What to devour first... Husband or cookies?

Today was another day of testing my patience with Mr. Kendra. As much as I try to be understanding, it infuriates me when he makes large purchases without having a conversation with me first...or at least forewarn me. Although he swears he told me months ago he wanted a new truck...I for some reason didn't translate that to "Hey hun, I'm going to buy a truck today"...this morning he leaves to run errands and returns 5 hours later with a truck and nice new payment...ONE WEEK before Christmas. I wanted to pelt him with my waffle iron, but since I'm not a violent person by nature....I refrained from beating, choking, or throttling him with large kitchenware... and stepped away. This is TWICE he has come home with a new vehicle without so much as hint to me. I often wonder if this rash purchases aren't prelude to a premature midlife crisis. Or if this is it. Guess bringing home a truck is better than bringing home a cute little perky 20 year old. 

But yes, Mr. Kendra still lives. 

I decided to transfer my anger to my mixer and pounded out some cookies. These are our neighbor son's ULTIMATE favorite cookie. His mother bakes them every year to give as gifts. After years of devouring these perfect nibbles I finally stalked her enough where she relented and gave me the recipe. At first when I started making these I couldn't get them quite as nice and chewy as she does. It took me time to tweak them to perfection. This year my neighbor has found herself in hardship. She lost her job this summer and has struggled to get by day to day...week to week taking any job she can to put food on the table for her family. Most often working well into the morning hours. She has no time or extra funds to bake this year, so I decided to take her favorite cookies to her along with some extra staples that I just "happened" to purchase to much of. 

You really should try these cookies. They are so wonderful. 

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

1  1/2 cups flour 

1  1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup shortening

3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

3/4 cup sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp hot water

1 tsp vanilla

1  1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 (12 oz) package of semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 cups dry rolled oats

Shift together soda, flour and salt. I separate bowl, cream shortening and sugar (both brown and white). Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in hot water, vanilla, and flour mixture. Add all remaining ingredients, mixing well. Let cookie dough rest for 5 minutes before dropping onto a well greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes or until cookies are lightly golden in color.