Kid Art Hoarding

I’ve got a confession…My name is Ashley (crowd shouts in unison “Hi Ashley”)
My reply: I’m a kid art hoarder.

Well in all fairness, I’ve inherited them back from my mom’s crawlspace where they’ve lived for over 20yrs. I’ve already pitched a ton of it but I just can’t bring myself to toss out the last folder of junk art that’s about 20+ years ago. WHY!?, why can’t I do it!!?

I can just see it now…20 years from now, I will be buried under E’s collection of art.. 

 Don't get me wrong, I love that our lil man does a themed art project EVERYDAY at daycare but C’MON Teacher! Where am I going to store all of the little cutouts, overpainted, scribbled, ripped and random but cute projects in our tiny little house? (“The Mommy guilt” kicks in everytime I try to pitch’em..)

E's Recent Art

Dragon Mask for Chinese New Year/Puffy Paint and sparkles

Learning about China/Fingerpaint

Windmill painted with Marbles

I found the perfect solution! I will display them for a week,
Then I’ll add the artwork to a DIGITAL ART BOOK where they can live clutter free forever & ever!

(Photo source: A Little of This-A little of That ) 

http://alittleofthis---alittleofthat.blogspot.com/2010/11/diy-kids-art-display.html

I’ve been documenting E’s first 22mths in a digital photo album made on Blurb @Blurbbooks

I heart Blurb! It’s free to download & create books, the pricing is decent, shipping is pretty fast and the quality of the books are AMAZING!! (PS this is not a sponsored post - just pure, honest love!)

Check out a sampling of his ‘1^st year’ book here (professional photos are done by the lovely, talented Jacqueline Clement/Method Photography)

E's -1st yr | http://www.blurb.com

To Do’s

*Photograph E’s recent Art

*Start a new Blurb Book for his mounting kiddo artwork pile

*Display ‘said’ art

*Pitch last week’s art – With NO Mommy guilt!

(Almost) Prize Winning Chocolate Chip Cookies

Okay..so they are National Prize Winners - but they are winners on my street!

I’m not stellar at the whole cooking thing (and I'm working on my DIY skillz) but one thing you can't knock are my baking skills cause I’m pretty sweet at it! (cheesy pun intended :) )

I have a standard Go-To Chocolate Chip recipe that friends, family and coworkers don’t seem to complain about – so I figure they are pretty good.


With my new addiction love of Pinterest I figured I could peruse the pins for a new variation.


I found a recipe for Chocolate Chip Pudding cookies...

I tried them..FAIL..The suckers look tasty but are very finicky to bake.. Cook 2 mins too long and they are dryer than Las Vegas in the summer! Blah!

I guess I’ll stick to my good’ol standard recipe for now. I highly recommend you give'em a whirl!!

A lil crispy, A lil chewy, A whole lot'a sweetness, Giant Chocolate Chip cookies

Serve with milk or even better, red wine
Makes about 30 (3"- 4" cookies)
Ingredients:

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 tsp salt (PS don't be a bonehead like me and use Sea Salt like I did with the last batch)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 1/4 cup brown sugar (use light or dark brown sugar - works with either)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs (room temp)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-1 1/2 semisweet chocolate chip cookies


Steps:
1.  Sift flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda (strongly recommended)
2.  Preheat oven to 350°
3.  Beat butter/sugars for in mixer (on medium/high) for a minimum 5min, til light and fluffy - Trust me!
4.  Add 1 egg at a time
5.  Add vanilla (I occasionally add some almond extract or a sprinkle of pumpkin spice to mix it up)
6.  Reduce speed to low, add flour slowly, beat until combined
7.  Mix in choc.chips
8.  Drop BIG (round) dough balls (at least a heaping Tbsp sized) onto parchment - 2" apart (see pic)
9.  Bake until edges JUST start to golden (middle will still be soft) Approx. 15min
10.  A MUST - let cool on sheet for 5min before transfer to cooling rack
11.  Cookies will flatten and crisp up as they cool


NOM NOM!!

Size of giant balls

Waiting patiently...

If only the screen were scratch and sniff or lick and taste! YUM

To Do’s:

* Work out harder this week due to over consuming

* Scour the web for another recipe to put up against these puppies


Do you have a chocolate chip recipe that you want to share for the next 'competition'? 
If you try out this recipe let me know how they turn out and if your family devours them!