Melt In Your Mouth Butter Cookies

The other day I was craving something sweet so I started scouring my cookbooks for something simple and delicious. I found a recipe that didn't require me to go to the store (always a plus) and looked wonderfully scrumptious.
I made about 40-50 of these little cookies (and it is important to make them little because they are super sweet). Kevin's response was, "Oh man, that's like the best thing you've made since we've been married." After less than 24 hours, there were only 3 cookies left so obviously they were pretty good. Ok, confession.....Kevin didn't eat them all. I probably had about 15-20 of them. I will definitely be making these again very soon.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of butter
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of confectioner's sugar
• 1 cup (or more if you'd like) of chocolate chips

Directions

1. Melt butter in a microwave or double boiler; stir in vanilla. Cool completely. In a large bowl, combine flour and sugar; stir in butter mixture and chocolate chips (mixture will be crumbly).
2. Shape into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets; flatten slightly. Bake at 375 degrees F for 12 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool on wire racks. 
3. Enjoy!!

Bright Copper Kettles and Warm Woolen Mittens (Part 2)

 #4. DC Cupcakes
I LOVE this show. The sisters get on my nerves sometimes and really don't know how to talk to the camera, but it's such a fun show to watch. I'm hoping one day I 'll actually get to eat one of their cupcakes.
In fact, my brother was going to come see me a few weeks ago and we were going to go to D.C. for the day. When he called to tell me he wasn't coming, I think I was more bummed about not getting a cupcake than I was about not seeing him. Just kidding Jon!!

#3. Chick-Fil-A chicken biscuit and hashbrowns
Mmmm, mmmmm! I love me some Chick-Fil-A! Before getting pregnant, I would never dream of eating fast food for breakfast. But now, I indulge in one of these at least once a week and it makes me a very happy woman. Buttery, flaky goodness and a side of fried heaven. What more could a pregnant woman want?

#2. Whipped Peanut Butter
Being the daughter of Gary Strickland (who goes through several jars of Peter Pan a week), I was destined to love peanut butter. But the regular stuff doesn't even come close to the whipped pb. Ohhhh, it is so yummy! When I lived in China, I would have my parents ship me several jars at one time (and they didn't last long). Then when I moved to Richmond, the only place I could find it was in Greenville. So, every time I visited, I would buy 10 jars and take them back with me. It's just that good!

And my #1 all time favorite thing ever............

#1. Diet Coke (shocking, I know)
I truly believe I have an addiction to this stuff. I actually gave it up during my first trimester and swore I wouldn't drink it again until after I gave birth. Yeah right! Then I found out I could have 200 mg of caffeine per day and that promise went out the window. However, I do drink caffeine free now whenever I can find it and really limit myself to how much I drink per week but it really is a weakness of mine. There's just nothing like a Diet Coke to get you going in the morning or get you over the 2:00 pm hump.
When I lived in China, I thought I'd be able to kick the addiction forever because I didn't have one for a whole year. However, when I landed in the Atlanta airport, I drank 2 before I even got to baggage claim and then my cousin met me at baggage claim with a 3rd one. So much for self-control.


Ok, I'm throwing in one more favorite thing. I didn't know where to put it in the list but I just have to include it.

Trish McEvoy Eye Definer and Brush
I bought this eye liner/definer in Summer 2000 and still have enough for probably another 10 years. It is the best eye liner out there. No, I don't wear purple (it's just the only picture I could find) but it goes on so smooth and it's so easy to control how much or how little you want. Also, I always found with regular eye pencils that I would accidentally get off track and the pencil would end up marking part of my eye lid. This stuff is so easy to put on that I've never had that problem. It's a little pricey but worth every penny and I will never, ever buy another type of eye liner again.

And there you have it. My top 11 favorite things ever!

Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens... (Part 1)

Here are just a few of my favorite things. And because I'm pregnant, many of these are food related!

#10.  Luna Bars
I can't go into a grocery store or Target without buying a few of these bars. They are totally filling, good for you, and the Chocolate Peppermint Stick tastes like Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies.

#9. Nivea Chapstick
I'm so addicted to this chapstick that my lips have withdrawal symptoms if I don't use it every day. It's like crack for your lips!!

#8.  People Crossword Puzzle

So I LOVE doing crossword puzzles but sometimes they are as difficult as taking the SAT. Case in point..the NY Times Crossword. Seriously, who is smart enough to finish that. But the People Magazine crossword, now there's one I can successfully finish. Hmmm....maybe that's not saying too much about my IQ.

#7.  Elfin Crackers
Ooo, I love these little crackers. In fact, I think they are more like a cookie than a cracker. The vending machine at my work has these and I have to admit that some days, these crackers are all I eat for lunch. A healthy lunch? No. But do they make me smile? YES!

#6.  Cake Mania games (all of them)

I am almost embarrassed to admit that I like this game but it is soooo much fun. It's a wonderful way to waste several hours. I found it a few years ago and since then the game producers have released like 5 or 6 sequels to it. Yes, I have played every one. They are all pretty much the same, but I just can't stop myself.  I figure in 2 months, there will be no such thing as wasting several hours playing mindless computer games. So I'm going to enjoy it while I can.

#5. TCBY Yogurt (specifically White Chocolate Mousse) 

It saddens me to say that Richmond does not have a TCBY so I can no longer enjoy a big cup of White Chocolate Mousse during the hot days of summer. Maybe someone who works for TCBY will read this and open a store in Richmond. Ok, probably not but here's to wishful thinking. I guess until that day, I'll just have to satisfy my craving with a McDonald's ice cream cone.