Very Best Oatmeal Cookies

 photo:  Cookinglight.com (because I am lousy at taking a decent food photo)

I tear out lots of recipes from magazines.  I have three-ring binders full of them dating back to...well, a long time ago.  After dinner last night my husband said he wanted cookies.  I was in the mood too so instead of thumbing through my "go-to" collection of cookbooks I decided to find a new one in my "dessert" binder.  I had never made this one before but it has stayed in place due to its simplicity and the fact that chocolate is an ingredient.  It is from our beloved Gourmet magazine dated January 1996 and was in the "Sugar and Spice" section.  This section allowed readers to send in their favorite recipes with a small story attached.  Only the best were published.

This recipe is so simple that my 4 year old was able to help.  I highly recommend that you use the unsalted butter or if not, decrease the salt to 1/4 tsp as they were perfectly salty sweet as is.  Baking in high altitude can be tricky but these cookies turned out perfect with no adjustments.

Amy Oh's Very Best Cookies

• 1.5 c all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 sticks (1 c) unsalted butter, softned
• 3/4 c firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 c granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 c old-fashioned rolled oats (I used quick cooking oats)
• 1 c raisins
• 1 c chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350ºF.
In a bowl whisk or sift together flour, baking soda and salt.  In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat together butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy and beat in egg and vanilla until combined well.  Gradually beat in flour mixture and oats until combined well.  (note:  it may seem a bit "dry" but dont worry)  Stir in raisins and chocolate chips.

Drop dough by small rounded teaspoons about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake in middle of oven until golden, about 11 minutes.  Transfer cookies to racks to cool.  Makes about 36 cookies.

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free kid and family activities in jackson hole

This post isn't only about Jackson Hole.  I think it could cover just about any mountain resort town.  But since I live here, it is easy for me to be specific about my town.  Most of this stuff is FREE or super cheap.  I am only writing about year 'round activities since festivals and concerts are too date specific.  Good thrills to keep your energetic toddler and kids entertained for a few hours to an afternoon of fun.  Family time without the stress.  BTW, I have been thinking of starting a Jackson Hole Kid's Calendar on this blog.  A weekly review of activities and special events geared towards families.  Thoughts?

• Playgrounds - an obvious choice but I specifically like the playgrounds at the local elementary schools.  TIP:  schools are much easier than playgrounds to find via mobile searches and are guaranteed to have an interactive play area.  You never know if the town park will have age appropriate play equipment so why risk driving around a town you don't know?  My favorite in Jackson is the Davy Jackson Elementary School located in town next to the Teton County Rec Center, just off the Town Square. Additional note regarding Jackson playgrounds - this town rocks!  We have lots of great parks for kids of all ages to enjoy.  If you want a list with pros and cons and location of our parks leave a comment below.
• Base of the ski mountain - During peak months (December to March and June to August) you will find lots of activities geared towards families and kids at the base of any ski hill.  The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort did a great renovation to the base of the hill with a large stone patio, play ground and (in summer) a water fountain perfect for running and splashing.  New for 2010 they added Sunday night concerts that are free and family oriented. In the winter this area becomes a snow castle and small sled area.
• Library - The Teton County Library is in town and easy to access.  On Tuesday and Thursday mornings they offer story time in the main meeting room.  This is one great library that understands that kids are energetic - they have converted a back room off of the kid's area to house toys, interactive games and large plush animals for lazing about while reading.  There are tables near the back wall with little chairs for kiddos while the shelves are lined with stuffed characters of their favorite books.  Puzzles, games, free computers, and video add to the fun. 
• National Museum of Wildlife Art - Toddler art is on Monday mornings offering all kinds of hands-on activities that finish with a fun piece to take home.  Stay on afterwards to explore the museum's galleries and check out the kid's area.  Loaded with books, animal costumes, drawing, stamping and more, this is a great way to spend the morning.  If you happen to be there during lunch they offer a fantastic restaurant with some of the best views in the valley.  There are museums in most towns - check them out as they will offer some type of fun for all ages.  For more information, check out their website.
• Airports - the Jackson Hole Airport (or any small airport) is fantastic place for fullfilling a toddler's obession of planes and trucks.  A couple of times a year we head up to the airport to watch planes land and take off then hit the cafe to nosh on grilled cheese and french fries.  Large windows provide a perfect view from any angle and the parking is free.  What more could a kid (and parent) ask for??
• Visitor's Center - our favorite is the Grand Teton Visitor's Center.  It is located before entering the park so it is free to explore.  Inside you will find hidden animals and creatures (great for I-Spy), interactive displays, fun videos of rivers and streams in the floor along with a good movie and well stocked gift shop.  Afterwards, take them outside for some amazing photo ops in front of the Grand Teton Mountains.  Check out the website for times as they adjust with the seasons.
• Wilson Bridge at the Snake River - The river is all but absent on the South side of the bridge this year (changes yearly but you can always find an easy and safe access point somewhere along the north and south parking areas) so we like to head down to the river to collect rocks, throw some in the slower moving water and dig in the sand.  A drift wood teepee was created this summer which provided endless fun of crawling inside and then out, in and out, in and out, in and out...you get the idea.  I take a small shovel and bucket, good water shoes and a change of clothes since little ones will be guaranteed to get wet and dirty!  Great for spring, summer and the fall.  Lining both sides of the river is a wonderful walking path for mountain strollers, doggies and excited kiddies.  This path is accessible in the winter months as well.  The views heading north are unbelievable with unobstructed views of the Tetons.
• Recreation Center - what would the list be without the Teton County recreation center?  Offering a year 'round indoor lap pool and kiddie pool with two slides, it is available for open swim starting at 1pm daily.  They also provide toddler swim and toddler gym most mornings.  Check out their website for exact dates and times.

Peach Cobbler

The Colorado peaches are spectacular this time of year.  We have been eating them for weeks now and I am afraid to think that the season is drawing to a close.  One of my favorite things to make with summer peaches is my mom's easy peach cobbler:

Peach Cobbler

• 7-10 peaches
• 1 c sugar
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 1 tbl lemon juice
• 1 tsp lemon peel
• 1.5 c flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/3 c shortning
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1/2 c milk
• 2 tbl sugar

Heat oven to 400º.  Grease with butter a 8x8x2" pan.  Blanche peaches in boiling water for 1 minute.  Immediately immerse peaches in ice cold water to stop cooking.  After cool peel skins off peaches, slice and place in large bowl.  Sprinkle with mixture of 1 cup sugar, almond extract, lemon juice, and lemon peel. Place in oven.  Meanwhile, sift together flour, baking powder, 1 tbl sugar and salt.  With fork, work the shortning into the dry ingredients until like crumbs.  Add milk and egg and combine until moist but not sticky.  Add a tiny bit more milk if too dry.  Remove peaches from oven and spread dough over the top.  Sprinkle with remaining 2 tbl sugar and bake for 35-40 minutes or until dough is browned and peaches are bubbly.  Serve warm with cream, ice cream or whipping cream.

traveling alone with two kids

I am exhausted.  It has been a bit more than 24 hours since returning home from a two week, 2,498 mile, three state road trip with a 1.5 year old and a 4 year old.  I have not had a moments rest since landing back in Jackson.  Did I mention that I did this trip alone?  Yep, just me and the two kids.

Friends told me I was crazy but I really wanted to take the kids to my home town to visit family.  Flying was too expensive so driving seemed the best solution, plus it is summer and aren't we supposed to spend days in the car for our summer vacation?  That is how I spent my childhood and I have fond (and funny) memories of those trips.  I planned, boy did I plan.  I tried to think of every and anything that could happen or we would need.  In hindsight I think I did a pretty good job but probably overdid it in the toy department.  My original plan was to drive from Jackson Hole to Des Moines in two days - nine hours each day.  A couple of days prior to leaving I realized that, although it is a realistic goal, I should have an alternative plan in case of mishaps.  I decided to tack on an additional 1.5 hours to each days adventure for potty breaks, lunch and road construction.  This proved to be right on target that tacked on an additional half day onto our journey.

Here is my list of how I survived:

• Hit a discount store (such as the Dollar Store) before you leave.  Pick up stickers, toys, pipe cleaners, etc for surprise activities while driving.  Keep these in a bag in the front seat pulling them out when the kids need a new distraction.
• A friend recommended a dry erase board with tracing alphabet, numbers and shapes for my four year old.  This was a life saver!  G loved it.  (found it at Staples)
• DVD player and videos - I like the Scholastic series as it appeals to kids of various ages.  We have all our favorite stories including Harold and the Purple Crayon, Knuffle Bunny, The Snowy Day, Where the Wild Things Are, Good Night Gorilla and Pete's A Pizza.  Each video lasts one hour with five or more animated stories each.
• For sanity sake I loaded a bunch of new songs on my I-shuffle and put a plug in one ear.  This allowed me to hear the kids or any emergency issues outside while still enjoying my own music.  It was a wonderful distraction for me while driving across the entire state of Nebraska on I-80. I didn't do this the entire drive but in 1 hour incriments for a break. 
• Snacks - keep them simple.  Each child got a Camelback water bottle for non-spill sipping.  Up front I kept a supply of "squeezy" fruit , pretzels, graham crackers and other simple foods.  A small cooler kept string cheese, fruit salad and a soda (for me!) within arm's reach. 
• Map out your lunch stop and decide on a restaurant before you drive into town.  After 4 hours in the car the last thing I wanted to do is drive around an unknown town looking for a place to eat. 
• Map out two overnight destinations - along with your goal location choose a hotel 1 to 1.5 hours earlier in case you have to end for the night.  
• Always make a lodging reservation before starting your journey.  I choose a property that offers a hot cooked breakfast or, at the least, waffles.  This guarantees the kids are full and happy when we hit the road for another long day of driving.  Most properties offers a cancel policy of 4pm day of arrival with no fee so calling to cancel one property is simple.
• If you need a crib make sure you add that information to your reservation.  I like to call the day of arrival to confirm that one will be available and I pack my own sheets for a crib / pack and play.  I have stayed in hotels that dont offer a sheet or wash them in harsh detergents (which can cause rashes). 
• Have your child choose one favorite stuffed animal to share in the journey.  I also throw in a small blanket for each kid as we are not accustomed to air conditioning and get chilled.  
• G is in a booster chair (with the back attached).  Naps tend to be uncomfortable with his poor head flopping about.  We have a small travel pillow that gets tucked under his seatbelt across his chest close to his head/ear.  He is able to hug it while resting his head.  We didnt have any problems with his naps and didnt have to buy anything special.  
• K is still in diapers but G is not.  For "just in case" situations I threw his small training potty, some plastic grocery bags and wet wipes in the back of the car.  Only once did we have to pull over on the interstate for an emergency potty break but thank goodness we were able!  I lined the potty with the bag and he was able to go "number 2" while I had easy clean up afterwards. Rest stops can be few and far between and I dont always want to take the kids into a gas station for relief.  Candy, pop and junk can be too much of a distraction for them and total frustration for me.
• Umbrella Stroller - wow did this come in handy!  Every stop we made had the 1.5 year old in the stroller.  I was able to help G with the bathroom, allow me to use the restroom as well, carry a tray of food to our table, etc.  The one we have is small and just laid on top of the suitcases.
• Be flexible.  Be willing to let go of your expectations and go with the flow.  Hard as it is for me to do this I managed and found the trip to go so much smoother. 

I am sure I am forgetting some details so will add as they come back to me.  I have to admit that the entire trip did not go smooth.  On our return home we spent the night in North Platte, Nebraska.  I found that going to bed with the kids around 8:30pm allows everyone a good night' sleep.  K woke crying at 9:45pm and did not settle back down until 1:30am.  Remarkably, G slept through this but I was a wreck.  At 3:30am G decided to climb into bed with me, sleeping for one more hour before deciding that he was hungry and wanting to get breakfast. After another hour of begging him to go back to sleep and various threats we all awoke and started our day (at 5:30am!).  I was over tired, over cranky while facing 5 hours of driving.  Red bull, telephone calls to friends, and heavy metal music kept me awake long enough to make it to my in-laws house where I took a 2 hour nap.  

Please add your best travel suggestions with kids as I could use a few new ideas for our next trip in November.  Thanks and welcome back.  I have been MIA for awhile, havent I?