Dear Diary
The day started off cold and stubborn, with the pickup refusing to start in the five-degree chill. Walking to church wasn’t possible, so we stayed home. Mini, as lively as always, needed her exercise, so I made it a point to take her outside several times for short little jaunts. Her cheerful energy always lifts my spirits, even on the frostiest days.
To brighten things up even more, Sister Mary Claire had the wonderful idea of baking chocolate chip cookies. She went to the cupboard and pulled out her package of Nestlé Toll House chocolate chips, saying with a smile, “These should do the trick.” As always, she reached for her favorite brown sugar—Bob’s Red Mill—because, as she says, “The best ingredients make the best cookies.”
While the cookies baked, the house filled with the coziest aroma. As we waited, Sister Mary Claire shared a story about confession. She spoke about how it reveals where we’ve been selfish but also opens the door to generosity. “It’s like cookies,” she said. “Every ingredient matters, and confession helps us bring the missing ingredients—love, humility, and forgiveness—into the recipe of our hearts.”
When the cookies came out of the oven, I made sure to take mine out right at 7 minutes. That’s when I call them "Baked Just Right." The Nestlé chocolate chips melted perfectly, and the rich, caramel flavor from the Bob’s Red Mill brown sugar made them irresistible. Sitting down with a plate of warm cookies and a glass of milk, I realized how much joy can come from small, thoughtful acts on a cold day.
Evening Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the warmth of love and the sweetness of little joys on this cold day. Help me to learn from Sister Mary Claire’s story about confession and generosity. Open my heart to see where I can grow and love more deeply. Please bless those who feel the cold or loneliness tonight, and let them feel Your presence.
Amen.
Until tomorrow,
Kathy
P.S. Sister Mary Claire’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Ingredients:
• 1 cup (2 sticks) real butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed Bob’s Red Mill brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups Nestlé Toll House chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until fully combined.
6. Stir in the Nestlé Toll House chocolate chips.
7. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 7 minutes, as Kathy likes her cookies taken out at this time and calls them baked just right. They’ll be soft in the center but will set as they cool.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy every bite of these perfectly baked cookies, knowing they’re made with love and care!
The day started off cold and stubborn, with the pickup refusing to start in the five-degree chill. Walking to church wasn’t possible, so we stayed home. Mini, as lively as always, needed her exercise, so I made it a point to take her outside several times for short little jaunts. Her cheerful energy always lifts my spirits, even on the frostiest days.
To brighten things up even more, Sister Mary Claire had the wonderful idea of baking chocolate chip cookies. She went to the cupboard and pulled out her package of Nestlé Toll House chocolate chips, saying with a smile, “These should do the trick.” As always, she reached for her favorite brown sugar—Bob’s Red Mill—because, as she says, “The best ingredients make the best cookies.”
While the cookies baked, the house filled with the coziest aroma. As we waited, Sister Mary Claire shared a story about confession. She spoke about how it reveals where we’ve been selfish but also opens the door to generosity. “It’s like cookies,” she said. “Every ingredient matters, and confession helps us bring the missing ingredients—love, humility, and forgiveness—into the recipe of our hearts.”
When the cookies came out of the oven, I made sure to take mine out right at 7 minutes. That’s when I call them "Baked Just Right." The Nestlé chocolate chips melted perfectly, and the rich, caramel flavor from the Bob’s Red Mill brown sugar made them irresistible. Sitting down with a plate of warm cookies and a glass of milk, I realized how much joy can come from small, thoughtful acts on a cold day.
Evening Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the warmth of love and the sweetness of little joys on this cold day. Help me to learn from Sister Mary Claire’s story about confession and generosity. Open my heart to see where I can grow and love more deeply. Please bless those who feel the cold or loneliness tonight, and let them feel Your presence.
Amen.
Until tomorrow,
Kathy
P.S. Sister Mary Claire’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
Ingredients:
• 1 cup (2 sticks) real butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup packed Bob’s Red Mill brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups Nestlé Toll House chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until fully combined.
6. Stir in the Nestlé Toll House chocolate chips.
7. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 7 minutes, as Kathy likes her cookies taken out at this time and calls them baked just right. They’ll be soft in the center but will set as they cool.
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy every bite of these perfectly baked cookies, knowing they’re made with love and care!
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