WHITE CHIP ISLAND BLONDIES

"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." ~Walt Disney

Last week I made some white chip island blondies that turned out to be pretty tasty. Here's the recipe:

• 1 cup plus 2T flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped macadamia nuts
• 1/2 cup toasted coconut

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 8 or 9 inch square baking pan.
COMBINE flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar, butter and vanilla in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in egg. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels, nuts and coconut. Press into pan.
BAKE for 20-25 min. or until golden brown. Cool in pan. Cut into bars, makes 16.
ENJOY! I'm also going to try these bars with semi-sweet chocolate chips or even mini M and M's.

VALENTINE'S READING

Last night, as I was making some cupcakes to bring to my family, I thought of one of my favorite
picture books, "Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch," by Eileen Spinelli. In this sweet story, Mr. Hatch was a lonely man who kept to himself until one Valentine's Day when the mailman brought a giant box of chocolates with a note that stated, "somebody loves you." Mr. Hatch is thrilled that someone cares about him and this act of kindness transforms Mr. Hatch into a much happier person and one who wants to help other people. I won't ruin the end of the story, but this is one that teaches a great lesson about service and how one small act of kindness can really brighten someone else's day.

THE WRITING DIET

I love to write and journal so I was so excited when I found The Writing Diet, by Julia Cameron. Over years of teaching creative writing Julia found that students in her class started to lose weight. Unlike any "diet" book out there, this one shows that creativity can block over eating. In every chapter there is a different assignment for you to write about. Julia also recommends something called "morning pages" where you just write whatever is flowing through your mind. It's difficult to explain the connection with writing and losing weight, but if you enjoy writing as much as I do, this book is for you. I believe it has really helped me.

MAGAZINES

Does magazineholics anonymous exist? If so, I think I need to join because I can't stop buying magazines! I can't resist those tempting covers. Maybe it's the pictures they put on the cover or reading about how to find the secret go a great marriage, make easy healthy recipes, health secrets everyone should know, lose 10 lbs. in seven days or beat stress. I just love sitting down in a cozy chair and devouring a great magazine. I love clipping all of the recipes, even if I don't end up cooking them. I can't help myself! Maybe I should shop at a grocery store that doesn't have long lines so I won't have to stare at the covers calling my name until I put them in the shopping cart. I guess there are worse addictions in life. I still haven't found the secret to marriage and I still have a lot of weight to lose! I better keep reading!

20 WISHES

I am a little sad and disappointed with myself. Back in June, I made a list of twenty wishes (well, actually only 18) and I have not completed a single one! Some of them were so simple too. One of my wishes almost came true in December, but it did not work out for me since I wanted to go on a carriage ride but I didn't know how expensive they are. Anyway, with the start of a new year I hope that I can actually accomplish something. I won't kick myself because none of my wishes have come true yet, I will just look to the future and hopefully I can cross something off my list.

BOOK REVIEW

A few days ago, I picked up "Small Change, The Secret Life of Penny Burford," by J.Beliinda Yandell. I couldn't put the short 150 page book down! What a cute and inspiring story! I don't want to ruin the book for others so I won't go into much detail about what it is about. The story starts with a house wife who slowly sneaks a coing or two of her husband's. Without him ever knowing, Penny saves hundreds of dollars with her change adding up. She does great things with her extra money. I personally learned two lessons from this book-service as well as what happens when you save a small amount of money at a time. Usually small coins like pennies don't get used much-you find them lying in the road or in the couch cushins. After reading this book I am going to be a lot better about saving every little penny I find.

"It's what you do with it that counts."

A good Christmas book.

I  love reading Christmas stories this time of the year.  This book was a very tender story.  It is about a handicapped boy and his father and a dog. The father tries to teach his handicapped son a lesson, and, in the end, it is the son who teaches the father the lesson!  It made me want to get a dog!