golden hand: August 2015

"I got my lunch packed up, my boots tied tight..."

So while the older two were at school, things were a little quieter at home. Not much though. The younger two had plenty of energy to keep me on my toes all morning doing things like dropping wooden trains into the toilet and climbing on top of the piano. My second cup of coffee was brewing around 9am.

I like to have a special treat ready for my kids when they get home on their first day, usually something a little more fun than our typical after school snacks. On last year's First Day, I made cupcakes decorated to look like apples which were so cute but just way too heavy for an after school snack.

When I was little, I remember coming home from school to my mom’s chocolate chip cookies. It’s such a happy, comforting memory. She makes the most ridiculously perfect chocolate chip cookies in the world and for whatever reason, no one can duplicate it. She will even give out her secrets but it’s a magic that can only be created by her. I’ve stopped trying. My cookies come from a combination of recipes I have tried through the years and while they aren’t quite my mom’s, they’re still pretty special. With the help of a very eager three year old taste testing lady, I got to work baking these babies.

Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

½ cup butter, softened (not melted)

½ cup butter flavored Crisco

1 ¼ cup sugar

¾ cup brown sugar

1 ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon almond extract

2 eggs

2 ½ cups of flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

¾ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups mini chocolate chips

In a small bowl, sift flour, baking soda and salt together; set aside. Cream butter and Crisco in mixer until pale in color. Add sugars and beat several minutes until fluffy. (This step is super important for soft cookies!) Add both extracts and the eggs and beat well. Mix in chocolate chips. Add the flour mixture and stir just until incorporated- do not over mix.

Roll dough into tablespoon-sized balls and set on cookie sheets. Chill for at least 30 minutes. Bake at 375 for 8-9 minutes.

Is there anything better than a warm chocolate chip cookie?? No. There isn’t. Well, maybe the dough itself. Which, I know, you're not supposed to eat, blah, blah, blah. But...cookie dough.

I can't even guess how many batches of these cookies I've made over the years. They're just such a classic, happy treat. I've packaged them up as gifts for new neighbors, our local police and fire departments, friends and family. They also make a sweet First Day gift for teachers!

I had some glass milk bottles from a past party that I thought would be adorable to set out with the cookies. I painted chalkboard paint on the small embellishment on the front so I could give them an “A+” on their first day. I also like to write happy notes for them to read when they get home, so I wrote one on a tiny notebook paper card and set it up on a mini easel. I set a couple apples out in case they wanted to balance out their sugary snack with something healthy. Plus, they looked cute and so back to school-y.

I thought I would set up a fun little school-themed spot using this darling antique school desk. This has been in our family for decades. It was in my mom’s house growing up and ended up in our house as we grew up. My sisters and I used to play school with it when we were kids and I have coveted it ever since. As my parents selling their house to build their dream cabin in the mountains, they are parting with a lot of furniture they won’t need. I called dibs on the desk right away and I don’t know who’s happier- my kids or myself! They love playing with it and I love the memories I have of it.

Their backpacks weren’t even hung up before they attacked the cookies and milk. They had fun with the little school set up and ended up playing for a while. They even shared their snack with the little two and let them play! The apples remained completely untouched by all four. Obviously. And they blew milk bubbles everywhere. I mean, what else do you do with milk in a bottle with a straw?!