Well, hello there! (and chocolate chip cookie #8)

Hmmmm.... I don't really know how to start.  I've been missing in action for a couple of months and a couple of months before that too.

I'm not sure what I want to do with this blog. Cooking/food? Books?  Random thoughts?

Oh...that's what I was doing.  I just haven't been doing it lately.

I guess I'll just jump right in.... and give you an update in my life, in a nutshell.

1)  I've read 16 books since the first of the year.  I have not blogged about a single one of them ... and there were some great books too!

The one that has stuck with me the most is  "The Light Between Oceans"

It was a great book, but it left me feeling horrible!   Yes, a book can leave you with conflicting emotions.  I was very bothered by a decision in this book... I cannot tell you which one, because I would spoil the story for you, but it's not the most obvious one  (there are more than a few bad choices by characters in the book).  For days, I rewrote a certain part of the book in my mind---this, of course, is why I'm not an author---because my reworking of the story made  the plot too obvious and common.   It was a great read. Check it out if you haven't already.

2) I am keeping up on my goal of working my way thru this cookbook to find the perfect chocolate chip cookie  (none as good as my mom's yet)

This cookie was  #8 in the blog countdown  (okay, yes, I am working my way thru very, VERY slowly)  but #6 in the cookbook.

I made notes to what  I did.  This was a pretty good little cookie.  

Chocolate Chip Cookies VI

1 cup unsalted butter  (to be honest I just use what I have on hand and most of the time it's regular butter--with salt)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp salt

1/2 cup granulates sugar

1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, firmly packed

2 large eggs

2 1/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp warm water

24 oz (4 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips.  (I used 12oz)

2 cups walnut pieces  ( I used one cup)

Cream butter.  Add vanilla, salt and sugars, beat until light and fluffy.   Add eggs and beat well.

Dissolve baking soda in warm water.  Add baking soda mixture and flour to creamed mixture, beating just until all the flour is blended in. Stir in chocolate and walnuts.  Do not overmix.

Bake at  375F for about  10 minutes, until light brown.  

3) This morning, I thought I was going crazy.  I thought the Handyman had left for work.  It was early---like  7:20. He opens at   7 on weekdays,  9 on Saturdays--I can remember him telling me he was going up to take a shower, but then I guess I just forgot about him.  Oops.  I was busy doing my 'stuff'.  Making a list, cleaning the fridge,  having my coffee, carrying my book around.  I sat down at the computer and I heard water running upstairs.   I thought GREAT, WE HAVE SOME KIND OF LEAK.  Then I heard someone walking around.  It scared me!    I really had forgotten he was still here and it really frightened me.
But for just about  30 seconds.

Menopause?
Alzheimer's?
Crazy as a Loon?

I can't figure it out, but it must be one of the above.

(This is fun....it's kind of nice to be back)