Kids in the library: exploring, fantasy owls, eating worms

What treasures my children found in our local library this week:

Susan (12)Gwinna by Barbara Helen Berger. A fantasy story of a young girl, her parents and owls; the illustrations beautiful. I will be reading this book too; blogging thoughts and comments when finished.

Poppy and Ereth by Avi

Eclipse by Erin Hunter

Peter (10): How to Eat Fried Worms (Unabridged audio) by Thomas Rockwell

Edmund (8): Explorer (A Daring Guide for Young Adventures) published by Candlewick Press. I like this book a lot – full of historical facts about real-life explores in faraway lands. Part history, part adventure, part survival book. A boy’s dream read.

Lucy (5): Lady and the Tramp. A Disney book.

What have you found in the library lately?

Visit 5 Minutes for Books to see what other children are reading

For your Guardians of Ga’Hoole fan: Hoot Owl Cookies

My daughter is a huge fan of the Guardians of Ga’ Hoole books, so this recipe for cutey owl faces in cookie form was a big hit. The recipe is from Hershey’s Chocolate and Cocoa Cookbook (which I’m guessing is out of print).

Hoot Owl Cookies

Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen

3/4 cup butter or margarine

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 1/2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour

2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup Hershey’s Cocoa

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon water

1/4 cup Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips

1/2 cup whole cashew nuts

Cream butter or margarine, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla in large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Blend flour mixture into creamed mixture. Remove two-thirds of the dough to a floured surface. In small bowl combine cocoa and baking soda; add to remaining dough. Blend water into chocolate dough.

Roll half of the vanilla dough into a 10 x 4 inch rectangle. Shape half of the chocolate dough into a roll 10 inches long; place in center of rectangle of vanilla dough. Mold sides of vanilla dough around roll of chocolate dough. Repeat shaping steps with remaining dough. Wrap in plastic wrap; chill at least 2 hours or overnight.

Cut dough into 1/8 inch thick slices; lay two slices together side-by-side on a greased cookie sheet. Pinch a corner of each slice to form ears. Place a peanut butter chip in the center of each slice for eyes; press a cashew nut between slices for a beak. Bake a 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from cookie sheet ; cool on rack.

The Homeschool Village is swapping kids in the kitchen recipes. Add your recipe and find new ones for your family here.

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Can you believe I just now realized my girl celebrates 12 years today?? I am a bad mother.

Nah. If she were home, I would’ve remembered right away.

We haven’t heard a word from them at camp; no news is good news, right? I’m glad she and her brother are having fun, but I do so miss them. Especially today.