mmmm; asparagus...

Here's the plot spoiler:And here's Caleb's first taste of asparagus (mixed with rice cereal):

BYOB...

My folks went to Vegas in August and brought this back for Caleb :)

new 'do...

Cookie of the week...

"I mean this in the best possible way: These are the most delicious cookies you have ever made!" -Karl to Dayna

I've been eyeballing this cookbook for some time now, and Karl surprised me with it, out-of-the-blue the other day :) It's a low fat baking cookbook (but like most delicious low fat foods, it's high sugar).

I made these last night and they were *so* delicious that I had to share the recipe. Of course I googled it first and found the author's blog here so I didn't need to rewrite it :) Copied below in a reader's digest version, but her blog is worth checking out; funny gal (Calgary local) that I have seen on TV a few times as well ...

my outcomes:

Excerpted from One Smart Cookie by Julie Van Rosendaal.

CHOCOLAVA COOKIES
This fudgy cookie, named for its cracked, lava-like appearance, is a chocolate lover's dream.

Ingredients

• 1-1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup trans-free margarine or butter, softened
• 3 large egg whites, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Confectioners' sugar, for rolling

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cocoa, baking powder, and salt, breaking up any lumps of brown sugar. Stir in margarine until mixture is well combined and crumbly. (This part can be done in a food processor.) Add egg whites and vanilla extract. Stir by hand just until dough comes together.
3. Place a few heaping spoonfuls of confectioners' sugar into shallow dish. Roll dough into 1-1/2-inch balls, then roll balls in sugar to coat. Place 2 inches apart on baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake 12 to 14 minutes, until just set around edges but still soft in the middle. Transfer to rack to cool.

Makes 2 dozen (or extra large one dozen which I may do next time!)

High Tech Entertainment for Caleb...

Year of the Frog

Happy March! Yesterday we did end up going to the zoo for their "frog themed" Leap Year day. Karl took a half day off and we went there to check out the exhibits, wandered around the conservatory, and stayed for lunch.
It was a great first-time use of our annual zoo pass that Caleb got for Christmas (thanks Amma & Grampa!). I anticipate spending a lot of time there this spring and summer.

Species: Chinese Canadian Red Shoulder Cacti