Baked Right Cookies

Dear Diary,

It was 22 degrees today, bright and biting cold. Sister Mary Claire and I spent most of the day catching up on housework and chores. There were floors to sweep, dishes to wash, and everything to put back into order. It felt good to be busy, even if my hands were a little pink from the cold water.

All through the day I kept thinking about today’s meditation from The Circling Year—how Jesus allowed Himself to be taken and did not resist, even when His friends scattered in fear. He stayed steady and obedient. While I worked, I tried to remember that. Sometimes I want to hurry or complain, but Jesus bore far more and did it quietly.

When it was time for Vigil Mass, Robert picked us up and drove us to Church, and of course Mini came along too. The church felt warm after the sharp air outside. Father LeRoy explained the meditation so clearly. He said real strength is quiet and faithful. Jesus could have defended Himself, but He chose love instead. Father said courage often looks small from the outside, but it is very big in the eyes of God.

After Mass, Robert brought us home, and Sister Mary Claire invited him in for hot chocolate. We had baked Nestlé Toll House chocolate chip cookies earlier, and by then they were all cooled but still sitting neatly on the wire rack. When we lifted the cookies right off the rack, they were perfect—just crisp enough at the edges and soft in the middle. Robert took a bite, smiled, and called them “Baked Right Cookies.” That made us all laugh.

The recipe says to bake them 10 to 12 minutes, but Sister Mary Claire always takes them out at 9 minutes to make them just right. She says you must watch carefully and trust your eyes more than the clock. I think that is true about other things too.

Here is the recipe we used:

Nestlé Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

2¼ cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 package (12 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla.

Mix dry ingredients and combine.

Stir in chocolate morsels.

Bake at 375° for 10–12 minutes (or 9 minutes if you want them just right). Cool on a wire rack.

Tonight I feel thankful for warm kitchens, good teaching, and cookies baked just right.

Evening Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Help me to be faithful in small things and brave in quiet ways.
When I feel tempted to run from what is hard, help me stay near You with trust.
Bless Sister Mary Claire, Father LeRoy, Robert, and dear little Mini.
Keep our home warm and our hearts steady.

Amen.

Love,

Kathy