Cynthia Ford: Life Is Like Baking A Cookie

Life is Like Baking a Cookie story by Cynthia Ford

Unless you are a last-minute shopper, you may have already purchased Christmas gifts for loved ones or friends. If you've just begun searching for the perfect gift, you have just a short time left to find it. This Christmas, try to give a gift that fits the person you are gifting for. Keep in mind, gifts do not need to be expensive, just purposeful. This year, I wish to give a special gift to you. Since a young age, one of my family's favorite traditions has been to bake homemade chocolate chip cookies on Christmas Eve. Yes, purchasing a bag of cookies from your local store is easy. However, the homemade version offers a special connection that store-bought cookies cannot. This year, my gift to you is a scrumptious, moist, delicious chocolate chip cookie. The saying goes, "Give a man a fish, and you've fed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you have fed him for a lifetime." I can physically bake a cookie and give it to you; however, I will guide you through the process of making your own. We will use Nestle's recipe found on the back of the Nestle morsel bag. Today, I will not only walk you through their recipe, but I encourage you to try a pack this year. If baked correctly, you'll enjoy a savory mixture of chocolate, sugars, and a few other textures. For many years, my family gathered on Christmas Eve to partake in freshly baked cookies. The children are always careful to save a few cookies for Santa, and the adults ensure they don't miss out on cookie time. There's a deeper meaning behind the cookie itself. The partakers understand that there is a little bit of sunshine and a whole lot of love mixed into the batch of cookies. They know that the designated bakers were careful to measure and mix with angles of precision. The result is always worth the wait. This Christmas season, try this tradition and recipe with your family. While you're at it, enjoy a few tips to go with it.

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Prepare yourself for your next move. When the heat turns up in your life, stay focused and expect to birth forth something new. Life's challenges can be difficult to maneuver. However, hold on for a bit longer. The heat is crafting you into a version you have never experienced before.

• Take out two sticks of butter and allow the butter to soften to room temperature.

As you prepare for the next transition in your life, know that you may have to practice patience. As you practice patience, don't waste time trying to figure it all out. Everything may not come to you all at once. Understand that some things happen in stages. You will slowly shift into another state. Your mindset will change – your actions too.

• Combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl and set aside.

Connect with others who have like-minded goals for the purpose of having support for your dreams and goals. However, remember to also network with others who may be different from you. There's always room for growth, and we can learn something by watching and networking with others. Your connection with others does not mean that you should lose who you are. If properly connected, your traits can shine without the fear of being unbalanced.

• Beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until the texture is creamy.

Sometimes life offers sweet moments of pleasure and rest. Take it all in. Appreciate those times. Tuck them away and pull out those memories when facing hard times.

• Add two eggs, one at a time.

You will be placed in situations where you may have to stretch yourself to reach the answers that you seek. Your answer may be on the other side of your reach. Understand what makes you solid. Understand what holds you together and thrive in that. • Gradually beat in the flour mixture.

As you follow directions for your life's plan, everything will eventually come together. The daunting task will eventually be as clear as day. Your consistent actions spill over into your purpose.

• Stir in the chocolate morsels and peanuts. Peanuts are optional.

Create sweet memories before the year ends. You may take photos or videos of a few of these memories. However, for most sweet memories, just experience them without the photo or video. Just live in it. Just be present and consumed in it.

• Scoop spoonfuls of the mixture onto an ungreased baking sheet.

Be creative. Keep your vision and dream secure. See the end. Pace yourself and space out steps for success. Look in the mirror today. See yourself as the YOU that you desire to be. After you walk away from the mirror, begin operating as if you are already there.

• Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown.

Grant yourself time to be prepared. Rushing and making a premature decision will result in failure. Some things must be mastered. It is impossible to completely please everyone. Do your best.

• Store your freshly baked cookies in your favorite cookie storage.

Take precious detail with storage. Storing the cookies is just as important as the previous mixture steps. Properly storing the cookies shortly after the cookies have cooled off from the oven keeps the cookies soft and moist. This step is one secret tip that a few people fail to do, which leaves their cookies hardened and dry.

• Share with others.

When you grow in your life, share with others. Collectively building one another up helps to create a better environment overall. Enjoy this particular time with family and friends. As we approach the threshold of the end of the year, approach with a sweet spirit of gratitude. Enjoy the gifts given to you and keep the good traditions going.

Nestle Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 large eggs 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels 1. Preheat your oven at 375. 2. Take out two sticks of butter and allow the butter to soften to room temperature. 3. Combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking soda into a small bowl and set aside. 4. Beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until the texture is creamy. 5. Add two eggs one at a time. 6. Gradually beat in the flour mixture. 7. Stir in the chocolate morsels and peanuts. Peanuts are optional. 8. Scoop spoonfuls of the mixture onto an ungreased baking sheet. 9. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are golden brown.