Finally, mom and Trumy get to see our new home! And a yummy cookie recipe, too!

Been a busy week around here, but the "good" and a little crazy kind of busy.  Mom and Trumy were finally able to make the trip to see us and our new home.  I can not tell you all what a blessing this is!  If you know me/us, you know of Truman's health issues, mom's health issues and now my own health issues.  It has been a really rough few years for us all, that's for sure, but we are all hanging in there.  I was worried about 1) mom making such a long drive and 2) Truman's health.  Honestly, I was afraid that Trumy would never be able to get to our new home, our "forever home" and that was breaking my heart.  He had been talking about visiting for a while, would call me up to ask if we had this or that, told me when they come he wants to stay a while, making sure I knew what channel Blue Bloods is on etc. etc.  It was clear that he WANTED to make the trip, I just wasn't sure that he would be able to.

They were both tired upon arrival, but both looked good, felt good and were both in good moods..... After dinner, mom got a quick tour of the house, upstairs and down (Trumy is unable to climb such big staircases) then we all chilled until bed time.  The following day was a little nutty.  We had to take Truman to the hospital for some routine blood work that was called in from his LVAD/heart DR up in PA.  Took a bit to get all of that sorted out, but everyone was so helpful and once it was sorted out, things moved quickly and we were on our way home!  Way to go staff at Palmetto Health Heart Hospital!

We all have been pleasantly surprised at how well Truman is getting along since arriving!  We've gone out and about a few times, he's been enjoying sitting out on the screened porch or patios in the sunshine, eating  a decent amount at meal times; today the "tree guy" is coming to cut down a dead tree in the back yard, Truman is looking forward to watching that and of course, later, Gene and Trumy will enjoy NASCAR together.  Mom says he is getting around better, eating better, over all just feeling better than he has in quite a while.  So very happy to be a part of that!

Of course, when mom visits, yard work, planting, etc happens!  We've taken a few trips to a few stores for clippers, rake, soil, plants and flower pots.  Mom & I spent a lot of Friday and most of the day yesterday outside, the weather has been as close to perfect as you could ask for....we all ended up spending time, a lot of time, outside...Gene trimming branches & limbs, shrubs, hauling yard waste to the curb, mom and I cleaning out flower beds, planting, planting, going for more plants and planting some more!  LOL Soon I will have pictures to share, once we are finished.  Hopefully we will get the rest planted and moved around by the end of today.

Of course, I have done some baking.  What kind of hostess would I be if I didn't?  Hehe a favorite so far has been the chocolate chip cookies!  Another batch has been requested at some point before the folks' visit comes to an end.  I promised Trumy I'd make sure he had some for their trip home, for sure.  These are very tasty, in fact, I don't think I will ever need another chocolate chip cookie recipe again!  

I don't think I've shared this recipe before.  I have not had this recipe for a long time.  It was given to me last April or May by a friend in GA after Meme and I stopped by her house and got to try a few of the cookies that she just pulled out of the oven.  Meme LOVED them, too!  Hope you all enjoy!

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (I have not used unsalted butter, as I never remember to puck it up at the store)

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 TBS vanilla

1 large egg

1 egg yolk

1 bag mini semi sweet chocolate chips OR 2 cups regular sized chocolate chips

Directions:

*Heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease cookie sheets

*Sift loud, baking soda and salt, set aside

*Cream together the melted butter, sugars, egg & egg yolk and vanilla until light and fluffy

*Mix sifted ingredients in until blended.  Fold in the chocolate chips.  Drop cookie dough 1/4 cup at a time onto cookie sheets. Cookies should be 3 inches apart

*Bake for 15-17 minutes or until edges are lightly toasted

*Cook on baking sheet for about 7 minutes before transferring to cooling racks 

Enjoy!