Recipe: S’mores Sugar Cookie Surprise
S’mores Sugar Cookie Surprise
These cookies are a wonderful delight to munch on with family and friends. It starts with a sugar cookie base, add a some marshmallows and chocolate chips and you get a wonderful S’mores surprise. The chocolate and marshmallows inside the cookie cause the cookies to expand. The marshmallows will brown slightly in the oven giving it the perfect toasted marshmallow look and flavor. These cookies just melt in your mouth. You can use the Sugar Cookie recipe below or make your favorite one:
- 1/3 cup Butter or Margarine
- 1/3 cup Shortening
- 3/4 cup Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1 Egg
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
1. Beat butter and shortening on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, and a dash of salt. Beat till combined, scraping the bowl so everything is well blended. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually add the flour into the mixture.
2. Scoop the dough into your greased hand, flatten the dough, place several marshmallows and chocolate chips in the middle of the dough. Pull the dough around the chocolate chips and marshmallows and place seam down onto the baking sheet. Tip: If you Cover and chill dough for 1 hour to make it easier to handle when making cookies.
3. Bake at 375° for 7 to 9 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are firm and light brown. Cool on rack and enjoy.
Small bowl of miniature marshmallows and chocolate chips
Scoop of sugar cookie dough in oiled hands to help it keep from sticking to your hands
Flatten the Sugar Cookie dough in the palm of your hand
Add 3 or 4 marshmallows and a few chocolate chips then pull the dough around them
Place cookie on the cookie sheet, seam side down. It is fine if you see a couple of the chocolate chips peeking through.
Stick them in the oven to bake once the cookie sheet is full
Delicious S’mores Sugar Cookie
S’mores Sugar Cookies ready to be eaten!
You Never Know….What You Might Find!
You never know what you may find in the clearance section at a store. During a quick trip to BiLo (a local grocery store) to grab a gallon of milk I noticed these two chairs sitting up in the front of the store. As I was speed walking past them to get the milk and I thought to myself that’s an odd place for two chairs and the second thought was those chairs are pretty cute! While standing in line waiting to check out they caught my attention again so I got out of line, went over to them and found out they were marked down to $2 (originally priced over $20). They were the last two chairs and the store was trying to move the final pieces of their seasonal stock. These are the only 2 chairs I have ever bought in a grocery store but it goes to show you never know what you may find when you go out to get a gallon of milk!
When the girls got home from school that day I had the two chairs set up in their room. They were excited and gushing over how “cute” the chairs were. I didn’t have to ask or tell them which chair was for who they knew instantly, that’s one of the joys of having twins with two very different personalities. Since then the chairs have been used for reading, watching TV, playing school and many other fun activities. Each girl has their own chair so their is no disagreements on who got the chair first or who has been sitting in it the longest…..do those types of conversations take place at your house too?!
The chairs are big enough the girls are comfortable, but small enough they can carry them from room to room. I love that they have so much personality with the smiling frog and cheerful ladybug! Sometimes it is worth it to take the extra minute to glance at the clearance section, you might find a something you need or a fun treasure. Although their favorite place to sit when we read a book together is still on our laps, which is fine with me because someday soon these precious days of them being little girls will be a thing of the past!
Making Apple Chips for a Tasty Snack!
Fresh apple slices with a little bit of lemon juice and cinnamon & sugar
When you have extra apples and want a great snack you can make apple chips. Slice up the apples add a touch of lemon juice, sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon and sugar then place in the dehydrator.
Dehydrated Apple Chips
Dehydrate the apple chips until they are crispy and enjoy. The girls love taking these to school in their lunches. The apple chips will last much longer, we typically keep them in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator.
Apple Chips in a snack bag
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of March 7 – 13, 2012
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Bone In Pork Sirloin Roast – $1.39 lb
Beef Sirloin Tip Roast – $2.99 lb
Split Chicken Breast – $0.99 lb
Schooner Fish Fillets (12 oz) – $2.99
Cooked Cocktail Shrimp (40 to 60 count) – $4.99
Portside Popcorn Shrimp (8 oz) – $1.99
Family Pack Cube Steak – $3.49 lb
Family Pack Stew Meat – $2.99 lb
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going! Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts or types of meats, vegetables and more. Here are a few of the specials they have going on with the Pick 5 for $19.99 this week (each item approximately $3.99):
Redi-Serve Chicken Patties (35 oz)
Redi-Serve Chicken Nibblers, Original or Chicken & Cheddar (30 to 36 oz)
Redi-Serve Chicken Strips, Original or Hot ‘n Spicy (36 oz)
Redi-Serve Charbroiled Rib Patties (26 oz)
Signature Pick 5 Pizza, Pepperoni or Supreme (26 to 28 oz)
Signature Pick 5 Seasoned Potato Wedges (2.5 pounds)
Signature Pick 5 Sausage & Biscuits (12 count)
Signature Pick 5 Onion Rings (2 pounds)
Signature Pick 5 Corn on the Cob (3 pounds)
Signature Pick 5 Corn Dogs (25.6 oz)
Signature Pick 5 Shrimp Poppers (24 oz)
Extra Value Boneless Pork Patties (22.4 oz)
Extra Value Country Fried Steak (20 oz)
Extra Value Breakfast Fritters (24 oz)
Extra Value Pork Chop Fritters (24 oz)
Extra Value Chuckwagon Patties (24 oz)
Extra Value Boneless Pork Patty Rib (24 oz)
Extra Value Beef Meatloaf Patties (22 oz)
Extra Value Beef Salisbury Patties (22 oz)
Extra Value Beef Pepper Patties (22 oz)
Farmland Pork Roll Sausage (2 pounds)
Sugardale Smoked or Polish Sausage (3 pounds)
Smithfield Thick Sliced Bacon (20 oz)
Sugardale Jumbo Hotdogs (3 pounds)
Fridge and Freezer
Tortino Pizza Rolls, Combo or Pepperoni (40 count) – $2.50
Freshchetta Pizza – $4.99
Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice (58 oz) – $2.99
Produce
Russet Potatoes (10 pounds) – $2.99
Navel Oranges (8 pounds) – $4.99
Mixed Apples & Oranges (4 pounds) – $2.99
Red or Gold Delicious Apples (3 pounds) – $1.99
Green Cabbage – $0.25 lb
Fresh Tomatoes (6 pack) – $1.99
Broccoli – $1.50
Cauliflower – $1.50
Household
Pert Paper Towels (8 count) – $4.99
Pert Toilet Paper (24 rolls) – $4.99
Save A Lot Today Paper Towels (1 roll) – $0.50
Save A Lot Today Glass Cleaner – $1.00
Save A Lot Today Cleaner with Beach – $1.00
Save A Lot Today Pine Cleaner Spray – $1.00
Save A Lot Today Soap Scum Remover – $1.00
Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner – $2.39
Use $0.50/1 printable coupon from Lysol
$1.89 each after couponClorox Kitchen Cleaner – $3.89
Go Ultra Liquid Dish Detergent (24 oz) – $1.99
Grocery
Folgers Country Roast Coffee (34.5 oz) – $6.99
Wesson Vegetable Oil (48 oz) – $2.99
Kelloggs Cereal, Assorted Varieties (17 to 23 oz) – $2.99
Use $1.00/3 coupon from Kelloggs
$2.66 each after couponStarkist Chunk Light Tuna (5 oz) – $0.79
Betty Crocker Tuna Helper, Assorted Varieties (5 to 6 oz) – $1.00
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice, Assorted Varieties (64 oz) – $1.98
Hunt’s Pasta Sauce (24 oz) – $0.88
Cheez-Its (7 to 9 oz) – $1.79
Use $1.00/2 coupon from insert 1/29 Red Plum (Expires 3/25/12)
$1.29 each after couponSo Cheezy Family Size Shells & Cheddar (24 oz) – $1.99
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.
For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
Lunch box meals for the kids school lunch.
Our girls are starting to get more efficient in packing their lunches. Yes, they are a little more generous with the peanut butter or meat on their sandwiches (but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing). It works best for us if we pre-pack the majority of the items for the girls lunches (and any work lunches) the evening before. After packing the next days lunches we put them into the refrigerator so we can grab them, pop in an ice pack and go the next day.
- Ham & Cheese Sandwich
- Fresh Green Beans
- Pita Chips
- Vanilla or Peach Yogurt
- Strawberry or Lemon Jello
- Homemade Applesauce
- Reduced Sugar Fruit Juice
- Homemade Cookies
Homemade applesauce and fresh green beans are one of the girls favorites to take to school.
Song: “Who Am I?” by Casting Crowns
I like this song, it reminds me that my life has meaning and purpose. What really matters is who I am in Christ. Life goes by quickly. Am I using every day to the best of my ability? Am I bringing honor to Him? When I take a moment to think about the many blessings I have in my life and allow God to use me it opens doors to make a positive impact on the lives of others as well. He can use me, scars and all. I am thankful for a Savior who excepts me for who I am.
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
It is a super busy week with a lot of additional activities going on but I have a simple menu planned out to help make our evenings flow even more smoothly. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef Entree): Hamburgers, Steamed Vegetables
- Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree): Hotdogs, Pork & Beans
- Wednesday (Chicken Entree): Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Fresh Fruit
- Thursday (Pasta or Vegetarian Entree): Blueberry Pancakes, Homemade Strawberry Sauce
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
It has been a week full of fun activities and challenges mixed into one big week. I have somewhat settled into a temporary “new normal” over the next few weeks. Here’s to another productive week!
Here is the update on last weeks goals:
Family Goals
Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everydayRead a book to the girls everydayHave each girl read 1 book to myself or Jake 5 days this weekConnect with each family member at least once a day
Personal Goals
Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week- Go to bed by 10:30 pm or earlier Monday to Thursday – need to work on doing better
- Finish reading When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley – almost done with it
Read and listen to the next section of Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned and written by MondaySpend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the houseSpend 1 hour a day de-cluttering and organizing the house
Business Goals
Pay all bills that come in the mail this weekWork on ideas for upcoming blog postsSpend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk- Finish 2011 Business Taxes – waiting on the accountant
Ministry Goals
Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requestsMeet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchEmail Alms & Legs Ministry Team and Complete Meeting Agenda
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – little by little
- Complete our personal 2011 taxes – on hold until our business taxes are complete
- Put money aside for upcoming trips – part of the way there
- Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – have 1 piece completed
Here are my goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
- Read a book to the girls everyday
- Have each girl read 1 book to myself or Jake 5 days this week
- Connect with each family member at least once a day
- Put together a Schedule / Reference Worksheet for Mom
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
- Go to bed by 10:30 pm or earlier Monday to Thursday
- Finish reading When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley
- Read and listen to the next section of Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
- Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
- Spend 1 hour a day de-cluttering and organizing the house
Business Goals
- Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
- Finish 2011 Business Taxes
Ministry Goals
- Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Write and Email the meeting notes for our Alms & Legs Ministry Team Meeting
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
- Complete our personal 2011 taxes
- Put money aside for upcoming trips
- Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results
Still time to change….
Book: “Desiring God” by John Piper
Our church Community Group has been going through Desiring God by John Piper over the last few weeks. As we wrap up our final thoughts on this book as a group I am personally still reflecting on many of the topics that we discussed from this book. How often as believers do we experience true joy? The chief end of man is to glorify God by enjoying him forever. Piper addresses several key areas of Christian’s life including worship, prayer, the word, marriage, money, suffering, and missions to help equip you as you seek for your ultimate joy in God.
This book helps those who are wanting to strengthen their relationship with God plus it helps reveal why your deepest happiness can only be found in God. I am thankful for the opportunity to look into my own heart and think about my thoughts as well as my attitude towards God. It is a book that will make you evaluate your own walk with Christ as you consider the source of your joy.
In the book Piper points out that enjoying God can seem mutually elusive because we often do not believe that we were created to pursue pleasure. Somehow we believe the lie that “If it’s enjoyable or pleasurable, it’s probably not right.” One of the quotes that stuck in my mind from the book that originated with C.S. Lewis:
“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about……when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
I am often content with the little joys of life when I know I was created for so much more. The back of the book includes a discussion guide if you would like to have a group discussion. I recommend reading it for yourself or sharing in the journey with others.
