Well, what would you have done?!

Today, today being yesterday since I am writing this after midnight making today really my tomorrow ... I digress, today did NOT go as I had originally planned. See, I woke this morning having this wonderful plan all worked out in my mind. I would go run a few errands, which I did and got done early. Then I would do some schooling, which we did and the kids went outside to play in this beautiful weather. Then I would take a 15 minute phone call ... sccrreeeccchhhh.

Yup, you guessed it, the first snag. That 15 minute phone call was anything but. There was WAY too much information that needed to be gone over and then of course we had the Monkey squawking in the background because SHE was tired. An hour later, I got off the phone, ran to the library to meet a friend and then back home. It was SIX PM. YIKES. I was expecting to have dinner done, Family Home Evening Started, and the smell of dough rising in the background. Totally didn't happen. And I was upset. I was upset with myself for thinking I could get everything done that I needed to without much prep work, upset with my family for not pitching in and helping make it work, just upset. Tempers flair, I nearly get burned by exploding food on the stove because I forgot to clean the stove after the kids made lunch, and I threw a container of roast beef and some bread on the freezer and said "have at it." Yup, like I said ... upset. So, hubby did the smart thing and just went to bed without saying anything to me (I say this is smart because NOTHING he would have said could have diffused the situation at all - just listen to Jeff Foxworthy or Bill Engvall if you disagree). I sent the kids to bed 30 minutes early for failure to do their chores, and a few other things. And then put Monkey to sleep. I was still super upset and was crying off and on about all of this and finally decided that I needed to do something. I got up and went into the kitchen. I was avoiding the fridge at all costs because bad things lurk in that fridge after 7pm, they are called CALORIES! Then I remember that my dear friend brought over some tea, herbal tea .... ROOBIOS tea. I put the pot on the stove and grabbed a couple bags for my tea, KNOWING that would just calm me down. Then it hit me, *I* promised to make two dozen cookies last month at a meeting for church for this month. That meeting would be .... tomorrow night. Awesome. I can't make cookies tomorrow because my day is already jammed packed with home school activities. So, now I am up at midnight making cookies. I grabbed 2 sticks of butter and while those were softening, I grabbed my tea and sat to do some work. Got a resume done, wound down, and am already feeling LOADS better. Now off to make cookies.

I can't make cookies without grabbing grandma's cookbook. Her famous Chocolate Chip Cookies are in there! I made these cookies over Christmas but I haven't had a chance to blog about them. Better late than never.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 c shortening (I used butter the past 2 times - Yummy!)
3/4 c white sugar
3/4 c brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/2 c white flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
12 oz pkg chocolate chips (I have done these with milk, semi-sweet, dark, and mint - all yummy)

1. Cream shortening, sugars and vanilla until light and fluffy. I USUALLY use our pastry blender but the past two times I have been rushed. I can tell you the KitchenAid does NOT replicate good ol' fashioned cookies.
2. Add eggs and beat well. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to creamed mixture. Finally, stir in chocolate chips.

3. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned

Had to stop halfway through blogging because I realized the timer hadn't gone off ... yeah, those cookies are NOT pictured here!

This recipe makes about 5 dozen ... unless you eat the cookie dough.

So, to recap. Had a productive day ... with a crappy ending ... and I STILL didn't avoid those calories. BUT, my house smells delightful now AND I have those promised cookies for church tomorrow! =)