Cowboy Eggs

I have seen this called many other names but we grew up calling it a cowboy egg, so I think we'll carry on the name. (We weren't as fancy back then, with the cookie cutters. We just tore out the center of the bread.) Dad made this for us our whole lives and recently my son saw something similar in a magazine. It's so easy! Here is what we did:

• Preheat the oven to 350.
• Spread margarine on a piece of wheat bread.
• Cut the center out with a medium cookie cutter.
• Crack egg into center of bread.
• Bake until egg is firm.

This method worked great but I think next time we'll do it the way my dad always did - on the stove top! It tastes a bit better that way - or maybe it was just the love he put into it that made it taste so good.

• Turn burner on to medium heat and warm medium skillet.
• Spread butter (I'm sure he used butter.) on both sides of bread.
• Rip out center of bread and place in skillet. Put the center piece in skillet as well.
  
• Crack egg into center and cook until white is almost set.
• Flip and cook for about a minute.
  

Aunt Mary's Granola

3 c Rolled Oats
1/2 c warmed honey
1/4 c wheat germ
1/3 c oil
as many or as few of the following as desired:
1 c nuts - any kind
1/2 c sunflower seeds
1/4 c sesame seeds
1/2 c coconut (optional)
1/2 c raisins or dried fruit (optional - I like dried cranberries.)

Combine ingredients in bowl and spread onto greased cookie pan. Cook at 250 degrees for 1 hour, stirring every 15 min.

Great as a cereal, in yogurt, as base to trail mix or by itself.

Pita Pizza

Ingredients:
Whole Wheat Pita
Pizza or Pesto Sauce
Mozzarella
Desired Toppings (pictured here - Kalamata Olives, Mushrooms, Roasted Red Peppers)

1) Preheat oven to 350.
2) Place pitas on cookie sheet.
3) Smooth a thin layer of sauce over pita.
4) Sprinkle with cheese.
5) Add toppings.
6) Bake until cheese is melted/browned and pita is crisp - about 7 min.

Soutwestern Soup

Perfect for a cool evening.

1 pound ground beef
1 cup coarsely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 (16-oz.) cans light red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15-oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (14.5-oz.) can petite diced tomatoes and jalapeños, undrained
1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes and mild green chiles, undrained
2 (14.5-oz.) cans tomato sauce
1 (14-oz.) can beef broth
2 cups frozen yellow and white whole kernel corn
1 (1-oz.) envelope taco seasoning mix
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Toppings: sour cream and chopped fresh cilantro
Brown ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat, stirring often, 10 to 12 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink and onion is softened; drain.

Stir in kidney beans, next 9 ingredients, and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Stir in cilantro just before serving. Serve with desired toppings.

Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Dip

Mix 2 8oz packages of cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla extract until fluffy. Stir in 3/4 package dark chocolate chips. The recipe called for graham crackers to dip with but we used Granny Smith apples instead. The sour with the sweet was yummy!

Play Silks

I bought this silk from Dharma Trading way before Christmas and never got around to dying it. My son and I finally did it together and it was super easy. After reading about 10 different methods, this is how we dyed the fabric:

• Mix 2 packets of Kool-Aid with 1 cup of white vinegar. ( I think next time I would do 4 packets for the yellow.)
  Add 2 cups very hot (almost boiling) water and stir in 1 yard of silk. It's amazing how you can literally see the silk drinking up the color.
• Once most of the color has been soaked up from the mixture, rinse under cold water, one by one, ringing until it runs clear.
• Hang to dry.
• Play.
  

Magical Muck

This fun mixture goes back and forth from solid to liquid.

• Mix 1/3 cup of water and 5 drops of food coloring (optional - if you use color fingers will pick it up) in a small bowl.
• Slowly add 3/4 cup of corn starch to water but do not stir.
• Let mixture stand for 2-3 minutes.
• Play, play, play.