6.30.2017

Patriotic Chocolate Chip Cookies

4th of July is one of my favorite days of the year.
Chocolate Chip Cookies are one of my favorite treats to make!
I saw Red, White and Blue M&M's at Target, so I knew I had to buy some.
I put some out in a bowl for decoration (and to eat!) and I knew I wanted to use some of the m&m's to make cookies.
Introducing.....
Patriotic Chocolate Chip Cookies
Here is what you need:
  1 cup butter (softened)
1 cup brown sugar
¾ cup sugar
2 eggs
1 T vanilla
¾ t baking soda
1 t salt
3 cups flour
1 package  Chocolate Chips
1 cup of Red, White and Blue M&M's

Directions:
Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla. 
Stir until combined.
Add dry ingredients & Mix in chocolate chips and M&M's.
I found the 4th of July M&M's at Target, but if you can't find them there or if they are sold out, you can get them HERE. If you have Prime, they will arrive by Sunday :)
M&M's make everything better :)
After you have mixed all the ingredients,  use a cookie scoop to form the cookies.
THIS is the cookie scoop I have
Drop onto a cookie sheet....It makes the prettiest cookie dough :)
 Bake at 350 for 11-12 minutes.
These cookies are so soft & delicious.
Let cookies cool slightly...
This recipe makes about 3 dozen cookies.
You need these cookies for your 4th of July party!
If you are a cookie snob like me, you will love these cookies!
YUM.
You cold also make these into Ice Cream Cookie sandwiches....add some vanilla ice cream in between 2 cookies and then roll them in 4th of July Sprinkles and you have a Patriotic Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich!
 
I hope you have a great weekend and have fun celebrating the 4th of July!


6.28.2017

What's Up Wednesday :: June 2017

It's the last Wednesday of the month, that means it's time for our What's Up Wednesday Link Up!

Link up with  me, Sheaffer & Shay the LAST Wednesday of each month so we can read about What's Up with YOU!

Here we go!
What We’re Eating this week.....
Monday: Cheeseburgers & Sweet Potato Fries
 Tuesday: Pulled Pork that I made in my Instant Pot. It only took an hour!
I will be blogging this soon! I serve it with broccoli slaw. YUM!

 Wednesday: Chicken Taco Salad
Thursday: BBQ Chicken & Caprese Orzo Salad

Friday:  Out to dinner with friends who are in town for my 20th high school reunion.

I also like to bake something each week & since it's summer I am baking more than 1 thing each week. Because I have so much zucchini from our garden, I am making my Chocolate Chop Zucchini Muffins.

 I also made a big batch of zucchini and squash zoodles with my Veggie Spiralizer.
 This is a quick & easy summer lunch, I make a batch of spaghetti sauce and put it on some zoodles.
Yum!

What I'm Reminiscing about.....
 High School!
My 20th High School reunion is on Saturday & because I was Senior Class Treasurer, I get to plan all the reunions. They didn't tell me that when I was 17 & running for office that we had to plan all the reunions. LOL!
I've been going through all my high school photos and yearbooks, so many great memories.

My Senior Picture:

 Note to self: Why did you get the "Rachel" haircut your senior year? You couldn't pull it off & it didn't make you look like Jennifer Aniston. LOL!
 Another piece of advice to myself...maybe put on just a little bit of eye make up or mascara for your senior picture. All I have on is lipstick. I wasn't big into doing my own makeup. I'm still not :)

Can't wait to see everyone this weekend!

 What I'm loving.....
R+F's newest product....Hydration serum!!!
I just got back from 7 days in Lake Tahoe at 7000 feet altitude and my skin did not dry out at all!!
I have no make up at all in this photo and because of hydration serum, my skin was so soft the entire time I was in Tahoe.

I am using our Reverse regimen in the mornings & Redefine at night along with our new hydration serum & also lash boost (my very favorite!!!)

Active Hydration Serum works on ALL skin types need hydration, just like we all need moisturization.
Hydration helps nourish the skin from within, while a moisturizer helps seal in what is already there.
💦Balance oily skin
💦Plump Wrinkles
💦Reduce Fine Lines
💦Visible Firmness
💦Added Brightness


Email me if you want to order some!
melissa_larson17@yahoo.com

What We've been up to.....
Having a lot of summer FUN!
June has been busy, busy, busy!

I went to the Boys 2 Men, Paula Abdul & NKOTB concert with friends!
 We took a party bus, it was so fun!

 The concert was AMAZING!!!!
I saw Hamilton with my sisters & mom....
It was AMAZING.


Spent a week in my happy place....Lake Tahoe!
 Had a blast on our new paddle boards.
 The lake was so full from all the snow & rain we got this winter.
 This is my favorite beach at Lake Tahoe...Sand Harbor....there was barely any beach because the lake was so full!
 The Truckee River was also incredibly full.

The Truckee River has been closed for rafting the past 4 years because of the drought...not enough water. 
This year it is closed because there is TOO much water!

What I'm Dreading.....
Kate has to get her adenoids out! UGH.
Never like it when one of my kids has to have surgery.

What I'm Working On.....
High School Reunion stuff....

We finalized the menu, lots of yummy food!


What I'm Excited About.....
R+F announced a Lash Boost Bundle!


 When you buy Lash boost & a regimen bundle, you can get up to 30% off! This is an amazing deal that R+F is offering!
 If you want to love your lashes and have longer, fuller, darker looking lashes and great skin,  I would love to get you started!
 
 What is your biggest skin concern? I'm here to help! We have products for all skin types.

I am so thankful for the R+F products....our Reverse regimen got rid of my pregnancy melasma that I had with all 3 pregnancies.


   My "out the door with 1 coat of mascara, wet hair in a bun (or hat) and lip gloss look" is a whole lot better thanks to Lash Boost!
Needless to say I'm in love. These are my personal results after 12 weeks of Lash Boost:
 Take THIS quick 5 questionnaire to find out what is best for your skin!
 
All new preferred customers this month get $20 cash back and a FREE mini eye cream!

Like all of our products, this bundle comes with a 60 day empty bottle 100% money back guarantee!

Email me with questions or to place your order:
melissa_larson17@yahoo.com 

What I'm Watching........
I am behind on my shows! I have things on my DVR from the Spring that I need to watch.
But, I am watching The Bachelorette!



What I'm Reading.....
I read 4 books this month...Yay Summer!

She's Not There

Loved it. 4 stars...lots of suspense.

Undone

Book 3 in the Will Trent series....3.5 stars.

The Couple Next Door 

I wanted to like this more, but I give it 3.5 stars.

Right Behind You


This was great. 4 of of 5 stars. Lots of suspense.


What I'm Listening to.....
Pandora's Top Hits
I am also loving Bruno Mars "That's what I like"



What I'm Wearing.....
Summer is when I am lazy with my clothes since I don't have to teach.
I am wearing a lot of this....Running clothes & running shoes:

If I'm not wearing running clothes, I am most likely wearing a bathing suit & a swim suit cover up & these flip flops:




What I’m doing this weekend.....
High School Reunion!
I am either wearing this dress:

or this dress:

Can't decide!

What I'm Looking Forward to next month.....
4th of July
Tahoe
Fun Surprise Vacation we are taking the kids on!!!!! Can't WAIT!

What else is new.....
Backyard Kitchen!
 Kevin built it with our neighbor. So proud of him, it turned out so great!

Question of the month is:
What is your favorite 4th of July Tradition?
We are going to our friends house for their annual 4th of July French Toast Breakfast.
Then, we walk to our town's 4th of July Parade.
Then, every year we host a 4th of July Pool Party & Sausage Fest (although we didn't have it last year  because our kitchen/back patio was under construction replacing some things because of a water leak) And, this year our backyard is under construction again so we will probably do something with our neighbors!

To see our 4th of July Traditions from years past, click HERE!
It's one of my favorite days of the year!

Anoher favorite 4th of July tradition is hands down Jimmy's Homemade Ice Cream. Every year since I can remember, my dad makes his homemade Ice Cream for the 4th of July.
 My favorite flavor is Cookies & Cream:

Jimmy's favorite is Butterfinger:
 It is the best ice cream ever.
HERE is the recipe & step by step tutorial.

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If you are new to my blog, thanks for stopping by!
Feel free to follow along! 
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Can't wait to read about What's up with all of YOU!

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