Christie's Chocolate Chip Cookies

I met Christie about 6 years ago. John and I were brand new to Oklahoma and we were trying to get settled quickly, which for us meant finding a church home. The second Sunday we visited First Baptist we decided to try a Life Group (they don't call it Sunday School any more, but shh! sometimes I still do :o). We were sitting in a large circle of 20 somethings and I spotted her directly across from me. I tease her now, saying that it was in that moment that I decided we were going to be friends and she really didn't have much choice in the matter. After class she and her husband, Matt, invited us to lunch and after that, you could pretty much always - ALWAYS - find us together. It helped that Matt and Christie had a daughter who was just 4 months younger than Will. Baylee, or LeeLee, was Will's very first friend. We didn't really give them much choice in the matter now that I think about it ... we were always at the gym, Target, the mall, the park, church, each others house, you get the idea. As it normally goes in a military town, her husband got orders to PCS and our daily visits came to a too quick end. Fortunately, they have moved close to our parents both times they've moved since living here, so we've been able to see them at least once a year. We're blessed to have that sweet kind of friendship that picks up right where it left off the last time we were together. I wish you could meet Christie - you're going to think I made her up, but this is how I see her. She's always smiling or laughing, her house is spotless - at all times, she is crazy in love with her husband, and I'm not sure where she keeps her cape - but she is definitely supermom. She's an encourager and a wonderful listener, she's not judgmental but she's firm in her beliefs, she loves life and she seeks to make things better for everyone around her. And she can cook, oh she can cook. Anything she makes is just delicious. Told you you'd think I made her up! Mostly she cooks healthy food, BUT she is famous for her chocolate chip cookies. They are the best cookies I've ever had, and I'm kind of a connoisseur of chocolate chip cookies :o). I did ask permission to post her secret family recipe and she agreed. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do. Oh, the kids and I got to stay with Christie and the kids for a couple of days while we were on our "Tour of the Families" this summer and guess what was waiting on the counter when we arrived - a plate full of chocolate chip cookies. Love that girl!

Christie's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 c shortening (Crisco)
3/4 c sugar
3/4 c brown sugar
1/2 tsp water (this is the KEY step!! I'm serious!)
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 1/4 c flour
1 heaping tsp baking soda (heaping is important too)
1 tsp salt
2 c chocolate chips

Cream together shortening, sugars, vanilla, and water. Add the eggs and then the flour mixture (flour, salt, and baking soda) and mix well. Stir in 2 cups of chocolate chips. Drop by spoonful (I use the Pampered Chef medium cookie scoop) on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 9 minutes (soft and chewy) or 10-12 minutes (a little more crunchy). Allow to cool on pan for a few minutes before removing to cooling rack. Try not to eat all immediately - I dare you! :o)