Cookie recipe

The link I used for the cookie below was not working, so I just posted the recipe on the original post!

St. George Weekend

A few weeks ago Matt and I decided to escape down to sunny St. George. What a lovely time we had. The weather was gorgeous and warm. We didn't do a whole lot- just relaxed mostly. We are so lucky to have a nice comfortable spot down in Southern Utah. It's one of our favorite spots!

On the way down we decided to drive the Alpine Loop to see all the fall leaves. Wow, so beautiful. However, as we climbed higher and higher up the mountain we drove into a complete blizzard! No fall leaves up there, just white knuckle driving. Matt did get out a few times to snap some glorious shots.

Why do I do this to myself?

Cowboy Cookies. Num-nums as Felix would say. Try these out, they really are so tasty.

Makes about 3 dozen
Vegetable oil cooking spray
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch chunks (1 cup)
3 ounces (3/4 cup) pecan halves
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder.
Beat butter and sugars with a mixer on medium-high until pale and creamy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
Reduce speed to low, and slowly add flour mixture, beating until just incorporated. Beat in oats, chocolate, pecans, and coconut until combined. (Dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.)
Using a 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop or a small spoon, drop dough onto baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart.
Bake until edges of cookies begin to brown, 11 to 13 minutes. Transfer baking sheets to a wire rack, and let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks. Let cool. (Cookies can be stored up to 3 days.)

SpooKY HalLOWeEn PaRTy

Last Saturday was my annual Halloween party and boy was it Spooktacular! This year I bent the rules a bit and allowed the guys to come, and I have to say it was a lot of fun. Everyone came in masks, hats & creepy fake facial hair. Ha! The girls had fun taking pictures with mustaches and beards....those pictures will not be posted until closer to Halloween!

There is just something wonderful about getting friends together on a chilly fall evening. Laughter, food, & friends.....life is good!

p.s. we missed you Kate & Brian!!!

Tracy Aviary

What a fun spot to test out ones new camera! We had a blast!

PuMPKin PaTCh

One of our favorite traditions every October is going to the local pumpkin patch. I love seeing all the funny shapes, colors and textures. I try to find pumpkins with a good thick stem and that will sit upright on the porch. The pumpkin patch we went to is out in Draper and they have the most amazing warty varieties. They look so bumpy and freaky! My cute friend Shauna (aka Grammy Shauna) took us and let us pick out all the orange beauties our hearts desired. She so spoils us! Here are a few cute shots.

Jet Settin

Oh goodie goodie gum drops I had the best day on Wednesday! I flew up to Seattle for a few hours to hang out with Kate. So fun! This is how it happened.... Nora (a friend of Kate's and a friend of mine) -her dad has a private jet and needed to go pick up her step brother and take him back to SLC. So, Nora didn't want seats to go to waste so she told Kate to invite some peeps to come up for the afternoon. I made it, and Kate's little sisters Molly and Laura came as well. Boy did we have a great time. What a way to travel! No bag check in, no lines, no security, no people. You just drive to the jet center and board the plane. Score! The plane also had Cheetos to snack on, was I in heaven or what?! When we arrived in Seattle, Kate met us and we went to a cool outdoor mall to shop, chat and eat cupcakes. Seattle is so dreamy. Green, lush and beautiful. We ate lunch at a fun mexican place and then sadly, we were off back to Salt Lake. Only a few hours with Kate, but it was worth it. I so hope to do it again sometime! What a cool experience. So lucky.

Waterslide

Summer's End

Wow, I'm seriously so behind on my blog. I have a few pictures from the end of this great summer! Oh how the summer flies on by. Don't get me wrong, I love autumn, but this year I have been fighting the cold weather a little more then usual. I guess it's because this past summer was just so lovely. I will have to welcome the falling leaves, warm apple cider and pumpkin's which I really don't mind, and look forward to next year's Bear Lake trips, sunshine, green grass and long lazy days.


Cowabunga Baby! I just HAD to take a visit to the new water park out in Draper this year for my birthday. Water sliding is one of my favorite activities. It just makes me smile, laugh & all my stress seems to dissolve. I would have to say that Seven Peaks is a little more adventurous, but these slides were still fun. Felix had a good time playing in the fountains, eating ice cream and maybe had kinda fun going down one of the slides.




12 Peach pies. Yes, you heard me correct I made 12 of the most delicious fresh peach pies with my friend Shauna back in September. We made crusts, filling, and fresh whipped cream. These pies are to die for. I'm serious. I think I ate 2 whole pies by myself. Oh I just can't resist! I had peaches coming out of my ears. I did pies, peach jam, peach puree, & just sliced and froze peaches to make cobbler all winter long.

The Utah State Fair. Classic. I haven't hit up the fair in like 10 years and now I remember why. Crazy carni folk. I can't believe all the strange people, and all the junk. Oh the junk! It was fun taking Felix to see all the animals, and he enjoyed all the lights and sounds. Of course we had to get roasted corn on the cob with butter, corn dogs, soda and other bad things. Sassy and Jordan got a deep fried pickle and it looked so delicious. I think the food is the best part of the fair, don't you? Did you know they have "A Giant Gator"? I went and viewed the poor thing for 50 cents. This large reptile was all cramped in this nasty looking shallow pool within a giant trailer. That is no way to live my friends. I want to plan a way to save this majestic creature and let him free.