Pining.
Webster tells me it means "To miss and long for the return of."
What are you pining for at this moment?
I didn't plant geraniums this past spring. I can't remember a year when I did not plant at least one geranium. In so many ways, big and small, this was not the summer I had planned. I love to plan. I always carry a notebook and calendar. How could I have missed the geraniums?
I suppose I could buy one ragged geranium now and try to keep it going through the winter, but that would be like trying to put up a Christmas tree in April or expecting to see tulips in September. Some things in life are more wonderful because they only happen at an appointed time - you enjoy them in season or you wait until next year.
I will just have to accept that Autumn is coming and go with that. I'll make cookies and stock up on tea and bring out a few pillows and throws to make the rooms feel cozier. I should probably clean up the fireplace and get ready for the first cold night when I realize Summer 2011 is just a memory.
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| Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies |
Recipe - Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup of butter (2 sticks, softened)
1 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 Tablespoon vanilla
2 cups of flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups of old fashioned Oats, uncooked
1/2 c. chocolate chips, 1/2 cup nuts (I used pecan), 1/2 cup raisins
Heat oven to 350F
Beat together butter and sugars until creamy.
Add eggs and vanilla, beat well.
Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt - add and mix well.
Stir in Oats, chocolate, nuts and raisins - mix well.
Scoop out a tablespoon of the dough and drop onto ungreased cookie sheet (I use parchment paper to line my cookie sheets - easiest clean up possible). I get 12 cookies per cookie sheet, don't crowd them.
Bake 11 minutes (maybe 12).
Cool for 2 minutes on cookie sheet then put them on a cake rack to cool completely.
For Oatmeal Bars - line cookie/baking sheet (13 x 9) with parchment paper, spread out mixture - don't worry if it doesn't cover the entire pan, just spread it evenly and cook 33 minutes (no more than 35 minutes). Cool for 5 to 10 minutes, then lift out onto rack. (The parchment paper will make it easy to lift out.) Cool on rack, slice after they have cooled.
I was busy this weekend, so I made the bars. I like to freeze them in small batches then I'm ready with a quick treat.
Have a cookie, it will not replace what you missed out on or lost this summer. Some things we're not supposed to replace, some things we are supposed to accept and to live with a hole in our heart and every time we think about it, we love what we lost and they, or it, live on in our memories.
Did you skip a summertime tradition this year? Any regrets? With a bit of planning maybe you can make next summer a little better. Just pull out your calendar and write down what you want to do differently next year. For me, I've made a note on April 11th which reads "2012 - Buy Geraniums." The last week of December, when I'm transferring calendars, I'll see that reminder and for a moment or two I'll think back on this past summer's victories and losses, I may even do a bit of serious pining, but that's o.k. It will also be a reminder to give thanks for all I have.
