Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Pre-heat oven to 350*

Mix together the first four ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.

In a large bowl cream together the shortening, butter, and sugars.

Add the eggs, one at a time, to the creamed mixture.

Add in the vanilla, chocolate chips, and nuts (optional) then beat well.

Mix the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture a little bit at time until fully incorporated.

Chill the dough for 20-30 minutes then use 2 spoons, or a cookie scoop, to drop 2-3 T size dough drops onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Bake the cookies for 13-18 minutes or until they have  just started turning brown along the edges.  Remove the cookies from the oven and let them sit on the baking sheet for 2 minutes.

Transfer cookie to a cooling rack.