Goodies From The Mailbox and Oven

Remember how I told you that I LOVE getting the mail.  Well when I braved the COLD and I mean COLD bloggets (it was -25 below this morning and that's just the air temp) to ran my hiney up to the mailbox I was rewarded with a package - YAHOO - that's the best kind of mail - from Ms. Sharon over at Red Geranium Cottage and inside was my table runner that I won during her last give away.

She also included some cute little sticky note pads and that sweet flower there is CHOCOLATE - can you hear me singing that word, yummy and it's almost to pretty to eat.  I said almost, LOL.  Thank you Sharon for this generous gift.  It will be going on the table with some Easter decorations. 

One of my goals this year was to start baking again.  I used to bake a lot, but when the boys moved out and their friends weren't stopping by to help eat it I really cut back on it.  Hubs doesn't have a sweet tooth - is that "gasping" I hear people.  Sooooo that would mean that moi would be tempted by it and let's face it - I'm weak LOL.  Soooo I decided that I would start working my way through my collection of cookbooks and bake something new each week and send it off to work with hubs - after having a nibble of it myself of course.  So it's a win win situation, I can start baking again and the people at work will get something new to try.  I started today with a cookie recipe that I've already made, but it helped to use up some cranberries that I had in the cupboard.

So here's a new spin on an old favorite

Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

• 2 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• sift all of the above together
• beat together the following until creamy
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar packed
• 1 cup shortening
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp water
• gradually add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and mix well then add the following by stirring or as I did use the mixer just don't mix it very long - add
• 1 1/2 cups quick oatmeal
• 1 1/3 cups white chocolate chips
•    2/3 cups dried cranberries - I added a little more
• 1 tsp orange juice concentrate

• Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets (I used parchment paper)  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes until lightly browned.  Makes about 4 dozen
• 

These are really good and soft.  I will confess that I did have 2, but they were warm out of the oven and calling my name so loud, LOL.  But now they are packed away and ready for hubs in the morning to take them out the door.  Ya that weight thing isn't working for me right now, but I'm trying to refocus myself and went back to the gym this week.  Hopefully that will re-inspire me to get back on track.

Tomorrow is the meeting of the woolies and I hope to have a few pics to share with you of what projects their working on. 

Someone hasn't moved to far from this position the last 2 days.  It's nice and warm and she's enjoying the heat.

Until Next Time

Comments

[kari & kijsa]

Shhhh...today is the SURPRISE BLOGGY BIRTHDAY PARTY for Kari's 40th birthday...hop on over for a little cake, diet coke, and birthday cheer!!!

blessings,
kijsa

[Beth]

How fun to get mail, and from Sharon too! Those cookies look really yummy. I always say I want to get a mixer like that, but then I would be baking all kinds of stuff and I'd be the one eating it all, so I haven't gotten one.

[Beth]

The cookies look great. I am going to make them next week for my stitching group. I am trying very hard to lose weight too. I am also having a hard time right now. I do think it is the weather. When it gets warmer, maybe we will do better. Enjoy your package from Sharon

[Carol]

OMG I'm drooling all over the keyboard. I'll be making a batch of those next week when I get back from the retreat...thank you for sharing. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!! I'll be looking forward to the next installment. I love to bake and my neighbors love when I do.

[redgeraniumcottage]

OMG those cookies look yummy. All I wanna do is flipping eat!!! LOL!!!
Glad you like your gift! And isn't that sucker the cutest?? Good thing there wasn't a bite out of it like Monicas bear cookie I sent her over at Happy Zombie. LOL

[Tammy]

Oooo those cookies look sooo yummy!!! Soft and chewy cookies are my favorite. Looks like you got a fun package :)

[hoosier homemaker]

The cookies look great and the dog is adorable.

[Rose]

Oh my those cookies sure look delish if I do say so myself - ha! Sheesh I'm not doing so well with the weight thing myself...so I just took one, thank you they are really yummy. ooopppsss grabbed some milk too!
Hugs,
Rose

[Stephanie]

Those cookies look great....... but I also love your lamp ! Thats my newest thing, lamps !! Im currently making a jar lamp, trying anways !!

Have a good day,
Stephanie

[Kim]

The cookies sound (and look!) wonderful! I'm in the same boat you are--trying to NOT eat a bunch of fattening stuff and therefore NOT baking. Christmas was weird without baked goods, and I did okay, but Valentine's "month" killed me--now I'm trying to get back into the old routine! LOL!

[Cheryl]

Great runner you won from Sharon - and yum that flower looks good. Thanks for the great cookie recipe! Your puppy looks so sweet curled up on that pillow :-)!

[Katherine]

Those cookies sound delicious, I am just going to have to try that recipe! I bet the grandkids would love them too....like you, we don't need lots of sweets sitting around :o) Sweet pic of your dog.
blessings, kathy

[wendy]

The cookies look really scrummy, I'll have to try the recipe out on my kids...would I be right in thinking your 'shortening' is the same as our 'butter/margerine'? I also think you're really good to only have two and send the rest of to work with hubby..lol!!

[Thimbleanna]

Ok, Sister Item #72 -- Two boys gone. #73 -- Hubby with no sweet tooth. What's up with that -- must be missing a crucial gene somewhere. I burst out laughing when you said the diet isn't working for you right now -- I think I just typed a paraphrase of that exact sentiment on my blog. And I'm hearing it around too -- must be something about mid-Feb. Yuck. Those cookies look awesome -- coming to an oven near me soon. (Only, in my version, two go to work and I eat the rest LOL!) Thanks for the recipe!

[Wendy]

Isn't if fun to get such delightful goodies in the mail? I've had oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on my mind...I was thinking this week I should make some and then wowwie you're already ahead of me. I'm going to try your recipe, the cookies look so scrumptious...I'm drooling now.

[Brenda]

Girl it is cold there. Wow those awsome warm cookies had to hit the spot! Thanks I have to make.

[Cottage Contessa]

I don't know what looks yummier, the cookies or sweet Ms Cami! lol
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

[Nicole]

You are killing me with that cookie recipe! So much for my good intentions--now I have to make them!

[Jackie]

That is way to cold. Brr.

The cookies look mah-ve-lous! :-)

XOXO

[Michelle]

Mmm - those cookies look yummy! I keep trying to make more time for baking because I really enjoy it. Maybe these will give me some incentive!

[Kim]

Things are looking warm and cozy at your house this week! Do you suppose little dog would make room on that sofa for me? She looks so comfy there, waiting for the cookies to cool. I bet she got a taste!

[Donetta]

With temps like that I would be keeping my oven full at all times:)

[Nan]

I came here from Anna's blog, simply to see the recipes she warned us all about, and was delighted to see a little red doxie! I have one, too, and she loves the sun as much as your girl does. They're wonderful dogs, aren't they?
Those cookies looks delicious, and I will definitely have to make them soon - thank you for the recipe!
The goodies from Sharon are wonderful, too, but then everything she does is wonderful!

[Rosanne]

Thanks for posting the recipe. I've not seen an oatmeal cookie recipe with the cranberries and white chocolate chips before.