Clever is as Clever does.

Cleverness.
It's an ancient Chinese/farmgirl secret.
A secret I learned very well from my mother--who, learned it from her mother--one that I hope to pass along as well....Cleverness is the key.

For instance.....
Let's just say that you are the kinda gal that really enjoys baking.
And let's just say that you are the kinda gal that likes baking so much that she bakes almost every day.
And let's just say that you are the kinda gal that 80-90% of your baking is treats (hypothetically speaking, of course).
And let's just say that you bake so much that---ohhh, I don't know??...your oven dies.
And let's just say that it is at this point that you realize that you are not only addicted (addicted? addicted is such a strong word....how about compelled) compelled to baking treats, your family is also compelled to eating treats, so much so that your self proclaimed non-treat-loving husband says, "I miss your treats."

What are you going to do???

You may go into some form of denial.
You may say to yourself, I don't bake that much....what's the big deal, it'll be fine.
You might think---ehhh, treats? Who needs 'em?
You might even agree to not eating any treats for a whole week. (You may want to think long and hard before you hastily jump on board that band wagon.)

But,
in the end--if you are smart, if you have your farmgirl game on, you'll start thinking outside the box.
And that's when clever mode starts to kick in....

You'll make blondies in the microwave.
You'll make no bake cookies.
You'll make rice crispy treats
You'll make brownies in the microwave.
You'll make carmelle popcorn.
You'll make scotcharoos.
And then if you dig deep, real, real deep and become one with your true farmgirl self....
you will remember a recipe from your childhood.
And you will make that recipe.
And your children will think you are the most clever woman that ever did walk the face of the Earth.
And they will praise your name.
And they will call you Wonderful, Mother.
And they will tell all of their friends about the beautiful genius that is their mother.
And their friends will come, and they will see that it is true.
They too, will attest that you are, indeed CLEVER.

This recipe could change your life,
use it wisely.
Behold, I give you....

Chocolate Waffle Cookies
Melt 3 squares unsweetened chocolate & 1 cup butter.
Beat 4 eggs and 1 1/2 cup sugar & mix.
Add to chocolate mixture and mix well.
Add 2 cups flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla.
Mix well, drop 1 Tablespoon full on each section of waffle iron heated to medium and bake 1 minute. Remove, cool and frost.
Frosting.
Melt together and stir 1 square unsweetened chocolate, 5 Tbl butter, 1/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup granulated sugar.
Add 1 1/2 - 2 cups powdered sugar.
Mix well.

*one more clever tip*
I never use unsweetened chocolate.
Neither does my clever mother.
She taught me that:
1 Tbl butter + 2 heaping Tbl cocoa = 1 square chocolate