Mom Mix

I had the children hand these out to their mommies one year when I worked in Primary.  I think they're pretty cute!  The mix can be put in a simple baggie with the following attached:

Mom Mix

Marshmallows because you're a big "softy,"

Cheese crackers because you're "squarely" behind us,

Gummy bears because you're a teddy bear,

Peanuts because I'm "nuts" about you,

The Fruit Loops because you're so sweet!

P.S.  I recommend using Teddy Grahams instead of Gummy Bears, just change the wording to "Teddy Grahams because...".

HERE is an 8x10 printable of the Mom Mix poem.

Download This Printable

See also:

Spa-Rific Bath Mixes to Give

Aromatherapy Bath Potpourri Bags

Peanut Butterscotch Morsels

Had a creative week during Christmas break.  Maybe it was because I was so used to working on Christmas crafts that I started to go through withdrawals and needed a "fix."  So besides coming up with (and maybe someone had already discovered it) Chicken Macaroni Salad, I decided to see what sweets I could quickly create.

I had half a bag of butterscotch chips and half a can of salted peanuts on hand.  That was pretty much it unless I wanted to do some baking--WHICH I DID NOT!  I threw the butterscotchies in a microwave-safe bowl and zapped it for 45 seconds twice, stirring in between.  The bowl was hot so I carefully took it from the microwave and added my peanuts.  Then with a teaspoon I dipped out very small amounts onto wax paper, using a spatula to make sure not one speck of melted butterscotch was left in the bowl.  The spoonfuls set pretty quickly since they were small.  In about 15 minutes the Peanut Butterscotch Morsels were ready.  SERIOUSLY GOOD!

Now that I have this easy, quick fix for a sweet tooth, I'm going to have to increase my workout time for sure.  I'm writing the recipe for my kiddos who inherited their parent's sweet tooth.

Peanut Butterscotch Morsels
1 cup Hershey butterscotch chips (brand melts the best)
1 cup salted peanuts (I wonder how cashews would taste?)
In a microwavable-safe bowl, melt butterscotch morsels for 45 seconds.  (Start with 20 seconds at a time to see how long your microwave takes--it may need more or less time).  Stir just a bit to loosen; microwave for another 45 seconds (depending on your microwave).  Stir morsels just until nearly melted; stir in peanuts to coat.  Dip out mixture with a teaspoon onto wax paper placed on a flat surface.  Let it set for at least 15 minutes--unless you like to eat them gooey :) like I sometimes do.  Once set, they store very well in a ziploc baggie.  Recipe can be doubled.  This would make a nice candy to place on cookie and candy plates you give out at Christmas time.  They are very pretty and would look nice in a pretty dish at a party.

Homemade Firestarters

Homemade firestarters work really great!  You'll have a blazing fire in no time.  First is a tutorial for an easy way to recycle egg crates, candle wax, and dryer lint into firestarters.  Next, are the instructions for using pinecones from the yard to dip in scented candle wax and give as a gift basket.

Save cardboard egg cartons and keep one nearby the dryer when cleaning out the lint.  Place the lint in each egg opening.

I use stubs of candles and leftover candle wax.  Place them in a metal can inside a pan of boiling water.

When the wax is melted, pour it over the lint so that it soaks thoroughly.  They are easy to tear apart when you need to build a fire.

(photo from Gooseberry Patch Christmas 3, p. 52)

One thing we have plenty of around our house are pinecones.  These can be dipped in leftover candle wax that's already tinted to make a lovely fireside gift.  To de-critter, be sure to bake the pinecones on a foil-lined cookie sheet.  Space the pinecones evenly and bake for 35-45 min. at 250 degrees.  Watch carefully and handle with care.  Do not use for 24 hours.

Pinecone Firestarters Gift

Red or green wax dye (optional) 
Paraffin
"Christmas" scented oil (optional)

(or instead of the first three items, use leftover Scentsy or candle wax that's already scented and dyed)

Double boiler

Dry pinecones, free of any sap residue (see baking instructions above)

Wire or candle wicking

1.  Heat wax or paraffin in a double boiler to approximately 140 degrees.

2.  Hook a short length of wire onto pinecone.

3.  Holding wire, carefully dip pinecone into hot wax.

4.  Set pinecone on its base, and allow to cool and dry for a few hours before using.

Natural Angels Ornaments

I made the natural angels ornaments after seeing them in Gooseberry Patch Christmas, Book 2.  I also taught a mini class on how to make them.  By doing some of the work ahead of time, it made a nice 30 minute class.  You need white felt--I chose ecru (creamy off-white).  Other materials include a little polyester fiberfill and 4-inch tall wooden doll clothespin, country print fabric, hot glue gun, dried bay leaves, and dried apple slices.  See below on how to dry the apples and seal them and the bay leaves so they'll last a good while.

running stitch

1. For each angel, cut one 2-1/2-inch square from felt.  Place a small amount of fiberfill at center of felt square.  Gather felt around top of clothespin; wrap and tie thread around gathers to secure.
2. Tear a 3-1/2"x9" piece of fabric for dress.  Work running stitches along one long edge of dress.  Pull ends of thread to gather dress around neck of angel; tie thread to secure.  (Running Stitch:  a series of straight stitches with stitch length equal to the space between stitches).
3. Glue 2 bay leaves to angel for wings and an apple slice over bay leaves for halo.

Dried Fruit Slices
Dry apples the day before you plan to use them.  Begin by slicing apples vertically to make 1/4-in.-thick heart shaped slices.  Soak slices in mixture of 1/2 cup lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon salt for 3-4 minutes.  Drain and place apples on oven rack (wire, oven-proof cooling rack works well since apples will eventually shrink up some); bake at 150 degrees (not above 200 degrees) with door ajar for 5 to 6 hours or until they feel leathery.  When apples are cool, spray with 2 coats matte clear acrylic spray sealer to retain color (allowing to dry between coats).  This can be done with oranges and grapefruit slices as well but you don't have to soak them in the lemon juice mixture.  (Country Woman Magazine, May/June 1992, p. 21)

Festive Fruit Basket Liners

When I was a teenager we made larger versions of this cute little basket liner for church fruit baskets we helped deliver (using Christmas material of course).  I have given many, many cookie plates and gift baskets throughout the years.  The cookie plates are something my extended family did for each other.  My favorite thing to receive on a cookie plate was Aunt Janice's divinity.

I like to fill my gift baskets with things like homemade mocha fudge, freezer cookies, banana bread, and candy, fruit, and nuts.  Baskets can be found at stores like Hobby Lobby.  The dimensions for making a pattern of a small basket are 15 x 12.5 inch rectangle, with corners cut out so that you have a long flap of 8 x 4 inches and a shorter flap that is 5 x 3.5 inches.  Happy Giving :0)

Gobble Good Turkey Casserole!

An easy missionary recipe!  This is a good food storage recipe as well.  Also good to wrap up in a bag or basket as a gift.  I first received this from my first-grader daughter.  There was rice in a lunch sack dressed up like a turkey with the recipe attached.  It was cute! The idea came from CopyCat magazine, Nov/Dec 1994: