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I've been thinking about this post ever since I realized that my one year blog birthday was coming up today. There's so many things I feel like I could say about blogging and this whole blogging/flickring community. I could talk about how lovely it's been to have a space to write more and take better photos. (I actually cringe a little when I look back at those first few posts, it definitely took me a little while to find my "voice"). Or I could talk about what a wonderful feeling it is to put my creative side out there into this wide wide world and get back the most lovely comments and feedback from "strangers" (even though I don't really consider you guys strangers at all). Or even how, when I first started this whole thing one year ago, I barely knew what a blog was, had no idea that this huge (and I mean huge) crafty blogging community even existed, and it was honestly an attempt to market my little "business" and try to promote myself more. But how, over the course of these past twelve months, this space has come to mean so so much more than that-to the point, actually, where I feel like I hardly ever talk about selling crafts here. I have come to love checking in on all of my favorite blogs (a list that keeps on growing), have "met" some incredible people that I've connected with through this community, and how each time I get that little email telling me that someone has left me a comment, a smile creeps across my face.

I'm doing my best to not get too sappy here. But truly, you all make my day everytime. And I've been thinking about what the best way would be to thank all of you for coming to visit me here and supporting me in all my endeavors. In the kitchen, with my sewing machine, in the garden, or just my random thoughts and ramblings. If I could, honestly, I would send each and every one of you a care package. I'd send you something sewn especially for you, some baked goods, a nice letter, and some other fun and crafty goodies.

But alas, that is not really possible. So instead, I will just send such a package to three of you (I'm trying to be realistic). Leave me a comment here, anytime between now and next Wednesday, and I'll randomly choose three lucky readers. I can't say exactly what it is you'll be receiving, but I promise it'll be good. A nice smattering of what you normally find here. For now though, one thing I can share with all of you is my tried and true chocolate chip cookie recipe. Even if I can't send you all cookies, at least you can make some yourself (does that sound mean? Really, it's meant to be nice). This recipe is adapted from the recipe on the bag of tollhouse chocolate chips, which my mom always said was the best.

So, have a lovely weekend my friends. The forecast here is for 40 degrees and I'm hoping for a nice long walk, maybe even a bike ride, some sewing, some reading, and oh yeah, a waffle party with some friends tomorrow morning. I'll be back next week with some anti-February funkiness and the final push into March!

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup non dairy margarine
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbl ground flax mixed with 6 tbl water
2.5 cups flour (1/2 white and 1/2 whole wheat)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1-1.5 cups chocolate chips (I use semi-sweet)
.5-1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375. Cream margarine and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in vanilla and flax/water mixture. Add in flours, baking soda, and cinnamon. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts (if desired). Bake for 8-10 minutes on a greased/silpat lined baking sheet.