I'm not the best 'friend' that one could have.  I mean to be.  I think about my friends all of the time.  You see, I don't do 'close' very well.  I'm also extremely selective about who my friends are... and aren't.  I think that my friend thing stems from some of my early friend experiences - most of which were very good - and a sense of feeling somehow inherently different (which I attribute to listening to too many sermons about being in the world but not of the world - what does that even mean? - and to having 'special' musical superhero powers from an early age) from most of the people around me.  The funny thing is that when I talk to people about my friend thing, most people have a similar experience and process.  I'm not alone in my feelings.
All of this brings me to my two best friends.  I'm not including D in that number.  He is different 'cause there are fringe benefits galore with that one.  My two best friends are KT and TVP (that's a funny one - 'cause he's totally not a vegetarian).  TVP and I have been best friends for about 20 years which is a damn long time.  We went through a lot together... the big stuff... BIG all caps.  KT and I have been best friends for almost 10 years and 'cause she's a girl we get to do girlie things together sometimes which is good for me 'cause I'm not much of a girlie girl.  Between us we've made it through kids, marriages, coming out, surgeries, depression, being completely broke, working together, trips, MRI's (almost) and lots of alcohol.  Both KT and TVP are probably the most understanding friends a girl like me could have.
I'm terrible with stuff that most people would consider a deal breaker for a best friend.  For example:
Time - I don't have much free time and what I do have often finds me completely given up on the day and sprawled out on the couch.  I'd say 80 percent of the time just the thought of dragging my ass out to do something makes me stuff my head further into the couch.
Birthdays - I care... a lot.  I'll make you dinner or cake or cupcakes but I'm terrible with presents.  Not because I don't want to get a present for my BFF but because it requires me to go out and enter a shop. I really don't like shopping.  What do you do when your best friend is the one person that you will happily go to the shop with?  How can I buy presents for the person who's with me?  How do I buy presents when I've got kids with me? (I'm sorry, it's very hard for me to do any personal shopping when my 6 yr old is with me) Sometimes I'm just plain broke.
Phone - Now arguably, phone calls are quickly becoming passé thanks to texting. (thank Jeebus) However, as a later teen and onwards being on the phone for any time longer than 20 minutes (still a long time thank you) sends me into a bit of a panic.  I'm not a phone talker (neither is KT - perfect).
Parties - AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! HARD.  AWKWARD.  HELP.


All of those things do not mean that my friends aren't on my mind.  They are.  All the time.  I love my friends.  I care deeply.  I would cook or bake for my friends anytime and KT can attest to the fact that she regularly gets a loaf of bread or some cookies.  I can tell you what they love to eat and what they hate.  I know exactly what to make for them that will make them happy.  These cookies are a testament to how much I think about my friends.  KT's favourite thing in the whole world (almost) is oatmeal.  When I saw this recipe on a blog I was smitten - had to try it.  I got the dough together and was about to throw in raisins or chocolate chips (all great ideas BTW) and then thought of KT.  She hates hates hates hates chocolate (great for me... no sharing) and can't eat raisins of any kind.  I was craving some serious simplicity as well and decided that for 'recipe testing purposes' that these cookies would go it alone - no 'helpers'.


The result:
A cookie that is soft (!) and almost cakey. A little dry (I'm going to experiment with a couple of tbsp's of applesauce or squash puree next time) but absolutely delicious.  Not too sweet (some chocolate chips?) but definitely not savoury.  I was very happy with the outcome AND that these cookies were made with whole wheat flour/oats and honey.  If you want to you could omit the sugar entirely.  I haven't gotten these cookies off to KT yet and I feel kind of bad because it's been a couple of days but the point is that she can eat them and she will love them.


Oatmeal Cookies with Red Fife and Honey adapted from 'Honest Fare'
makes about 2 dozen med/small cookies

1/2 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1/2 cup Red Fife or whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups oats (regular not 'quick')
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted or coconut oil
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg, beaten
1 tbsp milk

Combine the flours, oats, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a bowl.  Mix well and set aside.
Combine the honey, melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla, beaten egg and milk.   Mix well.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
At this point you can add in:
1/2 cup dessicated coconut
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried blueberries or goji berries....  You get the point.
Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes (I refrigerated mine for about 40 minutes altogether and it was fine so I think that even an hour wouldn't hurt)
Preheat oven to 325° F
Line a cookie sheet with parchment or a silicon liner.
Spoon out about 1 1/2 tbsp sized dough balls and place on the cookie sheet with about an inch and a half for the cookies to spread.
Bake for 10 - 15 minutes or until the cookies are just turning golden brown (honey can burn easily - so says 'Honest Fare' - therefor you need to keep an eye out so that they don't burn).
Remove immediately to cool on a wire rack.