A Case of the Blahs...

Have you ever had one of those days where you just can't shake the blah feeling? I definitely had one of those days today. Not sure if it was the partly cloudy day or the first bit of frost that came last night. At any rate, I just couldn't get terribly motivated to do anything with enthusiasm today. I did manage my lunch time visit to the gym, which usually gives my spirits a lift. Not so today.

When I got home with My Boys, it seemed like they were a bit out of sorts as well. With the change in seasons, they both have a bit of the sniffles and seem to be more worn out than usual. So, after getting a bit of medicine into them, I decided we needed a simple dinner so we'd have more time to snuggle.

I made an old favorite of ours, turkey meatballs in mushroom sauce. Now, don't go getting impressed by this, the sauce is Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup, with a 1/2 can of water added to it. This dish is the only reason I keep this soup on hand. I'm not a big fan of creamed soups, but they do have their uses. I make the turkey meatballs by adding sauteed onions and a bit of onion powder and Lawry's seasoning salt to the ground turkey. It's incredibly simple, but it does hit the spot when served over egg noodles.

While that dish was tasty, even the photo was a bit blah. So, I couldn't let the wonderful people who stop by to read my blog be disappointed with something like that tonight, now could I? Of course not! So, back into the kitchen I went to bake a batch of cookies!

These cookies will definitely put a smile on your face no matter what type of day you have had. They are studded with toffee bits throughout, and each bite is a like you are entering chocolate heaven. How can eating a cookie that tastes like a candy bar be bad?

I've only just recently tried cookies made using cake mix as a main ingredient. Even though I do prefer a completely homemade cookie, these recipes have been simple to make and everyone has enjoyed them. It's worth keeping cake mix on hand for those times when you just want to quickly bake a batch of cookies without a ton of measuring.

Looking for some comfort food? Or perhaps something sweet to wipe away the blahs? Maybe one of these recipes will hit the spot.

Prudence Pennywise made Spicy and Soft Ginger Cookies that look like the perfect nibble on a day like today.

Deborah at Taste and Tell shared a recipe for Chili that will warm you from the inside out.

Camilla at Enlightened Cooking shares her cure for the blahs, Pasta Puttanesca.

Crunch Chocolate Dreams (don't you love a name like that?)
Source: Cookies by Jill Snider

Ingredients

• 1 package (18.25 oz.) Devil's Food Cake Mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts (I don't like big nuts in my cookies so, I left these out)
• 3/4 cup crunchy toffee bits

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare a cookie sheet - either grease it or line with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs and oil, mixing until well blended. The dough will be stiff. Stir in the chocolate chips, walnuts (if using) and toffee bits.
3. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls about 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet. (note: these cookies do not spread very much.) Bake in preheated oven for 8-12 minutes or until firm around the edges. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet, then remove to wire racks and allow to cool completely.

These cookies freeze well.