The latter half of last week, I was absolutely exhausted. I had a headache for days (speaking of which, how many days of headache in a row is too many, do you think?), the weather was beautiful but I didn’t really have time to stop and enjoy it. There were just way too many things to do. As I got out of class on Wednesday and began running errands I had the brilliant idea to take the evening for myself – no schoolwork, no obligations… just baking, a guilty pleasure tv show, and half of a girly movie before Alex got home.

At some point recently I wondered if Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Mango cookies would be any good, and this seemed the perfect opportunity to find out. I collected all the ingredients, and piled them on the counter on top of each other because my laptop (the tv/movie viewing department) had the place of honor on the kitchen table.

And I baked, not for speed or efficiency, but to eat some cookie dough and to fill the apartment with pleasant aromas.

I added some shredded coconut to the recipe… it was made-up anyway, so why not?

And the cookies were… good. I can definitely do better. Next time I want to try a different type of dried mango. The unsulfured and unsweetened version was a little too tough and the flavor did not shine through.

And just what did I watch? That Zooey Deschanel show, New Girl. There’s something a little stupid about it, but I also cannot resist it. Maybe it’s just that it’s painfully dorky sometimes (which hits quite close to home), but she’s just so cute. I also watched most of a movie called Timer. It’s on Netflix Instant Watch and I love it. It’s definitely a “chick flick,” but it is also very thoughtful and interesting and, of course, very sweet. It gets me every time. It stars Emma Caufield (of Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and John Patrick Amedori (who is totally adorable). Trailer here.

What do you like to do to unwind on your stressed-out days? Any movie or recipe suggestions for next time? Cheers to a better week!