Time to Accomplish Something

Tick tock. So the New Year is coming and it has me thinking, like every person on the planet, about what I hope to achieve in 2011. I'm hoping that making my list public will push me to do them all, so here it goes!

• Read all of the physical books that I own and get rid of the least important ones cluttering my house. (I got a Nook for Christmas!!)
• Be the best mother I can for Lynaea
• Get rid of any stretchmarks that I got while pregnant
• Get rid of the baby weight
• Get back to Freshman year of college weight
• Finish the first draft of my novel
• Join a group of some kind that meets at least once a month to keep me social
• Get the courage to talk to people who knew my mother so that I may know her better as well.

Wish me luck! Happy New Year everyone!!

33 Week Milestones

I have been nesting hard for the past week or so and decided to sit for a minute. I'm sure I will think of something to clean soon, but for now I will try to relax.

Just like every mom-to-be in America, I read the changes my baby is going through week to week. This week I thought I would share some with you, because let's face it. I can't think of anything else!

• She is about 4 1/2 pounds (No wonder she doesn't seem to have much room in there anymore!
• Her lungs are almost mature
• Her bones are fully formed and hardened
• Average weight gain for mommy at this week is between 22 and 28 pounds (I'm at 25)
• Mommy should expect having trouble finding a comfortable way to sleep, sit, and walk. (yep...)

I'm so excited!

The Best Chocoate Chip Cookies For the Best Time of Year!

I'm a big fan of cookies on Christmas (and Christmas Eve) and this is by far the best chewy chocolate chip cookie recipe I have found. 

Happy Holidays!!!!

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Stir together the flour, baking soda and salt; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well blended. Beat in the vanilla, egg, and egg yolk until light and creamy. Mix in the dry ingredients until just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand using a wooden spoon.
3. Refrigerate the dough until firm (about an hour or two)
4. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
5. Drop cookie dough 1/4 cup at a time onto the prepared cookie sheets. Cookies should be about 3 inches apart.
6. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges are lightly toasted. (Sometimes they need 20 minutes... just watch them until the edges are starting to turn golden brown) Cool on baking sheets until completely cool. Transfer to sealed container.

                                 

Sunday Night Sucks... So Cheer Up!

I'm having a harder time with tonight than most Sundays... so a double dose should do the trick!

No these aren't my videos.. but they are hilarious!