Waiting around for a technician to arrive and check, service, install, fix, break, or fill-in-the-blank something in your home, stalls the majority of normal activity for that interval.

Bound to the house, the usual pastimes and chores seem useless as anticipation builds while you wait for this potential grim reaper to emerge and cast a black shadow on a beloved appliance.

Unless Oven is the friend at risk (Heavens to Betsy!) then you can always fill the time with baking and hence, fill your home with a deliriously relaxing smell to alleviate the stress.

Sticky Caramel Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars

1 Cup Flour
3 Cups Oats
1 Tsp. Baking Soda
1 Tsp.  Salt
1 Stick Butter, Room Temperature
1 1/2 Cups Brown Sugar
2 Eggs, Room Temperature
2 Tsp. Vanilla
Store Bought Caramel Sauce (10 oz. Jar)
Chocolate Chips

Use the butter wrapper to grease a 13×9” pan
Preheat oven to 350°F
Cream butter and brown sugar
Spoon in 2/3 of the caramel sauce
Add vanilla, followed by eggs
In a separate bowl, combine flour, oats, salt, and baking soda
Slowly introduce the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients

Fold in chocolate chips

Spread the sticky dough into the pan
Jackson Pollock the top with the rest of the caramel sauce

Bake 20 minutes
Lower the oven temp to 335°F
Bake for another 15 minutes til a golden brown top is achieved and the center is no longer wobbly

After the technician leaves and you learn you do indeed need a new AC unit (Double Heavens to Betsy!) … just take a deep breath and treat yourself to a bar and a beer.

I may no longer feel like a Rich Girl but the richness of this cookie bar certainly makes my sweet Dreams Come True!