Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies

I've been a bit lazy lately. I have no idea why. All I've wanted to do is sit and watch TV and play as much Cookie Jam as I can. Granted, I have still done some chores and most of the regular stuff I need to do (laundry, weekly grocery shopping) but I probably could be doing more. My only theory is that I (finally!) started my new job in January after almost a year and a half of unemployment. I guess my homebody side isn't getting enough TV and computer time anymore? Anyway, I'm trying to change that. Nothing to do with a belated New Year's resolution (I don't really make those anymore); just mad at myself for not doing much. Hence why this Valentine's Day recipe is over a month late.

Now, on to the (first of many) recipe(s that I'm posting this week)!

Some of my new co-workers decided to have a dessert potluck on Valentine's Day. Being the indecisive person that I am, I first went back-and-forth between doing something or not (I'm always a bit nervous about baking for others). When I finally decided to make a contribution I then couldn't decide what to make. Eventually I decided on red velvet cookies because what other color says Valentine's Day?

Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake

I kinda, sorta have two jobs right now. Last year I was hired by a recruiting company called Mountain LTD to work for CenturyLink in north Seattle. Earlier this year, one of my contacts from Mountain called to say that Mountain wanted all their Engineer Assistants (my position) working from Mountain's office in Renton. I am one of two EAs who can't because everything I need is at the CenturyLink office. So we figured out a way for me and the other EA to have work to do when not in Seattle: the other EA and I each spend two days a week in Seattle.

Why am I telling you this? Because I wouldn't be posting this if that hadn't happened. One of my co-workers in the Renton office decided to have a potluck for Memorial Day on the Friday before Memorial Day. As soon as she told me about it I immediately started searching for patriotic-colored desserts. As much as I wanted to, I had to stay away from desserts with fruit since I would be doing my shopping the Saturday before and most fruit (including strawberries, the red part of the dessert) doesn't last long. I finally decided on a three "layer" cheesecake from Tablespoon, a community of and for foodies.