Summer Diary Day 87: Game Night

Dear summer diary,
I confess, we scooted all 8 kids downstairs to the playroom. Where they watched movies & played dress up & tattled once or twice & made the biggest mess on the planet. And all dozen of us adults set up the chairs upstairs, & left lots of floor space for some gaming. Guesstures, to be exact. I am an admittedly great player at that game. Best party game. Eva.

Some folks brought snacks. My friends Brandy & Pedro even helped me make 4 dozen Soft Molasses Cookies--- that got all eaten up. Each batch came out of the oven & directly into someone's belly. The recipe is from my mom, who got it from her longtime childhood friend Carol, who — {fun fact}— is the mom of Jake Anderson from the show Deadliest Catch on the ship The Northwestern.

Although it was just a spontaneous plan that afternoon to have a "Game Night" that evening, I pretended in my head that they were all there for me. To come hang out with me. Because, I'm needing to surround myself with friends & have some happy times just being silly nowadays. It was a good night. How sweet is this: I later found out that my hubby thought it would be a good idea to gather everyone together. Just for me.

Ok, ok, I know you'll all ask me for the recipe, so here it is...

1/2 CUP margarine
1/2 CUP shortening
1 1/2 CUPS sugar
1/2 CUP molasses
2 eggs, beaten
4 CUPS flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
2 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1. Cream margarine, shortening & sugar.
2. Beat in molasses & eggs.
3. Mix dry ingredients. Stir into sugar mixture & mix until smooth.
4. Roll into balls, dip in sugar, put on cookie sheet. (I take the bottom of a drinking glass & slightly press. Just a little bit.)
5. Bake 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
6. 350 degrees for 13 minutes. (I cooked mine for 12 minutes. Suppose it depends on yer oven though.)
♥
Nikki