News you can use

Crooked and upside down, but you get the idea.

Create your own Friend Test here

Note - to submit the results you are required to register but they don't email you so it's pretty painless. Also, please ignore the typo in the last question - it won't let me edit the test.

Query

I enjoy making both baby blankets and baby layettes and sometimes I am at a loss for which to make for an expectant mother. For anyone out there (mother or not) which would you rather have? On one hand I can see a blanket being very useful. But then again, babies tend to get a TON of blankets so maybe it's over kill. Layettes, although not as useful, are so cute and can easily be put away for the next child. I've reserved all my layettes for girls because I have yet to find a boy's pattern I liked so maybe take that into consideration as well.

CD Recommendations

I realized today I don't have a good Beethoven CD. I know several of you out there are well educated in music and have quite the CD collections so I'd appreciate any recommendations you might have for a Beethoven CD - or set of CDs. It doesn't have to be any specific type of music (Symphonies, piano, etc) - I like it all. Thanks in advance.

Chocolate White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

I keep losing this recipe so I'm posting it here for easy reference. These cookies are great alone or as a homemade ice cream sandwich (which was how they are intended to be served.) Once the cookies have cooled spread any flavor ice cream on one cookie bottom and top with another cookie. Serve immediately for a crunchy cookie with soft ice cream or stick in freezer for a softer cookie with a bit harder ice cream. Either way it's delicious!

1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
2/3 cup good unsweetened cocoa
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 pounds good white chocolate, coarsely choppedPreheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream the butter and 2 sugars until light and fluffy in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the vanilla, then the eggs, 1 at a time, and mix well. Add the cocoa and mix again. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt and add to the chocolate with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Fold in the chopped white chocolate.

Drop the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, using a 1 3/4-inch ice cream scoop or a rounded tablespoon. Dampen your hands and flatten the dough slightly. Bake for exactly 15 minutes (the cookies will seem underdone). Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

So everyone can see how much fun Jack & Julie are having at Disney

I woke up this morning to find this picture in my inbox. Not sure if it's appropriate on an empty stomach! :-P

Why clean when you can post?

I'm putting off doing a bit of house cleaning so I thought I would do a short update post. Nothing much exciting has happened since Christmas and that's the way I like it. Christmas was a bit overwhelming and by the time everything was over and done with I was ready to get back to normal. Our excitement this week was a smallish snow storm on Thursday. We got a decent amount of snow (enough to cover the ground) and some sleet and ice. Thankfully we didn't lose power. I have become very attached to heat! We are also keeping Jacques while Jack and Julie are at Disney. He has been a lovely house guest except for the occasional burping. (Who knew dogs could burp so audibly. My dogs generally don't. I guess that's a male dog for ya!) Hopefully the next time I post something exciting will have happened and I can regale you all with the adventure that is my life. :-)