Sunday, January 22, 2017

Welcome guest author Tracy Weber + book #giveaway!

Tracy Weber is the author of the award-winning Downward Dog Mysteries series.  The first book in the series, Murder Strikes a Pose, won the Maxwell Award for Fiction and was nominated for the Agatha award for Best First Novel. 
A certified yoga therapist, Tracy is the owner of Whole Life Yoga, a Seattle yoga studio, as well as the creator and director of Whole Life Yoga’s teacher training program. She loves sharing her passion for yoga and animals in any way possible. 
Tracy and her husband Marc live in Seattle with their crazy new German shepherd pup, Ana. When she’s not writing, Tracy spends her time teaching yoga, trying to corral Ana, and sipping Blackthorn cider at her favorite ale house. 
Her most recent novel, A Fatal Twist, was released in January, 2017 by Midnight Ink. For more information on Tracy and the Downward Dog Mysteries, visit her author website: http://TracyWeberAuthor.com/

“Aunt Marcia’s” Chocolate Chip Cookies

I’m absolutely delighted to be here today on Mystery Lover’s Kitchen, surrounded by posts from many of my favorite authors. 

There’s only one problem:  I don’t cook.

Seriously.

I don’t cook.

Ever.

I had a minor panic attack when Daryl Wood Gerber asked me if I wanted to contribute.  The answer was, of course, a resounding yes!  But how?

Then I remembered my mom’s famous chocolate chip cookies.  To be honest, her cookies were never my favorites, but I was in the minority.  Everyone who knew her loved her cookies. She gave them out by the dozens. Mom’s cookies were so adored that they were mentioned in the eulogy at her funeral.

There was only one problem:  I didn’t have the recipe. Thankfully, one of my cousins, Valarie, did, and I was able to get it from her.

Problem solved.  Right?

I told my husband that I was going to bake cookies.  He looked at me drolly and said, “That seems highly unlikely.” I rolled my eyes and made my plans, only to discover that I lacked most of the basics.  I didn’t have flour. Or sugar. Or baking soda. Eggs? Not in this vegetarian’s refrigerator.  Vanilla?  Nope. Margarine or butter?  Not that either.

Chocolate I could manage.  Score one for me.

Then I realized I didn’t have a mixer.  Or cookie sheets. Or the fabled Tupperware containers that made them so fresh.  I have a Viking oven, but I’m not allowed to use it without supervision.
Sheesh!  What’s  a  girl to do?

I came up with a brilliant solution. I hired one of my yoga students. Hollie made the mistake of volunteering in yoga teacher training that she had a fantastic mixer, which got my addled mind to thinking.  Maybe she could make the cookies for me?

A short negotiation later, you have the result of this blog article.  Soft, chewy, milk chocolate chip cookies that will make your mouth water.  If Mom’s fans were any indication, these cookies are sure to be a crowd pleaser.

If you make them, please let me know what you think.  Heck, send me a dozen!  Starving yoga teachers (and their husbands) appreciate good food….

Photo by Hollie

Aunt Marcia’s Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/3 cup Gold-n-Soft margarine
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
3 cups Flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
12 ounces milk chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In large mixing bowl, cream together Gold-n-Soft, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Mix well. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop rounded spoons of dough on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes

Store in Tupperware container.

According to my cousin, the secret is to not over bake them and to store them in an air tight bowl as soon as they are cool.  Mom used to put a slice of white bread (Wonder bread, at the time) in with them, claiming it kept them fresher.

Enjoy!
Photo by Hollie


GIVEAWAY

I am offering a giveaway today. Any of the four in the Downward Dog Mysteries—winner’s choice. Leave your email and let me know if you’re a cook or if you do yoga?


In addition to my website, you can find me here:
Twitter: @TracyWeberTypes

52 comments:

  1. I actually got a blue ribbon in 4H at the county fair when younger for chocolate chip cookies. I'll make yours too!

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  2. I'm more of a baker than a cook, but love both. And I'm definitely a yoga enthusiast! Vinyasa is my favorite style. EMS591@aol.com

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  3. I loved this post! I am like you, I don't cook, and if I did, it would be under my husband's supervision! Lol.
    karen(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com

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  4. I used to cook in my younger days. Now that I am retired and there is only me at home, I seldom cook. I have never tried yoga. I did buy a mat and signed up for a class. But not enough signed up, so the class did not make. I'm hoping to try again. elainehroberson(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. Girl!! You cook! You cook up a lot of mystery and a lot of mischief with Ana pup ;) xoxo Love chocolate chip cookies!

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  6. I do cook and love it. As for yoga, I love reading about it in your mysteries ;-). The cookies look great.
    sallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  7. Not much of a cook but love to bake, especially cookies! Dbasak1@gmail.com

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  8. I'm not a cook/baker either. Whenever I visit family I give my cousin a list of sweet treats for her to make me (& the rest of the family).
    turtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. I'm not much of a cook. I cook enough for my daughter and me to survive. I don't do yoga yet but thinking about starting. I really love your books! Thanks for a chance to win one! musiqmom@yahoo.com

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  10. As a mother of 5, I had to cook and bake. I have a rhubarb dessert I have created and made since the kids were little. They are adults now and I still make it with the rhubarb from my garden. The slice of bread is interesting. I have done yoga in the past. mnleona@aol.com

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  11. I plan to try these as I am always looking for different chocolate chip cookie recipes.
    Your book sounds delightful, thank you for the chance.

    Mbcncc@gmail.com

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  12. Great post! My sister hates to cook so her and her hubby always eat out, or take out. I cook, bake, whatever, in the kitchen. As for chocolate chip cookies. It is one of the all time favorite cookies along with sugar cookies and peanut butter cookies. Used to do yoga in years past. My name drawn I would love to get "A Killer Retreat". Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc ((dot) com

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  13. I would rather bake than cook, but I can do both. I loved your post! I have not read your books but would like the opportunity to win one. crossxjo @hotmail. com

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  14. I love cooking and baking! Cleaning up afterwards, not so much. I have tried yoga and definitely liked it.
    skforrest1957@gmail.com

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  15. I am an avid cook and baker, and a novice at yoga but I like it.
    grace dot koshida at gmail dot com

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  16. This post made me smile. Would love to win, "Karma's a Killer."
    I love baking and cooking. My favorite is trying out new recipes. I tried yoga years ago, but didn't enjoy it. I think it's time for me to take the plunge and get back at it again. Think I'll start with your chair yoga lessons. Thanks for the great post.
    donnaing1@gmail.com

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  17. I cook....as females we were expected to learn how to cook. But I hate it! I will admit to enjoying baking some what, but not the constant repetition of having to cook and plan meals day after day. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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  18. Hi all! Thanks for reading my article, and thanks, Daryl, for hosting me here today on Mystery Lover's Kitchen! Since this article was written, I've had to start cooking--for the dog! ;-) I'm working most of today, but will check in as I can to read your awesome comments. Good luck on the giveaway!

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  19. I don't cook much as I live by myself, but I can cook. I even made a hummingbird cake from scratch which is quite an undertaking.
    marlene(dot)ezell(at)gmail(dot)com

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  20. I cook, but not very well, and I don't do yoga. These cookies look delicious! mbradeen@yahoo.com

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  21. I love to cook but baking is a whole completely different story.....it still counts if it come out of a ready to bake package right??? �� Thank you for the great article and the chance to win.

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  22. I love the interview! I love cooking, but I can't bake. I took a yoga class years ago, but it wasn't one of my finer moments. :) I love this series. Thank you for this chance. areewekidding@yahoo.com

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  23. I liked the interview, love your books, don't like chocolate. Thanks for a chance at winning one of your books.
    cactuspare(at)cox(dot)net

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  24. I'm a cook, and I also do yoga. I got some Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips at the grocery store and made Toll House Cookies (Nestle's chocolate chip recipe), and they turned out really awesome -- I sprinkled some sea salt on the top of some of the cookies before I baked them, and those are the best! I loved Fatal Twist -- it's such a great book! bobandcelia@sbcglobal.net

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  25. I am a baker more than a cook. Yes I do yoga, not great,but I do it! mommatoodle at msn dot com

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  26. I do cook and bake. I am know for my creamy chicken enchiladas and orange iced scones. It is a relaxing hobby. Yoga? I have become inspired to explore yoga by Tracy's books, but my knees have kept me from being very much more that the occasional student. I do enjoy the relaxing part...
    kat8762ATaolDOTcom

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  27. I cook and bake. I used to do yoga regularly but got out of the habit several years ago. I really need to get back into it. Thank you for the chance to win. Dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com

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  28. I'm not a great cook, but I enjoy baking so these are right up my alley. I love this series and would adore reading A FATAL TWIST. I dabble in Yoga, but am pushing to be more involved. It is a more peaceful way of life and we all need a dose of that right now. Thank you for the generous giveaway and for keeping us entertained in our time of need. =) konecny7(at)gmail(dot)com

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  29. I cook when I'm in the mood or see an enticing recipe I want to try. As for yoga, I think about learning how to do it. I haven't tried yet though.
    Pat D
    patdupuy@yahoo.com

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  30. Cookies! Yes, please.
    Why "Gold-n-Soft margarine"? Sounds too fake for me. I'll go with butter.

    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  31. I can't say I'm a cook but I can cook if I have to. I'd rather bake and I like cookies. I'm with Libby in the above comment...why Gold-n-Soft margarine? Anything special about it? Or can I use my normal brand? Or butter?
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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    Replies
    1. Linda, by random number generator, you have won Tracy's giveaway. I'll put you in touch with her so you can exchange details. Congrats! ~ Daryl

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  32. I've never tried yoga, but I do cook some. I enjoy baking desserts but limit it to once in a while because we don't need the extra pounds that go with it.

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  33. I love cookies with chocolate in them so i gave the recipe to my husband. I can't do yoga as i am severely disabled but i do help my husband cook and sometimes i try to do by myself but so hard to do.

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  34. I don't do a very good job of either one!
    Parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com

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  35. I cook and do yoga. Better at cooking than yoga, but I'm working at it and enjoying it. cornwallst59 at Hotmail dot com.

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  36. My hubby doesn't appreciate my cooking so he cooks.

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  37. I'm ratting you out to Ana and telling her all about homemade puppy biscuits. You don't even need a mixer to bake them.

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  38. I don't cook much and I don't do Yoga. To tell you the truth Yoga is kind of intimidating. I don't know if I can bend the way you have to in Yoga,but I think I would like to give it a try. Haven't read this series yet, but I have enjoyed the excerpts and I'm definitely moving to the top of my TBR pile. Can't wait to read "A Fatal Twist".
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  39. Hello. I am more of a vegan uncook. I used to do yoga regularly, but have not in a while. Have a wonderful evening.

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  40. I cook from recipes, but I'm not much of a baker. I don't do yoga. I am not flexible and can't do many of the poses.

    lovebooks2015 (at) att (dot) net

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  41. I love to cook and I would like to try yoga if I could just find a good class up here in the sticks.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  42. I love to cook and bake. Learned as a child helping my Mom and Grandma in the kitchen. Unfortunately, I am not permitted to practice yoga medically (as it requires one to have functional ligaments, which I fail to have for numerous joints. Maybe PT with a therapist carefully moving every joint counts? I love your books and have read all but the newest release. Remember, Ana was enjoying your cooking and growing! servedogmomATyahooDOTcom

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  43. Hi all! thanks for all of the great comments. As to why Gold-N-Soft? It was what my mom used. Forty Years Ago. ;-) I'm sure substituting would be allowed. ;-) As I said, I haven't tried changing anything. I'm pretty sure Gold-N-Soft went the way of Wonder Bread.

    Yes, Ana appears to like my cooking. Though I still don't like doing it. Still, anything that keeps my baby girl healthy and happy, I will do. Thanks for the support, everyone!

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  44. I think I do better at baking than cooking. I tried yoga and found it was not for me.
    cochrandcr@gmail.com

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  45. I Cook and Bake, but no yoga. My Wife does not enjoy any of them, except to eat. david.bibb@gmail.com

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  46. I bake and cook and have the body to prove it!! Lol. The only time I've done yoga is when I was doing pt for a back injury (they had me doing yoga and Pilates). Thanks for the giveaway!
    tiggercat24alisha@yahoo.com

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  47. I can't cook or do yoga. I'm sure yoga is good for my chronic pain but I'm not sure about another one. I would love to learn how to cook, just never really tried.
    Laura.milburn09@gmail.com

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  48. By random number generator selection, Linda K has won this giveaway. Congrats, Linda! ~ Daryl

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  49. Linda, I'll contact you soon to see which book you'd like!

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  50. I love to do yoga---I participate in hot yoga at least 3X/week (I love it) and I bake regularly. I think the combination of yoga and baking get me through my day!

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  51. I love to do hot yoga at least three days/week in my yoga studio. Both yoga and baking help me get through my days! Baking is a great stress reliever for me, and between me and my boys, there are always willing volunteers to try out my baking experiments!

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