...taking stock...

Most people wouldn't consider baking an adventure, and maybe I shouldn't call it that either. Maybe my baking is more like a comedy of errors. I have frequently forgotten ingredients and misread directions, only to end up with a complete (and usually burnt) mess on my hands.

But not today. Today was a total win!

The only spice we put on our chicken is lemon pepper (we're creatures of habit) and the best lemon pepper seasoning we've found is at Penzeys. I signed up for their magazine, which boasts a handful of recipes and a free spice. Sitting on the couch, I'll flip through it, visions of well baked meals dancing in my head, but I've never really tried a recipe, until I happened upon the Oatmeal Toffee Cookies. I couldn't resist.

I gathered the ingredients this weekend and set aside some time this afternoon to bake them. I diligently followed all the instructions and added my own creative flair (instead of toffee, I used caramel bits, and I didn't add the cranberries or walnuts.) They were wonderful right out of the oven, but even better tonight after they had been sitting out for a while. Sweet, chewy goodness.

coooooookies!

This year has been a great exercise in stepping outside of my comfort zone. I've surprised myself more than a few times, and, though I haven't always been ecstatic with the results, the fact that I've tried so many new things has made me more aware of the possibilities before me.

What have you learned from all you accomplished this year? How will you take that into the coming year and expand on it?

Looking for the recipe? Stop into any Penzeys and grab a complimentary copy of their magazine. Or contact me and I'll type it up for you. If I can do it, so can you! (I also tried the Chicken and Broccoli Casserole from this magazine...totally botched it. One success at a time...one success at a time.)