Winter Days
1. Matthew was under the weather last week, and Andrew, on his own, made him this card. It made MY day. I love when my kids get along and care for each other. When they don’t, it bothers me so much. I wish it didn’t, or maybe I don’t. It’s really important to me that they are all kind to each other for the rest of their lives.
2. Patrick and I went for a COLD walk/bike ride the other day before we got a little bit of snow. It was nice to breathe in some fresh air.
3. This house is for sale. Remember this house? It makes me so sad that it’s for sale. The lady that lived there is in a special elder care facility. Her beautiful house…I know she thought she was coming back to it. Just saying that makes my eyes well up and my lungs contract and I start thinking all about sheets at estate sales. I would like to think that a young couple with a little child or two or three, will keep it up just as well and love it just as much as she did. I hate to think otherwise. I hope, hope, hope that is the case, because I will be heartbroken if someone doesn’t care for it.
4. I make cookies way too much. If that is even possible. Do you have a really good chocolate chip cookie recipe you would like to email me? I like them thin and crispy and buttery. I need an excuse to make more.
I would love to move into that adorable house! Do you think our family of nine could squeeze in there??? 🙂
I think we like the same names…..I have an Andrew, Matthew, and Patrick too! Love your blog.
Happy New Year!
I pray for the day my boys show that kindness to each other! (They are younger than yours, so I'll try to be patient.)
Meanwhile, I'm keeping your neighbors, past and future, in my prayers, and am happy to introduce you to one of my other favorite blogs, though rather different from yours. The blogger's daugher went on a quest for the best chocolate chip cookies in 2010, and here is the post with her final-for-now list. Happy recipe hunting! http://tipsybaker.blogspot.com/2010/06/alton-brown-cookies.html
Just wanted to thank you for the great tutorial you did back in August on creating a header! It was so helpful to me! Just tried one yesterday so I had to mention you at the end of my post tonight.
http://callingallsleepyheads.blogspot.com/2011/01/furniture-refinish-and-dining-room-redo.html
oh how I wish we lived closer…we could walk with the babies together..have you tried the Neiman Marcus cookies? Get well soon Matthew!
A chocolate chip cookie? Oh yes! How about Salvation's Chocolate Chip Cookies (http://bit.ly/i66pDZ) or my chocolate chunk cookies (http://bit.ly/elKQt3)? Both are real winners, though the first recipe is our standby.
Our home is much like the one pictured. We bought from a woman who had to go to special care. Her husband had built it for her 60 years and it had been a house of love. When we moved in, it was a little run down because she had trouble caring for it but the garden was full of suprises. That first year I was so excited to see what would pop up next. We later heard that the lady had been driven by her house and saw us working on the house and garden. She was so happy that a young couple had moved in to her house and was loving it. It has been a precious gift.
Never too many Chocolate Chip Cookies! I have been using this recipe for a while now and people seek me out to get it. It is from Amy Locurto http://www.livinglocurto.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/choc_chip_cookies.pdf. Enjoy !
We love the toll house recipe (on the back of the ch. chip bag! We like them soft and chewy and buttery, but you could make them crispy. We are going to move into that house and come over every day to jump on your tramp, leave crazy things around your toilet, and eat your cookies!
This is my favorite Chocolate Chip Raisin Oatmeal recipe. It's even better if you use craisins rather than raisins. Amanda
http://www.quakeroats.com/cooking-and-recipes/content/recipes/recipe-detail.aspx?recipeId=721
How very SWEET of your Matthew 🙂 And what great handwriting!!! I am saying a little prayer right now for the elderly lady…so sad 🙁 Makes me get a lump in my throat for sure 🙁 And I wish I could share a good chocolate chip cookie recipe…but I stand on the other side of the cookie debate…I like mine soft and thick 🙂 If I come across a thin one…I'll be sure and send it your way though!!! I'm alllll about making cookies more often 🙂 Happy Day to you Sarah!!!!
I love chocolate chip cookies too! I wrote a post about my favorite two recipes earlier this winter:
http://thetalesofeandc.blogspot.com/2010/12/rivaling-recipes-chocolate-chip-cookies.html
You'll have to scroll down to see the recipes. Considering you like the thin kind, I think you'd prefer The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie over the other chunky one. They aren't crispy, but they are nice and buttery : ) Although the chunky one really is good too!
I love your blog by the way. I don't even have kids yet but love hearing all of your advice and your perspective on life is so honest and uplifting!
Well, if you find the perfect recipe, please share:-) I like them the same as you.
I used your recipe for feta and tomato appetizer for my bunco group this weekend and the girls LOVED it, as in devoured before everyone had even arrived (I guess they won't be late next time- ha!). They all asked for the recipe, and I laughed trying to describe where I got it…"this girl, who has a blog that I read and love, and she makes it and swears by it". Could I be more vague sounding?
It was delicious though, you were so right. Thanks for sharing it!
Oh, I do hope some wonderful family buys that precious house.
I agree, the Neiman Marcus cookies are to die for!
Hello! I'm new to your blog and always love reading your posts 🙂 I learn so much and was able to create my own blog banner because of your wonderful tutorial. Thanks!
As for the home for SALE, that makes me sad too. Sweet people work all their lives to create a HOME and when they can no longer stay there its heart breaking. And estate sales always make me weepy. It's like 30+ years of someones life all in boxes 🙁
Have a fab week and cheers to those cookies!
http://www.persuitofourfairytale.blogspot.com
Enjoying your blog very much, hits very close to home. I'm also a Sarah with 5 kids 4months- 12 years old. How crazy is that! One of the hebrew translations of Sarah is not only "Princess" Thank you; but "Mother of Many Children"
I wish I could take my little ones out but we have about 6 feet of snow in our front yard and it just keeps coming."GO CANADA!"
I totally get how blessed you felt seeing your kids show love and how it hurts to see the opposite.
http://www.virtuouswomanexposed.blogspot.com
I don't have any amazing recipe but I chop up Andes Mints into any chocolate chip recipe (also use the chocolate chips!!). YUM.
I'd always had mixed results with other chocolate chip cookie recipes, so I was THRILLED when I recently tried this one for the first time:
http://www.midwestliving.com/food/desserts/chocolate-chip-cookie-recipes/?catref=mwl107&page=3
It made a nice big batch, every sheet came out consistently and perfectly cooked, and they still tasted fresh almost a week later. I like mine a little softer, but maybe if you left these in longer they might crisp up more. I also used peanut butter chips instead of nuts, but they would be just as delicious with just regular chocolate chips.
Thank you, as always, for warming me up with your words!
Um…how about you post the recipe for those cookies in the picture–they look fabulous! 🙂
Hi Sarah,
My alltime hands down BEST chocolate chip cookie is by Tate's. I buy them at a gourmet grocery when I get a hankering for them. I was searching a link to them to share with you and found the recipe via GOOP … oh MY now I can make them at home!! I can't tell you how excited I am now. lol Anyhoo, they are so crispy and that kind of chocolate chip cookies that I honestly have been searching for that I tasted once as a child and never had again. It's the same taste – here's the link for the recipe: http://goop.com/newsletter/38/en/
Tanya
I remember that house from a past post. How sad! My parent's kept their home after they moved into assisted living thinking they might be able to go home. They both passed away in '09 and my siblings and I are still trying to sell it. Such a beautiful home and it won't sell for anywhere near it's value. People just don't appreciate that it is a historic house that was in Better Homes and Gardens Remodling Guide in the late 60's. We pray the perfect family will realize what a treasure they can buy and I hope the same for that house you have shown us.
I make cookies WAY to much too! My kids love it, but sometimes my husband just says "stop baking!" We are such kindred spirits : )
I always make the toll house recipe. Just reminds me of childhood and plus I have it memorized. I do add only 1/2 teas. baking soda so that they don't get too flat and I add extra choc. chips. Plus I use 1/2 whole wheat pastry flour from whole foods instead of all white flour. Makes me feel somewhat healthier.
Blessings, becca
Hi Sarah,
Love your blog and your thoughts on being a stay-at-home Mom.
I too bake cookies like a madwomoman. For a thin crispy cookie, look no further than America's Test Kitchen Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie. Enjoy!
And God Bless!
The ultimate Chocolate chip cookie recipe is on the back of the Ghirardelli milk chocolate chip package! OOOOH so buttery, cruchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Yum Yum
I'm new to your blog and first of all you are very sweet!
Second of all, Where'd ya get your awesome couch slip cover? I really like how each cushion is individually covered.
Hi Sarah,
I've told you this before, but I absolutely love your blog. In fact, it was your post on "sheets at estate sales" that made me fall in love with it. I actually cried while reading it, then forwarded the link to that post on to my mom, sister and friends. I'm so happy that there are people in the world like you that appreciate beautiful things, old things, and other mothers' efforts. Keep up the great work and thanks for the constant inspiration!
Sarah
P.S. I'm a Sarah with 4 kids!
Sarah, when I was growing up, I thought I hated my brothers. They were annoying and noisy and, well, boys. I couldn't wait for my older brother to leave for university.
Turns out that underneath we really actually liked each other, to the point where I was determined to have my children close together so they had the same relationship. In fact, one time when I was moving house, my husband and I moved in with my brother and his wife for six weeks and we LOVED it! We were sorry to leave, and it made us realise that we were actually really close – we had just hidden it under all that normal childish rivalry.
And then God blessed me as He blessed you – with lots of BOYS! Turns out they're not too bad after all 🙂