Lifesaver Candy Canes

 A great project for kids

 

How to Make

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.

2. Arrange the eight lifesavers into the shape of a candy cane, alternating between the two colors.

3. Bake for 3 to 6 minutes, until candies are melted.

4. Remove from oven.

5. (if desired) Make a hole in the "top most" candy by pressing the drinking straw piece into the ornament, leaving it there until the candy has cooled.

6. After the candy is completely cool, gently remove the straw and thread the ribbon or yarn through the hole to hang the ornament.

Puff Paint

 Kids activity...

 

This is really cool and super quick/easy.  Combine the following in a little bowl:

• 1 tablespoon **self-raising flour
• a few little drops of food coloring
• 1 tablespoon salt

Then add some water to make a nice smooth paste.
Paint away (if you don't have enough paint brushes use cotton buds - they work really well).
Microwave the design on high for 10 - 30 seconds until the paint puffs and it's all nice and dry.  We did ours for 15 seconds.

**Making your own 'self-raising' flour:

1. Using a dry measure, measure the desired amount of flour into a separate container.
2. For each cup of all-purpose flour, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
3. Mix to combine.

Peanut Butter Pie

This recipe is a family favorite & if you like peanut butter you'll love this pie. It isn't to rich but it's is like & sweet but in a peanut better way. I believe this is the kind of food they serve in heaven, it’s that good.

½ cup crunchy peanut butter

1 ½ cup powdered sugar

8 oz. cream cheese

8 oz. cool whip

Graham Cracker crust

Blend Peanut butter, powdered sugar & cream cheese together.

Add cool whip & mix ingredients together. (Careful not to over due it, to much mixing of the cool whip will make it flat.)

Pour into graham cracker crust. Total time on this pie is about 5 minutes, it's so simple.

Chill in fridge for 30 minutes before serving.

I haven’t tried this yet but I think an Oreo crust would put this over the top, which could prove to be dangerous.

Chili (with cocoa)

My kids call this chocolate chili but it doesn't taste like chocolate at all but it is delicious!
If you have never added cocoa to your chili then you should, it will change your life in a way chili never has.

1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1 1/2 teaspoons of cocoa

1 can (16 ounces) whole tomatoes, undrained

2 cans (15-16 ounces) kidney beans

2 cans (15-16 ounces) red beans

Combine all ingredients and simmer for one hour.

This chili is delicious by it’s self but one of my favorite meals is to add chips, cheese, tomatoes & spinach over the top of the chili.Think taco salad but not really.

Cranberry Pie

This pie is unbelievably good! The recipe came from Suzanne Reynolds who claims that she doesn't cook, however, THIS is something she CAN make. So, with that said....it's so easy even Suzanne can make it.

Love ya, Suzanne!

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This recipe makes 2 delicious pies.

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Topping:

1 pkg. (3 oz.) raspberry jell-o

1/3 cup sugar

1 1/4 cup cranberry juice

1 can (8 oz.) cranberry sauce (jellied)

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In a bowl combine jell-o with sugar and set aside. In a saucepan (or in the microwave) boil the cranberry juice. Pour over jell-o mixture, stir to dissolve. Whisk in cranberry sauce until cranberries are nearly dissolved. Chill to thicken (about an hour or so.)

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Filling:

6 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup cool whip, thawed

2 Graham cracker pie crusts

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Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla then fold in cool whip. Spread into pie crusts. Beat jell-o until foamy, pour over filling and chill overnight.