I was out taking some pictures of some of the pretty spiders (Orb Weavers) that have delightfully made themselves at home around our house! I love seeing them...it means fall is here. As I was out side taking a picture of the Golden Orb (the big black and yellow with the zig zag in the middle of its web) I saw a furry thing in my little tree/bush in the front of my window. It was a field mouse. I looked carefully and realized it was very still but breathing and awkwardly positioned. Hmmmmm...there was a reason that this little furry friend was up on this bush.
Tigger... I knew it.
My cat, Tigger, was purring around my legs with his tail wagging. He is our hunter. He loves to bring us presents and leave them at our front door. They range from birds to lizards. we have been really lucky when he decides to bring moles to us. That is such a fun treat. I looked carefully at Mr. Mousekewitz and couldn't help but sing...
"And there are no CATS in America and the streets are full of cheese!!"
(I love that movie.)
Anyway, so Sophia and I grabbed a mason jar and so gently put it up to him and with out thinking twice he jumped right in. I think he figured this was his only chance to get away from the lion that was prowling around him waiting for him to come down. So we walked down the street and let him out in the woods. I swear he said in the Russian Mousekewitz language "Thank you for saving my life."... I said "your welcome" in my Alabama -George language and then Sophia and I proudly walked back to the house.
I like saving nature....but the fact that I threw that moth in the spider web still kinda haunts me. (If you haven't read about that it is in an earlier post)
Okay...since October is here...remember to find a local beekeeper and see if they have some late honey available. I am finding out that not too many beekeepers in our neck of the woods have a lot to spare but grab some if you can. The darker the richer. The best tasting oatmeal raisin cookies are made with darker honey (in my opinion) and here is a recipe for some.
Oh! AND....leave in the comment section if you have a favorite recipe using honey. Tell us how to make it, where you got it and why you like it. Tell your friends because...
I will make all of them in the next 2 weeks and the one that is my favorite I will send you something sweet...
www.queeniescookies.com
2 count of your choice
My mouth is watering thinking about their flavor:
"Queen for the Day"
lemon Cookie, loaded with Raspberries, White Chocolate chips and Macadamia nuts!
SOOOOOO GOOOOOD!
They are FANTASTIC and they are a local business and I love supporting my local peeps!
2 count of your choice
My mouth is watering thinking about their flavor:
"Queen for the Day"
lemon Cookie, loaded with Raspberries, White Chocolate chips and Macadamia nuts!
SOOOOOO GOOOOOD!
They are FANTASTIC and they are a local business and I love supporting my local peeps!
But here is my all time favorite cookie and a recipe for them:
Chewy Honey Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Ingredients
* 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup honey
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1-1/2 cups quick cooking rolled oats
* 1 cup whole wheat flour
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 cup raisins, chocolate or butterscotch chips
Directions
In medium bowl, beat butter with sugar until thoroughly blended. Blend in honey. Blend in egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth. In separate bowl, mix together oats, flour, salt, cinnamon and baking soda; blend into honey mixture. Blend in raisins or chips. Drop dough by rounded Tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 12 to 14 minutes until cookies are golden brown. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool 2 to 3 minutes before removing from baking sheet. Cool completely then store in an airtight container.
Tips
High altitude adjustment: Increase oats to 2 cups and decrease whole wheat flour to 3/4 cup.
Ingredients
* 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 cup honey
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1-1/2 cups quick cooking rolled oats
* 1 cup whole wheat flour
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 cup raisins, chocolate or butterscotch chips
Directions
In medium bowl, beat butter with sugar until thoroughly blended. Blend in honey. Blend in egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth. In separate bowl, mix together oats, flour, salt, cinnamon and baking soda; blend into honey mixture. Blend in raisins or chips. Drop dough by rounded Tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 12 to 14 minutes until cookies are golden brown. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool 2 to 3 minutes before removing from baking sheet. Cool completely then store in an airtight container.
Tips
High altitude adjustment: Increase oats to 2 cups and decrease whole wheat flour to 3/4 cup.
Those cookies sound super yummy! You took some amazing pictures too. I love the spider web. Just wanted to thank you for visiting the domestic fringe this morning. I'm actually in New York, but Alabama will sound especially good in February. ;-) Hope you'll stop by again!
ReplyDelete-FringeGirl
You should come visit my amazing engineer spiders, (we call this "crab spiders" because they are so odd shaped) They build fantastic webs with 3 "guy wires" for maximum strength, and each of the guy lines, as well as the outer ring of the web is made of different material, alternating thin and fuzzy, like a "dotted line," clearly visible to humans and deer. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite recipe that uses honey is "Passover Honey Nut Cake in Soaking Syrup." You can find the recipe at http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Passover-Honey-Nut-Cake-in-Soaking-Syrup-109151
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't recommend making it "just because," due to the expensive ingredients (lots of nuts). I have made this for Passover before, and it was AWESOME.
I use a lot of honey at Passover: in the charoset, in the glaze for the brisket, in desserts.
The Cookies sound yummy...My son is just getting old enough to "help" me in the kitchen. We may try to make something delectable this weekend!
ReplyDeleteOh, and thank you for saving the little mouse's life..I have donet he same thing many times when my frisky Diva and Shadow decide to hunt. Like you, I am haunted even when I step on an ant!!
Love the BLOG!
Boy! that sounds great thanks for sharing the pictures Queen Bee:)
ReplyDeleteI've made this homemade granola before and really liked it. I like crunchy things.
ReplyDelete2c reg rolled oats
1c chopped fave nuts
1/2c shelled sunflower seeds
1/4c wheat germ
1/2c honey
2TBS cooking oil
In large bowl, combine oats, nuts, sunflower seeds, wheat germ. Stir honey and oil together, then stir into oat mixture. Spread evenly in greased pan. Bake 300 for about 1/2hr. Stir about half way through. I added dried cranberries afterwards. Spread on foil to cool and then break it into pieces. Enjoy
My fave use for honey is still green tea with honey!!! LOVE IT~I love your blog too Angela. It's so entertaining and educational at once.
ReplyDeletehey angela! i like your blog! my fave thing w/ honey would have to be a DELISH asian honey bbq glazed grilled salmon that my husband makes but not sure there is an exact recipe he follows....he is quite the chef and does most things off the top of his head which i could NEVER do!
ReplyDeleteHere's my entry! :)
ReplyDelete-Gotta Have Granola-
4 c. Oats (NOT quick cook or instant)
1 1/2 c. Whole Almonds (shelled but skin on)
1/2 c. Flax Seeds
1/2 c. Lt Brown Sugar (we use Splenda brown sugar)
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/4 c. Canola Oil
1/4 c. Honey
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 c. Dried Cranberries*
1 c. Dried Apricots* (cut in halves or quarters)
1/2 c. Dried Banana Slices*
*(substitute dried fruits of your choosing)
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Mix oats, almonds, flax seed, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon in a bowl. In a saucepan warm the oil and honey. Wisk in the vanilla extract. Pour the honey, oil and vanilla mixture over the oat mixture and mix well. I find a spatula works best. Spread granola out on a sheet pan and bake for 40 minutes (stirring half way through). Cool and break up any clumps. Mix in dried fruits (I actually add the fruit before it goes in the oven, but sometimes the apricots can get a little brown). Store in airtight container. Yields 9 cups.