The Zoo Chew: Animals Poetry

 

 

Last Friday of the month is for

Monthly Poetry Group to rhyme.

Diane and I take turns to pick,

"Animals," the theme this time.

 

As usual, today I'll try,

a poem to write . . . or fudge.

Whether I'm successful or not,

you get to be the judge.  

The Zoo Chew

 

Our local zoo is well renowned,

known to be among the best.

Whenever we have visitors,

we'll always take our guest.

 

Aviary, lagoon island, desert dome,

a rain forest to walk through.

Orangutan forest, pachyderm hill,

an aquarium tunnel too.

Starting when they were babies,

many family days spent there.

The boys loved riding on the train,

it mattered not to where.

Of course, when they were babies,

I had to be prepared.

Diapers and folding plastic mat,

I could change them anywhere.

 

Until, of outdoor changes son,

let me know he was not fond.

I picked him up, he grabbed the mat,

threw it in the penguin pond.

But when the boys were bigger,

I could take them on my own.

We'd often meet our friends there too,

so we rarely were alone.

After one eventful day,

spent joyfully at the zoo,

At dinner, Hubs said to the boys,

"what was your favorite thing to do?"  

"This," I thought, "is why I go

spend a long exhausting day."

Which animals had most impressed?

Eager to hear what they would say. 

 

"Thirsty early on," they said,

"slushies fit the bill."

They'd sat in the shade to drink them,

until they'd had their fill.

 

They talked about the restaurant,

"lunch was burgers with french fries."

You eat high in the treetops there,

looking up at the big blue skies.

 

 Holiday Fruits and Nuts Cookies

 

"Cookies and popcorn later on,"

my boys related with glee,

"and did you know the ice cream hut,

is right by where you go to pee?"

I felt the need to clarify,

we'd done more than just chew.

"Oh," I said, "just so you know,

they had animals over there too!" 

Before you go, more Animals poetry:

stop by On the Border

and Messymimi's Meanderings

 

Holiday Fruits and Nut Cookies

                                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

2/3 cup shelled nuts (pepitas, sunflower seeds, pistachios, almonds, pecans, and/or walnuts)

1/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes

1/2 stick butter, softened

1/2 stick margarine, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 egg

2 cups flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/3 cup chopped dried fruits (raisins, cranraisins, apricots, and/or cherries)

 

1/2 cup green or red candy melts

1 TBSP colored sugar

Directions:
*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread the nuts onto a small baking sheet. Toast for 4 minutes, stir, add the coconut and toast for 2 minutes longer. Remove immediately from the baking sheet and allow to cool. Chop any larger nuts.

*Cream butter, margarine, and brown sugar, then beat in the egg and vanilla.

*Mix in flour, salt, and baking soda, then the fruits and nuts. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least an hour. Can refrigerate overnight.

*Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper.

*Unwrap the dough and roll into 30 balls. Place on cookie sheet and flatten the dough balls with the heel of your hand.

*Bake for 10 - 12 minutes. Allow to cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes before removing to cool completely.

*Melt the candy melts in the microwave until completely smooth when stirred. Drizzle over the cooled cookies, sprinkle with colored sugar, and allow to set before moving.