{I'm So Behind!}

Yes I'm still alive, and really I have been meaning to blog but everyday it would just get pushed aside to all the other things that have been going on.

I have managed to squeak in a little holiday decorating in between finishing up Etsy orders, doing day care, taking care of 3 sick kids, dealing with a 1 yr old that didn't fare to well with her last round of shots and is now cutting her last 2 molars (aka little miss cranky pants who's running fevers and wants to be held all day) church callings, running on little to no sleep and well the list could go on but I digress.....

So here's a sneak peek of La' Christmas tree this year, we are going with a Santa Clause theme. It's looking cute but I'm frankly running out of steam and it's not even Christmas yet. Thanks goodness most of my shopping is done. :)

These Ice Cream Cookies came about as I was making cookies for FHE and decided to throw some ice cream in the middle and all I can say is YUM-O!!! Especially with nice fresh baked cookies..

Just let them cool and plop some ice cream in the middle and your all set, the kids wanted 2nd's and 3rd's but we figured 1 was good. We have had these 2 times in the last week.. I know my thighs will be screaming at me come the end of this holiday season.

Here is the recipe I use for Chocolate Chip Cookies it makes a ton and they are frankly the best CC Cookies I have ever found. :) Enjoy

Side note: I used my medium Pampered Chef Scoop for these cookies they were nice and big!

Rachel's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup shortening
1 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
5 cups flour
1 pack chocolate chips

Combine all wet ingredients in Kitchen Aid and mix well.
Add dry ingredients and chocolate chips.
Bake at 350 for about 8-10 minutes.
This recipe makes a large batch o' cookies.
I use my small pampered chef ice cream scoop to put the cookies on the cookie sheet (but I don't level off the dough hope that makes sense). They make the perfect size cookie not too big - not too small.
I pull these out of the oven when they are lightly browned around the bottom of the cookie. And since every oven bakes different you may have to bake a little less or more. Just keep an eye on them cause even slightly over baking them will make them way too crunchy.
:)Enjoy

And stay tuned as I have enlisted the help of my Husband in revamping our TV hutch, okay really he will be doing most of it, but I'll be the painter... I'll tell you that it involves replacing the screen door with an old door that I got for free. Hopefully it will for the most part done within the next few days..... No pressure Lloyd! ;) I'll post pics for sure! I just hope it looks like it does in my head!

Oh and can I just tell you how excited I am for Mama Mia to be coming out on DVD on the 16th! Hello early Christmas present to me!!!