Failing Forward and Nutella Chunk Cookies

Yesterday I mentioned that I had been failing forward, and though by pure mention it sounded like a one-off, when in fact it's been a week of failing forward.  Usually our days are pretty much as I write them... lively and busy and happily drinking in the universe with my littles, a constant reminder of the beauty of life.





This week it was hardly storybook, and by 10AM Monday morning I already didn't know what to do with my cranky brood.  We've been elbow deep in spring cleaning every closet and cupboard, bin and drawer, which means tripping over things to donate, clothes to wash, toys to sort, and though the coast is pretty much clear now.... the beginning of this week was a whole different story.  So while I'm tripping over cars and blocks and Brayden is pooping out of his outfit (something that's happened three times this week, must be from all that eating!) and Aliyah is dealing with an ear/sinus/eye infection that I had no idea was as bad as it was until today, I get a call from my dad to join him and Nana for a trip to Ikea.  Lightbulb!  I needed to get the kids out of the house.  I needed to get ME out of the house.  And that's just what we did, even though I left the water and extra snacks sitting on the counter.

Note to self: Become the mom that has it all together.

You know what though? We had a great time, and that's what matters.  Oh, and Nana brought water and snacks.







My babies smiled and played, soaking in the presence their grandparents all they could.  My heart never fails to swoon at the sight of my parents loving on the little ones that I birthed, it's nothing short of beautiful.



And I scored a little something pretty for my home and didn't even have to mention stopping for Starbucks on the way home.  Thanks daddy!

Day redeemed.

And while we're on the theme of redemption, I thought I'd try my hand at Ivory Hut's Nutella Chip Cookies with Homemade Nutella Chips, knowing full well that I've never successfully melted chocolate chips to the perfect consistency with my glass bowl and saucepan in lieu of a double boiler.  But hey, inspiration never finds fulfillment without experimenting.  So, experiment I shall... and I did.

I pulled my hair back, slid into my favorite red apron and was ready for a hot date in the kitchen.



But the cute red apron failed to improve my fledgling culinary attempts and though just as delicious, the consistency of my Nutella mixture wasn't up to par.

Failing? I was beginning to think so, but instead of giving in, I decided to use that just-as-delicious mess and make Nutella chunks out of it instead of cute little chips.



Failing forward? Definitely.



What makes these cookies delicious, besides the mouth-watering hazelnutty goodness that is Nutella, is the browning of the butter to a rich nutty flavor.  And having a completely adorable, independent helper that wants to do-everything-for-you doesn't hurt either.





Redemption number two, these were diet-breaking worthy.




Homemade Nutella Chips 
(Adapted from Ivory Hut's Homemade Nutella Chips)
6.5 oz. Nutella
2 oz. butter

In a double boiler or a glass bowl set over a pot of simmering hot water, melt all the ingredients until you have a smooth, glossy mixture, about 3 to 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn the chocolate. Take the mixture off heat.

To make chunks, spread in a 1/8-inch thick layer on Silpat or foil and freeze for at least 2 hours. When frozen solid, break into chunks with a knife (try not to handle the chocolate too much or the heat of your hands will start to melt it). Store in the freezer until ready to use.


Nutella Chunk Cookies
(Adapted from America’s Test Kitchen’s Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies)

1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4 sticks butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon table salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg, plus 1 egg yolk
1 1/4 cups homemade Nutella chips
3/4 cup chopped hazelnuts, toasted (optional)

Combine flour and baking soda in a bowl. Whisk and set aside.

Melt 1 1/4 sticks butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Keep swirling until butter has a dark golden brown color and a nutty aroma, about 1 to 3 minutes. Transfer it to a bowl and mix in the remaining butter until melted.

Add the sugars, salt, and vanilla to the butter and mix well. Add the egg and the extra yolk; whisk until smooth, about 30 seconds. Let it rest for 3 minutes, then whisk again for about 30 seconds, before letting it rest again. You’ll want to whisk this about 4 times, until you have a thick, glossy, and smooth mixture.

Gently stir in the flour and baking soda just until combined. Make sure dough is cool before stirring in the Nutella chunks.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Form dough balls about 3 tablespoons in size (I use an ice cream scoop) and place them on a lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake at 375 degrees for 14–16 minutes (mine took 15 minutes), then put the baking sheet on a cooling rack and let the cookies cool on the sheets.


Have a wonderful, lively, redemptive weekend!

Linking up with Supermom's Friend Finding Friday.

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Wordless Wednesday... In So Many Words

I was just going to leave a cute little title like Failing Forward with a photo of my almost failed Martha Stewart-ish domesticity attempt in the kitchen, in which I pumped that half beating heart back to life and made something edible. Something deliciously, decadently edible.  So there will be more on that later.


Photo taken on the iPhone 4 with Instagram.

But then I put our littlest to bed and it all changed.  I mean, IT ALL CHANGED.  Tonight, instead of his evening routine of settling into that satisfied lull, that rhythm of suck-and-breathe, suck-and-breathe that reduces us both into a relaxed pile of mush, as if love were moving in perfect harmony with our little feeding ceremony... he didn't even look for a way to nurse.  He cuddled in, close and comfy with his stuffed puppy nestled in tight under his chin.  I waited.  I rocked, and he fell asleep.  I don't know the answers, or the future, if this is the simultaneous end of this stage of babyhood and the beginning of a new chapter in his life, or if he'll just wake, looking for me, earlier than his routine of a glorious 6AM ceremony that puts him back to sleep for a couple more hours. Whatever it is, it had me kissing his buttery soft forehead that peaks out from under a silky tuft of hair, just begging to be kissed. It had my eyes taking in every tiny little wrinkle and fold of his skin through the salty blur of tears and cramming them to memory. It had me inhaling the sweet scent of his head, and I just couldn't put him down.  He's growing up. One thing is certain, the love will still be there, it will always be there, but the ceremony? That might be changing.

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Michigan Winter Engagement:: Danielle + Jason

She denied his first Facebook friend request, not realizing it was the same Jason she had grown fond of at her church softball games since she never did get his last name, the same Jason a family friend was trying to set her up with, the same Jason she had chatted up to screen for one of her friends.

But he persisted and requested her "friendship" again with a message reading, "You're too good to be my friend on Facebook, but you can talk to me at softball?"  Oh yeah, this was the same Jason.  The one that always knew how to make her laugh... and soon after they had their first date of Italian food and a concert.  She was smitten.

Two years later, and not long before Jason had to leave for the other side of the country for school, Danielle entered Jason's house only to find herself following clues, photos and notes that read sweet sentiments like "I'm the luckiest man in the world"... and more, bringing her to tears before she found him near an empty chair surrounded by flowers, guitar in hand.  The proposal was perfect, much like their love, and followed by a dinner of Italian.

I predict a lifetime filled with many pasta nights, and excited for their wedding in exactly two months!

We were in the middle of a barn, no heat and it was COLD... they were troopers and definitely knew how to heat up a space.

One of the things that impressed me about Jason was his quick wit and ability to make Danielle laugh... to make us all laugh, hard.




Danielle, you're gorgeous.







We had a great time with these two!

Joining in with Communal Global this week.

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Sunday Citar ~ Big Plans, Baby

It's Sunday again and that means it's time for something that makes my skirt fly up, you know if I were wearing one... it's time for Sunday Citar!! 

Here's where we all share a quote, one that inspires you or makes you laugh, one that you just heard and had to share, one that might just make your skirt fly up.  And you know what? Hopefully we'll all make some new bloggy friends in the process!  (Citar = to quote in Spanish)



"Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans. Aim high in hope and work. Remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will not die."
~Daniel H. Burnham

Taking a deep breathe mid-stride in this busy-but-wonderful weekend of celebrations and making plans, big plans, of cleaning and purging and prepping for an exchange with the girls tomorrow of our closet items that lay dormant.  And I'm wondering at what point tonight I'm going crash because today my eyes were wide open at 4:20 AM... in case you read that wrong, that's 4:20 IN THE MORNING and I'm not a morning person... reminding me of the days we had a school trip to Cedar Point (the roller coaster capital of the world) and I was giddy with anticipation, nervous as all get-out about the roller coasters and couldn't sleep, 'cause ya'll know how I feel about heights by now.  My eyes?  They wouldn't close. My mind? Racing.  My blood has been a stirrin' and so is a big ole' pot of dreams.  That's the beauty of vision, it makes you seek something bigger than yourself, something that will live on.  It hits you when, in the middle of the day's plans a friend needs you and you chuck those plans out the window to just be there, to love, to help.  Vision never sleeps, it grows and stretches and develops into something amazing when properly nourished, and when ready, births a thing that is so much more than dreams predicted. 

So while living and enjoying the beauty of the in-between, the small moments that in themselves are something to be celebrated, dare to dream.  Make plans. Big plans.

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I would love to have you join the Sunday Citar inspiration and have all of us come to your blog to read what quotes inspire you! Simply write your own post on your blog, please link within your post to my blog, and sign up with the linky below, leaving your name and the link directly to your Sunday Citar post. Just click here if any of that sounds confusing. There you'll be able to get the complete rundown, as well as learn how to link back to my blog if you don't already know how. Take a moment a visit at least three of participants around you... you'll be glad you did!

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The Ten Best FREE iPad/iPhone Apps for Kids

I shared this video clip on Twitter a little while ago, and realized that my kids are growing up with small little machines that can do more than my dad's tethered car phone that was the size of a football and my pink cassette player I had as a kid, combined.  Needless to say, that now when my daughter picks up a phone that's NOT a touchscreen, and tries to operate it by vigorously touching the screen and nothing happens? She hands it back, declaring, "This one's broken."



Because I love it when others share with me what works for them, and by that I mean, what will keep your kid occupied for at least five minutes while you're checking out at the grocery store, because every mom knows that checkout time at the grocery store with kids is asking for it, like standing 0.5 inches from your brother's face and telling him he CAN'T touch it. Try it sometime... I DARE you.

So, anyway, because I love it when others share... I'm sharing something back with you. Here's a list of our top ten FREE iPad (and iPhone) apps for young kids:

Disney's Toy Story Read Along App: It's super adorable and fully interactive, we've even recorded our own voices for many of the pages! You can read along, watch clips of the movie, color pages, listen to the songs and play games.  (for iPad)

Talking Tom: This one keeps us rolling in laughter, and it keeps ALL of our attention for a long time. Talk and your pet cat, Tom, repeats everything you say in a hilarious voice, pet him and he purrs, poke him or grab his tail. You can even record it and share with friends. (for iPad)

Virtuoso Piano Free: The kids both love to play on this one, it can be set up for an individual or setup up for dueling pianos... too fun!  Just know, you might get tired of hearing all the noise created by little hands.  (for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)

Doodle Buddy: This one is just like it sounds, a doodler with tons of adorable backgrounds your kids (or you!) can choose from, stamps to use or choose to paint, write in chalk or use a glitter pen!  (for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)

Glow Stick: My daughter loves all the different colors and patterns available, and says "Wow" continually, even though she's seen them all many times over. Just slide your finger over the glow stick to "break" it and shake the device to watch it literally glow.  (for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)

Make Me a Princess (Lite): For the girly-girl, which my girl totally is... usually.  Dress a princess from top to bottom, choose the hair, accessories, the dress and background.  She can play with this one for hours, creating different dress up combinations.  (for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)

Toddler Teaser Shapes: Kids learn shapes and then earn "stickers" as rewards, which of course is their favorite part.  They can add stickers to their reward page and then you can even save that image into your photo library.  (for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)

Timmy's Preschool Adventure (Lite): Your child can help Timmy get to school as they work through problem solving activities, learning numbers, shapes and patterns in the process. They collect "stickers" along the way as they complete each activity, which always makes every task more fun.  (for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)

Matching Zoo: A cute, colorful matching game with fun sounds.  My daughter loves to play... and beat, this one and it helps build her retention.  (for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)

Bubble Free: Pop bubble-wrap as fast as you can!  We like another version called Bubbles as well, which was free when we originally downloaded it, but there is a minimal charge for it now.  Both fun, and addicting... and great for babies too.  (for iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)

What are your favorite iPad or iPhone apps?  Please share in the comments, I'd love to find something new!

And look who's REALLY walking and LOVING it!

Happy weekending!

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Throwing a Curve Ball

When a weekend that brought a few needed rays of golden sunshine and a few hours of scraping the sidewalk with chalk and blackening our bare feet is superseded by the sky's furious blast of wet snow, sleet and hail, as if it were some last-ditch effort to keep our affections, what do we do?


This photo was taken just a few short days ago, outside, where there was no snow to be found.

We abandon our evening plans of leaving the littles with their favorite sitter and arriving early to make-out in the back of the theater until that all-too-familiar sound marks the beginning of the flick and we settle in for greasy movie-theater popcorn fingers and snacks we snuck in between the random pencil, lipstick tube and hair tie in the bottom of my purse.  We revert to that pre-Spring pulse of hibernation, battening down the hatches and pulling another sweater over our heads.  Where time moves a little slower and so do we.  Where we eat dinner at the table, exchanging stories between yawns with candles lit as a warm ambiance in front of the cold outdoor backdrop.


And this photo was taken last night.



Look who's feeding himself WITH A SPOON!


Okay, and sometimes he chucks the spoon on the floor and uses his hands instead, but still.

And then, in an unpremeditated stroke of energy and adventure, we suit up and head out into the thick blanket of white, shovels and sleds, carrots and prunes in hand... and build a snowman. Two, in fact.






Guys, meet Fluffy and Tuffy.




Aliyah's creations. I thought I should tell you because, most certainly, the names weren't any indication.  That or the size of Tuffy's head.




That's one of the beautiful, amazing things about this life we're all living.  You really don't know what's coming next.  Plans may be laid with excited anticipation, and then life throws a curve ball... sometimes a big snowy one, and things change.  The key is embracing it for all it's worth and sucking the marrow out of each moment we have.  We could have sulked, since we're so ready for spring, but instead we played. We played hard. We chose to run and laugh and throw our own big curvy snowballs in the spontaneous spring blizzard.  We wore ourselves out, content to settle in to knit sweaters and cozy blankets, perfect for hibernating. And my favorite part? Nestling my squishy little baby bear up close and being lulled to sleep myself by his rhythmic suck-suck-breathe and satisfied exhales.  It was just as relaxing to this mama bear as it was for him, I'm sure.

Enjoying the unexpected and unplanned, what things are you enjoying right now?

Dude loves to eat.

A special shout out to Bonito Design, who featured his splash of a first Birthday Bash here!

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