Life is like a toddler.
It does exactly what you tell it NOT to do.
In one of the great ironies of life, the days after I posted my new "take time for me" motto have been a whirlwind of social obligations and baking orders, to-do's and errands, and a jumble of lists that never seem to get everything checked off.
Each day seems to fly by faster than the one before, leaving me standing in a sprinkles-covered kitchen, dusted in a fine layer of powdered sugar and Windex, staring a pile of half-unpacked boxes and mounds of paper before fumbling for my keys to run somewhere before they close. There always seems to be something to do, an appointment to run to, or someone to meet up with.
It's times like these that I reach for my phone and text Mr. DomesticatedRedhead:
Me: Just an FYI, I'm taking up drinking. If you need me or the dog, we'll be at the bar.
Him: Awesome. Have fun. Be careful of Tequila.
This is why I married that man.
So when I was driving home the other day from running errands and saw the card table set up on the corner of the street, I almost didn't stop, in favor of getting home faster to do whatever VERY IMPORTANT thing I had next on my list, like curing cancer or solving world hunger...
... or scrubbing down the bathroom shower.
But the sight of four tiny, eager faces (coupled with their amazing display of lung capacity as they bellowed in tandem "LEMONADE!" and bounced around like Cirque du Soleil acrobats on speed) swayed me, and I pulled over to
This
Meet Adriana, Bethia, and Isaiah - entrepreneurs extraordinaire. A quick conversation with them revealed that their church asked them to look through sofa cushions for spare change, to help children in Rowanda. But they wanted to take it a step further, and decided to sell lemonade (for the bargain price of $.50 a glass) to raise even more.
Yes.
This is what gives me hope for our future.
Because when everyone seems so often to live "Inside their own bubble," caught up in their own life, views, and....errands (hey, that shower's not going to scrub itself!)... little teachers like this are a good reminder that the sweetest things in life can be found outside of it.
So I gave them $2.00 for a red plastic tippy cup of fabulous lukewarm lemonade...
Then drove home...
...and gathered up some extra peanut butter cookies that I had made for Mr. DomesticatedRedhead's work.
Then marched them down the block to give to the kids, who squealed with joy.
(Note: Yes, their parents were there. And yes, the parents gave the OK. Nothing like a random stranger offering your kids cookies... at least I wasn't doing it from the side door of an unmarked van.)
And in the spirit of sharing, I'm sharing the recipe for the world's best Peanut Butter cookies with you today.
These cookies are a fabulous mix of crisp on the outside and soft on the inside, rolled in sugar and packed with a fabulous peanut butter taste that will make you popular with whomever you give them to. Or with yourself, if you eat the whole batch. (Whatever. I don't judge.) They're simple, and delicious, and the perfect gentle reminder for all of us to:
Put down the VERY IMPORTANT ERRAND/CHORE (those socks can get alphabatized later)
Make these cookies.
Then take a moment to share them with someone.
Then take a moment to share them with someone.
Because life is better outside the bubble.
"World's Best" Peanut Butter Cookies
Adapted from melskitchencafe
Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (12 1/2 ounces)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup (2 sticks, 16 tablespoons) butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 cups creamy peanut butter (see note)
- 1 1/2 cups brown sugar (10 1/2 ounces)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (3 1/2 ounces)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer or in the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix until combined. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until creamy.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Scoop the dough and roll into 1- or 2-inch balls. Place on parchment- or silpat-lined (or lightly greased) large, rimmed baking sheets, placing them a couple inches apart.
- Bake for 10-11 minutes until puffed. Don't overbake.
- Remove from the oven and immediately press each cookie to flatten slightly with the bottom of a flat drinking glass or the back of your spatula. (Don't flatten completely - just lightly press)
- Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
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a) your husband is awesome for understanding the mother/baby schedule which never ends and b) you're awesome for stopping and chatting with those girls. such a great post, and if my husband didn't have a peanut allergy- well- i'd be all over those cookies :)
ReplyDeleteThat was so sweet of you! And those kids really do give hope to the future - they have big hearts :) I should probably get on making those cookies while the kids are sleeping. PB cookie are my husband's favorite!
ReplyDeleteWay to step out of your bubble and make the kids' day! It's worth the time to make someone smile!
Amy @ http://www.livinglifetruth.com/
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