The secret to making "The Best Cookies" better.

I finally made what New York Times calls the best chocolate chip cookie. I know that you've seen these cookies around the interwebs, but this is yet another post about them.

Yes, they were very very very good. William ate six of them. Don't tell him I told you.

Here's the secret to making them even better: drink with a glass of cold 1% milk in a glass with a striped straw. Bam.

Rather than copy the recipe, I'm just going to link it.

Don't forget the cake and bread flour. And if you feel like eating them today, make them yesterday... the dough has to simmer in the fridge for 24 hours.

Seeing Spots

(Playtime in June's room)

Yesterday was one of those days that started off amazing, and quickly took an ugly turn. My list for the day included: work at the office, Activity days (my new calling at church, I can't tell you how excited I am about it), clean the kitchen and bedroom, deliver cookies and make dinner.

In the morning, I dropped June off at my mom's and went to dad's office to work. As I was driving back, I noticed I was seeing spots,and I thought it was my contacts. Within 10 minutes of getting to my mom's house, I went from having a minor headache to feeling like my head was going to explode. Then the nausea came. I thought I knew what a migraine was, but this was a whole new level of nasty. I was thankful that I was still at my mom's... she let me sleep and watched June for a few more hours.

I didn't like yesterday at all. I only got one thing done on my list, and because of the nausea that wouldn't go away (even after my migraine did), I wasn't the most lovable mom towards this little bean:

June, I promise I will be better today... because today we're going shopping with Grandma. Nothing beats a migraine hangover like shopping with Grandma.

Here's to another day of not getting my list done. Happy Friday the 13th.

June's Diaper Change Ritual

There is a porcelain pig that guards June's books on the shelves above the changing table.

I have no idea how this ritual began, but it happens every time I change June's diaper. As I lift her from the table, she consistently reaches for the pig and gently touches its face. After a few seconds, she's done.

It's bizarre, but awesome. Maybe she thinks it's good luck... or maybe she dreams of eating bacon?

P.S. Thank you for the pig, Debbie.

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Listening to: Wilco Station on Pandora. Next Saturday, I'll be just a few feet from Jeff Tweedy. I can't wait.

Eating: this cookie dough. Did you know you are supposed to refrigerate this dough for 24-36 hours before baking these cookies? Now you know. They seriously better be the best chocolate chip cookies ever, New York Times.

Emptying: our wallets, thanks to my '96 Honda Accord. William and I had big plans to finally do our yard, but I needed new tires and some work done on the engine. Curse you, 16-year-old car.

Entranced by: this photographer's blog. I love those Cinemagraph photos. It's just like the photos from Harry Potter.

Reading: "There's a Monster at the End of this Book" to June. I loved this book when I was little. Did you know there's a sequel?

June's Golden Idol

I've mentioned before June's obsession with this blanket:

Because she needs to have it in hands or in sight at all times, it's a little tricky to clean it on a regular basis. I've had to develop a strategy.

While June is napping, I sneak her blanket and replace it with a sweater that just so happens to be the same texture. I make the switch Indiana Jones style. (You know the scene when Indy switches the bag of sand for the golden idol? Except I have to do it a little more swiftly and carefully.)

Today, unfortunately, the end result was the same as the movie's:

Caught. Well, at least I wasn't chased around my house by a giant rolling boulder.

The BEAST that had SKABS on his ABS

The Bradfords have a way of leaving their mark after they've stayed at your house for a weekend, sort of like a dog marking his territory (but in a less disgusting way).

Example #1 - My kitchen letters normally spell 'EAT'. Remember when Daniel did this? Well, this time they found more letters and spelled:

In addition to 'BEAST', 'ABS' and 'SKABS' adorned my kitchen shelf as well.

Example #2 - Before the Bradfords came, William and I declared ourselves loser status because our refrigerator was running very low. After the Bradfords came, somehow we tripled our condiment and snack supply. (The Bradfords love their sauces.)

Example #3 - June has been a slight grump because I can't compensate the amount of attention the Bradfords gave her all weekend.

She's also really sweaty too, for some reason.

Example #4 - Dirt Tooth Construction* returned and built us a new, solid desk:

I'll be sure to show a complete 'Before & After' in another post.

Bradfords, please come again soon... we're running out of snacks.

*Dirt Tooth was born during the time William, Daniel, and David built our backyard deck. They call it 'Dirt Tooth' because they all somehow got dirt on their teeth when they were constructing the deck. But usually when people ask what Dirt Tooth Construction is, I tell them it's just the Bradford Brothers arguing over who is the boss of their fake construction company while they fix something they just broke. The End.

You are my Family Tree

Last weekend was Baby Kensley's blessing, so the entire Bradford family came to town. It also happened to be the first time that ALL of the Bradfords were together in a several years. So of course we made some time to take family photos.

We lasted about twenty minutes with our photographer before we started taking our own pictures... senior portrait style?

All together now:

2011 was the best year so far. Mostly because of this little nugget:

How's about some goals for 2012?

1. Go outside more.

2. Plan meals better (make freezer meals, follow a meal calendar, etc.), which brings me to my next goal...

3. "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." (see list below.)

4. Read 'Jesus the Christ'.

5. Develop good studying habits.

6. Go to bed earlier and develop a better bedtime routine (wash face, floss, brush teeth, prayers, scriptures, plan, read, etc.)

7. Organize my house.

8. Take more photos. Take a photography class. Read the camera manual. Get a camera lens. Print and organize the photos.

9. Go to the library once a month. Return books on time.

10. Have more fun with William and June. Take a trip? Go on more dates? (I use question marks because I haven't discussed this with William.)

That's all for now.

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Eating: an apple. BAM. Already off to a good start.

Listening to: The Black Keys "El Camino". OH MY. SO GOOD.

Reading: "In Defense of Food". This is the book that will hopefully change my diet (See #3). I've only read the first chapter and I'm already converted. I just hope it lasts...

Wondering: what happened to the cold weather? Seriously, don't go.

Planning to FINALLY bake: these cookies. William bought me some bread flour and cake flour. You're also probably wondering what these cookies have to do with my new diet. First, this is where portion control comes into play. Second, be quiet.