Friday

Wow Chocolate Chip Cookies

I know I have posted my "best chocolate chip cookie ever" recipe in the past...but I was dead wrong!


I was looking through an old family reunion recipe book and found a chocolate chip cookie recipe from my cousin's family...and being the choco-holic that I am...I had to try it.  Everyone in our family says it is the BEST cookie they've had!  It makes a ton and I mean a TON.,...and they are huge.  The other fabulous thing about the WOW cookie...is it is the perfect combination of firm and chewy...and they stay that way for days.
Wow Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 Cups Butter
2 Cups Sugar
2 Cups Packed Brown Sugar
4 Large Eggs
3 Tsp. of Real Vanilla
5 Cups of Oats
4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
2 Tsp. Salt
2 Tbs. Baking Flour
2 Tbs. Baking Soda
4 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 8oz. Chocolate Candy Bar, grated
2 Cups Chopped Nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 Degrees.
  Cream butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla together until mixed completely.  Using a food processor, grind oats until they are powdery. 
 Stir in flour, oats, salt, baking powder, and baking soda gradually. 
 Add chocolate chips, grated chocolate and nuts.
Form batter into golf-ball sized balls and place 2 inches apart on a silpat or parchment lined cookie sheet. 
 Bake for 12 minuets or until lightly browned on the outside edge. 
 Let cool for a couple of minuets on the baking sheet and transfer to a cooling rack.  Enjoy!

Once a month we make these cookies and take them to different neighbors and friends.  There have been many requests for this recipe...so here it is and thank you Sherm and Barb for passing on.  I'm dying to make them into ice cream sandwiches before the summer is over!!!


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Wednesday

My Country Fabric Map

I am so in love with this project. It has been one of my favorite this summer because we were able to get the whole family involved.   I wanted to recycle a old sign that I had in my storage room and with the summer holidays.  I was in the mood to create a fabric collage of America.  It was one of those projects that isn't too messy, is pretty easy,  and surprise there is no sewing.


Materials to Gather

Wood Board Cut to Desired Size
Matte Finish Modge Podge (Lots of it)
Foam Brushes
Background Fabric to Cover the Board
Lots of Fabric Scraps for the different States


The first thing I did was Modge Podge some old burlap onto the front of the wood and I let that sit for 24 hours.  It hardens up the fabric and dried clear.  

(To print the map template right click on the image 
and save to take to your local copy store.)

Next I took the map of the USA to my copy store and had them blow it up to the size I needed to fit my board.  It was pretty cheap.  I recommend getting two copies.  One to cut the states out of and one to reference during the project.  It's especially helpful when you get the the itty bitty states.  I had them print one on card stock so it would be easy to cut apart and trace around.

Next I took my a sharpie marker (light colored) and traced the outline of the US map onto the burlap covered board to make sure I had the outer states in just the right place.



Once my outer line was traced, I started cutting out the states.  I did them one at a time starting with Texas. I traced the individual states onto scarps of fabric using the Frixon pen from Pilot.  I LOVE this pen for anything on fabric because it disappears with heat and gives you a great fine line.  

When you cut out the states, it is helpful to cut 1/8 inch larger than the state template.  This allows for a little overlap and play just in case your lines don't perfectly line up.

Once your state is cut out, dab a generous amount of Modge Podge on the background fabric where the state will go and lay your state on top.  Smooth it out with your fingers or the brush and then gently brush over the fabric state with more Modge Podge.  This will glue the state to the background and seal it too.

When you are finished with all your states, seal it off with one final coat of Modge Podge and it is ready to hang.


For those of us that live in Utah, I put together a pattern to celebrate our state, especially since this week is our state holiday. Print out the template, use the same techniques to adhere the fabrics to the backing of a 8" x 10" frame insert and you have a state map too.  It took me about 30 minutes to finish this project, so it's totally possible to finish before the celebrating begins.


(To print the map template right click on the image 
and save to take to your local copy store.)


These projects were super fun to do with my family and I hope you have been inspired to raid your fabric stash too and have a little summer fun with your kiddos too.  If you have any questions about this project, you can watch my segment on Fresh Living.  


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