A Cozy Home in the Woods: October 2011

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Scarecrow Crunch

4 cups crunchy oatmeal cereal squares or Chex cereal

4 cups tiny twist pretzels

1 can salted peanuts

1 bag of autumn mix honey candy

1 bag of candy corn

2 cups peanut butter M&M's

2 (6-ounce) boxes caramel popcorn with nuts

1 (6.6) bag chocolate Teddy Grahams

Mix and enjoy. Store in an air-tight container!

Thanks to my fellow Willow House Design Consultant, Georgia, for this recipe!

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

What's Your "Mom Personality Type"?

This is totally scientific, yet totally made up. Do you see yourself or your friends in any of these?

The Domestic Diva:

A combination of Martha Stewart (love ya, Martha) and Betty Crocker, this gal excels in household management.
Why she's an awesome friend: She'll bring one lip-smacking dish to your next potluck.

The Sassy Stylista:

She's dressed in the latest trends with each hair in place as she trots through the grocery store (in heels, of course!).
Why she's an awesome friend: She can gently nudge you toward updating your style and can help you get ready for a date night with your hubby.

The Fitness Fanatic:

No kidding, this gal uses her jogging stroller for actual jogging! Drop and give her 20!
Why she's an awesome friend: She can prove to you that women with kids really CAN make time for exercise.

The Crazy Committee Chic:

PTA? She's all over it. Church choir? Please, she practically runs it! This mom is involved in seemingly everything and brings a snack along for the team too!
Why she's an awesome friend: If you lost your kid's soccer practice schedule or you want to know what's going on in the community, she's got her finger on the pulse of it all.

Pleasantly Plugged-in

Adorned in her Bluetooth, smart phone, iPad, and every other imaginable device to stay connected, you can't miss this tech-savvy lady.
Why she's an awesome friend: You'll get a text, Facebook message, email and tweet on your birthday for sure (her smart phone reminded her to).

Comfortably Casual

This gal can laugh at the disasters of the day and still make time to finger paint.
Why she's an awesome friend: Kids screaming, pot boiling over, dog barking at the back door, and she can still focus on you and your latest parenting quandary.

Each of us is a unique blend of loads of interesting characteristics. Don't we serve an amazing Creator? May we all learn to appreciate each other's strengths and lovingly accommodate temporary weaknesses. We all have a part to play in the body of Christ.

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12 NIV)

Sunday, October 2, 2011

M & M Bars

These are a beloved family favorite, reserved only for birthdays and Christmas. If we had them in the house any more, we would be in BIG trouble!

Aunt Cheryl's M & M Bars

2 c. quick oatmeal

1 1/2 c. flour

1 c. firmly packed brown sugar

1 t. baking soda

3/4 t. salt

1 c. butter or margarine, melted

2 T. shortening (I use veggie oil instead)

1 1/2 c. M & Ms (or more!)

14 oz. sweetened condensed milk

Combine oats, flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix well. Add margarine and mix until ingredients are moistened. Reserve 1 1/2 cup of mixture and press the remaining mixture into a greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Melt shortening in a heavy pan. Add 1 cup of M & Ms and cook over low heat, stirring constantly with a metal spoon while pressing candies with the back of the spoon to break them up. Remove from heat and stir in condensed milk, mixing well. Spread over partially baked crust. Combine reserved oat mixture with remaining candy and sprinkle over top. Bake 15 minutes more.

I usually half the recipe unless we have guests coming to enjoy dessert too. These are also great when stored in the fridge and eaten slightly cold.

I hope you love these as much as my family does! : )

Spook-tacular Fall Decor!

Gather some fabulous inspiration from this sweet and spooky fall decorating!

Who says wreaths are just for Christmastime? Deck out a cupboard door or your entryway with a fall inspired wreath like this one with leaves and acorns.