Independence Day Cookies

Independence Day! The Fourth of July! Whatever you call it, make sure you celebrate it in style, like all Americans everywhere, eating to your hearts' content.

Try, for instance, this delicious Red, White, and Blue cookie recipe! This is completely my own recipe - so any complaints can be directed here. I haven't played around with it and have only made it once, but I thought it was DELICIOUS.

Anyway... here goes!




Jennifer's Red, White, and Blue Cookies

• 2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 1 package white chocolate pudding
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tbs. vanilla
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 scant tsp. of salt (if using salted butter, half this)
• 2 cups white flour
• 1/4 scant cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup of oatmeal (optional - I also blended mine in the food processor to give it a finer texture. I imagine 2 and 1/4 heaping cup of white flour would also do the trick)
• 6 oz dried cranberries
• 4 oz dried blueberries
• 1 package Nestle white chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Mix together both flours, salt, baking soda, and oatmeal and set aside. I blended all mine up together in a food processor to make the oatmeal have a fine texture.
3. Combine butter, sugars, and package of pudding on high speed until completely blended and fluffy. About two minutes on stand mixer.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, until completely blended. Add vanilla and mix.
5. Reduce the speed of mixer and slowly add the flour mixture until just blended.
6. Stir in dried cranberries, blueberries, and white chocolate chips.
7. Scoop by the spoonful onto a nonstick or greased cookie sheet, and bake about 12-15 minutes at 325 degrees.
8. Let cool 5 minutes and enjoy!

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These were insane delicious. I don't normally like white chocolate or dried fruit, especially in my cookies, but altogether these were amazing. Daniel and my mom liked them too!
















I hope you enjoy these and have a very blessed Fourth of July weekend!

Over, off, and out,
Jennifer<3

Picnic in the Sun

Sometimes even two fantastic chefs like me and Daniel get tired of cooking. So last night after Daniel got back from class, we ran off to Fletcher Park to have a picnic. It was perfect weather... a gentle breeze, warm sun but not too hot, and not a lot of bugs either.
















Our picnic was what Rachael Ray likes to call a "square meal." We had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, an apple, a carrot, a few whole grain crackers, a little Babybel cheese (we are OBSESSED with Babybel cheese) Dole's Paradise juice, and a cake! Yum.

We were going to play Frisbee but it ended up getting too chilly to play toward the end of our picnic.

Finals week looms upon us - Daniel and I are feeling the crunch! I have to do a large enterprise piece, have one final exam, have to finish a large resume/job portfolio, and finish up Phase 5 of a research experiment. Yum yum! And this is just between three classes!

Soon, I need to: change my last name on my driver's license (it's been almost a year and I still haven't done it, haha) and sign up for Spanish classes at Cleveland State.

This summer, I need to prepare for being a bridesmaid in my friend Stephanie's wedding (congratulations Stephanie!) and possibly move from our nasty, mold/mildew-ridden old apartment (I just found out I'm wildly allergic to mold and mildew) and get a new job. I will still maybe be working for Phil & Kendra, too... so depending on how pressing that is, will depend on how many hours I can work at my new job.

Also, a trip to Pennsylvania for my friend Greg & Megan's wedding in June, and then in July a week long vacation to Virginia with a bunch of friends.

Then my friends Jordan and Katherine are getting married next month in Knoxville. Jordan and I went on Lee's prestigious Cambridge trip together. I went right after I was engaged - I think it's really important to know who YOU are as a person before you even begin to think about who you might be with another person forever. Three months away from Daniel did wonders for our relationship and for my sense of self. I recommend separation (not breaking up!) for all couples who are seriously considering marriage. It's not about whether you can live with them, but whether or not you can live without them.

Next month is also my birthday, my 21st. I'm not much for alcohol but I wouldn't mind sipping a fruity drink on a beach somewhere. I wish Daniel and I had all the money in the world we needed to fulfill my travel fantasies.

Over, off, and out.... enjoy some PB&J today. You're never too old!



Peanut... peanut butter.... (and jelly)