cookie monster

A few months back, Jake found this yummy cookie recipe. These cookies are almost as good as Potbelly's! While Anna was here, Jake made them for the second time. Just had to share this recipe. . .they are great!

SOFT-CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
From COOKS.COM
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1 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 c. oatmeal (powdered in blender)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 pkg. chocolate chips (semi-sweet)
1 1/2 c. nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cream butter and sugars. Blend in eggs; add oatmeal. Mix dry ingredients. Mix will be very stiff. Mix in chips and nuts. Put 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 9 minutes - no more!

ANNA's here

Jake's sister, Anna, flew in on Wednesday evening. We have been to the beach a few times so far. Tonight we went down to Carolina Beach to Britt's Donut Shop. It was my first time there, as well as Anna's.

We walked along Carolina Beach & the Boardwalk.

Finishing off the DOZEN donuts. Jake ate SIX!

FUN TIMES

My sister, Lindsay, flew to NC this past week. She got in on Tuesday evening & stayed until Sunday late afternoon. We had a great visit. Here we are in downtown Wilmington on Thursday evening (on a rather windy evening).

My other sister, Emily, & my cousin, Katie, came in on Friday evening for the weekend. We had so much fun & did LOTS of laughing. We all went to the beach on Saturday morning. Saturday evening we went to the Mellow Mushroom for some pizza.

Sunday afternoon my other cousins came for lunch with the girls. Sydney was having fun playing (in her mom's shoes).

Wrapping up cousin lunch.

Final picture before my sisters left.

Jake's sister, Anna, flies in on Wednesday. Can't wait for some more visits from our family (HINT, hint, HINT)!

bAbY sHoWeR

Wednesday night the Youth Group had a SURPRISE baby shower for our youth pastor's wife, Jenny, & one of the youth sponsor's, Anna. The husband's knew about the surprise, since we had to pick a date that would work for both couples. Jenny & Anna are due 2 days apart!

(sorry this picture is not too great. . .it's all that I had of Jenny & Anna)

Before & After - buffet

Jake & I have been looking for a buffet for our dining room. We have VERY limited cupboards & storage in our kitchen. Jake & I found this buffet on Sunday afternoon at an antique store. It is a Thomasville piece. The best part is that we got it for $50.

BeFoRe:aFtEr:

Before & After - bed

We were given this bed by our friends, Shaun & Sara.
Here it is BEFORE (The footboard & posts only, I forgot to get a good before picture):

Here it is DURING (of course, we painted it black):

Here it is AFTER:

Thank you, Shaun & Sara! We LOVE our "new" bed!

Laundry Room - before & after

Jake tackled the laundry "room" on Monday. When I left for work it looked like this:

And waaa-laaa. . .how it looked when I got home.
Jake is going to make one more shelf above. The shelves are made out of the pickets from the fence we tore out. The laundry area will be tiled next week. Once the tile is in, we will put the bi-fold doors back on.

Update on the House

Jake used the pickets, from the fence we tore out, to make shelves & a work bench for our utility closet.

Guest Bedroom Progress

The bathrooms are tiled & new toilets installed.

Living Room Progress

Dining Room Progress