Wilma's Peanut Butter Chews

Years ago my sister Wilma made Peanut butter Chews with her children and now she makes them with her grandchildren. These cookies are so simple to make and so delicious they'll probably become a favorite in your family.

A couple years ago my sisters and I met in Texas at my son's house.I awoke early one morning for breakfast and heard Wilma spinning a yarn in the kitchen. Now if anyone can tell a story it's Wilma. I peaked into the kitchen to see my three grandsons, who used to bake with me, having way too much fun with Aunt Wilma.    I poured a cup of coffee, sat at the table and put on my listening ears.

"Now boys, the recipe for Peanut Butter Chews is a family secret and the only way I can tell you is if you promise not to tell it to a soul."

"Oh, we promise," they said.

She continued giving instructions until they finished the cookies.Then she told them to write the recipe on a card and someday teach their children how to make them.

"But wait. I thought we weren't supposed to tell."

"Oh, I was just pulling your leg," she said. They're so good you won't be able to keep them a secret. Now have a cookie."

Directions:                                

In a medium saucepan combine: 1 cup sugar and 1 cup corn syrup.

Bring the ingredients to a boil on medium heat and cook one minute. Remove pan from burner,and add 1 cup of peanut butter. Stir until smooth.
 
Add five cups of cornflakes and stir until coated evenly with the sweet chewy caramel. Drop on wax paper by teaspoons full until firm and cool. This recipe makes two dozen cookies that don't have to be baked. Try this  recipe with your kids or grand kids. Watch out, if you let the word out that you know how to make Peanut Butter Chews you'll be asked to bring them to every bake sale and party you go to!


Enjoy it, but don't ask me to bring them to your party!

A Beautiful Pea Green Boat

I can't see a green pepper without thinking of "The Owl and the Pussy Cat."  You may think that's strange, but after reading this post you'll understand.  Most children are picky eaters, preferring sweets to any other taste, but it's very logical since the first food they eat is mommy milk.  Human milk, in case you don't remember, tastes so sweet you would swear someone poured in some sugar.  Considering the bonding and joy the whole life-giving process of nursing gives, there's no wonder children prefer sweets.

Since we know humans need vegetables to have a balanced diet we have to figure ways to get kids to eat them.  We can hide them in a casserole or make them seem to be something they're not. I prefer the latter.  I have a creative granddaughter who loves poems, songs, and anything that rhymes. She has several Mother Goose and children's traditional song books.  These are her favorites and She loves the poem "The Owl and The Pussy Cat."  It begins, "The Owl and the Pussy Cat went to sea in a beautiful pea green boat.  They took some honey and lots of money wrapped up in a five pound note..."

From reading this rhyme we quickly jump to lunch and vegetables. The princess eagerly accepts "A beautiful pea green boat" made of half a green pepper with oars made from two slices of the remaining side of the pepper.  We fill the boat with a scoop of humus and add cucumber slices (money).  You can also create miniature docks out of whole grain crackers!



Your children will eat a healthy snack without even realizing it if you use your imagination to create meals.  Add a figurine of an owl and a cat if you have one.  Try other peppers--yellow, red or orange.  How about some carrots or celery? Have you got a recipe to get children to eat vegetables?  Tell us about it!