Greetings From The House of Sickness

I am so sick of sick kids, me coughing, Hubby complaining about his sore back and the emergency department at the local hospital!

We have had a rotten few days. #2 came down with a cold first but also had a horrible sore on her belly, she passed the hacking cough on to me and the sore ear part onto #1 who has ended up at Emergency (three days in a row!) with a severe ear infection and Hubby returned from his fish trip with an extremely sore back after camping overnight on the beach.

As of now, #2's antibiotics appear to be working as her belly (which is what they were aimed at) is looking much better. Her nose has nearly stopped running but her cough continues. After # 1's frequent visits to Emergency he finally seems to be on the mend The doctor there wanted to see him each day and, after triple doses of different antibiotics and placing a wick in #1's ear to allow the eardrops to get in and work properly, he is finally satisfied that #1 is improving. I have some cough medicine that is 'sort of' working and am hoping that it might help me get some sleep tonight and Hubby's back is feeling a little better after some good anti-inflammatory drugs. Geez, you'd never believe that we rarely take medicines would you?

In the middle of all this I did find time to do some baking. Apparently, being sick as dogs didn't phase the kid's appetites! At least that's one less thing to worry about.

Apricot and Coconut Choc Cookies

from Good Taste Magazine (can't remember when)

1 cup plain flour

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup dessicated coconut

1/2 cup diced dried apricots

1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped (I used walnuts instead)

125g butter, melted, cooled

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

1/4 cup choc bits

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Line 2 large baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Sift the flour and sugar into a large bowl. Add the oats, coconut, apricot and pecans (or walnuts!) and stir until well combined.

2. Whisk together the melted butter, eggs and vanilla in a small bowl. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and stir until well combined.

3. Use your hands to roll heaped tablespoonfuls of the oat mixture into balls. Place the balls 5cm apart, on the prepared trays. Press 3 choc bits into each ball, then flatten slightly.

4. Bake in oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.