One Word Wednesday

Hello, friends… Happy Wednesday!

NO
{Kidding. Sort of. I know Entertainment Weekly is infamous for uglifying would-be heartthrobs [Exhibit A], but that guy is just not my vision of Finnick. There’s nothing wrong with him, per se (he was fine in that Snow White movie), and I’ll try to reserve judgement until I see Catching Fire, but… I just… Boo.}

Lovely
{I love my town so much. Please, Army, don’t make me move away!}

Charming
{The girlie and the locale. On this particular afternoon she said, “It’s a beautiful day. Let’s go for a walk in Carmel!” So we did.}

Perfection
{After years of using the Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe to varying degrees of success, I have officially given it up. I’ve moved on to what I consider the BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe EVER. The secret? A little bit of corn starch. I’ve used this recipe several times now and have yet to produce a cookie that’s anything short of delectable. Recommend!}

Warm
{In case I haven’t made this clear… I love my town! The temperature has been hovering in the low seventies the last few days. It’s so nice to feel the heat of the sun during our walks by the bay.}

Awesome
{We have the *best* sunrises. A definite perk to getting up early!}

Thought-Provoking
{The other day I finished reading A.S. King’s Ask the Passengers. Now, anytime I see a plane in the sky, I think of Astrid sending her love. Such a fantastic book. I’m reviewing it in detail over at YA Confidential today. Please do check it out!}

Tell me: What’s your favorite kind of cookie?

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35 thoughts on “One Word Wednesday”

  1. Mrs. Silverstein says:

    Ok, I am gonna have to try that cookie recipe–I have one I love but I’m just too curious!

  2. Meredith says:

    Totally going to have to try the cookie recipe! And you absolutely live in a gorgeous part of the country. I’m jealous you get to experience it every day!

  3. Temre Beltz says:

    Love all of these pictures, Katy! Thank you so much for sharing. I especially love the one of your girlie on the walk in Carmel – she looks so grown up! Which is awesome, but sometimes I wish we could freeze them in each stage longer than a single year. Hmm, that could be a good Sci-fi storyline maybe 🙂 I’m so looking forward to reading your book review. I am reading Howl’s Moving Castle and LOVING it! It is so different and creative and fantastical. I also would love to try your chocolate chip cookie recipe. As for the favorite cookie question, that is much harder than it should be. I love cookies! But I think it’s a tie between plain old chocolate chip (especially the really gooey kind with lots of chocolate) and peanut butter. Thinking of you and hoping that it’s been an AWESOME week so far ❤

    • katyupperman says:

      I think the classic chocolate chip is my favorite too, Tem, especially now that I’ve found this recipe. I’ll have to look HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE up. Anytime a book is described as fantastical, I’m intrigued. And yes, please let me know if you find a way to freeze time. I’ve already told my girlie that she’s not allowed to grow any more. No more birthdays for her!

  5. Jaime Morrow says:

    As you already know, I kind of love Sam Claflin for Finnick. I totally think he’s good-looking. And I think you’re right about magazine covers having a special knack for making certain actors look just nasty. I think Robert Pattinson takes the prize for having so many bad photoshoots/covers, and he’s not a bad looking guy. I guess we’ll have to see how Finnick-y Claflin is once the movie comes out, right? (*fingers crossed*)

    I’m so, so, so envious of your gorgeous weather right now. We’re the opposite of sunny and warm up here. Too. Much. Snow. Fortunately, we’re in a pocket of slightly nicer weather here than a lot of the country (some places are experiencing -40C/F temps at the moment. O__O)

    I ♥ the pictures, Katy! Always do. 🙂

    • katyupperman says:

      Thanks, Jaime! And I’m really trying to get on board with Sam Claflin. At least we know he can act, so it’s not as if we’re facing any stiff Edward-Cullen-esque moments, but yeah… I’m still nervous. And I almost feel guilty posting photos of our gorgeous weather, especially since I have so many Northern friends. If it makes you feel any better, we’re supposed to get some rain this afternoon. I hope you don’t freeze up there! 🙂

  6. Carla Essen says:

    I am always searching for the best cookie recipe too. Did you see my IG the other day? Subbing avocado for half the butter really plumped them up… if that’s what you’re going for.

    • katyupperman says:

      I did see that, and I’m so glad you tried it. I’ve been wanting too, but I was hesitant to waste all the ingredients in the event they didn’t turn out. I will definitely give it a go now. I saw your chicken on IG too… Looked amazing! How are you feeling?

  7. Matthew MacNish says:

    That guy does look kind of meh, for Finnick, but I’m excited about Johanna. Not because Jena Malone really looks like what I pictured, but because I think she’s a wonderful actress.

    • katyupperman says:

      That would be my husband’s cookie preference too. He likes a crispy bottom, which is usually what I pull off with the Toll House recipe. Here’s to a day off for you soon!

  10. Rebecca B says:

    It’s 10 degrees where I am–so I am pretty jealous of your lovely town! I visited the Carmel area when I was a teen and begged my parents to move there. 🙂
    Oh, Astrid and her planes! I still think about her when I see one in the sky.

  11. Alison Miller says:

    I was totally skeptical about Peeta and Cato and now I couldn’t be happier with the choices so while I feel a little like you do about Finnick, I’m keeping an open mind. HOPING he doesn’t disappoint though. Also, the high here is forty. I am SO jealous of your 70 degree weather. Yet another reason I can’t wait for summer!

    • katyupperman says:

      You’re welcome to come visit me anytime. 🙂 And yes, I was skeptical about the Peeta casting as well. I’m still not sure I love that choice, but it’s grown on me. Hopefully Finnick will as well? *fingers crossed*

  12. Nicole Mc says:

    I’m kind of ashamed to say this. I’m going to chalk it up to reading WAY too many books since then. But, I read all three Hunger Games books, and loved them, but I don’t remember A SINGLE THING about Finnick, or almost anything about book 2. haha Should make seeing the movie interesting, I’m sure it will come back to me.

  13. Jessica Love (@_JessicaLove) says:

    Yeah, I have never really had good results with the Toll House recipe, either. They were always okay, but never awesome. My favorite recipe for chocolate chip cookies is the Williams Sonoma recipe. They always come out perfect!

  14. Liz Parker (@LizParkerWrites) says:

    Thank you for the cookie recipe! My chocolate chip cookies never turn out well. As always, I love the pictures. I think our Finnick could have a chance. Do you follow Mean Girls of Panem on Twitter? They post a lot of his Tweets, and he seems like has the perfect personality to play Finnick. So my fingers are crossed for him.

    • katyupperman says:

      I do not follow Mean Girls of Panem, but I’m about to start! I’ve heard that particular was chosen because of his chemistry with Jennifer Lawrence, so that gives me a lot of hope. Acting chops and personality are much more important than looks, but still… That EW cover. Why?

  15. katharineowens says:

    I’m officially envious of your weather. We’re 10 below with wind chill and I really don’t like it. I’m from the Georgia swamps, so I am ill-prepared to handle much snow. :0) You have me thinking of cookies far more than I should be. I’m desperately wishing I had some chocolate chip ingredients right now. May have to send hubby out in the weather to buy some.

    • katyupperman says:

      I have no idea how people stand weather as cold as yours. I grew up in WA state and any time the temperature dipped below thirty degrees I was miserable. This moderate central California climate is definitely spoiling me!

      Did you get to make your cookies?

  16. Jill says:

    Hi Katy,

    Love your blog! Still lurking, rarely commenting (must change that I guess). Favorite cookie? Hmm…been awhile since I had one…I usually make muffins to be honest….looks like I’ll have to change that!
    Unrelated question: I have a “kobo glo” and am rather flustered by technology 🙂 I’m the kinda girl who is not a twitter, iphone, FB, etc …so this is new to me. Trouble is that I want to BUY all books 🙂 And this does not mesh with my money reality! Suggestions for books on Kobo to buy that are WORTH it? I want to buy so much, ha.

    I did buy “Lets Pretend this never happened” by Jenny Lawson cause its hilariously written (I had no idea that she was even a blogger, I just took the chance and was unsure, but glad I read it!). I also downloaded a couple of others….guilty.

    But a lot of the ones I want to buy are 9-12 bucks…I’m kinda looking for the 2-3 dollar range 🙂 I know, I know ….thoughts on ones you know of? I know you have a kindle and I’ve no idea what the difference btw a kindle and kobo is…wanna educate me on that? 🙂

    I did notice one called “Tout Sweet”…only 3.00….thoughts?

    And lastly (sorry!) any thoughts on Institute of Children’s Literature? I live in Canada and wondering about online courses to get my head in gear (not writing much lately…oye)…anyway, not sure ….I have varied interests, childrens (MG) and young adult and adult, etc etc…so would ICL be worthy, etc anyway.

    Thnks!

  17. Cynthia says:

    Such cute pictures of your daughter! I am always on the prowl for the “perfect” recipes. I like so many cookies….one of my many faves is just a good old fashioned oatmeal cookie. I’ve made them using the recipe on the back of the Quaker Oats container.

    I love Carmel. I live in the Bay Area, so I’ve visited your area a few times.

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