Cookies by the Sea

 "Those who are born on islands know the sound of spindrift breaking and the drift of foam....."

 The sea grass turning brown.The  ocean ready to toss up logs and rocks

 "The sight of white-keeled luggers sailing home, the cry of gulls at daybreak ocean bound."

 And young eagles. Not so young anymore. Readying for fall.

 And Cookies. By the sea. Some to be stolen by seagulls....

 1 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla (or 1 tsp maple syrup if you are out of vanilla)

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

2 cups rolled oats

2 cups chocolate chips

     Cream butter and sugar together.

            Beat in eggs 1 at a time ( I tend to just dump them all together. Comes out the same. Just mix well)

      Add rest of ingredients. Mix well

                         Drop by spoonfuls onto lined sheets or greased baking pans

 "Always a wind is singing in their ears, always they lean to catch a drift of spray."

                     Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

                                                  Makes about 5 dozen. Give or take.

 "Or reef-blown water tossing in a bay, or drift of ebb tide around salty piers."

 OATMEAL CHIP PIZZA: Press 3 cups of dough into 12 inch pizza pan.

                                        Sprinkle with choc chips, butterscotch chips, nuts , coconut,                                                                   Smarties, M and M's.

                                         Allow a bit more time to bake. 

                                          A neat treat for a group of people, gathering, etc.

 "Those who are born on islands must remain aware of ships and anchors and tall spars...."

 "Of schooners sailing by beneath the stars..."

 "....of buoys sounding in the dripping rain...."

 "Their thoughts are not of city streets or walls....."

 "But how the full tide lifts and how it falls................"

 Quotes from Harold Vinal's poem "Islanders" (1891-1965) from "1000 Beautiful Things, 1948"...... ( Yes, this is an amazing book. Seems to have everything in it.)

 Born in Vinalhaven, he was mostly  a pianist and teacher. Then he had an epiphany and wrote some of the most beautiful sea poetry, His most famous poem is "Hurricane". But I love the imagery he creates.  "I saw a star flame in the sky, I heard a wild bird sing....." (etc) (Saving more for later......)

 Photographs 2017