Happy Anniversary Cary, NC

Today is the one year anniversary of our arrival in Cary, NC and the start of our next adventures living in the United States.

It’s been quite a ride, I can assure you.  From excitement to despair, the rollercoaster of emotions has been hilly but is finally on an even course.  We now all have the proper documents to allow us to come and go, which makes the move a ton easier. 

The first few months living in an apartment took it’s toll on me and on occasion I hated being here.  Since we moved into the house and I started writing this blog, for real, life is so much better.  Being away from our friends and family has been the toughest.  You just can’t pick up the phone and go for coffee with them, it’s a bit more involved.  And even when you go home for visits, you can’t see them all.

The girls have adjusted well, which is great.  We live in a little neighbourhood with lots of kids and they all play so well together.  Our next door neighbours are the bomb! Truly excellent people!

Rob is enjoying his new job, which is good because it would be tougher to deal with all the travel he’s been doing.  I think we are at 7 weeks in a row now where he’s been gone at least one day, usually two to three.  So if he didn’t love it, I’d be a little less supportive with all the travel.

Now I’ve met some amazing people here in Cary, but it’s my online family that has been my source of comfort when days have been tough.  It’s this family that  has grown exponentially over the last several months and they’ve all been so supportive with all the crazy I bring to the table.  There are so many amazing bloggers out there and some I use to stalk that I now can call friend.  I mean I’ve always loved baking and sharing, but now it’s become my addiction.  I scour the internet for the next fabulous idea.  There are so many to get through that I may be at it for a while.

So happy anniversary new chapter of our lives and to celebrate I baked the first thing that came to mind when one thinks of home…

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!

Nothing flashy and always loved.  Sometimes it’s the basics that make us smile the most.

I did, however, give a bit of the dough a little umph though.  I added toffee bits (shhhh don’t tell) to half the batter.

Recipe: Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350.

• 1 cup plus 2 Tbs all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda

Beat in a large bowl until well-blended:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

Add and beat until well combined:

• 1 large egg
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1. Stir in the flour mixture until well-blended and smooth.   Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips (or as much as you’d like) or toffee bits.
2. Drop the dough by heaping spoonfuls about 2 inches apart on the cookie sheets. Bake, 1 sheet at a time, until the cookies are just slightly colored on top and the edges are brown, about 8 - 10 minutes.
3. Let stand briefly, then remove to a rack to cool.

Thanks for looking!

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