Honestly, I haven’t always loved being in the kitchen. When I was younger, I was outside most days with my Dad. Not until I married and became a mother myself did I start to take it more serious. My husband came from a rich background of an abundance of food that flowed with flavor and dang good sweet tea. When we married, I thought to myself what in the world was I going to do. What was he going to do? I felt like we’d wither away! Dramatic feelings, but totally justifiable. I remember calling my sister Terri, and staying on the phone with her for hours talking about recipes. She can cook, she loved being in the kitchen with mom. I do have to say, over the years I’ve grown into a pretty good chef. Recipes, traditions and meals that I made up and still make for my small tribe. Meals that Im proud of and things I look forward to making for my girls and Jeremy.
Christmas is always a tradition of making treat boxes for family, loved ones and neighbors. It’s something that my girls and I have did together for several years. A tradition I hope they carry over to their kiddos. This year, I wanted to make homemade chocolate chip cookies as a part of our treat boxes. I didn’t want to buy the dough and just put it in the oven. I mean the real deal, you know what I’m talking about. Just a good ole’ homemade recipe. A few days before our treat making day, my sweet neighbor Grace, gave us some of her cookies to try. At first glance, I thought they weren’t going to be that great, they appeared to have oatmeal in them (no offense Grace, lol). Once I put that cookie in my mouth, I couldn’t believe it. They were the BEST chocolate chip cookies I had ever ate. She gave me the recipe and here I was, mixing like crazy on treat box day.
My first attempt, unsuccessful. Almost like a cake texture. Threw everyone of them away and tried again. Maybe I mixed too much??
Second attempt, disgusting. I was almost at a loss. Low and behold, I see Grace in the yard and ask her to please help me. I told her everything I did and even asked her to watch me make them. I was determined! As I got the ingredients out again, we noticed something. When she gave me the recipe, she instructed me to use baking soda. I scanned right past that ingredient and added baking powder. One ingredient off.
Third attempt with the right ingredients, perfect.
The moral of my story is this: There’s times in our life when we’ve tried and tried and tried to accomplish something we’ve so desired and dreamed to achieve, and it’s just not happening. Maybe its not time. Maybe it’s not meant to be. Or maybe sometimes, we just have one thing off. One ingredient off from success. I valued this lesson in the kitchen that day. My girls witnessed my failed attempts and the effort of me trying over and over and over until it turned out the way I wanted it to. Don’t give up on your dreams, your goals or your future. Keep pushing towards it! And maybe in due time, it will come to fruition, just like Grace’s cookies.
Hope you enjoy the story and the cookie recipe I’d love to share with you!
Grace’s Cookies
1 egg
1 stick of butter (softened or room temperature) 3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Mix all together in a medium size bowl
Add 1 1/4 cup of flour (white whole wheat)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Mix
Add chocolate chips (just pour in how much you want) Bake at 350
Remove at 7 minutes
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