When in doubt, always follow behavior patterns that have proven successful in the past.
Example: when I’m not sure what to bake, the answer is magic bars, pure and simple. Because no matter how basic a magic bar is, different flavors and combinations abound. And when there are Girl Scout cookies in the world, attention must be paid.
This is my one-year blogiversary, everyone. You’d think I’d be celebrating by popping champagne and downing one of my decadent desserts, and perhaps that will happen, too. At the moment, though, I’m feeling more contemplative than celebratory.
You see, blogging is kind of hard, if you keep it up. I have a demanding full-time job as a high school teacher, and I also have three small kids. Any attention I give Just About Baked has to be stolen time. That happens early in the morning before anybody is awake, late at night after everyone is asleep, or on weekends, when the kitchen suddenly becomes a whirlwind of spilled flour and sugar.
Through this year, Just About Baked has become stronger and is shaping into something that I’m really proud of. There’s still so much I want to do, and I’m not sure when that will happen. But I’ve learned something really important in life, and it applies to my blog. Ready for this wisdom?
Forget perfect. Try good enough.
You see, I’m never going to be perfect, not in anything. I’ll never be the perfect wife, the perfect mom, the perfect teacher, the perfect person. And my blog won’t be, either. My pictures could use some improvement, I am guilty of the occasional typo, and I have left ingredients out of recipes. Sorry, folks.
Those transgressions alone are enough to shut down many a food blogger. But that’s not going to happen here. I can’t learn or grow if I quit, and unless I accept that my blog, as it stands, is good enough. I will keep working and trying, and that’s all I can do.
So on this one-year anniversary of Just About Baked, I’ve gotten pretty serious. But I also want to say thank you to all of you who read and support my blog, who write in lovely comments, and who compliment my crazy ideas, like this one. After all, why not make a Samoa more of a delight by adding it to a chocolate graham cracker crust topped with coconut, chocolate chips, Samoa pieces, and condensed milk?
See? Magic. Even magic doesn’t have to be perfect. So happy blogiversary to me, and here’s to being good enough. Let’s all raise a magic bar to that!
Ingredients
Instructions
Have you ever met anyone who doesn’t love a chocolate chip cookie?
If you have, you can inform them that they are missing a soul. I’m sorry, I know taste is subjective. But I mean, come on. It’s a chocolate chip cookie!
When you’re feeling lazy, make bars instead. These chocolate chip bars are also full of chopped pecans and topped off with chocolate drizzle. The flair on top is optional, but I love me some drizzle.
Hey, it’s been almost a week since I’ve posted a PB and chocolate recipe. In my world, that’s one week too long!
There are times when life gets a little intense, friends. This is one of those times. It’s been a rough month, and reading the newspaper really doesn’t help. I don’t understand how people can watch the news before they go to bed. Do they want to have nightmares? Lie awake in their beds imagining worst-case scenarios?
I just realized something quite shocking. My blog’s been around for all of two weeks and I haven’t posted anything with sprinkles yet! Must fix this problem immediately.
Sprinkles are really magic. I realized a few months back that if I put sprinkles on anything, my kids will eat it. While I’m tempted to test that theory on broccoli, that’s sort of gross. But my son, who pretends to hate chocolate, decided to eat these bars just because of the sprinkles.
See? Magic.
Which is appropriate, considering these are magic bars. The traditional magic bar has a graham cracker crust and then layers of goodness, like chocolate chips and nuts, ending off with a layer of condensed milk. While I don’t always like to mess with success, I’ve found that magic bars can be created in any flavor, anytime, which is why you will probably see a lot of them on this site.
Mir – What a beautifully written post! You’re such a humble blogger (and talented, too). I give you a ton of credit for balancing teaching and kids at home. I am a teacher as well (and a part-time barista) and understand how difficult it is to find balance. Luckily, baking is something that you love and you’re putting a full heart into the process. The reason I went into the teaching profession is because I love learning. I learn something new every single day. The process of learning is similar in blogging I think. We make mistakes and then we make huge achievements that we’re proud of. Congratulations on your one year anniversary in blogging! You’re my hero for all of these GSC recipes. My boxes haven’t come in yet and I’m getting way too excited about experimenting with your recipes.
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Cinnamon Banana Oatmeal Cookies
You are so kind, Erin! Thanks for the sweet words. I’ve been teaching for 15 years now so I’ve got that down, but blogging is still quite a learning curve! Thanks for being such a faithful reader.
Magic bars that contain girl scout cookies are sure to be amazing! I wish I had these for breakfast, Mir! I love the flavors in here!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Slow Cooker Cranberry Spice Tea
They were my dinner last night, Gayle! I’m kind of wishing all my meals were like that…
These magic bars are fantastic! Great use of samoa cookies! Need to try some of your bars recipes very soon, because I’ve been craving them for a while! They look so good!!!
mira recently posted…Persimmon Coconut Chia Puddings
Le me know if you do, Mira! I like to know how things turn out…
Happy anniversary/blogaversary!!! Mir, I love reading your blog and your photos are alway gorgeous. Keep them coming!
Rachelle recently posted…Meatball Sliders
Rachelle, you are so kind. Thanks for the really nice words of encouragement, and thanks for reading!
I love your use of girls scout cookies, Mir. These magic bars look insanely good. Happy blogaversary! I’m a new reader but I’m loving everything here!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Bourbon Cookie Butter Cups
Welcome, Jen! Thanks for checking out the site. Can’t wait to get to know you!
Congrats on one year blogging Mir! So glad to have “met” you this year – I love reading your blog! These bars look amazing (like all your desserts I must say!) and I need to make them soon! I have a hard enough time balancing the blog and 3 kids, and I’m at home, not working full time on top of it all, so I think you’re doing pretty well! I’m completely impressed that you can manage all that!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Apple Oatmeal Squares
Thanks so much, Stacey! I’ve so much enjoyed your blog this year, too! And as for balancing everything, well, some days I’m barely hanging on!
Congratulations on 1 year Mir! 🙂 Keep going! The bars look wonderful!
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Big Cluster Chocolate Granola
Thanks, Manali! I plan to! 🙂
Mir, I absolutley loved what you wrote today about being good enough:) Your desserts are always so mouth-watering, and your pictures really show off your baking creativity, but I always find myself drawn to your honest writing. Congrats on your 1 year anniversary for “Just About Baked”! I’m so glad I’ve met you, friend:)
You are awesome, Heather. And I’m glad you’re back, because I’ve missed you! Thanks for your super nice words and constant support!
Happy one year!!! Seriously thoughtful post, and so important to realize that perfection isn’t always what you need to be striving for. Plus, all those ‘established professional food bloggers’ probably made many more mistakes in their first year! I think just finding a groove that works for you is whats important; after all, we all started blogging for ourselves and not to please anyone else. Also these bars are giving me life. They look beyond amazing, what with the samoas and the chocolate and the melty chocolate chips. Pinning! 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…{Vegan} Spaghetti with Lemon Cream Sauce + Spinach
Thanks for the pin and for being a regular follower, Medha! It’s funny how we start blogging for ourselves and then it winds up being such a huge personal project that we share with others. I love it!
These are magic alright!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) recently posted…Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
And you would know, o creator of magical cookies! Thanks, Jocelyn!
Happy one year Mir! Wow, every time I see one of these posts, I’m always like, how do they do it?? My blog didn’t look like any of yalls at all after one year – keep up the amazing work, you’re rocking this blog thing! Getting a shout out from Dorothy was the coolest thing ever – I had a fangirl moment for you 🙂
ANYWAYS these bars rank second of coolest things ever. Samoas for the win!
Mary Frances recently posted…{Gluten Free and Vegan} Deep Dish Caramel Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thanks SO much, Mary Frances! I was seriously humbled (and thrilled) to get that shout out. It totally made my week. Probably my month.
And I so much appreciate your constantly awesome comments. Your blog rocks, and you really take time to connect with your readers. It’s amazing!
Magic bars are always one of my go-tos. There are so many ways to make them! I think this is my favorite, hands down!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Mint Chip Ice Cream Cupcakes
That means a lot coming from you, Dorothy! You know your magic bars!
Congratulations on the one year blogiversary!!! Major props to you for everything you manage beside the blog…color me impressed!!! I can hardly keep up and I stay at home all day long!!! But yes, to every single thing you said!!! Just keep trying and enjoying the ride and you will go far! And these bars…man, I am in love with them!!!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted…Luck of the Irish Giveaway: Win a Keurig Brewer and $100 Cash
Thanks so much, Jocelyn! Your blog is a huge inspiration to me, so I’m very grateful to have you to set such an amazing example!