One recipe she would make when the "chillins" were visiting and wanted to "help" was her "Unbaked Surprise Cookies", also known as "Cow Patties" or "Buffalo Chips".

    We would get up on a chair at the stove to help stir our favorite ingredients - peanut butter, cocoa, sugar and oats. Sometimes we would get to measure the vanilla and dump it in and watch it bubble.

    The timer was very important. As soon as it started bubbling we would turn the timer to one minute and stir constantly for one minute. Grandma made certain we kept our little fingers away from the hot pot. That minute seemed to be an eternity as we kept stirring to keep it from burning. When the buzz of the timer went off we had to hurry and dump the rest of the ingredients we had measured so carefully. Then there was the stirring. Our arms would tire quickly so Grandma would take over.

    The best part was scooping the gooey mixture by teaspoonfuls and plopping it on the waxed paper. Having (or making) drips along the way to the waxed paper so we could snatch a taste (or two or three) while it was still warm and moist. Then, of course, we couldn't have jagged edges so picking the "ugly" pieces off was a necessary thing to do.

    I've included Grandma's recipe for you to build memories of your own with your little ones. But be careful... someone might have to "clean" the spoons and pot.

Somebody has to do it!!!!     Mmmmmm

2 cups sugar

1 stick butter

1/4 cup cocoa

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla

1/2-3/4 cup crunchy peanut butter

3 cups oats

Mix the first 4 ingredients in a large pot. Over medium heat bring to a full, rolling boil. Stir constantly, boiling for exactly one minute.

Remove from heat and add vanilla. Stir.

Add remaining ingredients, stirring quickly.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper and let cool.