Cookie Exchange Madness!

So I decided to host a cookie exchange/ Tupperware party this holiday season.  I think it is a great way to share a last party of the year with my girlfriends and an easy way to get lots of cookies!  What I didn't realize at the time I scheduled this thing (way back in June) was I would be part of a new club also having an exchange.  What this means is I have to bake 6 dozen per party!  The good news is that it is all the same cookie.  YAY!  So this is my cookie.

White Chocolate Chip Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or grated peel of 1 orange (or orange extract)
3 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 350° F.

Combine, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract in large bowl. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats, cranberries, and white chocolate chips. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 1 - 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

October 2011 Photos

Testing my new Ping status updating tool!

Play Ball!

Alex's 1st Game!

Want a chance to win a hostess prize without having a party?

‎Thirty One Gifts by Janice & Co. is having a MYSTERY HOSTESS PARTY! 

Janice Guazzo
Thirty One Gifts Consultant
Holden, MA 
423.220.7157
http://www.mythirtyon...

Do you know what Thirty One Gifts are?

The first time I saw the products of Thirty One Gifts was at my son's preschool in TN.  All the kids had the insulated lunch bags with their names embroidered on them.  They looked so cute all lined up on the cubbies.   I never did get anything there in TN but something prompted me to seek out a rep online to order one of the really cool Skirt Purses they sell.   It is such a brilliant concept for someone who likes to match/change their purse but hates emptying it out.  You buy the black or brown base purse and then additional skirts for them.  They slip on like a pillowcase and have 4 hook and eye clips on each side of the purse with 4 snaps on the band.  It is such fun.  I ordered them without ever touching them in person.  I was very happy with what I got in the mail! 

Well after loving the purse, I have decided to dabble in selling it here in MA.  There aren't a lot of reps here and with all the Vera Bradley I see around it should sell well.  The prices are FAR less and frankly I think the quality is way better. 
I absolutely love all of their purses and the lunch bags. I can't wait to do my first party...who will be FIRST?

This special in February is too good to be true! We've never done this before: for EVERY $31 you spend, you get your favorite item - ANY item - at 31% off! That means if you spend $62, you'll get 2 items at 31% off and so on. Whether you need a cute new purse, a Beach Towel for your vacation, or a Thermal Tote to pack summer lunches in, it's up to you. What a great way to start shopping from our new catalog! You'll definitely want to take advantage of this fantastic special. Can't wait to hear what items YOU'D like to buy!

http://www.mythirtyone.com/60279/


My launch party is going on this week and next...if you want to place an order please just let me know or order online.  Click this link to go to the launch party. http://www.mythirtyone.com/shop/catalog.aspx?eventId=E521878&from=DIRECTLINK

The Cloud

Well if anyone out there is wondering what those stupid commercials are all about….this new Windows Live Writer for my blog is pretty cool.  Sorta like WORD and a webpage all in one. 

I heard you an also use WORD, EXCEL and POWERPOINT for free if you have Windows 7.

I am still trying to figure it all out. 

My boy has mad skills....This will ROCK the whole house!

DIY water colors

This is amazing...I love this idea. I have to do it with Jeff. He loves to paint.

DIY watercolorsI woke up early this morning to complete one last Christmas gift for my 2 1/2 year old son: watercolors! I had seen a DIY watercolor recipe in Whole Living some time ago and saved it, but you can find the same recipe all over the internet. It's really easy, non-toxic and the colors turned out beautifully!

{photo by Heather Hackett}

You'll need:

- baking soda

- cornstarch

- white vinegar

- light corn syrup (or simply boil one cup sugar and 1/2 cup water until clear, which is what I did)

- food coloring

Combine 3 tablespoons each of the baking soda, cornstarch and vinegar and add 1 1/2 teaspoons of the corn syrup/sugar substitute. Allow the fizzing to subside and mix completely. Pour the mixture into whatever you'd like to use to hold your paints. I bought a $2 paint tray at Michaels, but you can also use a plastic egg carton. Add the food coloring to create your desired palette and leave out to harden for three hours. Make sure you add the food coloring relatively quickly; the mixture actually starts to solidify almost right away. 

Career path for my kids

I have chosen the career path for my children...

They way that they stretch out the the simplest and most mundane tasks, to take much longer than needed. The way that they make me scream like a lunatic. The way they've been talking back with an air of entitlement. These are valuable skills to have and I think they will fit right in at the TSA, the DVM, or any other government run facility.   (thanks for the idea@Bob Lynn)