My absolutely favorite cookie of all time

I really love cookies... Snickerdoodles, chocolate chip, pumpkin, peanut butter, Oreos, red velvet crinkle, and most recently, chocolate-chocolate-orange cookies from the creative genius of Landon and Trina Ivey. But my absolutely favorite cookie of all time is my mom's homemade oatmeal cookies with chocolate chips and Craisins.

The recipe is found inside the lid of the classic Quaker oats box... so first, buy some oats! And then follow that recipe, but then tweek it in the Mama-Chandler way:

Use only half the amount of cinnamon
Do NOT use raisins. Instead...
Add 1 c of Craisins, or Trader Joe's Dried Fruit Medley
Add 1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips

I cannot begin to describe to you the happiness and comfort I feel when I smell these guys coming out of the oven, or when I eat one (or one dozen!) and savor the perfect blend of flavor.

What is your absolutely favorite cookie of all time?

All About That Bread

(Disclaimer: Sorry, but there is nothing gluten-free about this post.)

Happiness is...

A warm, fresh, homemade baguette

The smell making your mouth water

and your stomach growl

Crusty and floury on the outside

Soft and chewy on the inside

Generously thick slices, 

with thick layers of butter

Each bite is a taste of home,

of family,

of comfort, 

of love. 

Yes, homemade bread is so great, I wrote a poem about it. Here's how my Mom makes it amazing:

1 c water
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
3 c all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp bread-machine yeast

Put all the ingredients in the bread machine in order, and set the machine on the "dough cycle." When the dough is finished mixing, take it out and roll it in flour, and form a 12-15" log. Place it in a floured banneton, and cover it with oiled plastic. Let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour. Then gently transfer it to a greased cookie sheet. Slash the top several times with a sharp knife. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 min.