Share the Love

Happy Valentine's Day Ya'll! Valentine's Day has never been one of my favorites but it's an excuse to tell the important people in my life I love them! The past few years I have sent out boxed valentines, this year I went back to my childhood days and decided to make my own. A little glue, some glitter and anything can happen. Friday night I found a new recipe for chocolate chip cookies and had to try it. They ended up being really good, I just wasn't anticipating such a large batch. Note to self: pay attention to serving size! A red flag should have been a pound of butter. I had a monster vat of dough, thank goodness for mixers! I let them sit overnight and baked them up Saturday.

Saturday was a special evening because a fellow teammate of mine from Parkland was being inducted into the Hall of Fame. It was great reuniting with some of the girls and our coaches and well as seeing some baseball players who were also inducted. It's a great feeling to still feel like a moment hasn't passed and be able to catch up right where you left off!

Jaques Torres' Secret Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

--Makes 8.5 Dozen 1 ounce cookies (Beware Large Batch!!!)

Ingredients:

1 pound unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
2 1/4 cups packed light- brown sugar
4 large eggs
3 cups plus 2 tablespoons pastry flour *
3 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
2 pounds bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

*If you don't have pastry flour then substitute 1 1/2 cup cake flour plus 1 tablespoon & 1 1/2 all purpose flour plus 1 tablespoon.

Directions:

Refrigerate prior to baking for a better result.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or non stick baking mats: set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer use paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars

Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Reduce speed to low and add both flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, vanilla, and chocolate. Mix until well combined.

Refrigerate for 24 hours (up to 3 days).

I used a 1 ounce scoop. Bake for 10 minutes and then switch racks, back an additional 5 minutes or until done.

Cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack.

I found this recipe here.

Had some special moments with Jack this weekend. Recently he hasn't been much of a snuggler, but after our long run Sunday morning both of us felt like napping. I wouldn't necessarily call it snuggling, maybe more crashing on Rachel. Nether less we had a nice nap. Jack got a hair cut this week and I can't believe how quickly he has transformed from a puppy into a little man. I've said many times Jack and Olive have a love/ hate relationship. Sometimes, let me rephase, most of the time, Olive takes a beating. Once we get over that there are so many great moments between those two that make you smile. Nose touches, snuggles, Jack sitting on Olive,  Olive eating Jack's treats while he is in a down stay, Olive napping on Jack's toy. The list is endless!

Congratulations to Brooklyn (pictured in the middle). We are all so proud of your accomplishments and all the memories we have together! Watch out current Parkland girls, a 2006 alumni match might take place. We may be older, but we can still bring the heat!