Brooms

My friend, Teresa, shared some of this shrub with me. She wasn't sure of the name. That's her looking at the sunset. I love the orangey-red buds, opening into bright yellow blooms. J moved it for me last year. It was languishing where I had it. It's rewarded us with its first blooms, which greet us out at the road when we drive up.

In researching it, I'm thinking it's likely a broom. Apparently, some brooms are invasive. I'm hoping this isn't one of those, and didn't seem to be very aggressive at Teresa's. Some can be used for a yellow dye. That excites me, as I'd love to cultivate more plants that I can use in my soaps and other products. Can anyone enlighten me as to what this is?

J is putting the finishing touches on the first piece of our renewable energy system. I'll write more once I've taken pics. I hope you're having a lovely weekend!

Crispy Oatmeal Cookies

Sunday night, Joseph turned the water on, and all that came out was a trickle. Uh oh. After checking out the situation, he determined our well pump had bit the dust. Monday morning saw us hauling the pipe & pump out of the ground. I was able to keep up until he got about 175' out of the ground, at which point we had to call for reinforcements. That stuff is heavy! Once we got to the plumbing supply store, we found out he had a roller we could have borrowed to assist us. Live and learn. By 3:15 PM, we again had water. And boy, were we grateful for it. What a beautiful thing hot & cold running water is. We're lucky in that we have a cistern full of water, so we were able to wash up and such. But nothing beats a hot shower!

My dearest friend, Teresa, shared a cookie recipe with me years ago that I make every Christmas. They're Crispy Oatmeal cookies, and just wonderful. I do love a crispy cookie! Try them for yourself:

Crispy Oatmeal Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp grated orange rind
1/2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup oats (quick or regular)
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Cream butter. Gradually add sugars, beating well at medium speed. Add egg, orange rind and vanilla, mixing well. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl, & add to mixture, mixing well. Stir in oats and pecans. Divide dough in half. Spoon each half onto a large piece of waxpaper & shape into a 10" log. Roll in wax paper and freeze. When ready to cook, preheat oven to 350. Cut dough in 1/4" slices (no larger) and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool 1 minute, then loosen with spatula.