Mean Mommy

I should preface this with I'm in the middle of baking a batch, but I had to be the mean mom and I need support.

Whilst in the process of baking batch number 172, Joey was eating lunch.  Mike came up and grabbed a cookie, so then Joey wanted to be all done with lunch and eat cookies.  I told him he needed to finish his bologna.  I tried in every way I could to get Joey to eat at least one more bite of his lunch, but my son is rather stubborn.  You've all been there.  I couldn't back down and just give him the cookie even though that's all I wanted to do.  My son sat there and just sobbed and screamed. Mike disappeared - I guess I better get used to this role of mean Mommy.

So yes: batch 172: Pumpkin chip cookies
For the annual Halloween party my brother throws.  That's another difficulty in itself - trying to get a grown man who feels that Halloween is "inherently stupid" to agree to a costume. Three years ago I got him to agree to a lumberjack (I was the tree), he could wear jeans, boots, a flannel shirt and carry an ax.  Now that's all he wants to be.  There's only so many costumes to go with flannel shirt and jeans.  Originally I came up with: Juno.  I'm pregnant, he could be Paulie Bleaker - we're talking: shorts, sweatshirt and sweatbands for him.  He would not commit to that.  So that idea is out.  Party is tonight - as of 10:30 today, I had no costume ideas.  Off to Mom's costume box.  This is some serious business this costume box.  All the costumes she has ever made, vintage clothing from the 20's on, random accessories, she even has a WWI gas mask in it.  I decided to go with the classic Hillbilly costume - not my proudest costume, but I'm getting desperate.  Mom had this great sack dress with pantaloons.  I came home and told Mike: "Good news!  You can wear your flannel shirt and jeans. But you're a hillbilly instead of a lumberjack.  You'll have a hat and corncob pipe instead".  Mike doesn't like that idea.

Back up:
#168 Granola Blondies
Matt and Sarah (my sister and brother-in-law) came over to play a new game that I had bought for Sarah for her birthday.  They are childless, so they actually sit and play games in their free time at their house.  Anyways, I made these bars - healthy bars, for dessert.  They have granola, raisins and cherries in them.  Mike even gave them a 4 - maybe that's how I get him to eat some healthy food now and again - sneak it into a cookie.

#169 Coconut Pecan Bars
It was the church craft show time again.  Mom asked me, as she does every year, to make a bar.  Note to self in the future: someone suggested drizzling chocolate on top.

#170 and #171
So one of my best friends just had a baby.  I was trying to coordinate with her to come and visit (and of course bring cookies).  Before I got word on what day to come over, I made batch 170: Easy chocolate caramel cookies.  OMG, these were amazing and definitely warrants teenage OMG language. Due to the fabulousness of this cookie and the fact that we then decided to go visit the new baby a week later, these all got eaten up.  So batch #171 for my friend: sorry Chels.
171: Chocolate Chip Cheese Bars:
These were okay - compared to the above - sorry again Chels.  Very easy quick cookie.  Refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough as a base, cream cheese with sugar and an egg mixed, spread on top. Voila.

There you have it.

I apologize for the substandard writing.  Baking 623 cookies is a project in itself.  Trying to then write about them as well as being a master's student finishing her thesis, being a mom, being pregnant and being a teacher while also maintaining the house - leaves me little time to proofread and really spend time on this writing.  Once someone tells me exactly what to do in order to monetize this blog - then I'll spend more time on the writing.  That's another thing - I did start to research on how I could get more followers, but I ran out of time.

Chocolate Caramel Cookie recipe:

1 pkg devils food cake mix
1 egg
1/4 cup water
3 tbs canola oil
38 Rolo candies
Chopped hazelnuts

In a large bowl, combine the dry cake mix, egg, water and oil; mix well.  Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls.  Press a candy into each; reshape balls.  Dip tops in hazelnuts.
(Just a note -the dough is extremely sticky - you may want to try to refrigerate it for a bit to make it less sticky - or spray hands lightly with cooking spray))

Place on ungreased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes or until tops are cracked.  Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks