Well I have convinced myself that this recipe for Raisin Oatmeal Cookies is Healthy Food….now if I add chocolate chips (which I do on a regular basis) they might just slip a bit off the Good Health Food Guide. I love this recipe, it ticks a lot of my boxes for family cooking, everyone in the family loves them, easy to make, very short cooking time needed and the cookie dough freezes very very well. The smell of these cooking in the house is just beautiful .

• 8oz butter, softened
• 8oz caster sugar
• 8oz soft brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2  teaspoon  vanilla
• 12oz plain flour
• 1 teaspoon bread soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 12 oz oats (not instant)
• 10 oz raisins
• Optional….chocolate chips as little or as much as you like

1. Preheat oven to 180c or 350F
2. Cream Butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla
3. Sieve in Flour, bread soda, baking power, salt and cinnamon…..Fold all together
4. Add oats, raisins and if using chocolate chips….stir
5. Using a desert spoon drop dough on to a greased tray
6. Bake for 10-12 mins…cookie should be still soft and moist in middle
7. Let cool for a  minute on tray then transfer on to wire rack
8. To freeze remaining dough….I use grease proof paper, shake some flour on it, add half of the dough and roll into a sausage shape, leave in greaseproof paper, do the same with remaining dough. Freeze, when frozen put into freezer bags.
9. To cook from frozen…..take sausage shape dough out of freezer, cut off as many slices as need and cook as above

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With its unique landscape of rolling hills, lakes, heritage and unspoilted country side, Cavan is a county that is just waiting to be discovered. Why don’t you come along and stay for a while, we will be waiting for you………. 

My husband and his friend did part of the Cuilcagh Mountain Walk over the holidays, they thought it was a lovely walk , well sign posted, it was a bit foggy but still beautiful views. They have promised to do it again when the weather is finer.

We wish all our guests and friends a Very Happy and Merry Christmas and we look forward to seeing you all in 2012

Teachings

Jampa Ling are honoured and grateful that Ven. Lama Panchen Otrul Rinpoche will give a course of teachings this winter. This is a rare opportunity to hear these profound teachings  from a high Tibetan Lama, who embodies what he teaches and is himself a great practitioner and scholar. 

OCTOBER 22nd – 23rd        
The greatness of the teachings using the three Paths.
1. The qualities of a teacher. The qualities required of a student.
2. How to rely on a spiritual teacher.
3. Preciousness of having a human life.
4. The impermanence of existence.
NOVEMBER 19th – 20th        
The practice, using the first stage of the Path.
1. Mindfulness of death and the lower realms.
2. The practice of taking refuge.
3. Karma and the Law of Cause and Effect.
DECEMBER 10th – 11th        
The practice, using the second stage of the Path.
1. Cyclic existence and the suffering of samsara.
2. The Four Noble Truths.
FEBRUARY 10th – 11th        
The practice, using the third stage of the Path.
Practice of Bodhicitta.
Without having had teachings, without having contemplated and meditated on the precious nature of human existence, on death, on the karmic law of cause and effect, on the nature of samsaric suffering, on refuge and on the Four Noble Truths, it is very difficult to have a realistic attitude towards Bodhicitta.
MARCH 10th – 11th        
The practice, using the third stage of the Path.
Training in the Six Perfections.
The six perfections are: Generosity, Morality, Patience, Diligence, Meditation and Wisdom.
APRIL 6th – 9th        
Easter Retreat
This is a silent retreat. It is a led retreat using meditations on the teachings given by Ven. Panchen Otrul Rinpoche over the winter teachings. It is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the teachings and integrate them into our daily lives.

Other Events taking place at Jampa Ling through the Winter

DECEMBER 18th - TSONG KHAPA ANNIVERSARY

JANUARY 22nd - YOGA FAMILY DAY

FEBRUARY 19th - LOSAR THE TIBETAN NEW YEAR

FEBRUARY 25th - NATURAL VOICE and SINGING WORKSHOP

MARCH 3rd – 4th - WORK WEEKEND

MARCH 24th-25th - RELAX AND REVIVE

APRIL 21st - WANDERING THROUGH WEEDS

APRIL 28th - MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS

For more EVENTS and information please go to Jampa Ling Buddhist Centre, Bawnboy, Co. Cavan

Ok so maybe Ireland hasn’t got sun splitting the stones, beautiful blue skies 365 days of the year, but what we do have is great land, great soil and weather that suits growing some of the best fruit and vegetables you will find any where in the world. And I hate to say it but we are even lucky to have so much rain…keeps everything growing and we never really have to worry about watering anything. Below are picture of some of the goodies we got from our garden this year, it is so nice to be able to walk out the back door pick some apples for a apple tart or veg for soup….we may not be self sufficient here at Lake Avenue House Bed and Breakfast but we are going in the right direction.

The Raspberries pictured below are new and were sown in early spring, they are late fruiting Raspberries and are just producing fruit now….hard to believe you can have fresh grown soft fruit in November

Ingredients

• 10oz/280g self raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 40z/110g caster sugar
• 40z/110g demerara sugar
• 4oz/110g butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 pt/300ml stewed apples (about 3-4 cookers or eating, I used cookers)

Crumble

• 2 tbsp plain flour
• 1tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp melted butter

Method 

1. Peel and slice apples, put into pot with a little water and cook till soft.
2. Mix all your dry ingredients in bowel – flour, baking powder and sugars together.
3. Fold in the lightly beaten eggs, melted butter and vanilla extract,  stir in the stewed apples.
4. Pour mixture into a lined 9″/23cm springform tin.
5. To make cumble: mix flour, sugar and cinnamon on plate,  slowly dribble with melted butter and mix lightly with fork.
6. Sprinkle crumble over cake.
7. Bake in oven set at 170c for about  35-45 mins, depends on oven. Insert skewer to make sure cake is cooked.
8. Allow the cake to cool in the tin for 10-15 mins before turning out. Eat warm with some lightly whipped cream, or enjoy cold with a cup of coffee…………

Even though the days are getting colder, wetter and darker there is still lots of colour to be found in our garden at Lake Avenue House B&B. Below are just some of the plants and shrubs that shine at this time of the year.

Create marvellous family memories by enjoying an afternoon at the charming Silver Bear Centre when Mammy, Daddy and all the family create their own individual teddy bear from start to finish including designing their own Teddy Bear outfits for their own precious creations to bring home with them. This unique family experience is in one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets – West Cavan. The unspoiled landscape has something for everyone, whether it’s rest, relaxation or a family activity for all to enjoy. Come spend time at Lake Avenue House B&B and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Irish country side while you create your own Teddy Bear!

Family of 3 €240 (2 adults + 1 children 12 years of age or younger

For more information contact Lake Avenue House