When I was a kid, my mom would get a babysitter for me when she was substitute teaching at the high school. She didn't really enjoy substituting, but my dad was the principal, and in those days, he did the calling for subs early every morning. Many days he couldn't find anyone, so my mom had to go in. She would much rather stay home, but she never said no when dad needed her to help out. If you have ever done subbing, you can probably relate! Some days you can never pay a sub enough for what they go through!
I, on the other hand, LOVED substitute days!
That was because mom would ask a neighbor who we all called, "Grandma S." to babysit. She and her husband lived down the street from us, and they were some of the nicest people I have ever known.
She was a big help to my parents at many difficult times in their lives. The time I remember most was when she came to stay with us when my mom had surgery. My mom almost died on the operating table, and was in the hospital for a long time recovering.( Back then, they were also very strict about visitors, and I was too young to see her. But don't worry..my Dad snuck me in! ) On top of Grandma S. taking care the house,meals, and laundry, I got sick with the flu. I was pretty little and running a fever. I remember sneaking in each of the 5 beds just to feel the cool sheets on my hot skin! She just shook her head, and made up the beds again! I never got a scolding.
Sometimes, I would be dropped off at their home, which was another treat for me. Grandpa S loved to tease, AND play cards. I can remember some fun days eating meals with them in their cozy kitchen and learning how to play Rummy.
There are so many things I loved about Grandma S. it's hard to list them all. I guess first of all, she was always happy, and gave the best hugs. She was rather plump, with glasses and gray hair, kind of the typically portrayed grandma figure. She and her husband had come over from Germany, and she had a VERY thick accent. She was always fun, and on the go! When she came to babysit, the house would be clean as a whistle, soup or German potato pancakes on the stove, and BEST of all, the cookie jar would be full.
She was the best cook, often baking bread, rolls, cake, cookies....you name it. I wish now that I had some of her recipes!
But the other day, I found an old cookie recipe in one of my moms cookbooks that I remember she often made. It's different. The first cookie you eat, you think," what's in this?" Then you eat another, and another. I think it's the unusual combo of cinnamon, ginger and Spanish peanuts that is just so old fashioned good.
They are called Cookie Jar Cookies I suppose, because they keep so well in the jar, and actually taste even better a day or two after you make them.
I had fun watching Brent taste the first one, then grab a second and third. They are just a good old time cookie, like their name implies!
Combine in a bowl:
1 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. rolled oats
Stir in:
1/4 c. oil
2 Tbsp. milk
1 egg
Add:
3/4 c. Spanish peanuts
Drop by rounded teaspoons onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes, just until soft.
6 comments:
What a great story about about your grandma!! I was lucky to be blessed with a great grandma too! Interesting recipe, will give it a try!
Thanks Liz! She wasn't really our Grandma though, but a neighbor who we liked to call Grandma!
Have you ever thought of taking up writing along with all your other talents. This story is so heart warming and heartfelt! Thanks for sharing.
Loved your story about your neighbor "Grandma'! The cookies sound great and I was even more interested in the "German Pancake" comment!! My Grandma was German and we had the most wonderful German pancakes! I have never seen them since other than myself making them. When restaurants here say they have German pancakes they are just like a regular pancake and I say to myself: "These are not German pancakes"!! We peel and grate raw potatoes, then mix with at least one egg or two depending on how much you make, add a little salt, pepper if you like, and depending on how "juicy" the potatoes are, may add a little flour to thicken them (I prefer no flour). Then have a medium-hot fry pan, with a thick bottom on it, adding oil to it--don't be stingy on the oil--it needs to be plenty as they have to fry awhile to completely cook and have that wonderful crispy, brown outside. Just Heaven!! We always ate them with syrup, but I also like different types of jam on them. But my favorite is the syrup. I used to make them all the time and as I write this my mouth is watering!! I did also try putting the potatoes in the blender to grate them and they didn't turn out bad, but was a little finer texture than grating them yourself. Just remember...don't let the batter set for too long or try to "save" it as it will start to turn dark! Love your site! I found it under the I-Hop pancake recipe!! Just by accident trying to look up I-Hop to see their allergy info as my Grandson is allergic to peanuts. I also live "Up-North" in Washington state where the weather is milder than yours but still chilly and rainy all Winter so we love to cook too! I am sure that there are many overweight people here because of it, but we also have wonderful mountains,beaches,lakes and outdoor activities that can keep people healthy. Keep putting out those good recipes! Kathryn Madden I'm on FaceBook--E-mail:sweetpea445@comcast.net
A neighbor suggested your blog for recipes and I've saved a few of them-the old fashioned cookie calls for spanish peanuts are these the raw ones? I know I have bought them for peanut brittle, and really haven't noticed any other kind in the store.
Thanks Carol
I used the Spanish peanuts in a can..Planters..I have not tried these with raw peanuts. Laurie
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