Look on the bright side...

So, I read a friend's blog the other day. She lives in Northwest Arkansas and they were snowed in last week. She gave a few pros to being snowed in for several days. So, I thought I would steal some of those and add some.

#1 Spending time with your kids. This is great since normally all you get is a weekend of family time. It would be better if my husband wasn't out of town. This is really only quality time the first few hours. Then, everyone starts fighting. We'll start all over again tomorrow. :)

#2 Saving gas! Since gas is $3 a gallon, it is nice to not have to drive back and forth to LR. So, I'm cool with that part.

#3 No make-up and your hair gets a break from the straightener or whatever you use! This is awesome because it gives your face a rest from all the make-up you wear each day. Your hair gets a nice break too. But, I guess some of you probably still get fixed up for snow days. Weirdos.

#4 Less laundry. For those of us not going out in the snow, we will only need our PJs each day. That means less stuff for me to wash. Between that and Casey being out of town, I should be caught up in no time.

#5 DVR catch-up! You can finally get caught up on everything you've been recording and never have time to watch. Of course, I am so behind on most of the shows so I don't really care to watch them anymore.

#6 Spring Cleaning. Well, this is not one I plan to do but you could. Just thought I'd throw it out to you.

#7 Lots of homecooked meals. This is your chance to make your family that meal that you don't have time for during the week. Again, this is probably not happening around here this week since they don't eat most of what I fix. Thanks to my sister, I dream of a big bowl of chicken & dumplins. May have to go to Cracker Barrell when we thaw out this weekend.

#8 Facebook. If you play the games, you could get caught up. I don't play any games but if you do, have fun with that. And, you can sit and read posts all day long about how much others are stressed by the snow.

That may be it for now. I'm sure there are more benefits but my brain is frozen. 

Till next time...
Amanda

Who wants cookies??

Today is a cookie baking kind of day.  I was deeply saddened yesterday that there was not any chocolate candy in this house! How on earth did that happen?!? So, today, I HAD to bake some cookies.

I made M&M cookies first. This is the recipe I used: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Robbis-MM-Cookies/Detail.aspx.  It is super easy and yummy. Sometimes, I just want a good M&M cookie. Plus, you can make them with the Holiday M&Ms so they kind of fit the Valentine's Day mood.

Next, I went with Ulitmate Chocolate Chip Cookies. I used the Crisco recipe for the regular shortening today. But, I really prefer this recipe: http://www.crisco.com/Recipes/Details.aspx?recipeID=2102. I was out of butter recipe sticks unfortunately. I like to try all sorts of different recipes for CC cookies. I love the recipe in the Williams-Sonoma cookbook but I really love Butter Flavor Crisco. :) 

Last but not least, I made Reese's Chewy Chocolate Cookies.
Here's the recipe: http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/5366/REESE'S%20Chewy%20Chocolate%20Cookies.aspx#.  It was on the package of peanut butter chips that I had. They taste like Reese's PB Cups. YUMMY!

So, that's what I made today. I plan to find a good home for these cookies tomorrow if weather cooperates.

Also tomorrow, I am making cupcakes or a cake for my friend's bday. She chose Red Velvet so that's what it will be. I already have my recipe set aside.

Until next time...
Amanda