Happy New Year!

It's been a while since I have had the time, or the energy, to cook and then sit down and write here. I feel bad, I really enjoy doing it, but something had to give. The reason is, we are expecting (again), and this time we were quite shocked to learn that we are having twins! I know, major freak out for a couple of days, with thoughts running through our heads - will we need a new car to fit three car seats, three kids in diapers - holy crap (literally), two new cribs, more clothes, more bedding, another mattress, baby formula and then the big kicker for me....bye bye personal time!
Now that we are over the shock and surprise, we are really happy and excited to welcome one boy and one girl in March.

Seeing as we just woke up to a new year, one of my resolutions is to be more productive and consistent on the blog, and my other one is to be a better wife to my husband - who does absolutely everything possible to make my life easier. I figured, it's time to give a little more back. I'll try. Really hard. I promise.

So, seeing as it's New Years Day, and there's not much going on in our house (except for some serious potty training for our 2 year old son), it's a good day for good old Chocolate Chip Cookies. It's something I can do with my son, while I wait and watch for the signs that it's time to "go".

These are fairly simple, they have a couple of different ingredients, but they make for an excellent light and crisp cookie - especially fresh and hot out of the oven.

Chocolate Chip Cookies
(from Cooks Illustrated, I think - this recipe has been in my handwritten book for a while now)
Makes 30 x 1oz scooped cookies

2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional, I put it in, you can't taste it, it just adds another layer)
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 large egg
2 cups flour
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine sugars, butter, shortening, salt, vanilla, almond extract, vinegar and baking soda and mix until light and fluffy and well combined.
Add egg and mix well, scraping down sides before adding flour and chocolate chips. Mix gently, but well.
Portion dough into 1/4" balls (I used a 1oz ice cream scoop), place on baking sheets and flatten slightly.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway through cooking. You want the edges to be browned and the tops to be blonde in colour.

Santa would be proud, Enjoy!