MAPLE CROWN ROYAL COOKIES

“Maple Crown Royal Cookies” in three easy steps…

Open a fresh bottle of Crown Royal Maple.

Pour a shot for the baker, preferably in an official licensed NCAA shot glass.

Consume shot and before you know it, cookies!

Well okay, it is not quite that easy, but pretty close.

¼ cup Butter

¾ cup Sugar

¼ cup Cocoa Powder

½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1 Egg

¼ cup Crown Royal Maple Whiskey (plus one shot for the baker)

1 cup and 2 Tablespoons Flour

¼ teaspoon Baking Soda

¼ teaspoon Salt

Pour one shot of Crown Royal Maple Whiskey.

Drink.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cream butter and sugar.

Mix in the cocoa powder.

Mix in the vanilla extract and egg.

Mix in the Crown Royal Maple Whiskey.

Mix in the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Place Tablespoon sized balls of dough onto parchment paper lined baking sheets.

Bake for 12 minutes.

Makes about 24 cookies.

Revised Source: “Crown Royal Cookies” recipe as shared by “KJ 97 San Antonio’s #1 for New Country” on Facebook and suggested to me by my fellow baker and friend Stanley Smith-Hanes.

Plus, if you needed any proof of Stanley and my cookie baking credentials, here we are, plus our crew, on official duty as cookie baking ambassadors. Spreading joy, one cookie at a time.

Six months ago, we learned that Charlene was being let go at work. Needless to say, this single action threw our world into chaos. The future was no more certain. No path was lit. No way clear. Our family entered a sort of transitional purgatory.

Then came the job possibility in Cottage Grove. By no means a sure thing. By no means a clear path. A prospect that would lead to more transition. More change. Charlene on the other hand exhibited a sense of confidence, a certainty that this was “the one.” I was optimistic, but still had that numbing feeling. The knowledge that even the best options would lead to new challenges and change. Not the numbing feeling after Charlene lost her job, that was a toxic blend of fear and shock. It was not that feeling now, but rather just an acknowledgement of how much change would occur and that it would not be easy. Change never is.

Chatting with my 11-year-old son Jacob about the job interview, he provided a selfless clarity. “I sure hope Mom gets the job.” His thoughts wholly about another. Someone he loved. No worry. No fear. Selfless. Young Jacob was right.

Fear can paralyze. The prospect of change’s burdens can blind us to beautiful possibilities. Possibilities and new pathways that have been placed before us. When Charlene found out that she had got the job and that we would be moving, I no longer had that same fear. It had been replaced with a peace. A knowledge that this was indeed God’s plan for us. A beautiful new adventure awaited us. This was God’s will.

This past week at church, I attended an introduction to the Bible class with my 8-year-old son Sam. I was asked to show Sam my favorite passage from the Bible. My thoughts immediately went to a passage that has provided comfort over these past several months. A passage full of divine assurance found in Jeremiah (29:11), “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Storm clouds will pass, the future will be bright.

Very rarely in life are we afforded the opportunity to see things so clear. We pray for “God’s will to be done,” but are we ever completely sure of our part in it? What are we supposed to do? Well, in this instance and in so many other instances throughout our family’s lives, we have been blessed. Not that it has been easy and not that the future will be all roses, but this is that path that God has asked us to take. A beautiful new future where God wants us to be. Where God needs us to be.

Your life is full of struggles. Your life is full of change and fears. Uncertain prospects and challenges. They are present for all of us. A sort of constant human condition. Just remember, there is a plan for you. A beautiful path awaits. Remember, young Jacob’s example. Turn outward. Shed fear and cast aside doubts. Cheer on those you love. Embrace new possibilities. The dark days will soon fade away and countless new sunrises will unfold before you. That is God’s plan for me, my family, and for you, as well.

Feeling bad about his upcoming departure from our family, I let cardboard Macaulay Culkin select the Friday night movie. Of course, he picked “Home Alone.” Note to self, never let the cardboard cutout member of the family select the movie.

Before “Home Alone.”

Well, a strange thing happened during the movie. A sudden peace swept over me and yep, I don’t feel so bad anymore about cardboard Macaulay’s upcoming exile. Strange how watching family comedies from the early ‘90s has that kind of impact on people.

After “Home Alone.” I for one don’t see any difference.

Sure the photo is poor quality. Sure there are many possible matches (Douglas, David, Donald to name a few). Sure I should have used the Rest Area instead of following the car.

But, but, but when the license plate reads “D GRAIG” (trust me, it does) as in Daniel Craig as in James Bond, you don’t stop trailing it, even for a second. Once the Q Branch cleans up the photo, I’ll have the proof I need. Then I can write a note on the photo using my exploding pen, but hopefully before he engages the ejector seat.

Also, no sign of a “Heading South on I-35 near Duluth” Bond Girl, yet. Ugh, I had better get some more coffee, shaken not stirred, to complete this secret mission.

Today’s winner of the “Bad Ad of the Day” award goes to (drum roll…) Lands’ End!

First, let’s look the other way and not be too worried that they call their catalog a “Fall Resource Guide.” (Say what? Does it come with a Swiss Army Knife?)

What really seals the deal is that the Grandmother is the only person even slightly concerned that little Thurston Howell III and Jay “the little Great” Gatsby are about to hit their dog with a baseball bat! Plus, the stately Grandfather instead of looking like a Dos Equis pitchman should really talk to his sons about being overdressed or underdressed (you pick which son should receive the lecture), while watching such shenanigans.

Congrats, Land’s End. You managed to confuse me, bother me, and really question why I contemplate Fall Resource Guides all in one trip to the mailbox.

HOT COCOA COOKIES

“The last day of Summer and what’s a guy to bake? Well, how about a ‘Welcome Autumn Cookie’ and what says ‘Welcome Autumn’ more than hot chocolate? Puffy and rich with hot chocolate flavor, these cookies help welcome the new season of the year in tasty style. Enjoy!”

¾ cup Butter

½ cup Sugar

2 Eggs

¼ cup Milk

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1¾ cups Flour

1 cup Instant Hot Cocoa Mix

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1 cup White Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter and sugar.

Mix in the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.

Mix in the flour, hot cocoa mix, and baking soda.

Stir in the white chocolate chips.

Drop tablespoon size balls of dough onto parchment paper lined baking sheets.

Bake for 10 minutes or until set.

Makes about 42 cookies.

Revised Source: “Hot Chocolate Cookies” recipe as found on www.landolakes.com.

Heading out to run some errands, I figured I would invite cardboard Macaulay Culkin to come along.

He insisted on riding shotgun, like almost all cardboard child stars.

Little did he know that I was headed to the cardboard recycling center (gasp!).

Much to my surprise, he didn’t look even the least bit scared by the situation.

Unfortunately, later in the day, cardboard Macaulay would have the last laugh, as he was found waiting for me in the darkened garage. Just standing there between the tool box and kites. Strangely enough, his confident grin no longer looked playful, but instead vengeful (gasp!).

A little less “Home Alone” and a lot more “The Good Son.” Oh yeah, I’ll be sleeping with the lights on.

The “Big Cookie” in all of its big and extra special glory.

Ha! You won’t find this at the mall cookie shop, because this cookie is both big and extra special. Duh.

DARK CHOCOLATE M&M BIG COOKIE

“Wanting something special to inspire a work team, I went big. Big cookie, that is. Then to make it extra special, I substituted Dark Chocolate M&Ms for chocolate chips and presto… something extra special! Big and extra special, what more could you want from a cookie? Enjoy!”

½ cup Butter

½ cup Sugar

¼ cup Brown Sugar

1 Egg

¾ teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1½ cups Flour

¼ teaspoon Baking Soda

¼ teaspoon Salt

½ cup Dark Chocolate M&Ms

½ cup Dark Chocolate M&Ms

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 13”x9” pan or preferably a 12” diameter Wilton brand Round Cookie Pan.

Mix butter, sugar, and brown sugar.

Mix in egg and vanilla extract.

Mix in flour, baking soda, and salt.

Stir in ½ cup Dark Chocolate M&Ms.

Spread dough within one inch of the edge of the pan around the entire perimeter. This will allow the cookie dough room to expand, while baking.

Spread the remaining ½ cup Dark Chocolate M&Ms over the surface of the cookie dough and gently press down.

Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool pan on wire rack for 5 minutes before cutting into slices with a pizza cutter.

Makes about 8 long triangular cookies.

Revised Source: “Big Chocolate Chip Cookie” recipe, as found on page 6 of my cookie cookbook, “Today is a Great Day for a Cookie,” which as always is available for free download at www.CookiesbyDave.com.

That moment when you realize your use of a Sharpie has bled through to the working surface (Damn!).

Only topped by that moment when you realize that your use of a Sharpie has bled through to someone else’s working surface (Double Damn!!).

Googling “How to Remove Sharpie Stains” (Pitiful…).

Planning on giving the “Toothpaste Removal” option a try (Extra Pitiful…).

A pretty awesome drawing of a cartoon criminal zebra mussel.

Almost worth it (Almost, but not quite).

Ah, it appears as if cardboard Macaulay Culkin has found himself in a pickle, due to some unpaid debts. Strangely enough, he appears calm as a cucumber, even while being stored in the trunk of a Ford Taurus.

What will become of our child star? Will he ever come back home… even if he finds himself all alone? Will someone make him an offer he cannot refuse?

Hold your breath and don’t go anywhere. We know that cardboard Macaulay won’t either.