It’s definitely not business as usual where I live in northern California, but there are signs we may be able to safely enjoy some of our favorite activities as long as we accept conditions of the new normal. I love how businesses are adapting.
Golf
I played golf this week for the first time since early March. It varies from course to course, but significant changes have been made to eliminate touch points and accommodate social distancing.
My club, a modest public golf course, has done a great job on the things they can control, but I observed some sloppy behavior among the guests. I felt safe only because I took extra effort to stay safe.
Although I didn’t wear a mask while playing, I had several masks in my bag and put on a clean one whenever I approached anything resembling a crowd. I was careful to keep my distance but had to dance around my playing partners, who seemed oblivious to social distancing.
All in all, it was good day. I played well, and that surprised me. Sometimes they say a break in golf is good because you forget all the bad habits you developed. I had two birdies on the back nine! As for Dale, it was a good day for him, too. He liked having the house to himself.
Grocery Store
We went inside our favorite grocery store, which now requires that all associates and shoppers wear masks. An employee at the entrance checks for masks and wipes down a cart for you. People were well-behaved, and with some exceptions, the shelves were full. Plenty of produce and dairy but a little short on some kinds of meat. We got everything we needed.
The check-out lanes were marked to help people stay six feet apart, and there was a plastic shield between you and the cashier. Hand sanitizer stations by the doors. Unless something changes, I think we could do this every couple of weeks.
Winery
One of our favorite local wineries closed its tasting room, but you can order wine online and pick it up. They’re allowing one person in the tasting room at a time to purchase wine, or they’ll bring it to your car. Even if we can’t taste, it’s a lovely drive and will give us something to do.
Library
And yet another great innovation from the library! Prior to the lockdown, I had reserved a couple of books. One of them arrived – The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich – and I got an email with a link, where I could make an appointment to have the book delivered to my car! Isn’t that cool?
The notice also included this message, “All materials have undergone an established waiting period and have been handled only by staff whose hands have been sanitized and who wear fabric face coverings.”
Backup to the Backup Peanut Butter
When we went to the store, I got backup peanut butter even though we already had backup peanut butter. I’m not hoarding, but I wanted to make peanut butter cookies, and the recipe calls for a cup of peanut butter. That’s actually quite a lot, and I didn’t want to raid our supply.
With the pantry fully loaded, I made the cookies. I like chocolate as much as the next person, but I lean toward anything made with brown sugar and nuts. These have got to be the easiest cookies ever, and I love them so much, I might never make them again.
We store the cookies in the freezer, so theoretically you’re not tempted. But that time is gone. Once frozen, they’re like peanut butter candy bars.
Peanut Butter Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Peanut butter Not the natural kind that must be stirred … but any regular peanut butter is good, either crunchy or creamy.
- 1 Cup Dark brown sugar My preference. White sugar or light brown sugar also works.
- 1 Large Egg
- Coarse sea salt Optional, but yum!
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Beat everything together until smooth. Drop by spoon or scoop onto an ungreased parchment-lined cookie sheet. Press each cookie slightly with fork or other tool. My dough was soft and the fork press wasn’t precise, but it did the job. You can also refrigerate the unbaked cookies for 20 minutes so you get a better press. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt. Bake for about 10 minutes, until just golden. Let cool completely. They’re soft if left at room temperature but crisp up in the freezer.
- If you must have chocolate, take three or four chocolate chips and press them into the cookie before baking. They're delicious this way, too.
So what peanut butter do you like? My DH buys the Costco size Adams crunchy. Guess that wouldn’t work in this recipe.
Lucky you with library openings! Ours aren’t opening in any fashion yet. I had two hold books waiting the day they closed. Hopefully once they open, however that might look, those books will still be waiting for me.
Are you still walking? I managed 186 miles in April–it gives me alone time and relieves stress. I should be walking in France right now. . .
Hi Sheila, thanks for the feedback. I edited the recipe because now I can see it was ambiguous. You don’t want the kind you have to stir up. Anything else is game. We like Skippy Super Crunch (I think that’s what it’s called). The Costco peanut butter would work great!
I am walking a lot. I don’t measure my distance, but I’m going to start. Yours is impressive!
I’m not even going to try these cookies if they’re as addictive as you say. We have enough trouble limiting our sugar intake and these would be deadly!! I’m with Dale. I would like a little chocolate with mine.
Dale confirmed he prefers the cookies with a few chips in them. They are deadly, indeed.
Yum! Thanks for the recipe. I ❤️ anything peanut butter. Unfortunately (or maybe for the best😉) I don’t have any brown sugar in the house right now. Not going to buy any before my move either. Think I might have dodged a cookie bullet there…🤣
Deb
I’m using that expression from now on — dodging a cookie bullet. Lately, I seem to be in the line of fire! Continued good wishes on your move.
Thank you Donna🙏
This recipe reminds me of the day when I visited my sister and she proudly announced that she had finally found the perfect chocolate cake recipe – it called for no flour at all. As she said, just the essential ingredients. I think I only have light brown sugar on hand but will be placing an order for pick up this week and will definitely include dark brown so that I can try these. Thanks for the recipe! I don’t think I’m ready to enter a full-service grocery store yet (although I have gone twice into our local food co-op). I live in an urban area, and while our cases are increasing very slowly, 70% of the cases in my county are in my immediate neighborhood. And too many people are not wearing masks, despite the order to wear them.
You can use any kind of sugar, but I think dark brown is worth waiting for. The salt is also optional. It was my idea to add the salt, and I’m calling it one of my best ideas ever.
I totally get you on the urban setting. We live in the suburbs, and for some reason, our particular area has fared well. I am still being extra cautious. I’m sure the other walkers and golfers think it’s funny to see me with a mask 20 feet away from them, but I don’t care. I didn’t survive cancer twice by being stupid. Sounds like you are doing all the right things for your unique situation. Go you!
I’ve been thinking about how life will change as the economy slowly opens up. There’s the option of getting my hair cut/colored; the dental appointment will be rescheduled. And that’s about it. As long as social distancing is in place, the “lock down” will continue in my life with no concerts, big or small; no game days/nights; no movies in the theater; no dinner theater; no visit from my friends in England scheduled for early June; no dinner parties or lunches with friends/family; no overnight visitors/visiting with friends/family. I’ll continue with my seasonal yard work, meal planning/execution, walks, reading, listening to music & favorite radio programs, household tasks, journaling, tai chi chih, meditation. Socializing is limited to phone calls and the occasional yard visit. Donna, your previous post was Not Bored, But Boring? I think you were reading my mail when you titled that post!
I guess I’ve been slouching toward boring for quite some time. This was like permission to dig in. Dale and I had an interesting chat this morning about Zoom happy hours and such. I want no part of it, and he doesn’t either, really, but he said he’d do it if it mattered to someone he cared about.