My house is a bit crazy at this moment. We leave tomorrow morning at 5:30 a.m. for a float trip down the Current River in Missouri. I thought this would be a great opportunity for me and Grams to bake a few things that my family could take with as car snacks. We decided to on Peanut Brittle by Pat Storm and White Chocolate Chunk Cookies by Jan Schuette. I absolutely love going on vacation, but sometimes the packing and unpacking can ruin the fun! I’m really not an over packer, but you never know what the weather will be like, and you have to be prepared for whatever comes up. As busy as I was I considered blowing off the baking, but I decided that maybe I needed to slow down, breathe, and spend some time with Grams.
We began with the cookie. I can see why these are Aunt Jan’s favorite. It’s a refreshing change from all of the milk chocolate that has been consuming my life lately. While making the cookies, Grams and I talked about the vacations she has taken over the past several years. She has had a lot of really great traveling opportunities. She recalled a time that she went on a cruise with Wilma, and how flying doesn’t bother her. When we were taste testing our first batch of cookies, Grams shared that she has never really able to take her own kids on trips. Financially it was not possible, and there were far too many responsibilities on the farm. Aunt Jan’s favorite white chocolate cookies are delicious. Grams suggested that maybe around Christmas we could bake them again and add a few green and red sprinkles.
Our Peanut Brittle was a bit humorous. It is pretty temperamental. Only one of our two batches worked out; this stuff sets up pretty fast. The one that turned out is really tasty. It will be a good, mess free munchies for the car ride tomorrow. Grams was an excellent baking partner today. She really jumped in and took control. I know that I couldn’t have pulled it off without her. I think that when it’s just me and Grams she isn’t so worried about making mistakes since she still sees me as a kid.
It was so tempting to blow off baking and get more packing time, but I’m glad that I didn’t. The truth is, when it comes down to this summer project with Grams, I know that I am enjoying myself just as much as she is. After our time together, life just makes a little more sense. It brightens my day, and reminds me what is important in life. Today grams said to me that life is short and you need to stop and enjoy it sometimes. This week I plan to carry out Gram’s advice and really enjoy my family and our time together. I won’t let the moments pass me by. I will stop and take time to enjoy each special memory.
Off to finish my packing!
Munching Peanut Brittle
Pat Storm (Mrs. Ozzie Storm)
Power Level: High
Microwave Time: 8-11 minutes total
1 cup Sugar
½ cup white corn syrup
1 cup roasted, salted peanuts
1 t. butter
1 t. vanilla
1 t. baking soda
Directions:
1. Stir sugar and syrup. Microwave at high for 4 minutes.
2. Stir in peanuts. Microwave for 3 minutes.
3. Add butter and vanilla to syrup mixture, blend well, and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add baking soda and stir until light and foamy.
5. Pour into a greased cookie sheet.
6. Let cool and enjoy!
White Chocolate Chunk Cookies Jan Schuette
3/4 cup sugar3/4 cup brown sugar1 cup crisco butter shortening
3 eggs
1 t. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 t. baking powder
1 t. soda
1/2 t. salt
1 cup coconut
1/2 rolled oats
1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 12 oz. pkg. white vanilla chips
Oven Preheat oven 350 degrees. Combine first 3 ingredients. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in remaining ingredients. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 350 for 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute remove from cookie sheet.
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