Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened (I used unsalted)

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp water

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 and a 1/2 pkg of morsels

1. Beat butter and sugars until light colored and creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time until well blended. Add vanilla and water, blend well.

2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually stir into butter mixture. Stir in morsels.

3. Spread cookie dough onto a greased baking sheet.

4. Bake about 15 min on 350 degrees or until golden brown.

5. Flip onto parchment paper to cool.

Fresh out of the oven

MMMMMMMMM :)

Flipped onto parchment paper to cool.

Cut into bars and eat. Store in an air tight container with a slice of bread to keep soft. These are very good! I took some to work to share and everyone that had these went crazy over them. I even got a hug from one person b/c they loved them so much and it reminded them of their mom making them when they were little. :) haha I will be making these again b/c they are that awesome. :)

Meatball Toasty

5 Cheese Garlic Bread Toast

Meatballs

Sauce

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM :)

New Things Monday

A few months ago, I told Kristen about a new station shirt I had that I needed to wear at an upcoming event. I told her it had lots of colors on it and I was afraid it was going to bleed when I washed it. She told me to try the Shout Color Catcher sheets. I hadn't heard of them and she told me she would get me a sheet to try. I used it and it was like magic. I didn't have to worry about this shirt (which was white with tons of colors) turning any of the other whites color. Get a free sample and try it for yourself here. It def works and def something you need in your laundry room. :)

Semper Fred 5k 2011

This morning was the Marine Corps Half Marathon and the Semper Fred 5k. I participated again this year. This was my 3rd year walking/running in the 5k. :)

This year all the 5kers got medals for the first time. :) My finish time was 58:40. Last year, I did 54 min and I kinda knew I wouldn't beat that time. I didn't really do anything to prepare for this 5k.

Drew Carey finished at 1:57:02. When Jessica and I chatted with him on Friday he mentioned that he wanted to get under 2:18 which he clearly made.

This was the first half finisher with the time 1:13:53.

Drew Carey is in Fredericksburg

I got to meet Drew Carey today. He's in Fredericksburg to run the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon. I'm running/walking the Semper Fred 5k again this year which starts right after the half marathoners. Drew has loss about 80 pounds. He spoke at the ceremony and made some jokes. Afterwards, he walked about the expo center like a normal person picking up his bib and shirt and signed autographs and took pictures with ppl. And I introduced myself and shook his hand. :)

New Things Monday

Today, Billy and I went to Philly Gone South. We'd been wanting to try it and we had nothing going on today so I figured we'd go check it out. And I thought it would be good to feature today.

It's off Rt. 208 (Courthouse Road in Spotsylvania)

Menu on a chalkboard. (Photo taken with Billy's IPhone) We both got the lunch special which includes a Philly Sammich, bag of chips and a soda. Billy got the 12 inch with White American Cheese and I got the 6 inch with White American Cheese. It was good...the philly meat was seasoned perfectly.

Very small eating area (only 3 tables) but cute. (Photo taken with Billy's IPhone)

Pablo Picasso Exhibit

This weekend, we (Joe, Sharon, Dave and me......Kristen is in NEW YORK otherwise she would have been right there with us) went to Richmond to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts to see Picasso Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris. The pieces are on tour while the Picasso Museum in Paris, France is being remodeled. I knew as soon as I heard about it that I wanted to go see it b/c it was a once in a lifetime chance to see. It's not like I'm going to Paris anytime soon. haha And the cool part.....it was just an hour down the road. :)

This is a self portrait of Picasso dated 1906.

One of my favorite paintings was the Portrait of Olga in an armchair. (Dated 1918) Picasso loved Olga who was a ballerina. The had a son (Paulo in 1921)

This one stood out to me....with all the colors. It's the Portrait of Dora Maar. (Dated 1937) Dora Maar was a photographer and painter and she challenged and inspired Picasso during his political painting era.

This is a bull head sculpture. It's made from an old bicycle seat and handle bars.

Here is Pablo Picasso in his studio.

We all had a great time. Took us about 2 hours, taking our time looking at the exhibit, which had about 11 separate rooms with each era. We found some paintings, and sculptures to be perverted and we'd just laugh. :) After the exhibit we met Crystal and Eddie at Maggiano's for dinner where we had to wait an hour and 40 min for a table. BLECH!! But we knew the food was worth the wait. And we all had a great dinner together. :)

Alice in Wonderland Play

Last weekend, Kristen and I went to another Stage Door Productions play. This time it was Alice in Wonderland. Very cute!! All the actors did a terrific job! :)

Alice
The Mad Hatter with his friends.

Alice with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb.

The flowers making fun of small Alice.

The whole group of Actors at the end. We had a great time!! :) I can't wait to go to some more in the future. :)