Who Says It's Too Cold For Ice Cream?!

I came across a new blog (http://sciencenatureartkids.blogspot.com/) and even though she's only posted 1 thing so far, it was definitely worthy of trying out!!
WARING! This craft is sure to goo up your hands, your kids hands and most likely your floor, despite your best efforts! But isn't that the fun of living a sticky life?!
The ingredients are simple:
Birdseed
Sugar Cones
Shortening
String
and an open mind to all the mess!!

Directions:
Dig into the shortening and get a good handful. Get some birdseed and mash it into the shortening. Form into a ball and add some more birdseed to the outer part.  Cut string and put each end into the Sugar Cone (leaving a loop to hang from) Form the ball onto and into the cone a bit to stabilize it and form it around the edges to give it something to "grip" once hardened.  We laid ours on a rimmed cookie sheet that was covered with wax paper.  Set in a cold place to freeze and then hang once they are hard.

 

*****NOTE*****
We made these and hung them out before I got around to getting a good picture of the finished product <gasp> Trust me, they looked ADORABLE! We went away on vacation and while away, we had a warm spell and they melted and fell from the trees...our dogs found them and GOBBLED them up...and then for the next 10 days my dear brother-in-law had to clean up the results of 2 dogs eating 10 of these "crisco cones"...he certainly earned Brother-In-Law of the Year award for dealing with the nasty messes they created!

It's A Chili Kinda Day

My hubby does not care for chili.  Actually he loathes it.  But I LOVE it! There's nothing like a (super-duper quick & easy) bowl of steamy chili, corn muffin cakes while the snow is swirling outside!
I usually have to find someone to share my chili with, b/c if I don't, I will end up eating all of it...All. Of. It.!!! So I made a big batch to share with J's parents, who happen to live right next door, and share my advanced taste palate (hee hee!).  I came across this recipe a year ago from a blog called  The Girl Creative http://www.thegirlcreative.com/2010/01/best-chili-recipe.html  And trust me when I say that it's truly "that good" and paired with the "Corn Muffin Cakes" makes it a favorite QUICK meal!
<Hint> Prepare the Corn Muffin Cakes FIRST and the Chili can be cooked while they are baking!

Best Chili Ever
Ingredients:
1 lb Ground Beef
1 Jar of Medium or Mild Salsa
1 Can of Corn, drained
1 Can Red Kidney Beans, drained
1 15 oz Can of Tomato Sauce
1 pkg of Taco Seasoning
1 pkg of Hidden Valley Ranch Dry Salad Dressing Mix (original)

 Directions
In a large pan brown the ground beef and drain. Return beef to pan, add the remaining ingredients and heat until bubbly!
That's it...seriously, that's it! I like to top each bowl with a little shredded cheese and dollop of sour cream.

Now on to the even EASIER part of the meal...

Corn Muffin Cakes ( I have searched for the site where I got this recipe, but I cannot find it, when I do, i will give credit where it's due!)
1 can of creamed corn
1 box of Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 10-12 muffin cups with liners. Combine ingredients and spoon into prepared muffin pan.  Bake for 25-30 mins.  They are a little gooey inside, so we like to eat them with a spoon (or flatten them out completely on the plate like Annie Ru does!)