Feels like Summer!

Finally it feels like summer! And what better way to celebrate summer than go to the Hollywood Bowl. It's seriously my favorite place in L.A. My three friends and I went to the 32nd Annual Playboy Jazz Festival on Saturday afternoon and night. I bought us discount tickets at Goldstar - a website dedicated to discount event tickets. I've purchased a lot of tickets to different events - plays, sporting events, movies, concerts - and am always happy with the seats and performances!

We had a glorious potluck picnic inside the Bowl including an assortment of veggies and chips with dip, seasoned pepitas, sandwiches with grilled veggies and turkey, and oatmeal date nut cookies. Oh, and of course I forgot the wine and specialty cocktail! ;o)

Oatmeal Date Nut Cookies

Ingredients

1/2 pound (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 cups old fashioned oats uncooked
1-1/2 cup chopped dates (the more dates the merrier!)
1 cup chopped walnuts

Preparation

Heat oven to 350°F.

In large bowl, beat together margarine and sugars with electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add to margarine mixture; mix well. Stir in oats, dates, and walnuts; mix well.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely.

These Oatmeal Date Nut Cookies are my favorite and always a crowd pleaser!