A Right of Passage

Baking the perfect mouthwatering, golden brown just soft enough chocolate chip cookies has always been a right of passage for me. As of a few weeks ago I can now consider myself a real women ;) I made cookies that were delectably, incredibly, irresistibly delicious. My husband has never been so happy and my waist line  been so sad.

I called upon you lovelies in this post to help a wanna be Rachel Ray out and here are the life changing tips you shared. 

• Unleash you inner baking diva
• 
  
• Be sure to chill the dough in the fridge and put the pan in the freezer before you start baking...(This is so clever. It helps prevent butter from flattening out the cookies)
• 
  
• Following the directions carefully(which is what I have always thought I was doing if it  says to add 3/4 c. of flour you better believe that is how much I added) and exactly (the paragraph on the bottom of a recipe where it suggest that you slowly add then mix that same 3/4c. of flour) are apparently are two different things. I guess you learn something new everyday.

The super fun Jandee from happy is as happy does- do happy shared the recipe with me you can also find it here

1 cup of softened butter
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 large box vanilla instant pudding
2 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
your favorite chocolate chips.

Cream the sugars and butter in a large bowl. Mix in the egg, vanilla, and pudding. Slowly add the flour and baking soda, and the chips last. Mix just until well combined.
Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes. You do not want to over cook these!! Then place on a rack to cool.

This is The Husbands face when He tasted them for the first time :).....A look of shock and disbelief

 that they actually tasted yummy. 

Adding instant pudding is genius. Last time I made these we went a little crazy...I guess it wasn't super crazy but we did use white chocolate instant pudding, creamy white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts.

I will tell  you one things friends It was love at first bite. I have a few other recipes I am itching to try. 

Thank you again for all those that shared your recipes and your wonderful tips!

Remember when I said...

That I would share a photo of my newest niece Shayn?

 Well here she is and oh my goodness isn't she perfect?

 Not to mention the cuteness of her doting older sister (Macy left) and their darling very best friend( Gwen right) It is almost to much to handle. I can't wait until I get to love on those chubby cheeks of theirs!

photos taken by ginny vanwart

Have a beautiful Sabbath Day! I am off to bed!

good night!
xoxoxxo
love cate

scrub a dub in the tub

Jett loves water. His bath time ritual used to be my favorite part of the evening. But latelyJett has been taking showers with me. Can I just say that I think I love that even more! He wraps his arms tightly around my neck like a little Kuala bear. As the water hits his back he completely relaxes. He becomes heavier while his grip around my neck loosens. He then lays his head on my chest. I talk to him as his eyes start getting heavy. Every once in a while  he gets  relaxed enough to fall asleep right there in the shower. Times like that my heart feels overwhelmed with peace. That my friends is  heaven on earth.

Jett and Matilda April 2011

I can't help but smile when I look at these ones. 

Our sweet baby boy..

This is our a waving, mamma but mostly daddaaaa sayin, midnight crying sweet baby boy.

He is a stair climber, a self feeder, yogurt lovin bundle of joy.

He is our step taker (3 consecutive to be exact) really good mess maker

game player ( He loves zapping you with his chubby little finger , being chased, clapping,  and dropping his sippy cup for me to pick up......that would definitely be my least favorite game:) Oh he is a piggy back riding who loves climbin' he is extremely ticklish and even more wigglelish'

He really is such a joy.

with a smile and giggle that are completely contagious and of course facial expression that are nothing short of outrageous. He has rocked our world in more then one way We are constantly asking ourselves what we would do with out our sweet baby boy.

* please excuse the cheesey poem it started out subconciously then I just decided to roll with  it :) oh and I forgot to add that Jett loves to growl....yep that right...growl :)

Mothers day

To my delight The Husband hinted that I had a mothers day gift that would be arriving through the mail. I drove my man wild with all my guesses. I could hardly stand the anticipation. I even woke The Husband up at 2:00am to tell him that I had figured out what he had bought me. A white Iphone! I told him that I was over the moon excited and preceded to hug and kiss him. I told him this gift would be life changing. A few moments later I fell into a peaceful sleep grateful that I finally figured out what he bought me. The Husband panics. He didn't order me a white Iphone. Instead he ordered me the loveliest bouquet. He wakes up the next morning and orders me  that "life changing" white Iphone. Later I feel bad that I guessed the wrong thing when I realize the sweet gift he already bought me.  I come home to this beauty waiting to greet me on my front door step.

 I can't stop smiling. These flowers are the definition of simple andpretty. The sweet fragrance of the flowers were intoxicating. 

I  still can't stop smiling. 

I loved them. I love him. I really love being a mother.

oh and how I love this video. You will too. But only if you watch it.

okay and this one is just so so funny

Happy Mothers day! To all of  the past, present and future Madres'