Burnt Offerings

I decided to make some chocolate chip cookies. I didn't use chocolate chips because I have some nice organic dark chocolate bars. So I chopped one of those up and used them in my standard chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Then I was too lazy to measure out spoonfuls of dough, and decided to make chocolate chip cookie bars instead. Since the recipe said not to grease the pan, I didn't. I then stuck the pan in the oven, and went out to do some gardening while it cooked.

The wind was blowing, and making a racket as it ruffled all the leaves in the trees, so I didn't hear the oven timer when it went off. By the time I remembered and went to look, the cookie was burnt all around the edges.

I decided this wasn't too much of a problem because I could cut the edges off when I cut it up into bars.

Easier said than done: since I didn't grease the pan the whole thing was stuck like glue. I did manage to cut out and scrape out about 20 cookie bars, and the rest was burn edges and crumbs which I have put into a plastic tub, and which I will nibble on while I have a cup of tea (just so I don't waste any).

It may not look very pretty, but it tastes quite good, if slightly burnt and crumbly.

You have to feel sorry for me.

When I Quit Smoking

Four years ago today, I quit smoking, and I haven't touched a cigarette since. I think it's one of the best things I ever did. I read a book called 'Easy Way To Quit Smoking' by Allen Carr through two times, and then I threw away all of my cigarettes and never looked back. It was actually an easy thing to do. Years of trying and failing had made me think that it was almost impossible, and one book changed my whole outlook. It didn't scare me, it didn't threaten me, it just informed me of what I needed to know. This is a book I would recommend to anyone who'd like to quit but think they can't.

Christmas is over, I think. Most of the family have gone their various ways, the decorations are starting to look tired, and I think it's time to take them down.

And as for chocolate, I have to say that I'm sick of chocolate. I have a house full of the stuff, and all I feel like eating now is fruit. I've had chocolate overload. Is that actually possible, or am I fooling myself.?

I also have loads of mince pies, about 10 boxes and tins of biscuits/cookies, and enough cheese and wine to throw a couple of parties. Now, that's an idea.......