Carob Cookies

Carob Cookies

My mother-in-law was famous for her Carob Cookies! Cake-like, delicious, and a handful, they were always welcome after any meal. Often they were carefully packed in a large, round Tupperware container for camping trips and vacations. They were loved by all, even those who had never eaten carob before. Here's her recipe ~ enjoy!

1 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup carob powder
2 cups whole wheat pastry
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare cookie sheets with parchment paper or a light layer of oil. Blend syrup, oil, vanilla, and carob powder until smooth. By hand, stir in remaining ingredients in small amounts. Do not over mix! Drop dough by the spoonful onto cookie sheets, about 1" apart. Bake until cookies are sightly browned and feel firm to the touch (about 8 - 9 minutes). Cool and enjoy!

Makes 3 dozen

*The child's apron in the photo was made by my friend, Terri. Isn't it beautiful? She has it for sale in her shop.

Leaves

L E A V E S

"How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun.

At other times, they wildly fly
Until they nearly reach the sky.
Twisting, turning through the air
Till all the trees stand stark and bare.
Exhausted, drop to earth below
To wait, like children, for the snow."

- Elsie N. Brady

Be Blessed

"O satisfy us in the morning with thy lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."

Psalm 90:13

Zesty Fruit-Nut Balls

Zesty Fruit-Nut Balls

3/4 cup sunflower seeds
3/4 cup pecans or walnuts
1 cup raisins, softened
1 cup dates, pitted
2 Tbsp. maple or agave syrup
2 tsp. grated orange rind

Grind sunflower seeds in dry coffee
grinder.  Chop pecans, raisins, and
dates.  Mix first four ingredients.
Add maple or agave syrup.  Mix well.
Roll into 1" balls.  Chill and serve.

An Autumn Walk

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Autumn is the perfect time to visit the nearby wildlife refuge. The ticks of spring are gone, and so are the summer rattlesnakes! Instead, we enjoyed ducks, geese, and a plethora of wild seeds for the birds! The walk around the slough was interesting and the exercise felt good. Enjoy this little walk with me as you view my Photo Show of autumn.

Elm Street Teapot

The traveling teapot went to Oregon yesterday to serve tea to Paula and her sister, Jacque. The decor was perfection! Elm Street Antiques is a lovely, vintage shop filled with china, linens, antiques, and more. Paula and Terri really know how to create beautiful displays that draw the eye, and recently redecorated their entire shop. Every nook and cranny is filled with beautiful things! So much so, that we had to improvise our tea table. A recent shipment, still packed in a large brown box, created a table. A pretty tablecloth from a nearby display was draped over it, and the tea basket unpacked of the blue traveling teapot, pastel yellow teacups, a candle, tea, and cookies. It wasn't long before the tea kettle was simmering, and tea was brewed. Antique chairs covered in lovely patterned fabrics were drawn to the improv table and we sat to tea. It was a quiet day, but as soon as we sat down to tea, things got busy. It was alright; a friendly, cheerful twist ensued as cookies were shared with Paula's customers. Conversation, tea, and friendship shared together on a lovely autumn day in a beautiful impromptu tea room! Thanks, Paula, for welcoming the traveling teapot!