Better Than Chocolate Chip Cookies

In our house, this cookie is the favorite, hands down. Why have a plain old chocolate chip cookie, when you can have a chocolate chocolate chip cookie? Just as easy to make, with the addition of unsweetened cocoa powder to the batter. I made some today with my youngest and thought I would share our recipe (from Real Simple) with you.

Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk-chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Cream the butter and sugars in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed. Lower to medium speed and add the egg and vanilla. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. On low speed, add the dry mixture to the butter mixture. Beat until fully incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips.
2. Form the dough into approximately 1 1/2-inch balls. Place on parchment- or foil-lined baking sheets, 2 inches apart.
3. Bake until the centers are just set, about 12 minutes. Let cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.

Mmmmm...delicious!

Nelson Family Sneak Peek {Marin County Family Portrait Photographer}

We all mean to have family photographs taken on a somewhat regular basis. We know our children are growing and changing daily and that by next year they will be in a completely different stage. It will be harder to remember exactly what our family is like now, a year from now. Life does not slow down and before you know it more time has passed than you would have liked.

I love looking at our family photos from over the years, seeing the changes and the progression. I love helping to capture that for others. These are important memories and times worth capturing!

This lovely family have had a tough year. An adoring mom, who truly found real joy in her family; her children, who cherished being a stay-at-home-mom like few I know, was forced to return back to work. I know it was not what she would have chosen, but sometimes difficult decisions are forced upon us. She and her husband are a team though and she recognized that this was what had to be done. It's at times like these when we cling to what matters most: our faith, our family and friends. Life is not always going to be easy, we were never promised that.

I love the love that they have for each other, that at the end of the day, they are each others safe place. I am so glad that this shoot finally took place. It was a beautiful evening, with gorgeous light, for this beautiful family.

It was hard to narrow down a few for this post, but here is a sneak peek. Enjoy!

Sunburst Lemon Bars

I don't do it as much as I would like, or used to...but I love to bake. You will have to believe me when I tell you, I am a huge chocolate fan, but sometimes a hot day calls for a light, refreshing, zingy treat.

This weekend I was given lemons so off I went to Pinterest to find something yummy to make. I found these sunburst lemon bars, glazed instead of just sprinkled with powdered sugar and decided they would fit the bill perfectly.

Click here to see where I got the recipe from.

Sunburst Lemon Bars

barely adapted from Pillsbury, Easy Meals, Picnics & Potlucks, August 2005
makes 36 bars
per bar: 150 calories, 6g fat, 22g carbs, 0g fiber, 2g protein

Ingredients:

Crust
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. grated lemon peel

Filling
4 eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. grated lemon peel

Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice
Note: You'll need about two lemons for the juice/peel in this recipe. If you don't have enough lemon juice left for the glaze, add water until you get the right consistency.

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl with electric mixer, beat flour, sugar, butter, and peel on low speed until crumbly. Press mixture evenly in bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch pan. Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown.
2. Meanwhile, in large bowl with wire whisk, lightly beat eggs. Beat in remaining filling ingredients except lemon juice and lemon peel until well blended. Beat in 1/4 cup lemon juice and peel.
3. Remove partially baked base from oven. Pour filling evenly over warm base.
4. Return to oven; bake 25 to 30 minutes longer or until top is light golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
5. In small bowl, mix 1 cup powdered sugar and enough lemon juice for desired spreading consistency until smooth. Spread glaze over cooled bars. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator, but allow bars to come to almost room temperature before serving.

A Day in the Life - May 2012

I recently read a blog post that totally resonated with me. It was all about how often photographers end up neglecting the documentation of their own families. Sometimes it can be due to being too busy with client work, or a lack of inspiration, or just not being able to balance everything. The photographer went on to say that she now chooses one day each month to document, from morning to night, so that each month she is guaranteed photographs of her family and her life.

I felt challenged and inspired, so I am starting it too! May 1st was my first attempt, as I figured the 1st of each month would be the easiest to remember. I haven't made any rules for myself, but will try to post by mid-month a few of the photos from that day.

These are not technically perfect (far from it), or portrait-worthy, this is just real life (try not to be jealous of my laundry and dishes!). If you are doing something similar leave me a comment with a link to where I can follow along with you, I would love that!