The first time I loved a boy–I mean really, REALLY loved a boy so much that just a few days apart made my heart hurt, I was about 24 years old. Along came this guy with an adorable smile and the eyes of an old soul. He was wise beyond his years with fantastic taste in music right from the get-go. I was smitten. I told him as often as I could that I loved him more than all the stars in the sky. You would think that would push a guy away…but not this fella. He would say it back with conviction always accompanied with a big hug.

That boy was my very first nephew–S. I’m still in love with the smart, kind, handsome young man he has become today.

Several years ago, he was having a sleepover at my apartment. I had a guest room but he really wanted to stay on the couch to watch TV. He’s a good kid and I knew he wasn’t going to wander away–so I let him chill on the sofa with a ziplock full of homemade cookies. There were over TWO DOZEN rather large chocolate chip potato chip cookies in that bag when I went to bed. Upon awaking in the morning, I found S in a cookie coma–hand still in the bag gripping the last three cookies. He declared them TUMMY ACHE COOKIES. He could not stop eating them and ended up having a terrible tummy ache.

About a year ago, my nephew followed me out to the parking lot when I was leaving a family party. He ran to catch up to me and give me a hug. Then he asked if I would make him tummy ache cookies for the next time I saw him. How could a doting godmother say no to that?!

Of course, I made the cookies then and several times since. They have become a family favorite full of salty, sweet goodness that is near impossible to refuse.

S officially passed me up in the height game about a month ago. He is starting eighth grade in the fall and is way beyond sleepovers with Aunt KK. But if he ever wants to hang out like old times, I’ll be more than happy to make him his favorite cookies. I will always love that kid more than all the stars in the sky.

Chocolate Chip Potato Chip Cookies–AKA: Tummy Ache Cookies

2 sticks butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 cup crushed potato chips
1/2 to 3/4 cup chocolate chips

1. Cream together butter and sugar.
2. Add vanilla.
3. Gradually add flour.
4. Fold in potato chips and chocolate chips.
5. Roll into 1 inch balls.
6. Flatten with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.
7. Bake 9-11 minutes (they will not really get golden brown)
8. Remove from pan once cooled.

The recipe is right. There are NO eggs and NO brown sugar. The dough is a bit dry and crumbly. The cookies are very delicate especially when first coming out of the oven.