I hear her laugh and I immediately smile. I can hear the smile in her voice and even if I am not in sight of her, I know her smile is from ear to ear. I love that for every serious photo she takes there are 20 that have some goofy expression or her tongue sticking out. She is one of the most sincere people I have ever met and her hard work and dedication are to be admired. SHE IS THE BEST HUGGER EVER and her freckles … adorable!

When I found out Michele was engaged I couldn’t have been happier for her. She was absolutely glowing. I knew before she started planning that her wedding would be gorgeously planned and stunningly beautiful – she is a graphic designer after all – and I knew she would put that flourish into every part of her wedding planning.

During this time my relationship with Michele grew so much, we became more than just work friends. I went with her to see the wedding gown she had picked out and I watched her transform as she walked out with that gown on. I got to meet her wedding planner and shop for wedding decorations and ideas. My good friend and co-worker, Mariza, and I were asked to put our baking skills to the test; we were asked to bake for the wedding. Michele’s wedding colors were orange and navy blue, so we made blueberry cobbler and peach cobbler. Mariza and I spent several hours one evening testing recipes and coming up with a plan to feed 150+ people cobbler. The night before the wedding we went to Michele’s house and took over her kitchen! There are a handful of times I have made something and really poured my heart and soul into it, and this one of those times.

Mariza and I drove down the coast of Maine with my girls first thing the morning of the wedding so that the cobbler could be delivered to the venue before the celebrations began. We put our heads together and managed to fit many, many dishes of cobbler into the back of Mariza’s Jeep. Since we were early to the wedding and after sneaking peeks of the tent where the reception was being held- it was breathtakingly beautiful and elegant – we decided to wander the roads for a bit. We ended up in Blue Hill and we were pulled into the charming shop of Black Dinah Chocolatiers Tasting Room.

My girls were captivated by the amazing smells as we walked through the shop. There items for sale, along with goodies for sale. Mariza and I each decided on a molasses cookie half dipped in dark chocolate. I never would have thought of this combination on my own. It was amazing. That warm spicy flavor of the cookie, with it’s soft and chewy texture, mixed with the smooth and rich flavor of the dark chocolate. AMAZING! I was hooked.

My relationship with Michele continues to grow, like any great friendship does. Her outlook on life, her zest for enjoying what life has to offer, and her beautiful, encouraging soul has made me a better person. I love laughing with her, swapping random funny photos found on the internet, and watching her grow as a mommy to a beautiful baby boy, with the most adorable curly red hair. Thank you Michele for alway encouraging me and being there to listen. My courage to start this blog and let it take me where it may, is in part from you and your love! XOXO

Betty Crocker Molasses Cookies
INGREDIENTS:
1 c. packed brown sugar
3/4 c. shortening
1/4 c. molasses
1 egg
2 1/4 c. AP flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. salt
3 tbsp. granulated sugar

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 325°F. In large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, molasses and egg with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients except granulated sugar. Shape dough by rounded tablespoonfuls into 1 1/2-inch balls. Dip tops into granulated sugar. On ungreased cookie sheet, place balls, sugared sides up, about 2 inches apart. Bake 13 to 16 minutes or just until set and cookies appear dry. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. After the cookies have cooled slightly I take a bag of dark chocolate chips and slowly melt them down. You can do this in 30 second bursts in the microwave or using a double-boiler on the stove. Just make sure to keep stirring so that you don’t burn your chocolate. Gently dip cookies half way  and place on parchment paper for setting. Try not to eat them all at once!