Well, at least a Christmas treat. This recipe is one my mom has always done as part of her annual batch of Christmas cookies, and other than the spritz cookies is probably my personal favorite. It really doesn’t have to be a Christmas only cookie/bar, but maybe that is part of it’s appeal?

Toffee Squares

• 3 C Quick Oats
• 3/4 C melted margarine or butter
• 3/4 C brown sugar
• 1/4 C + 2 Tbsp dark corn syrup
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 tsp vanilla
• Food coloring, if desired
• 1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 C chopped nuts

Pour melted butter over oats and mix well. Add sugar, syrup, salt and vanilla along with a few drops of red or green food coloring, if desired, and blend well.

Pack firmly in a well-greased 8 x 8 pan. (Glass works best) and bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes. (The center will soft, but will firm up when cooling. Do not over-bake.)

Pour chocolate chips on top, cover with a large cookie sheet. Remove cover after a few minutes, when the chips are melted. Spread chocolate and sprinkle with nuts, if desired.

Once set, cut in to 1-inch squares. Store in air-tight container.

Yer not getting any nutritional info, cause well.. these ain’t. Any benefit you might get from the oats is pretty much drowned out by the sugar and butter and well, the chocolate. But so what? They taste wonderful!

…and checking it twice.

Saturday was the 2nd Annual Mendota Lights celebration at a town square like shopping/office area the company I work for owns and manages. We have a 20some foot tree with thousands of lights on it, Santa comes in, carolers, and more (we had a bit of a storm, the horses for the hay rides didn’t make it this year). I got to escort Santa around again this year. This shot was about the best I was able to get. Lighting stunk for getting good snapshots, and getting close when all the kids want to see him is tough. But, I think this picture best hits the mark for the mood of the evening.