what makes these cookies extra special is their crisp, light, meringue-like texture....
i had a little help from Teddy...that was before his trip to The Golden Paw...i just LOVE his fuzzy face...and that's his buddy Whiskey Sour there...that big furball getting some sun before the rains hit by the kitchen door.Chocolate Cloud Cookies adapted from Sarabeth Bakery Cookbook
1 1/3 cups superfine sugar
1 1/3 cups packed light brown sugar
16 Tablespoons ( 2 sticks ) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs, at room temperature, beaten
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon sea salt ( i used Maldon's)
2 cups ( 8 ounces ) toasted, sliced almonds ( i used walnuts )
2 cups ( 12 ounces ) semisweet chocolate chips
1. Position racks in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Line sheets with parchment paper. Beat the butter in the mixing bowl. Add in superfine sugar and light brown sugar. Beat till smooth. Add vanilla and eggs and beat about 5 minutes.
2. Add in flour, baking soda and salt. Do not overbeat. Mix in nuts and chocolate chips.
3. Drop dough onto cookie sheets. Bake 15 to 18 minutes. ( here is the secret trick) about 3 minutes before the cookies are done take them out of the oven and rap the sheet on the counter to deflate the cookies. This will give them their signature cracks. Return to the oven till done. Cool cookies on the pans. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. If they last that long.
look what greeted me this morning when i walked downstairs...DANDE...sitting in the kitchen window...YEP..we have all the doors and windows wide open...it is suppose to reach 90 here in san luis obispo today...yeah...you read that right. 90 degrees. i can't beleive it either to tell you the truth... 
she loves looking out at the little birdies in the feeder.... 
what's ya got here, mama? Easter decorations in the kitchen too.... 
look at that little face...i just LOVE Dande-Girl.... 
corn needs to be planted...i have planted corn every year of my life since i was 5. no matter where i have lived there is ALWAYS corn in the garden in the summer...i love to watch it grow...watch it turn golden brown in late summer...listen to it rustle in the wind ... and best of all...tie it to the lampost in the Fall.... 
i knew it would be hot today so i hit the Farm Supply yesterday for a flat of impatiens to plant in my window box by my kitchen window..the window Dande sits in.... 
these are the pots...i love that old green french wire shelf..i got it years ago in an antique shop.... 
my first sweet pea...i planted the whole fence..i didn't do it last year because i was in depression over losing Buddy... 
my daffodils are blooming... 
there he is...that's teddy on his new lawn playing with his FIREPOP...his most favorite toy...i have to tell you...this is my second attempt at this post...i was almost finished earlier this morning and BOOM. the computer just died. blank. black. i just about had a heart attack... i loaded it up and went over to Best Buy. looks like somebody chewed the power cord. what? hhmmmm....i wonder who that would be...i saw him over in the corner the other day and wondered what he was doing there. now i know. 
well, my zinfandel grapes have come to life.... 
i have these big pots planted with dwarf meyer lemon trees by the doors as you walk into Farmhouse... 
and i planted underneath with johnny-jump-ups..... 
got out my old HOLLYHOCKS sign from Maine...love it.... 
there is little Teddy in the sweet peas this morning... 
and Teddy smelling that fresh green grass and lavendar...we have lots of planting to do...so off we go... 
.JPG)
