A measure of cloves rounds out the sweetness of cinnamon and dark brown sugar to create an intriguing flavor in Aunt Betty’s Spicy Oatmeal Cookies. The spices lay down a lingering impression on the tongue to sweeten the bitter notes in the coffee Aunt Betty loved to share. They also taste great with cold milk in a wide glass for dipping.
One of Aunt Betty’s signature dishes was Navy Bean Soup. This hearty soup is simple to make and quite practical. Inexpensive but tasty, it can be made ahead and left to simmer as guest arrive or family gathers. That gave my aunt ample opportunity to make everyone feel welcome as she exercised her gift of hospitality.
Fall is the perfect season for what Aunt Betty called Spoiling Bags. Full of novelty products collected from the seasonal aisle at your favorite shopping venue, a Spoiling Bag is fun to share with family members who are young at heart. I am confident Aunt Betty’s legacy of curiosity and good humor can still brighten the journey of family members I know would have adored her.