I only used half the amount of butter and filling she suggested, which was PLENTY! In true Paula Deen style these are very rich and would have been ridiculous had I followed the recommended sugar/butter for the inside. Also I made a mascarpone glaze, which was delightful!

wendy- some things can take shortcuts, and you probably know the ones that can. But if your cookies don’t turn out, don’t come crying to me .

kay- I wish I could approach all new challenges with the same excitement as finding and trying out a new recipe.

There aren’t many people here in the East, but I’m up for a picnic. We’ll be away for a big chunk of the summer, but maybe we could do something in August.

dovie- I agree. My friend who is scared to try the recipe said, one of the reasons your cookies turn out good is because they’re baked with love. There must be something too that.

faithnotfear- your name reminds you and me. Whenever I see your name onscreen it does make me think, “faith, not fear,” I want to do that.

tronchik- you can do it. Whenever we know we’re in the right place, we’ve been prayerful and sought guidance, there’s just so much peace in that.

jennie- that’s why I like to try new things when they’re recommended, and not bother otherwise.

kay- lucky friends of yours. I love to bake and cook with my kids as well. Some days are better than others of course, but there’s just so much to talk about and learn together. NO helpers allowed on a first-time recipe, but the tried and true chocolate chip cookies are even more fun to bake with my kids helping.

sue- your family is fortunate that you arrange flowers and write. Writing is much more enduring than chocolate chip cookies.

How many Segullah writers and readers live near NYC? I’m an hour north. It would be fun to have a potluck or picnic or something!

Thanks for you enCOURAGing post!

Tronchik — maybe you could bake your boss some cinnamon rolls?

“Faith not fear” is not always easy — I made it my “name” so I would be reminded of its importance!

Sometimes fear looms large (remember how Laman & Lemuel were afraid of Laban, even after an ANGEL OF THE LORD told them that GOD would prepare the way?).

But if we remember what Nephi did when he had a question or problem, we too can find comfort, guidance and peace through prayer!

A Personal Experience: The morning before my son left the MTC for the mission field, my mind filled with every possible bad senario (lost tickets, lost passport, lost son…). The fear and anxiety grew and grew until it physically hurt.

That’s when I began to pray and asked the Lord to please take these worries away. My son was in His hands, and I couldn’t do anything to fix those problems if they arose anyway.

That instant the pain was gone, and so was the fear. It did not return, even when we found out that our son left his wallet on the plane (he was able to go back & find it)!

I know Heavenly Father loves us, and watches over us, and that the Savior has taken our burdens upon Him — we just need to “let go and let God” guide, comfort, strengthen, lift, change… whatever is best for our eternal welfare.

Not always easy — but absolutely possible:
“With God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

I am thankful for the reminder about facing fears. I’ve been doing a lot of that this summer–with more yet to come. I have to get out of the mindset that I have to be a pro at everything I try or want to do. Fear of failure keeps me from doing so many things, and really not because I think I’ll fail, but more because I know I won’t be the best. Pride, anyone?

At any rate, thanks for the reminder. Perfect timing. And now I’m off to bake zucchini bread and zucchini brownies…

I don’t like to make something unless I have a pretty good idea it will turn out well. Not because I’m afraid, but because I don’t want to waste my time (and calories) on something bad.

Trying something new in the baking world does not scare me in the least. However, new life phases, particularly those not chosen by me frighten the life out of me. We never know what we can achieve until we try though. Going forward is the only way.