our family home evening board. I glued the silhouettes & patterned paper onto some scalloped chipboard and painted them with Mod Podge (so they'll last longer). It was a fun little project - even though I promised my husband I wouldn't do any more projects for awhile. :) I can't help myself!

Black and White

These are a couple of my favorite black and whites. I sometimes prefer that my photos look a little overexposed. What do you think?

Bella Movie

My sister recommended the movie Bella a little bit ago. I just watched it this weekend and found it so thought provoking. It shared a good message and made me cry a lot. I pondered death and life and how to make the most of what I have been given. I definitely recommend it while caution that it deals with the death of a child.

C is for Cookie

I am always in search of the perfect chocolate chip cookie. I currently have 4 or 5 recipes that I really like - one has ground oatmeal, another a combination of white and dark chocolate chips with a touch of almond flavoring, another calls for toffee chips. Some have all butter, and others use a portion of shortening or margarine.

I just got my hands on a great recipe. It is my current favorite. I love my cookies to look like this (see above) - blobby, thick and soft instead of flat, thin and crisp. 

This recipe is a definite must try! Do you have any great chocolate chip cookie recipes you'd like to share? I'm always looking to add to my collection. :)

Sozel Flake's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. butter

1 c. shortening

2 c. brown sugar

2 c. white sugar

4 eggs

1 Tbsp. vanilla

5 c. flour

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

4 1/2 - 5 cups chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk chocolate mixed together are the best)

Preheat oven to 375 - 400 degrees. Beat butter, shortening, and sugars together. Next add eggs and vanilla and mix. Then add flour and the rest of the dry ingredients. Mix well and add chips. Bake 8 minutes. Drop the pan onto the counter when you take it out so that the cookies fall. I always cook them at 400, but if you know your oven cooks hotter, then use 375. If I have cooked some cookies on a pan and I am using it again for more cookies, I will adjust the time to bake them for 7 min. 45 sec. or 7 min. 30 sec.

What a Pout

I caught the sweetest little pout on my friend's little girl. Her mom is in trouble! How could you say no to that sweet face?