Dairy Hollow House Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies

I've made these cookies so many times and just can't get enough of them. This time, to make them more nutritious, I substituted a half cup of flour for raw wheat germ. I also used dark chocolate chips rather than nuts just because I think cookies are always a little better with chocolate.

Ingredients

1 cup raisins
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups flour (or substitute a half cup of flour for wheat germ)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 cup (1 stick plus 2 2/3 tbsp) unsalted butter, slightly softened
1/2 cup white vegetable shortening
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans or chocolate chips (or all)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a small bowl, combine the raisins and enough hot water to cover; set aside.

In a large bowl, thoroughly stir together the oats, flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In another large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the butter and shortening until light and fluffy. Add the brown sugar and sugar and beat until fluffy and smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla and beat until evenly incorporated. Stir or beat in all but 1 cup  fo the oat mixture until evenly incorporated. Thoroughly drain the raisins. In a medium bowl, stir together the remaining oat mixture, the raisins, walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips. Fold into the dough until evenly incorporated.

Shape the dough into generous golf-ball sized balls with lightely greased hands. Place on the baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Pat down balls until just flattened on top.

Bake for 8 to 11 minutes, or until lightly tinged with brown all over and still slightly soft in the centers; be careful not to overbake. {Place un-rolled dough in refrigerater until you're ready to roll more balls for the cookie sheet. This will keep the dough firm which will keep the cookies from speading}.

Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 1 month.
The All-American Cookie Book, Nancy Baggett, Houghton/Mifflin.

Easy Calendar

Yesterday, my friend Lori O. posted on her Facebook page that she was looking for a "good calendar to manage the kids' schedule" and soon she received many responses from moms who recommended "mommy" calendars, Smartphones, Google calendars and more. I just had to make my response to her in a blog post. Yeah, I'm a dork for sure.

I started to use a "mommy" type calendar at the beginning of the school year and thought it would be my answer to "organizing" our family activities.

The problem I had was that the spaces provided were too small and I couldn't fit everything in that I wanted. Also, it was cumbersome. I had to tack it to the wall. Even though it comes with a nice magnetic strip, I don't have a magnetic anything to stick it to.

So, I decided to do away with the mommy calendar and instead do what I used to do long ago.

In my kitchen there is a very large chalkboard {it measures a little more than 5 feet wide and 2 1/2 feet tall} that we use to draw pictures, scribble on, jot down notes, phone numbers and such. It's also used during birthdays to write large "Happy Birthday" messages. Previously I've also drawn a large grid and used it as a calendar but for some reason it was erased and I never used it for that purpose again. But, after having struggled with the "mommy" calendar that didn't quite fit my needs, I got out the level and tape measure and got to work drawing the grid lines.

Once the grid was done, I added the days of the week and then started filling in the various activities that we needed to keep track of.

This also works for our family as we often gather around the kitchen island to discuss upcoming events/activities. Now we can, at a glance, just look over to the calendar to see what's going on for the week/month. The kids also like pointing out the days of the week and it helps them with number recognition, letters, etc.

Let's just hope I can keep this up monthly.

Have a good weekend.

What Makes Me Happy . . .

. . . this little guy.

Sammy made this little piggy at a paint your own pottery place and finally got to bring it home yesterday. It's so cute.

Just a little something to make you smile today.

Organizing Binders

I really like paper and office supplies. I can spend nearly all day in an Office Depot or Impress salivating over it all. This weekend I had a craft craving and went to both stores to get supplies. I bought binders from Office Depot and paper from Impress. I made a binder for my recipes since they've never really been properly organized. I also made a binder for that contains all the household managment information. Very handy.

I used the dried flowers that the girls and their nanny made to embellish the front of the binder.

More paper. . .

While I was busily crafting, Alex managed to get into the pantry and spill a bag of mini marshmallows. Amazing how much that little squirrel can store away in those cheeks. I cleaned up most of them, but she really did manage to scarf down a bunch.

Oh and this is what my recipe binder used to look like. Terrible I know.

A Scary Encounter

Yesterday, Alex and I began our normal walk up the street to pick up Sammy from school. We left the house a little early, as usual, so that Alex would have enough time to dawdle along the way. The weather was perfectly sunny.

As we approached the busy intersection, getting ready to cross the street, a maroon, 1980s era Buick slowed as it came past us and then the man driving gave me a tacky whistle. Alex didn't notice as she was too busy pulling leaves from a tree. I on the other hand was dumbfounded. I suppose in my younger years I would have taken a whistle as a compliment elevating me to walk a little sassier with my head held just a tad bit higher, but in this scenario it only made me angry. I was with my child for goodness sakes.

I grabbed Alex's hand before we began our journey up a small incline when the same vehicle nearly pulled up along side me. This time, the driver, with his head hanging out the window like a dog trying to catch wind, whistled again, this time with a creepy smile. At this point I was beside myself with worry. Was this guy following me? Doesn't he notice the child present clinging to my hand? To get this guy off my trail, I walked a little faster and cut through the church parking lot which would take me to the school playground. Somehow I felt by cutting through the parking lot he wouldn't see me and therefore I was much safer. It reminded me of putting my head under the covers when I was a child so the monsters couldn't see me. My heart raced. I hate to admit it because I feel in some way it makes me a weaker person, but I was scared.

I arrived at the school and immediately texted my husband about what had happened. And though I was on the playground, well hidden from the road, I still couldn't resist looking behind me and all around to see if that man had some how followed me. The school bell rang it was time to collect Sammy.

I emerged into a crowded hallway where a friend of mine looked at me and said, "Are you okay?" The look on her face was of pure concern. I explained to her what had happened and she completely sympathized with me and said she too would have felt the same way -- scared.

I let my girls play on the school playground for a half hour or so dreading the impending walk back home. I came very close to asking one of the moms if she wouldn't mind driving me and my two girls home -- I'd sit on the floor or anywhere if there wasn't enough room. I wasn't concerned about seatbelts or child seats or anything, I was just too afraid to walk. By the time the girls were done playing, I was too embarrassed to ask someone for a lift so instead, reluctantly, we walked home.

For fear of being followed, I took a detour and walked a different route home. We did not dawdle a single bit and when Alex asked me to carry her, instead of my usual, you're too big to be carried, I gladly scooped her up and shuffled on home.

Once inside, I locked the doors and glanced out my windows every now again to see if I could see the maroon car. So far, I haven't seen it again and probably won't ever again. I've never had this feeling of helplessness while with my children and it's left me paranoid. If that guy had gotten out of his car, what would my scrawny arms and doughy tummy have done against a burly, scraggly haired behemoth?

Some time ago, a police officer told me that the safest thing I could do to protect my home is to always leave lights on, and curtains open. This is the universal sign that tells an intruder, keep moving this house is occupied -- people are home. Even knowing this, I pulled down the shades and once again reverted back to the little girl hiding under the covers. He won't see me and therefore can't hurt me seemed more plausible.

I'm pretty sure that I sound incredibly foolish to be so worked up over a whistle. But it wasn't just that, it was the fact that the car slowed down almost to a stop in front of me and my child. It was the fact that an otherwise busy street was suddenly empty and quiet, devoid of any automobile or pedestrian traffic. I felt helpless. I didn't feel strong enough to protect myself let alone a 3-year old.

This morning I drove Sammy to school even though on foot it would only have take minutes. I'll probably drive every day this week or until I feel safe to walk on my own two feet. For now, I'm still frazzled and too afraid of my own shadow to go out alone. I'm sure this feeling will pass, but for now the image of that car and that man still haunts me.

Classic BBQ Chicken

On Saturday it rained which meant it was time to find something to do indoors. While the girls played, I made BBQ sauce from scratch.

Classic BBQ Chicken

Prep: 1 HR. Bake: 1 HR, 20 MIN.

Oven: 325 degrees/450 degrees

1 Whole chicken or several leg or breast pieces. Any cut of your choice.

1/2 cup butter

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 tbsp. chopped fresh garlic

2 tbsp. kosher salt

1 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

1 tbsp. paprika

1 tbsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 cups cold water

1 1/4 cups cider vinegar

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup molasses

1 cup tomato paste

Peanut Oil

Water

In large nonreactive saucepan (like a dutch oven), melt butter. Add onion, garlic and salt. Cook over low heat until onion is tender.

Add crushed red pepper, paprika, chili powder, and black pepper; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add water, vinegar, brown sugar, and Worchestershire sauce; bring to a simmer. Stir in molasses. Whisk in tomato paste until smooth. Bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes or until sauce is thickened, stirring occassionally. Taste for seasoning, adding additional salt if needed. Remove 1 1/2 cups of the sauce to prepare chicken. Store remaining in the refrigerator; reheat to serve.

For chicken: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat 1/4 Peanut Oil in a skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, place chicken, skin side down, in skillet. Cook until well browned, turning once, about 5 minutes.(you're not cooking the chicken all the way through, just browning it to seal in the flavors).

Transfer browned chicken to a glass or nonreactive baking dish. Place skin side up, adding breast portions to one dish and leg portions to the other. Add 2 tablespoons water to each baking dish. Spoon reserved 1 1/2 cups BBQ sacue over chicken.

Cover chicken with parchment paper then cover tightly with foil. Bake leg portions for 70 to 75 minutes and breast portions for 30 to 40 minutes.

Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees. Uncover chicken and spoon on additional sauce. Bake, uncovered, for 10 to 15 minutes or until well-glazed and meat is very tender.

Serve with remaining sauce. Store any remaining sauce covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

My family loved this meal. I served the chicken with a side of mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus. This is what was left by my youngest -- a bone with not a trace of meat in site.

Better Homes and Gardens, October 2009, Recipe by Scott Peacock

Charlie Can, Can

Do you ever wake up, go about your day and then WHAM, it's bedtime and you can't remember where the day went? You go to bed thinking that there just isn't enough time in the day. Well, my sister-in-law Charlie doesn't have this problem. You see, she accomplishes more in a 24 hours than anyone else I know. She cooks, bakes, knits, tends a garden, and much more . . . 

These are all from her garden that she personally tends to daily. She's also crazy about canning. Aren't these jars beautiful? Charlie is also a celebrity at her local Renton Farmer's Market where she is frequently seen buying large bouquets of flowers or collecting ingredients for a homemade stew or sauce. Why this woman doesn't open up her very own organic market I'll never know. Check out these Beet recipes straight from Charlie's kitchen:

Option 1:

Ingredients
Beets - I usually do about 4 large at a time, scrubbed.
Oive oil
Balsamic vinegar-splash over top
Salad greens
Gorgonzola or feta cheese 1/4 c. or to taste.
1/4 c. toasted pecans, walnuts, or pistachios toasted in pan with a a tsp olive oil and black pepper

Wrap individual beets in aluminum foil, drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar over top and scrunch closed. Roast 1hr at 350 degrees or cook on bbq for 1.5hrs (really good this way) test for doneness by inserting fork, just like potatoes, done when soft.

Unwrap beets and remove skins under cool running water. Chop into cubes and add to bowl with nuts and cheese, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to taste, salt and pepper also to taste and serve. 

Option 2:

Ingredients
yield: Makes 6 servings
Serve over mixed greens

6 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
6 small unpeeled beets, scrubbed, tops trimmed
10 shallots, peeled
2/3 cup pecan halves
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 small heads Boston lettuce, torn
2/3 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese (about 3 ounces)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush large baking sheet with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Place beets on prepared baking sheet and roast beets 30 minutes. Add shallots to same sheet. Sprinkle beets and shallots with salt and pepper and roast 30 minutes. Push beets and shallots away from 1 corner of sheet and scatter pecans in corner. Roast beets, shallots and pecans until vegetables are tender and pecans are golden brown, about 6 minutes. Cool vegetables and pecans to room temperature, about 15 minutes.

Whisk remaining 6 tablespoons olive oil, vinegar and garlic in small bowl to blend. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.

Transfer pecans and shallots to large bowl and add lettuce. Peel and slice beets; add to salad. Toss salad with enough dressing to coat. Sprinkle with Gorgonzola cheese and serve.

Here are more images of the many canned goods created in Charlie's kitchen.

After seeing all this, I can no longer complain about not having enough time. What I've learned from Charlie is that if you're passionate about something, you'll eventually find the time. Charlie, thank you for contributing your knits {here and here} and food to this blog. Keep it coming, we love it.

Have a happy weekend everyone.

Cooperative Preschool

Today was Alex's first day of preschool with Teacher Tom. She walked right into the preschool knowing full well that she had to first wash her hands before diving into the fun. This, after all, is her second year as a preschooler so she walked in already familiar with the lay of the land.

The bulk of the preschool is less about the school itself, but rather it's about the children, the parents, the Parent Educator and the entire co-op community that makes it all work. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the core component, the duct tape that holds it altogether and makes it unique and cool is the teacher. Teacher Tom is not your average preschool teacher, in fact, he's not average in any way. He's a writer, blogger, artist, parent educator and for a few hours each day he's a teacher.

Alex is the proud creator of this piece called, "placemat". This picture will be laminated and used as her placemat during snack for the rest of the year.

This morning when I arrived at school ready to work my station, the sensory table, I could feel all the comforts of home welling up inside me. For the past 5 years, this preschool has served as my home away from home. Me, along with all the parents of this co-op collaborate in taking care of it, from putting toys away, to wiping down counters and even mopping the floors and cleaning the toilets. It's a team effort by all accounts. Sometimes I struggle with separating my "working" role at the preschool and spend too much time doing the "socializing" part of preschool. Admittedly, I enjoy interacting with the other parents and sometimes forget that my main duty is to engage with the children. Preschool has become such a familiar place that I often have to remind myself that I'm not at home but rather that I'm there to work, not to chat. I'll be in mid conversation with another parent, see Teacher Tom heading in my direction and quickly get back to the business at hand, tending to my station, as if I'd been doing it all along. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is just a little too relaxed during my work day. Right? I'm not the only one.

After this year, Alex has only 1 year left to go at this preschool and then she'll be off to kindgergarten. I'm going to miss this place something awful when that day comes. I've made so many friendships here, celebrated so many joys, and was the recipient of genuine care when we had a medical crisis in our family. It was a place that maintained normality even when the rest of my life at the time, was in turmoil.

Now that I've had a taste of public school with my oldest daughter who is in the 1st Grade, I've come to realize how rare of an experience Teacher Tom's preschool really is. The sense of community and connectedness decreases once you enter primary school and I'm sure it will dissolve vastly by the time my girls reach high school. And while this realization saddens me to some degree I also realizes the importance of allowing my tethered children the freedom to establish their own relationships and boundaries without yours truly trailing behind them.

In the end, preschool will have served its purpose in preparing my children for elementary school. It will have served its purpose of teaching my children independence and how to hold their own on the playground just by the simple act of extending their arm in a halting fashion and with a firm voice to say, "STOP!" when something is happening that they do not wish to continue. Preschool will have served its purpose in introducing just how effective a community can be when everyone participates in collectively caring for the people and the things within the community. Preschool will have served its purpose in teaching my children the importance of following the rules and identifying what is "the right thing to do."

Listen to me, I make it sound like today was the last day of school rather than the first day and I shouldn't sound so glum. It's difficult to live in the moment. With each year that passes comes the desparate need to hold on to the past; these preschool years are definitely something that I regard as precious time spent. Today marks the start of my 6th year in co-op preschool and I'm excited. I'm going to do my best to make the most of these final years.

What a Mess

Yesterday, all was quiet while Alex played at the counter with Play-Doh and Sammy played on the floor with pegboards and beads. I was able to make dinner in peace. It's so nice to see my children playing contentedly and independently. Sammy is so good with these beads -- keeping them nicely contained on the pegboards.

. . . then Sammy decided to help me clean up the counter leaving Alex alone with the pegboards and tiny beads.

. . . then the beads ended up everywhere. No longer were they neatly contained on the pegboards. Alex managed to get them all over the family room/kitchen floor. Did I mention that these beads are awfully tiny? I should have known not to leave Alex alone with this project.

This was a big job to clean up, but someone had to do it.

Sophisticated Fingerless Gloves

It's official, knitting season is finally here. My sister-in-law Charlie is just finishing up a pair of fingerless gloves that will come in handy this fall. The combination of the alpaca and merino blend yarn in pale blue/charcoal gray is so sophisticated. I can't wait to see the finished matching hat she's started. 

I think it's awesome that she's been working on these gloves while sitting on her patio in the summer sun. Between tending a garden and knitting I don't know how she has time to work a full-time job. She's quite an ambitious lady.

Later this week I hope to bring you images from Charlie's garden.

Happy Monday everyone!