Recycle those Old Jeans!

Ok... Dad had some old pants that had holes in the knees.... what to do with them?
We made cute bags!!
1. Cut off Legs of old pants, try to cut straight across.
2. Turn inside out and either sew or glue(won't last as long)along the bottom edge. Leave about 1/2 inch at the bottom.
3. Turn right side out and decorate as desired.
4. Cut down the inside seam of both legs and sew or glue them in as handles.

Beef and Broccoli

The kids all liked this, even the ones who wouldn't touch the broccoli but loved the beef!

1 lb. Boneless beef sirloin steak, cut into thin strips (I used some that was cut for stir fry!)
1 med. onion, thinly sliced (I used minced, dried onion)
3 C. chopped broccoli
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp. ground pepper
1 Tbsp. Vegetable oil
1 C. water
1 tsp. beef bouillon
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
Hot Cooked Rice

Steam broccoli until crisp-tender. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet. Cook steak, onions, and garlic in hot oil until onions begin to turn clear. Sprinkle with pepper. Dissolve bouillon in water. Blend cornstarch with water. Add to steak and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Add steamed broccoli and soy sauce and heat through. Serve over Hot Cooked rice.

Peppermint Meringues

2 Egg whites
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 C. sugar
2 peppermint candy canes, crushed

In a bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Sprinkle with salt,cream of tartar and sugar. Beat until soft peaks form, about 7 minutes. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased foil lined baking sheets; sprinkle with candy. Bake at 225 for 1 1/2 hours. Turn off heat; leave cookies in the oven with door ajar for at least 1 hour. Store in airtight container.

Egg Nog

I love Egg Nog, and so do my kids. This tastes just like the store bought stuff! Now, We can have it any season.

Egg Nog
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs, well beaten
1 Qt. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 pint Heavy cream, whipped
nutmeg, to taste

Mix all ingredients well. Chill and serve.

Grandma's Caramels

I still haven't got these perfect.... but they still are good every year, and still get eaten! I wish Grandma was still here to help me get it right! This was what I looked forward to every year from my Grandma!

1 C. sugar
1 C. corn syrup
1/2 Cube real butter
1 pint whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla (at the end)

Combine in a big saucepan: the sugar, corn syrup, butter and 1/3 of the whipping cream. Boil for 7 1/2 minutes; stirring constantly. Add 1/3 of the whipping cream. Boil another 7 1/2 minutes, stirring. Repeat. Add vanilla at the end. Spread in a buttered pan until cool. Cut in pieces and wrap in waxed paper.

Magic Sleeping Potion

We make this every year on Christmas Eve. Also, this makes a great easy gift to give to kids friends.

Assemble in a small bag:
1 pouch of hot chocolate mix
1 "magic" chocolate bell
1 sm. candy cane or peppermint stick
several mini marshmallows in a snack sized bag.

Attach this poem:

Magic Sleeping Potion

It's Christmas Eve time for bed
but not an eye will close
Too much excitement in the air
to even let you doze.

So mkae this "magic potion"
to help you fall asleep
Then Santa and his helpers
can down your chimney creep.

Pour the cocoa in a mug
and with hot water mix
then drop in the magic bell
and stir with a candy stick

Add a few marshmallows and
sip it slowly down.
Crawl into bed and snuggle in
the magic sleep will come around.

Toffee

1 C. sugar
2 cubes butter
3 Tbsp. water

Cook on high. Boil till light brown on edges. Pour in a buttered pan and sprinkle with Chocolate chips on top. When chips are glossy, spread. Sprinkle with chopped nuts, and let cool completely before cutting into pieces.

Pretzel Treats

My kids have already been asking for these.... You can make these anytime, but the festive colored M&M's make these treats perfect for holiday gatherings.

Waffle style Pretzels, round or square
Hershey's kisses
Holiday M&M's

Place pretzels on baking sheet, top each with an unwrapped kiss. Place in oven on very low temp, just until warm. Immediately top with a M&M and press down slightly. Allow to cool and enjoy.

Peppermint Chocolate Fudge

12 oz. Milk Chocolate chips
1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
dash salt
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1/4 C. crushed hard peppermint candy

In a saucepan, over low heat, melt chips with milk and salt. Remove from heat, stir in extract. Spread evenly into foil lined 8 or 9 inch square pan. Sprinkle with candy. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn onto cutting board; peel off foil and cut into squares.

Eggnog Fudge

1/8 c. butter, chilled
3 C. sugar
1 C. eggnog
6 oz. white chocolate chips

1 1/2 c. mini marshmallows
1 C. almonds, chopped
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Line a 9 inch square pan with foil and set aside. Spray the sides of a large saucepan with butter flavor non-stick spray. Add the eggnog and sugar, and bring to a rolling boil over medium to medium high heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 2 full minutes. Fold in the marshmallows, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring back to a rolling boil for another 6 minutes, stirring constantly. The mixture will start to turn brown, which is normal, but if you see brown flakes in the mixture then turn down the heat a little. Remove from heat and add the butter, chips and nuts. Stir until thoroughly mixed or until the mixture starts to lose its glossy appearance. Pour into prepared pan. cool at room temp. Remove from pan, remove foil, and cut into squares.

Chocolate Snowswirl Fudge

3 cups (18 oz.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
4 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
dash salt
1 C. chopped nuts
2 C. mini marshmallows

Melt chips with milk, 2 Tbsp. butter, vanilla and salt. Remove from heat; stir in nuts. Spread evenly into foil lined 8 or 9 inch square pan. Melt marshmallows with remaining butter. Spread on top of fudge. With knife, swirl through top of fudge.
Chill at least 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto cutting board; peel off foil and cut into squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Candy Cane Cookies

1/4 C. butter or margarine
1/4 C. shortening
1/2 C. powdered sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 C. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
red food coloring
1/4 C. crushed peppermint candies
1/4 C. granulated sugar

Heat oven to 375. Mix thoroughly butter, shortening, powdered sugar, egg and vanilla. Blend in flour and salt. Divide dough in half. Blend food coloring in half of the dough. Use 1 tsp. dough from each color and make into 4" ropes. Lay ropes side by side: press together lightly and twist, shape into a cane. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake 7-9 minutes. Mix candy and sugar and sprinkle immediately over cookies.