Chocolate Cookies

  Believe it or not some weeks I do not make anything.  Tonight I made cookies because there I was minding my own business when a plate full of cookies gets my attention on Facebook.  A quick glimpse over the recipe and it's on.

  These cookies boasted of a chocolate flavor and there is no doubt about it when you see them and when you smell them fresh out the oven!

  They were easy to make adding that the teen made these.  The longest process was letting them chill prior to cooking. Ooh the torture.

  However after an hour of that I am almost sure when I took a bite of the first one I had already forgot about the waiting period.

  These are a great little cookie.  They have a great chocolate flavor, were soft, resembled a brownie in flavor and texture.  All you need is a glass of milk to accompany these and you too will be in a happy place.  These would definitely get you bonus points if you cooked them and had them ready for unsuspecting children!

 Get to cooking these!  I know you didn't know you needed them but, your welcome anyways.

Check out the recipe here:
http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2016/03/07/chocolate-sugar-cookies/

Money Monster (movie review)

  I went to see Money Monster based on the 3 options available to me opening week. One of them was a scary movie and I wasn't quite interested in that at the moment and the other was one I was not familiar with based on lack of advertising so Money Monster it was!

  Money Monster is a crime film rated R and runs about 1 hour 39 minutes. This movie was directed by Jodie Foster and had some great actors like George Clooney and Julia Roberts pulling off an entertaining performance.

  The movie starts off with a news segment discussing stocks. One disgruntled stockholder versus the large company. One man representing the world of believers. Believers being the people that are holding on to winning it big. Believers being the ones that waste the last of their money on a dream.

  The movie follows the ups and downs of a young man's life to bring us to the point of why he is so made at a company he invested in. He although is nothing more than a regular person knows that he was wronged. Not personally but wants justification and answers. I was not aware of the movie before I went but glad I choose it. It was entertaining.

  We already know the value of a dollar. Some of us know how to stretch it better than others. This movie makes you think of money, who controls it, you or the government, big corporations or even the media. We are teased and tempted on a daily basis but need to not only be strong and defiant but also more educated on our options of better spending and saving.

  I would rent this movie as I'm sure I would catch bits and pieces I missed while viewing it in the theater.

Let's Play Bartender

  Do you know what makes a drink better?  Making it at home, knowing what is in it controlling how much of the ingredients are in it and not having to worry about the drive home.

  All of this becomes reality when you make your own drinks at home.  Having liquor on hand, fresh fruit, crushed ice and a great shaker can make you the best host or hostess.

  The shaker kit comes in a nice velvet  drawstring bag.  

The kit includes a shaker, a jigger and 2 pourers.

 In addition to all that an ebook is included as well.  This just makes it better as now not only are you able to make your drinks you can make new ones!

  This shaker set would make a great gift for anyone! A homecoming present or even an upcoming gift for Father's Day.

  I received this premium cocktail shaker set by Shikshook for review.  All opinions mentioned are solely mine.

 For your convenience I have included the link here.
http://belugasinva.blogspot.com/2016/05/lets-play-bartender.html?m=1 #shikshook

Cookies Today with Strawberries

  Although this recipe uses a small amount of strawberries.  It also uses up the strawberries I had on hand.  So I need to go back and get more in order to finish out the month or else I will not be able to finish out the month.  I feel like I am running on fumes already but am not giving up.

  The recipe was for cookies today!  These strawberry cookies only asked for a few tablespoons of strawberries.  I had just enough.

  The rest of your ingredients are your basic requirements for a sugar cookie to include: flour, sugar, butter egg, baking powder and vanilla.

Blend that sugar and butter before you add anything else to make sure it will be incorporated.

I skipped the roll the cookies in a ball part and just plopped them on the cookie sheet but, I did add some sprinkles!

  My opinion of the cookies.  I would like to try them again with more strawberries.  I couldn't see them in any of the cookies, or taste it.  The recipe did say you could use strawberry extract in place of the strawberries.  The cookies however were good.  They didn't have that after taste that I get with some cookies!!  These were a good cookie that I could see making without the strawberries.

  Without the obvious appearance of strawberries the little man of the house nibbled on a couple and liked them too.  He had been avoiding all things strawberries for the last few weeks.

 Grab a glass of milk and make some of these they were a nice treat!
 
Check out the recipe here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/235942/chewy-strawberry-sugar-cookies/

Ice Cold Strawberries

  I have seen this treat using a variety of fruits and found one using strawberries and I wasn't even looking!  Today we made granita!

  In addition to again some simple staples you should have on hand; a blender is handy too.

Put all your ingredients into the blender and blend everything up!

  You get a beautiful smooth, red substance when it's mixed up!

Place it in the freezer for a few hours, scrape it around let it set again and your done.

  Delicious is one word that comes to mind and easy is another.  I will make more of this with different fruit because it was easy and tasty!

  Check the recipe out here: http://www.myrecipes.com/m/recipe/strawberry-granita-0

Hot Strawberry Dessert

  While I sit here and rummage through the Internet I always think to myself.  Is this a good recipe?  This recipe looks good! I hope this one is good.  We like strawberry shortcake so another strawberry dish with breading should be a hit so tonight we are eating Strawberry Cobbler!

  This was an easy recipe to make.  You should have all ingredients on hand.  Basic staples with an exception of the strawberries.  So put strawberries on your grocery list and make this for dessert!

  I didn't use as much sugar but I also didn't use as many strawberries.  Next time I will use more strawberries and double the recipe.  Start with your sugar and strawberries first to let the flavors blend together.

I did have my separate bowl of batter!

Then added the strawberries to the batter prior to baking!

  This was definitely a pretty dish.  My strawberries did fall under the crust.  I'm not sure if there were more strawberries if they would stay on the top more or not?  The crust was soft on the inside and a slight crunch to the sides.  The strawberries despite my reduction of sugar was just the right bit of sweetness.  This was delicious warm and I'm sure when I grab a piece in the morning it will taste just as good.

Check out the recipe here: http://divascancook.com/fresh-strawberry-cobbler-recipe-easy-dessert/

Sipping on Strawberries

  Today I took the easy way out.  A milkshake but with the use of strawberries of course!

  A couple scoops of chocolate peanut butter ice cream , some milk and fresh strawberries equals a chocolate covered strawberry milkshake!

  It doesn't get any easier then that.  The teen was gifted this tonight and was pleased with it.  She was impressed with how east it is to make a milkshake and may not the endless possibilities for future creations.

Cheers to the strawberries!