Week 8: Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies



Toll House Cookies

This week I again chose to bake chocolate chip cookies.  They are my absolute favorite dessert. I was really craving them so I chose them again for this week,  BUT I used a different recipe.  I used the following Toll House recipe...minus the nuts:
http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/original-nestle-toll-house-chocolate-chip-cookies/Detail.aspx

This is the recipe that I used everytime I baked chocolate chip cookies...that is until I came across the Mrs. Fields recipe that I wrote about in week 1 1/2.  Then, I used the Mrs. Fields recipe until I came across the Wookiee Cookie recipe that I wrote about in week 1.  In short I am very loyal once I find something that I like. I literally have tons of cookie recipes and religiously read every single chocolate chip cookie recipe that I come across. When it comes to baking a chocolate chip cookie, however, I am loyal to a tried and true recipe. So yesterday when I was craving my favorite sweet treat, I broke with my little tradition and used a recipe that I haven't used in over 10 years.  I realize that it isn't much of a risk since I used to utilize this recipe all the time, but I have to admit that I felt a bit weird using a different recipe after so long.  That feeling stayed with me as I mixed the Toll House recipe together and it got me to thinking...why am I so loyal?  Who cares anyway? 

Well to put it simply... I do. I always have. I wish I didn't care so much about things like loyalty, but I do. As I grow older,  I have come to the realization that I probably always will.  Over the years I have attempted to change the way that I think/feel about things like loyalty and devotion.  Loyalty to family, loyalty to friends, loyalty to traditions etc...  It isn't always easy to be loyal, especially when much of the world doesn't seem to operate the same way.  In my experience, people usually do what serves them instead of thinking of how their actions effect others. Well someone needs to draw me a map, because I don't know how to get to that place.  I had countless conversations with my Mom over the years about this very sentiment.   For example, someone that I really valued (someone who had made their way into my heart) would do something careless and I would get my feelings hurt.  My Mom would end up saying "...Key (she called me Key Key) you cannot let people effect you this way or you're going to end up hurt a lot..."   Was my Mom right?  Do I get my feelings hurt over things that most people would consider inconsequential? Yes and yes. I know she is right on a cognitive level, but on an emotional level, I just can't get my heart around it.  After much careful reflection (and heartache) I have come to the conclusion that this is who I am.  I will probably never change the way I think and feel.  Once you are in my heart, you are always in my heart...you really have to work hard to get out.  It is possible to get out... but it isn't easy. I guess that would be considered unconditional love or at minimum unconditional positive regard.  My Mom was the epitome of unconditional love and loyalty...sometimes to a fault.  She had the kindest and most loving heart and soul of anyone I have ever known.  I will never be as graceful as she was about it, but I suspect that's where I get it from.

I really do wish I thought/felt differently because my life would be significantly easier if I didn't attach so much importance to things.  Despite the obvious negative effects, I suspect that this quality does indeed serve a purpose.  I suspect that it makes me good at what I do professionally.  I also think it makes me a better mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend.  I do not intend to convey an air of superiority AT ALL,  but I have been told  "...if I am ever in trouble of any kind...I want you in my corner."  Well, if you are in my heart, and you choose to stay there, I will always be in your corner ♥

On a much sweeter note...I decided to have a taste test to determine a family favorite using all 3 of my favorite recipes for chocolate chip cookies.  We compared the Toll House recipe (week 8), the Mrs. Fields Blue Ribbon Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe (week 2 1/2), and the Wookie Cookie recipe (week 1). Here are the results.  Dan and I were in complete agreement that Wookie Cookies were the best, then Mrs. Fields, then Toll House.  Victoria liked Mrs. Fields the best, then Wookie Cookies, then Toll House.  Ryan liked the Toll House, then the Wookie Cookies, then the Mrs. Fields.  We were not unanimous, but by a simple majority Wookie Cookies were deemed the best. ☺



From top to bottom Wookie Cookies, Toll House, & Mrs. Fields