Really Good Chocolate Chip Cookies

Friends, let me tell you that I have found my favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe! It has the perfect sweetness and salt, crunchy outside and soft center. Sigh...

My sister-in-law, Mia, found this recipe and now I will pass it along to you. Thanks be to MIA!!!

Just so you know, THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS!!!

Really Good Chocolate Chip Cookies

*This recipe was clipped out of the San Francisco Chronicle many years ago. There was a cookie recipe contest and this one won.

Serves 10 - or less if you are like me :)

1 cup softened butter (I tried it with 1/2 butter and 1/2 butter crisco and I like it that way too)

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 1/3 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 eggs

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

24 oz. Chocolate Chips (I didn't use a full 24 oz. I used Hershey's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and used maybe 18 oz.)

2 cups nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Cream butter with sugars until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla and eggs until smooth. Mix flour, soda, salt in a separate bowl then add to creamed mixture. Add chocolate chips and nuts. Stir. Bake 12 minutes.

Home... Safe and Sound

Just about a month ago we packed up this Penske and drove back home to Salt Lake City.

We hired 2 great movers to help us pack up. I was so glad that we had their help because we ended up filling the truck right to the brim. Their expertise was a life saver as they arranged everything in the truck. It was like fitting in all the pieces of the puzzle. I wasn't sure how Dan and I would have done it without their help. This was what it looked like only 1/4 full.

It was a really strange feeling seeing our apartment completely empty. Walking out of the apartment was kind of like saying goodbye to an old friend. It actually was much harder than I thought it would be.

But I was comforted when I saw these bums as we were entering the freeway...

Goodbye Frisco Bums!

When we arrived home, fall was out full force. I wish I would have taken pictures of the leaves. But it was beautiful. I realized that I missed earth smells, crispy leaves, the mountains, and the smell of grass! Usually it is snowy by early November, but I think we were lucky and fall lingered a little longer.

It did end up snowing last Saturday and I took pictures of the blizzard...

I didn't go anywhere! I just stayed inside, nice and cozy, with the fire going. It was absolutely beautiful outside.

In other news, I cut my hair! It feels so good to be re-united with my beloved hairdresser.

Dan is really enjoying his job. Things are going great with him. I thought I would just show you that he hasn't changed too much... still as cute as ever!

Now I need to explain why I really am glad I am back.

It is all because of these little gems... my nieces and nephews!

Sam and Will

Levi

Patrick

Eliza

Jane, Scott, David, and Sadie

These little ones are who I have missed most! Who wouldn't after seeing these darling faces?

Overall, it really is great being back. I miss San Francisco, but there really is no place like home.