Hellloooo

Let me introduce myself…..
My name is Alisa

Blog Slacker Extraordinaire

So much has happened since we last talked,

but I suppose it is a little late to to talk about our summer plans at this point

seeing as it is now FALL 

like I said……S.l.a.c.k.e.r

Well, if there is anything that would make me want to put actual thoughts into a post and hit publish, it would be this beauty {and the wonderful lady behind the camera}. 
Emily from Life in the Light Photography did such a wonderful job on Britt’s senior pics. She was so easy to work with and she knows the way to a girls heart is through unlimited wardrobe changes and bubbles. It was a great experience and I would highly recommend her  if you are in the Kansas City area.

Seriously….the proof is in the proofs people.
hee hee














What do you think? Which one is your favorite?
We had such a hard time choosing. I wanted to buy all 65 proofs she showed us.


You can check out more of Emily’s work over on her blog Life in the Light {love that name} Stop by and tell her “Hi”.  Tell her how awesome she is! She would love it, I’m sure.

When the world stopped turning

My heart breaks all over again for those lost on September 11th, for their families and friends and for our country. You will not be forgotten. 

Cool {free} drinks

If there is a day deserving of a free slurpee,


it is definitely today.
Or yesterday.
H.O.T.

Did you get yours?

Menu Plan and Menu Plan Printables

Happy belated Independence Day!!
Honestly, it just never quite felt like the 4th of July to me. 
In my head it shouldn’t be July yet so how can it be July 4th, right?
I know I am weird and I’m ok with it.
On a positive note, since it IS July, my Birthday is next weekend. yeah!
I can deal with that. I made it another year!

I have been horrible about making a menu plan lately. Summer just kills my desire to cook or plan. There is no consistent routine in the Summer and things I do plan sometimes don’t work out.


That is why I thought this Summer Menu from Cleanmama was absolutely genius. It’s repetitive each week, but not as repetitive as say “Taco Tuesday” and “Spaghetti Sunday”, etc. I just can’t repeat that often, it would drive me nuts and I think my family might revolt.

I found this last night so I plan on working on my own version of the Summer Menu this week, but for this week I do have a regular old plan.

Monday~ We had slider party for the 4th

Tuesday~ Grilled Chicken with Black Bean and Corn Salad and parmesan noodles

Wednesday~ Slow cooker pork chops, Brown rice and Salad

Thursday~ Kelly’s overnight chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans

Friday~ Salmon Patties, Macaroni and cheese and Peas

Saturday~ Chicken lime tacos, saffron rice and black beans

Sunday~ Leftovers for lunch, BLT’s for dinner

I have been fairly boring about my menu plan lately and I just write it out in my little notebook and post it here, but it could be so much cuter. There are so many cute menu/shopping printables out there in blogland. Here are just a few you could use.


The Sister Café


The Idea Room



Tip Junkie

Organized Home



This is a whole menu system from BHG that uses labels printed on magnetic paper. So organized.

How about you, is it harder for you to keep a plan in the summer? Easier? I would love to know I am not alone.

Almost over

Baseball season is almost over

Corban had his last game of the season this week.
It was the first year his team has been very successful and it was sooo much more fun than the last few years. I’m kind of sad it’s all over.


Before one of the last games of the season the team met up at a nearby Sonic for ice cream. We had to move to another Sonic when the first one announced they were out of ice cream. What? seriously, no ice cream in the middle of the summer?


Josiah still has a few more t-ball “games” left. I use the term “game” very loosely. There is no score keeping, no outs and everyone gets a home run. Ya know, so everybody feels good about themselves. Ha! At least he is having fun.


I won mother of the year award this week when I completely forgot about picture day. I just snuck in behind the photographer and snapped my own pic.
I always hate feeling like I have to buy those silly pictures anyways. $15 saved. I might have to forget next time too.

Am I the only one that feels it is silly to buy all those sport pictures?

The Chocolate Chip Cookie Challenge

My sister  is in the midst of The Great Chocolate Chip Cookie Challenge.
She has already tried 3 recipes and has another 4 to go {I think}.

She might not be done with her challenge, but I’ve already declared the winner!

I admit that I only tried one of the recipes,
but it is by far the BEST chocolate chip cookie I’ve ever made.
So, to me, it’s the winner.
They are soft and chewy in the middle and crisp on the edges.
just perfect.

Oh, and it’s the weirdest way to make cookies. ever. you’ll see.

America’s Test Kitchen’s Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
14 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cups packed dark-brown sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions {all of my changes are in orange}

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 large (18- by 12-inch) baking sheets with parchment paper {I used my silpat}. Whisk flour and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.

2. Heat 10 tablespoons butter in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly until butter is dark golden brown and has nutty aroma, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and, using heatproof spatula, transfer browned butter to large heatproof bowl. Stir remaining 4 tablespoons butter into hot butter until completely melted.

3. Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla to bowl with butter and whisk until fully incorporated. Add egg and yolk and whisk until mixture is smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds. Let mixture stand 3 minutes, then whisk for 30 seconds. Repeat process of resting and whisking 2 more times until mixture is thick, smooth, and shiny. Using rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts (if using), giving dough final stir to ensure no flour pockets remain {I did ALL of this and used a timer}

4. Divide dough into 16 portions, each about 3 tablespoons (or use #24 cookie scoop). Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets, 8 dough balls per sheet. (Smaller baking sheets can be used, but will require 3 batches. {I made my cookies a bit smaller and got about 2 dozen from one batch~ I used about 2Tbsp of dough per cookie. They ended up about 4” wide after baking}

5. Bake cookies 1 tray at a time until cookies are golden brown and still puffy, and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft, 10 to 14 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack; cool cookies completely before serving. {that is total nonsense! go ahead and eat one while they are still warm from the oven} 

You should totally try these, they are so wonderful!

Do you have a favorite recipe for chocolate chip cookies?  share please!


this post is linked to: Weekend Wrap-Up

Sweet Words