thin, thick, or chewy???

There is a show on the Food Network called "Good Eats with Alton Brown." Each episode explores one type of food in depth and really breaks it down so it's easy to make. I just got into it and I love it.

This one episode I caught this week was on Choc. Chip Cookies. My favorite. My favorite thing to bake. America's favorite! The show really explained a lot for me.

Anyway, I learned about how to adjust the basic Tollhouse/Nestle recipe to make a cookie either- thin and crispy, thick or chewy.

THIN- When making thin and crispy cookies, you have to use LESS brown sugar (the darker the sugar the more chewy and therefore LESS crispy.) Also, you should use ONLY one egg and add some milk. Makes it thin. It totally works. RECIPE HERE.

THICK- For THICK and fluffy cookies, use more brown sugar and more baking soda. Baking soda helps it rise. He also suggested using shortening. RECIPE HERE.

CHEWY- Two things here. MELT all the butter in a saucepan and then pour into mixer. The melted butter makes it more chewy. Also he suggests using BREAD FLOUR instead of CAKE or ALL PURPOSE FLOWER. Lastly, using a lot more BROWN SUGAR than WHITE SUGAR. RECIPE HERE.

things i love

Two things I absolutely love RIGHT NOW:

MOVIE- INTO THE WILD. I don't quite know why it hit me so hard but it's just a fantastically made movie. It's a bit long, but it doesn't feel that way. Emile Hirsch (the main actor) is brilliant in this role. Directed by Sean Penn, and with all music by Eddie Veder (Pearl Jam) it's truly a great movie. It's been on DVD for about a month. RENT IT! www.intothewild.com

MUSIC- There is a new artist out (discovered by Simon Cowell of American Idol) named Leona Lewis. She is AWESOME. Brilliant singer. Great artist. Cross between Celine Dion, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Video Here.

easter

My family is just too great.

Why is that when you have a niece/nephew, etc., you will always think that they are the cutest in the world? Cuter than any other kid. Is it because they're related to you a tiny little bit? Is it because they really are the cutest?

My niece is seriously the cutest and coolest kid ever. I am addicted to her. I findher similar to how I was when I was a kid. Silly, wild and of course, cute. I spent Easter with my sister, my niece, my mom and brother in law. Pacific Northwest. Such a nice treat.

We ate pounds of bad food. Lots and lots of sugar. I might have diabetes now. Seriously.

But it was a very happy Easter.

oldies

I just came across the old picture on my college's website of when I did the musical "On The Town" at CCM. I mean, what a horrific photo. What a horrific wig too.

cookies

I have gotten more compliments on my chocolate chip/M & M cookies than I ever have on anything else I made. I am telling you...it's the absolute best cookie recipe I have tried. If you want it....scroll down to almost the beginning of my blog. It's within the first five posts. Try it. Seriously.

goal

I am stating here and now that my goal is to be at the 2009 NATIONAL STATIONERY SHOW in NYC. It's a very, very big deal for people who design card, stationery, etc. From the smallest of businesses to large ones, everyone is there. It can really make your business. People from all of over the world who own card stores come and look for new vendors to put int heir store. You have a little booth which you creatively design and hope to make a lot of contacts and a lot of orders. I have heard that after a small card company attends, they usually are off and running.

Only problem, to be in the show is costs between $2000-$2500 plus all the materials for your booth. With recent opportunities, I feel that I can make it to the show by 2009. Root for me.

Also, if you have any connections or know of any sponsors, feel free to let me know.

www.emmajcards.com
emily@emmajcards.com

sue can ski

My mom is not only a great skier, but she is probably the most graceful skier I have ever seen and she makes it look so easy. Check her out in Montana...

montana

I never thought I would get the opportunity to go to Montana. It's one of the largest states and yet, not many people ever get to go there.

I had the most amazing vacation there this past month. I spent a week in Whitefish, Montana near Kalispell, MT. What an absolutely breathtaking place. Huge lakes, unbelievable mountains, and best of all...the skiing. The skiing is equal to the slopes throughout Colorado, but less lines, less people and CHEAPER LIFT TICKETS.

So now, my parents want to retire there. That's the place for them.

I highly recommend visiting Montana if you want a nice ski trip. So fun, so low key and there is actually a Target! Thanks to my Mom and Dad, it was one trip I will never forget!

plane advice

Just reading in my favorite magazine, Real Simple, about air travel and it gave tons of advice on flying from flight attendants and such. I was shocked to read that TRAY TABLES on airplanes are rarely wiped down. GROSS. SO GROSS! So, take some wipes or SOMETHING and wipe that thing down.

It also said that they only wash pillows and blankets if they are DIRTY! So, avoid those at all costs. Terrible.