CHOCOLATE & SOME MORE CHOCOLATE

Yes, I'm still obsessed with chocolate despite this being the month where everyone is supposed to be focused on  eating more healthy or stepping up those weight loss goals.

You may have also noticed that all that Christmas candy has been marked down to 75% off !(lol)  Indulge at your own risk, but if you decide to taste just one, I promise it will be fantastic! Thanks to Real Simple for these cool recipes.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

INGREDIENTS

1. 1/2cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2. 1/2cup granulated sugar
3. 1/2cup brown sugar
4. 1large egg
5. 1teaspoon pure vanilla extract
6. 1 1/2cups all-purpose flour
7. 1/4cup unsweetened cocoa powder
8. 1/2teaspoon baking soda
9. 1/2teaspoon baking powder
10. 1/2teaspoon salt
11. 1/2cup milk-chocolate chips
12. 1/2cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Cream the butter and sugars in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed. Lower to medium speed and add the egg and vanilla. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. On low speed, add the dry mixture to the butter mixture. Beat until fully incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips.
2. Form the dough into approximately 1 1/2-inch balls. Place on parchment- or foil-lined baking sheets, 2 inches apart.
3. Bake until the centers are just set, about 12 minutes. Let cool on sheets for for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
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5. Chocolate Topped Crispy Bars
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INGREDIENTS

1. 1. 2tablespoons unsalted butter
   2. 110-ounce bag marshmallows
   3. 6cups rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)
   4. 12ounces chocolate

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large saucepan, over medium-low heat, melt the butter and marshmallows, stirring until smooth, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the cereal and stir until coated and combined. Press into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
2. Roughly chop the chocolate and place it in a heatproof bowl set over (but not in) a saucepan of gently simmering water. Spread the chocolate evenly over the rice mixture.
3. Cover and refrigerate 45 minutes. Cut into 24 squares.

CARRYING ON A CONVERSATION ALL BY YOURSELF

Those who know me will tell you I'm a talker, and have a tendency to talk to strangers in the supermarket, at DMV, in the bookstore, etc.  But I also really love to listen because there's a lot to be learned from others.  What I don't like is the person who speaks non-stop and there's never a spot to jump in.

 When you do, it seems as if the person's eyes gloss over and isn't paying attention before jumping back in with his or her own conversation.  There's just no nice way to say this, but dang it, that's just plain rude and a little obnoxious to say the least.  That tells me the person is self absorbed, and your opinions and comments, (or anyone else's for that matter) are simply not valued.  

Yet in another conversation, this same person will tell someone else that you "talk too much". (lol)  What's up with that blogosphere?

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