Time To Celebrate

Today we begin a new era in my home – Miss T officially passed her driving test and was awarded with a drivers license.  She was warned by the nice, white haired lady, sporting two pair of glasses, one on her nose and one propped upon her head, that she would not be allowed to drive between the hours of midnight and five in the morning.  I had no choice but to laugh and say, “not a problem”.  I mean where on earth would she be going at that time of night?  If memory serves me correctly my husband’s grandmother, Miss T’s GG (great-grandmother) emphatically stated that, “nothing good happens after midnight”.  Now, I agree!  The white haired lady continued her instructions with, “only one person under 18 in the car with a new driver”.  The thought crossed my mind that we will postpone anyone under 18 being in the vehicle with our new driver for an undetermined amount of time.

This season of life is exciting and nerve-wracking simultaneously.  As the parent of a teenager it’s easy to recall the thrill of the first time you had the car keys in your hand heading out for your first spin around the block – solo.  I remember trying to scheme up a “reason” to need to take the car alone, and I’m wondering what excuse my darling teen will dream up.   I’m trying to stay ahead of the game and have a “reason” to send her for a carton of milk or a pack of toilet paper, just to give her that thrill, but when will I be brave enough to hand her the keys and send her on the journey unaccompanied?  Only time will tell.

Knowing that she is in full celebration mode I decided to bake a batch of chocolate cookies.  It is a grey, chilly, breezy, glum and dreary day outdoors, baking a batch of cookies seemed the perfect solution to add some cheerfulness to the day.

These cookies are deep, dark chocolate goodness, slightly chewy and extremely simple to make.  They will be utterly delicious with a glass of cold milk.  That reminds me, I’d better check to see if I’ll need to send anyone out later today on a milk run.  If I do, I’m taking bets on who my volunteer will be.

Just to keep you posted all four bee hives seem to be fine.  With this terribly windy, stormy and today, chilly weather I’ve not peeked inside them in about a week.  I am hoping for a perfect hive investigation day soon.  I will also be adding “supers” to my hives in the very near future so that the girls will have a place to make my honey.  I anticipate a rewarding honey supply from all four hives.  I hope to give you a more detailed report soon.

Enjoy!

Midnight Cookies

9 tbsp. butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp. baking soda

Preheat the oven to 350*. Line 2-3 cookies sheets with parchment paper.

Place the butter and sugar in a large bowl and beat together until light and fluffy.  Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.  Sift in the flour, cocoa, and baking soda and beat until well mixed.

With dampened hands, roll walnut sized pieces of dough in to smooth balls.  Place on baking sheets, spaced well apart.  Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes.  Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes then transfer to wire racks to finish cooling.

Recipe from: “Cookies –  200 inspirational cookie recipes”, Parragon Books, Ltd.
United Kingdom