Michelle, The recipe comes from a new cookbook I bought at Costco just before Christmas...gotta love that Costco and all their special deals during the holidays! Its called The New Best Recipe from the editors of Cook's Illustrated. I love this book and ordered 2 more from Amazon for b'day presents. Chewy Oatmeal - Raisin Cookies 1-1/2 cups (7-1/2 oz) unbleached all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg 1/2 tsp salt 16 tblsps (2-sticks) unsalted butter, softened 1 cup (7 oz) light brown sugar 1 cup (7 oz) sugar 2 large eggs 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick) 1-1/2 cups raisins Prehead oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets wiht parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray Whisk the flour, baking powder, nutmeg and salt tegether in bowl. Beat the butter on medium speed until creamy. Add the sugars, beat until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time. Stir the dry ingredients into the butter/sugar mixture with a wooden spoon. Stir in the oats and raisins. Make generous 2 inch balls and place 2 inches apart. Bake until the cookie edges turn golden brown, 22 to 25 mins. Let cool on pan for 2 mins and then transfer to rack to cool. *I used cranberries in place of the raisins The recipe said they didn't add cinnamon because it distracted from the flavor of the oats. If you want a less sweet cookie, use 1/4 cup less sugar but you'll lose some of the crispness. I used an ice cream scoop. They said a smaller cookie would be dryer and more cake-like. I really love the tight chewiness of this cookie and didn't miss the cinnamon at all. -Lori

Here's the recipe I usually use, from a friend in Annapolis. It's pretty similar to some of the other recipes posted and is pretty light on the Old Bay. I'd like to try Marilyn's salmon cakes and just happen to have some fresh salmon right now, so maybe tomorrow will be the day. Delicious Crab Cakes 1 lb. crab meat (picked through) 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon mustard (regular) 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 eggs (slightly beaten) 1 teaspoon parsley 2 pieces white bread - no crusts (I pulse it in the food processor, but a blender would probably work, too) Mix all this together - toss in crab meat last and donÂt overmix. Gently form into individual patties and refrigerate for 1/2 hour prior to frying. Fry in approximately 1/4 inch oil (I use half butter and half oil) about 4 minutes each side (or until nicely browned).

Here is another might like, I sure do. These freeze well, in fact I store them in the freezer right after baking and then pull one out and nuke it when I want one. Oat Bran Morning Muffins (Very good and very good for you.) 2 1/2 cups oat bran 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 1/3 cup canola oil (or extra-light olive oil) 2 cups buttermilk 1 cup dried blueberries or cranberries 2 medium apples (Gala); peel & chopped small 2 large eggs; beaten 1 1/2 cups white whole-wheat flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt Preheat oven to 375° and position rack in the center of the oven. Grease or place muffin liners in 18 standard size muffins cups. In a large bowl, combine the oat bran and the brown sugar; stir in the oil and buttermilk until evenly moistened. Add the dried fruit and chopped apples. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes, add the eggs. Combine the remaining ingredients and add to the buttermilk mixture using a large spatula or spoon just until evenly moistened, using no more than 15 to 20 strokes. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups level with the tops. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until tops are dry and springy (tooth pick test comes out clean)...don't over bake! Let them rest in the pan for 5 minutes before removing to rack to cool. Store in an air tight container. They freeze well. *Recipe from Beth Hensperger, Author of the Bread Bible and The Pleasure of Whole-grain breadsÂmy minor changes are as written above. Marilyn

OP here. We were out of town, so just responding now. Thanks for all these great tips! We have a Dollar Tree near us (DS's favorite place). We'll go get the items recommended. This week she has 2 requests: one 2-layer blueberry-lemon cake and 24 Boston cream pie cupcakes (those take 2 or 3 days to make!). On the whole government thing...In my city you can cut down trees, add a pool, put on a home addition, remodel a bathroom, replace your roof and windows, build a deck, etc, without a single permit or inspection. And we are in a major city, not in a rural area or a small town. Oh, but you get in trouble for painting your door a bright color; go figure. I actually wish permits and inspections were required bc it would force the contractors to up their game/skills. I doubt the city cares about a few dozen cookies every so often. It's like baby-sitting or cat-sitting for a kid.