I'll start with the cookies, just in case you don't care about the pups. (You know you do.)
This is a recipe I found on Pinterest and used for Britt's Open House cookie bar (I know... I still need to blog about it). Everybody really liked them, and I had several requests for the recipe. I made a batch this morning with a couple alterations. Yum-O.
Blueberry, Caramel and White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
(BCWCO for short)
2 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 Tbs. pure vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (I subbed 1 cup whole wheat flour, just to make them a bit healthier)
2 1/2 cups oatmeal (the recipe said quick oats, I have used regular oats both times and it works great)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 cup Kraft Caramel Bits (the original recipe calls for 2 cups, which I think would be WAY TOO MUCH, but you can decide)
1 1/2 cups dried blueberries (when I made them today I used dried tart cherries, which I think I like better than the blueberries, but the blueberries were delicious, too. I buy them at Costco or Sams Club.)
1 cup white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate (I used the white chips today, but MUCH PREFER the chopped white chocolate, which I used for the cookies for the Open House. I used 1 bar of the Baker's brand per double recipe. You could probably even use regular chocolate chips, especially with the tart cherries...?)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla until well combined.
Place flour, oatmeal, baking soda and salt into a large bowl; mix to combine. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients along with the caramel bits, blueberries and white chocolate. Mix until just combined.
Use a medium cookie scoop and scoop dough onto a Silpat or parchment lined baking sheet (very important when baking with those sticky caramel bits). Bake for 9 to 11 minutes, or until edges are just turning golden. Remove and let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Makes about 4 dozen cookies.
Now for the pups.
They are long-hair mini dachshunds. I don't think I mentioned that earlier. Their dad and mom (Elvis and Priscilla) have more of a medium-length hair, so other than regular baths, they haven't required any special grooming needs (brushing, haircuts, etc.). Ace was a short-haired dachshund, but we are loving the longer hair since it is so soft and cuddly.
Note: A friend of mine asked why we hadn't named them Jack and Jill... and I'll have to admit, it WAS something we discussed. It would be so cute, especially since their mom and dad have "pair" names. But out of respect for my dear sister Jill, I didn't think it would work for us. To have a child named after you is one thing, to have a dog named after you is quite another. Plus, I imagined family times together, dogs included (I know how she loves dogs), and didn't think my sista would appreciate us constantly yelling her name.
If you would have asked me yesterday morning/early afternoon, I was ready to send them back. They were rambunctious and crazy, having potty accidents here and there (mostly Ava), and chewing on everything they could get a hold of (rugs and carpet included). They wouldn't come when called (again, mostly Ava), and I was exasperated trying to manage them both, all the while wondering what the heck I had gotten myself into.
But... they ARE only puppies. We I knew what to expect.
Today they have been gems. No potty accidents so far. They love, love, love their brown fuzzy bed, given to us by our awesome neighbor Michaela.
And they are even beginning to fancy their crate. Especially my sweet boy Jack. They've made it through two out of four nights without waking up for a potty break (last night was the best night so far).
Yesterday I hustled out to buy them a play yard (thank you, Walmart; and seriously, do people
really keep their kids in there?? -- I found it in the baby care section of the store), to keep them out of mischief when I'm busy or away. They like it so far... YAY!
Freedom!
