Why is it that I always find myself with leftover chocolate chips? Honestly, I can't remember the last time I bought chocolate chips for something specifically. So, to the kitchen I go again on a Saturday night to bake.

Tonight I started with the cupcake cookbooks, and nothing was really jumping out at me. We received a cookbook as a wedding gift and as I was flipping through it an oatmeal raisin cookie recipe caught my eye. What would be a more perfect vessel for chocolate chips than a healthy oatmeal raisin cookie?

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 egg at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chocolate chips

heat oven to 350 ~ prep cookie sheets with non-stick spray

mix flour, baking soda, kosher salt & cinnamon in a small bowl; set aside

mix egg and vanilla in a small bowl; set aside

beat butter & brown sugar in a stand mixer until blended

add egg & vanilla mixture ~ add dry mixed dry ingredients ~ stir in oats, raisins & chocolate chips

scoop onto prepared cookie sheets ~ bake for approximately 12 minutes

Enjoy!

Our year has gotten off to a great start!

We have implemented our jar of memories, and already have one memory sealed away until next year.

We celebrated my 28th birthday. A group of us got together for brunch at Frontier in Chicago. It was a great brunch with fabulous company. I'm so grateful to have such wonderful friends.

This past weekend we went on a short ski weekend with the FIL (father-in-law) and BIL (brother-in-law). We flew into Denver Friday, went to Breckenridge and to Beaver Creek, and were back home by Monday evening. It was (probably) our only ski outing of the season, so we really made the most of it. I now have a second favorite destination (Steamboat is still #1) in Colorado - Beaver Creek! The runs were long, and not too crowded. The scenery surrounding the slopes was beautiful, and had homes intertwined with the mountain. I would highly recommend it!

We're only 18 days into the New Year, and it's been so awesome! 28 is off to a great start and I know it will be another amazing year!

What better project while home alone on a Saturday night than baking? I'm not sure there is one!

Thinking about what I can scrap together without going to the store, my first thought is chocolate chips. And, like magic, I have two perfectly ripe and mashable bananas. So, to Google we go for a recipe.

After reading through a few, and not having ingredients for some, I stumble upon a blog post called 'The Last Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Recipe You'll Ever Need.' Screaming to be made, right?

First things first,

assemble ingredients.

 

dry.

*Sarah's recipe calls for mini-chocolate chips. I had regular, milk chocolate, and used about 1 1/4 cups. 

wet.

 *Sarah's recipe calls for buttermilk. I didn't have buttermilk so used almond milk instead.

mix.

*Sarah's recipe used three mini loaf pans, which I do have, but don't know what to do with three mini loafs, so made one normal sized. Now, come to think of it, I could have made three mini loafs, and frozen two ... shoot.

bake.

eat.

Enjoy!

We did a lot of cleaning up in our house this week. A little "spring cleaning" if you will.

During this spring clean, I realized how many vases I have that just sit on my shelf collecting dust. I wanted to find a way to make them look nice on my shelf, even if they still collect a bit of dust here and there!

So, here's my recipe for all of those vases in your home that are going unused!

Step 1: Gather Your Vases

Step 2: Gather Coordinating Ornaments

Step 3: Arrange Ornaments in Vase

Step 4: Arrange on the Shelf

I hope you enjoy this short tutorial, and maybe even try it at your house!

Welcome to 2012, everyone!

For the New Year I'm not going to make a "resolution," but continue with my ongoing effort to be happy and healthy. I will try to keep a positive attitude no matter the circumstances. I will look at the glass half full, and surround myself with people who do the same. I will continue in my efforts to treat other people as I wish to be treated. I will strive to workout 3-4 times a week.

This year we have decided to keep memories in a jar for, sort of, a year in review next New Year. I found the idea on Pinterest, and have already implemented it into our home.

It will be so fun at the end of 2012 to open up this little time capsule and re-live all of the great times we had during the year.

2011 was a great year with lots of travel to visit friends and family across the country. Our apartment became more of a home, now that we've been there over a year and a half, and the creatures are now more like brother and sister.

2012 is sure to bring us another wonderful year full of family, friends, travel, and great memories. We can't wait!

Happy New Year, all!