Grilled Honey Peaches with Soft, Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

I wish summer could last forever. I've been sitting at my desk all morning listening to the birds chirp outside the open window, not to mention the snores coming from down at my feet. My four legged friends are exhausted still from the long walk my daughter took them on yesterday. I ate a whole basket of blackberries all by my lonesome yesterday without remorse. I polished off quite a few strawberries and raspberries too, but let's just keep that under our hat. Despite my schedule being turned upside down by all the extra bodies and activities in the house, I'm enjoying a sense of peace that seems to come over me when the sun amps up around here.

I find myself wandering across town every chance I get to see what new fruits are coming out of the local orchards. Something about summer that makes everyday feel like a new one. I'm hoping to see jars of fresh jam on my counter any day now, I'm hoping my daughter is ready to drive me to the farm stand every chance we get since she has her permit now. I'm hoping the flip-flop tan mark on my feet will get more and more pronounced and I'm hoping we get a chance to go on at least one adventure before the summer draws to a close.

Grilled Honey Peaches and Soft, Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

Bake cookies and set aside.

• Oatmeal Cookies:
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) + 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

Add butter and sugars to a mixing bowl or the bowl of a mixer and mix until butter looks light and fluffy. Add the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, egg, and vanilla and mix until combined. Add oatmeal and mix until combined. Place dough in fridge for 2 hours or so until cold. (Don't skip this step or your cookies will come out flat and crispy.)

Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to scoop out 1 1/2" balls of cookie dough, place the balls onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment or a silpat. Press the balls down slightly leaving them at least 1/2" thick. Bake in 350 degree F oven for 12 to 14 minutes.

Makes about 24 cookies.

Several ripe peaches split and kernel removed

Small amount of honey

Flake sea salt

Drizzle cut side of peach halves with honey and place skin side down on medium grill for 2 minutes and turn to honey side and grill for 2-3 more minutes. Just want to warm the peaches and soften them and caramelize them a bit. Sprinkle the grilled peaches with a pinch of sea salt. Serve in a bowl with cookies and a squirt of whip cream if you so desire.

I'm hoping that summer is being as good to you as this bowl of warm honey peaches with soft, chewy oatmeal cookies was to me.

Enjoy,

Gina