Happy Valentine's Day! (recipe included)

I hope your Valentine's Day has been as lovely and fun as mine! 

My hubby and I did a little shopping together this weekend.  While we were at Sears to return a shirt I had purchased that ended up being a tad too big, he "hunted" for a certain item I've been wanting for quite a few years...

Can I just say I was so surprised?!  And isn't the red a fun color?  I shall always remember that he gave it to me for Valentine's Day!  ♥ 

So, I tried out my new KitchenAid today and made a double batch of chocolate chip cookies. Yummy!

If you're like me and you like your chocolate chip cookies to be just a little bit crispy on the outside but nice and chewy on the inside, you'll want to try this recipe for sure!   

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies   Yields about 24 cookies
1 egg
1/2 cup shortening (or butter)
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons water
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips (I substitute milk chocolate chips and my hubby loves 'em!)

Set the oven temperature to 375 degrees F.
Grease the cookie sheets (or use parchment paper...much easier).
In a small bowl, beat egg until light and foamy. Set aside.  (My KitchenAid hand mixer got used for this recipe too!  Didn't want to hurt it's feelings after almost 13 years of it being my only mixer!)
In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar.  Add beaten egg, vanilla and water.  Beat until smooth and creamy.
Sift together flour, soda and salt.
Stir half the dry ingredients into batter. Then stir in the other half until all the flour is blended into the batter.  (I just added it gradually and mixed the batter until it was all blended together.)
Stir the chocolate chips into the batter.
Drop rounded teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto greased (parchment lined) cookie sheet.
Bake about 12 minutes.  Cool on wire rack. 

A double batch works really well.  ENJOY!

So I had thought that my new KitchenAid mixer was all I was getting.  I mean, really!  It's a VERY NICE GIFT!  But no.  My wonderful husband had also ordered me a Kindle.  He brought it home today at lunch--handed the box to me with the mail--and I could see it had been opened so I popped the box open and I believe the words that left my mouth were "No WAY!  You're SICK!"  I guess that what ya get when you really surprise me.  LOL! 

I spent the afternoon learning how to use it. (No school today! Mommy wants to play!) I already have a bunch of free books including The Light of Eidon by Karen Hancock.  It's the first in a wonderful series that I've read and own in paper format too.  How fun to get it free for my Kindle too! Next I need to figure out how to download PDF files to it and maybe MP3s too.  I'm just so happy, I could burst!

My poor, dear, hubby didn't have such a great day though.  He's sick.  Poor guy!  I put him to bed early and I hope he's feeling better by morning.  He even has a low-grade fever.  Not very fun.  I wish I could make him feel better with a hug and a kiss, but I tried...it didn't work. 

Get well, my love!  And thank you, again, for the wonderful gifts this Valentine's Day!  I love you.

Ravelympics 2010 update PLUS a funny kid story!

My first knitting project for the 2010 Ravelympics is complete!


Pattern: Fetching by Cheryl Niamath
Yarn: Berrocco Lustra in Lus Champignon {about 1/2 skein for the pair}
Needles: US8 Bamboo dpns
Started: Feb. 13, 2010 Finished: Feb. 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day to me!

{I'm not thrilled with the eyelet edging at the top of the mitts...with this yarn, it tends to roll back down. I may try to gently block it, but it's acrylic yarn, so I'm not sure how well it will block. If I ever do this pattern again, I'll use a wool or wool blend yarn. But I really like the cables and ease of the pattern.}

Since yesterday was Valentine's Day, and since I couldn't start my Ravelympics projects until the Olympic torch was actually lit, I made these 3D crochet hearts while watching the opening ceremonies.


And yes, I gave them to my honey as his Valentines Day gift...handmade by me, with love.

Now for a funny CJ story.
My boys went ice fishing on Friday with my parents and then spent a couple nights with them. Grandpa is a Nascar fan and on Saturday afternoon he was watching the Nationwide race.

Evidently Danica Patrick has started driving Nascar's Nationwide series. When CJ saw her on the tv, he said "There's Mommy!" He was convinced he was watching ME on tv!


Danica Patrick


NOT Danica Patrick!

When Danica's car was wrecked, CJ watched her get out of the car and was saying "Mommy's okay! Mommy's okay!" It was so funny, my mom had to call me right away and tell me about it. And ever since, I've been wondering why he'd think it was me. I do have a little bit "in common" with Danica. That is, I also have long, dark hair and our facial shape is similar too. But that's where the similarities end. I don't race cars, and you couldn't pay me enough to do the ads Danica has been known for! But I'm gonna guess the hair was probably what got him thinking she was me.

Anyways, I'll just take it as a compliment and have a good laugh!

Don't forget to cheer on our Olympic hopefuls!

Go Team USA!