Cinnamon Buns

Warm and Toasty Cinnamon Buns

Ingredients:

3 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 package quick rising active dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm water 120-130 degrees
6 tablespoons softened butter, divided
1 egg at room temperature
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, divided
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a 13x9 inch baking pan.  Place 2 cups of flour, granulated sugar, yeast and salt in a large mixing bowl.  Slowly stir in warm water.  Add 2 tablespoons butter and the egg beating until very smooth.  Add the rest of the flour slowly and stir until soft dough forms.  Place saran wrap over the top of the bowl and let dough rise for about 30 minutes or until doubled.  Flour a smooth surface and roll dough into a 15x12 inch rectangle.  Spread the rest of the butter on the dough.  In another bowl mix cinnamon and brown sugar together.  Sprinkle the mixture over the dough.  Roll dough up in tight roll starting on the 12 inch side.  Once dough is rolled tight cut into 12 slices.  Place each slice cut side down into the baking dish.  Cover and place on a wire rack over a large pan of hot water.  Let rise 30 minutes or until buns double in size.  Uncover and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until brown.  Cool 1 minute then loosen the edges and place on a serving plate.  To make the glaze mix confectioners sugar, vanilla and 2 tablespoons of milk in a bowl until smooth.  If there is not enough liquid you can add 1 more tablespoon of milk.  Glaze cinnamon bunns and serve warm.

Chocolate Sauce

Chocolate Drizzle Sauce    
 Ingredients:
Makes about 2 cups
1 cup cocoa
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Method:
Combine cocoa and sugar in a saucepan and whisk in water and corn syrup. Let mixture come to a full boil over medium heat and boil for approximately 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
Let the sauce cool down until it thickens, cover and store it in refrigerator until needed.
This sauce is absolutely delicious when spooned over ice-cream, used as a dipping sauce with strawberries or other fresh fruit.

Green Gift Ideas

Green Gift Ideas To Suit All Budgets And Tastes

 

Gifts are a huge part of Christmas and, as such, coming up with green gift ideas can have a huge impact on your carbon emissions every year. You really aren't limited in this area: there are literally hundreds of possible eco friendly gifts you could choose for family and friends this year.

Here are a few quick green gift ideas to get you started:

* When you buy wooden gifts, ensure that the wood is taken from a sustainable source,

* Gifts made from recycled waste materials (such as recycled metals or plastic) are a good choice,

* Avoid animal products if you can - feeding animals to be used for food or other products takes a huge amount of resources,

* When buying beauty products, opt for organic products wherever you can,

* Buy gifts that encourage people to grow food, such as a starter kit for kitchen herbs,

* Instead of cut flowers, choose potted flowers.

 Fair Trade Gifts

Buying fair trade is an ethical choice for Christmas gifts, and any other products you may usually buy. The fair trade system ensures that the producers of the products, all around the world, are treated fairly in their prices and business practices. Although fair trade gifts are not the same as eco friendly gifts, they are a great way to ensure you're doing something good with your money. Make sure you look for the fair trade logo when buying your products.

Baked Gifts

If you're short on cash or ideas, then why not bake some gifts for Christmas this year? If you choose organic, local ingredients then your cooking will not only be more eco friendly, it'll also be healthier for anyone who eats it. What's more, this is a fantastic personalized Christmas gift choice!

 Local Gifts

Whether you're buying food or other products, buying items that were produced locally can help to reduce the environmental impact. Not only this, but you'll be doing your part to help out businesses and individuals in your area.

The Gift Of Time

 Not all the gifts you can give have to be physical products. Why not give someone your time? Perhaps you know someone who needs help redecorating their home, or sorting out the weeds in their garden?

 You can also buy loved ones activities such as a day out, pampering in a day spa, a meal in a restaurant and much more. These green gift ideas don't need wrapping, but they provide something the recipient will never forget!

Snowmen Treats

These are too cute for words!! Nutterbutter Snowmen Treats!! I'm guessing it's just white chocolate coating, but I am sure you can use any white candy coating or yogurt coating ;)

Thanksgiving Cooking

Thanksgiving cooking doesn't begin around this house until the chef has had her coffee!

5 Quick Pick-Me-Ups for the Fall Season

Summertime is the time of year people are on the go. There are outdoor sports, cookouts to attend and plenty of activities to keep you busy. By summer’s end, you may feel overwhelmed and worn out. You may feel like your get-up-and-go got up and went. Try these five quick pick-me-ups for the fall season to recharge your batteries.

1. Drink plenty of water.  Many people don’t realize that dehydration can cause them to feel sluggish or have less energy. Pay attention to how much water you get throughout the day. This is especially important when you work in an office which is closed off, stuffy and crowded. It is likely you will feel better after you drink a glass of water. To make it even better, add a squirt of fresh lemon or lime juice.

2. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Taking several deep breaths can give you a chance to refocus your attention and adjust your perspective. To increase the benefit of these deep breaths, light a scented candle. Juniper, jasmine, lavender and chamomile are scents which are known to affect emotions.

3. Take a “power” nap, if possible. You don’t have to take a long nap to benefit from it. In fact, a nap less than thirty minutes is often just what you need. Find a place that is quiet and dark for the best results. Be sure you don’t sleep for more than an hour or it could adversely affect your ability to sleep that night.

4. Get up and move. Your body is meant to move and many people spend eight or more hours a day sitting in an office chair. Since your body needs to move to stay healthy, get up and move around for five minutes every hour. This could be as simple as marching in place, taking a brisk walk to your car and back, or taking time for a quick stretch. Not only will you give your body the break it needs, taking this time gives your mind a break, as well. You should notice even a five minute break will help you feel more energetic and focused.

5. Take a snack break. Some people head to the vending machines in the afternoon because they feel want a quick pick-me-up. Unfortunately, most of the foods you’ll find in a vending machine will only give you short burst of energy before you start feeling even more sluggish. Fresh fruit is a good alternative to vending machine food as is a serving of cottage cheese. You may also want to keep raw almonds available. These snacks, as opposed to a candy bar or cake, will provide the lasting energy you need while being a healthy snack choice.

Even though you may feel the need for a quick pick-me-up in the fall months, you can use these five at any time of the year. If you change up your schedule, choose healthy snacks, get moving, take a power nap or stay hydrated, you will find your have more energy and are ready to face your day again.

article source: http://grannieskitchen.net

Autumn Scents to Reduce Stress

Stress seems to be an all too common theme in today’s households, there’s simply no way to completely avoid it. After a busy summer, you may be looking forward to a chance to slow down and recuperate a bit. Tapping into your sense of smell is a great way to reduce stress.

How often does a certain smell bring back fond memories of a place or time; the smell of warm baked cookies or a scent that reminds you of a loving home? The science of using scents to promote good health is called aromatherapy and it’s a much safer option than using caffeine or drugs. Here are some autumn scents to you reduce stress.

Cinnamon – With the temperatures dropping, you may think more about baking. One scent that is often used in fall baking is cinnamon. The smell of a fresh baked apple pie does more than get your mouth watering. Cinnamon has been proven in scientific studies to improve attention and memory.

Peppermint – Along with cinnamon, peppermint is another aroma that has been proven to increase alertness. It helps maintain mental performance when doing the same activity for a long period of time. Peppermint has also been shown to reduce road rage and therefore may be good to keep in your vehicle if you travel a lot.

Vanilla – Another baking scent that is believed to relieve stress is vanilla. Pour a little vanilla extract into a small pan filled with water. Place it on the stove and allow it to simmer for a while. The scent of vanilla will spread throughout the home leaving everyone a little less stressed. Keep an eye on the water level to ensure it doesn’t go dry.

Lavender – One of the most often used scents in aromatherapy, particularly to handle stress, is lavender. This is due to the relaxing properties in the essential oil. Lavender can be used as an additive to bathwater, used dry in bowls on end tables and even spritzed on sheets for a restful night’s sleep.

Sandalwood – Sandalwood oil has a long history of being used as a traditional medicine. Its sweet, rich woody smell is known for reducing stress and soothing the mind and body. While sandalwood can be found in many products such as cosmetics and perfumes, a few drops of this great smelling essential oil can instill a sense of inner peace like nothing else.

One of the great things about these scents is you can create your own massage oil. Simply add a drop or two of the essential oil into non-scented carrying oil such as almond oil. Gently shake the bottle to blend and then set it aside in a cool, dark place until you’re ready for a massage. What could be better than a soothing scent and a nice massage?

It is amazing how scents can affect us. When you’re feeling stressed and need to relax, consider using one of these common scents during the fall or any time of the year.

Autumn Decorating Ideas That Don't Cost a Fortune

Fall is a traditional time of the harvest celebration since the days when farming was commonplace, and this theme continues today even in urban communities. Decorating for the fall harvest means celebrating the bounty of the growing season and blessing the change from summer to winter. Many people go out on fall harvest decor than they do on any other holiday. All of the orange and yellow colors, the traditional scarecrow and pumpkins. This truly is a remarkable time of year and is one of the most beautiful. It can also be a festive time to usher in the holiday season.

Here are some tips and ideas for your fall harvest decorating this year.

1. Charming Frames
Chances are, you have picture frames stored away in various places in your home. They make popular gifts, and many of us end up with more than we need. If not, you can often find them for very little money at second-hand stores and even some major retailers.

You can make fall harvest decorations from these ordinary frames. Lightly glue pressed leaves and/or flowers onto a blank white background, such as a piece of card stock, and insert it into the frame. If you are lucky enough to have frames with two pieces of glass, you can achieve a floating leaf look by sandwiching it between the glass.

These look nice on a table, mantel, wall, or anywhere you want to bring autumn in.

Another note on frames - using a hot glue gun, you can attach acorns, seed pods, and other autumn odds and ends to the frame itself.

If you have any craft paints you can paint the frames in beautiful fall colors. Blend the colors together with a dry brush or piece of cloth to give it some depth and a unique pattern.

2. Natural Vases for Flower Arrangements

You may not have considered this, but autumn brings all sorts of interesting fruits and vegetables that you can use as vases and centerpieces for fall arrangements.

The best vegetables and fruits for this type of decoration are those with a long shelf life, such as squashes, gourds, and apples. But you can certainly think outside the box if you're only going to have the decoration up for a few hours.

In that case, you can include citrus peel cups and even hollowed out pears. Basically, you slice the top off of the vegetable or fruit of your choice, and then dig out the flesh to the depth you need. You can then fill it with water and flowers, or use floral foam.

Most people think of a pumpkin as strictly a halloween decoration to carve, but you can also cut the top off and use it as a centerpiece with a beautiful fall arrangement inside.

3. More with Gourds and Pumpkins

All those inexpensive little gourds and pumpkins are readily available in the fall. Gather lots of them and make a wreath using hot glue and a circular base (such as grapevine or a foam craft ring). Another idea is to arrange gourds on a cake plate, or pile them in a tiered tray. You can even make a garland of small gourds, stringing them on fishing line or upholstery thread.

Simply add sprigs of fall colored leaves between a few of them and you have a full bodied and gorgeous decoration for your home.

Fall is one of the most spectacular times of the year. You can bring that beauty inside and decorate your home for a warm, inviting atmosphere that friends and family will enjoy just as much as you do.

Grannies Kitchen Humor

Yup! It's already looking like one of those days where I'm gonna need a second cup of something.

Grannies Kitchen Humor

Some Days I wish I could put one of these around my neck.  " Do Not Disturb" sign.

Houskeeping Tip of the Day

Today's Housekeeping Tip:  Always keep several Get Well Cards on the mantlepieace. That way, if unexpected guests arrive, they'll think you've been sick and unable to clean.

 

 

 

Grannies Kitchen Tips for Devilish Decorations

Devilish Decorations

A slew of simple spooky decorations can set a spirited mood at your Halloween party. In addition to pumpkins and balloons, try these tricks.
With a black marker, draw ghostly eyes and mouths on old white sheets. Drape over the bristle ends of brooms and prop up against walls.
Cut out shapes of bats from black construction paper and suspend them from the ceiling with black thread and tape.
For an eerie glow, replace some of your regular lightbulbs with green or orange bulbs, which can be found at hardware and party supply stores.
Greet guests with spooky sounds from a purchased cassette or compact disc.
Pick up a bag of spider webbing from a party supply store. Place in corners throughout the house and attach black plastic spiders. Also scatter spiders on tables, mantels and counters.

Halloween Costume for Girls - Dora the Explorer

Halloween Costume for Girls - Dora the Explorer Fancy Dress Costume

If your daughter is a really big fan of Dora the Explorer then this would make a wonderful fancy dress costume for Halloween.  Dora the Explorer is always ready for the next big adventure and with right outfit and accessories your little girl could be transformed into an intrepid explorer ready to discover the delights of trick or treating and foraging for tasty candy treats.

Dora the Explorer Fancy Dress Costume – What Do You Need?
As an explorer who is always on the go, Dora’s clothing is very practical. You can choose to order the complete outfit online or you can look to recreate the style with items of clothing that your daughter may already have hanging up in her closet.
Dora’s costume consists of a pair of bright orange shorts and a hot pink short sleeved t-shirt. On her feet she wears a pair of white sneakers and these are teamed with a pair of yellow frilly topped ankle socks.

Do You Need A Dora Wig?
Dora has very dark straight hair, which is shoulder length and the style features bangs.  If your daughter does not have this type of hair, then it is not a problem.  You can buy a cool looking wig that will sit snugly on her head and completely transform her appearance.

Dora Needs Her Backpack
As a fearless explorer it is very important that Dora has all the things that she needs close to hand.  This is remedied by the very handy backpack that she carries around with her at all times.  If you are going trick or treating then this would be a very useful accessory for your child to have so that she has a place to store all her treats.

A Little Background Info on Dora the Explorer
The character of Dora comes from a very popular television series which first aired in 2000 on the Nickelodeon Channel.  Dora was a 7 year old Latina girl and in each episode we would see her go off and explore a wonderful new place where she would meet new  people or animals and she would offer her assistance if they needed help. She has been seen as a great role model for little girls to look up to and as a positive representation for children from ethnic minorities. 

The show has been updated recently and little Dora has grown up and matured into a pre-teen.  However there is still plenty for little girls to enjoy.  You can purchase a whole selection of Dora Explorer books, DVDs and other accessories too.

Dora the Explorer is a wonderful Halloween costume idea for a little girl who is always on the go.  This would also make a great gift option for children who love to play dress up.

Halloween Fun

Kids love Halloween. Period. And they'll love it even if you don't create their get-up from scratch or buy the year's hottest Halloween costume. They love it because it's just plain fun to dress up and eat treats. So don't stress. Join the fun!

Deals of the Day

Check Out these Deals of the Day we have found. We will add more as we find them.
Paying it Forward

Healthy Fall Activities for Families

Healthy Fall Activities for Families to Share

With schools now in session, most likely your life is settling back into a routine. Just because things have settled down, doesn’t mean your family has to become sedentary and less healthy. These healthy fall activities are great for everyone in your family to share.

• Visit an orchard as a family and pick fruit from the trees. Once you have picked and purchased a good quantity of apples, make homemade apple pies or applesauce.


• Have you ever picked your own pumpkins? There’s something to be said for going out to a big field of pumpkins and looking for just the right one. For some, the best will be the biggest, but even the smaller pumpkins can have great “character.” Take your selections home and turn them into pies, carve them for Halloween or paint them with silly faces.

• Visit a local corn maze. Farmers all over the country have learned that people will pay to go through a corn maze. If you look in the newspaper or online during the fall months, you may find more than one corn maze in your area. Just remember to follow the rules that the farmer has posted and have an adult go through the maze with younger children. Most of all have fun being outdoors in the crisp fall weather.

• Go for a walk in the stunning fall foliage. Whether you take a walk around your neighborhood, find a park nearby or a local hiking trail, you can enjoy the beauty of nature and the time you spend together. Be sure to take a long a camera to snap pictures of not only nature but your family, as well.

• Speaking of fall foliage, why not take a bag with you while you take your walk? Search for the most colorful or large leaves that you can use for fall crafts. Leaves can be used to decorate pre-made wreaths to give it a different look, glue them to picture frames or come up with other ways to bring the beauty of the outdoors inside.

• An old time favorite is to rake up the leaves in your lawn into a large pile and then take turns jumping into the leaf pile. Of course, you’ll want to be sure there are no sticks in the pile and that the rake is away from the leaves so no one is hurt on it.

• Buy a bale of hay and create a scarecrow to decorate your yard. Let the children find old clothes for the scarecrow to wear – blue jeans, t-shirt, flannel shirt and hat – then see how full you can get them. Use a pumpkin for the head and paint a face on it.

• There’s no need to sit and watch television when you can get outside and play. Gather families, friends and those in your neighborhood and have a game of touch or flag football, basketball or other fun game. After the game, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or hot apple cider.

There are so many healthy fall activities your family can share. This list provides just a few to consider. With just a little thought you can find a variety of special activities you can do as a family that will become a cherished autumn tradition.

Great Holiday and Game Day Cook Book

Looking for Recipes for your Game Day Get-Together? See our entire Tailgating cookbook collection!

Grannies Kitchen

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

The children’s book Have You Filled a Bucket Today? was recently given to us by a friend who loves it and now that we have read it, I am passionate about spreading the word because I feel it is a book that needs to be in every child’s library.
The book deals with two incredibly important topics – positive self-esteem and kindness.
I was taught from a very young age the importance of kindness. My mom always told me, “You don’t have to be friends with everybody, but you do have to be kind to everybody.” That lesson has served me well through the years, and it is a value I try very hard to teach my girls on a daily basis.
Now that I am a mom myself and around young children all the time, from what I have observed, I don’t think kindness is innate. I believe it is something that has to be taught, coached, modeled and reinforced. The same goes with empathy, I think kids have to be taught how their words and actions affect others.
This book does exactly that through an easy to understand symbol.
The book is about buckets, and how everyone in the world carries around an invisible bucket filled with good thoughts and feelings about themselves.
When you show kindness and love, you help fill someone’s bucket. The great thing about being a bucket filler is you also fill your own at the same time! Bucket fillers are happy because it feels good to make others feel special.
But on the flip side, when you are mean to someone, you dip into their bucket. It talks about how sometimes bullies will try to dip into other people’s buckets to fill theirs, but that never works. A bucket dipper empties their own bucket at the same time, because it never feels good to be unkind.
This book is the perfect conversation starter for kids about bullying. With October being National Bullying Prevention Month, this truly is a phenomenal book to open up on the dialogue.
When reading this book, my daughters will give me spontaneous examples of friends that dipped their bucket or someone else’s bucket during the day.
By talking about what happened, we are able to brainstorm ways they could have helped someone, or how they could have communicated how someone hurt their feelings by something they did. It has started a gazillion priceless conversations and created a bunch of unexpected teachable moments. The kind of recess stories that I might not have otherwise heard.
Every day when I kiss Emma good-bye at school, I remind her to “be a bucket filler today!” and she knows exactly what I mean.

I just LOVE this book because the world needs more bucket fillers, don’t you think?
Has anyone else read it? Do you agree?

Have you filled your bucket?

Orange Witches' Brew Punch Recipe

This Orange Witches' Brew slushy punch requires no ice ring to keep cold. It's not too sweet, so it appeals to everyone. Use this refreshing beverage for any celebration. 

This recipe is : Quick 

Ingredients

• 1 package (6 ounces) orange gelatin
• 1/2 to 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 can (46 ounces) apricot nectar
• 1 can (46 ounces) pineapple juice
• 3/4 cup lemon juice
• 4 liters ginger ale, chilled

Directions

• In a large bowl, dissolve gelatin and sugar in water. Stir in the apricot nectar, pineapple juice and lemon juice. Freeze in two 2-qt. freezer containers. Remove from the freezer 2-3 hours before serving. Place contents of one container in a punch bowl; mash with potato masher. Stir in ginger ale just before serving. Repeat. Yield: about 8 quarts.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1 cup) equals 122 calories, trace fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 23 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 1 g protein.

Carmel Apple Dip

This sweet, smooth and fluffy dip is really a crowd-pleaser. Be careful—it's so good that you won't want to stop eating it! Kids love them.

This recipe is: Quick and Diabetic Friendly

Caramel Apple Dip Ingredients

•1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
•1/2 cup packed brown sugar
•1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1 cup marshmallow creme
•3 medium tart apples
•2 tablespoons lemon juice
•2 tablespoons water


Directions

•In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, brown sugar, caramel topping and vanilla until smooth; fold in marshmallow creme. Cut apples vertically into thin slices.

•In a small bowl, combine lemon juice and water; toss apples in lemon juice mixture. Drain.

•Using Halloween cutters, cut out the center of each slice. Serve apple slices and cutouts with dip. Yield: 2 cups.

 

 

Halloween - Outdoor Decorations for Your Home

 Outdoor Decorations for Your Home

 

When it is time to get the decorations ready for Halloween, you want to be sure that you have the right things to spruce up the outside of your home as well as the inside.  Here are some great ideas that could help to welcome or maybe frighten visitors who dare to come a calling.

Halloween Lights

There are lots of different lighting fixtures that you can choose to put up that will convey a real sense of Halloween.  A cheap and cheerful option is to get some string lights.  You can actually purchase a string of LED lights that are shaped in the form pumpkins, skulls and coffins.  All you need is to have a power source nearby and you can place these lights around your front door or windows.

Pumpkins on Display

Your Halloween decorations would not be complete without the presence of a fully carved pumpkin.  You can choose to buy whatever size you like but you must have a pumpkin on display complete with a candle or LED light fitting inside.  If you have the skills and you are quite artistic, you will be able to carve out a fantastic shape that people will really admire. If you think that your skills are a little lacking, you can still get the perfect looking pumpkin.  There are lots of books that give you step by step instructions on how create different designs. 

A Skelton Standing Guard

A fun thing to have next to your door is a full size skeleton. This is something that is sure to make visitors pause for a second before they venture up to your door.  To make your skeleton look even more gruesome, you could buy some cobweb spray and apply it quite generously around the statue in order to give it a really ancient look. 

A Flying Witch in the Window

As well as a skeleton standing guard, why not add to the fun by getting a model of a flying witch to act as his accomplice.  There are different types of models available. You can choose to buy a fairly modern day looking witch or opt for a really scary looking one made with a green face, reminiscent of the evil witch in the Judy Garland movie classic The Wizard of Oz.





Ghostly Sightings at the Window

A really quick and easy way to transform your windows is to use decals.  You can get these sorts of stickers in a variety of sizes and they will not ruin your windows when you are ready to remove them.  Great choices for Halloween include adding images of ghostly figures at your window.  This is something that will make people do a double take each time they pass your home.
Halloween is a fantastic excuse to have a little fun so why not go all out and decorate the whole of your home and embrace the season completely.

Halloween - Get The Candy Ready For The Trick or Treaters

The wonderful tradition of trick or treating is shared by both adults and children.  It is a time when you will open your front door and discover groups of children asking for treats. They will usually be dressed up in wonderful fancy dress costumes and will either have a little container or a bag where they can gather together the treats that they have collected from their very generous neighbours.
This tradition is based on an activity that dates back to the Middle Ages. It was called “Souling” and it was normally carried out by poor people who would go door to door begging for food.  In return they would offer to say prayers for the dead. 

These days this activity is based much more on the idea of fun rather than the necessity to be fed.

What to Give Trick or Treaters

There are plenty of things that you can offer little visitors as they knock on your door. If you want to gain a good reputation with the kids in your neighbourhood, you will want to ensure that you provide some really good stuff.  This will normally mean an assortment of sugar loaded candies.  You could choose to offer up healthy treats like granola bars or fresh fruit but it certainly won’t be appreciated by the kids who could retaliate with some awful trick being played on you.

A good idea is to stock up on candy that is easy to hand out. The perfect solution would be to purchase chocolate bars in snack size portions.  Things like Snickers, Mar bars and Milky Way bars are good choices.

Hard candy is also a great option.  You can buy king size packs which will definitely go a long way.

Remember Health & Safety – Only Offer Wrapped Candy Goods

You will want to ensure that whatever you have on offer all the candies and chocolate bars or bon bons are provided in individual wrappers. If you have placed everything in one huge container, then allowing different children to stick their hands in to choose their own gifts could lead to an issue of hygiene.  In order to prevent any unfortunate little accidents or cross contamination, only provide wrapped treats.

The other benefit of offering up wrapped goodies is that if you end up with surplus stock at the end of the evening, you can still enjoy the treats yourself or keep them for another time.
So this Halloween, make sure that you are ready to receive visits from the cute little trick or treaters in your area.  To provide the best treats possible, order your stock in good time and have them ready and waiting at the door. 

Halloween Decorations For Your Home

Get Some Great Halloween Decorations for Your Home

If you really love to get into the festive mood at Halloween it is very important that your home looks the part.  You can achieve this by using different elements to create the look and feel of a spooky mansion that you would normally see featured in Halloween movies.  You can choose to spend lots of money on decorations or you can actually create your own if you are the artistic type. Everyone knows exactly what to expect during this time of the year and you do not want to disappoint.  Just in case you need a helping hand, here are a few tips on the types of decorations you should get to create that spooky atmosphere for your home.

Buy a Skeleton or Skelton Bones 

If you want to recreate a terrifying atmosphere in and around your home, then a skeleton is sure to induce fear into anyone who comes a visiting.  You can choose to use a full size model and have it standing at the front door to greet your guests or you can actually buy packets of loose bones made out of plastic, which you can then place in different locations.  Some bones can look really authentic which will add an extra special dimension to your spooky party.

Add Cobwebs Everywhere

A ghostly house needs to look like it has been unlived in and you can achieve this by placing cobwebs around the room.  You can either use a white netting that you can drape over your furniture or you can buy cans of cobweb spray.  This product works really well because it looks like the real thing and will last as long as the party lasts.  It is also very easy to remove so you do not have to worry about creating too much of a mess regardless of how much you use so just go to town and cover every surface.


Don’t Forget the Witch and Her Black Cat

 

The image of the witch and her black cat is a central figure of Halloween and you should definitely make sure to incorporate this in your Halloween decorations.  You can buy large puppets that you can hang from the ceiling so that it looks like a witch has decided to pay a flying visit to your home.  Alternatively you can get decals that you can stick to your windows and doors.  There are some excellent images that you can find either in your local mall or by looking online.  If you can’t get a witch puppet or figure for your party, then you could at least think about buying or even making your own witch like broomstick.  Rest it against the wall and ask your guests to look out for the witch who forgot their broomstick.broomstick

Creating a Halloween atmosphere for your home can be a fun activity for the whole family to share.  You can choose to go crazy and buy lots of accessories or you can make a lot of your own decorations  Whatever you decide, you are sure to have a fantastic Halloween.Halloween

Halloween Decorations with Pumpkins and Spiders

 Halloween is approaching and it is time to start thinking about ways to decorate your home. Two items that can not be forgotten during this holiday season has to be the pumpkin and scary spiders.

Making Decorations with Pumpkins

A Halloween party would not be complete without at least one big orange pumpkin. You can purchase these in all shapes and sizes and once you have scraped out all the pulp from the inside, you have a perfect container to place a large candle. You can choose to carve a whole host of designs into the front of your pumpkins. The most popular design is usually a frightening looking face with big eyes and a jagged looking mouth.

The great thing is that you do not have to be particularly skilled in order to carve a design into the front of a pumpkin. This would also make a fantastic activity that you could share with your children. You can keep them fully entertained if you get them to draw a simple design, which can then be transferred onto their own pumpkin.

If you are worried about using candles and having a live flame near the children, you can buy very cheap LED lights that will illuminate their pumpkins without any fear of danger or accidents.

Adding Scary Spiders

There is nothing more terrifying than spiders. People who are scared of them will jump out of their skin to try and escape from them. If you enjoy seeing such terror in the eyes of your guests then you can sprinkle plastic spiders all around your home and just listen out for the screams. Your friends and family are sure to see the funny side once they have calmed down and realized than your spiders are not real.

You can also make your own gigantic spider by using black plastic bags. Create the shape of the head and the body by filling one black bag with paper or smaller bags and then simply cut more black bags into long strips to use for the legs. Then you just need to attach each strip to the body. You can choose to hang your DIY spider from a picture hook or you can place is on a table and make it a real focal point.

Creating the perfect atmosphere for your Halloween party may take a little bit of time and effort but the end results will most certainly be worth it. Whether you are holding a fancy dress party in your home for adults or for children get into the party mood and have a Happy Halloween.

Halloween Decorations with Pumpkins and Spiders

Grannies Kitchen Tips

This is an awesome way for thoses picky eaters. Grannies Kitchen is thanksful for this Kitchen Tip from Recipies Filled With Love

Recipes filled with Love
Cute idea for picky kids, fill an ice cube tray with a variety of colorful treats. Does anyone here do anything fun (or sneaky) to get their kids to eat healthier foods?

Fun Facts About Halloween

5 Fun Facts About Halloween

Halloween is the second most popular holiday celebrated around the world after Christmas. It is now a huge commercial event with many companies making their best sales during this period.
 
Every year we celebrate Halloween on 31st October by getting dressed up in fancy dress costumes, sending the children out trick or treating and holding a whole host of fantastically themed parties featuring ghosts, ghouls and witches. Some people may have forgotten the true story behind Halloween. Here are some fun facts about the origins of this particular event and why we celebrate it.

What Does Halloween Mean?

Halloween is actually short for Hallows Eve or Hallows Evening. It was a Celtic event which actually celebrated the end of the Pagan year. Even though it was a time of celebration, there was a fear and belief that the spirits of the dead would rise on this evening and cause widespread panic and mayhem.

Why Do We Wear Costumes?

This is also linked with the traditions of the Pagan holidays. It was believed that the prosperity of the new season could be affected due to the appearance of the evil spirits.

People were scared so they would disguise themselves in different types of costumes in order to prevent any evil spirits from being able to recognise them as being human.

What Is the Importance of Bobbing For Apples?

During this period of time, apples were considered very sacred and it was a tradition to honour Pomona, who is the Goddess of fruitful abundance. The origin of the game of bobbing for apples dates from this time. This is where apples are placed in a container of water and people have to try and pick one up without using their hands. It is a very messy but hilarious activity that can be enjoyed by children as well as adults.

What Is the Significance of the Colours Orange and Black?

You may have noticed that the colours used in the majority of Halloween decorations and clothing tend to be predominately orange and black. This is because way back in history orange represented harvest while the colour black represented death and darkness.

Why Do We Carve Pumpkins?

During the Hallows Eve, candles would be placed in hollowed out turnips and used to ward off evil spirits that were thought to have risen from the dead. These were called Jack o’ Lanterns. When Immigrants arrived in America they continued to celebrate this date and pumpkins became the vegetable of choice. This was because they were more readily available and as they were larger than the average turnip, they were also easier to carve.

These days’ people create amazing designs using pumpkins, gourds and other types of vegetables. Candles are still used but many people prefer the safety of LED lights especially if they have small children.

Light

You will never see the light of the future by hiding in the darkness of the past.

Grannies Kitchen Tip

 

"Lead with grace; Not with judgment."

 

Raspberry Pear Salad with Glazed Walnuts

The sweet and tart tastes of this spectacular salad both surprise and please the palate. A raspberry vinaigrette ties everything together.

Raspberry Pear Salad with Glazed Walnuts Recipe

This recipe is: Quick and  Diabetic Friendly

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 cup walnut halves
• 2 packages (5 ounces each) spring mix salad greens
• 3 medium pears, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
• 2 ounces Cambozola cheese, cubed
• VINAIGRETTE:
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons raspberry vinaigrette
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

• In a small heavy skillet over low heat, stir honey and sugar until sugar is melted; add walnuts. Transfer to a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until nuts are toasted. Spread on foil to cool.
• In a large bowl, combine the salad greens, pears, raspberries, cheese and walnuts. In a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately. Yield: 12 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 cup equals 150 calories, 11 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 6 mg cholesterol, 140 mg sodium, 12 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 2 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 fat, 1/2 fruit.

Coffee

Good Morning World!!! What a great day..coffee in hand...and getting ready to head to the kitchen to create some tastey treats for the grandkids when school is out today.  How fun!!!..it is the beginnings of a positivity convention to come!!! WOOHOO! Have a great day everyone!

Watermelon Cups Recipe

Watermelon Cups Recipe  Quick and Diabetic Friendly

 

This lovely appetizer is almost too pretty to eat! Sweet watermelon cubes hold a refreshing topping that showcases cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs.

Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

Yield: 16 Servings

This recipe is: Quick and Diabetic Friendly

Ingredients

• 16 seedless watermelon cubes (1 inch)
• 1/3 cup finely chopped cucumber
• 5 teaspoons finely chopped red onion
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh mint
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh cilantro
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon lime juice

Directions

• Using a small melon baller or measuring spoon, scoop out the center of each watermelon cube, leaving a 1/4-in. shell (save pulp for another use).
• In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; spoon into watermelon cubes. Yield: 16 appetizers.

Nutritional Facts 1 appetizer equals 7 calories, trace fat (trace saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1 mg sodium, 2 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, trace protein. Diabetic Exchange: Free food.

 

 

Sour Cream Chocolate Cake Recipe

Impressive to look at but easy to make, this cake is a good old-fashioned "Sunday supper" dessert that melts in your mouth.

Prep: 35 min. Bake: 30 min. + cooling
Yield: 16 Servings

Ingredients

•1 cup baking cocoa
•1 cup boiling water
•1 cup butter, softened
•2-1/2 cups sugar
•4 eggs
•2 teaspoons vanilla extract
•3 cups cake flour
•2 teaspoons baking soda
•1/2 teaspoon baking powder
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
•FROSTING:
•2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
•1/2 cup butter, cubed
•1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•4-1/2 to 5 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

•Dissolve cocoa in boiling water; cool. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beating well after each addition. Add cocoa mixture and mix well.
• Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• In a microwave, melt chocolate chips and butter; stir until smooth. Cool for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Beat in sour cream and vanilla. Add confectioners' sugar; beat until light and fluffy. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 16 servings.


Nutritional Analysis: 1 slice equals 692 calories, 30 g fat (18 g saturated fat), 119 mg cholesterol, 451 mg sodium, 102 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 7 g protein.

Grannies Thought for The Day - Encouragement

♥♥ Thought For The Day:
If you need encouragement or hope, look in a child's eyes.

Fun Activities to Do With your Grandkids

There are many fun activities to do with your grandkids. Grandparents often have an opportunity to spend special time with their grandchildren that parents may not get in the hustle and bustle of their work week. When your grandchildren come to visit you, it can help to have some fun activities pre-planned to keep them entertained.

Try a few of these fun activities the next time you have little visitors:

Show Home Movies and Photos: Show your grandchildren home movies or pictures from when their parents were small. They'll enjoy hearing funny stories about what your children were like when they were small. It's fun to imagine what their parents were like as children. Take time to share these stories with your grandchildren.

Record Bedtime Stories: If your grandchildren are staying overnight, have them bring their favorite bedtime stories along with them. Read them to the children out loud, and set up a tape recorder in the room. You'll be able to send them home with a memory - their own personalized book on tape! Years from now they'll be able to treasure their own tape of grandma or grandpa reading their favorite story to them

Teach Them a Skill: Do you know how to cook, sew, or work with wood? Take the time to teach your grandchildren how to make a simple recipe or project. Parents are often busy and may not have the time to teach their children simple life skills. These skills, if not taught by the schools, may end up neglected. Take time to teach your grandchildren these money-saving hobbies - when they're adults, they'll be very glad you did!

Play Games: Spend time playing card games, board games, or string games with your grandchildren. In this modern age of video and computer games, simple games are often neglected and forgotten. These games are enjoyable and fun - be sure to teach your grandchildren how to have fun simply.

When your grandchildren come to visit, be sure to have a few activities planned to entertain them. Show them pictures or home movies, enjoy a bedtime story, or cook a favorite recipe. You could even take time to teach them a game that you enjoyed when you were a child. Children need attention and affection to thrive, and as a grandparent, you've got time to provide plenty of both. Take time to enjoy your grandchildren - that's what they're for!