Survival of the Fittest?

From the depths of my heart. .I'm not sure if the term TGIF (Thank God it's Friday) has ever been such a serious, heartfelt statement in my life as it has been this week.  From emotional friendship issues to spiritual heartaches, heartbreaks, and prayer warrior issues to physical well-being. . .or not so well being. .issues.  From family to weather to extra-curriculars. . .the week has been full of anything and everything.  I have learned alot. . .about myself. . .my friends. . .human nature. . .mother nature. . .and my family.  It's not all been good. .but it has all been purposeful, thought provoking, and character building.  It has not been an easy week. .but one week of the most persistent challenges from all angles that I can easily remember. Now, no one went to prison. .no one received a terminal health diagnosis. .and growth and recovery will take place. I preface you with my vague recount of the week to remind everyone (and myself above all) of my favorite verse in Lamentations 3:23. . .Great is thy faithfulness, His mercies begin afresh each day!!  And they are! Praise God!!

So, after a 3 day siesta from the real world this week, while confined to my bed during the coldest cold snap I can record in my mind. .I celebrated my walk among the living by spending part of the day at work (making up work :-) and the remainder of the day serving the children I live with and teach!  Seriously, I was totally glad to be feeling well enough to have our bigger kid cooking session yesterday afternoon.  That age group is so hard to get together because of all their extra curricular activities. .but I accumulated 6 junior high kids and I wanted to share some footage and a very yummy recipe that we tried out!!

As it worked out. .3 were in 8th grade and 3 were in 7th. .so we split their groups that way instead of boys and girls (they also tend to get more done that way :-)   

I'm known to some degree as the "queen of wing." Meaning, even though I am a pretty organizational fellow, (and I prefer to be organized) I can also wing it on whim and generally escape unscathed!  Just always been lucky that way!! We tried 2 new-to-me recipes. .and I think all voted them to be hits!! 

The first was a recipe called Stuffed Pizza Rolls which can be found at Our Best Bites. We just stuffed squares of pizza dough with our favorite toppin's sealed them in and baked 'em up. .just like that! Those 6 kids (plus Dev. .oh and a couple for myself. .and 1 for Jake's dad) gobbled up 4 dozen of those little yummies in the blink of an eye! We dipped them in pizza sauce, and swallowed them down!

A great idea for your super bowl appetizers if you still need one!

The next recipe we tried was one I have been waiting a year to make.  I found it on Pioneer Woman last winter, and intended to have the kids make it then. . not sure what happened. .probably life! 

But we made good on it yesterday. .and I wasn't disappointed!

For our Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles (really. .could YOU resist a recipe with THAT name??) we whipped up a batch of eggless cookie dough, chilled it,   

rolled it, and chilled 'em again. .and then drenched them in chocolate. 

And who wouldn't love to take those home to their mamas (um the chocolates. .not the kids) !! By the way. .junior high kids are just odd. .mine, perhaps a little more odd than the rest. .but overall an odd bunch just the same :-)

Hope you all enjoy fixing these for your own crews soon!

And, by the way. .don't worry about me. .I AM faring well. .and Life will soon return to normalcy. God blessed me with great big and wide shoulders and a heart of compassion. .and he is paving our way!

God Bless. .and enjoy the big game tomorrow!!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, room temperature

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup milk

1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

14 oz dark chocolate candy coating

Beat butter and sugars and in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add milk and vanilla. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt and mix on low speed (or by hand) until incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and chill dough for 1 hour.

When dough is firm enough to handle (it may help to lightly flour your hands), form dough into 1" balls and arrange on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Place sheets in freezer and let chill for 30 minutes.

Melt chocolate candy coating in a double boiler or in microwave according to package directions. Using forks or a dipping tool, dip cookie balls into candy coating to cover. Tap fork on side of pan to remove any excess coating, and return to waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Chill until set. Store, chilled, in an airtight container for up to 1 week