Chocolate Chip Cookies Turn Shortcake

This past weekend, while the kids were away with their grandparents, I thought it would be fun to surprise them with their favorite cookies when we were rejoined. But, I also wanted to try out a new recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Now, you understand, this is something I do not do. I NEVER deviate from my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe (just ask my sister who almost got her head bitten off for adding a type of chips that were NOT in the original recipe), but this one looked so delicious, that I had to try.

Things were going well, until I realized I didn't have an ingredient. So, I just improvised a little bit...and much to my surprise, the cookies turned out more like shortcakes. At first, I was disappointed, because they are much more cake like than my usual cookies. Then I had an idea. Add vanilla (or coffee!) ice cream, strawberries (freshly picked if you have that option!), and WOW! Chocolate Chip Shortcakes!

dough will be very stiff

Basically take your favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe, add 1/2 c. flour and 1 tsp. baking powder, and you'll have some to enjoy for yourself!!

The funny thing, is that at first, in my over-reactive and dramatic mind, they were just ruined. I had doubled a recipe and wasted all of my time and ingredients to have dry cake-like cookies! It took my husband really enjoying them for me to be able to see them as something different...instead of just wasted cookie dough that was too dry. He liked them, and began to say how good they would be with coffee or for dipping...when all of a sudden, I had the idea of making them into more of a shortcake (you realize only in my mind do they actually change). So, with that new perspective, I was ready to celebrate. Sometimes it just takes another person to show you how to see it.

Any new perspectives your celebrating today? Go check out all the little ways to enjoy everyday life over at Chatting at the Sky!

Eye Candy

Last night, as I was getting into bed already way past my bedtime (for those of you who know me, my normal bedtime is already pretty late), I was still wanting to wind down a little more. Once my wheels start turning about something, it's pretty much impossible for me to not do it. So, there I was, on the laptop, with my husband fast asleep beside me. No, I wasn't emailing, or on facebook, I was drooling over... I mean looking... at gorgeous wedding dresses.

Style Me Pretty is probably my favorite blog to see one of a kind weddings and awesome do it yourself (d.i.y.) projects for weddings or other events. Or to stay up late and drool over pretty things.

I can gaze for hours at all the details put into these weddings. From fabrics, to invitations, to contests, to d.i.y. projects, this blog has them. There are tons of wedding blogs out there, but this one, I promise, is a bookmarker!

Surprisingly Fun

This past weekend I got to be a part of something really fun. One of my friends came to me not long ago with an idea she had to surprise a friend of hers. It was going to be her sweet friend's 40th birthday soon, and she was dreading it. Dreading feeling older, dreading the big, looming number...4-0. And so my friend decided to do something about it.

As a professional and single mother, she knew she did not have the time or where with all to put together an event that would stun, surprise, and honor her friend. And that's when she called me. I of course was more than excited to think up ways to pull this off. And this weekend, we did. The number seemed much smaller in the presence of such love from her friends. And as she was celebrated with bright colors and delicious dinner, she realized that being 40 wasn't going to be all that bad. In fact, she felt pretty great about it. And that's why I love to celebrate.

The Most Wonderful Time...

I know Christmas has the song, "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year", but I think Spring gives it a pretty good run for it's money.

There's nothing better than sun ripened strawberries that have just been picked. Or being able to gather up a bouquet of flowers that you have waited all year to see again. To me, the spring is like a close friend, who has finally come back to visit again. (I could do without all the sneezing and sniffling she brings, though.)

Now, granted, I would love if I could walk out to my yard and pick all those things fresh from my garden. However, on our small property in the middle of the city, I do not have such luxuries. My favorite place to enjoy all of these goodies, is the Greensboro Farmers Market. I wake up early on Saturday morning, grab my big sunglasses to hide my sleepy eyes, and my market tote, and I'm ready to go! I get all giddy, like a child waiting to see presents on Christmas morning. There's something about being able to go visit with farmers and talk with local merchants, that I simply love. I'd encourage you to check out your local farmers market. I bet you, too, will find that you have a new favorite tradition!

Celebrating Everyday Life

If you haven’t guessed yet, I love to celebrate. It’s just part of who I am. It’s still pretty amazing to me that I actually get to do it as a profession. I wonder sometimes, “Is it okay to be payed to party?” But then I get swept into all the details and drama, and I am reassured that yes, it is. Nonetheless, I absolutely love it.

My hope is that through this blog I will be able to give encouragement, fun tips, and great ways to celebrate everyday life. In my opinion, there’s just no other way to live.

Care to join me? On Tuesdays I will be linking up to Emily over at Chatting at the Sky, as we unwrap the little gifts of life.