A Simple Yummy Gift

My husband and I were just sitting here looking at recipes and I found this. It's peppermint stick sauce. I thought this would make a wonderful gift! Plus, I love anything simple and this is!

Here's what you'll need:
1-1/2 cups finely crushed peppermint candies
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow creme

Put everything in a large sauce pan on medium-low heat until mixture is melted and smooth. Then pour into airtight containers. That's it! This gift is right up my alley. I love recipes with a few ingredients that all go into the pot together!

Wouldn't this be wonderful in hot chocolate or on top of brownies or ice cream?

Sweet 'n Nutty Snack Mix

This is one of my all time favorite party snacks! Everyone loves it and it's super easy to make! Here's what you will need.

•	4 1/2 cups party mix
OR	crispy multi-grain cereal
•	2 tablespoons Crisco® Butter Shortening
OR	2 tablespoons Crisco® Butter Shortening Sticks
•	1/2 cup chocolate chips
•	1/4 cup Jif® Creamy Peanut Butter
•	1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
•	3/4 cup powdered sugar

Directions:

1.	PLACE party mix or cereal into large bowl.
2.	MICROWAVE shortening, chocolate chips and peanut butter in microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM (50% power), checking at 1 minute intervals until melted.
3.	REMOVE mixture from microwave; stir in vanilla.
4.	POUR over cereal; mix until well coated. Place powdered sugar in plastic resealable food storage bag. Add coated cereal; toss to coat well.
5.	SPREAD onto sheet of wax paper to cool. When cool, pick up with hands and store in airtight container. Refrigerate. Discard excess sugar.

Yield: 5 cups

Starting To Decorate

It's that time. Time to start dragging out all the Christmas decorations and turning our homes and yards into a festival of lights. Twinkling lights of all colors will be drapped on anything that can hold them. I love this time of year!