Homemaking Skillzzzz and OatCoconut Cookies

I recently got a job opportunity through the temp agency I've been using (Hurray for no more stressful job decisions!!) and have been a receptionist at Volunteers of America for the last week or so. It's been going great. I spend my days answering phone calls, transferring people, and reading in my down time. (I'm burning through books like crazy so if you have an suggestions please let me know!!) When I finally get home my brains a buzzing with excess energy so I've been trying out different recipes I've found on pinterest for both baking and cooking dinner. These recipes have included Oatmeal Coconut Cookies (my roommate Haley had me add some chocolate chips to one batch that made them to die for!)

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, (I used 1 stick butter and 1/2 cup shortening) softened to cool room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups flour
1 cup shredded, sweetened coconut
1 cup quick oats

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl cream together the sugar, eggs, butter and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a greased or lined (silpat or parchment) baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-12 minutes, until the cookies are set but not overly browned (bake a few minutes longer for a crispier version).

They were so good! Turned out fantastic and were gone in less than two days (my roomies obviously helped). I am officially a convert of the half butter and half shortening cookie. They turn out PERFECT and delicious everytime. Me and my roomie Miss Haley made some delicious caramel corn this last weekend as well, it took like 10 minutes and was SO YUMMY!! (Pictured to the left and Haley's above) I wanna try adding some coconut and melted chocolate chips to it!

Oh and last but not least these stuffed pizza rolls I got from Six Sisters Stuff (GREAT SITE!!) They were so easy! I just took crescent rolls and filled them with whatever pizza toppings I wanted (cheese, bacon and tomatoes in this instance) wrapped them up, tucked them in a pan seam down, and seasoned the tops with Italian Seasoning, Garlic Salt and Parmesan cheese (I didn't put nearly as much seasoning as they did on theirs, which is the picture you see on the right). Put them in the oven on 350 for 15-20 minutes and they were done!! I dipped mine in tomato sauce and ranch. Fast, easy and DELICIOUS!

In addition to improving my awesome baking, cooking, homemakin skillzzz I FINALLY put some pictures up on the walls in my room and will be painting this weekend to make it a little more homey, both picture collage-dillys are pictured below! Imagine it with a light grey paint behind it.

In order to bring in some extra cash I've been babysitting on weekends. One of the families I watch has four kids under the age of 5 (can you say CRAZY household!), three boys and the youngest is an 8 month old little girl. Attention all future parents, boys are WAY different than girls. One moment their playing with cars and the next their climbing on the counters reaching for a knife to open up a bag of candy they shouldn't have. We've had some fun escapades too however, including playing Chalk Monster and "football".

Last but certainly not least, I have an interview this upcoming Wednesday with DC Public Schools, one of the many steps in the application process. At the end I will be put into the pool of highly qualified educators for Principals to look through when positions at their school open up. Wish me luck!!