With numerous Christmas presents opened and the countdown to 2013 completed, it’s three days into the new year, and I’m still trying to coax myself out of the self-imposed holiday kitchen hiatus. This also means a return to food blogging. Not that this is a chore, but I need some (food) excitement to start the year right. And, for all the cookbook aficionados out there, nothing gets us jazzed faster than a new cookbook. And, this year, I received three!
My sorority sister (Codename: GPL) gave me the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen Cookbook. My sister (Codename: Chunklet’s mom) gave me We Love Madelienes, which I’ve already bookmarked three recipes to make immediately. And, my sister (Codename: DSN Engineer) gave me Pure Vanilla, which she purchased based solely on the front cover photo, not realizing that it was a cookbook. Pure Vanilla includes the recipe for these salted vanilla chip oatmeal cookies. I made them in an hour, passed them out to several friends, and got nothing but muffled “mmms” as they were chewing. I’m eager to try more recipes in Pure Vanilla as well, as are my sisters who have already bookmarked the vanilla cloud cake, vanilla cupcakes, and the vanilla bread pudding for me to make. Whew!
I guess I’m officially out of my lull now! And, for all my fellow Doristas, I’ll be back in the ffwD saddle this weekend when I make (and post) this week’s assignment, herb-speckled spaetzle.
Jan 03, 2013 @ 20:17:52
There’s nothing like a couple of new cookbooks to get the culinary juices going!!
Mary x
Jan 03, 2013 @ 21:17:23
A cookie hiatus! (That sounds fun, delicious and most rewarding)
Jan 03, 2013 @ 21:24:03
hi dear, oatmeal cookies just fine with me- guilt free ingredient
glad you had a great new year and the cookbooks presents.. expecting more vanilla flavored desserts from you this year. have a great weekend
Jan 03, 2013 @ 21:26:04
Love the salty part! Wonderful new take on this treat.
Jan 03, 2013 @ 21:58:07
Can’t wait to see what recipes you make out of the cookbooks, wonderful gifts! These cookies sound great and I know they taste delicious. Look forward to your new posts in 2013.
Jan 03, 2013 @ 22:11:34
Beautiful oatmeal cookies… and such wonderful gifts. Happy new year
Jan 03, 2013 @ 22:39:33
great cookies and happy new year and I am with you fun to cook new recipes
Jan 03, 2013 @ 23:49:11
Salty and sweet are my favorite treats. I can’t wait to read about your culinary inspirations. Take care, BAM
Jan 04, 2013 @ 00:15:27
Superb oatmeal cookies.. nice touch of saltiness to the cookies…
Jan 04, 2013 @ 00:34:27
Woop for new recipe books, I’ve got a lovely one I’m yet to try but the recipes all look so good, I don’t know where to start!
These cookies sound so mouthwatering and the texture looks perfect
Jan 04, 2013 @ 01:28:57
Ohhhh yum! This is what I need right now. I’m still on holiday mood and still cannot get up early enough for school next week. I can indulge myself with these just a little more this week…
Jan 04, 2013 @ 04:41:00
These sound incredible, salty and sweet is amazing! Lucky you with so many new cookbooks
Jan 04, 2013 @ 05:07:30
I love oatmeal cookies, all kinds. I bet the house smell amazing with the hint of vanilla from the cookie!
Jan 04, 2013 @ 05:13:56
These look amazing. You’re bound to have a happy new year with one of these in your hand =)
Jan 04, 2013 @ 05:45:27
I love any sweet cookie that also includes the word “salted” – yum! I really love vanilla, too, so Pure Vanilla appeals to me.
Jan 04, 2013 @ 05:59:41
I have become such a fan of salty-sweet. These look and sound so yummy!
Jan 04, 2013 @ 06:07:26
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! =)
I don’t know what I love more…my Christmas present or these awesomely awesome cookie treats…oh well..I guess I love YOU the most since they both came from you!! You’e THE BEST!!
Jan 04, 2013 @ 07:19:49
Oh no! Another cookbook that sounds fantastic….I’m running out of space in my house. These cookies look like a great way to kick off the new year!
Jan 04, 2013 @ 07:21:37
I LOVE Pure Vanilla! Shauna’s blog is hilarious and full of great recipes as well so if you haven’t checked it out, I would definitely recommend it. The first thing I made from Pure Vanilla was the Bread Pudding and it was outstanding! I’m going to look up these cookies for sure. I bought myself the Joy the Baker cookbook yesterday and I can’t wait until it arrives so I can try something new!
Jan 04, 2013 @ 08:10:05
sounds great! I love that you got cookbooks for xmas!
im late with my spaetzle too!
Jan 04, 2013 @ 09:11:37
I’m surrounded by cookbooks in my home, practically every room has some! So I hear you well, picking up a new cookbook or one I’ve not looked at in awhile gets me all excited! This book sounds really interesting, these cookies are making me want a mid morning bite! Looking forward to more vanilla treats!
Jan 04, 2013 @ 09:14:34
Lovely cookies! Cookbooks for Christmas presents, sounds super good to me! Look forward to all your delicious baking!
Jan 04, 2013 @ 11:01:15
awww! sounds like you got yourself some amazing presents from Christmas!!
you must be having so much fun experimenting with your new books! I guess i’ll get to enjoy watching them from your blog! 
Jan 04, 2013 @ 11:12:49
Salted vanilla sounds lovely, nice recipe!
Jan 04, 2013 @ 11:22:46
Mmmm, these look great – I love salt with an oatmeal cookie, such a great combo.
Jan 04, 2013 @ 14:25:14
These cookies look so good – LOL that the family have lined you up to make more.
Jan 04, 2013 @ 17:32:00
We know who is the cook in the family.
Jan 04, 2013 @ 18:18:10
Loving the look of these cookies. Enjoy your new cookbooks. Andi
Jan 04, 2013 @ 19:09:28
Another cookbook I must have! These cookies look (and sound) right up my alley!
Jan 04, 2013 @ 21:22:06
New cookbooks are my favorite gifts! Happy cooking!
Jan 05, 2013 @ 06:23:04
I love salted anything…really, these look fantastic. I definitely need to try these!
Happy New Year my friend. Enjoy all of your wonderful cookbooks!
Jan 05, 2013 @ 07:34:42
They look fantastic. I love getting cookbooks as gifts
Jan 05, 2013 @ 08:03:11
We’ve only tried salting one cookie and it turned out great. We need to give it another go. These look fantastic.
Jan 05, 2013 @ 08:26:57
Hi, very tempting cookies. Awesome!
Have a nice weekend, take care.
Jan 05, 2013 @ 10:37:34
Enjoy all those new cookbooks. Those salted vanilla chips cookies look fantastic.
Happy New Year.
Jan 05, 2013 @ 11:18:05
Ohhh, Pure Sugar is one of those books I am trying very hard not to add to my collection
Cookies look great.
Jan 05, 2013 @ 18:30:23
The cookies look good. Enjoy your new cook books and share your experiences!
Jan 05, 2013 @ 19:49:34
Holy Yum!
Jan 06, 2013 @ 06:33:09
Delicious looking cookies! It’s great that you are back
Jan 06, 2013 @ 07:22:18
this year birthday, imma get a oven so that i can start baking away!
Jan 06, 2013 @ 07:33:39
These look wonderful. Of course, I would add some chocolate..
But I don’t have to!
Jan 06, 2013 @ 08:09:05
These cookies look and sound incredible! Happy New Year!
Jan 06, 2013 @ 09:39:58
A cookbook or two with definitely inspire…and these cookies sound like they were delicious.
Jan 06, 2013 @ 11:25:10
I would say we are all happy for your new cookbooks!
Jan 06, 2013 @ 12:00:57
those cookies look scrumptious and have fun with your new cookbooks! what fun!
Jan 07, 2013 @ 02:31:43
These look and sound so delicious – save one for me! xo
Jan 09, 2013 @ 04:07:19
I could make these cookies and say it’s still Christmas, right? They look really yummy.