Best Chocolate Chip Cookies EVAH!

I've made these enough times now to be fully aware of just

how awesome they are!

I have also been asked repetitively for the recipe.

So here you are!

**warning** these are incredibly addictive and fabulous

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup of butter flavored shortening

1/2 cup of butter, softened

3/4 cup of packed brown sugar

3/4 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon coffee-flavored liqueur

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups rolled oats

2 cups chocolate chips ( I use white chocolate chips and LOVE them )

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375'

2. Grease cookie sheets

3. In a large bowl, cream together the shortening, butter, brown sugar and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the v

anilla and coffee liqueur. (It will be VERY liquidy at this point...that's okay)

4. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt: stir into the sugar mixture. Mix in the oats, chips and nuts.

5. Roll tablespoons of dough into balls, and place them 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden. Cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before eating!!

I have made these and they have turned out very thin and crispy on the edges, and then very thick and tall. Not exactly sure why, but either way they are FAB-U-LOUS!

Enjoy - and let me know what you think!

Mother's Day GiveAway on SKIMBACO Lifestyle

Katja Presnal is a woman I admire very much. We met virtually through Twitter, I had the opportunity to make a medical alert bracelet for her...and then at  Blissdom09 we got to meet in person. And truthfully? She is just as wonderful and even more beautiful in person! 

Katja has this amazing blog/website called Skimbaco Lifestyle - which she describes as offering daily inspiration for modern mom on the go!  This she does, with grace and style!

Anyway, all that is said because Katja is celebrating MOM's this Mother's Day Season. This is what her blog says: 

Are you a mom?

Then this giveaway is for you! This Mother’s Day season Skimbaco Lifestyle partnered with several companies to gift and celebrate moms. Since we can’t gift everyone - we are hosting several giveaways and celebrating motherhood by fun Mompreneur interviews. I hope you subscribe Skimbaco Lifestyle feed to get all of the Mama Interviews, Mama Giveways and the Gift Guide of Gifts for Moms by Moms.

I have offered up one of my customizable necklaces for her Mother's day GIVEAWAY! and I would love for you to enter and win! Just visit her blog and post a comment or Tweet about the contest!

Now get off my page already and sign up to win!

**huggs**

Please Vote for Me! TODAY IS IT!!!!!

So I totally need your help with this peeps!

I signed my family up to be cast in a new NBC special called, "The Great American Road Trip"....and I think we are perfect for it.

It's kind of an "Amazing Race" for families...and we are dysfunctional enough to do this...I know it! The site describes it as such: NBC's new show, "The Great American Road Trip," is a cross country trip while competing to win a grand prize.

So will you please do me a favor and click on the badge to the right and vote for me. NBC is choosing to review the families with the most votes to cast. And you know?......This just might be the break the Lehmann family needs.

So help me out and I will be forever grateful!!

The Downtown Grand Rapids Sidewalk Chalk Flood

Tomorrow is a major fun happening in Grand Rapids. Rob Bliss is having one of his URBAN EXPERIMENTS and it is going to be awesome!

He is giving away FOR FREE over 30,000+ pieces of sidewalk chalk, to anyone and everyone, to color the entire downtown area of Grand Rapids like a canvas in the spirit of spring, as far and wide as possible. 

He says, "Picture walking around downtown and seeing gorgeous street art and colors as far as you can see. We’ll start at Rosa Parks Circle and spread from there. We can make these drawings as massive or individual as we want, 50 people chalking something massive or one person’s individual contribution."

General Rules: 
Only sidewalk chalk! no sidewalk paint, or spray paint, anything that doesn't come off with water.
No drawing on private property, only public areas
No religious, political, or drawings that could be offensive. This isn’t about someone’s individual personal beliefs but more so a choir of people making something all together as a whole.

So come join us...help spread the word. This could be an event that could bring massive attention to Grand Rapids.

If you have any questions, you can shoot me an email, or click the title to link to the facebook page for the event!

Yet Another FAB Giveaway!

I met We Are THAT Family at Blissdom09 and it was an instant connection! She was witty, adorable and even more interesting....we think alike. Yes we can both be "out there" when it comes to hiding behind our web pages...but there was a kindred spirit when it came to lots of people and crowds. :) But that's for another post!

Anyway, she has this amazing blog where she shares her heart, her family secrets, and her love for her God....I love that! (again another kindred thang) And today...bless her soul...she is featuring little ole me!!

I'm giving a way a $40 gift certificate to any item from my Etsy Shop. It can be used on any item, or put towards a more expensive piece...you decide.

So head over to her blog...you will so enjoy every piece of her writing...and enter the contest for your very own StudioJewel original!!

HUGE giveaway on Bloggy Giveaways.com

So I met this awesome person at Blissdom09 and we collaborated to do a GiveAway on her site Bloggy GiveAways.com. If you have never visited, you are so missing out!

They do awesome giveaways everyday...it rocks!

So go there, and see what I'm giving away...are you ready for this? A $100.00 gift certificate to anything in my shop! And...oh yes, there is more!....and....any orders placed this week, using the code BGO - gets you FREE SHIPPING and....15% off your purchase. For real!!!

Now get off my page already and go sign up to win...and get shopping!

MWAH!

Saturday...a day for Poetry

This is a poem I wrote many months ago. It is number one in a succession of four that tell a story...a journey perhaps. 

Please don't use them or copy them without my permission, they have been entered into a contest and have a copyright for that reason. 

I sincerely hope they speak to your soul...as someone who understands...as someone who has struggled with depression...as someone who has battled issues of self-image...I know, I get it. 

If it does speak to you, please let me know...I would appreciate the input.

Thanks for reading, 

~~ lisa aka thebeadgirl ~~

The Lies ©

There are lies which hide in the darkness

They wait for the quiet moments

Seeking to destroy

they are powerful, strong, destructive

They mask themselves as truth

They veil themselves with light

That is how they deceive

They know our weakest moments

Laughing at our tears

They distort reality

They reflect what does not exist

That is how they become powerful

they are frightening, painful, convincing

They know our secret thoughts

They feed on our fears

That is how they grow

They pretend to be our friend

Creating the ultimate illusion

They have damaged our reality

They misrepresented "truth"

That is how they have won

they are frightening, painful, convincing