Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Cookies

1 stick butter, softened
2/3 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together. Stir this into the butter/sugar mixture. Stir in the oats, raisins and walnuts, if using them.

At this point you can either chill the dough for a bit in the fridge and then scoop it, or scoop the cookies onto a sheet and then chill the whole tray before baking them. You could also bake them right away.

The cookies should be two inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake them for 10 to 12 minutes taking them out when golden at the edges but still a little undercooked-looking on top. Let them sit on the hot baking sheet for five minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool.

Updates to the house

I've told people I would post pictures of the house as we moved in and I am finally getting around to it. It's only been 7 months or so...oops! I guess it takes a rainy day and a husband out of town for me to finally get moving when it comes to taking pictures and updating the blog :)

First up, the kitchen. This is what it looked like brand spankin new:

And this is what it looks like "lived in":

We also finished the bar room. We still want to paint the room, but we'll get there. Before:

After:

And for the final update for this post, I bring you our front landscaping. My wonderful mother-in-law and her green thumb helped bring some life to the area! I am so thankful and the flowers are holding up nicely, even with the winter temperatures. Before:

And after:

That's all I have for now! 

Christmas 2011

This is beyond late, but I never got around to posting the pictures of our Christmas decorations.

Our icicle lights donated from my wonderful mother-in-law!

I made the main wreath from trimmings from our tree and holly berries from our yard!

I never did get a picture of the outside of the house all lit up at night :( That fence kept us busy I guess! I can't wait until next year to do this all over again!