Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies and Stress Relief Prose

(Song. Sung to the tune of Que Sera, Sera)

Que Sera, Sera... Whatever will be, will be
Just like these Pumpkin Cookies...Que Sera, Sera...

I wonder at the moon... Do you know what will happen next?
I guess I'll just stop to lick... The-uh cookie spoon...

Oh, I've been in a funk... What does that really mean?
It makes for a vicious scene... And me thinking I'm bunk...

These cookies were quite good... Recommended for your distress
Filled with a pumpkin caress... They don't taste like wood...

The chocolate chunks are grand... Symbolizing something I guess?
My energy is a mess... Perhaps it's part of the plan...

Its the holidays...I should be happy and shining
But I'm restless and whining.... Are you quite amazed?

Or do you too relate?... Do you too know what I mean?
Do you get this funky feeling?... Are you in this state?

Cookies can help you... And so-oh can taking things slow
Giving your lists the whoa... Forget the sarcastic 'Woo.'

When you start to bite... With a yell to your lover or mom
Do not set off that bomb... Bite a cookie and tight!

It's like your teething ring... You've regressed to that delicate state
You're a babe and you've taken the bait... You'll be safe and you'll sing!

Those Christmas carols you despise... Are playing through all your life...
Don't let it cause you strife...That will be your demise

Biting hard into your cookie... You'll be able to be part of part
Of traditions straight from the heart... You may sound like a wookie

Oue Sera, Sera... These cookies have been, they are
Bake them to find who you are... Well not real-ly

But, they can distract... From life and its crazy ways
Put many of them on trays... to find out what you lack

But hey its all okay... This is the end of my song
I hope it wasn't too long... Test this method today

Que Sera, Sera...Whatever will be be, will be
Just like those pumpkin cookies... And your life.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies

2 1/2 cups all-purpose or whole-wheat pastry flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 1/2 cups evaporated cane juice (sugar)
1 cup of 100% pumpkin puree (Can be canned, mine came from some pumpkins we grew in our garden!)
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups of chocolate chunks (I used a combination of Theo chocolate and Caleubraut, leftover from Thanksgiving truffles. Ghiradelli 60% bars would be just fine- sliced with a sharp knife into 'chunks')
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans (I did not include these, but you could depending on your mood)

Preheat oven to 350°.

Combine flour, baking soda and baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt. Whisk and set aside.

Beat butter and sugar on medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the pumpkin, egg, and vanilla and beat until just barely blended. Then mix in the bowl of dry ingredients until extremely well-combined.

Using rubber spatula, wooden spoon or other stirring apparati, stir in chocolate chunks and nuts (if you want).

Drop that batter by heaping tablespoon-fuls 2-inches apart on your greased, oiled, buttered, or parchment-paper covered baking sheets. (Or alternatively purchase one of these fantastic devices)

Bake cookies for 15-18 minutes, until just lightly browned. Rotate baking sheets halfway through for optimum taste potential. Let those cookies cool on the sheets for 1-2 minutes. Then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. (If you have one)
(FYI- Wire racks... Oh I dream of wire racks)

Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Enjoy and write some prose.