Appendectomy Anyone??

Well, we've had quite a week here and are very glad that Chris decided to visit the emergency room when he did.  Turns out his severe stomach ache, which was less than 12 hours in the making, was actually an emerging case of appendicitis caught in ample time for the doctor to remove the offending infection rather than have it rupture the way it did for his brother, Vincent, back in 2008.  Blessing upon blessing, Chris is doing really well now and feeling great enough to bake us up a batch of his very own "Christopher Cookies."

This favorite family cookie recipe was adopted by Chris in March, 2003, when he took over regular baking duties and assumed all the accolades for this fabulous coconut oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.  The recipe originates from my family heritage, but Chris has customized it with the addition of white chocolate chips.  Delicious, rich... and please use only real butter for that truly decadent toffee flavor!

CHRISTOPHER's COOKIES

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup granulated white sugar
1 cup (packed) brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large mixer bowl, beat butter, sugars and vanilla until creamy.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  In a separate small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt.  Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture and beat until smooth.  Stir in oats, chips and coconut.  Drop by rounded tablespoon (or use level small portion scoop) onto ungreased baking sheets.  (Do not crowd them;  no more than 13 per sheet.)  Bake in preheated 350' oven for 14-15 minutes or until just lightly golden brown. (You want to slightly under-bake them so they will remain chewy.)  Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes;  remove to wire racks to cool completely. Makes 4-1/2 dozen. (About enough for one day in our family...thank you, Chris!)