Summer and Autumn

I'm still in that Summer Is Still Here You Can't Talk Me Into Baking With Pumpkin Until Fall Is Here Mode. You're either with me or you're throwing gourds at me :-) According to my calendar, Autumn officially starts on September 23, but I've heard others say it's the 22nd, and most recently someone said it was the 21st. So I decided to do a little search and this is what I came up with: According to Suite 101, the first day of Fall is September 22, 2010 at precisely 11:09 pm EDT (for the Northern Hemisphere). There, it's settled.

That being said, I do have to admit to picking up two cans of Organic pumpkin puree at the grocery store this evening. Why? Am left me a comment asking if I had heard of a pumpkin shortage. I had not, but I also heard the same thing last year and I didn't have any problems finding any. That being said, I was going to stock up on a few cans for my Fall baking and I had a hard time finding it. When I found it (next to the canned pie filling) there were only two small cans on the shelf, so I snagged them up. I'm not sure if there really is a shortage or if it's still early in the season and it's not quite delivered to the stores yet. After all it is still Summer, have I mentioned that yet? :-) If you're worried about not having enough, just be sure to grab a can or two whenever you see some, where ever you see it. Am, I hope you find some!

Speaking of Fall, My sweet girl, Autumn, turned 6 years old yesterday.

While there are a few days left of this season, I thought I'd share with you a no-bake cookie recipe. I remember having these as a kid, though I am certain no one in my family made them, so I'm not sure where that memory comes from. You know when you taste something it just transports you back? Well that's how these cookies were for me. They're not really cookies, they're kinda fudgey and sweet, have great chocolate taste and they're loaded with oatmeal. When you first make them, they're somewhat soft and after a couple days they get harder and sandier, almost like a sugary praline. They were delicious and required very little effort. They'd also be great tucked into your kids lunch box.

No Bake Cookies- Favorite Recipes For Our Friends

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• 2 cups sugar
• 1 stick oleo, margarine or butter (I used butter)
• 3 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3 cups oatmeal (old fashioned rolled oats, not instant)

Mix the sugar, butter, cocoa, and milk in a medium saucepan.* Boil for 1 minute.

Add the peanut butter and vanilla. Mix quickly until peanut butter melts, then add the oatmeal and mix til well blended.

Drop spoonfuls on tin foil, wax paper or parchment. Allow to set and cool completely.

Makes 2 dozen 3 inch cookies.

NOTE: *I opted to pour the chocolate mixture into a large bowl before adding the oatmeal.

P.S. I love old cookbooks. This recipe comes from the bank in our (former) hometown, published in 1975. It has some of the best recipes. And I love that it calls for Oleo, instead of butter. Seriously, LOVE that.