Starshine loves spiders—and their webs. Most spiders spin
orb webs. Here’s how to make an orb web :
Attach one end of some thread, fishing line or yarn to a
central point such as a bedpost. Run the thread out about one
and a half feet (one-half metre), attach the other end to an
outer point and cut the thread. Do the same thing seven more
times, so you have eight strands radiating out from the
central point. These are your anchor strands. Now, starting
near the center, weave strands cross-wise across the anchor
threads, knotting as you pass each anchor. Repeat every few
inches, so you have a series of eight-sided circles spreading
farther and farther out from the central point. When you
finish your web, place a paper spider, prey and egg sacs in
the web if you wish. Cut out green paper plants or place real
plants around the web to make it look more realistic. [Top]
Mr. Belinsky makes the best bagels in town. You can make
bagels, too.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups (500 ml) warm water
- 2 T. (30 ml) active dry yeast
- 1 tsp. (5 ml) brown sugar
- 1/4 (65 ml) cup oil
- 1 T. (15 ml) salt
- 5 or more cups (1 1/4 litres) flour (mixture of white
and whole wheat)
- 4 quarts (4 litres) water
- 2 T. (30 ml) brown sugar
- 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 T. (15 ml) water
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add 1 tsp. sugar, oil and
salt. Stir in four cups of the flour. Add flour a little at a
time until the dough is too stiff to beat. Knead the dough for
10 minutes, adding enough flour so that it is elastic but not
too stiff. Let dough rise in a greased bowl in a warm place
until doubled in bulk.
Punch down, knead for a few minutes and divide into 18
pieces. Roll each one into a rope 1 inch in diameter and 6
inches long. Form rings, pinching the ends together firmly.
Preheat oven to 375º.
For the next part, work carefully or have an adult help
you.
Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil, adding 2 T. brown sugar.
Drop 4 or 5 bagels at a time into the boiling water. Turn them
with a long-handled spoon after they rise to the surface and
boil for an additional minute. Lift them out with a slotted
spoon and let them rest on a greased cookie sheet while
boiling the next 4 or 5 in the same manner. Brush with egg
yolk. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Makes 18
bagels. [Top]
Starshine’s dad invented health food teething cookies
called "bricks." Here’s how to make these
hard-as-a-rock cookies that babies like to teethe on :
Ingredients
- 2 cups (500 ml) whole wheat flour
- ½ cup (125 ml) wheat germ
- ¼ (65 ml) cup soy flour
- 1 tsp. (5 ml) baking soda
- 1 T. (15 ml) brewers’ yeast
- ¼ cup (65 ml) molasses
- ¼ cup (65 ml) honey
- ¼ cup (65 ml) vegetable oil
Mix all ingredients together. The dough will be stiff and
you may have to use your hands. Form into small rectangles and
bake 325º for 20 minutes or until quite hard.
Note: Bricks aren’t very sweet—on purpose. You may want
to tinker with the recipe to make it taste better! [Top]
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