In my opinion there is one dessert that is as perfect as perfect can be and that is a perfect chocolate chip cookie. It’s a versatile dessert that you can take to picnics, to parties, for a snack, and even to serve after a dinner party. Chocolate Chip Cookies are all American staple- but not all chocolate chip cookies are created equal. Some people like a crisp cookie, some like dark chocolate chips, others don’t like many chocolate chips,( I know, I don’t understand that either!) and then there is the ultimate perfect chocolate chip cookie. For me the perfect chocolate chip cooking is chewy, slightly crisp to bite into and then soft chewy goodness the rest of the way. Not too thick, but not thin either. After many years I have the audacity to say that I have finally perfected my definition of a chocolate chip cookie.
Backstory
A little backstory before the recipe. My grandma, Velma Marie, always had a cookie of some sort on hand, and I think the one and only time she ran out of cookies,( for only afternoon mind you,) she counted as one of the biggest failures of her personal life. For her homemaking was not only a profession but an art- one she took very seriously and a potion which she respected. But back to the cookies, she had primarily two varieties that were always on hand- chocolate chips cookies and ol’ Henry Bars. Her chocolate chip cookies were very good but usually more of the crisp variety. I remember baking cookies with her at a young age, listening to her tell me of when chocolate chips first came out and that her mother refused to buy them- they were too expensive and the Great Depression was way too fresh in everyone’s memories to spend money on something like chocolate chips! I started to play around with the cooking temperature to see what produced a softer chewier cookie, without getting it dry. I also talked my mom into getting milk chocolate chips instead of semi sweet- what a difference that makes too! The sweet milk chocolate lends the cookie a faint caramel taste.
While my cookies did start to earn a reputation in their own right they weren’t quite what I considered to be perfect. They tended towards dryness, and could come out a little flat. Then a little while ago I had an epiphany- cream cheese! Another cookie recipe that I sometimes make uses cream cheese and adds such creaminess to the cookie that I always end up eating wayyy too many! I decided to experiment and what I came up with is what I have since deemed the perfect chocolate chip cookie! Chewy, moist, creamy and slightly thicker than my old version, best fresh out of the oven but delicious anytime- especially when enjoyed with family.
Recipe
Velma’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe *Tweaked
1 cup Shortening 2 Eggs
¾ Cup White Sugar 3 oz Cream Cheese
¾ Cup Brown Sugar 1 10 oz package of Milk Chocolate Chips
1 Teaspoon Vanilla 2&1/4 Cup of Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
Preheat the oven to 350. Soften cream cheese. Cream together all ingredients except for chocolate chips and flour. Add half of the flour, beat till combined, then add the rest of the flour. Stir in chocolate chips. Form cooking using at least 1 Tablespoon of dough per cookie. Bake at 350 for only 10 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!
*The cookie may not look quite done after only 10 minutes but if your oven is reliable to stay at a cooking temperature of 350 your cookie should be set and ready to eat after cooling.
The summer has slipped away and fall is creeping in on us. It is cooling off and while people like me are sorry to see the hot weather go, others of you may be finding yourself spending even more time outside in the sunshine! It’s good for us to be outside when we can; the sun is an endorphin booster, it helps our vitamin D levels which are very important, it’s so good for us right? Wait, what about spf, aren’t we supposed to live inside so we don’t harm our skin and expose it to harmful UVA and UVB rays? No, it’s okay to be outside without protections for 15 minutes a day so you can get your allotment of vitamin D for the day…And so the arguments go, there are many opposing and nuanced views- and that is to say nothing about what kind and how strong of spf we should be wearing! Just what does all of it mean anyway?? I’m here to shed some light on SPF coverage for you- I couldn’t resist throwing in that pun!
What is SPF anyway?
SPF stands for sun protection factor. This means that if circumstances are ideal, (and when are they), you could be out in the sun for one minute would be equal to being outside for 30 minutes if you are using a sunscreen of 30 SPF. In theory at least this is how it works. The SPF is filtering out the harmful UVA and UVB rays. It is very important to make sure your sunscreen is filtering out both UVA and UVB raysor one that is broad spectrum protection.
Understanding How SPF Works
The. Higher. the SPF. The. More protection. However this doesn’t mean that by applying and SPF of 60 rather than 30 that you are covered. According to the American Cancer Society’s website it’s more of a sliding scale with an SPF of 15 filtering 93% of harmful rays, 30 filtering 97%, 50 filtering 98%, and SPF of 100 filtering about 99% of harmful rays. No sunscreen filters out all harmful rays. It is generally recommended that for normal everyday activity you use at least 15 SPF and at least 30 SPF for days when you will spend a majority of your time outside. Just because you are using a high SPF doesn’t mean that you are suddenly impervious to the sun’s rays. If you opt to go for a higher SPF treat it the same way you would a lower SPF to make sure you are getting the full benefits of using a higher level.
What is the difference between UVA and UVB rays?
UVA rays are the rays that make you tan and the rays that will result in early signs of aging. UVB rays are the ones that make you burn.
Different types of SPF
Now what are the different types of SPF? There are two major categories- physical and chemical spf. The physical rays work by scattering the sun’s rays before they touch your skin. Sunscreens that contain the ingredients Zinc Oxide, or Titanium Dioxide are physical sunscreens and tend to work better for people with sensitive skin.
Chemical sunscreens work by absorbing the rays from the sun before damaging your skin. Avobenzone and Octisalte are typical ingredients in chemical sunscreens, and a lot of sunscreens are a combination of both physical and chemical ingredients.
How to Use and Apply SPF correctly.
As I mentioned above if you choose to use a higher SPF, (such as 50 SPF or higher), treat it as you would an SPF of 15 or 30. To apply you should use at least an ounce of sunscreen, as much as a good palm full or a shot glass full. No one wants to feel greasy all day but in order to make it worth while you need to make sure you get solid and even layer over your skin. An uneven layer will result in easier burning. Next make sure you are reapplying every 2 hours, or every 80 minutes if you are swimming or heavily sweating; yes this is a pain but so is sunburn and cancer! Always make sure to read the directions on your sunscreen.
I hope this helps clarify what to look for in your sunscreen. Please remember this information is to help add to your knowledge- not to be all your knowledge! Be sure to do your own research and talk to a professional if you have any questions or underlying conditions!
And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14b
Imagine what it must have been like to be Esther. She is in many ways the quintessential fairy tale story. The orphan turned queen, that then saves her people from their destruction. Low in class and status, what a shock it must have been to hear the nationwide call for all eligible young women to report to the palace for a year of preparation for the beauty contest of the century- the winner will be the next queen! How exciting- until we find out that the reason the king is in need of a new wife is because he killed his last one and is sorry about that now. Whoops.
Esther dutifully packs her bags and heads to the palace. Before she leaves though, she is encouraged by her cousin, Mordeci, (the cousin that took her in and raised her), not revealing that she is a Jew. Why ever not, Esther probably had no idea, but Mordeci did work at the palace and he provided for her and loved her so she listened to him and did as he asked.
Imagine the anxiety and anticipation she felt when at last that long year is over and the time comes for her to walk before the king. Maybe at this point she was annoyed- a whole year of her life gone- what really are the chances she will be picked?
But then the impossible happens and the orphan becomes queen. The best of the best at her disposal, a staff to wait on her every need everything seemed to be going well, until she overhears a plot to kill all the Jewish people in the kingdom. Stricken Esther goes back to her cousin Mordeci and tells him of a horrible plan.
He tells her she must go to the King. Going to the King unbidden was an act that she could potentially be killed for; the King had a scepter which he could extend to anyone who appeared before him unbidden and thus save their life… But there was no guarantee that the King would do this. Mordeci tells her. That she must take this risk- that perhaps God made her for a time such as this.
How many times in our day to day lives do we get frustrated with our seemingly insignificant contributions to the world? I think of this verse when I start feeling like my day to day contributions aren’t making any impact. Most of us won’t be in as lofty of a position as Esther, but what if I get to be a Mordeci? What if I was put on this earth to be the springboard for what others need to do their life’s work? What if I am one simple sentence away from accomplishing one of the main things God put me on this earth to do?
The next time you want to throw in the towel because your day seems boring, that you can’t see any progress or purpose in your menial tasks. Stop and ask yourself; what if you were put on earth for a time such as this? What if in accomplishing the insignificant you end up accomplishing the significant? Instead of telling yourself that what you are doing doesn’t matter, stop yourself. Because it does matter. You matter.
Are you a Clean Slater or a Transitioner? Let me explain; a Clean Slater is someone who keeps all their decor the same throughout the entire season. They put all their fall stuff up, they take it all down and put all their Christmas stuff up. A Transitioner is someone who around now starts itching to pull out their fall stuff but it might seem a little early to them; they don’t want to pull everything out so they pull out a few things, little my little. I know for me here in Western Pa, I can really struggle to pull out the fall decor before it gets cool outside- I don’t want summer to think I’m rushing it away! We usually enjoy warm weather, or at least warm-ish, until the middle of October and while September is back to school and the leaves start to change, I usually end up vacillating back and forth until the 3rd weekend in September, when I break down and pull out my fall decor. (The third weekend is the actual start of fall according to the solstice.)
But no matter when you decide to officially transition over all your decor; you can start to sprinkle in decor of the coming season with a few simple “hints” of what is to come. Just like outside it is nicer when there are hints of the coming change rather than an abrupt out with the old and in with the new.
Change Out your Door Hanging
I like to start with changing out the wreath on my front door because it is what people see first. Setting the tone upon entry to your house makes a good first impression and sets the expectation for what will follow on the inside. This doesn’t mean just for visitors either- you get to enjoy a lovely first impression of your house too! Its like your house is saying, “Welcome Home!”
Fall flowers
Maybe you decorate with fake flowers- maybe you decorate with real flowers- either way fall is a great time to grab a few mums for outside your door, or a bouquet of sunflowers to add some color inside!
White Pumpkins
I tend towards the traditional side of things when I’m decorating so I enjoy the classic fall colors; I like the reds, golds, oranges and creams rather than a muted palette of white, green and blushes which have become popular over the past few years. I think these new colors are lovely- they just aren’t quite what I love right now! But regardless of your specific color scheme I think white pumpkins scattered about your decor add the perfect “not too fall” fall touch to things.
Fruit Can be Decor!
Apples arranged in a tiered serving stand, Brussel sprouts and fall squash in a big dough bowl or tray, the options and combinations are limitless when you start playing with decor that you can also eat!
Moss Balls, Pine cones and Acorns- Oh My!
If you have used some beautiful moss balls to add color to your decor don’t feel the need to take them down right away! Instead add the feel of fall but tucking a pine cone or two into your vinettes. Scattering a few acorns on a surface will also help add hints of a coming season change.
Add a Throw
As the weather, for us in the north at least, starts to cool off and the days take longer to warm up it is time to pull out a few throws to warm up your decor. Adding a plaid throw will definitely speak of fall, but also try adding some striped throw, and keeping the texture more of a cotton or linen. This will keep your decor from looking too warm and wintry.
Pillows
One of my favorites! Who doesn’t love a cute fall pillow? If you’re hesitant to pull out the pumpkin and fall pillows then follow the same rule as you did for throws and either pick a plaid or a solid in a fall color; gold, orange, red, deep magenta or navy- any super saturated color will get the message across that we are no longer fully in summer anymore! Come join me on Instagram at @essentiallyemmamarie or share some photos by sending me an email at essentiallyemmamarie@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you and in the meantime- happy fall y’all!
His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22b-23 ESV
It had been one of those Saturdays. The kind that you look forward to all week only for it to arrive in a flurry of activity which leaves you finishing up odds and ends late into the evening when you wanted to be reading your book in bed. At least that’s what I would have rather been doing Saturday night rather than folding laundry. I ended up crawling into bed later than I wanted, feeling depleted rather than filled, and stressed about the few last things I hadn’t been able to cram into my day. I made the last minute decision though to get up a little early the next morning and squeeze in a hike with my dog before church.
My alarm went off the next morning and I thought about hitting snooze but I could already see the bright sunlight of a gorgeous day just beginning streaming through the window. I got up, pulled on my hiking clothes, and made a cup of coffee before hitting the trail.
The August weather was already warm and a little steamy as I pulled into the trailhead with my dog at 7:00am, but still comfortably so. We started hiking. The path was empty and the woods still, except for the songs of the birds above our heads. The foliage was lush and green with the dew still dripping lightly from the leaves. The sun was peeking through the branches overhead and the water droplets, falling from the trees, sparkled as they fell to the ground. The earth smelled fresh and clean and, as we walked along, I felt myself renewing as well.
It’s so easy after a long day to start fussing and despairing over all the leftover chores that still need to be done. However, just as the earth emerges in the morning; shining and refreshed, having been washed clean the previous evening’s dew; so I find it with my spirit. I find myself refreshed, renewed, calmer. I think this is why in His word God reminds us that His mercies are new every morning. Nothing lasts forever, though there may be long seasons of darkness, many of our everyday concerns will diminish overnight reminding us that there is always grace for a new day.
