Marvelous Monday

If you thought I forgot about Fun Friday you are wrong. Thought I would give you recipes for the Holiday right before the day! With 4th of July in 2 days here are some recipes you can make to bring to the lake, beach or pool party! Enjoy!

 

Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 boxed chocolate cake mix (I used sugar free)

1 small can of pumpkin puree 15 ounce

6 ounces of chocolate chips

**MAKES 48 mini cupcakes**

I made large ones.

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Mix together cake mix and canned pumpkin. It is best to use a mixer for about 2 minutes on medium speed to get fluffier cupcakes.
Add in almost all of the 6 ounces of chocolate chips
Put in a muffin tin with liners. Batter is dense and does not rise much so these can be filled to the top.
Add a few tiny chips to the tops.
Bake for 22-25 min until a toothpick inserted comes out clean!
**ENJOY!**

Brownie Kebabs

*Makes 16-20 kebabs (depending on how big you cut the brownies and how many brownie pieces you thread on the skewer)
INGREDIENTS:
9X13-inch pan of Brownies (chilled and cut into 1-inch cubes)
1 pint blueberries, washed
1 pint strawberries, washed and hulled
Large marshmallows
Hot Fudge Sauce for drizzling, if desired
Bamboo/wooden skewers
DIRECTIONS:
Alternate threading brownies, fruit and marshmallows onto wooden skewers. Drizzle with hot fudge sauce, if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Content Credit: http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2012/06/brownie-fruit-kebabs.html

Red, White ‘n’ Blue Jello Salad

• 1 package (3 ounces) berry blue gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water,divided
• 2-1/2 cups cold water, divided
• 1 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 package (3 ounces) strawberry gelatin
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced

1. In a bowl, dissolve the berry blue gelatin in 1 cup boiling water; stir in 1 cup cold water. Pour into a 3-qt. serving bowl or divide between clear plastic cups (I used 8 (9 oz.) cups that made large servings – more like 2 servings per cup). Carefully add blueberries. Refrigerate about 1 hour until firm.
2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, sprinkle unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water; let stand for 1 minute.Then mix in the cream and sugar; cook and stir over low heat until gelatin and sugar are completely dissolved. Allow to cool to room temperature. Whisk in sour cream and vanilla. Spoon over the set blue layer. Refrigerate until firm, again for about 1 hour.
3. Once the white layer is firm, dissolve raspberry gelatin in a bowl with remaining 1 cup boiling water; stir in remaining 1 cup cold water. Pour over a spoon over cream layer. Pouring the gelatin over a spoon prevents making a hole into the white layer as you pour. Add the diced strawberries. Chill until set for about 1 more hour. Garnish with whipped cream and additional berries if desired. Yield: 14-16 servings or for me it was 8 of the 9 oz cups.

Content Credit: http://realmomkitchen.com/7351/red-white-n-blue-jello-salad/

-Denea Duran

Firework Safety

Fourth of July is fastly approaching, here are some tips to have a great and safe holiday!

• Use fireworks outdoors only.
• Obey local laws. If fireworks are not legal where you live, do not use them.
• Always have water handy. (A hose or bucket).
• Only use fireworks as intended. Don't try to alter them or combine them.
• Never relight a "dud" firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Use common sense. Spectators should keep a safe distance from the shooter and the shooter should wear safety glasses.
• Alcohol and Fireworks do not mix. Please have a designated shooter.
• Only persons over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers of any type.
• Do not ever use homemade fireworks of illegal explosives: They can kill you! Report illegal explosives to the fire or police department in your community.

-Denea Duran

Content Credit: http://www.fireworksafety.com/
Picture Credit: Google image

4th of July Safety

The fourth of July is a festive time to celebrate our country, but don't let your holiday be marked by carelessness. The latest CPSC estimates a total of 8,600 hospital emergency room treated injuries in 2010. Don't let you or your loved ones become a part of the 2011 statistics by following some basic fireworks safety tips:

• Never allow young children to play with fireworks. Although sparklers are seemingly safe, they burn at high temperatures that can easily ignite clothing.


• Only allow older children to use fireworks under close adult supervision.


• Set off fireworks outside in clear area away from buildings, dry leaves, or other flammable materials. Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.


• Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that fail to ignite or explode.


• Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them in water and throw them away.


• Never light fireworks in a container, especially one made of glass or metal.


• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.


• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place. Check instructions for special storage directions.


• Observe local laws.


• Never have any portion of your body over a firework while lighting.


• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.

Sandy Hayden