All You Need is Tea & Warm Socks

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Words of Wisdom

Oh, Monday.

Baking is usually a weekend activity for me but I have an urge to bake some homemade chocolate chip cookies.  Chocolate chip cookies are my absolute favorite and I am very excited to use my red KitchenAid hand mixer I got last weekend to bake my French fruit tarts.  

And really, it is quite simple.  All you need is tea, warm socks... and chocolate chip cookies.

Best-Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

barely adapted from Anna Olson, Food Network Canada

Ingredients: 

3/4 c. unsalted butter, softened 

3/4 c. brown sugar 

1/4 c. granulated sugar 

1 egg 

2 tsp. vanilla extract 

2 c. all purpose flour 

2 tsp. cornstarch 

1 tsp. baking soda 

1/2 tsp. salt 

1 c. bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2.  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars until fluffy and light in color. Add egg and vanilla and blend in.

3.  Mix in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Stir in chocolate chunks.

4.  Using a standard-sized cookie scoop or tablespoon, drop dough onto a prepared baking sheet.  Bake for 8-10 minutes, until barely golden brown around the edges.  (The tops will not brown, but do NOT cook longer than ten minutes.)

5.  Let cool, on the sheet, on a wire rack for five minutes.  Remove from baking sheet and let cool completely.  Makes approximately 3 dozen.  Try not to eat them all.

I will let you know the level of heavenly these cookies turn out to be.  

To the kitchen I go!

Giving Thanks: Thanksgiving!

Poster

"People who love to eat are always the best people"- Julia Child

Well if Julia Child said it, it must be true!

All my love to you and yours for a relaxing, happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend.

Five things I am truly thankful for:

1. A supportive, loving family
2. Creative, fun-loving friends
3. A cozy, loyal puppy dog
4. Chocolate and other delicious treats
5. Magazine subscriptions, access to blogs, salmon, gold-hued things, sunny sunshine, an education, PBS documentaries, floral print, leather, flashy jewelry, the great outdoors, cozy coffee drinks, music, high heels, a great job, and really stinkin' sweet boyfriend....

Scarf Season

Scarf fashions

It's officially scarf season.  Here's a fantastic visual of how versatile a scarf can be!  Keep your neck warm using one of these fancy styles.  

I wore Number 9 today, how about you?

the Mukluk

The Original Mukluk Boot $159 on Ideeli

Okay, again with my ever-multiplying obsession with fur and the MUKS Original Mukluk Boot.  I have always enjoyed my UGGS for their sheer comfort and reliability in the winter months; but, living in Flagstaff, Arizona for almost 6 years, I have found that the UGG boot is not always the most conventional boot to wear when mother nature strikes with sheets of snow and ice.  

Recently, the Original Mukluk Boot has tempted me with its rare beauty.  Not only is the Mukluk fun and funky fresh--but it appears to have a good sturdy sole (which is highly essential in any kind of winter wonderland climate).  I'm always looking to jazz up my snow apparel for cold and wintry months.  Functional, check.  Cute, check check!  

Trendsetting: Fur

Fur Vest // $19.95    Sweater // $9.95

Okay, I am freaking out over the new "Winter Collection" by H&M, that has been introduced today.  Common theme: fur, fur and more delectable.. fur!  Faux fur, that is.  Fur vests and scarves, polished leather jackets, cozy and roomy sweaters are definitely putting me in the mood for a change of season!  Too much fun.