Flannel Pajamas & Oatmeal Cookies

Today is my day for the annual Virtual Cookie Exchange Blog Hop!  (Thank you Carol of Just Let Me Quilt for graciously organizing this again!  We love you!)

Last year I learned of it too late to join in on an official basis, but I did my own blog post anyways.   Here’s to sitting in flannel pajamas sipping a cup of hot tea and munching a warm cookie in a house that’s safe and warm.  Cocoa or coffee works too!  

I actually was sipping a cup of tea while making these flannel nightgowns below.  It was definitely time to whip out the flannel for little dolls to have warm garments!  These are going to A Doll Like Me .  There’s no end to the need for specialized dolls.  I made these nightgowns to reflect those that I remember from my childhood.  Mine were usually pink or red with a ribbon or two on the front.  Mind you, I grew up in California where winter wasn’t even that cold!  Still, we had to have flannel.  I would keep watching that front ribbon as it slowly softened and eventually unraveled.  I like how these nightgowns evoke love and coziness (one ribbon literally says love.)  The sewing pattern is adapted from a smocked doll top found here.  I increased the length by 3 inches, ruffled the sleeves and added the ribbon and lace touches.

These doll nightgowns are flannel and have a lined bodice.  The lace, found at Joanns in the bargain ribbon bin, is an extra touch .  The ribbons are my favorite part though.  A little girl nightgown just has to have ribbons.  

Below is another flannel outfit for a little girl doll.  I had forgotten to add 3 more inches to the original pattern and therefore, the deer dress is really more of a top.  I added flannel pajama bottoms (using the same pattern below for the boy pajamas) and a nice little pj outfit was born.   I used up the last of this sweet deer flannel fabric, for now. 

Deer pajamas for a little girl doll.  Not everyone wears a nightgown so how about a pants outfit instead?  

These lion pajamas are for a boy doll and perhaps the last shorties for awhile.  The same pattern  has options for long pants and long sleeves.   Looking at the lion fabric, made of regular cotton, makes me shiver.  I wish I had made it longer and out of flannel.   Which brings me to the food portion of my post.  

A trip to Whole Foods when you need eggs results in buying these brown ones.   

I love many types of cookies but my favorites are probably oatmeal raisin.  My kids won’t tolerate raisins in anything, so I usually drop in chocolate chips instead.  One of my son’s has recently decided to go gluten-free.  I’m trying to be supportive of his dietary needs, even if it’s sometimes challenging.  For Thanksgiving, I baked him a gluten-free pumpkin chocolate chip loaf.  He was appreciative and said it was pretty good. Score one for mom!

Today’s blog hop was the perfect time for me to try making some gluten free cookies.  While most oatmeal is naturally gluten-free, some brands can have cross contamination from barley and other grains.  To be safe, I bit the bullet and ventured to Whole Foods where I purchased oatmeal that is marked “gluten free.”  I found an interesting recipe that has no flour at all.  Instead, the recipe has you grinding plain oatmeal in a food processor.  I used a blender since it’s much easier to clean and it did a fine job too.   The cookies came out large and chewy. 

The recipe for the Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies seen below can be found here.  

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Oatmeal cookies.  These are extra chewy, which my family loved.  I used mini chocolate chips but anything goes!  I even love raisins in them, but heaven forbid if I try that with my family!

If you prefer a regular Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookie to the gluten free recipe above, here is my standard recipe below.  It’s originally from the top of a Quaker Oat’s oatmeal box. 

REGULAR Vanishing Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies makes 4 dozen.

• 1/2 Cup(s) (1 stick) plus 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3/4 Cup(s) firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 Cup(s) granulated sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Teaspoon(s) vanilla
• 1-1/2 Cup(s) all-purpose flour
• 1 Teaspoon(s) Baking Soda
• 1 Teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon
• 1/2 Teaspoon(s) salt (optional)
• 3 Cup(s) Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
• 1 Cup(s) raisins or chocolate chips
• Blend butter & sugars.  Add egg and vanilla and blend again.  Finally, add the remaining ingredients.  Bake 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes.  

That’s it for now.  I’m off to bake the last batch of cookies.  I burned one tray but you know how that is, they’re still tasty.  Check out the talented bloggers posting great recipes and more this week.

November 27

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