Sweet Simple Fudge!

Well I'm not made of money but I have (some) time on my hands..I thought I'd share what I'm giving (creating) this Christmas for friends and family.

I found this great (and simple) fudge recipe from Martha Stewart (*with my added tips)

Simple Fudge with Walnuts

Toast Walnuts *A few zaps in the toaster oven (on Med toast) helps with that
Chop Walnuts Coarsely.

*In a 4 quart pot
Measure out 3 cups of Mini Marshmallows
1/2 stick of butter
1 tsp Real Vanilla
1/2 c Heavy Cream

Heat and stir til melted. Once melted add a bag (12 oz) semi sweet chocolates (In my case I used 11.5 oz of Ghiradelli Chocolate chips) plus the walnuts. Scrape into a parchment lined (with overhanging flaps on all four sides) 8x8 pan.
Cool and refrigerate for about 1 day. Once that's chilled just make cuts 6 x 6.

Variations (Instead of Walnuts, Crushed): Peppermint Candies Reisen Candies, other types of nuts or Candied Fruit.

Boys and Toys

I don't encourage guns, and we try to be aware of our tv. (Except when we have to leave the kids at the mercy of our parents) But this picture reminded me of how my son, as a baby (2 years) instinctively memorized commercial breaks with guns (no matter how innocent the commercial was) and kungfu etc. I was further totally amazed that he was able to build his duplo blocks into a shape of a gun, battleship and more..I constantly say how guns are scary and guns hurt people to him. But the fascination stuck. I know now it's a boy fantasy thing and other mom's have confirmed to me that it's a passing thing. I am flabbergasted that boys can so quickly notice a dangerous toy (and mimic it) and not notice when I say their name..image found on ffffound.com

Project: Corkboard Makeover/Homework Station

I have to admit that while I love organization (it's the little containers I REALLY love) in spirit, "organized" isn't what my family says about me. So when I saw my husband grab a gift box to trap our loose papers, including my son's homework (a big reason why we never turn it in on time). I had to get creative. And I had a corkboard (16x20?) to help..

I had some twill cloth left over from another project, about 1/2 a yard, cut into 8" sections (sew the top edge about 1/2"), plus various colors of grosgrain cut to about 12" or less if your pockets turn out bigger. Staple gun, plus scissors (since my daughter was floating around me while I did this project, I thought it best to use kiddie scissors)

Clockwise: I start by stapling the grosgrain strips to the top of the board. Next I lay the top most pocket out, folding the sides I staple as I lightly stretch the fabric. (About 3 staples on each side)

Top to bottom: Next I staple a tight row of staples along the bottom of the pocket. Add the next pocket (slightly lower) the same way.

Top to bottom: The last pocket, instead of starting on the sides, you'll be stapling the bottom edge from the inside, then staple the sides..
While it's not made to hold TONS of papers it does keep us on track of what homework got done and what needs attention.