Cowboy Cookies

When I started My Northwest Nest I thought I'd be sharing crafts, DIY, recipes, books, etc. with all of you. And I'm pretty sure I've shared only a couple yummy summer drinks with you. I know why I haven't shared more recipes, it's because what has been made that I want to share gets eaten so fast. As I clear the table I say to myself "Poop! I forgot to take a picture again. Dang it."

As I was baking cookies the other day I remembered to take pictures and now I get to share. Yay! I made Cowboy Cookies. Have you ever had them? I had never heard of them but man they were so good! You can put a little bit of everything in them if you want. I got the recipe I used from Delicious Dixie. Here is a sneak peak of the cookie dough, good luck getting it all into the oven with sneaking like five spoonfuls. It is SO good.

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups butter or margarine, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 eggs
3 cups chocolate chips
3 cups oats
2 cups flaked coconut
2 cups chopped pecans (optional, but you REALLY REALLY want to add them!)

In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt; set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in sugars and vanilla. Add eggs and beat well. Add flour mixture and stir just until combined. Add chocolate chips, oats, coconut, and pecans. If you haven't already eaten all of the cookie dough, form 2" balls and place onto a greased baking sheet (or sheet with parchment paper...easier clean-up!). Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.

I chose not to put the chopped pecans in my cookies because each of my little chicks share a class room with a child who has a nut allergy. I do not want to be responsible for any allergic reaction. I've also heard some people put raisins in the dough. The recipe makes about six dozen cookies so you have plenty to share, freeze or keep all to yourself. Your pick.

Blessings.

Linking to: House of Hepworths

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Today my middle chick turns seven. This girl has been difficult since day one, and I mean day one of my pregnancy! I was sick, had gestational diabetes, had a long, hard labor, she had colic for the first ten months of her life, I could go on. She still challenges me on a daily basis. Over time I have realized she is the most like me and maybe that has something to do with our challenges.

No matter what the challenge, this precious girl absolutely amazes me and I love her unconditionally.

Happy seventh birthday to my beautiful girl! I love you!

Blessings.

Birthday Card

I was taking down birthday cards from my youngest chicks August birthday and wanted to share with you one of the cards she received. First I should say, I didn't just take down the cards, this was about three weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to making a post about the card.

Now that I've cleared up that I am a lazy blogger, not a lazy cleaner...

My little chick got this card from my Dad and his "very long term, practically step-mom" girlfriend. Of course to my girls, they're Grandpa and Grandma. Grandma happens to be a lover of stamping, Cricut, everything crafty so she always delivers cute little cards like this one.

Just thought I'd share with you some of the work from my crafty family.

Blessings.

Chore Chart

Chore charts are everywhere lately. Of course they are, who doesn't want their kids to pitch in around the house? And if you can make a cute craft out of it, it's like a win-win situation!

Have you seen all the chore charts around blog land? Here are just a few I've seen around.

How Does She? doesn't use a chart but a 2x4. Somewhat Simple and Casa Camacho also have great versions of the chore chart.

I started out with a small sheet of metal and scrapbook paper. I had it almost complete and decided I didn't like it. So I scrapped that idea and started over.

There are tons of ideas if you google "home made chore charts." They were great but when I saw I saw Brown Paper Packages dry erase chore chart, I decided it was perfect for our needs. Here is what I ended up with.

Blessings.

Acorn Frame

When I was a little girl my mom would take my sister and I to meet my grandma at a local park every fall. We would go in late September or early October, depending on how quickly the cool air was setting in. What were we doing there? We were collecting acorns. Tons of them! I remember my mom would clean them up and make Christmas crafts. Ornaments and all sorts of things. They were so cute!It has been years since we collected acorns but I've decided this year we should start again. Unfortunately we'll be missing a very important person, my grandma Bea. She was an amazing grandma, we shared a love of softball and grilled cheese sandwiches. We have however added four little ladies to the group, my three daughters and my niece, and we'll remember our grandma with every acorn we collect.

This autumn our weather can't really decide what it's going to do. One week it's raining and 55, the next it's sunny and 80. Aaackkk!! Makes it hard to plan. My mom decided just to send me some acorns she had from a past trip to the park so I could start the autumn crafts I had in mind. We will go collect acorns as a family when the weather makes up it's mind and maybe my mom will show us how to make the Christmas ornaments she made when I was a child.

My first acorn project was inspired by one of my very favorite magazines, Better Homes and Gardens.

I haven't decided what I'm going to put in the frame but here is how my acorn frame turned out.

In these pictures, it's framing my dining room table centerpiece. I'm sure I'll find something to frame. Maybe it will sit empty until I go with my mom, sister and our girls to collect acorns, restarting a family tradition.

Do you have any special autumn family traditions? Do share!

Autumn Blessings.

Linking to: Keeping it Simple, eighteen25