Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I've rediscovered a love of oatmeal raisin cookies.  I'm generally not a fan of raisins but in small quantities like in cookies I tolerate them.

 I came across this recipe for oatmeal raisin cookies and have made both the coconut oil version and the butter (or in my case margarine) version.  I think I prefer them with coconut oil as it gives the cookies a subtle coconut flavour and the dough is stiffer leading to less spread on the cookie sheet.  When I used margarine the cookies seemed to spread too much on the cookie sheet during baking.  Overall, they are a great cookie.  Thick and chewy and delicious.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup coconut oil or butter (or margarine), softened
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
2 3/4 cups rolled oats
1 cup raisins

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 375F.
2.  In a bowl cream together the coconut oil and sugars until smooth.
3.  Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
4.  Stir in the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
5.  Add oats and raisins.
6.  Scoop dough on to ungreased cookie sheets.
7.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Yield: 4-5 dozen


Recipe Source:  http://www.homeschoolingmom4two.com/2013/12/totally-scrumptious-oatmeal-raisin.html

Maybelline Dream Wonder Liquid Touch Foundation

I received the Maybelline Dream Wonder Liquid Touch Foundation to test in the shade Porcelain Ivory.  It was a really good match for my skin tone.  For reference I wear Ivory in Covergirl foundations.

The first thing I noticed about this foundation was the dome shaped dropper that is used to dispense the foundation: 

I found this applicator easy to use but would apply the foundation from the dropper to my fingers and then my face.  I suffer from acne and breakouts so didn't want to be touching the applicator directly to my face.  I would have preferred a pump to dispense the product but that's just my preference.

This foundation is fairly runny and I wondered how it would apply to my skin.  I was surprised at how soft and velvety this foundation felt going on.  It felt like I was applying liquid velvet!  

Porcelain Ivory swatch

I found the coverage to be about medium and yet my skin looked natural and not "made up".  I felt like I wasn't wearing foundation at all.  I do have acne scars and while this foundation didn't completely cover them, it did a good job of blurring my imperfections.

Overall, I was really impressed with this foundation and will continue using it.  One note, this foundation comes in a 20ml bottle while most other foundations are 30ml so you are getting a little less than usual.

Corn Flakes Crunch Cookies

I remember making these cookies years ago and they were so good!  Sweet, chewy and crunchy.  We recently had some Corn Flakes and I decided to make these cookies again.  They are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth!  They are quick and easy to make and require no baking.

Ingredients:
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/3 cup butter or margarine
6-8 cups corn flakes

Place sugar, corn syrup, butter and vanilla in a heavy saucepan.  Let it come to a rolling boil over medium heat.  Let it boil for 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and add corn flakes.  Mix well.  Drop by teaspoons onto parchment paper and let cool.

Happy New Year

Wishing you a Happy New Year with blessings for the year ahead.