Tag: collaboration

Anora’s Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Alright moms, it’s time for you to sit back and let your baker-in-training do all the work! Anora, my 12-year-old daughter, is happy to share with you and your kidlets her go to chocolate chip cookie recipe. It’s easy and always a crowd pleaser!

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ANORA’S CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

You will need:

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 large egg

2 1/4 cups flour (we like unbleached)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

10 oz. bag of Ghirardelli premium baking chips

METHOD:

  1. Set butter out to get it to room temperature. If you’re ready to start baking right away, 15 seconds in the microwave usually does the trick!
  2. Preheat the oven to 375°.
  3. Beat sugars, butter, vanilla, and egg in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Stop mixer and add flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix on low to medium low–dough will be stiff! Remove from mixer and stir in entire bag of delicious chips!
  4. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about two inches apart onto a cookie sheet prepared with baking parchment (if you have it). We always make our balls almost golf ball size to accommodate the large chips.
  5. Bake 10-12 minutes or until the edges get a light brown tint. Cool 3 to 5 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

makes approximately 2 dozen cookies

SIDE NOTE: We love these cookies even better the second day! Store in a sealed container once completely cooled.

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Yum! Grab some milk and go to town!

Happy baking!

xo.

Pete & Anora

How to Host a Killer Nerf Party

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When it comes to six-year-old boys it’s fairly safe to assume they are packed with energy and LOVE to shoot stuff! My sister-in-law, Rachel, had the brilliant idea to throw her son a Nerf party for his sixth birthday. Originally she planned to have this party outdoors, but the weather in Utah in January was not cooperating! She came up with some creative ideas to make this party just as fun indoors.

To start this party off right, Rachel set out a row of Nerf guns for each attendee to take home as a party favor and use during the party. She got an amazing after Christmas deal on these babies at Target online. You could also suggest attendees bring their own guns if they have them on the invitation.

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She also purchased plenty of Nerf darts using Wish. Seriously discounted darts. No, seriously–check it out! Just plan well in advance because shipping takes some time!

Rachel and her husband, Hiro set up super fun target stations all through the house using cardboard boxes, duct tape, printed targets, army men, and balloons. So clever and the kids loved it!

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Each balloon target was worth a different amount of points.

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Check out the little spinners on these targets!

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I just love the army guys!

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Cute baby brother is locked and loaded–LOOK OUT!

I also love how everything ended up color-coordinated. Rachel stuck to a simple palette of red, blue, orange, and white. Even the guns and darts matched the party!

For food, Rachel kept it simple and ordered pizza–always a crowd pleaser!

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And for the cake, the birthday boy’s request: Vanilla cupcakes with a peach filling and peach buttercream icing, decorated with a fondant target and sprinkles (made by me!).

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In case you need a close-up of that luscious peach buttercream:

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I want to thank Rachel for sharing this special day with us! Hopefully this post inspires you for future parties and events!

Click here to download printable targets for your own party: target

xo.

Pete

Note: To avoid injuries set ground rules before the party gets going. For example, only shoot at targets, not people! –Just thought I should add that! 😉