Hi!

I know I’ve been MIA this summer…sorry about that.  It’s been a little insane in the MiniMak household. I’ve started a new job and we’ve been busy with summer sports and activities. 

I hope to be more present this Fall and hope to rekindle the friendships I’ve made through this blog!  I miss you guys!

Well…I am off to sew some Christmas gift bags! So…I’ll be sure to update the blog-ee very soon!

Till then…

~Christine~

Thanks to my cousin J for this…she posted it on her FB page and I stole it! hee!

P.S. That is NOT how we (Canadians) pronounce Cameron.  They just needed it to rhyme with Dion.

Enjoy, eh!

 {via}

Yes…I know…this is completely random and that I haven’t been around lately.  With the weather shaping up, I don’t feel like sitting in front of the computer more than my usual 8 hours at work.  I hope to be posting some fun stuff soon!

A few days ago, I had a craving for chocolate chip cookies.  I don’t make cookies very often…just when I have a craving for them.  As I was making them, I thought about these fat, chewy, chocolately cookies.  I used the recipe on the back of the chocolate chips bag and was so excited to satisfy my craving.  I was so disappointed when they came out of the oven looking like this:

Don’t get me wrong…they tasted great! They just weren’t what I was craving.  I had no idea what I did wrong.  I followed the recipe to the “T”.  So I asked for some advice on Facebook and Twitter.  I got a lot of advice and tips.  I made another batch using all the tips I received and got some amazing results! 

Now THIS is what I call a FAT chocolate chip cookie!!

Here are the tips I received:

• Don’t grease the pan. (I never do this anyway)
• Sift the flour. (I sifted half as I remembered after pouring in the first cup)
• Cool the dough before putting it on the cookie sheet. (I put my dough into the fridge for about 1/2 an hour before rolling them into balls and setting them on the cookie sheet.)
• Crank the heat just before putting the cookies in the oven. (I “cranked” it from 350 to 375).
• Make sure the butter is not too soft and that you have enough flour. 

My friend L, also sent me this recipe and it worked amazingly well…so I’d like to share.

*****Technically this is an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie recipe BUT I put the rolled oats through my coffee grinder instead of blender and it essentially made it into oatmeal flour.  It worked great! ******

In a large bowl, cream together:
1 cup butter (I wouldn’t substitute with margarine unless I had no other choice…), and like your friend said, not too soft…
1 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar (I actually use the ‘golden’ kind)

Add to creamy mixture and mix:
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

In a separate bowl, mix:
2 1/2 cups blended oatmeal (basically, put the oatmeal in your blender or food processor, and get it as powdery as you can)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt (I actually don’t add the salt, maybe I should?)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder

Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix. When it’s fairly well mixed, add 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Roll them into about 1-inch balls and place on a baking tray. Bake for 9-12 minute range at 375 degrees.

ENJOY!

If you use this recipe or advice please let me know! I’d love to hear how this has helped you (or not).

Hello!

Today is Monday and it is the start of a new week.  Let’s get it started!!

This week, I hope to share with you…

1. A simple little DIY project
2. Some photos of my tomato experiment.
3. Some Friday Fun.
4. My usual Saturday feature I {heart} 50 things in 50 weeks.

I’ve been going to bed at 9:30pm and sleeping right through till morning for the past 2 nights.  I see it’s 9:34pm now and I can barely keep my eyes open…zzzzzzzzzzzz…

Sorry for the lack of content…more to come…I promise!

Night. Night.

{via}

Hello!

{via}

The sun is FINALLY shining here! I hope to be able to get into my garden soon! soon!!

How are all of you?  What would you like to see here on my little blog? Any suggestions? 

Christine

Do you want to disguise yourself?

Do you want to fool the people around you? 

Then download this printable disguise kit for FREE at theprojectgirl.com

Twitter is an amazing networking tool! I have made all my blog friends mostly through Twitter.  I “met” Jeanee when I commented on her tweet about receiving Canadian potato chips in the mail!  I offered to send her some Smarties and she offered me the recipe she used for her pickled green beans!  A weekish later I got this is the mail! 

Seriously, how COOL is THAT?  She sent me an extra treat with the recipe, this delicious dark chocolate! SOOOOO GOOD!

THANK YOU Jeanee!!

If there’s any other Twitter friends who want to swap something…please contact me!  It’s so fun!

Follow me on Twitter here.