Cookie Crazy!

I went over to Jenny's in NJ, and we made some of the hugest cookies I have ever made in my life, short of a bar cookie. It's the LeVain Cookie, and I am so impressed by this bakery; on its website, it even thanks the fans and quotes "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

Here's Sarah's head next to some we recreated at home:

Copycat recipe for chocolate chip cookies (We added about 3/4 cup cocoa and 1/2 cup sugar to the recipe to make it double chocolate.

Summer Projects, continued

I've been doing some embroidery. If I have already posted these, I apologize, but here they are: my tortilla towels.

Summer Discovery

I was once in Fairfax for a dr. appointment, and I saw a sign that said, "Fluffy Thoughts, this way." Curious, I stopped in.

$1 each day old cupcakes? Done and done. We liked the Smore's and the Peanut Butter Mouse best.

Another Summer Adventure

I got to visit Jenny, Nathan and their cute family in New Jersey. I am enamored.

Hair-be-gone!

Another summer pastime: Cutting Trina's hair.

Before:

and after:

August 2011 update: Even more after:

A new hobby!

Some people have said, "So, what have you been up to?" I am never quite sure how to answer that question. Um...getting healthy? Tons of family vacations? Organizing things?

Well, amongst those busy and fun things, I've also picked up a few new hobbies. Added to jewelry-making, baking, reading, writing real letters, etc, I can now add: embroidery. Lest I sound like a grandma, let me tell you: my greatest aspiration is to be a grandma. And to sing like a black woman. And to be Hispanic. But those things aside, I have found this particular pastime to be very stress-relieving. I highly recommend it.

I picked up an iron-on pattern and am making myself some towels to hold my tortillas in.

Here's another view of a towel that's already finished:

And of course, some frogs to throw in as well. They were too cute to pass up.

Hello Again! Salsa para Huevos Rancheros.

I am sorry to have been so blog-less recently. I will thus post a few things that have been happening recently.

First, the recipe for Salsa de Huevos Rancheros

1 large onion, chopped finely

2-4 jalapeño chiles, diced

2 cloves garlic

(Sautee these in a bit of oil until softened. Then add:)

2 large tomatoes, chopped (or a can of diced tomatoes)

1 can tomato paste

1/2-1 cup water

bullion powder

Boil ingredients until they become thick and saucy. Serve with Huevos Rancheros.

Huevos Rancheros:

stack of six-inch corn tortillas

eggs

Heat some oil. Dip the tortillas in the oil to soften them. (Alternatively, you can also fry them a little, but only until just golden.) Place tortilla on a plate.

Cook your egg to taste. Authentically, you would crack it into a pan with plenty of oil and "flick" the oil over the egg to help cook it. Fry your egg for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then remove egg and place on the tortilla.

Ladle plenty of sauce onto your plate. Enjoy!

(You may top with cheese; preferably mozzarella, or crumbled Queso Fresco).