"C" is for Cookie, Yee Haw Cowboy!

We were able to spend some good friendly get together time this weekend with several friends of ours from the neighborhood and church. I brought these cookies for everyone and several people had asked for the recipe. So, I thought I'd just post it here for all of you also! Cowboy Cookies are my "go-to" cookies when I need to bake something. The secret to the chewy-ness is the oatmeal, brown sugar and coconut. The secret to the rather large size - I use an ice cream scoop to round them into balls before they bake.

Very Big, Very Chewy, and Oh sooo good! Hope you enjoy-

Cowboy Cookies - Yee Haw!

2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
2 cups flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp cinnamon

1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups chocolate chips

1 cup shredded coconut

Stir together oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

In a sepatate bowl, blend butter and sugars with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs and continue to beat until fluffy. Blend in vanilla.

Mix in the dry mixture a little at a time (or you'll have flour flying around your kitchen!). Mix in the chocolate chips and coconut.

Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

Heat oven to 350.

Using an ice cream scoop, shape the dough into balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet about 2-3 inches apart.

Bake for about 10-13 minutes. Don't over bake them! Take them out when the edges are just brown and the centers are just set. Take them out of the oven, and let them sit on the pan for about 5 minutes before you take them off. If you try to take them off before this, they'll just mush up on your spatula, unless you over baked them (like I told you not too! I know this is hard, especially if your little boy is in your bathroom going through your makeup drawer and discovering that mascara is fun to scribble on one's face with - but just set your timer, you'll thank me!).

Also, I use a Silpat for baking all of my cookies. It's awesome - non stick, and preventing a lot of spreading. I also use a cookie sheet with the air flow under it - I think things cook a little slower on it, so be sure to keep an eye on your cookies while they're in the oven.

You can also try different flavors of chips - the peanut butter chips are great too.

Good luck - let me know how they turn out. I wish the pictures could've been a little better - I need a course on taking pictures I think. If only I could inject the wonderful smell - I know you're mouth would be watering!

The Apronista - If You Love Aprons - this is for You! and "Apron Angels"

I've been meaning to tell you all out there who are lovers of aprons about this great group that I am a part of - The Apronista. It's about 455 members strong now and a wonderful resource if you collect aprons, sew aprons, or just love to talk about aprons. If you are interested - leave me a comment with your e-mail (if I don't have it already) - and I'll send you an invite to join.


Visit The Apronista
Apron Angels -

Currently, I'm working on a project for disaster relief - for victims of the terrible tornados that have destroyed communities across Southwest Missouri. We are contributing handmade aprons to be distributed to the women who are struggling to get themselves back on their feet - just a small way to let them know that other women care about them and to try to bring a little joy to their lives. Aprons don't have to be about labeling women as those who only stay in the kitchen - they are about many things including expressing your creativity, showing you care about your family, honoring women from the past - who had more calluses, flour, tears, and dirt on their hands than I'll ever have! Anyway, you can read more about the "Apron Angels" on this blog - http://mybyrdhouse.blogspot.com/
Lucy - thanks again for organizing this!

Some Tid Bits of Knowlege when raising Wee Ones.....and Pillowcase Memories

Here are a few things I've learned:

If I just do one load of laundry per day (washed, dryed, and put away) my life feels much more put together.

Little mini flashlights make great entertainment, especially if you have a dark closet to hide in! This goes if you're 5 yrs old, 21 mo. old, or 36 years old :)

Ok - another lesson just learned, you might want to make sure there are no rolls of wrapping paper in the closet - at least any rolls that you'd like to actually use one day, because it's LOTS of fun to unroll the entire roll and jump on it, then wrap your moms clothes up in it (clothes that were once hanging neatly, in neat little sections (whites together, darks together, t-shirts together, you get the idea....). Clothes that were washed, dried, and put away TODAY!

When you're taking wet towels to the laundry, use them to wipe down the counter and then the floor of the bathroom on the way.

Use wet, dirty dish towels to "skate" along the kitchen floor on the way to the laundry! Picks up an emmense amount of Yellow Lab hair, among other things (like the potato chips that were systematically crunched between little fingers and then sprinkled onto the floor).

Oh, and it's fun to get into your mom's drawer while she's blogging, get out a tube of hand lotion, then come and squirt it all over yourself and her feet, and the carpeted floor, then go wallow on the couch. She won't even realize it until the damage is done. (I thought I was just getting a foot massage! I swear - I didn't know what he was doing) And my husband says we don't need a steam cleaner! At least its a lovely scent.

Here's a chance to share your Pillowcase memories. Lark books is celebrating its forthcoming book, tentatively called The Pillowcase Challenge, and they want to hear from YOU!
http://www.larkbooks.com/If you have a favorite pillowcase from your Grandmother, Aunt, Mother - or a favorite pillowcase from your childhood, share your story.

If you are chosen, you'll receive credit in the book and a complimentary copy. Hurry - it's due June 7! Good luck!

Vintage Pillowcase Skirt

I wanted to share with you all my newest creation. It's made from a vintage pillowcase, vintage lavendar rick rack and 3 cute little vintage buttons. All with a drawstring/elastic waist. So cute for summer. Also great for the fall with a pair of leggings. It's now posted on my Etsy Shop if you're interested.

My little model just received a new pair of gold flip flops (see photo). That girl loves shoes! It's amazing how a new pair of $3.50 flip flops can make a girl happy! Welcome summer.

Better late than never! Welcome all Mommy Bloggers to my site - I'm the mom to two little munchkins. I love to sew and create with vintage linens and materials. I hope to meet other mom bloggers out there - it's a wild ride sometimes! Thanks for stopping in -
Take a look at my Etsy shop to see some of my creations. Peace Out.

Craft Club (Friends plus Food plus Crafts = a great time!)

I recently had a friend invite me to join a "Craft Club". Basically, there are four of us - we rotate each month hosting everyone at our respective houses. The hostess makes dinner for everyone (wine included - sure makes the crafts more interesting! Not to mention the conversation.) The hostess also plans a craft for the rest of the group.

Each of us has different skills to bring - Anna is the cake decorator, Susan is the scrap booker, I am the seamstress, and Shannon - well, she makes a mean Manocotti!

Shannon hosted the first of our get togethers and she did a great job. Here are some pictures of what we all made.

She noticed bottles similar to this at a gift shop selling for $28. Well, us crafty girls aren't going to pay that when we can just make them ourselves! She went to Wal*Mart and purchased the bottles for around $2. Bought a tube of E600 glue for around $2. Then drove to a little gem of a place here in Texas - Sam Moon - if you've never been before - I warn you - its not for the faint of heart. It's a huge store filled with tons of cheap jewelry, hand bags, scarves, etc, etc. Do not take your children if you can swing it. In fact, I believe that on Saturdays strollers aren't allowed. It's in Dallas if you're ever that way. Big tourist stop for the female gender (you see lots of men standing around outside) - lots of shopping fun - you just have to know what you're getting yourself into!

Anyway - Shannon found the pendants at Sam Moon for around $6. We just glued those babies onto our bottles, and voila! Beautiful accessories for the bathroom, kitchen, etc. Don't you love them??!

Thanks girls - I'm looking forward to more "Craft Club" evenings!

By the way, in case anyone is intersted. My boy just learned to take his diaper off. He's currently running around the house naked as a jay bird!

Busted. And my "Happy" T-shirt

Yep, I was busted. I absolutely forgot that Monday was Wear Your Apron Day. I'm so sorry, I'll have to make it up to you. I do have an excuse though, I promise.

My family had to take an unexpected trip to Mississippi this past weekend. It was a whirlwind of a trip, 10 hours each way with my two little munchkins in the back seat. We left Thursday night and returned Sunday evening. My little girl was perfectly happy entertaining herself with snacks, movies, books, coloring, etc. My little boy on the other hand,...well...he's 21 months old - what do you expect?? I can tell you what to expect, if you've never driven 10 hours straight with a 21 month old little boy - lots of whining, crying, fussing, pouting, and squirming. However, we are home safe and sound now, whew.
I am very proud of my sister though, she did manage to wear her apron all day, and remind me that I had forgotten mine.
Did you all wear yours? If so, tell me about it!
I wanted to show this to you all - it's a t-shirt I made the other day. Well, I didn't actually "make" the t-shirt, I stamped the design onto the t-shirt. And, the best part - it only cost me $5! I bought the t-shirt at Joann's a few weeks ago when they had them on sale. I also bought the stencil... "Happy" from Joann's on clearance for $1. I happened to have the paint at home - so that was a freebie. All I did was stencil the design onto the t-shirt using acrylic paint, let it dry, and that's it! Pretty cute, as far as I'm concerned. My only thing is that I wish the t-shirt wasn't 100% cotton - I like a little bit of polyester in there just to help keep it's shape. All in all, a fun, quick project.

National Wear Your Apron Day! May 12! and Bad News for Men In Trees

Come on ladies! Show your apron pride!

National Wear Your Apron Day is coming up - the Monday after Mother's Day.
If you don't believe me, You can read about it Here at the Kitchen Madonna

Dig out your favorite apron and wear it over your jeans, shorts(if you're in the South like me), skirt, pajamas (again like me most likely! - although I do have some adorable pajama pants I just made from vintage sheets, matching ones for my little girl too - I'll have to post about that later).
Send me some pictures, and I'll post some of mine!
this is just a cute picture of my littlest munchkin........

Oh my gosh - They've cancelled Men In Trees! I'm crushed! I can't believe ABC is going to cancel this great show. It was one quality show that I really enjoyed watching (besides Dancing with the Stars! Way to Go Cristian!). Apparently, they are going to have a season finale, which at least is something. I just really thought that was a great show - so funny, endearing, thought provoking - made you laugh and cry (not to mention the eye-candy - the scenery, you know..the mountains, the men, the mountains). And, I've been meaning to mention this for awhile now, but has anyone noticed the adorable aprons that Ann Heche (Maryn) wears?? I've been looking for a picture on the web somewhere, but haven't been able to find one. Yet, another reason to miss this show!Maybe somebody will pick up the re-runs. Ugh - I'm still pissed though.

Vintage Pillowcase + Vintage Doily = One Adorable Skirt!

This little skirt I made using a vintage pillowcase and a vintage doily. So cute and pretty, it reminds me of spring!
It'll be available on my Etsy Shop, just as soon as I get the kiddos in bed and the kitchen cleaned up tonight (I'm leaving the crumpled up clothes in the dryer and dirty floors until tomorrow!).