Friday, September 6, 2013

Dipping My Toe Back in the Water...

I am mustering up the courage to start my blog again.   It's amazing how rusty I feel.  With all of the new amendments and attachments,  I sure hope I can keep up.  It used to seem so simple.  Now it seems very complicated.

With a lot of encouragement from my son Jacob ~ I am ready to give it a shot.  So without further adieu Welcome back to....

There is Always Thyme for....

It's been a few years so I need to catch you up a bit....last we spoke I told you that I was a member of the unemployed.  That after 10 loyal years of service, I was easily replaced at my dental office with a cheaper, younger version.  "Don't take offense, Robyn it's only economics, you know."   I thought okay,  I will take advantage of this situation and use it as a leisurely vacation to finally do all of those things I wish I could do while I was working.  All of the cupcakes I always wanted to bake.  All the rooms I wanted to paint and redecorate and  all of  the flowers I wanted to plant.  I did accomplish quite a few of those things, but life has a way of tossing you a curve-ball and I am at that age of aging parents.  Both of my parents have had their share of health issues and I am fortunate enough to be available to help them out.   

Meanwhile, my son graduated from High School and is now a sophomore in college majoring in Electrical Engineering.  Did I mention he is on the Dean's List?   I am so lucky that a) he won a 4 year scholarship and b) that he chose to accept that scholarship and live at home while attending school.  

The other day Grampa wanted to pick up a few things from Sam's Club and the grocery store and he talked Jacob into driving him there.  While they were gone I thought I would surprise them with a batch or two of cookies.  I started digging thru the pantry and decided on Oatmeal cookies.  Of course, I was out of oatmeal, so I sent  Jacob a text to bring home some oatmeal....


So...needless to say I will be blogging a few oatmeal recipes until all 110+ servings are consumed.   I will appreciate any suggestions you have to offer :)   I stumbled upon a few really good cookie recipes from Pinterest and I modified this one by substituting diced apples for the usual raisins and I  roughly chopped the walnuts for more of a crunch.



Apple Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

ingredients
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup diced apple
  • 1 cup roughly chopped walnuts
directions

1.   Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and, if desired, cinnamon. Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour. Stir in rolled oats.

2.   Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are golden. Let stand on cookie sheets for 1 minute. Transfer to wire racks and let cool. Makes about 48 cookies.

Give these a try and let me know what you think.  Also, if you have any helpful blogging tips or tricks feel free to pass those along, as well.   

~ Robyn





Saturday, September 26, 2009

Pink Saturday

Another Beautiful Fall
Pink Saturday!

Although the calendar
has declared
it's fall...

My Garden
has chosen to ignore that.

Even the geraniums
in the front planter
are growing strong!

I should be taking advantage
and go for a walk...
But instead I think
I will visit
and all of us other
Pink Saturday Pals!

Have a Nice Day!

Robyn

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY! Let's Play Catch-UP!

It's good to be back
in front of the computer.
I have so much to tell you,
where should I begin?

Well, I am sure that you've heard
the news. I have joined the masses
of the unemployed. I think that I will
take a little time to kick back and
enjoy my freedom for a few months.
I made the mistake of looking at some
colleges and universities online.
My phone has been ringing off the hook
with offers.
I am totally undecided in what
I would like "to be
when I grow up...."
All I know, is that it won't
be in a small office again.
I need job security and benefits.

Meanwhile, my Mom needs some medical attention.
So it's a good thing
that I am available to take care of her.
Have any of you ever experienced
Cellulitis in your shins?
It's not pretty or fun....
I really feel for her.

The Minnesota State Fair was up and running
for it's full 12 days.
Certainly, Jacob and I couldn't miss that!
Neither could anyone else,
for that matter.
It boasted record attendance.
Almost 2 million visitors this year.
Me and about 160,000 (on average)
of my closest friends a day
were confined to a 320 acre plot.
More about that later this week.

Cousin Jay from Orlando
couldn't miss the fair -
On our "Off-Day" we hosted a BBQ -
Brats and such...Stay tuned -
I'll post that on Foodie Friday!

Jacob went back to school
on the 9th of September.
All I have been hearing is
"Did I tell you how much I hate school..."
(But I think he secretly likes it -
at least the socialization part...)
I really miss having him around here
during the day.
And I'm not thrilled with the
homework battle that ensues each night.

After that, my Uncle Larry & Aunt Betty
from North Carolina came for a visit.
So it was a week of BBQ's, family reunions,
re-visiting old neighborhoods,
and Yahtzee!

Oh, and Jacob has tried
to help curtail our Bunny problem
by installing an electric fence
around the flowers.....
But as you can see - the littlest of bunnies
just shimmy underneath
and eat to their hearts content.
Oh well....

Robyn

Outdoor Wednesday is hosted by

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Pink Saturday - The Minnesota State Fair Edition

Just a few little
Pink Saturday
tidbits from the fair.




I'll be back in action
next week
when all of my company leaves
and the dust settles....

See Ya,

Robyn

Don't forget to check in with
Beverly
from
for more PS!


Thursday, August 27, 2009

Check This Out....


Isn't this the coolest!

Jacob made this especially for me!

Jacob and I are enjoying our Pronto Pups and Poncho Dogs
and so on.....we'll fill you in on every bite when we return!

Robyn

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY! Grampa's Birthday

Monday we celebrated
my Dad's birthday!
With a little dinner on the patio.

I got to use my new $3 cake pan from Marshall's.
It worked beautifully.

I used the lemon cake recipe from
one of our Foodie Friday recipes.
Everyone loved it.
It was so moist and lemon-y!
(I used a bit of cocoa to darken the batter for the center.)

Poor Grampa had to peel the Idaho potatoes
for his own birthday dinner.

We had roasted & boiled
Corn-on-the-Cob!
We had it both ways, because
Grampa wanted it
and it was his
birthday afterall.

I preferred the roasted.
It was basted with melted butter,
minced garlic, S&P,
and a squeeze of lime juice.

The best part was the breaded fish.
Grampa's favorite.
He loves it dredged in flour,
than the egg wash, & the crushed Premium Saltines
the good old-fashioned way.

Look at how crispy and delicious it is....

I used my little deep fryers out on the patio.
I just love this little thing,
and notice my beautiful extension cord.
It was custom-made especially for me,
by my future electrician!

This is as close as I am going to get to an outdoor kitchen.
We have such short summers and cold winters
that I couldn't justify installing one.

Meanwhile, we had a visitor to our garden.

One that wanted to get in on the BRP*
(Bunny Relocation Program)

A Possum!

Look at those teeth!


&
Look at those gross crusty claws - YIKES!

Let's visit Susan
@
for today's
Outdoor Wednesday
posts.

Robyn

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Happy Pink Saturday!


I've just gotta share
my beautiful Dahlia's
with you again today.


I finally had the time to read this book.
Now I'm off for #2.
I thought I saw them on a rack
at Marshall's.
I hope they are still there....

Meanwhile, I'm off to check out
all of the other pinkies out there today....
@

Robyn