Spring and Easter M&M Cookies

Baking + holidays are my JAM, so with Easter soon approaching, you know I've been all over Pinterest. I figured someone had a great Easter or spring themed recipe and sure enough, I found one. On our first day back to 'normal,' (aka Dad went back to work!) the kids and I spent a long time at the park with our pups and the only way I happily got them to leave was by saying, "Well let's go make cookies!!" These kids LOVE to help in the kitchen. I measured out the ingredients and then same as they always do, turns were taken pouring into the mixing bowl, turning on the standing mixer, and finally the best part [duh]: licking the spatula and beater. Yummmm! These are SO soft and chewy, so don't miss the cornstarch part because it really helps!

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch salt, optional and to taste
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate M&Ms (I used peanut because that's all our Kroger had at the time, they were DELICIOUS!]

DIRECTIONS:

1. To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter, sugars, egg, vanilla, and beat on medium-high speed until well-creamed, light and fluffy, about 5 minutes (or use a hand mixer and beat for at least 7 minutes). 

2. Stop, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, optional salt, and mix until just combined, about 1 minute.

3. Add the M&Ms and fold in by hand.

4. Use a 2-inch cookie scoop, and make heaping mounds. 

5. Preheat oven to 350F, line a baking sheet with parchment, or spray with cooking spray. Place them on the baking sheet, spaced at least 2 inches apart. I baked mine for eight minutes total. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack to finish cooling.

6. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, and ENJOY! My lunch today may or may not have been mostly cookie dough.....;) 

Adapted from Averie Cooks

Making Meals FUN with Re-Play!

The kids have had the same old same old dinnerware since I can remember, so when Re-Play wanted to partner with me, offering their extremely colorful and durable products, not only was I ecstatic, so were Pierson and Reese! This is a family owned company who ensures that their employees are cared for, that the products are safe, and everything is created 100% with recycled material. 

You can check out their website for all of their amazing products, but a personal favorite of mine is the Sorbet Collection, with so many beautiful, pastel-like colors. They have no-spill cups, regular cups, snack stacks, utensils, and various plates. Basically everything you need for your little one's meals, this company has it!

My kids love to switch up the colors of plates and cups that they use, but if you know my daughter Reese, you KNOW that her favorite is the PURPLE! :) 

Lucky for you lovely readers, I am offering you a personal coupon for your OWN set from Re-Play! Use the code: AshleyGlass2017 and you will be given 15% off off a $20 or more purchase. This offer will expire 4/18/17 so place your order ASAP! 

Spring Break Part I [North Carolina]

Traveling is always something that we've wanted to do, but has been on the back burner until well, now. Our oldest turns five in June (how, God, how?!?!?) and our daughter is three and a half. If you had asked me a while ago if I would have thought I'd take them camping in a tent for two nights and then drive five more hours to another state besides, I would have said heck to the no. I just never knew what life LOOKED like traveling with kids. Largely because I didn't know what it looked like for just ME, as a twenty-nine year old woman. I went on family vacations (lots), sure, but in my own adult years? My husband and I have been to St. Augustine, Florida and then Gulfport, MS; and that is in 8.5 years of marriage. So here we are, on a VERY big trip, and so far, it tops the charts. The memories we've made with our kids, watching them learn, adventure, explore, and GROW as tiny humans--this time is irreplaceable. We're so thankful our two VERY dear friends Tim and Clayton joined us, without them, we wouldn't have laughed [or kept our sanity] NEARLY as much. This is largely a giant photo dump, and I plan on organizing my thoughts and emotions into another post. So for now, curl up and enjoy part one of our adventuring! (Oh, and the baseball cap that I hardly took off this entire trip? Gigi Pip's Laci Hat in Red--seriously, SO stinken cute and comfy, and no hair washing required, haha! Total win for two solid nights in a tent and hiking up mountains!)

Turning 29, Planning for Spring Break, and Dealing with Disappointment.

Some of you have seen my Torteous Twenties post and if not, you can check that out here. But alas, I had a birthday this week and it was a glorious weekend/week of celebrating with dear friends and family. The day after I turned 29, I ran 9 miles with two of my friends I have been training with, and I NEVER would have imagined I could do that. Lo and behold, God continuously likes to shock me; and I'm now in a season of trusting, resting, and relying on Him for some healing. I ran 5.5 miles this Wednesday, 3.3 over hills on Thursday, and as soon as I stopped, my left knee started right back to square one of popping, catching, and causing me some good pain. It woke me often throughout the night last night, which hasn't actually happened before...I texted my good friend who is a PT and she said, "If you listen to your body when it whispers, then you won't have to listen to it scream." I'm tearing up just typing that, largely because I believe there is so much truth in it, but also because I know my body is whispering to me RIGHT now. And that's hard. In five weeks I've gone from not knowing I could run further than 3 miles consistently, to running good distances every single week. 

I know it's not the end of the world, but I never would have imagined that I'd be so disappointed to sit out a TEN mile race. I was so looking forward to running with my friend Lauren and to seeing my husband and kids at the finish line... but I'm still excited to cheer my friend on and to hear how she did. And now we get an earlier start on our vacation, so that's of course VERY exciting. I'm praying that a week off from running--maybe some hiking and strength training periodically, will help mend my knee and I am ultimately praying I CAN do the mini marathon at the end of April. So fingers crossed and I won't mind one bit if you add me to your prayers!

Anyway, this week looked like playing outside, sitting by the heater when it randomly got cold, learning about spring, drawing spring scenes, and planting wildflowers to grow inside. I love watching my kids learn and absorb information; it has been a ton of fun teaching them over the past couple of months. Also, Pierson visited the allergist and he is apparently allergic to cats, dogs, and mold [soooooo since we live in a zoo of animals that's not exactly good news]...but the doctor was AMAZING and he's on some medications now to hopefully help him with all of this. He's just had a bad bout of bronchitis and a double ear infection he couldn't kick, but I think we are finally on the mend. I also got to watch my friend Lauren's son Jadon this week. He's 14 months old and my kids ADORE him (as you can see from the photos below).  It's surreal that my husband's spring break has arrived. Tomorrow we head for Asheville, NC to camp for two nights + then we are staying at Myrtle Beach in a condo. Our two best friends Tim + Clayton are joining us--it's going to be SO much fun. [And probably also incredibly exhausting... but well worth it I already know!]