Road Trip to New Orleans + Cookies for The Road (and Recipes, too)

This weekend Ethan, along with his good friend Brandon, embarked on an adventure - a road trip to New Orleans. It is his first road trip without Larr or I going along.

(Ethan and Brandon at Graduation in May)

This is something that the boys have been talking about doing for years. Brandon has family in New Orleans and feels most at home there. Ethan loves adventures and Cajun food. I am certain that they will have a grand time.

Yesterday they drove to Oklahoma City. Tonight they should arrive in New Orleans. They will do the usual touristy stuff like a graveyard tour, alligator tour, go on a paddle boat, etc. And oh yes, I almost forgot, a swamp (or would that be bog) adventure They will also spend some time with Brandon's family.

In preparation for the trip I made cookies for the boys. Ethan could not decide whether he wanted Pepparkakor Cookies or Chocolate Chip, so I made both for him. Brandon said he would be happy with Chocolate Chip,but would really love some oatmeal cookies. So, ya' know, I had to (okay, wanted to) make those for him. (It is nice to have a working oven again!)

This weekend we were at an all school retreat up at Snow Mountain Ranch. Ethan and Larr left early so that the boys could get an early start. I hugged him tight, told him I was excited for him, but that I wanted him to be cautious. I don't worry about the driving part as he has done a ton of driving for long hours. I made him promise that he would not drive when he was too tired for fear of crashing. I told him about my two friends who lost their boys to accidents where their boys fell asleep at the wheel. One drove off of the road and down into a deep ravine. The other drove into a pole at 80 mph. Larr had a harder time letting them go. Of course he is happy for the adventure they are embarking on, but seeing his boy go off on a long trip like this is just more proof that our sweet, lovely boy is now a capable, strong and independent young man.

The boys made good time and called once they got to the hotel. They were right on time.

Swedish Pepparkakor Cookies (Molasses Spice Cookies)
via Aunt Lynne

6 TBL. Butter, softened
6 TBL Canola Oil
1 1/2 cup Sugar
1 Egg
1 TBL Water
1/4 cup Molassas (Brer Rabbit is best!)
Cream the above items together.
Mix in:
3 cup Flour
1/4 tea. Cloves, ground
1/4 tea. Ginger, ground
1 tea Cinnamon, ground
2 tea Baking Soda
1/2 tea
Salt
The resulting dough will seem very dry. Form small balls. Place them onto the cookie sheet. Place extra sugar in a small bowl (I use a ramakin) , dip the flat end of a drinking glass in the dough, then into the sugar and use to flatten a mound of dough. Repeat until all cookies are flattened and sugared. Dough should be kept cool at this point.< Bake at 375 in a [reheated oven for 8 minutes. Watch closely as they burn easily. Remove onto a rack or paper towels to cool. This makes about 60 cookies. They freze well. ------------- Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

PAN COOKIE VARIATION: Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan. Prepare dough as above. Spread into prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Makes 4 dozen bars.
------------
Oatmeal Cookies
via: Allrecipes.com

3 eggs
1 cup raisins
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup butter flavored shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
DIRECTIONS:
1. Beat eggs, and stir in raisins and vanilla. Refrigerate for at least an hour.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Cream together shortening, brown sugar, and white sugar until light and fluffy. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; stir into the sugar mixture. Mix in raisins and eggs, then stir in oats and walnuts. Roll dough into walnut sized balls, and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
4. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in preheated oven, or until edges are golden. Cool on wire racks.