Monster Cookies

Today I am preparing for a Discovery Toys party at my house. (I'm crossing my fingers for good attendance!) As I was talking to my husband last night about making snacks for tonight he requested I make Monster Cookies. I introduced these delicacies to my husband the first Christmas we spent together and he's been hooked ever since. Typically you will find recipes for these cookies in HUGE quantities. Calling for a pound of peanut butter and a dozen eggs. Last year I FINALLY found a smaller version of the recipe so I thought I would share :) And if you plan on coming out tonight you will get to try them as well!

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 12-ounce jar creamy peanut butter
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1/2 cup multi-colored chocolate candies
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup raisins, optional
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 4 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.

In a very large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugars. Mix well. Add the salt, vanilla, peanut butter, and butter. Mix well. Stir in the chocolate candies, chocolate chips, raisins, if using, baking soda, and oatmeal. Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not overbake. Let stand for about 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool. When cool, store in large resealable plastic bags.

The Wife of Noble Character

As I was reading my Bible the other day I came across this passage. I don't know why I hadn't read it before and if I did it apparently didn't stick with me. Over the past few days I have read this passage over and over every day as encouragement for my role as a wife and mother. I have found that really taking in what God has to say about the position I am in has helped me accept it more openly. I wish I would have read this a year ago :)

Proverbs 31: 10-31 (NIV)

¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find?
   She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
   and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
   all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
   and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
   bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
   she provides food for her family
   and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
   out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
   her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
   and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
   and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
   and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
   for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
   she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
   where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
   and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
   she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
   and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
   and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
   her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
   but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
   but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
   and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Say What?

 I wanted to take a moment to explain the title of my blog. The title Twenty Froggies comes from a nursery rhyme/lullaby that has been passed down through 4 generations of my family. My great-grandmother, grandmother, and mom all sang it to their children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren. So now it is the only song that I can sing to Sophie to calm her down.

My grandmother passed away suddenly this past year and the last time I saw her she was singing the song to Sophie. My biggest sadness surrounding her death was knowing that my children would not get to know her like I did. Whenever I sing the song to Sophie I think of her and know she's watching out for me in her own way. She knew the struggles that I now face and if she could get through them it gives me hope that I will make it out on the other end as wonderful a person as she was. This blog is in a sense "dedicated" to her because she constantly reminds me that the struggles of those who came before us were really no different than the struggles we face today.

Twenty Froggies
Twenty froggies went to school
Down beside a rushy pool.
Twenty little coats of green,
Twenty vests all white and clean.

"We must be on time," said they,
"First we study, then we play.
That is how we keep the rule,
When we froggies go to school."

Master Bullfrog, grave and stern,
Taught the classes in their turn;
Taught them how jump and dive,
Also, how to to nobly strive.

From his seat upon a log,
Taught them how to say Kerchog.
Twenty froggies grew up fast,
Bullfrogs they became at last.

Polished to a high degree,
As each froggie ought to be,
Now they sit on other logs,
Teaching other little frogs.