Friday, July 8, 2011

Mr. Popper's Penguins: Summer Reading Ch 1 & 2



In an effort to keep reading high on the list of "likeable activities" in our house, I put together a Chapter by Chapter lesson plan for the book, Mr. Popper's Penguins. J has already started and so far its a hit!  Getting him started is a challenge, but once he opens the book he's determined to do all the activities. 

I started with the information I found at Home School Share and went from there.  I tweaked and added and cut to fit with our style and the things J likes to do. 

We have no set schedule, I am taking a "when you are ready" approach.  The only requirement is that he read a chapter and complete the associated activities before moving on to the next chapter. 

Here's a peek at what I've put together for the first 2 chapters!  You are free to use, just don't publish as your own!  If you share please link back to me for credit! 

Mr. Popper's Penguins Ch 1-2

****update**** In these lessons there is a puzzle mentioned. This is the exact puzzle we used and loved it! 





Happy Reading!



Linking up:
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Monday, July 4, 2011

My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Happy Fourth of July!!  In honor of the brave, I thought I'd share an American favorite!

EVERYONE has their favorite cookie recipe...or at least remains on the search for their favorite.  I have only recently become a fan of baking.  And baking cookies was a FAIL time and time again.  Then I stumbled upon a recipe that changed my view of homemade, fresh out of the oven, made from scratch cookies.  Nabisco, I've moved on. 

It all started from a post here on Yesterday on Tuesday. That would be the blog, Yesterday on Tuesday, not a reference to time.  I loved the idea of making my own oat flour and began my adventure into Chocolate Chip recipe perfection. 

I kept trying different things until not only am I able to repeat the recipe again and again (I'm bad about noting what I do when I tweak recipes), but I am confident to share with the world my version.  So, if you think you are not a baker, think again.  This recipe is for you! 

Start with the oats.  Oats + Blender = Oat Flour

Sweet , soft oat flour.  Makes me feel good about eating cookies. 
We all need some fiber don't we?


Add other flour, baking soda & powder, and salt.  Blend.
I love my Blender.  It has found a permanent home on my counter...and that's a good thing.  I don't like a lot of appliances on the counter. 

Cream butter and sugars together.  This is where the good for you ends.
But your family will love you...and that makes it all OK. 

Again, blender comes in handy.  The pouring spout on the blender makes the flour slide in nice and smooth.  No poofs of flour powder everywhere!  Just remember to turn the mixer on low as the flour goes in. 

My Cookie scoop.  I spray my scoop with non stick spray several times throughout the scooping process.  When the dough begins to stick, I wipe out the scoop and spray with non stick cooking spray...and scoop again. 

I also spray my pan each time I take baked cookies off and add new scoops.

My cookie mounds.  Must remind myself every time, the more cookie dough I eat now, the less cookies we have to eat later.  Yes, I know I know...raw eggs, could end badly.  I just can't resist cookie dough! YUM!

Bake at 375 for approx. 12 min.  Some days my oven does this in 12 min.  Some days its 13 min.  The key is to look for the "just turning brown" stage.  The peaks and edges of the cookies will be golden brown, but not the entire cookie.  Bake any longer, and your cookies will be hard. 

Hot, gooey cookies, fresh from the oven.  You must resist the temptation to eat now.  They still have 5 min of baking to do as they rest.  Trust me...I've done it.  Their gooey.  Let them do their thing.  It's good for them, and you learn patience. 



Chocolate Chip Cookies with Oat Flour
Printable Recipe Here

This makes anywhere from 2 - 3 dozen cookies...depending on size of your scoops!

2 ½ cups oats (old fashion)
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 cups chocolate chips
2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)
non stick cooking spray


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  

Blend oats in  blender or food processor until powder like substance.  You now have oat flour.  
Add white flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Pulse blender few times to mix.  


In bowl of mixer, cream butter.  Add both sugars and mix well.  Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.  Set mixer to low speed, and slowly add flour mixture.  Pick up mixer speed to medium and mix until combined well.  Add chocolate chips and walnuts.  Mix well.

Spray cookie sheets with non stick spray.  Spray cookie scoop with spray.  Scoop dough into mounds on sprayed cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 for 12 min.  (more or less depending on oven and cookie mound size)  When cookies are just turning golden, remove from oven.  Allow to rest on pan for 5 minutes then move to cooling rack.


Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Sip & See Baby Shower

Last night I assisted in hosting a baby shower for a sweet Lil Violet.  I've uploaded some pictures at Catch My Party.  However, there are a few ideas I think you'll love! 
Top Row:  Berry Skewers, Veggie Cups, Pudding Cups
Bottom Row:  Limeade Bar, Wishes for Baby, Cookie Favors


Berry Skewers:  I don't think I need to explain...berries + wooden skewers!  You could use ANY berries you desire.  Our berry of choice was anything in the purple family since our Baby Shower colors were green and purple.




Veggie Cups:  I love this idea and how now used it several time.  Just squeeze your favorite veggie dip into bottom of cup and add veggie sticks!  This works great for simple snacks for the kiddos too.






Pudding Cups:  We made a simple a chocolate pudding and poured it into individual tea cups to keep with our Sip & See theme.  Crushed oreos and whip cream on top.  Yum!  Leftovers are in my fridge calling my name. 



Limeade Bar:  Very popular!  Limeade (from frozen concentrate) and 7up, that's it.  Guests were able to customize their Limeade with a mix in...we offered cherries, strawberries, blackberries, watermelon & blueberries.  It's fun to see what people with try!



The last two were made possible by some wonderful FREE printables.  It wouldn't be a party by me without printables!



Wishes for Baby was provided by
Lil Sugar.

Cookie Favors Printable came from Intimate Weddings.  They also have a good looking cookie recipe you could use if you don't have your own.  One day, I will share mine with you. 

Until then....


I linked my party to:
Bird's Party
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