There’s nothing like a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies to make you feel welcome. I for one can’t resist a home baked cookie of any kind, but chocolate chip are certainly one of my favorites. This is the kind of warm, tasty, welcome you’ll get, along with a generous helping of Texas hospitality, when you stay at the Brazos Bed & Breakfast in “Old Washington,” Texas, near Brenham.

Diane and Villard Hunter have tucked their Texas, hill country hideaway, in amongst fields of beautiful bluebonnets, and beneath towering live oaks, to create a haven for rest and relaxation. A winding country lane leads you away from the hustle and bustle of a hectic, busy life, to the cozy and comfortable retreat of the Brazos B & B.

The Brazos has two lovely suites to choose from: the upstairs Tree Top Suite, and The Texan Suite. Each has it’s own unique style. Even the smallest details are handled with guest comfort in mind. The warm wooden ceilings, bright interiors and tasteful decorations make for a soothing haven to relax and recharge. Amenities include: king, or queen-sized beds with luxurious Egyptian Cotton sheets, a butler’s pantry with a mini-kitchen, fireplace, Dish TV, wireless internet, large bathrooms, a patio and a balcony with gas grills, outdoor Chimenea, and a hot tub.

Brenham, known as the Birthplace of Texas, offers up plenty to see and do around the area. In addition to the many historical attractions such as: the Washington-On-The-Brazos State Historic Site, The Star of the Republic Museum, and the Barrington Living History Farm, Washington County is in the heart of bluebonnet country. Each spring, nature dresses up the countryside in some of her most beautiful wildflowers, and shows off for the world to see. The official Bluebonnet Festival of Texas is held in nearby Chappell Hill each April.

A stroll along the streets of Brenham reveals its small-town charm. Lovely little shops are tucked in here and there to explore. Be sure to sample a sandwich and a piece of pie at the Must Be Heaven Sandwich Shoppe, or a soup, salad, and decadent dessert at the Funky Art Cafe.

Other area attractions include the Blue Bell Creameries Tour in downtown Brenham, golf at Pecan Lakes Golf Course, Texas A & M is down the road thirty miles, for flower lovers The Antique Rose Emporium is a popular local stop, and the George Bush Presidential Library is located in nearby College Station.

After a comfortable nights sleep at the Brazos, you can bet Diane has been up early baking fresh homemade muffins, as well as specialty dessert breads, and crust-less quiche for her guests to enjoy.

If you’re passing through the great state of Texas and you’re looking for a cozy, comfortable, and private setting to rest a spell, keep the Brazos Bed & Breakfast near Brenham, in mind.

For more info visit: www.brazosbedandbreakfast.com. For info on the Brenham area visit: www.brenhamtexas.com.
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Diane has been generous enough to share her delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe with us here at BellaOnline, as well as her Blueberry Bran Muffin recipe. I like the fact that Diane tells you how to freeze the unbaked cookies so you can take them out later and bake them fresh. She also gives us an opportunity to make a small batch of muffins or a large batch if we need several dozen and she says they freeze great which is always a plus. Thanks Diane for these great recipes.

Diane’s Kinda Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c. Crisco (use 0 Grams Trans Fat)
2 Sticks of soft butter
2 c. brown sugar
1 3/4 c. white sugar
Mix above well with mixer

4 eggs
2 tsp. pure vanilla
4 c. unbleached flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
Add to above ingred. & mix well

2 c. oatmeal (5 minute oats)
2 c. bran flakes (can use corn flakes)
12 oz. (2 cups) Semi sweet chocolate chips
2 cups broken pecans or walnuts
Stir in until blended

Spoon onto cookie sheet and bake at 350 oven for 10 – 15 min. depending on the size of cookie.
Or spoon onto a cookie sheet close but not touching. Freeze for 6-8 hours and then bag in freezer zip locks. Take out however many you want and put on baking sheet. Allow to thaw and then bake as directed above.
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Blueberry Bran Muffins

For a fourth of a Recipe you'll need:

3 c. Bran Cereal
1/4 c. canola oil
3/4 c. sugar
1 egg
1 c. low fat buttermilk
1 1/4 c. unbleached flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 c. blueberries
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For a Full Recipe you'll need:

15oz. Bran Cereal
1 c. canola
3 c. sugar
4 eggs
1 qt. buttermilk
5 C. flour
1 Tb. baking soda
2 tsp. baking pwd.
2 tsp. salt
11/3 c. blueberries
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Mix egg, oil, sugar and buttermilk. Add soda, baking pwd. and salt; mix. Add flour; mix. Fold in cereal. Gently fold in berries.
This recipe works as a refrigerator recipe but you add the berries right before cooking. You can leave mix in the refrigerator for a few days and use as needed or cook all and freeze extra. These freeze well.

To bake: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray muffin pan or use papers and bake 15 to 20 minutes.

Enjoy!