color me happy

i have been trying to grow sunflowers since spring. the ones we planted in the backyard either never grew or they died young (the earwigs chowed down on them). over the summer, we were gifted a huge, dried out sunflower. the kids picked the seeds, counted them and we threw all one thousand plus seeds into the front yard. miraculously, they all grew and, even more miraculously, they are starting to bloom in this cold, rainy weather. brings a smile to my face whenever i look outside.

the best

the other day i scoured the internet for the best chocolate chip cookie recipe and i finally found one that lived up to its claim. in fact, this came out of the mouth of my husband:

I swear every time you bite into one of these chocolate chip cookies it's like biting into one for the first time and falling in love with them all over again!

i don't usually get rave reviews like that so i'm sticking with this recipe and now i'm going to share it with you.

alice's chocolate chip cookies
(i can't take the credit. i found this at savorysweetlife.com )

1 c (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
1/2 c sugar
1 1/2 c packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c (12 oz) flour --> recipes says to weigh the flour but i don't have the patience for that
1 tsp smallish-medium coarse sea salt --> yes, sea salt. don't use table salt. kosher salt works well, too.
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 1/4 c chocolate chips --> yes, 1 1/2 bags. don't scrimp

preheat oven to 360
cream butter, sugar and brown sugar on med-high for 3 minutes (no less!) until light and fluffy
add eggs and vanilla and mix for another 2 minutes (no less!)
add baking soda, baking powder, salt and flour until well mixed
add chocolate chips and mix well
use small-medium cookie scoop to plop dough onto parchment lined cookie sheet (totally didn't read that part. i use a pizza stone, though, so they probably come out the same. parchment paper usually makes a big difference, so use it.)
bake for 11-14 minutes, until edges are golden brown
remove from oven and let sit (on cookie sheet) for 2 minutes
remove from cookie sheet and cool for 3 minutes before serving
prepare to be wowed!

notes:
* i bake for 11 minutes because i like my cookies to be soft (ish) and chewy. my husband likes crunchy so his stay in for the full 14 minutes
* i would like to remind you not to use table salt. only sea or kosher. i repeat, do not use table salt
* follow the directions and cream for the full amount of time. i honestly think this is the secret to the best cookies
* use fresh baking soda and baking powder, or at least from containers that have been tightly sealed. your cookies will be flat otherwise.