Good News and Cookies, Which is MORE Good News

Never sit down at your computer whilst munching the last of your dessert, an oatmeal raisin cookie, and then inhale crumbs after you open the email marked “Absolutely Essential Reading” from your editor.

Kirkus Reviews, which is known for some of the most deadliest, eviscerating, scary-to-all-authors reviews on earth has awarded MARE’S WAR a starred review, to be published May 1.

I wish I could say I had a picture of the cookie on which I just choked, but no. I find we also don’t often have recipes for these things, either, because I just …whipped it up. Two cups of flour. A cup of oats. Maybe a quarter cup of oil. About a third cup of brown sugar, agave nectar, or succanat – multiple sugars keep baked goods moist. I added some oat bran. Some baking powder. Some cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, allspice. A bunch of sticky raisins which somehow picked up moisture during the move. Half of a broken chocolate bar. A bit of milk, two tablespoons of lemon juice. A cup of unsweetened coconut shreds. I think that was it. And after that, it was stir, parcel out, and bake.

One nice thing about this house — despite the lack of hot water or heat, despite the lack of properly weather-sealed windows — is that the kitchen has a great little oven that heats quickly, evenly, and thoroughly. We’ve both been inspired to bake two batches of cookies in as many days (*naughty!*), cornbread, sweet rolls, and plain bread, not to mention the huge baking potatoes we have here, and a casserole.

Recipes to follow, for sure — eventually. When I quit choking.

…which is obviously a sign of happiness!

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