Today’s post brought to you by the letter E and the number 0.

I was fortunate to have off work on Monday and, instead of researching ways to save the environment or writing letters to my overseas friends or even working on a crossword puzzle or two, I spent it watching five hours of “101 Favorite Stars Way Back When” on E! Entertainment Television. Normally, I wouldn’t admit something like this–especially since I am rabid against celebrity gossip and things of that ilk–but I’m baring my soul to about 4 people a week on this blog, so I’m not worried I’ll be judged, and it feels good to confess.

Does anyone remember Ilan Mitchell-Smith? He played Wyatt on Weird Science and he wasn’t on the E! program, but Weird Science was on HBO that same afternoon and I started wondering whatever happened to him. Did he turn out like Leif Garrett where he once was cute and clean and now he’s all puffy and still trying to resurrect his career? Well, yes, he’s puffy (at least in his latest posted photo online), but he’s completely dismissed all things Hollywood and has become an assistant professor of English at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas.

That Ilan Mitchell-Smith is one smart cookie.

Today’s recipe:
Original Nestlé Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Nestlé® Toll House® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 375° F.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.