Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Cookies Galore

Recipe times four! I made about 12 dozen cookies today and froze the dough balls ready to bake next week for a shower. This way I can bake them fresh the day of the party, and I won't be so frazzled when I am trying to also make dozens of cupcakes.


I put the dough on these trays and freeze them for 15 minutes or so. Then they are easier to handle when transferring them to the freezer bags.


These are a few of the bags I did. The large bags are for the party and the small bags I will give to each of my children's families. See recipe below:
Double Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

From Marlene Depler

This is a family favorite for over 20 years. When the kids where in 4-H, they won blue ribbons at the county fair with this recipe!

Makes 3 dozen

1 ½ cups sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 egg
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 1/3 cups flour
6 oz. (or more!) chocolate chips
3 cups uncooked oatmeal

Mix sugar and dry cocoa. Then add softened butter and mix well. Add egg, vanilla, and water. Add flour, soda, and salt. Mix until completely incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips, then oatmeal.

Drop by teaspoon (or use medium Pampered Chef scoop) on ungreased baking sheet. Bake in preheated 350ยบ oven for 10-12 minutes. Do not overbake! Let cookies set on pan for a minute or two before removing to cooling rack.

NOTES:

1) I like to refrigerate the dough for about one hour before making the cookies.

2) I usually double or triple the recipe and freeze all or part of the cookie dough in balls in a zippered freezer bags. Then I simply take them from the freezer when I am ready to bake a few or a dozen. I place them directly on the baking sheet and place in preheated oven. Increase the cooking time by a few minutes. This way I can pull out cookies to bake fresh when we have company or when the grandchildren come over. Sometimes I will just bake four for my husband and I. Fresh is always best!


Monday, June 08, 2009

Re-entry



Before our plane landed, my mind began making a mental list of things I needed to do upon returning from our vacation on the coast of Oregon. Unpack. Start the laundry. Call the kids. Reply to emails and messages. The mail would have to wait until Monday. Oh, yes, buy some groceries. I could think of dozens of things that would need my attention and energy once I made re-entry back into my normal life. Nevertheless, I was happy to return home.

It wasn’t long after we pulled in the driveway that I headed to the back yard. I delighted in the sweet fragrance of the roses that started blooming while I was away. And even though it was early June, I picked five ripe tomatoes from my garden.

Later as I unpacked my suitcase, I reveled in the thought that tonight I would sleep in my own bed with my own pillow. Yes, it was good to be home. Trips are great, but there’s nothing like coming home---even if returning means that I face my reality of many things to do.

While I was away, I also pondered the possibility of re-entry into writing (and blogging). I’ve been sidetracked with life (and Facebook) to say the least. And perhaps discouragement has taken its toll. Often I have wondered if what I write even matters at all. But I’m once again remembering why I write: for the joy of it! And to possibly bring encouragement to others. So, this is my attempt to relish both my return home AND my re-entry into writing---spilling words on the page.

(c) Marlene Depler