Saturday, May 19, 2012

IT'S ALL IN THE PERSPECTIVE


Joining The gypsy Mama on pouring away for 5 unedited no turning back minutes.
Join me? Read what others have to say about the golden word for today "Perspective"?

GO
We passed by the sweet shop called Jammin, and Benjamin spotted the blue and red ice slushy machine. "Can I have that", saidBenjamin. I said, we couldn't since it wasn't very tasty,didn't know what they used for the color and it was really cold you couldn't  taste anything, anyway. He thought for a few seconds and said," But thats your taste." "My taste is different and I might like it". Now, I played the "Its still a No" card, mothers use when they cant think of anything else.

Reminded me of my relationship with God. I want something. I ask Him. He gives a clear NO.And I justify my reasons on how it can be good for me and how much  I want/need it. (The want and need all blurred up).

I understand the frustration Benjamin had when he didn't get the slushy thing.He just had to accept what I said. I had to accept what He said. And it isn't a pretty sight with the temper tantrum of the mind and heart.

Mama knows best, so they say. God knows best and thats for sure.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.(Jeremiah 29:11)

STOP                                                               

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Best ever Chocolate cookie Recipe



This is a recipe , from  Meredith Graham, a friend I know from church here in Eindhoven. Cookie. Chocolate. Who can't resist. So I made an excuse to bake these with my boys. Elijah wasn't too enthusiastic about it. He made it clear by saying:Elijah very angry!.Mind you, he is only 2 years old and check out that attitude. Humph. Benjamin, my sweetie was all in for cookie baking. He loves to help make stuff. Well, mostly the licking part. So, I thought I would test out Meredith's recipe and give it is "BEST EVA" title.

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies (I got around 35 cookies)
77 g butter @ room temperature (1/3 cup)
120 g crisco- vegetable shortening (2/3 cup)
157 g granulated sugar (Fijn Crystal suiker) (3/4 cup)
187 g packed brown sugar (light bastard suiker) (3/4 cup)
2 eggs
2 tsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
270 g all-purpose flour/ zeuwse bloem(2 and 1/4 cups but please use a scale for the flour)
250 g chocolate chips (9 oz)



Ingredients needed for the cookies

  1. Pre-heat conventional oven to 375 degrees F (180 degrees C).
  2. Cream the butter and shortening until light and fluffy. 
  3. Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar and beat until well blended. 
  4. One at a time, add the eggs, scraping down the bowl after each addition. 
  5. Add the milk and vanilla and mix just until combined. 
  6. In a separate bowl, sift the salt, baking powder, baking soda and flour. 
  7. Add flour mixture to butter/sugar mix a bit at a time, mixing just until combined each time, and scraping the bowl often. 
  8. Once flour is almost completely incorporated, add the chocolate chips, mix just until distributed. 
  9. Drop by rounded spoon onto cookie sheets (I use the two spoon method, scoop with one and push the dough out of the spoon with another spoon) and bake for 8 to 10 minutes. 
  10. If you like your cookies very soft, take them out just before you think they are done. If you like a bit of crisp on the outside, leave them until they just begin to brown. Rotate your cookie sheet half-way through baking if your oven is uneven (most are).



Elijah not so happy and made it clear that he was angry
Here are the steps in pictures:





Elijah adding the Crisco
All the butter and Crisco mixed. And licked too!
Benjamin cracking his first egg. And Elijah ready to wear glasses to avoid splashes



Mastering the spooning technique




All set to pop into the oven






Klaar!








I definitely would have got at least 40-45 cookies. But some didn't survive the cookie monsters. They didn't even make it on the baking tray before baking. Monster tactics used: speed licking and eat one spoon-scoop on one spoon. Meredith, I got to say they were the best. I even wrapped a few in baking paper and tied a bow. Benjamin went and gave it to our neighbors on either side. They absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the wrapped goodies before they were whisked away to the neighbors.

They were baked wonderfully in exactly 10 minutes. Left it out to cool and into the box when the next batch came out of the oven. Some of them had funny shapes , but what the heck, they tasted superlicious!


Meredith, has an interesting blog of great bakes, among other things. She has found places to get those baking,cake decorating items in Eindhoven, that long timers like me haven't discovered yet. And she has been here for just a couple of years.Thanks Meredith for your Holland adventures!