Cookie Bookie III: Ribbons of Moonlight

Welcome back to Cookie Bookie, my week long homage to good reads and tasty treats. We've covered Austen and maple bars, Christie and gooey chocolate cookies. Follow along everyday by clicking the link in the upper right side bar. Tell your friends to follow along too; there's always room for more at my table.

Did you miss me? Some of you wrote me e-mails wondering where Cookie Bookie was for today. It is here, never fear. I spent the night up with Sailor and her lingering flu that has now become croup, and this morning at the Dr.'s office and then off to get a prescription filled that needed special permission since it is a "controlled" substance (read cough syrup). I'm a wee bit late, but I'm still here. E-mail me anytime to wonder about my whereabouts, dear readers. It's lovely to be missed. Without further ado...Cookie Bookie!

Except today's book isn't really a book at all. It's a narrative poem titled "The Highway Man," written in just two days in 1906 by Alfred Noyes. It spins the tale of two young lovers, an impeccably dressed, suave thief and Bess, the beautiful black haired landlord's daughter. Bess waits longingly for her black hero by the window at night, but a jealous stableman betrays them to the authorities, resulting in..... I can't spoil the ending. (Agatha Christie would turn in her grave.) You'll have to read it yourself- out loud please. Here's a little teaser. Listen to the beautiful description of the night in the first stanza.
The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees,

The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,

The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,

I'm sorry to interrupt, but I love the way the words "the road was a ribbon of moonlight, " and the "moon was a ghostly galleon" create such a vivid, eerie image. Breaking the lonely silence, is the dashing highway man, galloping along the road. The rythmic repetition of the horses hooves are felt in the meter of the poem, pulling the reader along for the ride.

And the highwayman came riding—

Riding—riding—

The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.

What will become of this dashing villain and his gorgeous young lover? Read the poem in its entirety here to find out.

And now, a delicious nibble to accompany a delicious read. It's a hearty peanut butter- oatmeal cookie, "strung with ribbons of moonlight," in the form of melted Candy Corn Hershey kisses. The cookie is crowned with a full kiss, like the one that the Highway man plants on Bess's black hair. Hugs (and Kisses) and Happy Haunting. Kisses Candy Corn Autumn Cookies from the Hershey's website

(thanks to my friend Anna at Cookie Madness for the inspiration)

Estimated Cost: $6.00 for 4 dozen
3/4 cup REESE'S Creamy Peanut Butter
1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/3 cups quick-cooking oats, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
66 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Candy Corn Flavored Candies (find them at Target)
Directions:1. Heat oven to 350°F Beat peanut butter and shortening in large bowl until well blended. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together 1/2 cup oats, flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in remaining oats; place on ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten cookies with tines of fork to form a crisscross pattern.3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.4. Remove wrappers from candies. Place 18 candies in heavy-duty resealable plastic food storage bag. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 30 seconds; knead bag and candies. If necessary, microwave at MEDIUM an additional 15 seconds at a time, kneading after each heating, until candies are melted and color is uniform. Cool slightly. Cut off corner of bag about 1/8 inch from point. Lightly drizzle cookies. Before drizzle sets, place candy piece in center of each cookie. About 4 dozen cookies.

Be Back Tomorrow with more Sweet and Spooky good times.

P.S. Some readers will remember the poem from Anne of Green Gable's recitation at the White Sands Hotel. Here's the link on youtube.