If you have Thyme...

 We had a family party yesterday, pot luck. It was also very warm and I really didn't want to turn on the oven, but the urge was overwhelming! I spent a couple of hours in the kitchen, making an appetizer and cookies.

I have some peaches that I bought last week. I didn't realize they were the white flesh kind till I bit into one. I don't really care for their flavor, so I decided to find a cookie recipe I could use them in. I love the internet!

  I decided to start out with just a half recipe since I didn't know if we'd like the cookies or not. I peeled, sliced and chopped one peach.

  Into the mixer went softened butter, brown and white sugars, egg, and vanilla. I creamed them together.

  Whole wheat flour (my favorite!), salt, and baking powder.

  Then it was time to combine wet and dry.

 When they were incorporated, in went the oats..

 Then the chopped peaches went in

  And finally the raisins. I didn't have raisins on hand, so I had to pick them out of my raisin bran. :)

  For some reason, the first batch produced flatter cookies than the second...

  The peach flavor was very subtle. They reminded me of applesauce cookies. I hadn't been sure about the raisins, but they definitely completed the cookie! They were a hit!

 Once that was done, I started on my Meat Turnovers. Its a German food but also very similar to won-tons. I started with the dough.

  I found the dough to be VERY sticky and difficult to work with. I had to use LOTS of extra flour during the rolling process.

 The dough had to be rolled very thin.

  I was happy to find that the filling called for fresh Parsley. I actually had some on hand!

Chop, chop, chop!

  The filling: extra lean ground beef, onion, fresh parsley, egg, cumin, thyme, garlic powder, salt, pepper, saltine crackers.

 Best way to mix it is with your hands! Fun and messy!

 I cut the dough into squares and filled with a very small amount of filling as per the instructions. You don't want to put much because it all needs to cook.

  There has to be a way to do the dough less sticky... I had to use the spatula to get the squares off the table.

  The turnovers went into a hot olive oil bath for 2 minutes, usually 4 at a time.

  It was a very tedious process, but they are really yummy! Upon testing tasting, I realized they needed a dipping sauce. I found a great little recipe online for Sweet and Sour sauce. It was the perfect compliment to the turnovers. Just need to make more next time. They were a hit at the family party. :)

 I really feel like all the work, trial and error is beginning to pay off. I started teaching myself to cook at the beginning of the year. Lots of food network and picking people's brains for ideas, tips and suggestions. I've made several dishes that went in the garbage and several that have been really great. My good to bad ratio is really improving. I'm no Martha Stewart yet, but I do have a happy husband. :0) Just gonna keep going from here!