Does it get any better than this?

There are few things that excite me more than a warm, straight out of the oven, chocolate chip cookie. It's Friday and all I really want is to sit my happy behind on the couch with a plate of these bad boys and some ice cold milk and watch Food Network. It's the simple things in life. Can I get an amen?!? I did, however, make this batch with whole wheat flour (just to be a little health conscious). That hour long workout I put in today wasn't a total waste...ha! I am happiest in the kitchen; spatula in hand and mixer mixin' away. I think I get that from my Mimi and my mom. They always seem to have something sweet in their kitchen (besides them, of course). That's all for today.....MUST. GO. EAT. COOKIES!

When God speaks....

This morning I had one of those moments. You know, those moments when people say that a verse just came to them, and they felt like the Lord was laying it on their heart? It was weird. Not in a bad way, but honestly it had never happened to me before. It was probably around 5 a.m. or so and Psalm 51:10 just started playing over and over again in my mind.

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."

It was like it was on autopilot or something. It just overtook my thought process and I finally began to ask God what it meant. A pure heart. I am guilty of having an uclean heart sometimes. A bitter heart, an envious heart, an impatient heart. Repentance brings pureness of heart. I am so thankful to serve a forgiving and gracious God!

Yum....

Yesterday we grilled steaks for lunch and I made this yummy baked orzo (rice shaped pasta) that I saw Giada De Laurentis make on her cooking show. It was the perfect combination of cheesy goodness. The recipe called for fontina cheese, but I used havarti. I also omitted the mushrooms. You also cube up mozzerella and scatter it throughout the dish so there are little "pockets" of goodness in every bite! :) It was a real hit, so I will be making it again! Just go to www.foodtv.com and type in Orzo with Fontina and Peas in the subject line. I would post the link, but foodtv.com was not cooperating! :) Enjoy!

Cold Feet

That is what I now have after my dog, Oliver, has eaten my second pair of house shoes since Christmas. The first pair was a gift from Josh's parents for Christmas. They used to look like this:






Needless to say, they don't look like that anymore :(. I decided to go to Target to purchase a new pair, and found a really cute pair of monkey slippers. They USED to look like this:

Now my poor monkey slipper has one eye and the ear is hanging off. So sad. Oliver is so sneaky that he literally took my slipper (just one) as it was sitting right next to me at the computer. He is a little punk sometimes! I still love him.....

Maybe I'll just wear socks from now on :).

Caleb in the hood....

Here is my little nephew, Caleb Honeycutt, getting ready to leave the hospital and head home! He is pictured with Chris' mom (his g-ma), D'Ann. My mom bought him this little outfit and Jill chose it to be his going home outfit. It is a newborn size, but as you can see, it's still a little big. He just looks like such a little man in his hoodie. Welcome home, Caleb!

Salty

The other day during our staff devotion time, we talked about how we are the salt of the earth. It sparked a long discussion about salt. Why salt? What does it mean? Salt adds flavor. You salt meat before you cook it, water for pasta, and you even use salt when you bake. A looooong long time ago, they used salt as payment. When the salt lost its saltiness it was no longer good. Even animals are drawn to this condiment. When you think about it, we are to flavor this world! This is what Christ Jesus wants of His children! I pray that I never lose my saltiness. Are you salty?

Matthew 5:13-

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men."

A little bragging....

I would not be a good aunt if I did not post pics of these three cuties :).

First up is Lauren Jeffries (Josh's brother's daughter), she is 4 and such a cutie! This pic was taken last week at their home in Indiana.....lots of snow!




Second is Blakeli Parish (my brother's daughter), who is between 7 and 8 months. I love her so much! She melts my heart.....





And last but not least, the newest member of the family, Caleb Honeycutt (Josh's sister's son), who was born 2/3/09. He is just precious!


There you have it! I am so excited about being an aunt! I want to be the coolest aunt ever! Ice Cream for dinner, pizza for breakfast (j/k Jill!)....and I'll always have gum! :) Anyway....I just love them all and am very thankful for the little blessings in my life!

Can we say.....

YES PLEASE! My mouth is watering at the sight of this yummy yummy goodness. You are feasting your eyes upon 3 of my most favorite things....Brownies - Chocolate Chip Cookies - Chocolate frosting.....ALL in one! It seems too good to be true. Here's the recipe:

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?recipeID=34269&Source=SearchResultPage&terms=chocolate%20chip%20brownies

You can use a chocolate frosting in a can or you can make your own. A chocolate ganache would also be SO good on this. Here's a recipe for that:

Chocolate Ganache

12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate morsels

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

6 Tbsp butter

In a small saucepan, heat cream and butter until just before the boiling stage.
Pour over the chocolate morsels.
Let stand about 20 seconds and stir until smooth.
Pour over brownies and let set before cutting.

I know this is not the most "figure friendly" dessert, but it looked too yummy to pass up.

Happy eating!