Chocolate Rain.

I'll be honest, this is one of those Monday mornings that I feel like Tay Zondre sounds. And you know what I'm talking about. You've heard him, right? Chocolate rain?...sweeping the nation. If you've somehow missed it, congratulations, but the time has come to lose your innocence, now have a listen. I'm sure it will be burned on your brain forever. Or at least for the rest of the day. You can thank me later.

In the meantime, here are a few other morsels to chew on this morning.

1. Speaking of Chocolate Rain, I bet this site has gotten a lot of traffic over the last month or so. And I say awesome. Because it's a nice little spot on the www.

2. Hear Hear. Intelligence for small business. I'm absolutely addicted to reading about these business minds, methods, and means. Love the creativity. (Thanks, Laurie)

3. Gwen Bell says blogging is dead. I really, really dig Gwen's blog. But what do you think about the death sentence? Is blogging just getting started, or so over? I think she might be on to something, especially when you read her follow-up. Ruminate and/or discuss.

4. On the other hand, whenever I think blogging might be dead, I go to my friend Karen's blog. And not just because she takes great photos of our coffee (see, friday, aug.3). Because she's full of life (and ZaZa). And so is her blog.

5. And finally, speaking of life, here's a recipe filled with life giving chocolatey goodness. I must have fallen down and hit my head because I've completely forgotten we used to do recipes around here every month. Le duh. So now, to further prove non-cooks can cook, I believe it's time to bring the recipes back, yeah. This first one's REAL SIMPLE.

Double Chocolate-Chip Cookies

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk-chocolate chips
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350° F.

Cream the butter and sugars in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed. Lower to medium speed and add the egg and vanilla. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. On low speed, add the dry mixture to the butter mixture. Beat until fully incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Form the dough into approximately 1 1/2-inch balls. Place on parchment- or foil-lined baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake until centers are just set, about 12 minutes. Let cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.

Yield: Makes 3 dozen cookies

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 91(41% from fat); FAT 4g (sat 2g); PROTEIN 1mg; CHOLESTEROL 13mg; CALCIUM 15mg; SODIUM 62mg; FIBER 1g; CARBOHYDRATE 13g; IRON 1mg

And you guessed it, this month has a chocolatey theme. You won't be disappointed.