S’Mores And Then Some

Here’s a brilliant idea for your summer get-togethers

A major candy run to your nearest market will bring you such a variety of chocolates for your S’Mores Platter. There is no limit to what you can put together to create these delicious treats the whole family will love.

The greatest thing is homemade marshmallows! I like that you can slice them up so they’ll fit right into your graham crackers.

Here’s a recipe for Vanilla Marshmallows

This recipe makes 36 small squares

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons powdered unflavored gelatine
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • 2-1/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 cup corn syrup or glucose
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar for dusting

Directions:

  1. Put the first 1/2 cup of cold water in the bowl of a standing mixer. Sprinkle the gelatin on top and let it hydrate.
  2. Line a baking pan with 2 inch sides with parchment paper and spray the entire surface with vegetable spray.
  3. In a medium saucepan, put sugar, glucose or corn syrup and the remaining water. Cook over medium heat until dissolved. Be sure to brush the sides of the pan, above the mixture, with a wet brush so crystals won’t form.
  4. Increase the heat to high, put the candy thermometer on the pan, boil until the temperature reaches 248°F.
  5. Using the wire whisk on your mixer, whisk the gelatin in the bowl. Slowly pour the sugar mixture into the gelatin while beating at high speed. Be careful not to pour it directly over the whisk, but between the side of the bowl and the whisk. That gets the majority of the syrup into the gelatin and not stuck in the beaters or sides of the bowl.
  6. Keep beating until the consistency is fluffy, like a thick meringue. All vanilla and mix.
  7. You’re ready to transfer the fluffy marshmallow mixture to the prepared pan. Smooth the top with an oiled or sprayed spatula.
  8. Allow to dry at room temperature for an hour and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
  9. Let dry for a few hours until it’s no longer sticky and can be taken out of the pan.
  10. Lift the parchment paper to unmold your marshmallows
  11. Use an oiled or sprayed kitchen knife to cut your marshmallows.
  12. Dust each square thoroughly with powdered sugar.
  13. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Give it a try.

They’ll truly be a great hit!

Shredded Chicken Wrap Recipe

Shredded Chicken Wrap Recipeshreddedchickenwrap

You can never go wrong with chicken. The whole family seems to love it . . . and they’ll love this recipe as is or after you change some ingredients to your liking. Oh, the great news is that you cook it in your slow cooker!!

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds of chicken breast
  • 1/2 cup Zesty Italian Dressing
  • 3/4 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 ounce package of Dry Ranch Dressing mix
  • 1/2 cup water

For Toppings You May Like:

  • chopped tomatoes
  • chopped olives
  • fresh lettuce
  • fresh spinach
  • a creamy dressing of your choice

Directions:

  1. Spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray.
  2. Add all ingredients except the chicken into the slow cooker.
  3. Mix up the ingredients until it is combined.
  4. Add the chicken and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours. You want to cook it long enough so the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
  5. Remove the chicken from the slow cooker once it’s done and shred it.
  6. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and mix with the juices.
  7. Enjoy!

It’s great wrapped in a tortilla or soft taco shell or lettuce or spinach leaf.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Halloween Labels

I’m always looking for Halloween Labels.HalloweenLabels

These aren’t to print out, but to   give you ideas of the various labels people have made for bottles of all shapes and sizes. It most likely is giving you ideas of names of labels you might want to make. I’ve thought of a few:

  • Milkweed Nectar and have a picture of a Butterfly
  • Snail Slime with a picture of a Snail
  • Instant Wealth with a picture of As Seen On TV
  • Pickled Hummingbird Tongue with a picture of a forked tongue
  • Dried Snake Skin with a picture of a snake skin
  • Time Traveler Potion with a picture of an old clock
  • Grave Dirt with a picture of a coffin
  • Beatle Juice with a picture of “you know who”
  • Pumpkin Guts with a picture of pumpkin slime
  • Lucky Rabbit’s Foot with a picture of a bunny
  • Pickled Dragonfly Wings with a picture of a dragonfly
  • Gambler’s Luck with a picture of dice or cards
  • Shrunken Heads with a picture of a shrunken head
  • Lady Luck with a picture of whomever you want
  • Magic Potion with a picture of a cloud of smoke

Your list could go on and on. All you need is a little inspiration.

Let’s see about some bottles:

You’re all set to create some amazing labels right out of your own imagination. You can use family names such as “Pete’s Killer Charm” or “Lynne’s Winning Personality” or “Gramps Grumpy Gum” You could fill them with different candies that would fit with the label and give them away as party favors.

I’m sure you’ll come up with just the right sayings to make into labels you can paste to these jars.

Thanks for stopping by!

Extraordinary Christmas Gift Bags

It’s never too early to prepare for the Holidays!

What a great way to dress up some sweet treats or small teacher gift. This is a complete set of 6 treat bags made of red felt with faux fur WIN_20150702_160411 (2)cuffs, black belt and suspenders. Each bag measures 9 inches long by 11 1/2 inches high.

These make excellent bags for hostess gifts. It’s important to shop early. They look great under the Christmas Tree, dressing up the mantle, on a side or entry table, just about anyplace to want to place some holiday cheer. These adorable Santa Pants won’t last long!

You may also want these adorable elf pants:

 These Elf Pants Treat Bags come in a set of 8, great for a Secret Santa gift bag and great for the kids to give out little gifts to their friends, teacher, bus driver, etc. Each bag measures 9 inches by 7 inches by 3 inches. I love the elf shoes. There are also jingle bells for a delightful festive touch.

As long as I’m into these great gift bag, I have one more:

A set of 3 Santa’s Sacks. These jumbo gift bags are large enough to hold a doll or stuffed animal. Comes with an appliqued tag declaring it has come from the big man himself. The drawstring closure has fuzzy pom-poms that give the bags a whimsical touch. These bags measure 13 inches by 13 inches by 8 inches.

It definitely looks like you’ve got it all in the bag — everything’s covered:

  • Santa’s Pants
  • Elf Pants with their shoes
  • Santa’s Sack

But, something does seem to be missing:
How about a set of 12 Santa Hat Gift Bags made of fleece and fluff. These bags measure 10 inches high and 4 inches wide. You’ll definitely want to stock up on these drawstring bags. They’re great for Secret Santa gifts or wrapped Christmas treats or holiday party favors.

I think that is all . . . until I find something else . . . this will definitely give you an assortment of bags for your cookie exchanges and Secret Santa gift exchange and just to hand out Christmas goodies to friends, family, neighbors . . .

DSCN0024_edited-1

Hi there! It’s Diva! I helped Mom place her order to get me a set of these Santa Hat Gift Bags! I have made some wonderful friends at the Vet’s Office — there’s my personal vet and the one that helped me when my vet wasn’t there, then all the friends I’ve made in the office and those wonderful techs. Oh and the groomer!

I think a cool dozen of them from me would make a great hit — maybe they’ll skip a shot or two in appreciation . . . I know they’re for my health, but they do smart.

Hold it, Mom! I think they have more than a dozen working there! How about buying me two sets of those Elf Britches! I think I like those better with the jingle bells on the elf shoes. 

We have plenty of time to gather the goodies for these people and their families.

I love my mom, she always plans ahead! I don’t know how this Secret Santa thing works, but I’d like to be the Secret Santa for the folks at the Vet’s office.

Now . . . I wonder . . . with those jingling bells . . . hummmmm . . . Yes! I want the Elf Britches!! 2 sets, please!!

Now, I’ll work on a list of goodies to fill the bags . . . people food . . . candy canes, chocolate . . . a Christmas ornament . . . or two . . . how big are those britches? . . . 

While Diva’s working on her list, I’ll close up by thanking you for stopping by!

Yes, I’m having Christmas in July!!!

Red Ruby Slippers Doorstop

I absolutely fell in love with this doorstop when I first saw it. They’re the Red Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz. Remember the houseDTDM1 that fell on the Wicked Witch of the East? These are the same Red Ruby Slippers that got Dorothy safely home. Well, why not have the pair along with the wicked witch of the east’s legs nestled inside as a doorstop.

The reason I’m bringing these out now is because of the number of repins this item has received on Pinterest. I believe it’s going to my older version of TwoCansOnAString.com  I think it’s a great product and I want people to get a fresh look at it and bring people here to see all the great and wonderful things I do right here 🙂

I can’t tell you how many of these Red Ruby Slipper Doorstops I’ve purchased. My guests see them and absolutely must have it. I have bought them a dozen at a time. For this Halloween season, I’ll go with 2 dozen and give them as hostess gifts.

Let me tell you a little bit about the Red Ruby Slipper Doorstop I know you’ll love to display in your home to prop at least one door open. The dimensions are 3.2 x 4.2 x 2 inches and weighs not quite 2 pounds. It’s from Westland Giftware and is referred to as Wicked Witch of the East Legs Door Stop. It’s made of pewter and beautifully painted.

I love mine and they’re a real hit with my family and friends.

You may also like:

This is a doormat! This is a fun battery operated Hallmark ornament

Thanks for stopping by!