Today I'm making my favorite cookie recipe of all time, and thought it deserved a little more publicity. I'm not even sure I can name all the reasons I love this recipe so much, but I'll try;

1) I pretty much always have the ingredients around. Every add-in I've tried in these has been great! Use whatever's available: walnuts, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut, dried cranberries, almonds or even the original recipe's Snickers chunks. Also, this recipe uses shortening (GASP!) instead of butter. Once you have a bucket of shortening around, it stays around. I can't say the same for butter.

2) It's super versatile. Like I said, use any add-ins you prefer. You can also increase the baking time for a crispier, more caramelized cookie.

3) They are so soft! (That is, if you don't increase the baking time.) Yum. My favorite cookie characteristic.

4) You can't mess it up- everyone likes this cookie no matter what! Very highly recommended.




Championship Cookies
(barely adapted from Taste of Home Ultimate Cookie Collection, from Patricia Miller, North Fork California)


2/3 c. shortening
1 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 t. vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. AP flour
1 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. salt
1/2 cup oats
1/2 c. to 1 c. add-ins of your choice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Cream shortening and brown sugar together in a mixing bowl. Add egg and vanilla.
2. Blend dry ingredients; flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a bowl, and gradually add to sugar mixture.
3. Add oats and other goodies!
4. Bake for 11 (soft) to 15 (crispy) minutes, depending on preference.

I use a 1.5" scoop for uniform cookies.

barely golden tops out of the oven!




enjoy!

/new shorts!

Last Spring, I had a "give me the rest of the bolt" moment regarding some lightweight stretch denim at JoAnn in Ballard. This time it was a good move, although especially risky at JoAnn (ugh).

Many good things have come from this denim; two dresses, a mini-backpack, a vest, a crochet hook roll and now... a fancy new pair of high-waisted SHORTS!

Starting with a low-waist, zip-fly pant pattern, I re-drafted the entire shape according to my design, using my measurements. Lastly, I drafted the waistband and patch pockets, cut them out, sewed them up, et voi-la! 

 oh, how I love to topstitch!

 the front pockets are lined with fabric from the prettiest old pillowcases (an abstract purple & blue floral)

The first time these were officially finished, I put them on, pulled up the zip... and with it came the slider. BOO. A very disheartening moment, I'll have you know. Another trip to the store for a replacement zip obviously enticed me to buy much miscellany for future projects, of course- so it all worked out for the better!