Sara came for dinner last night. An overnight visit with her boyfriend during a hectic whirlwind summer vacation was unexpected and lovely. A chance for us to get to know Josh, watch the two of them together and welcome him into the circle.
Ever since our family watched the movie Meet the Parents, Ralph refers to our family unit as the ‘circle of trust’. We think he’s joking but strangely there are some scary similarities between dear Ralph and Jack Byrnes. Having three daughters bring boys home for us to meet since they were twelve is the reason Ralph gives for his baldness! Before dances during high school, the boys would be greeted with bone crushing hand shakes. A gentle welcome and keepsake from their dates psycho father. Ralph was sure it would keep him omnipresent during the evening!
Luckily for Josh, Ralph has relaxed. Maybe not so much relaxed I know he was dying to clamp onto Josh’s hand but at least more at ease with the girls making their own choices. It’s hard, as a parent, to recognize the time to step back. To accept that your time as protector and guide has come to an end. Knowing that we’d be happy to keep them in our bubble forever, each of our daughters gave us the signal when it was time to let go. Gently but firmly, they stepped outside the circle knowing they could forever come and go as they pleased.
Having our family dynamic change is tough but also exciting. The girls have fallen in love and invited their partners into our world. That means Ralph has to expand his circle of trust.
As we sat last night chatting under a star laden sky, I could feel the circle growing…
Oatmeal Cranberry Lace Cookies
Makes 5 dozen
Preheat oven 350*F
3 cups old fashioned oatmeal
1 ¼ cups flour
½ cup wheat bran
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter, at room temperature
½ cup margarine, at room temperature
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups dried sweetened cranberries
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, bran, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
In the bowl of your stand mixer, beat butter, margarine, sugars, eggs and vanilla until light and fluffy. about 2 minutes
Add oat mixture and blend until just mixed.
Add dried cranberries and continue mixing until well combined.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Using a 1 ½ inch scoop, drop batter 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
Bake 12 – 14 minutes
Allow cookies to cool then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.
THE LOVE: Don’t over beat any part of these cookies. Beat the butter part just until fluffy. Beat the flour part until just combined. Use your own judgement but be cautious.
one year ago: bacon marmalade
two years ago: cabbage slaw in apple cider cream
Thanks for reading.
