Oatmeal Toffee Cookies

1 ½ cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup butter, room-temp (nuh-huh, don’t even think about it—NOT MARGARINE)

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup brown sugar

1 ½ cups oatmeal

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup dried cherries (you know, like Craisins) (I might do less here) (I like them better chopped)

1 cup bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (or you can do what I do and just throw in a bunch of chocolate chips because bittersweet is #1- evil and #2- evil)

1 cup Skor toffee bits (or some smashed Heath bars. Or leave these out because, HELLO, they are expensive.)

Sift together the flour and baking soda and set aside. (Yes, I find my sifter in the back of the drawer and actually do this step.) Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy for 2-3 minutes.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice (or six times, if you want to be naughty).  Add egg admix well.  Add vanilla. Mix.  Add the sifted flour in small additions on low speed until well combined. Add oatmeal, cherries, chocolate and toffee pieces. Mix to combine. (My hand mixer cannot handle this, so I used my toned muscled arm.)

Divide into three equal portions and roll into logs using plastic wrap approximately 1 ½ inches in diameter.  Dough can be frozen or chilled in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days or baked immediately.  Cut logs into ¾ inch pieces.  Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet (or not) until golden brown— 10 minutes at 350 degrees. EAT!

***I do not do the wrapping and chilling.  Just plop big spoonfuls on the cookie sheet and cook them.  Because you need to EAT them!  Best cookie dough, EVAH, by the way.***

Past recipes

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This weeks review:

Gap Creek

By Robert Morgan

Be forewarned.  This is not a happily-ever-after story!

I seem to be drawn to books that are a little on the dark side…or is it just reality?  You won’t have to read ten chapters waiting for the action to start.  I was gasping right from the first few pages.

The main character is named Julie.  She is only 17 and her life is more than merely hard, it is exhausting and frightening.  Even when she marries a handsome 18-year-old named Hank, life doesn’t get much better.  Death, followed by fire, followed by flood, poverty, childbirth and starvation.  I’m not kidding, you’ll be so appreciative of your fridge and cupboards full of food. (Think Grapes of Wrath.)

Maybe you’ve heard the expression, “If it weren’t for bad luck, there’d be no luck at all.”  That’s the case in this story that takes place in the late 1800’s in Appalachia.  It will give you a deep appreciation for the early Saints in the Salt Lake Valley or for anyone starting out life on their own from nothing, but the will to succeed through their own hard work.  I don’t know if you could call their lives a success, though.  It’s more that they just keep on keeping on.

I was fascinated by the detailed descriptions of what life was like for a woman over a hundred years ago.

It ends rather abruptly… and you’ll be exhausted when it’s over!

I’d love for there to be a sequel that details happier times for Hank and Julie.

This is a great recipe – just don’t tell them it’s made with zuchini!

2 meduim onions
2 T butter (I omit this)
1 1/2 lbs. zuchini
3 C chicken broth (I use boullion)
1/2 C half and half (I use canned milk)
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. salt
Pinch cayenne
Grated cheddar cheese

Chop and cook onion in butter until clear and soft. Wash and slice zuchini and combine with the onion and the chicken broth. Bring to a boil and simmer 15 minutes. Add seasonings. Put mixture through the blender and puree until smooth. Add half & half and adjust seasonings to taste. Reheat, but do not boil. Garnish with grated cheese.

Sept. 29, 2011   Gable House Zuchini Soup

Have you heard about this????

“One Million Moms (an organization) has been frantically emailing ABC to let them know they don’t want Chaz Bono or any LGBT “subjects” being forced into their homes.”   …..via Dancing with the Stars.

What’s your position on this?

Do the One Million Moms email about the Underwear Problem on Survivor?  Or the nuclear proliferation of swear words.  Or the blatantly sexualized plots of most sit-coms.  Or the ubiquitous beer and other unmentionable advertisements.  They should! And how do they feel about the teeny-tiny costumes worn by the women?

Maybe they do….I just don’t know.

AND THEN THERE’S THE DUDE (dud) ON THE X-FACTOR.  Apparently, we almost saw what was underthere beneath the underwear.  (Poor, poor Paula.)  …………..TV’s gonna have to go in the closet, soon!

What new TV shows are YOU watching?

What better way is there to unwind and spend your time?

I might suggest studying the scriptures.  Don’t laugh!  It’s pretty fun.  (Also, I have that fear, you know, the one about the frogs!)

You know what the iron rod represents, right?  Sing it with me….”the iron rod is the wo-rr-rrd of God….”  Scriptures!  And prophets!  We have 15 of them who will speak this weekend.  Yesterday, our home teachers challenged us to be able to remember and relate what they are suggesting we remember and do for the next 6 months. Dad had a good idea….jot down a sentence or two beside each of the brothers names that will remind you what they say.  Make yourself an insert page for your scriptures!  Look at it often.  Evaluate yourself.  Change.  Do better.  Be consistent and six months from now you will be happier!  It’s a promise.  Who’s with me and the Brewster?

I’m a General Conference FAN!  Are you?

Have a spectacular week, everybody!

Mom/Pat/Trish/Grandma

We are thrilled to be offering another wonderful tour to the Holy Land & Egypt.  Interest is peaking and we’d love your input.  Please fill out the form below to let us know when works for you or just to get a little more information.  As always, the benefits and freebies below will be a part of

The Holy Land in 2012

LUCKY 13 Benefits

Full Details here

* A 2 hour personalized DVD of your tour

* A personalized 75+ page color journal of your tour

* Over 8 pre-tour seminars with the group discussing the tour and subjects

* A Photo DVD with thousands of photos from everyone on the tour

* Inserts for your scriptures like our famous “mustard seed” one

* 2011 & 2012 Calendars

* Post Tour reunion BBQ

* Periodic Informational emails

* Personalized tour pin

* Prizes at the seminars (hats, books, etc.)

* Personalized blank journal

* Stickers for scriptures

Your Journey of a Lifetime includes:

See the 2011 Tour Brochure

* Roundtrip Airfare

* Deluxe Motorcoaches

* 1st Class Hotels & Superior 1st Class Hotels

* Buffet Breakfast & Dinner Daily

* Guided Sightseeing

* Entrance Fees to Sites Visited

* Online Bible Study Guide

* Gratuities

* Administrative Fees

* Fuel surcharges

Click here if interested in future tours.