Chonky Boys: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches that Scream Summer!

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Featuring my thick and nuggy Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookies, these ice cream sandwiches are the stuff that summer dreams are made of.  If you've ever had the Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich at Disneyland , you are going to LOVE these!  These big and bold chocolate chip cookies are based on a recipe from my culinary school studies at Auguste Escoffier, but with a few modifications to give them that Jennuine touch.  They make the perfectas book for a fat slice of real vanilla bean ice cream.  And those mini chips?  You just gotta have that extra cronch! Thank goodness this recipe only makes 8 sandwiches, otherwise I would be eating them for breakfast lunch and dinner.  This way, my big family can help save me from my inner child diet-saboteur.   Print With Image Without Image Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches Yield: 8 Author: Jenn Erickson Loaded with chocolate chips and buttery, brown-sugary vanilla flavor, these mall-sized cookies form a perfect partnership with a

The Cutest Halloween Costume ~ Maiden Voyage


Last year my friend Maureen blew everyone away with the Hot Air Balloon costume she crafted for her daughter. Maureen has very generously offered to share with us her inspiration, her tips and how-to for this absolutely delightful costume that is sure to "carry you away..."

FOR MORE OF THE 
"BEST HALLOWEEN COSTUMES YOU CAN MAKE YOURSELF" CLICK HERE.

Rook No 17: This wasn't the first time you've come up with an amazing original costume. So, Mo, tell us: where do you find your inspiration?

Maureen: I usually get my inspiration when I find a unique costume idea that is original and makes me laugh. I find the ideas online, from books or magazines.

Rook No. 17: Do you work from books, online tutorials, or templates? How do you do it?


Maureen: I wing it! I look at a picture of what I am trying to make and try to figure out how to construct the costume. If I think I can pull it off, I draw out my plan and start collecting materials.

Rook No. 17: Could you take us through a step-by-step of how you created the Hot Air Balloon Costume? 

Maureen: Here is my list of materials and instructions...

Hot Air Balloon Costume DIY

  • XL Balloon
  • Basket
  • Ribbon
  • Yarn- off white, 'bumpy' yarn
  • Old dress with straps that you don't mind cutting up. Works best with straps that adjust.(Like overalls)
  • 4 Brown paper lunch bags
  • Jacket
  • Scarf
  • Knit hat
  • Kids scuba mask

1) I found a 36" balloon at First Impressions Party Supplies in Monterey. (I was told this type of balloon is typically used for car lots when they want to advertise a big sale..)  

Note from the Rookery: our favorite online source for specialty and big ol' knock-your-socks off balloons is "Balloon Lovers Corner".

2) I bought a basket at Michael's craft store (half off!) and cut a hole in the bottom to fit around my daughter's hips.

3) I took an old dress with straps, and hot glued the bottom of the dress to the bottom of the basket. This way, my daughter could 'wear' the basket and it would stay upright.

4) I tied yarn to the basket and fastened it to the knot at the base of the balloon to make it seem as if the rope was holding up the basket.

5) To make stripes on the balloon, I used colored ribbon & carefully double taped them from top to bottom.

6) For sandbags, I crumbled and stuffed four brown paper lunch bags each with a plastic grocery bag (so it would be light) and hung them off the four corners of the basket.

7) To give my daughter an 'aviator' look, I dressed her in a jean jacket to hide the strapped dress, added a scarf and fastened a kiddie scuba mask (that I painted black) to a knit hat.

So there you go! I think that's everything...

Rook No. 17: Thanks so much for sharing your talent and project with us Maureen. Any final tips for the would-be-home-costume-maven?

Maureen: Use any materials that work! Glue guns and velcro are your friends.

Have you come up with a fun and original Halloween Costume this year?

Please share!



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