There is a chill in the air today that is much more fall-like than it has been as of late. The skies were grayer and it rained off and on for a bit. I wore a sweater but was still a bit chilled.
You know… just the kind of day I love. (In case you forgot – I love fall.)
I met James at the gym after I got out of work and he seemed a little off. He was much quieter than normal. Not so pepped up and “go go go” like usual. It bothered me, naturally – so I kept at him the whole walk to the car: “Are you mad at me? What’s wrong? Why are you so quiet?”
After lots of “meh” kind of answers to my interrogations I realized what it was – “Are you bummed out because it’s chilly and gray today?”
He thought for a second and then said, “Maybe that’s it!” – somewhat relieved that he could finally pinpoint why he was in such a *blah* mood.
We drove silently north on Lake Shore Drive towards home (stuck in traffic, per usual). J was obviously still not completely over his bummer of a mood… so I tried (as difficult as it may be for me) to stop prodding at him and just let the silence sit with us for the ride.
Finally we pulled into a parking spot near home and as we got out of the car James exclaimed, like he just had an epiphany, “Could you make oatmeal raisin cookies tonight?!” The excitement in his voice told me that this was all he needed to kick his weird mood to the curb – so of course I couldn’t turn him down.
It was that kind of day I realized… The kind of day you’d like to cuddle up in a blanket on the couch with some wine and watch a movie – perhaps with a warm, homemade oatmeal raisin cookie in hand.
In case anyone’s interested, here’s the recipe (from my mom’s kitchen, of course):
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup water
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 cups uncooked oats
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup raisins
Instructions:
Heat oven to 375 degrees + lightly grease cookie sheets.
Combine sugar, shortening, butter, water, egg & vanilla. Beat on medium speed until blended.
Add oats, flour, baking soda, cinnamon & salt. Beat until dough forms.
Add raisins & mix again.
Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheets.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown.
Then eat them up! 🙂
