Not Sherpa Made: "Knit Your Own Royal Wedding"

I pretty much adore the ridiculousness of this book...but those Corgis?  Not Ridiculous.  Aren't they awesome?

S'mores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Above is pictures of the cookie that ate all the other cookies.  Seriously, this is cookie monster, if he were a cookie.  Anyway, I decided to make S'mores stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies because I was curious, and wow, these cookies are amazing.  However, I'm kind of scared to give these bad boys away so I'm not sure what I'm going to do with them as I can only eat 1/2 of a cookie in one sitting.



S’mores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Yield: 12 large cookies (These are like three cookies in one!)

2 sticks (8 ounces) softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
3½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (I strongly recommend using mini chocolate chips. Minis makes the dough easier to work with)
24 graham cracker quarters or 12 full sheets separated at perforations
3 Hershey Bars, broken into rows of 3 bars
12 large marshmallows cut in half lengthwise


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment or a silpat liner. (Parchment Paper makes cleanup so easy!)
2. In a stand or electric mixer, beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, continue to beat until well combined.
3. Place flour, salt and baking soda into a bowl; mix to combine then add slowly to wet ingredients along with the chocolate chips.
4. Layer a graham cracker quarter with 3 Hershey chocolate squares and 2 marshmallow halves. Close with another graham cracker. Top s’more with a large scoop of cookie dough. Place in hands and place another large scoop on bottom then front and back sides as needed. Form dough around s’mores. Will get messy, but stick with it, it does not have to be perfect. S’mores will move around but it’s no big deal. Place large cookies onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes or until edges are golden and centers are cooked through. Let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to cooling rack or serving plate.

(You can view the original post of this recipe on Picky Palate)

Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies

I tried a new chocolate chip cookie recipe last week and it was a hit!  I took them to a church function and then to work the next day and was told the recipe is a keeper.  Enjoy!


Brown Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies 
Makes 4 dozen cookies.

2½ cups AP flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chunks, or chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line sheet pans with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
Using a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.

On low speed, add the flour mixture, and mix just until blended. Stir in walnuts and chocolate chunks. Drop by tablespoons  onto sheet pans, 2 inches apart. Bake  for 12-15 minutes. Via "Memories in the Baking." 

Note: Don't refrigerate this dough.  

Sherpa Made: Hats!

I started knitting (not with a loom) hats last fall.  These two are double stranded worsted wool hats made in a panel and then there's a seam up the back.  I keep telling myself I need to learn to knit in the round.  Soon.  Soon!

Nature's Pyschopaths

I've been watching the BBC Documentary called "Blue Planet" on Sundays before church.  I find the show relaxing and informative--except for the Killer Whales.  Just when everything is hunky dory, the Killer Whales show up, stalk baby sea mammals and kill them for recreation.  Just watch...

Here's a clip of Killer Whales going after Sea Lions.

This clip would be a pod of Killer Whales stalking a gray whale calf.

A Single Ward Announcement

I haven't said too much on here about being single and LDS or talking about the 31-55 age Singles Ward (congregation) I used to be a member of. 

Before I continue, I really think the ward serves a purpose and will and continue to be an asset to the Stake I attend and the community.  The older singles do need activities and venues to meet each other which this ward does a good job of providing. 
Personally I met many great people in our older singles award that I'm lucky to count as friends.  However, I realized after 9 months that I personally need to be in a family ward which is why I went back.

For a long time I didn't e-mail about the singles community in the church for various reasons, but even though there's a personal need for me to show the LDS church in the best possible way, I think it's okay for me to publish the letter below...................

Dear Sisters,

I just wanted to let you know that we have had seven men move into the Pontiac* Ward in the last three weeks.   I am confident that all ward members will welcome these brethren into our ward family!

I am just trying to keep everyone posted on positive ward events.  (grin)

Sincerely,

Bishop Jones*

*Name Change

(I didn't change the format however).

 

Weekend Accomplishment

I did this to a friend's kite on Saturday on the (National) Mall.  So, uh...how was your weekend?



Footnote:
Flying kites is a great time when you don't put someone elses not cheap kite into a large tree.
I did get the kite out with no damage inccured to the kite.  Yeah!