Cookies and A Hike

Today was glorious!

First Jude slept until 10:30 this morning! Well, he woke up to eat and went right back to sleep - but still 10:30!

Afterwards, I bustled around the house and got ready for my tiny little cookie party. Judging from the number of people who responded, I didn't expect a big turn out but I was fine with that. In the end, Michele and Katy showed up with ingredients and recipes and Meghan came around later for company. We got snicker-doodles, russian tea cakes (aka butter balls?) and chocolate chip cookies. This was probably the second time in the last year that I've really taken advantage of our double oven and again I'm not sure what I would do without it!

Ryan was recently telling me how they might be doing a "cash-for-clunkers" type program for appliances. While I would love to get a more attractive/energy efficient stove, I'm not sure I'm willing to sacrifice my 50 year old double oven... perhaps I'll have to talk Ryan into a counter top stove and in-wall double oven like I've always wanted???

But anyway! On with the rest of the day. After tons of mixing, baking and chatting I did a quick clean up and was done. Of course since I'm not a fan of exact measurements (and I just love cookie dough) I was constantly dipping in and 'tasting' the batter. The batter and cookies mixed with a few glasses of Kool-Aide made me feel about as large as a house. So, I convinced Ryan, Bryan and Katy to go for a walk. I snuggled Jude into his carrier and was off.

Originally we planned to go to the rt. 40 walking park and decided instead to take a walk through the neighborhood. We conveniently live right next to Rittenhouse Park and so while taking our normal path through the neighborhood we decided to detour onto the path to Rittenhouse Park.

It was a much longer walk than I think I/we had expected, but we all felt good in the end! The path ended up taking us up along the creek all the way to the main park entrance. Jude slept in my arms about 90% of the time. Also! While walking we passed by a pavilion and playground that I couldn't help but think would be great for a little party. I'm not at all thinking about Jude's first birthday (we still have 8 months to go!) but I couldn't help but think it could be an adorable spot!