Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Let's Give Grace



(Note: this post is irrelevant to the sweet people who leave me comments. But maybe the thought will make it's way to the people who need the upbraiding. And my gentle readers get a bonus good cookie recipe. Plus pretty pictures like I promised.)

A blogger friend of mine has recently been going through some tough times. Due to unfortunate circumstances, she's had to make some changes to her blog. Has there been love, understanding, support and encouragement? In some cases, yes, but in a lot of cases, I've been astounded at the hater-ade poured out in the comments section.

What ever happened to "if you don't have something nice to say, say nothing at all"? Remember that is a real person with feelings that you're writing to. It's not an impersonal corporation; it's a somebody who's doing the best they can with what they've got. Would you really say those things to that person if they were standing in front of you? It's easier to be brusque, snarky, or unkind when you're looking at a monitor. Remember that there's a human being on the receiving end of your comments.



Try picturing what comes out of your mouth (or your keyboard). Is it a bouquet of flowers that uplifts and puts a smile on the face of the recipient? Or is it a flaming bag of dog turds?

In order to make the blog world a happier place, I encourage you to make your comments sweet and tasteful - just like these cookies. Whether you give cookies in a comment, in a box, or on a plate, you will make someone smile. And remember, what goes around comes around. Would you rather receive the cookies or the flaming turds?

Grace Cookies
- adapted fro Bitterweet by Alice Medrich

2 cups (9 oz) whole wheat pastry flour
14 Tbsp (1-3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (3-1/2 oz) sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup (about 1-1/4 oz) roasted cacao nibs


1- In a medium bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter with the sugar, salt, and vanilla until smooth and creamy but not fluffy, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula, and add the nibs.

2- Add the flour and mix until just incorporated. Scrape the dough into a mass, and, if needed, knead it a little with your hands to make sure the flour is completely incorporated. Form the dough into a 12-by-2-inch log. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.

3- Preheat the oven to 350 deg. F with racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

4- Use a sharp knife to cut the cold dough log into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place the cookies at least 1-1/2 inches apart on the prepared sheet pans.

5- Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the cookies are light golden brown at the edges, rotating the pans from top to bottom and front to back halfway through the baking time.

6- Allow the cookies to cool for a minute on the pan and then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

These cookies are good the first day, and even better the second or third day. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month.

17 comments:

Chels/Catz in the Kitchen said...

Love the pictures and I love this post. I'm so sorry for your friend who's been dealing with hurtful comments. It's so easy to become an online bully and like you said, would these people really have the guts to say that to their face. Big Cowards!

Give your friend a huge cyber hug from little unknown me.

She is lucky to have a friend like you who's got her back :)

http://catzinthekitchen.blogspot.com/

Roving Lemon said...

I'm so sorry that your friend has been having a tough time, and that some readers' reaction to that has been to pile on with unkindness. That's the last thing anyone needs any time, let alone at an already difficult time. I continue to be astounded at the depths of rudeness to which people are willing to descend when hiding behind a keyboard. Sending some good vibes to counteract.

Mrsblocko said...

Oooh! that really gets me steamed up. It's people like that I feel sorry for. It's like they have to bring people down to lift themselves up. Little do they know it only sinks them down deeper. I hope things go better for your friend in her tough times.

Julie said...

So sad that people don't think about what they say!! One of the things my mother taught me was just what you said, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. A good thing to live by.

Karen Baking Soda said...

Amen! Agree so so very much!

Peabody said...

The Internet does something to people I feel that sometimes disconnects their brains to their hearts. I see it happen in hockey as well. A perfectly sane man off the ice, steps on the ice and becomes an A-hole. Hmmm.
In other news, roomie ate your waffles and was sad to learn that I did not make them as he requested them again. :) So, I'm going to be needing that recipe.

Homemade Heaven said...

I could not agree more. There are so many trolls out their who make it their life's ambition to spread poison. I am so happy that there are still loving places like Cookie Baker Lyn to make my day.

hobby baker Kelly said...

You are such a breath of fresh air and sunshine! I really don't get why anyone would leave a comment if they have nothing nice or at least constructive to say. I think both your blogs are great! Don't know which yummy treat to make first, yours or hers...

RecipeGirl said...

That's such a bummer- people can be so mean. I always moderate my comments so they're not published automatically, but it still hurts to read the hate-mail before deleting it. Love your grace cookies :)

Anonymous said...

The world of blogging can be so cruel because people think that they can say anything they darn well please on the internet. It's pretty sad. Thanks for the note and the recipe. Love the photos too. :)

Debbie said...

I totally agree. If you have nothing nice to comment about, then just leave it alone. It's very aggravating to say the least. And it serves no purpose other than to hurt someone else's feelings.

grace said...

shameful. no excuse for it. lovely post, lynn, and i must confess that my first thought upon reading your title was this: 'let's give grace...lots of cookies and cakes and pies and candy.' :)

Brilynn said...

The cookies look lovely!


It honestly baffles me that people take the time to write rude/harmful comments on blogs, do these people really have nothing better to do with their time and energy??

Dee Light said...

Wow, people can just be insane. It's not like most bloggers are kid's on face book (and even they should know better). In the blogger world I expect grown up behavior not childishness :/ so sorry for your friend. Thanx for a great recipe.

Elle said...

It's a sad thing when readers behave that way (hurtful comments) but the internet fosters a virtual intimacy and not everyone knows how to handle it. I hope your friend is able to just ignore the idiots and love herself for who she knows she is.

Barbara said...

Good heavens! Bloggers are usually such a supportive group, too. I'm sorry there are some bad eggs out there, but when we blog, we are public and it's difficult to control who says what. We can delete, of course. It still makes me sad for your friend.

The Blonde Duck said...

How terrible they're mean to her!