I have a wonderful family; children, grandchildren, mother, a sister and brother and their families. I adore each and every one of them. But it seems like it is so difficult to arrange a simple dinner for them.
Yes, I am well aware this is all due to that approaching birthday … I really do understand that…..but understanding doesn’t make it easier to deal with it. Sure, I sit and dream of winning Power Ball and moving to Italy. Everyone will want to come and visit me! I will cook in an ancient kitchen, paint in the courtyard. Yes, life would be perfect….. Sure it would.
Instead, here I am….and I’d love to be there!
Of course, I am able to change some things….I am going to start giving away things. Fewer possessions ought to make my life simpler….right? I sure hope so. I also can start reading more, blogging less. There are days when I actually put pressure on myself to post a new blog…knowing full well someone out there is saying “Oh God, she’s at it again!” (It is one, or more likely all three, of my children saying it!).However, I did just receive a lovely email from a new reader from southern Missouri, Patsy Bennitt. Maybe my blog isn't so bad after all! Thanks, Patsy!
I suppose I am fulfilling my need to have conversations when I “talk” to you all with my blog.
I satisfy my need to be creative by painting instead of cooking. Okay, so it is Paola instead of Italy…..
Yep, I am getting older….time to simplify! Where to begin… I need to sit and think about that…….
My life is soon to be taken over by painting,,,,much more so than it is now. I need 4 new paintings for the September show at The Tortoise Gallery with the other Somerset Ridge Painters. I need 10 new paintings for the show in December at ARTichokes with David! Wow…when I think I spent 180 hours on Ponte Vecchio, it makes me realize I should have started in January!
And you know what?....he is always right! Damnit!
I just ordered 2 cases of canvases last week. I ordered 10 new tubes of paint today, bought at least that many last week. My brushes are taking a beating, but they will probably hold out for one more painting….I think I am ready.
What I am ready for right now is a cookie! Have you ever had a Cowboy Cookie? I found this recipe on Martha Stewart.com several years ago. Very Good! Great for breakfast!
Cowboy Cookies
3/4 cup pecans (3 ounces)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (not instant or quick-cooking)
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch chunks
1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
Vegetable-oil cooking spray
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pecans in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toast in oven, tossing occasionally, until darkened and fragrant, 10 to 13 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop. Into a bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder.
2.With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and both sugars until pale and fluffy. Reduce speed to medium. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
3.With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture, beating until just incorporated. Beat in oats, chocolate, pecans, and coconut until just combined. (Dough can be covered with plastic and refrigerated up to 3 days.)
4.Coat baking sheets with cooking spray; line with parchment, and spray parchment. Using a 1 1/2-inch ice-cream scoop or a tablespoon, drop dough onto prepared sheets, about 3 inches apart.
5.Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until edges of cookies begin to brown, 16 to 18 minutes. Transfer sheets to wire racks to cool 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks to cool completely. Cookies can be stored up to 3 days at room temperature in airtight containers Makes about 5 dozen.
