Pull up addresses automatically from To button?

I’ve just switched to Thunderbird from Windows Live Mail. So far I love it. One adjustment that hasn’t been comfortable is how I start a new email. I’m used to hitting the Email create button (Write in TB) and then clicking the To: button to choose an addressee. That doesn’t work in TB. I have to open the Address book first. Is there a plug-in that allows the addressee to be selected from the To: button? I’ve spent some time searching without success. Any help will be appreciated.