photgraphy

Chocolate Chip & Dried Tart Cherry Cookies

/ Jodi / 57 Comments

Chocolate Chip and Dried Tart Cherry Cookies.

I have shared many versions of cookies here at The CreativeLifeinBetween.

In fact, in some homes (very few indeed), I am known as the Cookie Queen.

And it seems no matter what kind I make, the all-time favorite is the Chocolate Chip Cookie.

I often change it up a little, but when I add dried tart cherries, I know I am going to make at least one guy smile ( who happens to be my youngest son).

So this week, I made a batch that I hope will bring a smile to our busy family as we prepare for exciting days and years ahead.

New homes – growing families – lots of love.


Here is how I make them.

Chocolate Chip and Dried Tart Cherry Cookies

Ingredients:

4 sticks (1 lb.) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups white granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla
4 eggs
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp salt
5 cups all purpose flour
1 12-oz bags Nestle Chocolate Chunk Morsels (or your favorite)
8-oz  Dried Tart Cherries (I used Trader Joe’s)

Directions:

With electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together until completely incorporated. Add vanilla and eggs, and beat until light and fluffy. Add baking soda and salt, and mix another minute. Gradually add flour and beat until well incorporated, but do not overbeat.

Fold in chocolate chunk morsels and dried cherries.  Refrigerate dough for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375 degrees F. With your hands, form a cookie dough ball about 1-1/2 inches in diameter.  Place on baking stone. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Do not overbake. Allow to cool on baking stone for 5-6 minutes, then remove to cooling rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

Cheers  & Hugs,
Jodi

Snow at Daybreak

/ Jodi / 53 Comments

Snow at Daybreak – Mars, PA – January 2018

Snow at Daybreak.

I stumble through
the early morning darkness
heading to the kitchen
for that first cup of coffee
to help prop open
my bleary eyes.

On my way,
I flip the switch
that turns on
the flood light
shining out
into the backyard.

What could be
more beautiful
than bright white
fluffy snowflakes
fluttering down
on a cold January morning?

Snow at Daybreak.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

A Bright Spot in the Storm

/ Jodi / 61 Comments
Red Male Cardinal - Backyard, Mars, PA - taken through glass window - January, 2018

Red Male Cardinal – Backyard, Mars, PA – taken through glass window – January, 2018

A Bright Spot in the Storm.

Need we really look
any further

than out the window
amidst a storm

when searching
for a bright spot?

Nature’s examples
teach us

there is always a bright spot
amidst a storm.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Bright red male cardinals fill my backyard in the winter and seem even more vibrant when the snow is swirling and blowing and the tree branches are bare.  Such a bright spot in my day.

When Timber Makes One Feel Small

/ Jodi / 54 Comments

When Timber Makes One Feel Small.

When I awoke yesterday morning,
I squealed like a elementary school girl anticipating a snow day.

We had our first measurable snowfall,
and this is the beauty I get to behold from my back deck.

As I took in the bright sunlight, the tall trees, and the long shadows they cast,
I felt very small realizing the expanse of nature and our world.

And it reminded me of a quote from a sweet little book I just read
and have been itching to share, because I think about it every day now.

If I got to talk to
me when I was little.
I’m not sure who
would be smarter.
Little me telling me
what not to forget.
Or bigger me telling
little me ‘if only I’d
known.’

“When I Was Little” by C. Faherty Brown

What do you think?  Which one of you is smarter?

Colleen is also a blogger, who shares little bits of insanely insightful wisdom with simple, adorable illustrations that really draw you in.  Check her out at The Chatter Blog.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

Soft Spots

/ Jodi / 33 Comments

Leopard, Pittsburgh Zoo, October, 2017

Soft Spots.

Things I have a soft spot for….

The words “I love you” – especially from my sons.
Outstretched arms – especially from my granddaughter.
Belly laughs – especially from hubby.

The smell of lilacs and popcorn and cinnamon.
Misty mornings.
The blue sky of Autumn.

Vintage pearls.
Antique library card catalog cabinets.
Sourdough bread.

Random texts.
Handwritten notes.
Doggie greetings every time I return home.

The way my daughter-in-laws look at their husbands.
Hugs from friends.
Smiles from strangers.

Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi

 

Tip Toe through the… Fallen Leaves – A Charlie Guest Post

/ Jodi / 44 Comments

Tip Toe through the… Fallen Leaves:  A Charlie Guest Post.

I’m trying to tip toe,
taking it nice and slow..

but these crispy, crunchy leaves
which are supposed to be up in the trees

are warning my prey
and giving me away!

Good thing I’m only sneakin’
up on Mom who is peekin’

through that silly camera lens
that causes her to spend

way too much time
thinking of silly rhymes.

(Good thing I come along every once in a while and give her a break!)

Woofs & Wags,
Charlie

Charlie is an adopted dog with brown eyes and a white-tipped tail who brings joy and laughter to his family and friends.  Charlie is a gifted writer, raving food critic, cat, chipmunk, and donut lover, and exceptionally photogenic model.  Some of his best friends are Mike the UPS Man, Cliff the Mailman, Jaeger the neighbor dog, and ANYONE who delivers pizza to the house.   If you would like to read more guest posts by Charlie, simply type “Charlie” into the Search box at the top right hand corner of this link: thecreativelifeinbetween.com.   If you would enjoy a companion like Charlie, please consider pet adoption.