Party Cereal Mix

My kids love this stuff.  In a big way.  I love the stuff, too.  This Cereal Party Mix is easy to make, makes a ton, and is loved by pretty much everyone.  That (in my opinion) makes it a pretty near perfect treat.

The neighbors love it when I make a batch of the Cereal Party Mix.  I end up sharing lots so I don't eat WAY more than I should.  Heck, I eat WAY more than I should.  I share so I don't eat the whole batch by myself!

If you're looking for an easy and tasty neighbor gift for Christmas, give this Cereal Party mix a try.  It's always a hit!

1 (7 ounce) bag coconut (flaked, shredded, etc)
1 (14 ounce) box corn Chex cereal
1 (12 ounce) box Golden Grahams cereal
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup plain M&Ms
1 cup butter
1 1/3 cup sugar
1 1/3 cup corn syrup

Combine butter, sugar and corn syrup in a medium sized sauce pan and heat on the stove over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.  When the mixture comes to a boil, boil 3 minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove from stove.  While the mixture is heating, pour both cereals, coconut and almonds into a large (HUGE) bowl.  Butter 2 large cookies sheets and set aside.  Pour hot syrup over the cereal mixture and mix until everything is well coated.  Add M&M and mix to evenly distribute.  Pour Cereal Party Mix onto the 2 buttered cookie sheets and let cool.

Recipe adapted from my friend Jennifer.

Linked on Pinworthy Projects.

Cinnamon Almonds

One of my favorite things about the fall is the smells that are associated with it.  Like the warm spices.  When I made these Cinnamon Almonds they made the house smell like fall (or the holidays!)  All the kids that tried them really liked them.  Even the sweet little 5 year old who initially turned her nose up at the sight of them.  The hubs really liked them, as well.

These Cinnamon Almonds would make a great addition to the goodie plates that seem to abound around the holidays. :)  They're also delicious in a green salad.

Speaking of salad......I went grocery shopping earlier this week.  As I walked through the produce sections a lovely tub of  Spring Mix salad greens caught my attention.  I thought it would be a nice change from the usually greens I use (spinach, romaine, iceberg and red and green leaf lettuces), so I bought the tub.  I got home and made myself a lovely salad with the mix, fresh berries and sugared almonds.  As I was eating my lovely salad, I kept thinking it tasted like what I imagine weeds would taste like.  I looked at what kinds of things were in the mix and found Dandelion greens listed.  No wonder it tasted like weeds!  I spend all spring and summer trying to keep them out of my grass and there are people eating them.  On purpose!  At least now I know the weeds are good for something.  At least if we're starving. :)

3 cups whole almonds
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 cup water

Combine sugar, cinnamon and water in a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat until the sugar is dissolved.  Add almonds and stir to coat them in the syrup.  Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar crystallizes and starts to look sandy; 5 to 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and pour onto a sheet of parchment paper to cool.

Recipe from Something Swanky.

Linked on Pinworthy Projects.

Salisbury Steak

I've never had the pleasure of eating Salisbury Steak until just recently.  To be honest, I didn't even really know what the stuff was.  The kids asked what was for dinner and when I told them we were eating Salisbury Steak, they all gave me a deer-in-the-headlights look.  So then I told them we were having meat loaf and they were as happy as can be.  They all LOVE meat loaf!  Salisbury steak takes a little more work than meat loaf, but it's worth it.  This stuff was good!

1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed French onion soup
1 1/2 pounds ground beef or ground sirloin
1/2 cup rolled oats (oatmeal)
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon mustard powder

In a large bowl, mix together 1/3 cup condensed French onion soup with ground beef, rolled oats, egg, salt and pepper. Shape into 6 oval patties. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown both sides of patties; about 3 minutes on each side. Pour off excess fat. In a small bowl, blend flour and remaining soup until smooth. Mix in ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce and mustard powder. Pour over meat in skillet. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Recipe adapted from What 2 Cook.

Linked on Pinworthy Projects.

The Best Brownies

Seriously!  I know that's kind of a bold statement, but to me, these really are The Best Brownies.  They're soft and chewy and can be made to suit any kind of chocolate lover.  You like dark chocolate?  These brownies are for you.  You like milk chocolate?  Not a problem, these brownies are for you.  You like white chocolate?  Still the brownies for you.  What!?  You don't like chocolate!?  Still the brownies for you!  How, you ask?  Just use the kind of chocolate chips that you like.  Dark, semi-sweet, milk, white.  You could even use mint, butterscotch or peanut butter flavored chips if you don't like chocolate.  Do people like that really exist?  Feel free to mix and match your chocolate chips until your sweet little heart's content.  I used up 2 partial bags with this particular batch, semi-sweet chips and butterscotch chips.  They were still amazingly delicious!

1 (12 ounce) bag chocolate chips, any kind you like!
1 cup butter 
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan, over low heat, combine the butter and chocolate chips. Stir constantly until chips are melted, then remove from heat. In the same pan, blend in the sugar and vanilla. Then add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each egg. Add flour and salt and beat until air bubbles form in the batter. Pour into a greased 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn heat down to 325 degrees and bake for 10 more minutes.

Recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

Linked on Pinworthy Projects.

Slow Cooker Creamy Green Chile Enchilada Soup

One of my favorite things about the weather starting to turn cold is all the yummy soups I get to make.  There's just something about a hot bowl of soup when it's cold outside.  This is a perfect soup for those cold fall/winter days.

1 (32 ounce) carton chicken both
3 to 4 chicken breasts, bonless and skinless
3 (10 ounce) cans green enchilada sauce (I used my Green Tomato Salsa Verde)
1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup of frozen corn 
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
3/4 cup instant rice, uncooked

Pour the broth, green enchilada sauce, green chilies, water, and spices into your slow cooker.  Add chicken and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours.  About 30 Minutes before serving, remove chicken from slow cooker and shred.  Return shredded chicken to slow cooker along with the rice, corn and cream cheese.  Cook until cream cheese is melted, then mix until it's all mixed in.  

Recipe adapted from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.

Linked on Pinworthy Projects.

Ice Cream Party

Summer has officially left us here and we wanted to send it out with a bang.  No better way than with an Ice Cream Party!  Oh, and we wanted to celebrate my little pixy turning 5. :)

 The paper ice cream cones turned out so dang cute!  Love the cherries on top.

 Brownie Balls

 "Sundae" Cupcakes (Moist Chocolate Cake and Vanilla Buttercream Frosting)

 Soft Sugar Cookies

 "Melted Ice Cream" Cake (Moist Chocolate Cake and Vanilla Buttercream Frosting)

Super Cute Rag Banner

 The Sundae Bar

"Root Beer Float" 

 Marshmallow Ice Cream Cones

 Gummy Ice Cream Cones

I LOVE tulle!

"Shaye's Ice Cream Shop" Banner

All the printables came from Just a Little Sparkle.