Sea Salt Caramel Oatmeal Cookies

Happy National Peanut Butter day!  What a great idea for a day...right?  I mean, peanut butter is pretty much the nectar of life around here at Blind Spot Nutbutters so any reason to further celebrate it is something I'll get behind! 

Anyway, how to celebrate..?  Cookies of course!  I love cookies and so it's one of my favorite go-to desserts.  Well, second to ice cream. And maybe cake.  Okay, so I love all desserts.  ;-)  Who doesn't? 

So here's what I came up with..just to share with all of you! 

These cookies had a great texture...nice and chewy but still with a bit of a crisp on the outside.  Hungry yet?  Well, here's the recipe...

Ingredients

    1 cup sugar

    1 cup Blind Spot Nutbutters Sea Salt Caramel (or your favorite flavor!)

    2 large eggs

    2 tablespoons milk

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    1 cup All Purpose Flour

    1 teaspoon baking powder

    1 teaspoon baking soda

    1 1/2 cups quick rolled oats

Directions

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat sugar, brown sugar, butter and peanut butter in large mixing bowl on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla. Mix well. Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda; stir in rolled oats. Add to peanut butter mixture and beat on low speed until well blended. Cover and chill 30 minutes.

    Drop by heaping tablespoonful, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown around edges. Cool 2 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.

I adapted this from a recipe I found online a long time ago.  I love the crunch of salt that is in each cookie from the Sea Salt.  It's a great combo!

I am thinking this cookie may make an appearance on a demo table soon...

Prep Time:	20 min
Cook Time:	12 min
Yield:	4 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup Smucker's® Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups quick rolled oats
• 1 cup flaked coconut

Directions

1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Beat sugar, brown sugar, butter and peanut butter in large mixing bowl on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla. Mix well. Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda; stir in rolled oats and coconut. Add to peanut butter mixture and beat on low speed until well blended. Cover and chill 30 minutes.
2. Drop by heaping tablespoonful, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown around edges. Cool 2 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
3. VARIATION:
4. JUMBO CHEWY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES: Prepare dough as directed above. Drop by 1/4-cupfuls, 3 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 14 to 17 minutes or until light brown around edges. Makes 1 1/2 dozen.

- See more at: http://www.smuckersnaturalpeanutbutter.com/recipes/dessert/45#sthash.dMttQ6aT.dpuf

Prep Time:	20 min
Cook Time:	12 min
Yield:	4 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup Smucker's® Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups quick rolled oats
• 1 cup flaked coconut

Directions

1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Beat sugar, brown sugar, butter and peanut butter in large mixing bowl on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla. Mix well. Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda; stir in rolled oats and coconut. Add to peanut butter mixture and beat on low speed until well blended. Cover and chill 30 minutes.
2. Drop by heaping tablespoonful, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown around edges. Cool 2 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
3. VARIATION:
4. JUMBO CHEWY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES: Prepare dough as directed above. Drop by 1/4-cupfuls, 3 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 14 to 17 minutes or until light brown around edges. Makes 1 1/2 dozen.

- See more at: http://www.smuckersnaturalpeanutbutter.com/recipes/dessert/45#sthash.dMttQ6aT.dpuf

Prep Time:	20 min
Cook Time:	12 min
Yield:	4 1/2 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup Smucker's® Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups quick rolled oats
• 1 cup flaked coconut

Directions

1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Beat sugar, brown sugar, butter and peanut butter in large mixing bowl on medium speed of electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla. Mix well. Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda; stir in rolled oats and coconut. Add to peanut butter mixture and beat on low speed until well blended. Cover and chill 30 minutes.
2. Drop by heaping tablespoonful, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown around edges. Cool 2 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
3. VARIATION:
4. JUMBO CHEWY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES: Prepare dough as directed above. Drop by 1/4-cupfuls, 3 inches apart, onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 14 to 17 minutes or until light brown around edges. Makes 1 1/2 dozen.

- See more at: http://www.smuckersnaturalpeanutbutter.com/recipes/dessert/45#sthash.dMttQ6aT.dpuf

Lotta Latte Fudge

People go crazy for this fudge. Seriously, they do.  I have taken it to several tastings and it is crazy how much they love it.  I think that because the Lotta Latte is a denser nut butter it makes it easy to translate into a super creamy fudge.  Seriously, all I add is a bit of powdered sugar, some almond milk and voila it's a fudge.  :) 

I have some tasty treats ahead to share that I use in my demos of the nutbutters as well as using recipes for our every day. 

But in the meantime...make some fudge!  Now that Lotta Latte is ending it's run as a flavor for us, you better find a jar if you can! 

Out with 2013...bring on 2014

Looking back over all that's happened and changed in my life in 2013 and it's hard to believe that it's literally only been 12 months.  I mean, in 12 months our household has experienced our daughter getting married and us gaining a son in law, welcoming my precious grandbaby into our family, our son graduating high school and moving 3+ hours away for college, hubby leaving work to be home because of his disability, starting a new business while still maintaining the child care, losing some good friends but then gaining some awesome friends who I am thankful for and then just some assorted trials and tribulations along the way. 

Yes, it has been a year to remember that's for sure.

Thirteen things I've learned in 2013

1.  No matter what, be thankful.  Someone somewhere would be thankful to be facing the problems in your life you are, and if you live that way, you'll always look for the light not the darkness.  I try.  Really try. 

2.  Tomorrow is always a new day, even when you're crying all the way into it.  Frustration and fear can take a hold so easily, but there's always a new day and it's okay.  You'll be okay.  Everything looks better in the morning.

3.  Plans are not set in concrete. I'm a planner and in my head, I'm always making that plan and this year has taken my plans, balled them up into a piece of paper and tossed them out the window of a moving car.  But I'm still here and I'm still joyful to be living this life every day.  God's plan is far more important than mine.  I just wish sometimes he'd let me know what it is. 

4.  Family is family.  I've spent a lot of time of effort trying to fit in or make them fit and at the end of the day, I am just thankful to have them.  I love my crazy family and I know not everyone will always fit in the way you want or expect but when you embrace them all the way for who they are, that's when the magic happens.  That's love. 

5. Growth and change hurts.  It sucks.  Plain and simple.  But it's part of the process.  I hate it.  There are times when I'd give just about anything for Troy's sight to be restored, our life to be boring and predictable again and just to keep going on with how life was before.  But then, I wouldn't have made so many new friends and contacts this year and him and I wouldn't be building something together that could really be a great venture.  I hate that his disability brought us to this point but I am trying to keep embracing the change for what it is and work through all the hurt that goes with it. 

6. A clean house is overrated.  Those who know me best are going to be shocked, but this is a sincere statement.  My life has been such chaos that at times this year my house was a wreck and there was not one thing I could do about it.  And I learned that it's okay.  It really is.  The world does not stop if a pan sits in the sink overnight.  My life contains so many more precious moments than to waste another one worrying about something trivial like that. 

7.  Crying is necessary.  I have cried so much this year.  It's awful but I don't think I'd be sane if I hadn't cried.  Tears over losing a friend, tears over my daughter's wedding, tears over the emotion of gaining a granddaughter, leaving my son at college or just feeling overwhelmed and not knowing what else to do.  It's like my pressure valve and I tend to do it pretty easily these days.

8. People are put in your life at the time when you need them.  This one really doesn't need a lot of explanation I don't think.  Looking back over my year I realize that I always had the right people by my side at just the right moments when I needed them.  My sole sisters Rachel and Michele have been amazing listeners and logging miles with them has made for some awesome 2013 moments. 

9. Grandchildren are amazing.  Harper has been the greatest gift in my life next to my own children.  I feel so much love for her and being a grandma is an amazing experience.  I feel privileged to know her and be a part of her life and I can't wait for all the little moments to come.  It's made me appreciate all of the grandmas in my life.

10.  Do everything you can right now, don't put it off for someday.  I'm trying to cram all of the experiences we can into each moment as Troy is losing his sight and I want him to see all of the somedays now.  Yes, money is tight, and we probably could do more saving but right now is about doing.  You really never know what the future holds and sometimes you just need to go for it.  Those are the things you won't regret.  Memories made that carry you.  We rarely took vacations or trips and this year I have changed that.  I know it was the right choice.  Cram as much memory making into your life as you can.

11. Fight the fear.  I've been afraid a lot this year of making the wrong choices or disappointing people or just of making change and I'm learning to face it head on and battle the fear.  I might make a wrong choice, disappoint someone or have to change but being there for my family and doing what needs to be done is far more important to me these days. 

12. Be open. Be ready. Be willing.  Three big lessons. I'm working on it and I'll get there. 

13.  Take nothing for granted.  Every let down, every frustration and every heart ache brings you to the place where you can put all of the thankfulness, praise, joy and love into the right places in your life.  Every single second of every day has a purpose and a place and don't discount it. 

Well, those are my 2013 lessons. I know that these don't apply to everyone but I hope that through all of our struggles, joy and growth we've been able to be friends, family and a business that was a help to the people around us.  I'm so thankful for all of the people in my life and I love you all.

Sheri

Life + Nuts = A life that's nuts? Or something else?

I like to think of myself as a doer.  A dreamer too sometimes, but in the end I am ready for that call to action, ready to make things happen.  And, so when we jumped into the new business Blind Spot Nut Butters, I can't say I wasn't excited because I was.  Something new to dream about, think about and to do.  A few months later?  I still love it but I sometimes feel like that's all I dream about, think about and do.  It has been exciting seeing the changes, being part of something that can grow to whatever we want it to grow to.  I've spent the last 13 years of my life building a business that, at the end of the day, still is exactly the same as it was when I started, because it's still me and six children and that's all it can be.  It has been a wonderful journey and I will never want to forget the memories I cherish, but there's always been that "thing" I"m looking for.  And I still don't know that my child care journey is over because there is still more growth needed for the nut butters but it is a possibility and that is exciting to me.  The possibilities are endless.  How wonderful is it to say that and mean it!  I would trade those possibilities in a heartbeat for my husband to have his sight back but this is our reality and this is the new journey.

But in the meantime, there's lots of planning, trial and error and good things that need to happen.  And we're trying to balance all of that with keeping the child care business going in the right direction and never becoming a second in our lives either.  Not an easy balance.  And then there's Homemade Served Here...I am a neglectful blogger! 

One plus is all the yummy flavors and scents in our lives from trial and error from the nut butters.  One of those is today's breakfast - Oatmeal Jammy Bit muffins.  I found the jammy bites on King Arthur's website and decided to try and make a pb&j nut butter with them.  It wasn't successful.  But these muffins are! 

The kids loved them, and I love that they aren't overly sweet muffins but have a nice texture because of the oatmeal. 



I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday!

Sheri

Peanut Butter, anyone?

I will start off by saying I am not good at shameless self-promotion.  I am getting there because I know I will need to be, but still, it's tough for me.  But I also wanted to share what's been happening in my life.  I (along with the hubby) have launched a new business.  I've mentioned Blind Spot Nut Butters on the facebook page, but really haven't explained what it is and what it means to my family. 

Finding out that the hubby's condition was going to continue to worsen with no hopes of regaining any sight that he's lost was a sobering day.  I think somewhere within us, we had hoped that someone was wrong, something could be done and that this was all a big mistake.  Well, a year later, we know it's not a mistake, this is our new reality.  He's been home from work now since July and it became pretty apparent that we'd need something else.  My daycare is great but it just can't replace the income lost when he went on disability and he needed something else to work on and think about.  Since we love peanut butter in all forms...this is well documented...that's the direction we headed in.  We thought and thought and thought and after a lot of discussion, Blind Spot Nut Butters was born.  We started testing out recipes on ourselves, our family, the daycare, our friends and anyone who would eat them.  And they liked them.  We liked them.  Hurray!  Now what?

Then, the flood of paperwork started...paperwork to the state setting up our business, setting up a home kitchen, getting a use certificate from our township...it seemed like all I was doing was filling out forms and writing checks!  But then, as of this Monday, we are officially a business with the ability to make nut butters.  It was so exciting!  We went out to dinner to celebrate and then celebrated more by buying supplies.  Buying supplies seems to be a never ending process already. 

We have designated a portion of our profits, not sure of the actual percentage yet, to be sent to Foundation Fighting Blindness.  When we were lost, trying to find a doctor who really understood Stargardt's disease, they were the one place who talked to us, talked about all of the intricacies of his condition and pointed us in the right direction.  The fact that they help to fund the doctor's research that he sees now means everything to me because it means that someone else might benefit from his experiences and our trials.  He's lucky that he's had his eyesight most of his life - so many children affected by this don't have that privilege.  We want to do something to help them too. 

In addition to all of that, we're learning to navigate through the craziness of food wholesalers!  So many choices and avenues to go down that it can make your head spin.  We are committed to quality ingredients, organic if possible, but are also committed to US based foods, as local to us as possible.  What a crazy position to be in sometimes!  So, I try and seek out ingredient suppliers who I feel as good about as I feel about our product.  I hope that commitment to our mission shows through, whether an organic sticker is on the package or not.  Always know that I am working hard at it!!!

So, here's hoping that Blind Spot Nut Butters will be a roaring success!  I'm so proud to be sharing my thoughts and our story with all of you.  Homemade Served Here has taken on a whole new meaning!!!

Our Road Trip

So, we've been home for weeks and I haven't shared vacation pics.  So, today is all about remembering what a good time the hubby and I had!

[caption id="attachment_1693" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Checking Lake Norman's trails...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1694" align="aligncenter" width="640"] We loved the view at Lake Norman![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1695" align="aligncenter" width="480"] This bird was not sure what to make of us. I had to snap the pic quick![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1696" align="aligncenter" width="480"] US National Whitewater Center. We will be returning! The trails were closed, so we opted to do this another day but it was worth the $5 to park just to walk around.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1697" align="aligncenter" width="480"] South Mountain State Park...a highway detour we're SO glad we made on the way to Asheville![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1698" align="aligncenter" width="480"] A lot of the trail up to the top of the waterfall was slipper stone or wood steps.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1699" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Or just flat rocks that you have to traverse...[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1700" align="aligncenter" width="480"] It was worth the climb![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1701" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Definitely worth the climb![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1702" align="aligncenter" width="480"] It's hard to capture in a photo but there was so much mica in the ground that it shimmered in the sun.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1703" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Down was just as tricky as up on these trails.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1704" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Dinner at Mellow Mushroom at Asheville...Highly recommended![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1705" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Breakfast at Early Girl Eatery. It was good...not exceptional, but it was better than the hotel breakfast![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1706" align="aligncenter" width="480"] View from Biltmore Estates...some people have the life![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1707" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Greenhouse at Biltmore[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1708" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Fried tofu wings at Tupelo Honey Cafe...AMAZING!!! I would drive to Asheville again just to eat at this place.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1709" align="aligncenter" width="480"] And Tupelo Honey's banana pudding? TO DIE FOR![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1710" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Biltmore House. Glad we decided to bite the bullet and pay to visit here.[/caption]

All in all, a GREAT road trip with the hubby.  I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Warning:Sharp Curve Ahead

Why doesn't life have those type of warning signs?  I mean, one day you're driving along and things seem smooth and peaceful when out of nowhere you're careening around a sharp curve you were pretty unprepared for encountering.  There should be signs.  Or at least a speedbump or two.  But that's not how life works, I guess.  My husband and I have went careening around a curve or two before in our almost two decades of togetherness and this may be the sharpest one we've encountered yet.  The difference this time?  I'm driving.  Haha!  Well, that was a little humor, but truthful at the same time.  I am now the driver.  And we are experiencing the most togetherness in all of our time together and despite all the warnings...we're loving it.  Really.  I love every minute I get to spend with him.  

So for all of you keeping track out there...here's my 2013:

1. Daughter gets married in a wedding that I get to plan in two months?  Check.

2. First grandchild on the way?  Check.

3. Son going off to college? Check.

4. Two of "my" babies in daycare heading off to kindergarten?  Check.

5. Hubby being home full time as we try to deal with reduced income and not reduced bills? Check.  

6. Vacation postponed because of several of the above?  Check.  Grr.  

I think that might be enough change for one year.  Don't you?  But, no, we're throwing another one onto the list...

7. Start a new business?  Check.   

Yep.  It is official.  We are starting a new business venture.  Blind Spot Nut Butters.  The hubby and I are both peanut butter addicts.  I mean, I would exist (and have) on the stuff and it just seemed like it made sense.  It is giving him a focus and I am fully on board.   I'm the flavor developer, he's the dreamer and the muscle behind the grinder.  It's a good mix.  We make good partners. 

Our first tasting is this weekend and I'm nervous!  I can't wait to share our vision and flavors but there's that little doubt that sticks around no matter what.  I can't wait to share more with you as things progress. 

Either way, our seatbelts are fastened and we're ready for this sharp curve ahead...but secretly I'm hoping for some smooth roads!   I mean, I feel like I am at a good place.  I'm happy and relying on God to show us our path and guide us.  It doesn't mean that I"m always calm and at ease...I certainly have my pity party moments but I'm mostly there.  Life is good despite the hubby's disability and whatever else we have down the road.  I am trusting the plan that God is putting in place in our lives.  But still, couldn't there be a sign or two warning us about the next curve?  Is that too much to ask? 

Sheri