Jumping into...

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this blogging business. I discovered food blogs about a year ago and reading them is one of my favorite things to do. I love the glimpses into other's everyday lives and finding a recipe I have to try that night. I honestly can't imagine what I did before the Internet. How did I ever know where to travel to or what to do when I got there? I have saved tons of money on researching skin care and makeup and videos before buying. (One could argue I have also spent tons of money on buying things that somone online raved about!)

So, in the spirit of pushing myself to do things that may be out of my comfort zone and a desire, really a need, to be creative I have decided to start a blog. It is something I have casually thought about for a while, but am now doing instead of thinking. I'm not sure what the focus will be, but I'm sure I will share the things that I love to read about, food, travel, books, inspiration, photography, decorating, and scrapbooking.

As an optimist, I am going to pretend that more than two people will look at this and more importantly, enjoy it and hopefully be inspired. It is my way of repaying all of the cyber chicks out there that have inspired me.

BTW - for all of you that visited this blog looking for a different kind of candy girl ;-) sorry but this post is strictly g-rated!

The picture above is of one of my favorite things - chocolate chips cookies with pecans. I made this last night using the recipe below. They were easy to make and I loved being able to use melted butter instead of waiting for the butter to soften as you do with most chocoloate chip recipes.

Giant Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Adapted from Easy Peasy

2 cups plus 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

12 Tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted cooled until warm

1 c brown sugar, packed

1/2 c granulated sugar

1 large egg plus 1 yolk

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

2. Whisk dry ingredients together; set aside.

3. With electric mixer, beat butter & sugars until thoroughly combined.

4. Beat in egg, yolk and vanilla until just combined.

5. Add dry ingredients; beat at low speed until combined. Stir in chips.

6. Measure 1/4 cup of dough. I then flattened them about slightly with my hand. Place formed dough onto cookie sheet with about 2 inches in between (the cookies will spread).

7. Bake, reversing position of cookie sheets halfway through baking, until cookies are light golden brown and outer edges start to harden yet centers are still soft and puffy.

8. Cool cookies on sheets until able to lift without breaking and place on wire rack to cool.