Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies and Box #2

Today's recipe is an oldie but a goodie. This cookie brings back memories of warm plates of ooey, gooey goodness fresh from the oven, waiting for us when we got off the school bus, complete with a cold glass of milk...mmmmmm.

I read somewhere that this cookie originated when a baker tried putting chocolate pieces into a cookie dough, thinking that they would melt and create a chocolate flavoured cookie. Instead the chocolate piece kept its shape and the chocolate chip cookie was born! Lucky for us.

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

1 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 eggs

2 1/4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips

1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts is the classic choice but pecans are also good in this recipe)

Preheat oven to 375•F.

Beat butter, sugars and vanilla extract in a large bowl until creamy and smooth. Add eggs, beating well after each one. Blend in flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chips and chopped nuts.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoon (or use a 1-inch cookie dough scoop) onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until they are done to your preference. I prefer my chocolate chip cookies on the slightly underbaked side so I cook for 9 minutes. If you like them slightly crispier cook them for longer. Leave on baking sheet for 2-5 minutes to cool slightly then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy - preferably with good company.

Scented Embossing Powder Box - Boxes, Bags and Gifts #2

For those of you new to this "series" I'm putting together a new box, container/bag or gift each day this month in preparation for a secret sisters swap in June. We are supposed to put together a package of wrapped items for our SS - who will then open one for each day in the month of June plus one on July 1st. We have a wish/preference list for our recipient to guide our gift giving. One of the wish items on my SS's list was scented embossing powder. I have a few of these and they are nice for cards/gifts so I stopped by my LSS today and purchase cafe latte and bubble gum scented powders.

I made this little box to hold the two little bottles. It has an insert similar to the one in the egg box I made earlier that will keep them from sliding around inside. Just before I send the package I will fill up the inside with bubblegum and coffee flavoured Jelly Bellies. The coffee cup image and some of the little coffee beans are embossed with coffee scented embossing powder.

These kind of boxes are quite easy to make and can be easily resized to fit the intended contents. You could decorate them any way you wish to suit the occassion or the recipient.

Supplies: Cardstock (Bazzill), Stamps (Impression Obsession), Embossing Powder (Gel'a'tins), Inks (SU!, Versa), ribbon, Bella Baubles (Stamping Bella).

Just for giggles I thought I'd post a picture of the current creative chaos that is my stamping room. Its getting bad, even for me. My problem is that with my six-month-old I barely have time to stamp, let alone clean up and so the remnents of each project keep piling up on top of each other. On the left side is a pile of products that are recent purchases or gifts that haven't event been catalogued or put away yet. Tomorrow is definately clean up and organize day. Thursdays Edumicate Me will be focussed on storing and organizing your scrap papers...