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Rice Krispie Conversation Hearts

These little Valentine’s Day rice krispie treats are a simple, fun way to spend a cold Saturday afternoon with the kids. If you are in Minnesota cold means… -30 windchill. The kind of cold that freezes your breath before you even get a chance to THINK about breathing. But that’s okay, I can hibernate inside with my kids and cover krispie treats in chocolate and candy.

These treats don’t need a recipe or instructions. In fact, they are so simple I feel like I’m cheating you all a bit out of a recipe post. But hey, I am constantly reminded by my readers that they come to NellieBellie because I give them the ideas and recipes they would never think of. So, let’s hope these cuties are one of those that you wouldn’t normally think of :).

My kids are old enough that the passing of Valentine’s around the class doesn’t happen anymore. That makes me happy and sad. Happy because remembering to buy those Valentine’s cards for the entire class was a pain. Sad because my kids are getting older and beyond some of the cutsie stuff.

These “Orbit” Gum Valentine’s were from a few years ago. Cute. But gosh do I NOT miss doing up this stuff yearly!

Them being older and not interested in the cutsie candy and cards of Valentine’s won’t stop me for one minute from forcing them to spend an afternoon making these cute guys. Phones down, music on… let’s go, it’s family togetherness time!

HOW:

Simply make a batch of Rice Krispie treats and form them into hearts before it cools (be sure to use damp or greased hands!).
Melt white chocolate, candy coating, or milk chocolate and spread on the top of the hearts.
Decorate with candy or icing.

Easy!

Santa hat brownies

These Santa Hat Brownies have a great story attached to them, which I just have to share with you. Before I do, though, I want to make sure you know they are legitimately good brownies. They are made from a box mix, but they are a great activity to share with your kids (or someone else’s) leading up to Christmas. This is one of those activities that you just go buy the supplies for and wait to create until that time when boredom sets in. Or there’s a snowstorm. The instructions for their creation is at the end of this post if you don’t want to hear the fun story attached.

Now the fun story:

So, sometimes I have brilliant kids. Sometimes their stupidity astonishes me. If you have kids, grandkids, or have seen kids in the store…you understand. I recently had each of those moments, and at the same time. One child behaved astonishingly brilliantly, the other just made me shake my head.

You see, my Levi desperately wanted a Kindle Fire. He seemed to be of the impression that if he had his own tablet he would be allowed to play games on it as often as he wanted. He thought that I wouldn’t enforce screen time (no electronics on weekdays, etc., etc.)

silly child.

But that’s another story. Anyway, we wouldn’t buy one for him. I know, mean parents. But if he saved his money, we said he could get one. $160 (or whatever it is) is A LOT of money for a pre-teen.

Katie felt bad for him. She wanted to be a good sister, a hero. She wanted to help…or so she says. I think she was just being brilliant. She offered to loan him the remaining $60 he needed. He was sooo happy. She was sooo willing. I was unaware of any of this. She shows up with a paper and hands it to me.

“Read this, you are a witness”, she says to me.

“Levi hereby agrees to be my peasant until he has paid off the $60 dollars he owes me. He will do whatever I say, whatever I need to make me happy. He cannot complain or say no or I will take away his Kindle.”

I read. I gave legal advice to Levi that went like this…

“DO NOT SIGN THE DOCUMENT”.

He signed. He got the Kindle. He is finding cats, bringing tea, doing chores, giving massages. And decorating Santa hats for his sister.

Brilliant and Stupid.
In one fell swoop.

Okay, now you can have the recipe for these Santa Hat Brownies.

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3 ingredient Popcorn Balls [Lazy Baker]

I say Popcorn Balls you say…

HARD!

I say Popcorn Balls you say…

HARD!

You, my dear lovelies are wrong.

Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. Okay, maybe I’m being a bit childish. But I’m right and you are wrong. Bam!

Yes, aLOT childish.

That’s it. That is all the ingredients you need for these cheater popcorn balls.

Prepared Popcorn
I’m using Fudgy Peanut Butter Popcorn and Cinnamon Roll Carmel Corn both from Tastefully Simple
1 bag of large marshmallows
4 tablespoons butter

You simply act as if you are making a batch of marshmallow treats. Melt the marshmallows and butter together in the microwave (I start with 60seconds and stir, then 20 second intervals after).

Stir about 32 oz of prepared popcorn into the marshmallow mixture. Stir well!

Tip: It helps to use a rubber spatula that is slightly damp or sprayed with cooking spray to help it not stick to the popcorn.

Use your hands (again with the tip…damp hands!) and squish that gooey popcorn into balls. Squish them pretty hard, even to the point of hearing some crunching, to ensure they will hold together well.

Wrap them up with some plastic wrap and set them aside for Christmas munching. Or gifting. Be sure to experiment with different kinds of popcorn and additions. Try adding peppermint bits, sprinkles, dried cranberries, and even bits of candy!

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Tastefully Simple’s Blog has alot of easy recipes and simple entertaining solutions you will want to check out for your Holiday parties and dinners! And, of course, we have plenty more recipes using their great products!