Little Boy on Skis

Charlie had his first visit to Sleeping Giant on skis....

Charlie at Sleeping Giant from Justine Larsen on Vimeo.

Thoughts South

It's been nearly impossible the last few days to not think of the natural and human devastation in Haiti. I don't know a soul there, but I know those souls surviving the terrible quake are suffering.

There are many ways to help, and hope...

Cleaning Out The Cupboards

I ended a day spent tidying up with a recipe to match. I used all the partial packages of dark chocolate, semi-sweet and butterscotch chips from holiday baking with some of the "gonna lose that 2009 weight with healthy breakfasts" oatmeal and came up with this:





Cleaning Out The Cupboards Cookies

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened
1 stick (1/2 cup) mrgarine
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup peanut butter
2 large eggs
a 12-ounce bag semisweet chocolate chips or a mish-mosh of what chips are around the shelves of the pantry and refrigerator. Toss in some nuts, if you're so inclined.

In a food processor pulse 1 cup oats until ground fine. In a large bowl stir together ground oats, remaining 1/2 cup whole oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In another large bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter and sugars until light and fluffy and beat in vanilla and peanut butter. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and gradually beat in flour mixture. Add chips and nuts, beating just until combined. Chill cookie dough, covered, at least 2 hours and up to 1 week. Do your best not to eat it by spoonfuls.

Preheat oven to 325°F.

Form rounded tablespoons of dough into balls and arrange about 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Eat with restraint... Or not.