confused by the new look of my blog & making cookies ;)

Harry is home sick so I'm trying a new recipe today:

The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies

Submitted By: Jill Saunders
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 8 Minutes
Ready In: 3 Hours
Servings: 30
"Whenever you make these cookies for someone, be sure to bring along several copies of the recipe! You will be asked for it, I promise!!!"
INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
DIRECTIONS:
You have scaled this recipe's ingredients to yield a new amount (30). The directions below still refer to the original recipe yield (60).
1. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2011 Allrecipes.com Printed from Allrecipes.com 10/5/2011

I'm a proud momma

The boys had their second game of the season last night. Wowzers... very fun! JV won against the Coachella Valley Arabs 33-0. Then the Varsity came out and won 28-7. It wasn't an easy game. Our guys had to really fight for it. I'm so proud of our Trojans! I was talking to Jordan this morning and he said they have played the easy teams, now they are gonna play against the hard teams. {like we get to play 29 for the Battle of the Bell in November, and right now, 29 also won their first 2 games... that is just my commentary, not Jor's opinion ;)}
So, here are a few pics from the game, they are both #72:
JV - Dalin is the center and a Defensive lineman, so he is in the game the whole time.

Varsity - Jordan is an Offensive Lineman and was one of the captains this game.

And there was some other fun at the game too. Harry and his football pal Mackenzie were hanging out again. Her brother is #6, Cody Blankenship.

& Dalin with Coach Phillips doing the shirt launch.

Just Chillin' studio J layout

I love how easy it is to make super-darling layouts using
I used the Rough and Tumble paper pack, Card Trick pattern and Kit mix 4.
Studio J!

We Sk8ed

Here we are having fun on Harry's very first time ice skating. We went skating at Snoopy's Home Ice in Santa Rosa, CA. It was a neat place for Harrison to have his first skating experience. The snack bar is called the Warm Puppy Cafe and I just couldn't resist snapping a pic of these "Charlie Brownies".

If you ever find yourself near Santa Rosa, CA, you should make a trip to this ice rink and the Charles M. Schultz Museum right next door.
I used Studio J

to make this fast and easy layout. Wonderland paper pack, Front and Center in the Middle, and kit mix 6.

Christmas Card Play Day!

Come on over and get a head start on your Christmas cards. Use my Stamps, Cardstock, Patterned paper, Idea books & my Cricut to create as many cards as you can in 90 minutes. Cost for the class is $15
Please RSVP so I can be sure to have enough supplies for you.

ice ice baby

I just placed a Studio J order. I absolutely love how simple and yet awesome this program is. I wanted to make some super fast layouts of my recent trip to northern California with Harrison to visit my parents. I used the pre-set toggle accents and didn't make many changes in order to save time & keep them easy. Here is a cute page. I used the Wonderland paper kit and the Fantastic Five pattern and Kit Mix 1. Super-easy, super-fast,super-cute, and super-affordable!

Rock your month & get 4 Stamp sets for just $5!!!

IN CELEBRATION OF OUR NEWLY UPDATED STAMP OF the Month program, we’re throwing in a little something extra: a FREE* bonus stamp set! In August, when you place an order of $50 or more in products and purchase the August Stamp of the Month set, Wicked, for just $5, you’ll receive the My Acrylix® A Typeface bonus A-size set FREE (retail value $6.95)! Think of it as two promotions in one—qualify for and purchase the discounted August Stamp of the Month set, and we’ll throw in a second stamp set FREE! It’s Extra! Extra! September is National Stamping Month!

Get in on the fun and during the month of August, you can get the MOST for your money!

TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL STAMPING MONTH IN September, we are offering our first-ever double stamp
set! You can get the exclusive My Acrylix® Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set FREE when you place an order of $75 from August 15 through September 30, 2011. You’ll love this double set—two D-size sets in one envelope—which includes lots of clever phrases and coordinating images you’ll use in your handmade cards all year. And with a retail value of $35.90, this set drastically increases the value of your qualifying purchase! Have double the fun
stamping during National Stamping Month with our new Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set!

Closing Video

Wow! There are no words that can really describe how much fun convention was. Dave's uncle asked me about it, and said he was glad I had fun, but he "just didn't get it." Here is a short video that showcases just a tiny bit of the magic we had at our convention this year. & if you look close enough, you will see me and my friends Desiree and Denise. (look for the Cricut box... Desiree won a Cricut!!!)
If this looks amazing to you too, think about joining me at convention next summer in Dallas, TX!

I'm back from convention!

Last week I was at the Happiest Place on Earth with some of my favorite people! Our Close to my Heart convention was the BEST EVER! Here is a short video with a sneek peek of our newest product!!!!! Be sure to contact me to see this in person, or even better - order yours from me!

studio j is so much fun!

Close to my Heart is pretty much the best!  Here is another great video to show you some awesome tricks.
 
I am super excited about Studio J! Have you tried it yet?
There are only a few more days to get in on the AMAZING special!!!! 
Did I mention that we have the most awesome deal during May?  You don't want to miss out! 
Click here to sign up!  

A successful crop, Super-cute new journal, & only 9 more days to get in on the CTMH special!

Yesterday was my May crop. We had so much fun, a delightful Asian Chicken salad with fresh homemade bread, tons of free-play, an abundance of candy, and great company! If you missed the crop yesterday, you won’t want to miss the next one on June 25th! (only $35… It’s a sweet deal!)

During my crop, I was able to work on something for myself. I made this darling My Creations Journal using left over’s and the awesome stamp set from the fantastic You & Me kit! My favorite part is the super-cute stacked buttons! I am totally in love with button stacking right now!

I saw this video for a cute smash book and I thought, coolio, I can totally make that with one of our My Creations Journals! I can just add a Bonding Memories glue pen and a cute marker or pen to journal with, and slam-bam -> my own super easy DIY smoosh-book!

Share the pics of your own DIY smoosh-book with me! I’d love to see what else can be done!

And last, but probably the most important part of this post…

There are only 9 more days left to take advantage of the unbelievable special with Close to my Heart this month!!! That’s right… you really can’t afford to miss out on this killer deal!!!!

I am super thrilled that I have already had such a fantastic response! Kim, Leslie, Patty & Karla have already taken advantage of this awesome opportunity! Will you be next?

Now’s the Time!

Join the Close To My Heart family during May and get the new Consultant Kit at 50% off!

Have you ever thought: “I really need to catch up on my scrapbooking.”?

Have I got a deal for you! May is National Scrapbooking Month and Close to my Heart is offering a special so amazing you and your friends will all want to jump at the chance to snap it up!

This month you can get a 1 year Studio J membership (worth $99), a Free National Scrapbooking Month kit (worth $34.95) Plus 2 additional scrapbooking kits of your choice for only $64.50. That’s over $300 worth of CTMH for just $64.50!!!! Then, receive a 22% discount on all your Close to my heart purchases including your Studio J layouts for the next 4 months! I told you it was an amazing deal! So, what’s the catch??? Are you afraid of selling stuff??? Guess what: you don’t have to sell anything. If you like scrapbooking, you can be your own best customer. & ordering your own Studio J layouts count!!! Sound good? Click here to get started, or contact me right away and I’ll be happy to help answer any questions you have! Seriously, this deal rocks! & if you have an extra $89.50 (that is with tax and shipping) hanging around, you will not want to miss this offer!!!!
Contact me today to find out more!!!  :)

Starr’s Famous Cookies

Yesterday I posted about the "better for you cookies" and that was pretty fun but no one in my family liked them. So, today, because we are actually not going on our beach trip after all, and I got to stay home and try to keep my mind off the fact that the dog bit Harry in the face and he is at the ER with his Dad & Jordie, I decided to make *my* cookies.

(I swear, I was gonna make them and post about them sometime soon... I just wasn't planning on it so soon.)

I have had this recipe for years! I got it from Tabitha or Wendy Towne, like 15 years ago. It started as the "Neiman Marcus Cookie Recipe" and over the years I have kind of perfected it. (like, I don't use the grated candy bar like the original recipe calls for)

Today I tried to do my usual "dabbling" and forgot that I needed to follow the recipe exactly. So, these cookies, although not dry, are a little stiff. I switched the amounts of flour and oatmeal today. *don't do that when you make these*

These are my families favorite and are the cookies that we sell to raise money for Tender Loving Christmas, and that we give away to our friends and loved ones. Enjoy!

Here we go:

Starr’s Famous Cookies

• 2 cups butter

• 2 cups sugar

• 2 cups brown sugar

• 4 eggs

• 2 tsp. vanilla

• 1 tsp. salt

• 2 tsp. baking soda

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 5 cups  oatmeal (blended)
• 4 cups flour

• 24 oz. chocolate chips

• 3 cups chopped nuts (your choice, I love pecans)

Measure oatmeal and blend in a blender (or food processor) to a fine powder.

Cream the butter and both sugars. Add eggs and vanilla; mix together with flour, oatmeal, salt, baking powder, and soda. Add chocolate chips and nuts. Roll into balls and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet.

(was dalin helping or testing?)

Bake for 12 minutes at 375 degrees. Makes 112 cookies.

(Recipe may be halved)

Here is Max helping out.  He feels guilty.

Here are the finished cookies:

Here is Harry, before the incident, with our other dog, Korndawg. 

Korn would never try to eat Harry, but he sure does like to try and steal cookies off the counter ;)

I sure do love Studio J

Here is a fun video showing how easy Studio J is!  :)

Love your Layout episode 1

PS: did I mention that you can get your own Studio J membership, plus a boodle of other great CTMH for just $64.50 in May???  Just checking.  Click here to sign up!

Better- for - you Chocolate Chip Cookies

Anyone who knows me, knows that I just LOVE to bake! Now, I haven't been to culinary school, like other people in my family. I just enjoy dabbling. Dave has to remind me often that baking and cooking are two separate and distinct forms of making food. With cooking one can easily add a pinch of something here, and a dash of something else there.

While baking is a form of chemistry.

And since I like to do my own thing waaay to much, I sometimes discover lots of ways to not do something. lol.

This morning the mailman delivered 2 boxes from QVC. I don't shop there, but I  know someone who does. So these boxes were a treat and surprise. One box had a George Forman type omelet maker in it, and the other contained a fun looking cook book. Eat What You Love, by Marlene Koch. It is a cookbook with lots of supposedly delightful dishes, with all the taste you are hoping for without the fat, sugar & calories you would expect.

& since I am in the mood for chocolate... and the cookies on the cover looked good to me,  I decided to give them a try. Here are a few rules I gave myself:

1. follow the instructions exactly

2. follow the instructions exactly

3. follow the instructions exactly

(cause you know, I like to dabble, and change things up a bit. and then it never fails... I just don't like that recipe. Never mind that I didn't actually make that recipe.)

So, with those simple rules, I set to work whipping up these cookies.

First I called my mom to thank her for the book. (that took an hour and 11 mins.) Then I looked for the recipe shown on the cover of the book. Surprisingly, there are not as many pictures in here as I expected. I found the green "classic cookies and cake" section in the back of the book and got to work.

The recipe calls for a large bowl, so then I had to actually *read* the recipe to decide exactly how big this bowl needed to be. I decided the 2 qt pampered chef mixing bowl would do the job. I got my butter out and about that time, decided to blog it, so I had to set up a quick photo-shoot.

Here is Max helping me out:

* I will note here that it probably won't take all day for you to make these cookies, since you may not need to stop to call your mom and then set up a photo shoot just to make these. And as I write this, the cookies are cooling on the counter, and I have not tested them, so I don't know how this is going to turn out.

Ok, so on to the cookie making:

Better-For-You Chocolate Chip Cookies by Marlene Koch

Nutritional Info

• Fat: 4.7g

• Carbohydrates: 11.9g

• Calories: 93.0

• Protein: 14.7g

Ingredients

1 Cup All purpose Flour

1/2 Cup white whole wheat Flour

3/4 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 cup Butter, softened

1/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar

1/4 Granulated Sugar

1/4 Splenda Granulated Sugar (I used Stater Bros brand)

1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

1 Large Egg

1/2 cup mini-chocolate chips

1/4 cup chopped Pecans or walnuts

chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.



2. In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, white whole wheat flour, and baking soda.


3. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugars, and sweetener until very light and creamy. Beat in the vanilla and egg. Add the flour mixture and beat just until blended. Stir in the chocolate chips and nuts.


4. drop the dough by level tablespoons onto a baking sheet 2 inches apart.

Flatten the cookies by pressing down on the dough with a spatula or the bottom of a glass.

5. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, or until lightly browned and set.

Cool on the baking sheet until firm. Remove to wire racks to finish cooling.

I did actually cool them on a wire rack!!!  I did!  I promise.  (I just didn't get a shot of that, so this is a pic of the foil set)

Number of Servings: 28

Ok, so... my first thoughts were

* no salt?

* this is waaaaayyy smaller than what I usually make. I wonder if it is because it isn't yummy and this is the "try me" batch, to know not to make them again.

*Why do I need to spray the cookie sheet with Pam????

* the raw cookie dough has a good "flour" flavor, with a slight "splenda" bite to it.

* the wet mixture from the beaters = tasty :)

I used the mixer to mix in the wet ingredients, but folded in the dry with a spoon.

The whole "1 level teaspoon" thing was bugging me, (and totally time consuming) so I did the second pan with the handy-dandy pampered chef cookie scoop; because I didn't outfit my kitchen with these amazing gadgets for nothing!

I have never smooshed a cookie with a glass bottom before, so that was a first.

The instructions say to bake for 7-9 mins, so I kept them in for 8 mins.

When I took the cookies off the "sprayed" pan, I still didn't get it. But when I took the second (rebel) batch off the other pan covered in tin foil and no spray, I could see bits of leftover cookie on the foil still. (so maybe the author knew what she was talking about)

I let the cookies cool while I typed this up.

taste:

good!

light & fluffy

a bit dry

cant really notice the splenda

cant really notice the butter either

not my normal cookie!

dont need to spray pan!

I would probably make these again, just not for the fam.


(however, I know my family will notice that these are not MY cookies!)

*Jordan says "they are not as good as your cookies.  too dry, too crunchy. not as good as yours.  & they are too dry"
Dalin says "too small, taste funny"

* this took waaaayyy too much time to make/blog about.  but it was kinda fun. 

So, my faithful readers, let me know what you think.  Give them a try and post your results here.  :)

Join Close to my Heart this month for half price!!!

New Consultant Kit is 50% Off

Now’s the Time!

Join the Close To My Heart family during May and get the new Consultant Kit at 50% off!

Have you ever thought: “I really need to catch up on my scrapbooking.”?

Have I got a deal for you! May is National Scrapbooking Month and Close to my Heart is offering a special so amazing you and your friends will all want to jump at the chance to snap it up!

This month you can get a 1 year Studio J membership (worth $99), a Free National Scrapbooking Month kit (worth $34.95) Plus 2 additional scrapbooking kits of your choice for only $64.50. That’s over $350 worth of CTMH for just $64.50!!!! Then, receive a 22% discount on all your Close to my heart purchases including your Studio J layouts for the next 4 months! I told you it was an amazing deal! So, what’s the catch??? Are you afraid of selling stuff??? Guess what: you don’t have to sell anything. If you like scrapbooking, you can be your own best customer. & ordering your own Studio J layouts count!!! Sound good? Click here to get started, or contact me right away and I’ll be happy to help answer any questions you have! Seriously, this deal rocks! & if you have an extra $89.50 (that is with tax and shipping) hanging around, you will not want to miss this offer!!!!

If you have ever considered joining Close To My Heart as an Independent Consultant, now is the time. It’s our greatest start-up deal ever. You’ll receive all the business essentials plus 3 “Choose Me” collections for 50% off, that’s only $64.50. Close To My Heart Consultants enjoy something that is often elusive in the working world—flexibility. Besides being paid for doing what you love, Consultants are your own boss—setting your own hours, work around your priorities, and share revolutionary new products unparalleled in the industry. You’ll also receive discounts on the products you love and have the amazing opportunity to touch hearts and change lives through the joy of scrapbooking and stamping!

If you’ve ever thought about owning your own home-based business and would love an exciting career in the booming scrapbooking and stamping industry, you owe it to yourself to take advantage of this opportunity. There’s never been a better time to join Close To My Heart!

Become a Close To My Heart Consultant during May and we’ll include a You & Me kit for free* as part of your New Consultant Kit. You’ll create two fully embellished two-page layouts using the new cardstock-weight B&T Duos® papers, D-size stamp set, accessories, and instructions. You can also purchase the kit at full retail for $34.95 with no minimum purchase required.

Doesn't this sound fantastic!  So... What are you waiting for???  Contact me today or click here to get started!  :)

Studio J® is free online scrapbooking design software brought to you by Close To My Heart. Studio J helps you easily create two-page layouts using our foundational scrapbook patterns, exclusive color palette, and themed designs all delivered in 12" × 12" custom prints ready for your albums. Here are some answers to questions frequently asked about Studio J. If

Studio J uses the same great papers, patterns, colors, and embellishments as classic Close To My Heart scrapbooking, making studio scrapbooking extremely intuitive and super fun! Timeless patterns and artistically placed default accents allow you to finish a page in minutes, while customization options give you the flexibility to make your layouts unique. All the layout patterns are created by Jeanette Lynton, founder and CEO of Close To My Heart—you may recognize some of them from her classic how-to books. These patterns make scrapbooking faster, simpler, and easier than ever before. You’ll be amazed how effortlessly and beautifully you preserve your memories with Studio J!

Becoming a Studio J member is the perfect way to catch up on all of your scrapbooking while also getting access to exclusive content that will give you even more artistic options and flexibility. Studio J members have access to exclusive, members-only kits and patterns, allowing for even more creativity. On top of that, members get our best pricing of 50% off retail price—that works out to be just $3.25 per page. It’s one of the best deals around!



One of the best reasons to become a Studio J member is your exclusive access to high-resolution printable JPG files as well as low-res files perfect for emailing or posting on blogs or Facebook. Members also get free Memory Protectors® for each custom-printed two-page layout, as well as free shipping and handling on their monthly order (4 to 20 layouts in the continental US, 7 to 20 layouts in the non-continental US and Canada). With all of that, members still get exclusive promotions and deals throughout their membership!



To sum up, when you become a Studio J member you receive:

o 50% off retail price for custom prints

o JPG files available free or for purchase

o Free Memory Protectors®

o Free shipping on one order per month

o Exclusive kits and patterns

o Special deals and promotions