Cookies NOW & LATER

Last month I had the opportunity to visit with my parents in their home in Southern Utah. My daughter and I flew in for a long weekend and we all had such a great time. I was able to help my mom with some scrap booking and teach her how to use some of my favorite photo sights (shutterfly & snapfish). Then sadly, it was time to go home.

Before I left, I wanted to leave them with something fun they could have available as a treat when all their friends came by to visit. They have many friends living nearby that they gather with regularly.

So I whipped up a large batch of our absolute favorite cookies! Since, we all love warm cookies right out of the oven, we baked a large batch just for us to nibble on right now, then I put one zipper baggie of cookie dough into the refrigerator so them could surprise all their friends with hot cookies later, on their next visit. Then I decided to also put one baggie of cookie dough into the freezer. That way it would last for several weeks and they could pull it out when they needed it.

We had an opportunity to return recently for another visit. I heard nothing but RAVE reviews from everyone about how delicious the cookies were. So apparently it was a BIG hit!

Here's the cookie recipe that I baked:

Grandma Glenna's Ranger Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter flavored shortening
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
2 cups Special K cereal
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix together flour, baking soda and powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat together shortening, sugars, eggs, and vanilla with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in flour mixture on low speed until just combined. Stir in oats, cereal, chips, and coconut.Drop rounded tablespoons of batter 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets.

Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time, in middle of oven until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. Cool cookies on sheets 1 minute, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.




Cookies now & later . . . that's the way I like 'em. Warm cookies hot out of the oven, cookie dough in the fridge, which I also love to nibble on (disclaimer - I'm sure you're not really supposed to recommend nibbling on cookie dough . . .) and some in the freezer for later. Enjoy!

For a great time . . . stop By 11th Heaven's Homemaker Monday Carnival -

Continue Reading...

Hearts to you!

Looking for a little HEART friendly input?

Feel free to stop by Modern Molly Mormon and review my blog entitled

"One HEART in the Right Place".

Continue Reading...

Aaahh Freak Out!

You might think this is an unusual name for an entry, but wait . . . let me explain.

A group of gals I walk and hike with everyday bought snowshoes for this winter, thinking that we could stay off the icy streets and continue to explore the many woodsy trails and hills in our little mountain town throughout the winter months. Which for Utah, can be loooonnngggg. We actually have been out using them several times now, and it's really great fun and exercise.



On this particular day, only the "fit" showed up to go off exploring the hills, with the exception of myself. For some reason these gals think I can keep up with them. One is like 10 years younger than me (here I should probably inject a reminder that I am no longer a "spring chicken"), they have like personal trainers, and fitness coaches, and well . . . you get the picture.

So we set off, tramping through the snow, and it is gorgeous. We had like 6 inches of new snow, and it was just the right texture, soft and cushy under your feet, with a little bit of a crust just below the new snow. I actually did really well for quite a while, but pretty soon going up those hills, I thought I WAS GONNA DIE! Seriously, my heart started pounding . . . "oh wait", "was that a little bit of chest pain", "should I stop", "should I say something?" "I'm such a wimp!"





Then I remembered an old trick from my ski bum days in college. I had a ski friend that taught me this trick to help me learn to ski the mogels. "It's all in the rhythm", he said. "You gotta have a favorite song in your head, one with a good beat, something that will motiviate you to make those turns with a regular rhythm and just keep heading in the right direction". So, at the time, being a "disco" fan, (remember the "spring chicken" thing, I went to high school in the 70's - ha ha!) my "ski the mogels really good song" was Le Freak by Chic. Is there anyone else who has even HEARD of that song?

And much to my amazement, it REALLY worked. You think the song in your head, and turn on every beat - and next thing you know you're skiing down the mogul hill!

Well, I seriously don't ski mogul hills anymore, in fact I really don't get out skiing nearly as much as I'd like. But I have had occasion over the years to put that same song to use. My snowshoeing, thought I was gonna die, was one of those times. I started humming the words to the song under my breath -

Have you heard about the new dance craze?
Listen to us, I'm sure you'll be amazed
Big fun to be had by everyone
It's up to you, It surely can be done
Young and old are doing it, I'm told
Just one try, and you too will be sold
It's called Le Freak! They're doing it night and day
Allow us, we'll show you the way

Chorus:
Aaahh Freak out!
Le Freak, C'est Chic
Freak out!
Aaahh Freak out!
Le Freak, C'est Chic
Freak out!
Aaahh Freak out!
Le Freak, C'est Chic
Freak out!
Aaahh Freak out!
Le Freak, C'est Chic
Freak out!

Well, I won't torture you with any more of the horrible lyrics . . . but once more, it worked like a charm. It took my mind off the hills in front of me, got my stride in sync and I actually had a really great workout. I think I must have just imagined the chest pain after all :)

So the moral of the story is . . . if you need just that extra boost, just a little motivation to complete whatever task you have that seems insurmountable - don't FREAK out. Just think of a favorite song (preferable something with a beat) and off you go - I hope it works as good for you as it does for me!

Continue Reading...

A MUST read for everyone!

I seldom make such a recommendation about any book . . . some books just don't fit for everyone. But if you are a serious reader, you must read "Life of Pi". There aren't many books that I would put in the category "it's one of the best books I've ever read in my life". Of the hundreds of books I've read, I probably have only 10 on that list. "Life of Pi" is on that short list. (check my profile if you are interested in knowing other books I recommend that fall into this category)

I must admit after reading a synopsis of the book a few years ago, I was reluctant to pick up the book and begin. After all, who wants to read a book about a young boy, adrift in a lifeboat for 227 days with a Bengal Tiger. Admittedly, that was my thought until it received the highest referral from my daughter Karianne, who is a VERY discriminating reader. So with renewed anticipation, I began the story . . .

It's an adventure! It's a story about a young boy of India coming of age! It is storytelling at it's best!

It is also one of the few books that I never wanted to end. As I read the last chapters of the book, I had mixed emotions as each finished page took me closer to the ending of the book. I think that is a sign of a 'good read'. I love how the book is filled with symbolism and allegories. It gives the reader much to contemplate (even though I don't agree with the author on all his points - it is certainly very thought provoking!)

If you are looking for a good book, something that will grab your attention and pull you right into the story, and truly transport you off to a land (or ocean) far far away . . . then I hope you will give "Life of Pi" a good look. Let me know what you think!

Come visit Blissfully Domestic and enter your Blissfully Domestic posts

Continue Reading...

For Cole . . .

We're missing you . . . thank you for your mellow and quiet influence . . . we'll think of you always . . .

Continue Reading...

Calling all Homemakers!

I know you all have great HOMEMAKING tips and recipes to share -

This is one of my new favorite spots for great information about making our homes even more homey . . . (is that correct to say?)

They have a fun blog carnival that starts every Monday - take a look and hopefully you'll want to contribute too. It's REALLY fun to see all the other ideas that these wonderful women (and a few men) have to share!

Continue Reading...