everything happens at once

Over the weekend, Stephen gave me seven days of tea. happy little me.

The weather has officially turned back to cold, and as ecstatic as I am about drinking tea on cold days, there is a whole lot of empathy in my heart for those folks up north who have been barricaded by snow for weeks. I wish them a much needed break, a warm oven, and a well-stocked fridge. Cold can be exciting at first (like a house-guest), but for me, this brisk winter weather is still a treat.
Today my dear friend is coming to visit; she is the kind of house-guest that stays exciting. Our friendship started with music, a birthday party, and a long night at the beach. It truly blossomed when she offered me her futon when I needed a place to live after returning from a cross-country trip. We were house-mates for two years after that. (be careful who you let sleep on your couch, geez louize.) I can feel my heart sort of fluttering around in anticipation of her visit. It is sure to be lovely.

Speaking of lovely, Saturday, we cut the cake. The one we have been trying to ignore for over a month, finally made her show stopping appearance. Oh wahoo. (I hope you have a Whiskey Cake waiting for you too.) We shared the cake at our friend's welcome back/ holiday/ house-warming party and nothing says cheers to all of that like a hunk of severely anticipated cake.

In the case that you do not have a Whiskey Cake in the fridge waiting to be shared this Christmas, there are a few other deliciously impressive last minute options. Last week I told you about Chocolate Peppermint Cookies that elicit an 'oh my goodness those are amazing' from my nearest, cutest, critic. And today I want you to know about a new and improved peanut butter cookie. I used to think my peanut butter cookies were perfect, until I made these. Like most of the best things ever, they happen when I least expect them. I was happily plugging along with my tried and true recipe and then, just like that, the same old recipe was dry. In an attempt at redemptive adaptation, something better, way better, came out of the oven.

Chewy, sweet, and a tid bit crumbly, this is what peanut butter was made to be.

Peanut Butter Cookies, at their best makes 30 cookies

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup crunchy, unsweetened all-natural peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda

1. Heat oven to 350. Cream butter, peanut butter, and sugars for 1 minute
2. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and salt
3. Mix in dry ingredients.
4. Roll golf ball size pieces of dough in your hands until smooth, and  flatten with a fork onto lined baking sheet
5. Bake 11 minutes. enjoy.

My suitcase will be fat with goodies this traveling weekend, and these cookies, to be sure, will be along.

Comments

[L*Joy]

Some comments are coming through now... Please give it a go, and i hope it works for you.

[maddie and kiersten]

Hey I am over at maddies house and maddie wanted to see your website.Now shes hungry.well I have to go but she likes most of your recipies.
bye,
kiersten and maddie

[L*Joy]

Hello girls!
thanks for looking through the site. I think you two should make some cookies and then share them all with kyle... doesn't that sound like a good idea ;)
Love you!
Aunt L*Joy