Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Snow Covered Crunch Bars

I was assigned a dessert for our Howe Christmas Sunday dinner. I had some Betty Crocker cookie mixes in the pantry from a recent sale and decided to make something from them. Plain old cookies just wouldn't do, so I went the the Betty Crocker website and searched until I found these little treasures. They are similar in taste to Muddy Buddies.

Snow Covered Crunch Bars
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1 package (12 oz) semisweet chocolate chips (2 cups)
2 1/2 cups peanut butter
6 cups Rice Chex® cereal
1/2 to 1 cup powdered sugar

Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, 1/2 cup butter and egg until soft dough forms. Press dough in bottom of pan. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. Cool 15 minutes.
In large microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and the remaining 1/2 cup butter on High about 1 1/2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until melted and smooth. Add peanut butter; mix until well blended.
Place cereal in 1-gallon baggie. Using your hands, gently break cereal into small pieces (I would suggest to not crush them like I did, just do it until the pieces are smaller). Gently stir cereal into chocolate mixture until cereal is coated. Spread cereal mixture evenly over cookie crust; gently press. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until bars are set. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows. Store covered at room temperature.
If you don't want to ruin it just eat them and don't look any further, but for those that want to know, here are is the Nutrition information:

1 Serving (1 Serving)Calories 300(Calories from Fat 170),Total Fat 18g(Saturated Fat 7g,Trans Fat 1/2g),Cholesterol 20mg;Sodium 200mg;Total Carbohydrate 27g(Dietary Fiber 1g,Sugars 16g),Protein 6g

Creamy Berry Banana Jello Salad

Here is a great, quick, easy, yummy, salad idea you can take to any holiday party. My sister brought it to a family event this past summer and everyone really enjoyed it. I just barely took it to my in laws get together and everyone raved about it.

Creamy Berry Banana Jell-o Salad

1 large (2 lb) strawberry yogurt
1 small cool whip
2 small pkg instant cheesecake Jell-o
1 bag frozen berry blend
2-3 bananas (optional)
Mix together and chill.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Christmas Gift Idea - Personalized Ornaments

Two years ago I had picked up a few boxes of bulbs for really cheap after Christmas. I wondered what I would do with them. I then had an idea come to me. Give them as neighbor and friend gifts! I had my friend Breanna do the vinyl for me. Since they were so small it didn't cost very much. For the neighbors I had her make snowflakes. I then added the bulb to a bag of goodies. For some friends I did the names of the whole family and put them in a bag together.


If you'd like to order vinyl from Breanna call her at 801-577-3273.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Plenty For Twenty!


Close To My Heart offering an awesome deal this month! When you shop on my website juliescott.myctmh.com and spend $20 or more on wonderful Close To My Heart products, you'll receive a free D-size stamp set valued at $22.95 that more than doubles your value!

Although you won't be able to choose your stamp set like in November, prepare to be happily surprised! Close To My Heart will choose from a large selection of stamp sets that were very popular but have been retired to make room for new products, wonderful stamp sets you're sure to love!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Countdown Calendar

Some of you may remember this. We did it for a workshop a few years ago. I thought I would share the idea since we are getting closer to the time to countdown to Christmas, if you haven't started already!

I bought a cookie sheet from the dollar store and covered it with paper. I made the grid on white cardstock. I used so many different stamp sets I'm not sure I could name them all! To create it I looked around in what I had in paper, stamps, and accents and came up with the designs. Each day is attached to a craft jar so you can put a little goodie inside. I put a few pieces of candy and my kids are happy. The craft jars attach to the cookie sheet with a magnet.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Santa's Workshop Craft Night

Santa's Workshop Craft Night will be held on Friday December 3rd from 6pm- until we are done. There are 6 crafts to choose from. You can do as many as you'd like, but there are some that I have limited numbers on so, once they are gone, they are gone. Sign up early to insure you get what you want for your holiday gifts. Sign up and prepay by November 24th.


Gift Tubes $1.50 Each. These are empty and can be filled with goodies or small gifts. Approximately 6 inches tall, 2 inches wide.Chocolate Gift Bag $1.50 Each and includes the chocolate!Christmas Cards $1.00 Each includes white envelope. Choose from Merry Christmas, Peace on Earth, Happy Holidays, or do all three! M&M Holiday Favors $.50. Does not include M&M's, but those are easy enough to find at any store. You will get the bag, tag, and ribbon.Holiday Tags set of 3 for $.50.Holiday Layouts $16.00. These are fun interactive layouts. We will use the Mistletoe Level 1 kit along with one of CTMH's hottest items, Flip Flaps to create 6 interactive pages. Don't worry, there's a little bling in there too.


You will need to bring your own scissors and adhesive like a glue stick CTMH carries some excellent adhesives like Bonding Memories Glue or Tombow Adhesive. We also have an awesome pair of Micro Tip Scissors. We can easily add either of these items to your craft night order and I will have it ready for you that night. Everything else will be supplied for you.

Not able to attend? Kits are available!

Call (801-448-7429)or email (scrapinandstampin@hotmail.com) to save your spot at craft night, to order your kits, or set a date for your very own craft night!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Chicken & Bacon Pasta

I found this recipe on the Taste and Tell blog I check out every once in awhile. I've made it a few times and I get two thumbs up from everyone who has tried it. It's kinda on the naughty side, but oh so yummy!

Chicken & Bacon Pasta

6 chicken breast halves
1 12-ounce bottle Lawry's Mesquite marinade (or any marinade you can find. I've used the dried packets before and it worked just fine
1 pound bacon, cooked and diced
3 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 tablespoons pepper (I do not put that much in. A few shakes of the pepper is good for me and my family)
3/4 cup butter
1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
3/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for the top
1 pound small cut pasta, cooked and drained (I use Penne)
a few handfuls of frozen peas

Put the chicken breasts and the marinade in a crockpot. Cook until chicken is done - about 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low. When cooked, cut the chicken into bite-sized chunks.

In a large pan, combine the cream, pepper, butter, garlic and Parmesan cheese. Whisk over medium heat until combined and thickened.

Combine the pasta, bacon, chicken and sauce. Toss in the frozen peas and stir to combine everything. Pour into a very large baking dish, top with more Parmesan, and cook in a 350F oven until the cheese is melted