My Dad's Favorite Oatmeal Walnut Date Cookies

My Dad loves these oatmeal date cookies.  Every-time I visit home, he asks me to bake a batch before I leave.  I can't argue because they are delicious.  The addition of dates makes the cookies extra moist, chewy, and amazing!

Ingredients

2 sticks butter 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 eggs  1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 cups uncooked quick oatmeal 1 cup chopped dates 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Mix ingredients in order.   Bake at 350 degrees  for about 8 to 10 minutes.

....and enjoy...especially dunked in hot coffee!  

New to Me Coffee Table

Ever since I bought my new sofa I've been looking for a coffee table....for over a year!  I had this hand-me-down before (in addition to the old love seat) - sure it was nice and compact, but it didn't exactly compliment my more modern sofa:

I browsed the webpages of all of the modern design stores - West Elm, CB2, Design Within Reach, Ikea - and paged through Craigslist ads.  Until I discovered this $15 metal typing desk at a thrift store.

After roaming around the thrift store, I had one of those "light bulb" moments...I should shorten the legs!  How do I execute my idea?   I need a welder!  Thank goodness for Google...I was led to the industrial area of Stockton to a local welding company.

And here is the finished product:

I absolutely love my new (well, new to me) coffee table.  I can roll it about and hide magazines/remotes in the shelf underneath.   If and when I get tired of it, the whole thing wasn't a major investment! And isn't it quite similar to this?  :)