Cookies that Will Save Your Soul

We haven't been cooking a whole lot around our house lately- with a new baby and packing up the house for our move down south it's been a lot easier to get take out or throw a pizza in the oven. We do manage to cook a big breakfast about every morning though- bc my husband is what I call "the Breakfast King." He enjoys making breakfast and I'm not going to turn down his offer to make a meal.

We've been having a lot of meals at our friends houses lately since this is the last week that we will be residing in Jefferson City. We have been getting together with many of our friends for dinner and I always offer to make a dessert. The main dessert I've been turning to is Orange Baby Cookies- a recipe that comes from a dear friend and previous manager- Cyndi Young.

I recently wrote an article over my friend Cyndi and her cookie making skills for Missouri Farmer Today. When I went to Cyndi and her husband Jim's farm, they had four different cookies laid out for me to take photos of and taste for the article! I fell in love with the Orange Baby Cookies and I know you will too!

These cookies are delicious and can be whipped up in a snap! I say that these cookies will save your soul bc no matter what mood you are in- after one cookie you will feel like you are in heaven! And I bet you can't eat just one...

Orange Babies
By Cyndi Young
1 C. softened butter
½ C. sugar
½ C. brown sugar (packed)
1 egg
1½ T. grated orange peel
2¼ C. flour
¾ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1½ C. vanilla baking chips

Cream the butter and sugars. Beat in egg and orange peel. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in vanilla chips. Form into walnut-sized balls and bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Happy 2010

Wow! 2010...10 years ago I graduated high school, went off to college at MU and met the man who is now my husband.

Six years ago I graduated college, married my high school sweetheart and started my first job out of college.

Now my husband and I have created our beautiful baby boy and are getting ready to make another life change- moving back to the southland and we couldn't be more excited.

It's always been our plan to move back down to Southwest Missouri- but we thought we would have to hold out on that chapter for a little while yet. But, due to some changes of events- we have the opportunity to move sooner than we thought.

It's a funny thing- life- that is. I've learned more than ever- when one door closes...another one always opens. And a door has opened for the McConnell family to move closer to our families and we couldn't be more elated!

Come Jan 15 we will be Hollister, Mo residents and 10 minutes from our favorite place- Table Rock Lake! Not to mention close to the ones we love! And another chapter begins...

We have so much to be thankful for in our lives this past year...here's to bigger and better things to come in 2010!