Baking: Chocolate Chip Cookies

One of my favorite cookie recipes is this recipe by Cindy Utter, from the Taste of Home baking cookbook. Every time I make these, they are delicious (although I omit the pecans from the ingredients). They are super easy and quick, and are sure to be a crowd pleaser every time! I know, because a lot of you who know me have eaten these before and loved them! 

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup shortening
• 2 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts (dough will be sticky). Cover and chill dough for 1 hour.
• Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: about 11 dozen.

Nutritional Analysis: 2 cookies equals 160 calories, 9 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 20 mg cholesterol, 145 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein.

From: http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Cindy-s-Chocolate-Chip-Cookies

Crochet: Klutz Crcochet Flower

The flower that is in the Klutz Crocheting book is super easy and fun to make—it’s also really cute. The pattern is the second in the Klutz book and uses a variety of stitches. Happy crocheting!

Flower Pattern:

Chain 6 and join ends of the chain by pushing hook through the first stitch (create a circle)

Pick up the yarn and pull it through the hook to join the circle

Chain 3

Double crochet 14 into the center of the ring (not into the stitches/chains!)

Slip stitch into the chain 3 section once all DC’s are complete

Pick up yarn and pull it through the look, as before to join round

Chain 1

First half-petal: Half double crochet 1, 1 double crochet, 1 triple (treble) crochet into the next stitch

Second half-petal: In the next stitch, 1 triple crochet, 1 double crochet, 1 half double crochet (NOTE: there are 3 crochet stitches per each half petal)

Chain 1

Slip stitch into next stitch

Repeat half-petal steps around until there are 5 petals

Slip stitch into the last stitch when finished

Cut yarn and weave into flower

(Attach to a cute crochet piece, or attach a pin or bobby pin and turn it into a cute accessory!)

Karen's Anniversary Cake