Polka Dot Dress Necklace

I've been so preoccupied that I didn't realize that my Daughter has put out a new creation.  Several weeks back she had asked if I could send her some of her childhood dresses.  Three to be exact.  Above is her in one of the dresses.

I struggled with it for several weeks until I finally put them in a box and mailed them.  I had such a hard time letting them go.  Sad part is, they were in a closet and were only looked at every couple of years, if that.

I came in and posted the No Bake Oatmeal Cookies and I noticed she had an update.  When I opened her blog to see what she was up to, it literally took my breath away.  

I am no longer sad that I let the dresses go.  I am also very happy that she is incorporating some fibre with her metal arts. 

I immediately had to text and ask if she had any of the material left to make me a brooch.

I am very excited that she said yes.  Now I get to have a part of her past and a part of her future that I can wear, or maybe use as an ornament on the tree.  

Hopefully, one day, she may even want to learn how to crochet.  I do feel that need to hand it down.  

Isn't it stunning.  I just love it.

What a great way to preserve your past and have a beautiful piece of art.

With Grace,

Debra

No Bake Oatmeal Cookies

I had to try these no bake oatmeal cookies.  These are so good.  What I really like, is they are quick and simple and if you have the small ones around they can help!!!

My Daughter has a similar recipe but she uses Rice Krispies instead of the oatmeal but I won't step on her toes, she owns that one in our household.

Ingredients:

1 cup of granulated sugar
2 tablespoons of cocoa
1/2 stick of butter
1/4 cup of milk
1/2 cup of peanut butter
1/2 tablespoon of vanilla
1 1/2 cups of oatmeal

Grab yourself a saucepan and put the sugar, milk, butter and cocoa in.  Turn on the stove to about medium to melt down the butter.  Stir this constantly.  Once the butter is melted, bring it to a boil stirring constantly for about 1 minute.

Remove it from the heat and add the peanut butter and vanilla.  Mix this really well.  If you find the peanut butter isn't softening, just place it on the heating element to get the saucepan to heat up and the peanut butter softens up.

Remove and turn off the heat and add your oatmeal.

Mix really well.   Below is how it should look.

I use a medium size scoop and scoop it right on wax paper.

And then I eat a couple before they have hardened up.  Is that wrong, or what?

Then I quickly put them into the refrigerator, out of sight.

I don't think you have to put them in the refrigerator, but I do or they will be all gone within an hour.

I really like this recipe, because I found that I always have these ingredients on hand and it cures a sweet tooth really fast.  

This made about 14 cookies.  I dare not make more than that at a time.  Double the recipe if you want a bigger batch.  

What a great cookie for the kids to help make for Santa's arrival.  

Adapted from the recipe: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cooking-live/chocolate-peanut-butter-no-bake-cookies-recipe/index.html

Enjoy,

Debra