Chocolate chip heaven

During my time in Little Rock, I discovered baking. Now I love it and I even have a couple staples -- chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal cherry cookies. I found both recipes in former White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier's Dessert University, which I bought after falling in love with (the beautiful photos of) his desserts he showcased at a speech and tasting during the Arkansas Literary Festival one year. Good thing I went to that speech. Those cookies have pretty much become my sure way of becoming popular :)

Since moving back to D.C., I hadn't baked yet for my family. Last night was the night. As the cookies were in the oven, my stepfather said, "There's nothing like walking inside on a cold winter night to a warm kitchen filled with the scent of chocolate chip cookies in the oven." I mean seriously, is there anything better?

Happiness in process

Happiness complete

One of these days, I swear I'll learn something more difficult than cookies...