Chocolate Chip Cookies
I think my mom was helping me in the kitchen today.
I baked chocolate chip cookies, and they are actually good. Well, great! They taste like chocolate chip cookies should taste, crispy on the outside and chewy and soft on the inside, with the right balance of each flavor.
There have been many cookie failures in my life… the droopy cookie, the burned cookie, the flat cookie, the puffy cookie, the sad cookie. Too many to name.
This time, though, they came out just right. They are perfect.
With a glass of cold apple cider in one hand and a freshly baked cookie in the other, I claim success. With each bite and sip I am brought back to the fall of my childhood.
As each leaf turned from green to orange and gold and red I would get happier and happier. Fall is my favorite season, and not just because I am a September baby. Soon enough it was the time for big sweaters and trips to the farm. After school but before my brother’s soccer games, my mom and I would jet down to the farm to buy fresh cider, warm cookies, and a blueberry or apple pie for the weekend. It would take me forever to decide which bag of cookies to buy, and I always had to make sure they were part of the freshest batch from the oven and had just the right amount of chocolate chips.
We would pay for our goods and head to the benches to enjoy our treats. The smell of apple cider donuts and fresh french fries dotted with specks of paprika would hit our noses, but all we wanted were our cookies and cups of cider. When we were done we would hang around for a little while to enjoy the beautiful crisp air and the beautiful view of the farm fields. It was so peaceful. Then we would go back to the car and head straight to one of my brother’s soccer games to cheer them on as loud as our voices would allow us.
I had forgotten those memories until I smelled the fresh cookies in the oven today.
I love to cook because I love food memories. I love to create them and I love to relive them. I love to cook so much because my mom did, and cooking certain recipes bring those memories alive again.
Life is too short to not make each day sweet. Make your day sweet today by creating a meal and memory in honor of someone you love.
Nine years ago, on October 16th, I lost my mom. She was only 42, and now that I am a few years older I understand just how young that really is. I miss her.
Sabrina this was such a sweet post! I’m glad you have finally perfected the chocolate chip cookie, and thanks for always having such interesting and thoughtful things to say. π
Beautiful post. The way you wrote this entry I felt like I was there with you two. Is that picture from graduation… I remember how stunning she looked that evening (breathtaking to be exact). Glad your cookies came out great
@Allie, Yes, that was from graduation! Thank you for your nice comment.
this is such a touching post and so well-written. i can’t imagine losing a parent so young but i bet your mom would be so happy knowing that you share memories of her like this
I lost my Mom in October too… Oct 11th and it was 18 years ago this past weekend that she passed. I feel the same way when I cook, it brings me right back to the kitchen watching her make the meatballs and gravy, baking and just watching every move she made. I treasure those memories I made with her Hopefully my little girl GIanna will have the same as well. Thinking of you this month.
I’m thinking of you girl. I swear that we have some kind of ESP going on. Not to sound creepy but last night I was thinking about you and just hoping you were doing well and sending you good vibes in hopes that if you were really missing your mom she was with you. I think she would be so amazed and proud at the incredible woman (and writer- this is beautiful!) that you are today.
I’m sure your mom is so looking down and smiling π Fabulous that you have so many wonderful memories of her. And that you can share the great foodie traditions she brought to you with your kids some day. <3
I think it’s great how cooking can connect us so well with old memories.
Your mom was a beautiful woman…and she must be so proud of you up there!
This is such a beautiful post, Sabrina. I’m thinking of you and I’m sure that your mom is incredibly proud of you.
Beautiful, amazingly well written words. Thank you for sharing, lots of hugs.
Beautiful photo of your mom, and your cookies look fabulous. Truly.
I’ve been a long time lurker but this made me come out of the shadows. I lost my mom in late 2000. She was 50, but I still consider that too young. I think she inspired me to go to culinary school and become a chef. We used to watch julia child together and I think both of them bake and cook with me these days. Beautiful post.
those cookies look positively delicious and I know that your mom and my brother are smiling down on us as we blog away π
You had a baking success? Auntie must be with you. π
I can’t wait for our weekend!!! Save me one of those cookies please! π
Love you!
Thinking of you. I know your mom is so proud of you and watching over you every day of your life.
Hugs,
MP
Very touching, my love. I understand completely what you mean by having loved ones who passed helping us with things in our lives. It really helps to have them on our side, even after they are gone!
The blessings and love of these relationships cannot be contained in just this world, but also pass onto the next.
You touched my heart today, Sabrina, thank you.
Wow your mom was gorgeous. I know she’d be extremely proud of you, girl:) Thinking of you tomorrow and this weekend.
Your mom was beautiful. I’ve never commented, but have been a reader for a few months now. Today would have been my dad’s 55th birthday. He passed away in August. I find comfort in reading the posts about your mom. I thought I was weird about the whole leaving a place because of the memories, I’m so glad you feel the same. Thinking of you this weekend. Your mom would have been very proud of your accomplishments.
@Lindsay, I’m so sorry about your dad. Thank you for commenting today and sharing with me. It means a lot.
<3
Food and memories are one in the same for me too. Your mother is stunning in that picture (as I’m sure she always was). This post is a lovely tribute to her.
My mom passed when she was 47 and I agree, it’s far too young. As someone who was too young (7) to remember much about her personality or mannerisms, consider yourself lucky that you had as much time with her as you did, and were able to have those memories to look back on. She’ll still live in your heart and mind as long as you keep letting moments like this occur π
@Sara, I am so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine how difficult it must be for you.
Thank you so much for your comment.
What a fantastic way to celebrate your mother’s life.
this is such a sweet memory. i am sure your mom is in your kitchen EVER TIME you bake or cook.
Hi Sabrina!
I loved reading this post about your mom…I’ll be thinking of you guys today π 42 is young, so young, and I know we share the loss of a parent and I love remembering them through food. It’s like a special bond and I love thinking that I got my love for food from my dad like you did from your mom.
Those cookies look so delicious by the way π
Hope you have a wonderful memory filled day.
Cookies make everything better, especially when enjoyed along with cider and memories! Virtual hugs to you!
I have a feeling that your Mom is very proud of you. It’s wonderful that you are able to celebrate her life through memories like the one shared here. One of my favorite quotes is from Emily Dickinson: Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality.
What a beautiful photo of your Mom and your equally beautiful memories and words. How blessed that you have such a beautiful, gracious and elegant angel on your shoulder – guiding you every day with a smile on her face as she watches her daughter blossom into a beautiful and talented woman! God Bless …
Thank you for sharing, sabrina. That was beautiful π
definitely still with you, and this is a lovely post! it really is about the memories some days, and what a way to do it π *hugs*
Heart you hottie
these are major winners…i just pulled some cookies out of the oven that taste heavenly and are flat as a pancake π