Cookie Challenge

My workplace decided to put on a cookie challenge, and I decided to throw my chef cap into the ring. Needless to say, the equipment I have on hand is far from chef quality, thus the reason I had to step up my baking skills. I decided upon a recipe called "Big Soft Ginger Snaps". The recipe calls for 15 min of prep, 10 min of cook time and cookies ready in about 50 minutes. After numerous callbacks to the kid's rooms, and an unforeseen change in directions, I was already 2 hours into the process. No laughing though, because although I followed the directions to a tee, the mixture was too gooey to handle. First batch came out looking great, but stuck to the pan big time, which meant the next two pans were destined to the same outcome. I then decided to use Pam on the following batches, which only made the cookies spread too far and overcook the edges. Live and learn I guess. Overall, they tasted good enough for the challenge, and I used some easter cookie cutters on the overspread cookies for some extra flair. Now bring on the judges.

Update: Stayed home to care for the sick wife, so the cookies didn't even get a chance to win. Oh well, more for me.

Abigail's Bedroom Upgrade

Although Abigail was quite content with her current arrangement of mattresses on the floor, and empty diaper box for a nightstand, improvements were imminent. By chance, Sheena was purusing through Craiglist and came upon a steal of a deal, which could not be passed up. We told Abigail that she was getting a new bedroom set, and immediately she kept wanting to go and see her new bed in her room. She hasn't quite grasped the concept of time yet. Fortunately the pictures online kept her happy until the real thing arrived. After picking up the items, I was welcomed home by two very eager and excited helpers. Abigail thought it would be helpful to close the garage door onto the car, but luckily no harm was done. Once everything was unloaded, they quickly set to vacuuming and washing. Upon completion of setup, the true test was passed, which of course is the jumping test. Both Spencer and Abigail approved.

Here is the before picture, and as you can see she is very happy, but something was missing. Oh ya, the furniture.

Finally the furniture being enjoyed by the kitties.