The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

{cookie project} No.002: Hot Cocoa Cookies

The Cookie Project is a year-long experiment to combine my love for baking and trying new things.

Yesterday was our second “official” Sunday family dinner. Instead of just throwing something onto plates and calling it good, Mark and I decided that we really wanted to embrace Sundays and make them special.  It’s been so fun to create a menu together, work beside each other in the kitchen and create a memory that I hope will stick with my kids forever.  

If you know my husband, you already know that he is an amazing cook.  Sundays have become his day to shine.  I help with the menu and I’m good at following his directions, but I give the credit to him.  But dessert?  That’s all me.

This week I thought I would try a cookie recipe that reminded me of my four-year-old, J.  Almost every morning, after watching me brew my morning coffee, he asks if I could make him a cup of hot cocoa.  I love sitting with him as he tells me random details about super heroes or the latest episode of Wild Kratts.  He chugs his cocoa and is done in minutes, but I treasure that time so much.  

Hot Cocoa Cookies were the perfect dessert for Sunday dinner.    

THE RECIPE
The recipe I used is from Holly at Life in the Lofthouse.  While there is a little bit of work involved, these cookies are definitely worth it.  So delicious with a glass of cold milk or a cup of coffee.  You can find the recipe here. 

{The Cookie Project Archives: No.001}

{around here} 03/52: Week of 1.19.15

A collection of our ordinary days, recorded every week.  At the end of the year, I’ll publish them into a keepsake to treasure.

Around here, I have been:


feeling like I’m behind and doing a lack-luster job at everything.  Every once in a while, I seem to have an off week where I am just trying to keep afloat and that definitely describes me right now.  I wrote Jon Acuff’s quote “Some beats None” big on the chalkboard to remind myself that some progress is better than nothing: some exercise before TJ cries is better than none.  Some laundry, even though I still have yet to put it away, is better than none.  Some BWF work, even though my to-do list is still a mile long, is better than not starting at all.  Some beats none.  

 making baked oatmeal for breakfast.  I thought I would be the only one who liked it, but the kids each had seconds!  

 laughing about J’s attempt to combine his love of compliments with new vocabulary: “Mamma, you are so….predictable!”


exercising with Shaun T and Insanity again.  I’m not following the plan, but adding the workouts in between runs.  It feels good to push myself to the max, but I have a long way to go!


reading Orphan Train and should hopefully finish by this weekend.  It’s such a moving story.


homeschool notes:

  • It was K week in Kindergarten.  We made kites.
  • M has been flying through his math lessons.  He is catching onto multiplication quickly; he knows the rules for 0, 1, 10 and 5 so far.


{100 beautiful things} No.001: Princess and the Pea Cross-Stitch

This cross-stitch project had been in my “to complete” pile for two years when I found it again last summer.  I have a bad habit of starting a craft with excitement, only to fizzle out and put it aside.  Am I the only one who does this?


Sophia provided the encouragement to see it to completion.  She loved to sit next to me as I worked and hold the different colored threads.  I couldn’t wait to surprise her and frame it for her room.    

I purchased the pattern as a PDF from The Floss Box here.  She carries a ton of adorable cross-stitch and embroidery patterns, so be sure to check out her shop.  I think Sophie needs this one next! 

{currently} Mamma’s Journal // January

a letter to my children, every month in 2015



M // I am just so proud of the little boy you are becoming.  You are kind, helpful, imaginative and funny.  One night we both were in tears, laughing about something silly.  I sure love your belly laughs.  You have been talking a lot about the future and that makes your Mamma so happy and yet so sad.  You want to be a Lego creator someday and have been asking me what colleges would have the best classes for that.  You have also said that when you grow up and have your own apartment, Mamma and Daddy can visit and you’ll cook steaks for us.  You are so excited for your First Communion this spring.  We found and purchased your suit and I loved to see the pride in your eyes when you tried it on.    


D // You are my baby whisperer.  When I need help with TJ, you are the first one begging to take him.  You have perfected the “sh-sh-sh” and the bounce.  I am so thankful for you!  This month, you have been obsessed with all things Ninja Turtles.  Raphael (or, “the red guy” as you sometimes call him) is your favorite.  You love to draw and I find your artwork all over the house.  I am so impressed with your imagination and we always put my favorites right on the fridge, although it’s hard to choose.  In school, you are trying hard and love your math book the most.  Mamma is so proud of you.  


J // Oh, J.  You are my biggest cheerleader.  Every single day, you pop over and out of the blue say, “You are so beautiful” or “Did you know that you’re my favorite Mamma?”  Do you know how much that means to me?  You are my cuddle bug and my helper.  You are full of passion, which sometimes comes out in growls and frustration, but I’m getting better at helping you tell me what’s on your mind.  You are so loved.   


S // You are so wholeheartedly two, torn between wanting to do everything yourself and being frustrated when you can’t.  You have a flair for the dramatic, but I’m convinced your passion for life will be beneficial when you are older.  You are helpful, kind and tender to your brothers.  You shoot Nerf guns and then turn right around and love on your baby doll.  I think you are the coolest girl ever and I’m so glad you’re mine.  


TJ // You, my sweet baby, are my joy.  I can hardly believe that you are four months old already.  You are so happy, with a big drooling grin on your face all the time!  We are two peas in a pod and rarely apart.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.  


Love each of you to the moon and back again, Mamma

Less Materialism, More Intentional Living

Amazon Disclosure Policy

The Big White Farmhouse is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Archives

Copyright © 2024 The Big White Farmhouse · Theme by 17th Avenue