Forts, Projects and Cookies

Currently my bedroom has a toddler mattress pulled in there, blankets, I'm sorry, I mean lava, covering my bedroom floor and my couch cushions are not on the couch, instead they are the roof of the kids fort.  We are going on day 3 of arctic blast 2019 - meaning school cancelled for the last three days, and a fourth is well within the possibility.  So the kids have been doing art and science projects and building forts.

Child #1 was supposed to have his science fair Tuesday night.  It's okay school was cancelled, because we didn't start that project until Sunday night and then used the 1st cancelled day to work on the poster.  It's still not done, it'll get done one of these no school days - or more likely the night before the rescheduled science fair.  But because he had so much fun doing his science project (not the writing about it), he has been doing more and more. 

 I've been binge watching the Netflix show "Tidy Up" and the kids rooms are ultra organized despite their best attempts at foiling my plan.   And baking, only 2 batches of cookies (so far), but also have made baked oatmeal and muffins.

#373 Chocolate Chip Cookie Sticks
With all the cold weather and snow, we needed something to give us some energy.  No, chocolate chip cookies go with snow days like I don't know, cookies and milk. These are a 5 smiley face cookie, and what's even better - they're so simple; not even needing to prepare cookie sheet after cookie sheet with spoonfuls of dough.

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (if you want)

In a bowl, combine the oil, sugars, egg and vanilla.  Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to mixture.  Divide dough in half.

On a greased baking sheet, shape each portion into a 15 inch x 3 inch rectangle about 3 in. apart (or maybe only make 2 - 2 1/2 inches wide).  Both rectangles can go on one large baking sheet.  Sprinkle chocolate chips and nuts (nuts, optional) over dough, press lightly.

Bake at 375 for 6-7 minutes for softer cookies, 8-9 minutes for crispier.  Cool for 5 minutes.  Cut with a serrated knife into 1 inch strips; remove to wire rack to cool.

#374 Pecan Sandies Cookie
I made these buttery shortbread like cookie (filled with pecans) for a possible cold weather/no school day get together brunch/lunch that ended up not happening because nobody wanted to leave their warm house.
This recipe specifically says that these "buttery treats are great with a steaming mug of hot chocolate".  So we'll see!
The brunch/lunch may still happen if school is again cancelled for tomorrow.