Perfection of the cookie!

Today I am a food blogger.  I'm taking a photography class with my little Sony Cyber-shot.  It is amazing how much it can do.  (I had no idea!)  So, here is a post, complete with a recipe!

Also, I'm dedicating this post to one of my best girlfriends, Jen Schwartz.  She is amazing with the camera, and loves chocolate.  I really miss you, and since we can't be together for your birthday, here is a post just for you!

It's hard to love anything more than the perfect cookie!

This shot uses the pretty china, just to mix it up.  Also, you can see the chocolate chip is soft, not hard, just the way I like 'em.

Beautiful.

You always include a picture of one of your kids if you are a food blogger.  It's mandatory.

Dunked in milk!  (I liked the colors here.)

Finally, a darker background with milk and plenty of yumminess!

These are all raw shots, without any editing.  That way my cool photo teacher, Jenna with Jenna Beach Photography can see them, in their first form. Okay, ready for the recipe?  It has two secret ingredients-The majority of the recipe comes from a site called http://kelseysappleaday.blogspot.com/2011/08/best-ever-chewy-chocolate-chip-cookies.html
Follow this recipe exactly-including the cornstarch! The second secret is to substitute the butter to Butter-Flavor Crisco.  Trust me on this, it gives an amazing result.  I only cook them for around 8 minutes, and let them rest on the tray for another minute or two, then remove.  That way the bottom is just brown enough, but the cookie is so, so soft.
Oh, one other thing: double the recipe.  You won't be sorry!
Enjoy everyone, and happy birthday, Jen!!

Thanks for coming, mom!

Dear Mom,
We are so glad you came to visit.  Hopefully, soon I will find the pictures from
Circus World!  It was a fun day!
I enjoyed having you here, please come again soon!!
Love and kisses from the Cheese capital (I know you are craving some-and some peaches and cream, right?  wink. wink.)
Lara

G-Ma in Wisconsin Part III: Jurustic Park

There is a little known place here, on Sugarbush Road, called "Jurustic Park".  

 Very creative metal sculptures made of all kinds of things are put together.  People buy them for lawn ornaments and what-not.

My mom claims to be more of an Okie, but she is still a HOG fan!  Look at her kiss a pig!

G-Ma in Wisconsin Part II

 Grandma watched the boys while Josh and I went on a date.

Vincent is just so darn cute!

I couldn't resist this one, my older one with the undies, and the younger one showing off his curvy legs, and cute bottom.  I'm totally in love with my children.  

Grandma OK comes to Wisconsin! Part I

 My mom, known as "Grandma Oklahoma"  came and visited for two weeks.  We had a low-key visit.  It was nice.  We went to the farmer's market, made peach jam, and drove to small towns in Wisconsin for fabric sales.

 We played in the sprinkler, put together puzzles, and watched sadly as OKC lost to Miami.

 We admired the cuteness of this lil' one.

 More pictures coming soon!

Come on over. . .

  

We will be in Wisconsin this summer-"hanging around"  Josh has made quite the climbing wall in the garage.  The boys are good at putting on their helmets (excuse the pictures) and going for a climb.  Josh boulders around, there are a few on the ceiling.  This is located in our large garage.  Whoever owned this place had an RV,boat, or something because there is plenty of space.  

 

I have a strong influence over Josh, but I've never been able to take the climb out of this boy.  I have influenced him to wear a helmet.  ( He didn't own one when we married).  Our boys will climb, even if I get anxiety.  I'm slowly warming up to it.  The wall isn't as scary or as dangerous as I might have thought, and the angry bird stickers helped.  LOL.

 Here are a few pictures of our beautiful garden.  We worked from sun up to sun down.  It is about 17 by 25 feet.  We have lots of tomatoes, strawberries, cauliflower, carrots, lettuce, watermelon, zucchini,
herbs, peas and more!  I can't believe we did this.  I am in NO way good at keeping plants alive.  

Here are a few reasons I gave in and we planted: 1. When in rome-I mean everyone gardens here.  It is just the thing to do.  2.  I'm gonna be home this summer, so I can take care of it.  3.  The plot was already here-so why not use it.  4.  Josh wanted to, and we could work together.  5.  I have crazy dreams of it producing and me becoming some yummy organic cook and my kids eating vegetables that they have weeded and watered.

Let's hope it isn't dead by July!

Here is a shot the boys got in the tree house.  It has two stories and is a fun place.  We also have a maze on the hill.  Yes, a maze where we cut down the tall grass.  Why not enjoy the large field behind the house?

   Have you ever played, "Fox in the Meadow?"  You should.  It is a super fun activity.  We learned the game in snow, but you can also make a maze in grass, like we did.  Basically, it is tag with a fox chasing geese.  You just have to stay on the maze.  Once the fox tags someone and there are 2 foxes, you can trap people and use a little strategy on which path you take.

Here is a spiral shaped dead end.
This is also a very random, spiral-like post.  Oh, and even though this post is early a bit for father's day.  I just want to throw out how my boys are so lucky to have a dad who builds them a wall, and a garden, and a maze!  I love Josh, and while Marshfield wouldn't be my first pick, as long as Josh is here this is where I want to be. So, come on over-it's gonna be a fun summer!

A Medieval Family

Vinny's very first birthday happened to fall on the night of the school carnival.  I dressed up as a princess and passed out royal invitations at the school on Thursday.  Students and families were encouraged to dress up; if you ever need a pick-me-upper, I strongly suggest dressing as a princess and going to a kindergarten classroom.  The little girls told me time and again how beautiful I was and asked me, "are you a real princess?"  

"Of course, I am, " was always my response.  Such an esteem builder!

Vincent was our dragon.

Dragon Vinny.

Vinny and Dad.

Our  knight in shining armor, on a wave board, Ivan.

Ivan the knight!

Ammon as Robin Hood.

Orlando was the jester.  He was great and even memorized jokes.  My favorite was what do you get from a nervous cow?
A milkshake.