Apple Cookies and the Sweet Simple Things of Life

February 19, 2008

Today was my cleaning day at home, but I wanted to do something creative because that’s what I love to do! I decided to bake breakfast cookies for later since I had some apples that needed to be used. The recipe is from an old Quaker Oats recipe book, but my family affectionately calls them “Apple Cookies.” I have been baking them since my boys were toddlers, and they are now 26 and 27 and still love them! Here are some pictures I made during the cooking process.

Here is the recipe in case you want to try them. I always double the recipe because they disappear so quickly. They are excellent with coffee or for a quick breakfast when your family is in a hurry.

Apple & Cheese Pleasers

¾ cup all-purpose flour ( I use whole wheat flour)

2/3 cup butter, softened

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups quick or old fashioned oats, uncooked

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup chopped or grated apple ( I grate the apples because they blend into the batter easier)

¾ cup raisins (optional)

Combine flour, butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder and salt in large bowl; mix well. Add oats, cheese and raisins; mix well. Stir in apple. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated 375° oven for 15—20 minutes or until golden brown. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator or loosely covered container at room temperature. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

And now the finished product! My husband showed up right after they came out of the oven. “ The cooking aroma of these cookies is irresistible” he says.

Now my thoughts for the day. “Let us believe that God is in all our simple deeds and learn to find Him there.” A.W. Tozer

“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” Laura Ingalls Wilder

I hope that you will be inspired to develop the gift that God has placed in your life, whatever that may be. Love and Blessings, Rosemary

Sunday Night Supper

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Tonight I basically cleaned out my refrigerator and used what was there to create dinner. This was the end result--a pasta salad! I sliced yellow squash and onion, then sauteed in extra-virgin olive oil. I then added a package of chopped tofu, a can of drained red kidney beans and some cooked whole wheat pasta. I added some grape tomatoes, cucumbers, and some organic spring mix. We ate with salad dressing and some grated cheese. Everyone seemed to enjoy!