Wishes in a Jar

Last year, I gave my friends' 8 year old daughter a birthday gift of dandelion wishes. That is, a jar full of dandelion seeds, to be pulled out when a wish was needed.

I have no idea what she really thought of it, and I have a feeling the poem I wrote to accompany it got tossed in the garbage, but I'm proud of it. I've never been much good at poetry but I liked this one. Just found it while cleaning up my documents folders and I will share it here!

So remember: every time you see a field full of dandelions gone to seed, you can look at them as weeds, or you can look at them as wishes.

Wishes in a Jar

When so ever you have a need,

Take a head of dandelion seeds,

And blow your wish

Into the Air;

Then say these words,

“Let my wish be heard!”

And when the seeds

Are all used up

Just gather more

To fill your cup!

For know, sweet girl,

In this great world

There’s a place for every

Wish to be heard. 

More Holiday Treats

I saw The Nutcracker yesterday. For a story that's sort of just an elaborate fever dream, it certainly makes for some beautiful music and dancing. It was spectacular.

The atmosphere of the holiday season is so fun. As it gets dark earlier and earlier, it's such a welcome sight when the trees are lit and evergreen branches and colorful bows, ribbons and lights are strung everywhere. The ballet had all that: folks dressed in all their most glittery, sparkly, fancy best, dazzling sets and costumes, stirring and triumphant music. Highly recommend.

This weekend's cookie extravaganza:

Almond Butter Balls 
my mom's recipe, one I make every year, stupidly easy, delicious, not too sweet.


1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp almond extract, or 2 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 cups almonds, or your nut of choice - I often make this with walnuts
sugar for rolling, optional. I use a cinnamon-sugar mixture with a dash of nutmeg. You could also use powdered sugar. 

Cream the butter and sugar together with a mixer until very light and fluffy. add salt, flour, and extract. Stir together until well mixed. Fold in nuts. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or so until it's easy to handle.

Preheat the oven to 350F. Roll dough into 1" balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake about 10 minutes (ovens will vary). When still warm, roll in sugar, then place on parchment paper.

Makes about 3 dozen cookies, depending on how big you make them.


4-ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies 
So easy, you'll never make them with flour again.

1 cup smooth peanut butter (Jif/Skippy/Peter Pan, not the natural stuff)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla

Cream the peanut butter and sugar together until well mixed. Add the egg and vanilla and mix well.

Preheat the oven to 350F. Roll dough into 1" balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Using a fork, press ball down gently one direction, then again perpendicular to create a grid pattern.

Bake 10-12 minutes. Leave on the cookie sheet about 5 minutes after baking, then remove to cooling rack.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

I'm too lazy to go take a picture of the ones I made, but they look just like this. https://homemadehooplah.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/4-ingredient-peanut-butter-cookies-2-800x1198.jpg