Happy Halloween: Owl Cookies!

For as long as I can remember we have had Owl Cookies every fall/ Halloween. My grandma has been diligently making these tasty treats for my brother and me, and then later on my cousin, year after year.

I love these cookies because they aren't too sweet and the saltiness of the cashew really adds something. Plus they are just so fun and cute!

My mom flew down last weekend to help us celebrate Casey's graduation (separate post on that to follow) and lo and behold my grandma had sent the frozen dough for owl cookies with my mom in her suitcase. Because my grandma is so awesome she also sent chocolate chips for eyes and cashews for noses. Love it! Several years ago my grandma copied the recipe for me and I'm a grown up now who is perfectly capable of baking my own fall goodies, but I love that she made them for me. When grandmas make something they just taste better, right? I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks this...

Alright, enough of my wonderful fall memories, here's the recipe:

"Hoot Owl Cookies"

Sift together 2 1/2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt. Set aside.

Cream together 3/4 cup butter. Gradually add 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, creaming well.

Add 1 unbeaten egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla; beat well.

Blend in the dry ingredients gradually.

Combine 1 1/2 squares (1 1/2 oz) melted, cooled unsweetened chocolate and 1/4 teaspoon soda.

Remove 2/3 of dough to floured surface. Blend chocolate mixture into remaining dough; chill if desired for easier handling.

Roll our half of light dough to a 10 x 41/4-inch strip. Shape half of dark dough into a roll 10 inches long; place on strip of light dough. Mold sides of light dough around dark; wrap in foil. Repeat with remaining dough. Chill at least 2 hours.

Cut into slices 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick {I like to cut them nice a thick - it makes for a chewier cookie} and place two slices together on a greased baking sheet to resemble an owl. Pinch a corner of each slice to form ears. Place a chocolate chip in the center of each slice for eyes; press a whole cashew nut between slices for a beak.

Bake at 350* for 8 to 12 minutes. Remove from baking sheets immediately. Store cooled cookies between layers of foil in a flat, tightly covered container.

Hope you enjoy these cute little cookies as much as I do!

Yum!

Wahoo Nicki & Donny!!!

My best best best friend is engaged!!!

What a great pair she and Donny are. They will be amazing partners as they journey through life together.

Congratulations Nicki and Donny :D :D :D

(P.S. Yay me for keeping it a secret even though I really, really, really, really wanted to spill the beans!)

Nicki and Napa - What a Great Combo!

The last weekend in July I flew up to Fairfield, CA to help Nicki pack up her apartment for the big move to Great Falls, MT. A whole weekend of Nicki-Molly time and an afternoon in Napa Valley - SWEET!

It was so so so so wonderful to see my best friend. There is nothing like some high quality girl time to refresh your spirit. We laughed, talked, watched girl flicks, went for walks, went shopping, went to the gym, oh and packed up the apartment :-) On Saturday we did a champagne tour of Napa Valley. It was freaking fantastic. The weather was perfect, the company delightful, the scenery unparalleled and the champagne delicious. Of course I'll visit you wherever you live, Nicki, but I'm sad you won't be so close to Napa anymore. It's just so gorgeous and so much fun!

Ah, McCall

McCall this year was a blast as always. It was one of the coldest years I can remember up there - we wore sweatshirts and jeans most days. (I must confess it was a nice break from the 110* + temperatures in Scottsdale, though.) This chilly weather meant less time hanging out by the lake and more time inside but we of course made the most of it and had fun anyway.

We watched fireworks from the dock on the Fourth of July, played bocce ball, ate tasty food, watched Camelot, played games, played poker, ate Grandma's awesome cookies, walked to town, read books, relaxed, put together puzzles, went kayaking, and just generally enjoyed ourselves. Oh, and Grandma refreshed me on how to knit and taught Katie, too. So fun! We also got to see lots of friends and Casey's family before we left Boise for McCall. I love spending time with our families and friends - I miss them so much.

The Todd & Mom

Kate & me

Payette Lake

Getting dark, almost time for...

...fireworks! It was so fun to watch the fireworks over the lake from the dock.

Happy 4th of July!

My family :-)

The Todd, Emma, Daniel, Mom, and Grandma hanging out in Roseberry.

We all tried our hand at bocce ball - love that game!

Three generations of Richner women.

Kate, Grandma, and Mom chillin' on our favorite swing at Ice Cream Alley.

Grandma with her knitting students.

Aunt Sessie brought waterproof disposable cameras with us when we went kayaking so I'm hoping to see those soon and upload a few of them here. Kayaking was so much fun. The weather finally warmed up a bit that day and we took full advantage of it. Only one person managed to tip over (I won't mention any names, Mom), but she made a full recovery :-) We saw loads of fish, a heron, and a mama deer with two babies. I love the outdoors!

McCall is always lots of fun and I look forward to it every year. Thank you Grandma for treating us to such a great family trip each year. Only 11 more months until next year!

And a Half...

You know how when you ask a little kid how old they are, if it’s more than a few months after their birthday they’ll always add “…and a HALF” to their age. “I’m eight and a HALF.” They are telling you that those six months are so important, that they have gained wisdom and experience far beyond their mere eight years. Oh what an ignorant child they were at the pitiful age of eight, but the insight that additional half year has granted them is beyond measure.

I took care of a patient this week who is dying. I was talking with this man’s wife shortly after he was transferred to my unit and I casually asked how long they had been married. She replied “Fifty-five and a half years.” It really struck me that she added “and a half.” I’m sure they’ve been through it all in those fifty-five years. She could have answered with a nice round number and that would have been a sufficient answer to express their lifelong partnership. But she didn’t. She chose to include that extra half a year, those precious six months that she has gotten to spend with her mate. She has gained insight and wisdom and had an extra one hundred and eighty some odd days to spend with her husband beyond a mere 55 years.

And a half. How profound those three little words were to me. Thank you Mrs. _________ for helping me to remember how important each day with a loved one is and to celebrate the pebbles that come between the milestones.