I really didn't want this blog to turn into all cancer all the time, but that's apparently what happened. I just don't have the energy or creativity to write much else right now. But, I do have a few non-cancer updates.
Did you know that you if you donate "to a Minnesota political party, a candidate for state office, or candidates for the Minnesota Legislature, you are eligible to apply for a refund of a portion of your contribution(s)?" In other words, you can give up to $50 per person and get it back by filing a form found on the linked-to site. Apparently, the republicans take advantage of this far more than the democrats. So, get cracking, folks.
Every year the Strib has a holiday cookie contest and publishes the top five or six recipes in the paper. J noticed the pictures and excitedly mused that he'd like to try the double-chocolate-cherry espresso drops, the winning cookie. Cherry-chocolate-espresso is one of his favorite flavor combinations so I had already toyed with the idea of making them for him. Now, I never bake cookies. Never. I DON'T BAKE. Baking is messy and requires accuracy. But, I have free time and knew that I could keep it together long enough to make one batch of two-dozen cookies. And, J said he would help. So, last night we made the cookies. I have a really, really, really old Mixmaster that travels across the counter as it spins, so the baking event was rather humorous. I measured and mixed while he cleaned around me, prepared the baking sheets, and placed the dough balls on the parchment paper. Guess what? These are some of the best cookies I've ever had. Really. And, you could also make them with other chip flavors if you'd like to be creative. Here is the recipe:
DOUBLE CHOCOLATE-CHERRY ESPRESSO DROPS
Makes about 2 dozen.
Note: Our contest winner comes from Faith Ford in Big Lake, Minn.
• 1 tbsp. instant espresso powder
• 1 tbsp. boiling water
• 1 c. flour
• 3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2/3 c. granulated sugar
• 1/4 c. packed dark brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 c. chopped dried cherries
• 3/4 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• White almond bark for decoration, optional
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, mix instant espresso powder and water and reserve. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and reserve. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat butter and granulated sugar until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add dark brown sugar and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add egg and beat until thoroughly incorporated. Add vanilla extract and reserved espresso mixture and beat until thoroughly incorporated. Reduce speed to low, add flour mixture and mix until just incorporated. Stir in cherries and chocolate chips.
Using a 1-inch scoop, drop cookie dough on prepared baking sheets, spacing dough 2 inches apart. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes; because cookie is very dark, it's difficult to tell if they are overbaked. Watch center of cookies; when they lose their gooey quality, they are done. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. In a microwave oven, or using a double boiler over gently simmering water, melt almond bark and lightly drizzle over cookies, optional.
Note: We did the almond bark drizzle and think it works best with it. The hint of sweetness takes cuts the bittersweet chocolate a bit.
And, finally, Squab tagged me a few days ago. I'm finally responding:
1. Five names you go by
a) Lisa
b) leelabell
c) Lala
d) Lee
e) Lees
2. Three things you are wearing right now:
a) Head scarf
b) Slippers
c) Sweatshirt
3. Two things you want very badly at the moment:
a) To be done with chemo
b) To have no cancer reoccurance
4. Two things you did last night (Wednesday, 12/10):
a) Baked cookies
b) Fell more in love with Pushing Daisies, which is unfortunately ending in four episodes.
5. Two things you ate/drank today:
a) Pistachos
b) Apple Jacks
6. Two people you last talked to on the phone:
a) My mom
b) Jaana
7. Two things you are going to do tomorrow:
a) Two medical tests - PFTs and a MUGA
b) Maybe see a movie
8. Two longest car rides:
a) Sheboygan to Wyoming
b) Sheboygan to Colorado
9. Two of your favorite beverages:
a) Diet Coke
b) Newcastle
AND ANOTHER:
Pick a color for the things that you have done. Mine are in red letters.
I have…
1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightning at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Skied a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Ridden an elephant
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