Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup butter or margarine, softened (can reduce to 3/4 cup)
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed (can reduce to 1 to 1 1/4 cups)
2 tsp. vanilla
2 large eggs
2 cups quick oats
1 1/2 cups flour, whole wheat, all-purpose, or combination
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1 cup raisins (optional)
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add oats, flour, baking powder, salt and optional cinnamon and mix well. Stir in raisins and walnuts, if you like. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet and bake at 350*F for 9-11 minutes, or until just set (especially if you like ‘em soft, don’t overbake). Bottoms will be light brown. Let cool a couple minutes on the sheet before removing to cooling racks. Store in a sealed container (eg. Rubbermaid) to keep soft.