Birthday-in-a-Box

Okay...I have been so excited to write about this.  Of course, I have no pictures, so you will have to visualize.

My daughter really wanted to send a friend a birthday gift, and we had to send it by mail....It had to be a fun gift....So....We got creative....We got the right size box.  We lined the bottom of the box with a helium balloon.  She bought it and asked that it not be blown up....and, yes, she got a funny look until she explained what she was doing.  We included a more serious gift, a few small fun things, some cappuccino and caramel brownies, napkins, candles...sounds fun...but now it gets seriously fun. Everything was wrapped in tissue paper...all though the box she put grass-like confetti....and a ton of the bright confetti shapes.  Place a sheet of tissue paper on top, then seal up the box!  You can imagine what happens when the top layer of tissue paper is jerked off the top...now you can smile at the thought of what happened every time something was taken out of the box.  Little did she know that the gift was opened in a restaurant! 

Next time you send a gift, do a little extra to make it even more special....and fun!  Christmas is coming up...think ahead on what you might do.

I hope you all have a wonderful day....oh, and did I tell you that the gift tipped over on the ride home....confetti everywhere....This gift will probably be remembered for a while!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes....Idaho

Idaho's state fruit is the huckleberry.  According to my reading, this fruit is hard to find.  I did find several recipes using huckleberries.  Pancakes, muffins, and cobblers-all of which stated that blueberries could be substituted.  Sounds like the growing process is tricky...

  

Huckleberry Muffins

Read Reviews

By: Laura

“Huckleberries are a hard-to-find, delicious treat and finding recipes that use them can be even harder. I came up with this recipe as a variation of my favorite blueberry muffin recipe and they truly are delicious! If you can't find huckleberries, blueberries work well.”

Idaho is also known for potatoes.  There are so many ways to cook them...how can I possibly pick one recipe?

Potato Stamp Craft
http://www.pauladeen.com/article_view/potato_stamp_craft/

www.whyweloveidaho.com   has a lot of info on what to do if you are in Idaho.  The fall picture is gorgeous...of course, I might be partial to it because fall is my favorite season.

Hope you all have a wonderful day...I am in search for pumpkins and maybe some mums for my porch...Starting to see them, but looking for just the right price!

See you soon...

Fifty- Nifty Recipes....Wisconsin

The next state on our America recipe tour is Wisconsin.  This is where Maranatha Baptist Bible College is located.  Janet's husband teaches and coaches the Crusaders.  I'm sure that Janet and her husband stay busy....and love what they do!   The history of this college is pretty amazing (www.mbbc.edu/college). 
Janet's family enjoys Wisconsin Cheese Soup  (www.allrecipes.com).  With the weather turning cooler... and a busy schedule this soup sounds wonderful.

Wisconsin Cheese Soup

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons margarine
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 5 button mushrooms, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped ham
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large heavy kettle, melt butter or margarine. Add carrots, celery, onion, green pepper, mushrooms, and ham; cook over medium heat until vegetables are crisp tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not brown.
2. Stir in flour and cornstarch; cook, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Add broth and cook, stirring, until slightly thickened. Add milk, paprika, cayenne, and mustard.
3. Stir in cheese gradually, stirring until cheese is melted. To avoid curdling, do not allow soup to boil after cheese is added. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve piping hot.

For dessert we should treat our hosts to a trip to Upper Krust....want a Fudge Pecan Pie, or a Peachy Caramel Crumb Pie....Dutch Apple?  Old Fashioned Custard?  Janet says their pies are very good....too many decisions...but it would be fun trying to decide!

Thanks, Janet, for sharing part of your Wisconsin with us.  I am going to leave a jar of caramel apple jam as a thank you.  Enjoy!
Go to www.tipjunkie.com/jar-homemade-gifts/ to see 48 gift jar ideas...The caramel apple jam recipe is on this site.  Ever thought of baking a pie or cake in a jar...then gifting it?  Learn how here...lots of other fun ideas at this site also!

See you soon!