Discover more from Sunny Side Recipes
#4: This Is How Holiday Magic Happens
Plus this month's free recipe for the best-ever chewy oatmeal cookies.
We’re just 10 subscribers away from becoming a Substack “bestseller”! 🎉
Upgrade to a paid subscription or gift one to a friend before prices increase on January 1st. To celebrate reaching this milestone, I’ll plant 100 extra trees in addition to the ones I already plant for every new paid subscriber.🎄
I’ll never forget my first Thanksgiving solo. I was alone in a deserted college dorm, warming myself with a steaming cup of ramen and a worn VHS1 tape of Home Alone. I’d stuck a strand of fairy lights to my window, their soft glow my only company as I huddled on my bed, watching snowflakes drift silently outside while Kevin tormented burglars in the background.
It wasn’t that I missed my family. I didn’t. Our holiday gatherings had rarely been merry affairs.
But I did long for the idea of what a holiday “should be” — a.k.a. as seen in the movies. I wanted the slightly dysfunctional yet fiercely loyal family that crowded around a table overflowing with food, teasing cousins, and a quirky grandpa who inspired knowing glances and affectionate smiles despite his eccentricities.
I didn’t have that. And I never would.
That first Thanksgiving on my own was difficult.
Yet things began to change in my second year of college. This was before I met my husband and set his house on fire.
I was preparing for another solo holiday season, saying goodbye to friends as they headed home for break. I had recently seen Star Wars the Phantom Menace, and there was a scene stuck in my mind. It was the moment when Qui-Gon Jinn talked with young Anakin Skywalker to help him find a path forward in life.
He said: “Always remember, your focus determines your reality.”
I couldn’t get this phrase out of my head.
Then one evening I was trudging through the snow with a small bag of groceries and stopped mid-stride as a thought hit me: What if I had been focusing on the wrong things my entire life?
What would happen if I shifted my attention?
With nothing to lose, I decided to try an experiment. And I began immediately.
Suddenly, I wasn’t trudging through the snow toward an empty dorm room to spend Thanksgiving alone. Instead, I savored the crisp evening air, pausing to watch snowflakes float lazily from the sky while clutching a paper bag of provisions close to my chest.
Soon, I would step into my room, where the old radiator would creak and knock as it came to life, infusing warmth into the space as winter winds howled outside. I’d tuck my groceries into the mini fridge beside my desk and prepare a modest stew in my small crock-pot. Later, I’d spoon tender meat over instant mashed potatoes while watching Home Alone, as was my custom on Thanksgiving.
Yes, I was alone. But in that solitude, I discovered something: my mind had been telling me stories. I was so fixated on what “should be” that I was blind to what actually was.
It’s human nature to make mental movies — replaying what went wrong or worrying about what might come undone. But in doing so, we forget that the present moment is where life happens. The future is, and always will be, nothing more than a thought.
There in my dorm room, without changing any of the facts of my life, I transformed my narrative. And in the end, it was one of the loveliest holidays of my young life. I think of it from time to time, especially when life presents new obstacles or my focus falters.
We can’t control the wind, but we can adjust our sails by choosing the lens through which we view our days. It’s a power that, all too often, we forget to wield.
As we approach this holiday season, I know it may feel heavier for many. The world feels uncertain; and for some, recent events may stir grief or anxiety about the future.
In times like these, noticing the goodness in our lives isn’t about ignoring challenges but about reclaiming our ability to find light even in the darkest corners. It’s an anchor that grounds us, a quiet act of resistance. Gratitude does not diminish the reality of our struggles. Instead, it gives us the strength we need to face them.
Whether you’re gathering with family, experiencing solitude, or navigating something in between, I hope you can find a moment to pause and reflect on what remains good and steady in your life — the small kindnesses, the familiar rituals, the enduring hope for something better.
Emerson once wrote, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” And he was right. No matter what is going on around you, remember that there is peace even in the storm.
So this holiday season, ask yourself: What small blessings might I be overlooking? What story do I want to tell myself?
You may find, as I did, that by shifting your focus even the smallest details can make a difference in how you experience your life.
Published in November
In case you missed anything, here’s a quick look at the recipes, stories, and essays published this month. Also, check out the full Recipe Index.
Breakfasts & Desserts
Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies ← This month’s free recipe, at the bottom of this post. Santa may leave you an extra present if you make these for him. 🎅🏼
Turkey Challah Bread ← So easy to make & perfect for Thanksgiving!
Savory Sundries
Venison Meat Pies ← These can also be made with lean ground beef.
Thanksgiving Favorites
What I’m Loving Right Now
Books
“Devotions” by Mary Oliver — My husband recently gave me this book, which is a collection of poems by one of my favorite writers. Her work offers a gentle yet insistent invitation to pause, reflect, and connect with the world around us. I’ve quoted her a few times in my articles, but until now I’d merely sought her poetry online. I’m so happy to have one of her books on my nightstand now.
“The Obstacle is the Way” by Ryan Holiday — I’ve read this book three times and think its message is so important, especially given our current fractured cultural environment. (It was one of our family book club reads as well.) In this approachable look at Stoic philosophy, the author examines a key saying of Marcus Aurelius (quoted below) and shows how we can turn adversity to our advantage. Highly recommended.
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” — Marcus Aurelius
TV & Movies
Martha (Netflix) — I enjoyed this documentary about Martha Stewart’s early life, rise to fame, and personal struggles along the way. Martha participated in this film, granting interviews and even sharing personal letters with the producers. I came away feeling impressed by her achievements and also sorry for the way she was treated by the men in her life. She seems like a resilient, yet complicated woman.
For All Mankind (Apple TV) — This is one of our favorite shows. It is deeply character-driven and gets off to a slow start in episode one, but once you get to know each person you’ll want to know what happens to them. The show presents an alternate reality where Soviet Russia gets to the moon before the US and follows the ripple effects of losing the space race.
Foundation (Apple TV) — Based upon Isaac Asimov’s series by the same name, this is a compelling series about a future where a ruler who calls himself “Empire” has established a genetic dynasty. There are always three clones of him - a young one (Brother Dawn), a middle-aged one who rules (Brother Day), and an older one (Brother Dusk). A scientist named Dr. Hari Seldon is convinced Empire will fall and works with a young woman named Gaal to ensure humanity’s survival. This series is well done, with exceptional performances by Jared Harris and Lee Pace in particular. However, the storyline is complex so make sure you pay attention! No looking at your phone while you watch this show.
Listening to on Repeat
Catch & Release by Matt Simons — This is an old song that is brand new to me. It’s an upbeat yet reflective song with lyrics that have resonated with me recently.
A Glimpse of Life
I filmed the video below during an evening hike this month. My phone never quite captures the beauty of the moment, but I wanted to share nonetheless. I did manage to catch a loon bobbing for fish on camera!
Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Earlier this month I mentioned that my son was making oatmeal raisin cookies for his D&D game and this is the recipe. These cookies are SO GOOD! The entire batch was gone by the end of their gaming session.
He also tested a cherry cheesecake recipe for me that day, which is coming up for paid subscribers in December. 🙌🏻
But back to these cookies. They are soft, thick, and chewy. My husband snagged a few before game time began and two days later he was still gushing about them.
What makes these cookies so good? Two things:
Sugar: These are made with white and brown sugar. The molasses in brown sugar makes it more hygroscopic (better at retaining moisture) than white sugar. Adding it to these cookies results in softer, chewier cookies. I also use white sugar to make the edges of the cookies slightly crisp.
Orange juice: I loathe hard raisins, especially in cookies. So we are going to plump up the raisins in warm orange juice before adding them to the batter. This makes them soft, plump, and extra flavorful. You can also use warm apple juice or apple cider.
This is a simple cookie recipe without any complex ingredients or complicated techniques. It’s maximum cookie enjoyment for minimum effort. Give it a try, and if you like this recipe, consider upgrading to a paid membership so that you gain access to all the recipes in the index. There are over 100 so far!
Ingredient Notes
Here are quick notes about some of the cookie ingredients. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the printable ingredient list and instructions.
Unsalted butter – I recommend using unsalted butter so that you can have more control over the amount of salt that goes into the cookies. Make sure to take the butter out of the fridge a few hours before making these cookies, so it has time to soften. You can also put it in the microwave on low power for 30 seconds if you’re in a pinch.
Brown sugar – Don’t skip it. Brown sugar helps keep these cookies moist and chewy.
Eggs – Let them come to room temperature first. Room temp eggs are easier to combine with other ingredients.
Rolled oats – It’s important to use old-fashioned rolled oats for this recipe. Don’t try to use steel-cut or quick-cooking oats as they won’t work.
Raisins – You can use regular or golden raisins. If you want to substitute the raisins, dried cranberries work as well.
Orange juice – We’ll soak the raisins in juice before adding them to the cookie dough. You can also use apple juice or cider.
Do I have to chill the cookie dough?
Yes, you have to chill the cookie dough. I know, I know who wants to wait for the dough to chill right? But trust me, it’s worth it. Chilling your dough gives the oats time to absorb moisture from the surrounding batter, which means your cookies will be soft and chewy. The chill time also firms up the dough a bit so that your cookies won’t spread too much during baking.
Helpful Tips
Don’t overbake them. The cookies will keep cooking even after you’ve taken them out of the oven, so it’s important to pull them out when the middle is still soft. If you bake them for too long your cookies will be hard.
Beat your butter and sugar. It can be tempting to just mix the sugar into the butter and move on to the next step in the recipe. But if you thoroughly beat your sugar into the butter, you’ll create small pockets of air in the dough that make the cookies lighter and fluffier.
Don’t skimp on cooling time. The residual heat will finish baking the cookies, while cooling will allow the dough to firm up. Let the cookies cool for 5 minutes on the baking rack before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling. If you try to transfer them too soon then the centers won’t have set and your cookies will break.
How to Store
Counter: You can store these oatmeal raisin cookies on the counter in an air-tight container or bag. Cookies stored this way will last up to five days.
Fridge: Place them in an airtight container so that they don’t dry out. They will last for up to one week.
Freezer: Cookies can be frozen for up to three months. Keep them in an air-tight bag, and make sure that you remove as much air as possible from the bag before placing it in the freezer. Individually wrapping each cookie in saran wrap also helps reduce freezer burn. To thaw the cookies, simply take them out of the bag and leave them at room temperature until they’re fully thawed.
For young people: VHS is short for Video Home System. It was a type of magnetic tape cassette housed in a rectangular plastic casing. We used these to record and playback video from the late 1970s through the early 2000s.
Such a good reminder about our focus determining our reality!
Honestly, I’m grateful for you. That you share what you know and feel and think, and you do it so graciously. 💕