December 9, 2015
Vibrant red feathers. . .
and muted grey shadows,
blazing orange sunsets. . .
and silver-laced mornings,
Yesteryears children filled up with sweet memories,
these are a few of my favorite things.
Girls in red dresses with happiness brimming,
gingerbread houses with children’s sweet trimmings,
heaps of confections. . .
and bells that ring hope,
these are a few of my favorite things.
Visits with loved ones from faraway places,
houses that twinkle with red and green faces,
remembering love that came down to this world,
these are a few of my favorite things.
When the dog bites,
when the bee stings,
when I’m feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
and then I don’t feel so bad.
————
Every year Ms. Millie, an elderly member of the garden club, brought a heaping plate of chocolate-chip cookies to the Christmas party, and every year she left with an empty plate. There was something special about her cookies, but I couldn’t figure out what. I asked her for the recipe.
“No,” she said. “It’s a secret.”
I asked her again the next year. . .
and the next. . .
and the next.
Resigned to my fate, on the fourth year, I quit asking. Much to my surprise, I received a note in the mail with the treasured recipe.
In honor of Ms. Millie, who has since passed, I share it with you now– my all time favorite.
Millie’s Secret Recipe
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup margarine
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp. milk
- 1 egg
- 3 1/2 cup flour
- 3 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup oatmeal
- i cup cornflakes
- 1 cup oil
- 1 bag chocolate chips
Mix all together. Bake at 350* for 10 minutes. Makes dozens, but it’s never enough.
I hope your holiday season is filled with your favorite things.
Peacock Prairie 
Another beautiful composition! I was singing along with your words and pictures!
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Thanks Lynne. Maybe we should do some group Christmas caroling!
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Oh Julie – just wonderful! Loved every moment of this post! And sending special thoughts up to Ms. Millie for sharing her recipe! Hope you have a wonderful holiday season 🙂
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Thanks Kelly. Not the healthiest recipe, but definitely worth every bite. Merry Christmas to you.
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I’m sure they’re delicious! Merry Christmas to you as well!
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Love, love, love this!!! And I am quite honored that I am in it. 🙂
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How lucky we are Becky. 🙂
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How beautiful. I can feel it in my bones and in my mind and in my heart! Merry Christmas from Chick and Kathleen Gancer
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Thank you Kathleen and Chick. Merry Christmas to you both!
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Best Christmas card I’ve received, thank you !!
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Thank you, that is very kind of you!
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Love the ducks in the snow
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Oh this is a gorgeous post loaded with beautiful images, cheer and love, Thank you 😃
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Gorgeous, gorgeous shots, Julie! thanks for sharing some of your favourite things. Many are mine also. Best wishes.
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What a beautiful post, full of amazing moments! ❤
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A masterpiece, Julie! 🙂 Thank you!
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Thank you Fabio!
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Is that your Dad & Mom in the picture.Chick doesn’t recognize your Mom?
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Is that last shot of the peacock eating a cookie? I hope you had a great holiday, Prairie. You are still the blog queen.
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