The Perfect Cookie Recipe

I have been in search of the perfect cookie recipe for a while.  But, up until yesterday, I still hadn't found what I was looking for. (And if that made you think of U2, here's a great version featuring U2 + a gospel choir.)

So, what was I looking for in the Perfect Cookie?

1.  Signature element.  I wanted a cookie that was somewhat unique.  One that I can bring to a potluck and there aren't going to be a million of them.  One that entices my kids' friends to come to our house.  One that stirs up warm, cozy feelings.  This one has an ingredient that makes them particularly unique.  Orange zest.  Stick with me on this.

2.  Chocolate.  'Nuff said.

3.  Chewy.  I know some people love fluffy cookies.  But not me.  I like them kind of chewy and flat.  This also means that they are portable.  They're not going to break into a million crumbs.  I love this.

4.  Easy.  Now, I know this isn't a huge deal for many of you, but I really love that this recipe doesn't require a mixer.  You barely melt the butter in a pot, mix in the ingredients, and then drop it by big spoonfuls on a cookie sheet.  If you're struggling a bit with the orange zest, I can sympathize.  I used to totally avoid any recipe that asked for anything zested.  But then I bought a zester, and all is well.  Buy a zester.  It opens up a world of zestful recipes.  Seriously.

Truly, an Unexpected Journey

Twenty-two years ago, Bill and I drove from Raleigh out to Angier to visit his sister, Sue.  As city high rises gave way to barns and pastures, I demanded that Bill pull over.  In a pasture alongside 401S, I had spied a mama horse and her foal.  I had to take a look.

At this point, Bill knew he was in trouble.

My affection for babies, whether equine or human, took root.  But, honestly, he didn't mind.

"We always knew we wanted a large family."  That's what we tell people.  And it's true.  We just didn't know how large.  An unexpected journey ...

Unexpected because we started out, as many couples do, young and naive.  Finances were not of concern to us.  We embraced parenthood, seminary, and New England winters in one fell swoop.  God provided, and He always has.

"If you had to date someone ...

who would you date?"

This was the question one of my younger girls asked one of my teenage boys while they sat on the floor working on some project. Only four feet way typing on my computer, I stopped breathing and kept on typing.

                                         (By the way, those are not my fingernails.  I wish they were 
                                                       my fingernails.  But they are not.)

At this moment, if I could have any super-hero power, I would definitely choose to be invisible.  Thankfully, my not-breathing-trick worked. I was rendered invisible. And the conversation continued.

Sometimes, it is about the nail.

I love this video, but honestly, girls, sometimes it is about the nail.

When someone who loves us tells us he really thinks it is about the nail, let's at least listen.  He just might just be right.

Speaking the truth in love, 

we will grow to become in every respect 

the mature body of him 

who is the head, that is Christ.  Ephesians 4:15

Do you have a loving truthspeaker in your life?  One who will point out the nail?  Are you able to listen this person, or do you just complain about your snagged sweaters?  Sometimes it is about the nail.