Cookies From Heaven

 This isn't a food blog.  That's not really my thing.  But, eating food, specifically delicious cookies, does rank pretty high on the list of things that I enjoy doing. And I would be remiss if I didn't share these cookies with you, my family and friends.

 Brown Butter Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown butter coconut what?!

  Small Pieces of Heaven would also be an appropriate title. 

My husband came home from work the other day and told me about these cookies.  Someone he works with had baked them and brought them in to share.  He ate about 42 of them.  I'm guessing.

After having him repeat the title of them to me about 74 times because it was the end of a long day and my brain had already shut off, I became intrigued by the "brown butter" and "toasted coconut" part of the whole thing.  I don't normally go out of my way to eat things involving coconut.  And what the heck was "brown butter?"

All I can say is that it doesn't matter.  Just stop what you are doing and make these cookies.  Double the recipe.  Trust me.  Freeze some, take them somewhere to share with people you love, or even just sort of like and maybe want to impress a little bit.  Just make them. You deserve it.

Recipe: (you didn't think I was going to go through all of that and not give you the recipe, did you?)

Adapted from joythebaker.com

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla

2  1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

 1/4 cup toasted coconut (I used sweetened)

1 cup dark chocolate chips

Yes, there's an alarming amount of butter in these.  Life is short.  And butter = things that taste really good.

Also, don't be put off by the slightly more labor-intensive steps (i.e. browning the butter).  It is worth the effort. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper (or aluminum foil),  especially if the surface of your cookie sheets is questionable, like mine.

Spread coconut out on one cookie sheet and toast in the oven for about six minutes, until browned and fragrant.  Remove from sheet and put in small bowl to cool.

Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat.  The butter will foam and crackle. Do not be alarmed. This is supposed to happen.  Once the crackling subsides the butter will begin to brown.  Once well-browned, immediately remove from heat and pour into a bowl to cool slightly.  (Removing from the pan ensures that the butter won't continue to cook and possibly burn).

In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt.  Set aside.

In mixing bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar and browned butter.  Beat together, on medium speed, for about two minutes.

Add the egg and egg yolk (if doubling the recipe, two eggs and one yolk are fine).  Beat on medium speed for two minutes.  The mixture should become silky smooth. Add vanilla and beat.

With mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients.  Mix just until incorporated - dough will be thick.  Use a spatula to fold in the coconut and chocolate chips.

Spoon tablespoon-full balls onto the prepared baking sheets.  If the dough is too crumbly, mix a little with your (clean!) hands until it comes together more.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown but still slightly soft in the center.  Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on the sheets for five minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely. 

Once cooled, store any cookies you were able to resist eating in an airtight container.  Enjoy as long as they last.

You're welcome.

~ Dori

Fun Photo Friday

My Jedi Knights in training.

One more week of Tae Kwon Do classes.  I'm proud of the boys because, despite their reluctance to try something new, they stuck with it and even grew to enjoy it in the end.  

 They're even adding it to their list of possible activities to pursue in the fall.  One activity that they definitely decided to continue with for another year is Cub Scouts.  

This week the Scouts went on a fishing excursion, which the boys really enjoyed, even though it involved putting worms on hooks.  Little boys don't generally mind that kind of thing, though. 

Is it just me or does Thomas look particularly old in that picture? 

Of course the highlight of our week/month/year was having a visit from Chris and Sue! As you can tell, I even managed to get pictures wherein nobody (Chris) is pulling their usual disruptive picture-taking antics (Chris). 

Awww...

Ah. There's the Chris we know and love.

We played many games together.

Uncle Chris needed a nap after that one.

Nope. I wasn't kidding.

For someone without kids of his own my brother has a knack for picking out really good games/toys for his nephews (or maybe I have Sue to thank?), including a Physics Kit for Michael.

We also read stories.  Michael was eager to read to everyone. Thomas is still shy about sharing his reading skills.  

Meanwhile, Sue quickly became Matthew's BFF.  He insisted on holding her hand anytime we went out and also requested that she tuck him in bed at the end of the day. Too cute.

It was a great weekend! We really appreciated that Chris and Sue took the time to visit us. 

Michael was even inspired to create a Lego version of Android for his Google Uncle.

And after they left?  Back to the usual.

The boys retreated to their Lego areas for awhile.

Baby Ben worked on becoming increasingly mobile.

As the above picture demonstrates, he can get around the room pretty well now.  And that's just by rolling. I'm in big trouble when he figures out how to crawl.

That was our week.  We have a weekend of yard work and hanging out with some friends planned.   Then we'll be diving back into our schoolwork next week. 

Thanks for stopping in to read! Have a great weekend!

~ Dori

Fun Photo Friday - Video Edition

Happy Friday once again! I don't have an all-out blog post in me today, but wanted to give you (my loyal fans) something.  My brother and his girlfriend are here for a visit this weekend - YAY! The boys have been asking every day this week when they are coming and the day is finally here! They can geek out with their uncle over Legos, Star Wars and Whatnot.  I will be sure to take plenty of pictures to include in a post next week.

Until then...I have two videos, because the boys decided I needed to just put them both in this post.  They are both of Benjamin working on his sitting-up skills.  The first one is from just over a week ago and the second one is today.  You'll notice some improvement.  Also a Monopoly game going on in the background.  And that he's (once again) taken his pants off.

Have a great weekend!

~ Dori

Fun Photo Friday

No, you're not on the wrong blog, I just decided it was time to redesign Life With Legos.  I suppose it's a bit like my inability to leave furniture in the same configuration for very long.  I have a compulsive need to move things around every 7.5 minutes.  

 After deciding that it might be fun to change things up on the blog, I enlisted the help of my resident Junior Lego Master Designers. 

Yes, Matthew is still in his pajamas. You can do that when you homeschool.

 

 

 Then I took lots of pictures.  Then I decided the whole thing needed to move outside.  Then I took more pictures.  Then I loaded them onto the computer, edited and turned one into the header.  Then I changed and tweaked the new template for the rest of the blog.  Then I resisted my perfectionist tendencies and decided to stop tweaking and editing and just leave things well enough alone. 

For now.

So, what do you think of the redesign? The boys really enjoyed the project and I will pass along any comments to them.  

Spring has definitely sprung around here, but without as much rain this week.  I've been shoving encouraging the boys outside to play at every available opportunity. 

Since my mood and productivity are directly tied to the weather, we stayed pretty busy this week.  Physical Fitness was the theme, which tied in with their learning about the Food Pyramid and the human body.   

In keeping with the theme, this week officially kicked off my time-to-lose-all-this baby-weight fitness campaign.  I generally prefer to exercise alone, but discovered how much fun it can be to have the boys join me. 

We're doing Pilates.  Obviously.  

 It was their idea to join in.  And, considering how they ended up joining in each time (FOUR times, thank you very much!) I guess they like it.  

Wait until I mix things up next week with a ballet workout...

Michael and Thomas also had their weekly Tae Kwon Do class as well as a Cub Scout field trip to a gymnastic studio.  

 They had a basic skills gymnastic class and they both LOVED it.  As in, "when can we go back for another class, mom?" 

After some jogging, jumping jacks, sit-ups, etc... they rotated through various stations where they learned a new skill.

Thomas doing a hand stand

It was a great class and I was happy that the boys enjoyed it and would be interested in doing it again.  I really want them to find something physical that they enjoy doing on a regular basis.  The studio offers a class once a week for home schoolers that we'll definitely be signing up for in the fall. 

There is also a nice area for parents and siblings to hang out, which is always a bonus.  Although, I'm hoping that Matthew can also take the class at some point. 

Despite the busy week of activities, we managed to fit in some school work.  And, yes, they always obediently sit and do their math worksheets.  Just like they routinely do their chores while whistling a happy tune and without me having to nag them repeatedly. 

Bella is also enjoying spring.  She is one happy dog now that winter is behind us.   

And, of course, Benjamin has been keeping busy, too. 

"Talking" to daddy.

 

Practicing standing.

Admiring himself in the mirror. 

He's a good-looking little guy - there's lots to admire.

He's also been continuing his quest to drool and slobber on absolutely everything he can.

Stuffing his hand into his face really helps get the drool flowing. 

Once again,  I am in danger of not actually getting this post published on Friday, and therefore, needing to retitle it.  It's not actually my fault this week, though.  Blogger has been down (for publishing - you could still read the blog) since late in the day yesterday and only came back to life this afternoon.  It also didn't save the part of the post I had written yesterday, for some reason, which was frustrating.  Especially since I'm sure it was rather witty and insightful.

Have a great weekend! And don't forget to let me know what you think of the new look!

~ Dori