Strange Science Fact of the Night…

When the temps drop well below zero…

…my eyebrows generate heat.

Steamy glasses.  Seeing is believing.

For some reason, I was tuckered out.  Nothing in particular and everything in particular, all at once.  I was beat.

Driving home, I smiled.  I could not think of anything on the plate for the evening.  Perhaps a little chance to rest.

Then in a rush, as if a cloud of amnesia drifted away, I remembered.  That evening was “Dad’s Taxi” evening.  Yes, trips here and there and everywhere.  Kids to shuttle.  Kids to pick up.  Errands to run and homework to check in between.  To be specific, it would be a nonstop list of finely timed to-dos from 6:05-8:15 PM.

I sighed and grew tired again.  That’s when I remembered the sliver lining.  The aspect that would make it worthwhile.  The “something good.”

I would have time in the car with my boys.  Together time.  One-on-one time.  All sorts of time.  Quiet time.  Singing to the radio time.  Chatting time.  Time that I should savor.

Rest could wait, at least until 8:15 PM, because this was what makes life worthwhile.  I smiled a tired, but happy smile.

 

So I have not been baking an adequate number of cookies, at least not enough for my lovely wife’s liking.  This has led her to take matters into her own hands and get to baking.  Not one, but two batches of cookies.  This is how you get “Charlene’s Cookies of the Night.”

She baked up some Oatmeal Molasses Chocolate Chip Cookies (left) and S’more Cookies (right).  Charlene says that they’re both “tasty” and that they’ll satisfy your “chocolate craving.”  You know what?  She’s right.  Enjoy!

OATMEAL MOLASSES CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

1/2 cup Shortening

1 cup Sugar

1 Tablespoon Molasses

1 Egg

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 cup Flour

1/2 cup Whole Wheat Flour

1 cup Quick Cooking Oats

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream together the shortening and sugar.

Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract.

Mix in the flour, whole wheat flour, quick-cooking oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

Stir in the chocolate chips.

Place Tablespoon sized balls of dough onto parchment paper lined baking sheets.

Bake for 8 minutes or until golden brown.

 

Makes about 24 cookies.

Revised Source:  “Oatmeal Chip Cookies” recipe in “Taste of Home Cookies.”

S’MORES COOKIES

1/2 cup Butter

1/2 cup Shortening

1 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 cup Sugar

2 Eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract

1 1/2 cups Flour

1 1/2 Whole Wheat Flour

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon Salt

1 1/2 cups Quick-Cooking Oats

1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1 cup Mini Marshmallows

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter, shortening, brown sugar, and sugar.

Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract.

Mix in the flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

Mix in the quick-cooking oats.

Stir in the chocolate chips and mini marshmallows.

Place Tablespoon sized balls of dough onto parchment paper lined baking sheets.

Bake for 8 minutes or until golden brown.

 

Makes about 48 cookies.

Revised Source:  “Oatmeal S’more Cookies” recipe in “Taste of Home Cookies.”

 

Oh to be this content.

Then again, I would have to submit to the following conditions.

1) Be at the mercy of others to open the door to the bathroom (a.k.a. the backyard).

2) Be required to use the backyard, as a bathroom.

3) Only eat, when others decide to feed me.

4) Need to wear a fur coat in the Summer.

5) Lack opposable thumbs.

Oh to make a few sacrifices to be this content.

Close call.

 

It must be hard to be in your older brother’s shadow…

…but they seem to be getting along just fine.

 

Oh, the joy of a father when he sends a text message to his son…

and not only is it read, but it’s responded to with more joy.

Gradually, I have been eating my lunch earlier and earlier each day.  I’m not sure if it is a hunger issue or a food within arm’s reach issue or what.  The reason really doesn’t matter, since I know that when I run out of food that’s it.  Cut me off.  Time to wait until dinner fella.

Well, this morning, I was really going to town on lunch…  at about 9:30.  Salad?  Gobble.  Apple?  Gobble.  Reuben sandwich?  Yep, yummy Reuben sandwich gobble.

Satisfied at some level, I sat back to write something profound on the computer and wait until dinner…  a mere nine hours or so in the future.  Hang in there fella, you can do it.

Well, I did it.  I made it home.  I placed my lunchbox on the counter.  I began emptying the contents, in preparation for a mental shift to dinner.

The lunchbox was full of the usual suspects.  Tupperware, utensils, and half a Reuben.  What?!?  Half a yummy Reuben uneaten!  Half a Reuben had actually survived my blackout 9:30AM foodfest.  Unlikely, but true.  The facts were indisputable, as the delightful sandwich sat before my wanting eyes.

Enjoy your little respite, tasty meat on bread.  My dear half a Reuben, tomorrow at lunch, you will keep me well fed.

Hang in there, fella.  You can do it.  Remember, lunch is now served at 9:30AM.

 

Earlier today, I discovered an easy test to tell if you are suffering from sleep deprivation.  As you pull into the elementary school parking lot, you reach up and press the garage door opener.

You ain’t getting enough sleep and odds are no doors will open.  Fail, fail, zzz.

 

What a difference a few good snowmen united behind a common cause can make…

For the record, it was about a foot full of change (i.e. snow) on the ground.

What’s that you say?  You want proof?

Their sign reads, “Let it snow!”  #Believe

 

It was an impressive bit of coordination by our office, two of us (Josh and Dave) needed an oil change and another co-worker (Jane) would be driving by the auto shop at 8:25AM.  Bam!  Two cars dropped off and one ride to work.  Perfect!

I entered the auto shop first.  The owner kind of grunted at me (as always).  I feared for my oil change.  Then Josh entered, the owner’s eyes lit up.  He smiled.  They started talking hockey.  I also said “Hi” to Josh.  A realization crossed the owner’s face.  I knew Josh.  Suddenly, the owner smiled an even bigger smile and invited me into the conversation.  He liked Josh and by association, he liked me.  I had a foot in the door.

Then Jane pulled up and another smile, an ever biggerer one crossed the owner’s face.  “You guys are riding back to work with Jane?” Yep, that’s us, Jane’s friends.  He loved Jane and by association loved us.  We were in.  This oil change was going to go just fine.  I was part of the club, accepted by association.