Inspiring Ideas and Cowboy Cookies

"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back." 

-- Maya Angelou

Azalea photo by Anne S. 

Feeling inspired can be tough at times, especially when up against work demands and family responsibilities. We may be too tired to think straight, or distracted by our daily routine to feel any creativity. The key is being open minded and try something new. You may have to step out of your comfort zone.  

Perhaps these summer ideas will inspire you to ... 

Rethink your rock garden

These planter boxes rest on stair risers. It could be the start of an herb garden.

Bella came up with these DIY ideas for pet lovers.

DIY dog water fountain

Chicken stock, water frozen with dog treats and toys in a plastic container. This definately will keep your dog entertained while cooling off. 

Smokehouse Cowboy Cookies

Cook's notes: Looking through cooking magazines and cookbooks inspire me. This recipe comes from a cookbook collection straight from the Lone Star state Texas; Lone Star Eats by Terry Thompson, editor. The recipe was supplied by New Braunfels, Texas Smokehouse Restaurant.

Fiber and nutrition are "partners" in these crunchy cookies.

These Cowboy Cookies meet all the requirements of the big-cookie club. Cowboy cookies probably have very little to do with cowboys, but this doesn’t mean they’re not good. Typically, a cowboy cookie is defined by the presence of brown sugar, cinnamon, oats, chocolate and nuts. And some people add in coconut or raisins as well.

My assumption is that the recipe for cowboy cookies was probably originally found on a package of oatmeal or brown sugar. I couldn’t find proof of this, but a little digging did reveal that the recipe has probably been around for at least 60 years as I read a document written in the early 1980s that said one woman's recipe had been in her family for over 40 years. And yes, it was the same one we all use today.

First Lady Laura Bush may have helped with this cookie's popularity when her Cowboy Cookie recipe won over Tipper Gore's Ginger Snap recipe in the Family Circle's Magazine Cookie Bake-off during the 2000 presidential campaign.

Cowboy cookies are also called Ranger Cookies, Kitchen Sink Cookies, and Everything Cookies. Because they are called "Cowboy" cookies, I like to make them "Texas-size", with each cookie using a whooping 1/4 cup cookie dough. Since we are making large cookies, place just six balls of dough per baking sheet and bake the cookies only until the edges start to brown but the centers are still soft. This will produce a soft and chewy cookie, with crisp edges. When you include oats, chocolate chips, pecans and coconut, you are certainly not lacking in flavor or texture with each and every bite. In fact, their size and heft make them perfect for satisfying cowboy-sized cravings!

Makes 24 large cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 3/4 cup toasted coconut
• 8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup softened margarine
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 cups crushed cornflakes

Directions:

• In a large bowl, mix oatmeal, chocolate chips, pecan and coconut. Set aside.
• With a mixer cream butter, margarine and sugars.
• Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.
• Next add vanilla, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt to the creamed mixture. Mix well.
• Add creamed mixture to oatmeal mixture, mix well.
• Add crushed cornflakes and stir well.
• Chill cookie dough for one hour in refrigerator.
• Drop cookie dough (1/4 cup per cookie) on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 16 minutes.