Cookies for the Car Guy!

How do you pay back someone who talks your brother into changing out his transmission and engine, talks your dad into buying an old mustand and two (yes, I said TWO) motorcycles, wants YOU to go on a motorcycle ride with him, and, oh yeah, helps take care of your cars? Make him cookies, of course. My dad has a car mechanic friend who has been VERY helpful to our family. He gives Daddy advice on what he needs to do for his car, my brother's truck, and the motorcycles. He loans out equipment. He fixes broken parts and pieces (Hehehe!). He also fixes my car when it needs fixing. His name...Pete. Well, actually there are two Petes!

Yes, Pete and Pete (anyone remember that Nickelodeon show?) are father and son, and they own a car repair shop. Big Pete (the daddy and smaller of the two) and Little Pete (son) have been really helpful to my dad and brother in their car ventures. Daddy decided that I should make them cookies one day. I made peanut butter. Pete and Pete loved them. They asked Daddy how he didn't get fat with me making cookies for him! :-) Anyway, ever since then, I've been delivering cookies on a semi-regular basis. This past week, when my parents were moving, little Pete fed them and let them stay at his house for a night. So, Wednesday I took them cookies. They got cookies, I got two hugs and a card with a business and home phone and a "Call me if you need anything." Peanut butter cookies work for good! :-)

Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup margarine
1 cup peanut butter (crunch is better, but either will work)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour, sifted
1 teaspoon each baking powder, baking soda, and salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cream margarine, peanut butter, and sugars. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Mix until combined. Chill until can be handled. Shape into 1 inch balls (or use cookie scoop, this works well, too) and place on baking stone or sheet. Make criss-cross marks with floured or sugared fork (Mine don't show up because I didn't have time to chill for very long). Bake for 12-15 minutes. Cool on rack.

NOTES: I sometimes use a little less margarine and a little more butter and also a little less sugar. If I'm in the mood, I sometimes substitute some of the AP flour for whole wheat flour. This gives the cookies an even more nutty taste!