Falling into Autumn

Autumn: leaves are changing colors, temperatures are dropping, sunsets are prolonging their display, layers are becoming heavier and heavier.

As the seasons change, so do and hobbies. One of my favorite past-times is baking. It's kind of wonderful, so I have decided to share my latest greatest discoveries. To start off the season, I will begin with chocolate chip blondies- a cookie bar courtesy of Taste of Home recipes:

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the brown sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla just until blended. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to brown sugar mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
• Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.  The amount of bars varies based on how big you cut the bars.

This is a tasty spin on a classic favorite, putting chocolate chip cookies into a brownie form. Hope you like it!

The Small Stuff

Don't sweat the small stuff. Once life dives in to full swing, it's easy to forget the truth and value of these words. It's equally easy to view the small stuff as not quite so small. In the moments when there is little-to-no down time or regrouping time: when the assignments pile up, when the responsibilities seem endless, when the expectations are beyond unrealistic. In those moments, I find that I am walking time bomb. Rather than loaded with explosives, I am filled with tears that can be released from their floodgates when triggered by the slightest event, or I become self-destructive. Not in a physically harmful way, but the insecurities show their nasty heads, leaving me paranoid and filled with self-doubt. Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Humbling, for sure, but great no less.

Why is it that the small things which are magnified are the less than favorable things? Why is it that the test that did not go as hoped is what's remembered? Or the conversation with an old friend that is colored by misunderstandings become poisonous as the lies replay themselves over and over? Why is it that the slightest look from a complete stranger makes you wonder what's wrong with you?

How incredible would it be if the small things lead to feelings of thankfulness and joy in place of sorrow or stress! When asked "what were the highlights of your last week?", the answer was not all negativity, but story after story of the actual HIGH lights. The three-year old who decides your name should be "Miss Carrot" instead of Cari because they're more familiar with carrots. The four-year-old who names her toy puppy after you when you're not there. The friend who texts you a smiley face just to say hi. The cards received in the mail sent by your parents, sent for no reason other than to remind you that you are loved and valued. The friend who equates you with baking, because that is your new-found stress relief/hobby...and everyone knows it! Starting the deliciously chilly fall morning with a cup of hot chocolate. Driving home late one evening, heading west into a breathtaking sunset.

Don't sweat the small stuff; re-adjust your focus and embrace the small stuff. Let the small things in life bring a smile to your face rather than letting them cause an ulcer in your stomach.