Making goodies!

Maddie and Ben were busy making goodies for Thanksgiving. We had to have brownies, cookies and fudge. It is so hard to keep little fingers out of the batter.

What do you think of Ben's little smile face. Whenever the camera comes out Ben makes that face. It will make for some interesting Christmas pictures.

The Best Oatmeal Cookies in the World!

1 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 package instant french vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp apple pie spices
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup crushed pecans
1/2 cup crushed almonds
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup shredded coconut

In large bowl place butter and raisins, put in microwave on med. for 2 minutes or until the butter is melted completely, add sugars and mix well. Let sit for at least 15 minutes to cool. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Mix well to get out the sugar clumps.
In a separate bowl mix oats, flour, spices, nuts, pudding mix, coconut and baking soda. Slowly mix this mixture into the butter mixture. Once well mixed add the chips.
Drop by rounded tsp. 2 inches apart. Bake at 375' for 9 to 11 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire rack. I use my insulated pans to bake on.
This cookies taste great with just about anything!
I have even frozen the batter and cooked some up later.
This cookie has been a big hit with many of my friends!
ENJOYS!!!!!

What's a girl to do?

I have been putting some thought into what to make for dinner. Every week we seem to eat the same meals over and over. The last couple of weeks friends have been bringing meals and it has been great, different meals and different taste. With this in mind I have decided to try three new recipes a week. Between Tony and the girls they like just about nothing. Whether it be the same old same old or something new. So I figure my odds of having happy campers is about the same either way. The menu for this week is chicken pot pie, something made with zucchini, cornflake chicken, and beef stew. I will post pictures, recipes and the family's comments.
Wish me luck!

Cookin'

The girls and I decided to make a batch of Chocolate Chip cookies. We added oatmeal to make them a little more healthy. They make the cutest of faces when they cook!