Milk & Cookies

…otherwise known as “Cheer Up the Lonely Day”. Can you believe that? July 11th is National Cheer Up the Lonely Day. Thankfully, my neighbor across the street doesn’t know I blog. hehe Not that she’s LONELY per se, but she is a widow, and I don’t care how you paint that, on some level, it’s got to be lonely!

Neighbors…oh the variety of neighbors, right?

Ned Flanders (The Simpson’s)

Ethle Mertz (I Love Lucy)

Wilson (Home Improvement)

Kramer (Seinfeld)

Penny (Big Bang Theory)

Thankfully, we are blessed with some AMAZING neighbors!! This sweet lady is one of those we chat with occasionally while taking out the trash or bringing in groceries. Sweetheart! So, Cooper and I wanted to brighten her day!

Part of the reason we decided to give cookies was I came across this delicious sounding recipe. It proved to be more than just delicious SOUNDING…but tasted equally delicious. So, here’s the recipe for the cookies we made:

Must-Have Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup raisins

½ cup boiling water

½ cup peanut butter

¼ cup butter, softened

½ cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ cup flour

1 ¼ cup rolled oats

1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. In a small bowl, combine raisins and boiling water; set aside.

2.In a large bowl, combine peanut butter and butter; beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar or substitute, egg, cinnamon, vanilla, and baking soda. Beat until combined. Add flour; beat until smooth. Stir oats.

3.Drain the raisins; stir raisins and chocolate pieces into oat mixture.

4.Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake about 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks; let cool.

Makes about 40 cookies.

First we made (and tested) the cookies. See the evidence on Cooper’s face below? Anyhow, I found this adorable FREE printable for a milk carton that holds a few cookies over at the sweetest occasion. I printed it out, and Cooper helped me score the folds with a bone folder (he was VERY excited, just look at the concentration!) Then we taped it closed and filled it with cookies.   *NOTE: These cookies were the perfect size! They do have to be on the small side. Next we recovered from the tantrum of not getting to eat more than 2 cookies walked over to our neighbors to deliver the scrumptious treat! Here’s Cooper waiting at the front door. She was pleasantly surprised and invited us in for a short chat. I do think it certainly cheered her up = SUCCESS! Think of someone who you could cheer up on this inspiring National day. =)