Monthly Archives: November 2009

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I love it love it love it. I think perhaps because it’s an entire day that is dedicated to just being thankful and spending time with loved ones. Most of the other major holidays have good intentions but are overshadowed with candy and commercialism and their true meaning is lost on many people (think Easter, Christmas, Halloween, Valentine’s Day). I think the only other unspoiled holiday is Independence Day and it also ranks right up there as a favorite of mine. I was born and raised in the same small-ish city where all of my extended family lived. My great-grandparents lived there and all of their kids and grand kids set up house there as well. We spent every holiday together – all of my aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. Everyone hosted a holiday at their house and it rotated every year. Everyone else is tasked with bringing a dish and we all celebrate together. I am always told to bring the rolls or a dessert. This will be the first year that I won’t be spending a holiday with them. This is also the first year that I will be...

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This is one of my very favorite cookies to bake. As I told a friend of mine, they are like the “everything bagel” of the cookie world. I didn’t create these, I first saw them on Paula Deen when she shared a recipe from a fan of hers four years ago or so. However, I changed a couple of things to suit my taste. Here is my recipe: 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup packed brown suagr 1/2 cup butter (unsalted) or butter flavored shortening 1 1/2 cups chunky peanut butter 3 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup raisins 1 cup M&Ms 4 1/2 cups rolled oats (old fashioned or instant) 1) Cream the butter (or shortening), peanut butter, and sugars. 2) Add eggs and vanilla. 3) Stir in baking powder and soda, chocolate chips, raisins, and M&Ms until well distributed. 4) Incorporate oats 1 cupful at a time. 5) Drop by rounded spoonful on a greased cookie sheet. I use my small ice cream scoop to shape the cookies and I get 5 dozen + 5 cookies. When I use a tablespoon I get 6...

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