Christmas Wreaths

I made the first wreath a year ago. All I did was buy a plain 24 '' wreath and some holiday picks in the colors I wanted and wire them to the metal circle supporting the wreath. This year I made the other two wreaths for my mother and sister and I did the same thing. It's really simple and looks great for a whole lot less money than buying a pre-decorated wreath.

Corn Maze Munch

CoRn MazE MUnCh!

This is so so good.
Someone brought it in for a potluck at my Mom's work.

Definitely a must try!

Ingredients

1 (11 oz.) pkg mini pretzels
1 (10 1/2 oz) pkg mini peanut butter filled crackers (ritz)
1 C. dry roasted peanuts
1 C. sugar
1/2 C. butter
1/2 C. light corn syrup
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 (10 oz) pkg M&M's
1 (18 1/2 oz) pkg candy corn

Directions
In a large bowl, combine first 3 ingredients.
In a large saucepan, combine sugar, butter and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over mdeium heat; boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and baking soda (mix will foam)
Pour over pretzel mixture and stir until coated.
Pour into greased 15x10 pan.
Bake at 250 for 45 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
Break apart while warm.
Cool completely.
Toss with M&M's and candy corn.
Store in airtight container.

**We made it last night to take to the football game. We left with 5 quart size bags and only came home with one. It was gone this morning. So today we made it again, with some revisions. We added some Chex cereal and some of those tiny soup crackers and cheerios. We also leave out the candy corn. Just be sure that you don't cook the mixture too long as you will not see it fowm when you add the baking soda. It should about double in size. The first time we made it it didn't. The second time it did. So just don't cook too long.**

my FIRST post:)

Pumpkin Cookies

1/2 c. shortening

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. ginger

2 1/2 c. flour

3 Tbsp. molasses

2 c. pumpkin (canned pumpkin mix)

1/2 c. chopped nuts

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix together and drop by the spoonful on a cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

Hello Dolly's

Well...I have always known them as Six Layer Bars...never knew they were called Hello Dolly's till I told my mom I could not find the recipe. But now I know.
These are very similar to Jessica's Candy Grahams they are just slightly different. And SO SO EASY!!!!
Ingredients
1/4 C. Butter
1 C. Graham Cracker Crumbs
1 C. Coconut
1 C. Chocolate Chips (6 oz.)
1 C. Chopped Nuts
1 CAN (15 oz.) Sweetened Condensed Milk

Directions
Melt butter in a 9x9 pan.
Cover evenly with graham cracker crumbs.
Make thin layers in order: of coconut, chocolate chips, and nuts.
Pour sweetened condensed milk over all.
DO NOT STIR!
Bake at 350 degree for 30 minutes.
Cool before cutting

*** These are my absolute favorite dessert. I request these for my birthday. And as Jessica's I would highly recommend doubling these!***

ENJOY!!!!!

Chocolate Chip Cupcake

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended; stir in chocolate morsels, walnuts, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Set aside.

Beat remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, butter, sugar, and 1/3 cup brown sugar until creamy. Add egg, and beat until blended.

Combine flour, soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; stir into butter mixture.

Place paper baking cups into miniature (1 3/4-inch) muffin pans, and coat with cooking spray; spoon 1 1/2 teaspoons batter into each cup.

Bake at 350° for 12 minutes. Spoon morsel mixture over cupcakes, and bake 10 more minutes.

Note from Me: We doubled this recipe and it made 24 regular cupcakes. They are delicious!!! If you like Blonde Brownies you will love these!

Recipe from HERE

Banana Bread

{Okay....I totally forgot to tke a picture so I am borrowing one...

this is basically what it would look like. HaHa}

Banana Bread!

I have had a serious craving for it and the other night my Mom and I set out to make it!
Seriously Delicious..It did not even last a week...and the recipe was doubled!

Ingredients:
1 C. shortening
1 1/2 C. sugar
6 eggs
5 1/4 C. flour
3 t. baking powder
1 1/2 t. baking soda
1 1/2 t. salt
3 C. mashed bananas
1 1/2 C chopped nuts {optional}

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cream together: shortening and sugar.
-Add eggs and beat well.
-Sift together dry ingredients.
-Add to creamed mixture alternating with bananas, blending well after each addition.
-Stir in nuts.
-Pour into well greased 9x5x3 loaf pans and bake @ 350 for 45 minutes to an hour.
-Insert knife to check if done.

So good!!!! Give it a try and let me know how you like it!

Super Easy Bulletin Board

Look at this treasure I found at Goodwill on Saturday for $9.99.

So I decided to make a bulletin board for my kitchen/great room. The following is a list of items needed for this project:

1. Beautiful ornate frame :)

2. Corkboard

3. Spray paint (I used ivory satin from Walmart)

4. Burnt Umber craft paint

5. Hot glue gun

6. Nails and hammer

7. Tacs for bulletin board

I started off with a few coats of spray paint on my frame. After those dried completely I watered down the craft paint a lot and brushed it on. I immediately wiped it off with a paper towel. This brought out all the detail and imperfections.

Then, my hubby cut down the cork board to size and I hot glued into the frame and then added nails as well to strengthen it. That is seriously it! Hang it on the wall and enjoy! Here are some pictures