The Way to a Man's Heart . . .

DH will eat anything I make. Now that’s very nice, but it probably means he doesn’t have the kind of discerning palate that I would like.

Here’s an example. For years, while we both worked outside the home, he packed his own lunch. The SAME lunch everyday--for DECADES! And I mean that literally. Turkey sandwich with mayo, pickles, and cheese. Chips. Grapes. And cookies. Oh, the cookies might vary or he might cut up an apple instead of packing grapes. But you get the idea. B O R I N G!

I cannot eat the same meal everyday. I just cannot. And I am fortunate to have enough money that I don’t need to.

When I stayed home to kick-start my full-time writing career, I told him I would no longer allow him to buy cookies with all those preservatives and other junk. So, I created a cookie just for him. All these many years later, even though he is not packing a lunch anymore, I make these cookies and keep them in his cookie jar. Because they’re small, he thinks he is controlling his diet. They are really quite healthful. If you don’t count the butter. And if you don’t count the sugar. But, hey, NO preservatives!

By the way, he loves his cookies and tells me so often! It may be why we’re still married.

DH’s Oatmeal Cranberry Pecan Cookies (makes ~7 dozen two-bite cookies)

1 c plus 2 T butter, softened                        ½ t salt

¾ c packed brown sugar                             1 ¾ c flour

½ c granulated sugar                                   2 ½ c oats

2 lg eggs                                                      6 oz pkg dried cranberries

3 t vanilla extract                                        1 c pecans, chopped

1 t baking soda

Heat oven to 375°.

Beat butter and sugars in a bowl with mixer on medium speed until sugar is incorporated and the mixture is fluffy.

Add eggs, vanilla, baking soda, and salt until blended.

With mixer on low speed, beat in flour to blend. Stir in oats.

When well-blended, add in cranberries and nuts.

Drop heaping tablespoons (or use small cookie dough scooper) 1” apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Cool 1 min on cookie sheet, then put on cookie rack.

Try these with important people in your life and let me know what they think.