Really Great Chocolate Cookies

These cookies are scrumptious!

2 1/2 sticks room temperature butter

2 cups sugar

2 large eggs

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

3/4 Cup Dutch process cocoa powder

2 Cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

White Sanding Sugar for garnish

In a large bowl, add the butter and sugar and cream together with a hand mixer. Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix until combined. In a medium bowl, mix the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients and continue mixing until incoporated.

Roll the dough into 2 logs that are about 2 inches high and 1 foot long. Wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Slice cookies into 1/2 inch pieces and shape into balls. Roll in sanding sugar. Place on parchment lined cookie sheets and bake for 10 minutes.

Outrigger Canoes

It doesn't get any better than a nice Sunday morning paddle. While it was pretty chilly, it warmed up quickly and the river was like glass. There is such a core serenity of being on the water. The company is always fantastic. I often think about Lewis and Clark with Sacajawea paddleing a canoe down the river to the ocean. The outrigger canoe is a polynesian canoe. The Hawaiian people originally made them from one, straight Koa tree. Even here in Portland, we follow many of the Hawaiian traditions when paddeling. It's pure joy!