Stress-Relief Baking and My Mother's Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Recipe

In the midst of this pandemic, I've read from multiple sources that baking is a great way to relieve stress and I believe it! I've been baking up a storm here! 

In fact, I sent a GIF of this guy to my daughter-in-law the other day and told her that this was me in the kitchen that day. 😆

(To view the GIF click HERE.)

The day that I sent it to her I had made cookies, three small loaves of French bread, and four loaves of Amish Friendship Bread. That was a lot of baking in one day...even for me! 😅 

So, what about you? Are you a baker? If so, do you find that you are baking more now than usual? What are some of your favorite things to bake?

Today I'm including this family favorite recipe...my mother's Best-Ever Oatmeal Drop Cookie recipe. 

Mom used to bake these cookies for me when I was a child and I made them for my own children as they were growing up. Now, my daughter and her children make them, so this is a recipe that spans at least four generations...maybe more!

Not only are these cookies wholesome and comforting, but this recipe makes a big batch...approximately 4 dozen cookies. 

MY MOTHER'S BEST-EVER OATMEAL DROP COOKIES

2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 c. oats
1 cup softened butter or margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. white sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1/2 c. milk
1 c. raisins
3/4 c. chopped nuts

Mix all ingredients until well blended. Drop by teaspoonfuls on cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

Until next time...

~Rebecca

Recent and related posts that you might enjoy reading...

Home Management Monday - March 30, 2020

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Home Management Monday - March 30, 2020

Spring Beauties

Good morning, Dear Ones! 💗

How is everyone this morning? How are you and your family fairing in the face of all that is happening in our world today? 

How was your week and weekend? Ours here was quiet. It's been more than two weeks since I've hugged any of my children or grandchildren and THAT is driving me crazy! 😖 I can do without toilet paper and, if I have to, I can make do in the midst of most any hardship, but I am a hugger and it is really hard for me not to love on and (((HUG))) the people I care most about. 

Papa and I are practicing social distancing and, for the most part, are self-quarantined. On the rare occasions that we have seen any of our children or grands (or anyone else) during all of this, it's been from a distance...and, believe you me, this Nana sure doesn't like that part of this whole mess at all! 😡 BUT...this too shall pass and, when it does, we're going to have a celebration! A BIG ONE!!! And I'm going to (((((((HUG))))))) EVERYBODY!!! I can't wait! 💗

In the meantime, don't think I think lightly of any of this because I don't. I know that a lot of people are sick and many have died. Many have lost loved ones and can't even be with their families during such sorrowful times...and my heart aches for them. I cannot even imagine what they must be going through. My thoughts and prayers are with them all. 😢

Keep your loved ones close, Ladies. If you can't be with them physically, keep them close in your thoughts and prayers, and do what you can to stay connected during difficult times. I've seen some pretty creative ways of doing that going on out there! 

How are you staying connected to your loved ones?

Let's get on with this week's post...shall we? 😀

Jonqual

I awoke to...

... a lingering dream about someone in a hoodie running towards, and rapidly approaching, the car that I was getting into in an empty city parking lot. They stopped just outside my window as I was pulling my foot into the car and closing my door. I don't know who they were or what they wanted and I woke up before finding out. Maybe that's a good thing! LOL! 😆

What I'm thinking...

... People are hurting right now and they're scared. Many of them find themselves in all kinds of difficult situations that, just a few days or weeks ago, they could never have imagined themselves in. I know things are rough right now and times are tough and uncertain, but, whatever you do, don't allow yourself to get over into fear. Stay focused on the Word of God (the Holy Bible) and stand in faith on its promises. If you are a child of God, you have no need to fear; if you are not a child of God, it's not too late! It doesn't matter how old you are or what you've done. God loves you and He cares about you. He is there and He is waiting for you to make the most important decision that you'll ever make in your life. He will meet you right where you're at. To find out more, click HERE.

What I'm thankful for...

... God's wisdom, direction, and provision in the midst of trials, that the grass is green, the birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming, and that my cousin was able to mow for us this weekend (the first mowing of the season). 

Bridal's Wreath

On the breakfast plate...

... fat-free turkey slices, a Laughing Cow cheese wedge, and egg on toast with Twining's Irish Breakfast tea

The weather...

... Right now it's 55 degrees and sunny. The week ahead promises mild temperatures and plenty of chances for rain...which is just exactly what we don't need. 😟

This week's menu plan...

Monday - THM's Red Soup (don't have frozen green beans so will used frozen mixed vegetables instead)

Tuesday - Oven-roasted chicken breasts, baked potatoes, oven-roasted carrots, and salad

Wednesday - Chili dogs (turkey dogs) and chips 

Thursday - Chicken fajitas, rice, and beans

Friday - Baked salmon, oven fries, and coleslaw

Saturday - Dh's night to cook

Sunday - Leftovers

On my 'to do' list...

Since everything is on lockdown and my calendar has been cleared of just about everything (except work a couple of days a week for now), every day will pretty much be the same. 

I will...

... spend time in God's Word and prayer
... spend quality time with my husband
... check in on, and visit with, friends and family members via telephone and video chats
... work on my blog
... work around the house (clean, organize)
... spend time outside (in the yard and at Prairie)
... watch 'Little House' reruns and sermons online
... read
... rest 
... relax

In addition to these things I hope to go through the closet (pull out summer clothes and pack away winter clothes), clean the fridge, do some nature journaling and photography, and watch I Am Patrick - The Patron Saint of Ireland with John Rhys-Davies. It just arrived in today's mail! 😄

On my reading pile...

Bible Prayer by Kenneth E. Hagin (Bible Study Course) and Iditarod Dreams by Lew Freedman and DeeDee Jonrowe

From the camera...

Received this as a gift recently...super cute!!! 

Chocolate Moose Soap

Chocolate Moose Soap
Makes Scents - Columbia, Missouri

Scripture verse...

Palm Sunday
Matthew 21:1-11

From my prayer journal and Bible study notes last year...

Well, Ladies, that's it for this week! I pray that each and every one of you have a great week ahead! Stay close the Lord and stay in His Word!

Until next time...

~Rebecca

Recent and related posts that you might enjoy reading...

What Have You Got In The House?

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Like A Tree (Jeremiah 17:7-8 and Psalm 1:1-3)

"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3)

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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The Steps of a Good Man (Psalm 34:23-24)

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." 
(Psalm 34:23-24)

Stay the course, dear friends, and be not discouraged! The best is yet to come!

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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What Have You Got In The House?

I've been getting "What have you got in the house?" for months and have been looking, creating, utilizing, organizing, purging, and preparing ever since. This is based on 2 Kings 4:1-7...verse 2 being key. That has come up in my spirit over and over again but..."What have you got in the house?" Look around! See what you've got. Whatever it is, seek the Lord on how to use it and He will bless and multiply it!

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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DIY Disinfecting Wipes

I recently tried my hand at making my own disinfecting wipes and I am very pleased with how well they work. I've been using them to clean doorknobs, light switches, cabinet handles, and more.

DIY Disinfecting Wipes

DIY DISINFECTING WIPES

2 cups water
1 cup alcohol 70 to 91% (I used 91%)
1 tablespoon Dawn dish soap
3 drops tea tree oil, optional (I opted to include)
1 roll Bounty paper towels

Cut paper towel roll in half through the middle with a serrated knife. Put the towels, cut side down, into the container that you are going to keep them in. Mix together the water, alcohol, Dawn dish soap, and tea tree oil. Pour around the edges of the paper towel roll and let soak for a couple of minutes. Then, removed the paper towel roll and discard. Now you can pull wipes from the middle. Store in a closed container with lid.

Because I used a Bounty double-roll I didn't have a container big enough to fit so I just double-bagged in heavy-duty freezer bags. So far, that seems to be working.

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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An Abundance of Onions

My husband and I like onions a lot and it's a good thing, too, because we've been blessed with an abundance of them this week! 

Our daughter and her family were blessed with several bags of yellow onions, so she passed a couple of bags our way, and wild onions grow abundantly in our yard, so I've been harvesting and drying wild onions all week. 

Wild Onions

At this time of year they look and taste very much like chives. They are good on baked potatoes and used fresh or dried in all kinds of recipes.

Wild Onions That I Have Harvested To Dry

I've also been adding freshly picked wild onions, along with fresh dandelion greens and homegrown alfalfa sprouts, to our salads each evening. 

Wild Onion, Dandelion Greens, and Homegrown Alfalfa Sprouts
Add Power-Packed Nutrition to a Tossed Salad

All of these plants are power-packed with nutrition and have certain medicinal properties, as well. They are very good for you!

So...what about the bagged onions? 🧅 What can we do with them?

Bagged Onions

We can use them in all the usual ways, of course...chopped up and used as ingredients in recipes...casseroles, fajitas and other Mexican dishes, etc...and I can always make French Onion Soup, which is one of my favorites!

French Onion Soup

But I want to try something different. I have found a couple of recipes (three, actually) online that I think I might try. One is for Cheesy Baked Onions, the second is for Lentils and Rice with Fried Onions, and the other is for an Easy Baked Blooming Onion (or something similar to it anyway...probably my own take on it...I'd rather try a baked one first, so as not to waste the oil.) Has anyone here ever made a Blooming Onion before? If so, what was your experience?

What about you? If you've ever had an abundance of onions, how did you use them? 

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Momma's Easy No Yeast Dinner Rolls

I made these yesterday (frightful looking things, aren't they?)...

I got the recipe from a meme that's been going around Facebook.

As you can see, my rolls don't look anything like those in the picture. I even left them in the oven an extra minute or two in hopes that they would brown on top, but they refused. The recipe calls for mayo, though, and I didn't have any, so I used Miracle Whip instead. That could have made a difference. 

We found the rolls to be a bit salty, so, next time I will only use 1/2 a teaspoon of salt instead of a whole one. 

Overall, the rolls were quick and easy (they tasted more like a biscuit than a dinner roll) and I would definitely consider making them again if I found myself in a pinch and needed a quick and easy bread to go with supper.

Until next time...
~Rebecca

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Home Management Monday - March 23, 2020

Pretty Yellow Tulips

Greetings, Dear Friends! 💗 It's Monday!

Despite all the craziness going on in our world today, I trust that you had a good weekend and I pray that you and your family are able to enjoy the slower pace that we suddenly find ourselves thrust into...at least most of us anyway. 

My heart goes out to those in the medical field right now, as they work on the front-lines of this COVID-19 pandemic, as well as, to those in retail, and truckers, as they struggle to keep America in food and toilet paper. If people would stop hoarding certain items it would help! 😖

Empty Potato Bins @ Dillons

Empty Toilet Paper Aisle @ Walmart
I'm glad we had some extra toilet paper on-hand,
because we haven't been able to find any anywhere.

My heart goes out, too, to those that have lost their jobs in the midst of all of this and to those small business owners that have had to close their doors. It's a mess for sure, but we will get through it. My thoughts and prayers are with all.

So, how are you and your family doing in the midst of all this? I pray that each and every one of your households are well, and that your extended families are well also. What is life like at your house these days?

I'm still working my two days a week, but all programs have been cancelled and our doors are shut until April 30th. It's quite strange to be all alone in the nature center with it's doors locked and the shades pulled. Saturday I put together an online prairie chicken program and it seemed to go over well. I may work on making more of those during this time of lockdown.

On the home-front, I haven't been doing a whole lot...mostly just keeping up with the basics and enjoying the extra time to work on my blog and just be. I've really enjoyed being able to spend extra time with you all here, because this truly is where my heart is. 💗

Let's get on with this week's post...shall we? 😊

I awoke to...

... lingering dreams of a friend that had come for a visit (I need to call and check on them today), birds happily singing outside my bedroom window, and gray skies.

What I'm thinking...

... I am thinking about and praying over everyone and everything surrounding this pandemic. How can I pray for you?

What I'm thankful for...

... God's mercy and protection over friends and family.

On the breakfast plate...

... Peaches and cream oatmeal and a cup Twining's Irish Breakfast tea

The weather...

... Right now it's 55 degrees and cloudy, but, despite rain chances here and there, the week ahead looks pretty nice! I'm hoping to spend some time outdoors this week!

This week's menu plan...

Monday - Chicken With Black Beans and Rice and salad

Tuesday - Turkey burgers, oven fries, and salad

Wednesday - Turkey Italian sausage with oven-roasted potatoes and coleslaw

Thursday - Chicken fajitas and salad

Friday - Broiled salmon, baked potatoes, and coleslaw

Saturday - Dh's night to cook

Sunday - Leftovers

On my 'to do' list...

Since everything is on lockdown right now and my calendar has been cleared of just about everything (except for work a couple of days a week for now), every day will pretty much be the same. 

I will...

... spend time in God's Word and prayer
... spend quality time with my husband
... check in on, and visit with, friends and family members via telephone and video chats
... work on my blog
... work around the house (clean, organize)
... spend time outside (in the yard, at Prairie)
... read
... watch movies online
... rest 
... relax

Additionally, this week, I hope to try out some new DIY recipes (disinfectant wipes, etc.) 

On my reading pile...

Bible Prayer by Kenneth E. Hagin (Bible Study Course) and Iditarod Dreams by Lew Freedman and DeeDee Jonrowe

From the camera...

Robin Eggs

Scripture verse...

Well, Ladies, that's it for this week! I pray that each and every one of you have a great week ahead! Stay close the Lord and stay in His Word!

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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