Microwave Sweet Party Mix...Yummo!

Update on Candy Stand Kits: The kits are sold out at this time but Ellen has ordered more supplies, woohoo!! You can check back at the link...Ellen will put them on preorder and will ship them out as soon as the supplies arrive to her.

The two tiered stand that I have my Valentine decorations in was purchased at at store here in Kansas called Nell Hills. If you're ever in Atchison or Kansas City, you should definitely spend a few hours there. It's my favorite place EVER to shop!

Note: Be sure to sign up for the Crafty Secrets give away if you haven't. I'll be drawing a name tomorrow afternoon/early evening so check back to see if you're the lucky winner!!! Scroll down to my January 2nd post and leave a comment to enter for the prize drawing.

Today, I would love to share with a few things from my home. I always like to decorate for the holidays, my girls love it so much. So I thought I would show you my Valentine set up. I keep it pretty much to a few areas, one being a two-tiered stand that I keep on my dining room table. I put some shredded filler stuff in each tier basket and then just filled the tiers with all sorts of Valentine decorations. It's definitely a mix and match of *stuff*. That's what I love about this stand, I can just group together items of similar colors and/or themes and it makes a pretty fun decoration......without all these little items scattered around my house like Easter eggs!!

Here's the top tier of the stand. Those cute tea towels are from Target this year. Here's the bottom tier of the stand. The little tins tucked in the back will have little candies and treats for the girls on Valentine's Day.
And here's one of my most beloved recipes of all time.......YES I'm going to share it with you. YES, I should write a book, I KNOW!!! LOL!! The photo below shows a photo of a cute bunny rabbit my mom sewed many years ago, she is so special to me. And the little bowl she's holding holds a big batch of my SWEET PARTY MIX. It's so easy to make, doesn't take a lot of time and it's totally addicting!! You can add in seasonal colored M & M's to match any holiday, sports team colors or party theme. My friend Carmen gave me this recipe at a scrapbook outing and it's been a huge hit ever since!!

One of the main reasons I wanted to share this recipe at this time with you is because if you've purchased my CANDY STAND KITS at Ellen's store, a cupful of this in the treat bag with Valentine colored M & M's would be a perfect treat!!! (You can see my kit posts if you scroll down a bit). I'm going make a double batch and do this for Valentine gifts to teachers. So be sure to print off the recipe below, purchase your Candy Stand Kits from Ellen (they're going fast but I think there's more to come!) and you will be on your way to becoming one of the coolest gift givers in your neighborhood!!

Here's the recipe, Enjoy!!!!!!!

Microwave Sweet Party Mix

6 T margarine
3 T light corn syrup
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 large bag plain M & M’s (seasonal if you want it for the holidays)
1 jar honey roasted peanuts
4 cups Corn Chex
4 cups Rice Chex


Melt margarine, syrup and brown sugar in microwave for 1-2 minutes. Add baking soda and stir. Pour over cereals. Stir and cook in microwave for 3 minutes, stirring every minute. Pour onto waxed paper and let cool. Add ½ bag of M & M’s and ½ jar of peanuts. I usually double the recipe. Enjoy!!

Note: Use a glass dish if possible, as the liquid mixture gets really hot and will melt your plastic bowls.....trust me.

NOTE: Stay tuned for even more ideas and uses for the Candy Stand Kit....think baby and wedding.