It's that time of year that the days and nights begin to blur with a holiday buzz of activity. There are programs to go to, carols to be sung, cookies to be baked, presents to be wrapped (if they've been purchased yet.:)) and always one more thing to add to the to do list.
A chorus of a favorite worship song of mine has been running through my mind all week...
"Be still and know He, know He is holy. Be still and know he is God." (Click on the title to hear the song, if you like.)
Even in the midst of all the extra work and bustle, is it possible to be still in spirit? Sometimes I need to simplify, or be satisfied to do tasks in a few steps instead of in all one setting. Sometimes I need to say no instead of yes. Sometimes I need to take a deep breath and reflect upon the sweetness of days recently past. In these ways, I'm more still in spirit and less harried.
Where have you felt the bustle in this last week, and where have you experienced a sweet stillness?
In the need to simplify my cookie preparation for my book group's cookie exchange on Tuesday - I decided to make a double batch of my favorite drop cookies to share... Cranberry White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies. As I write this, the Christmas tree is gleaming and the cookies just-baked aroma is wafting around my home. There is a calm in this moment that is very sweet, still and much needed. May you catch a moment for quietness in the days to come that have space for soft light and your favorite cookie recipes too.
OATMEAL CRANBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES
2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 6-ounce package Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375ºF.
Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.
Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies.
Comments
I'll be listening to the message in tune form all day long.
That's a good thing.
And no foolin'......the word ver is "kings".....
How cool is that!!