It's Tuesday gentle folk time to get out the aprons and get those kids cooking. I first had these cookies when I was about 10 my cousin used to make them for holiday gatherings. You have probably had these in your life time as well. These cookies are great for all skill levels. They are quick to make and require very little ingredients. So, without further ado:

No Bake Cookies

1 ¾ cups white sugar
½ cup milk (soy, rice, almond and reconstituted powdered milk all work)
½ cup of butter (I have used less when I had to and I have used margarine you use what you have)
4 tbs cocoa powder (confession time I once used cocoa mix)
3 cups of Quick – cooking oats
½ cup of peanut butter (to crunch or not to crunch that is your choice)
1 tsp vanilla

In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter and cocoa stir till well combined. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil for 1 ½ – 2 mins. Please follow this part carefully if you boil for less then 1 ½ they will not set up and if you boil them for more than 2 mins it will be dry and crumbly. Remove from the heat and stir in peanut butter and dry oats. Lay out a sheet of wax paper and drop the mixture unto the wax paper. Let cool for about 20 mins. The last step is the most important.... you send the kids outside to play and eat to your hearts content. Ha ha ha ha Seriously though this recipe will make about 32 cookies. Enjoy cooking with your children.


Tuesdays are also craft days. This week I thought will all the snow and winter weather you would enjoy making this pen garden. They make great gifts. Today we are making pen gardens. No green thumbs needed. ;)

Materials you will need:

1 pkg cheapo pens
1 fake flower without stem for each pen
florists tape
1 small clay or terracotta pot painted or left plain or even decoupaged you are only limited by your imagination
Spanish moss
4 cups of pebbles or marbles or even pellets (I prefer the pellets)
glue you can use a good sturdy glue or a hot glue gun

To prepare the pot plug the whole in the bottom by cutting a small piece of cardboard or thick paper into a circle and cover the bottom. Fill pot with the filling you choose. Cover the filling with some Spanish moss.

Now you are ready for the pens. Remove the caps and the little “stopper” on the bottom. Next cover the pen with the florists tape be mindful that it stretches so pull tightly as you wrap. The tape is also very forgiving so you can peel it and “back up” to cover any pen you might see as you go. Once the pen is completely hidden by the tape, glue the flower into the hole left by the “stopper” that we removed earlier.

Now you just stand the pen up in the filling and viola you have a beautiful pen garden.

Comments (0)