Day 28 - Puppy Chow

I think every mom has a copy of this recipe, simply because it is the perfect way to keep your kids busy for 20 minutes (not to mention the end result tastes fabulous). In case you don't, here's one of the easiest, tastiest, kid friendly treats around...

Puppy Chow

1 stick Butter

1 cup Peanut Butter

12 oz. bag Chocolate Chips

1 box Rice Chex cereal

2 cups Powder Sugar

Melt butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips in large pan. Add cereal. Mix well. Place powdered sugar in large paper bag. Add cereal mix, shake until coated. Store in airtight container in fridge for up to two weeks.

If you like the recipe, try this...

* Package Puppy Chow in a dog treat jar (both plastic and metal versions are available almost anywhere). Attach a copy of the recipe with ribbon for a quick gift.

* Skip the rice krispies and fill small bags of this treat for your kids holiday party. Add a handful of red & green M&M's to make it extra festive.  

Day 29 - I (heart) Etsy

For obvious reasons, I am a huge fan of Etsy. This online marketplace has almost everything imaginable, making it the coolest world wide craft show ever!

To celebrate Black Friday and Cyber Monday, thousands of Etsians have posted huge sales in their shops. To take part and save big, log in or become a member (and yes, it's free to browse!), then enter the search terms Etsyfreeshipping or EtsyHolidaySale. To take advantage of both promotions, try EtsyHolidaySaleEtsyFreeShipping.

Day 30 -

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Day 31 - Pumpkin Bread

Here's another idea for that can of pumpkin. This recipe from Libby's is all over the place this time of year. It's no wonder why, this stuff is excellent for a Thanksgiving breakfast!

Libby's Pumpkin Cranberry Bread

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

3 cups granulated sugar

1 can (15 ounces) Libby's100% Pure Pumpkin

4 large eggs

1 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup orange juice

1 cup sweetened dried, fresh or frozen cranberries

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans.Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Combine sugar, pumpkin, eggs, oil and juice in large mixer bowl; beat until just blended. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in cranberries. Spoon batter into prepared loaf pans.

Bake for 60 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Day 32 - Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is the perfect day to remember what we are grateful for in our lives. Here are some ideas to bring the gift of gratitude to your holiday feast...

* Make place cards for guests using your computer and card stock . On the back of each, hand write a personal note of appreciation for each person.

* Create a Thanksgiving Journal for your kids. Trace their hand on card stock and have them decorate it like a turkey. Cut out the turkey, along with another sheet of card stock and several pieces of plain white paper. Staple the turkey together by the feathers to make a booklet. Have the kids see who can get the most family members to write 'gratitude notes' in their journal.

* Before your guests arrive, write everyone's name on a piece of paper and place them in a basket. As people come in, have them draw a name and anonymously write one thing they appreciate that person for on the back of the paper. Pass out the notes after dinner or give them as parting gifts when your guests leave.

Day 33 - Pumpkin Cheesecake

This year, skip the pie and try one of these. You won't regret it.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 1/2 cup crushed gingersnaps

1/3 cup melted butter

******
2 8 oz. packages of cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1 cup canned pumpkin

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

For Crust:
Combine crumbs and butter. Press into bottom and sides of 9 inch springform pan.

Bake at 305 degrees for 10 minutes.

For Filling:

Combine cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Reserve 1 cup batter. To remaining batter, add the rest of the sugar, pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg, mix well. Pour half of the pumpkin batter over crust, then cream cheese batter, and top with remaining pumpkin batter. Using a knife, cut through the batter to create a 'marble' effect. Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes. Cool completely, then remove from pan.

The Other Cookies

The turkeys are not the only cookies I worked on today.

I also made these beauties for Turbo, as a potential cure for his Pacman Fever.

(I still don't know what's worse, Turbo's idea to do these or the fact that I actually did.)