Peanut Buttery Goodness

It's common knowledge....for those who know my mom that is, that there is ONE kind of cookie that is almost always in her cookie jar. And when it's not, well let's just say she quickly takes care of that. :) 

 It's the special one my grandpa taught her how to make when she was little. My mom got assigned this recipe by her father, and her sister was tasked with another (yummy chocolate chip). As little girls, each of them memorized their specific cookie recipe so they could make them for their daddy whenever it was their turn. Adorable right?!

And while it seems like a simple recipe, to a young girl it was quite an accomplishment I'm sure! My mom still uses many of her dad's recipes including his fantastically flaky pie crust recipe...so good in fact that a chef I know (ahem) asked for the recipe after tasting one of her pies -- an upcoming post I promise.

 

So for my son's birthday I knew I had to mail him "the" Peanut Butter Cookies she makes. I topped each one with a little Reese's piece before baking, simply because hey it's cute. 

 

...and them stacked them into a Jif peanut butter jar for mailing.  This Peanut Buttery goodness is just one of the things he will see when he opens his "birthday in a box" this year...and is by far the yummiest gift in that little box. Enjoy my sweet boy -- Happy 24th birthday!


Peanut Butter Cookies
1 c butter (can use shortening but why when you can use butter?)
1c peanut butter
1c sugar
1c brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 c flour
1t baking powder
1t baking soda
1/2 t salt


Mix butter and sugars well, add in eggs and mix well. In separate bowl mix the remaining ingredients (umm I just piled them on top of the sugar mixture...oops) and then add both mixtures together until just combined. Do not over mix. Roll into balls or use a cookie scoop. Place on cookie sheet and press with fork.
Bake 375 for approx 12 minutes (or much less for a softer chewier cookie). 
Mom's delish add-ins: Mix in 1 pkg of choc chips and 1 pkg peanut butter chips. You'll be happy you did. :) 

No Kid Hungry...

I remember what it's like, being hungry that is, and sometimes standing in the free food lines as a little girl with my sisters and brother...government cheese isn't too bad really. I remember our nice landlord, when rent was hard to come by for my parents, who just knew and would bring bags of food for us. I remember us being so excited to cook up some concoction on our little red propane coleman stove, even tho we were so aware that having no electricity was somehow different from our friends' lives. I remember always having love, and each other...no matter what. And  for those people who reached out a helping hand to me and my family when I was a little girl....I remember.  And for that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don't know if I could ever give back enough, but in any small way I can I will always try....

Even in this little way, big things can happen to help hungry children.  Today I took the "No Kid Hungry" pledge at the Share Our Strength site. And will continue to remember....

• Take The Pledge
• Spread The Word
• Act Now
• Donate Now

Take the No Kid Hungry Pledge

I believe that no child in America should go hungry. By pledging today, I add my voice to the national movement of people committed to ending childhood hunger in America.

Prom...

I found out about this incredible organization from Chef (aka my husband). :)   He was very blessed to be able to participate yesterday in preparing the meal for their Prom.  

ADONAI is a non-profit Christian organization that strives to help families that have a child with cancer or other life-threatening disease. From their website it appears they bring a lot to these families...including having fun.  And a prom, well what could be more fun that that?

 And it's more than just the meal, they.... 

"..collect gently used prom dresses & then host several "shopping days" for girls, moms, grandmas, & sisters to acquire a beautiful dress for our special night. Our families are given the royal treatment by our volunteers. The day begins with teams of volunteers styling hair, painting finger nails and make-up artists doing their make-up. The night consists of photographers taking family photos, boutonnieres, corsages, dinner, dancing, dance lessons, gifts for everyone & lots of door prizes. We have a crowd of 300 with a team of 75 volunteers to make this a very memorable night to our families.

What a blessing for my Chef to have been part of that night....