A Sad Announcement...

Well everyone I have a very sad announcement to make...

I've decided to stop the Just For Fun blog.

I just feel like no one is really interested in it.  :/

So with a down cast heart, I will be discontinuing the blog.  :(

APRIL FOOLS!!!!!    :D

Did I get ya?  ;D

No, I am really enjoying doing this blog and I hope all of you are enjoying it too!

Here are the last two Popcorn recipes for this week!  They look REALLY good!

Jordan

Sweet N' Salty Popcorn

10 cups popped popcorn

1 tablespoon butter

5 tablespoons instant vanilla pudding mix

1/3 cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dash salt

• Place popcorn in a large bowl. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt butter; whisk in the pudding mix, corn syrup, vanilla and salt until smooth.
• Microwave, uncovered, for 45 seconds or until bubbly. Pour over popcorn; toss to coat. Spread in a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray.
• Bake at 250° for 25-30 minutes or until crisp, stirring once. Remove popcorn from pan to waxed paper to cool. Break into clusters. Store in airtight containers. Yield: 12 cups.

Peanut Butter Popcorn

31/2 quarts popped popcorn

1 cup sugar

1 cup honey

1 cup peanut butter

Place popcorn in bowl.  In a pot, mix sugar and honey, bring to a boil over medium heat; stirring constantly. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat. Add peanut butter; stir until blended.

Pour over popcorn mixture; toss gently to coat. Cool completely on waxed paper. Store in airtight containers or plastic bags. Yield: 14 servings. 

Popcorn Week!

I am having so much fun this week!  I hope you are too!  Here is another recipe up the salty side...  Sorry, I had a pic. for this one but our camera is giving me problems!  :(

Jordan

Nacho Popcorn

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1 teaspoon chili powder

Put popcorn in bowl.

Mix other ingredients together and drizzle over popcorn.

Toss to coat!

Yeilds: 5 quarts

Popcorn Week!

I've never found a Kettle Corn recipe before so I can't wait to try this one! :D

Jordan

Microwave Caramel Popcorn

- 1 Bag Microwave Popcorn

- 1 Cup Mini Marshmallows

- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

- 1/4 Cup Butter

Pop the popcorn and put it in a good sized bowl. Microwave the other 3 ingredients in a microwave safe bowl for 1.5 mins on High. Stir, and microwave for 30 second intervals (stirring between) until all is melted and well combined. Pour over popcorn, and toss lightly with a spoon to coat.

County Fair Kettle Corn

- 1/4 Cup Canola Oil

- 1/4 Cup Sugar

- 1/2 Cup Popcorn Kernels

- Salt

Heat oil and 3 popcorn kernels over medium heat in a large, covered pot until all 3 kernels pop. Add the sugar and popcorn kernels, cover, and remove from heat for 30 seconds, gently shaking the pot. Return to heat, shaking occasionally, and wait for all (or most) of the kernels to pop before removing the lid. Pour into large bowl and salt to taste.

Hope you like these recipes! :)

~Rachel H. from South Dakota

Popcorn Week!

I have already posted the Carmel popcorn recipe our family uses but here is another sweet recipe for Vanilla popcorn!  It is REALLY good and just as easy as the carmel!

Jordan

For those of you that didn't see the Carmel recipe click here: http://girls-justforfun.blogspot.com/2011/01/recipe-thursday.html

Vanilla Popcorn

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Put popcorn in a large bowl.  In a pot combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium heat; boil and stir until mixture is golden, about 2 minutes 

Remove from the heat; stir in baking soda and vanilla. Pour over popcorn and toss to coat. Cool slightly; break apart while warm. Store in an airtight container. 

Yield: 3 quarts.

Popcorn Week!

It's Popcorn Week, YEA!!!!   I'm soooo excited! :D  I have some really fun recipes to share with you all!  So let me know if you try any and what you thought!

Jordan

Ranch Popcorn Recipe 

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons ranch salad dressing mix

1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Put popcorn in an ungreased 13x9.  Mix ingredients, pour over popcorn, toss to coat.
Bake 350 for 10 min. or til golden brown.  Serve warm.
Yeilds: 8 Servings

Scripture Sunday

Turn up your volume!

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Psalms 8:3-4

Misc. Saturday

This is art done by Dalton Ghetti on the tip of a pencil!  Amazing don't you think!?

Jordan

More at http://oddstuffmagazine.com/extraordinary-art-on-pencil-tips-by-dalton-ghetti.html .

Game Friday

I'm really excited about the Popcorn Week next week!!!  I think it will be super fun!  So be sure to 'pop' in next week for some yummy popcorn recipes!

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Here's a fun game to play with friends at a Birthday party or just a fun get together!  It tests you to see how well you know the people you call your friends!

? ?      Do I Know You?     ? ?

All you'll need is...

A piece of paper for everyone

A pen or pencil for everyone

A bowl

And 10 to 15 questions pre-written on a sheet of paper

Pass everyone a paper and pencil.

Set out the sheet of paper with the questions in the middle of the group for all to see.

The questions should be about the person themselves like...

What's your favorite color, animal, sports team, eye color, food, drink, things to buy, hobby, holiday, restaurant, musical instrument, etc...  Try to pick some out of the ordinary ones yet a few more familiar ones too.

Then have everyone write their names at the top and their answers in order on their pieces of paper.

Have them fold them in half and place them in a bowl.

Shake the bowl once or twice to mix them up.

Then have everyone pick out a paper.

Take turns reading the papers aloud and guessing who the person is!

Jordan

Recipe Thursday

I LOVE rice, and this looks like a yummy recipe to fix! :)

Jordan

“Asian Chicken Skillet”

1 package (5.9 oz.) of chicken and garlic flavored rice and vermicelli mix
2 TBSP. butter
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small strips
2-1/4 cups water
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 pack (16 oz.) frozen stir-fry vegetable blend, thawed

In a large skillet, sauté rice mix in butter until golden brown. But don’t burn! Stir in chicken, water, teriyaki sauce, ginger, and contents of rice seasoning packet. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in vegetable blend. Cover and cook 5-8 minutes longer or until rice in tender and chicken is no longer pink.

Yield 4 –6 servings

Jenny C. IL

Hairdo Wednesday

I was in a wedding where they did this hair do on us bridesmaids and it was really cute!  Thanks for sending it in Ashlyn!  :)

Jordan

1. Brush hair back into a ponytail at the back of the neck.

 2. Make a topsy tail or topsy turvy- whichever you call it. (some people call it different things)
 

 3. Divide the hair into three even sections, braiding each. (Making a total of three braids.) Secure all three with one elastic or small hairthing.
  

4. Tuck end of braid into topsy tail...  

securing with bobby pins, hair clip, barrette, or bow.

Ashlyn Y. IL

Kids on Tuesday

Here is a game that is good to teach Attentiveness to your class kids that I got from IBLP Character First.  I've used it quite a few times over the years and the kids think it's lots of fun!

Attentiveness is "Showing the worth of a person, by giving my full concentration, to his or her words."

Teach the Attentiveness definition.

Set out two chairs, sitting across from each other, in the front of the class.

You sit in one chair and choose a child to come and sit across from you.

Tell them to practice attentiveness by keeping his or her eyes and ears on you no matter what is going on around them.

Then have one or two other children, "distractors", come up and try to distract them by making noise, talking, etc... but they CANNOT touch them!

You can set a timer for a min. and start talking to the child reminding them to keep their eyes on you and not look at what is going on around them.  Or, you can have the 'distractors' start making distractions and amongst their noise you give a command to the the child and then have them carry out exactly what you said without having to come back for reminders.  Like "Go pick up any trash in the room, turn the lights on and off three times, do a jumping jack, and then come back and sit down." 

Take a turn with each child being attentive and being distractors.

Jordan

Crafty Monday

This is cute!

Jordan

”Paper Picture Frame”

I needed something to go above my bed in my bedroom, so I thought of what I could make that would match my room and be cute. I bought a picture frame, that held 7 pictures, at Gordman’s.

Then I cut out pieces of colored scrapbook paper, making sure they would fit perfectly into the picture frame.

Then I added sticker, and stamps.

Then I hung it on my wall! After I took the picture, I glued to pink flowers to the top left hand corner, and the bottom, right hand corner of the picture frame.

Jenny C. IL

Scripture Sunday

I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.

Ps. 104:33

But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

Ps. 59:16

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

Ps. 57:7

I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

Ps. 13:6

I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

Ps. 9:2

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

Ps. 30:12

Sweet Desserts Week

Here's one more yummy looking dessert to end the week!

Jordan

Fruity Oatmeal Bars

We made these last night for my stamp party, but I used peach spreadable fruit & didn't add the water cuz it was a bit thin

They were very good & easy.

• 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix
• 2-1/2 cups quick-cooking oats
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 jar (12 ounces) seedless raspberry preserves
• 1 tablespoon water

• In a large bowl, combine the dry cake mix, oats and butter until crumbly. Press 3 cups of the crumb mixture into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
• In a small bowl, stir preserves and water until blended. Spread over crust. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture. Bake for 25-28 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

  Yield: 2 dozen.

Janae H. IL

Sweet Desserts Week

Here are two fun desserts to make.  I'm sorry I haven't had any "real" pictures on my posts this week!  I was planning on having some but I've been sick all week with something or other.  :( 

But anyway, these are really simple and really good!  Hope you'll try them!  :D

Jordan

Edible Cups

2 c. Chocolate Chips

Fruit

Ice Cream

Aluminum Cupcake Holders

Melt chips in the microwave for 1-2 min. or until melted.

Thoroughly spread chocolate on the inside of cupcake holders.

Put holders in freezer til frozen.  Approx. 1-2 hours.

Pull paper off of frozen chocolate.

Fill with fruit or ice cream and serve immediately!

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This one is quick to throw together right after lunch to satisfy a sweet tooth!

Quick S'mores

Mini Marshmallows

Chocolate Chips

Graham Crackers

Break graham crackers in 1/2 and arrange on baking sheet.

Place marshmallows and chips on top until desired sweetness!  ;D

Place in oven and broil 1-2 min. or til chips are melted and marshmallows are lightly browned.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

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What do you all think about the new look?  Could you leave me a comment and let me know your opinion?   I'm not sure if I'm satisfied or not so let me know what you think!

Sweet Desserts Week

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Yep, I'm wearing my green for the day so you can't pinch me!  Hope you have a fun day!

"If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God."
-St. Patrick-
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Here are two scrumptious looking recipes from Samantha! WITH how to make your own homemade oat flour!! :D Take a peek!

Jordan

This is a really easy and delicious cake for spring and summer. It can be made the day ahead of your event, too, which is nice!

Jello Poke Cake

1 box white cake mix

1 box strawberry flavored jello*whipping cream or whipped topping ( the real stuff is the best, though!)

Make cake as package directs. Once cake has cooled, poke holes approx 1/2 -1 inch apart using a skewer or large fork. Make jello as package directs. Pour over cooled cake. At this point you can either top it with the whipped topping, or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, then add whipped topping before serving.

* Your favorite jello flavor can be substituted here. Some ideas would be lime, orange, cherry, or lemon.If using lemon or lime jello, lemon pudding can be substituted for the whipped topping.

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I ran out of regular flour once, so I substituted some homemade oat flour for the flour I missing. The end result was a slightly chewier and very yummy cookie! These are some of my favorites to make (and eat!).

Delicious M&M Cookies

1 c. flour

3/4 cup homemade oat flour*

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. butter

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup white sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

1 egg

1 t. vanilla

2 T. milk
M&M's, chopped nuts, or chocolate chips

Sift together dry ingredients. Set aside. Cream together the wet ingredients, then slowly add in the dry ingredients. At this point you can add chopped nuts and M&M's. You can use regular or mini M&M's. I usually don't measure the M&M's, so just add as many or as few as you like. You can also use chocolate chips.Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly brown. The cookie may still look a little under-done in the middle, but that is okay. Let them sit on the pan and cool for 1-2 minutes before cooling on a rack.
Makes about 3 dozen.

* Homemade Oat Flour: In a blender, blend regular old-fashioned oats until they make a coarse flour.This flour can be substituted for a lot of your flour if you are out of flour and need to make cookies. I haven't tried it with other recipes yet, though it might also work well in bread or muffin recipes.

Samantha H. IL.

Sweet Desserts Week

These are really quick, simple, and delicious!  Great for when you need a last minute dessert.

Jordan

Quick Turnovers

1 tube (8 ou.) crescant rolls

3/4 c. any kind of fruit pie filling

1/8 t. almond extract

1 T. milk

1 T. powder sugar

Unroll rolls and seperate into triangles.

Place on greased baking sheet.

Combine pie filling and almond extract.

Spoon by rounded tablespoons into middle of the triangles.

Fold the right point over to the left point and press down edges to seal.

Now, you can either brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar or you can ice after baking.

Bake at 400 for 12 - 14 min. or til golden brown.

Sweet Desserts Week

This is one of my FAVORITE desserts!!!!  It's chocolaty, creamy, with yummy brownie goodness mixed in!!!  Hope you all will try this one and enjoy!  :D

Brownie Toffee Trifle

1 Package Brownies

4 t. Instant Coffee Granules

1/4 c. Warm Water

1 3/4 c. Cold Milk

1 pack. (3.4 ou.) Vanilla Pudding Mix

2 c. Whipped Topping

Heath Candy Pieces

Prepare and bake brownies according to box directions.

Cool.

Cut into cubes.

Dissolve coffee granules in warm water.

In a mixing bowl, beat milk and pudding on low for 2 min.

Mix in coffee.

Fold in whipped topping.

In a 3 quart glass bowl, layer 1/2 of brownie cubes, then pudding, then sprinkle some heath.

Repeat layers.

Cover and refrigerate for at least and hour!

Yum!

Jordan

Sweet Desserts Week

Here is our first recipe of the week! This looks REALLY good! I had never had a pear pie before but a year ago our pear tree had so many pears we had to find something to do! So I made a pear pie (well, more like a crisp) and it was sooooo good! So I definately encourage you to try this one out!

Jordan

Crustless Pear Pie

4 C. sliced pears
1/2 C. sugar
3/4 C. flour
1/4 tsp.cinnamon
1/3 C br. sugar
1/4 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp salt
2 T chopped almonds

1/4 C cold butter

Combine pears with sugar and spices.

Transfer to a greased 9" pie pan.

Sprinkle with almonds.

Combine flour,br. sugar, baking powder.& salt.
Cut in butter until crumbly.

Sprinkle the flour mixture over the top of the pie.

Bake at 350 degrees F 40-45 min. or until golden.
Hope you enjoy!!!!

Rachel M. MN

Scripture Sunday

Ch  ch.

What's missing?

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Matthew 18:20

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Wow!  I REALLY missed blogging!  But the rest was good, it helped me get some fresh ideas!  ;D

Well, tomorrow starts Sweet Desserts Week!  I only have one recipe sent in so far so make sure to send your's in!

There are some other upcoming fun weeks above so make sure to check those out!

Jordan

Scripture Sunday

If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God.

-St. Patrick-

Hey all!  I'm needing to take a blogging break for this week.

I will be back next Sun. ready for Dessert Week!  So this week if you all have any good dessert recipes you'd like to share please send them in!  :D 

Jordan

Misc. Saturday:

 Can you guess what we had for breakfast?  That's right!  Homemade doughnuts!  YUM!!!!  We have friends visiting from OK and they gave us a terrific chocolate glaze recipe too!

This is a recipe my Mom ate when she was little and she's passed on to us kids!  These are REALLY easy and super good!  Hope you enjoy!

Doughnuts

Roll of Refrigerated Biscuits

Shortening for Frying

Preheat your shortening to 300-350.

Take the biscuits out of the roll.

Separate the biscuits.

Stick your finger in the middle of the biscuits and widen for the hole.

Place one layer of biscuits in the oil til that side is golden brown then flip and do the same on the other side.

Remove from oil to a paper towel and dip both sides in sugar.  And can be served with jelly. 

Or you can add chocolate icing!

Chocolate Glaze

(These are approximate amounts so you may need to add a little more or less of some items.)

3 c. Powder sugar

1/4 c. Cocoa

Pinch of Salt

Milk

1/2 t. Vanilla

Mix sugar, cocoa, and salt.

Add milk til desired consistency.

Stir in vanilla.

Jordan

Game Friday

Even though I’m not a little kid, I still like playing this game on a bus, or outside with a group of kids that has nothing to do! So here it is.
You have some kind of ball, and the players form a circle. The ball is passed quickly around the circle while the kids sing this song. Whoever is holding the ball when the song ends at “And You Are OUT!” is out and they sit out. And the circle keeps getting smaller and smaller until there is only 1 person left. Here is the song. You can sing it to Yankee Doodle or other familiar tunes, or you can make up your own tune to sing it to!

”The Wonder Ball”
The wonder ball, goes round and round, to pass it quickly, you are bound, if you’re the one, to hold it last, I fear to say the game is past and you are OUT!

Jenny C. IL

Recipe Thursday

This looks REALLY good!

Jordan

"Glen's Chicken Fajitas"

First... cook a pack of chicken in a skillet, and season with Rotisserie Chicken Flavoring. The brand is McCormick - Perfect Pinch. They have it at Wal*Mart.

Cut up the chicken into small pieces. Next, thinly cut up lettuce, tomatoes, sauté some peppers, put out some sour cream, salsa if you like, and sprinkle on a little cheese.

Throw all that on a wrap, and there you have it!

Jenny C. IL

Hairdo Wednesday

Here is anothe super fun braid around the head!  Hope you enjoy!

Jordan

Kids on Tuesday

This is a simple craft that kids will LOVE doing!  No glue, no tape, no mess!  And it's really easy to prepare for.  Just paper and scissors!

Woven Paper Place Mats

All you'll need is...

Two different colors of construction paper

Scissors

1.  Cut one of the papers into 1 in. strips width wise. 

2.  Then, take the other piece of paper, fold it in half and cut 1 in. strips from the folded side to within 1 in. of the ends, as shown below. 

3.  Open it up.

4.  Take a strip of paper and weave it through, over, under, over, under... 

5.  When you get to the end, push it tightly to one side. 

6.  Then start a new strip but going the opposite of the first, under, over, under, over... 

7.  Repeat steps 4. - 6. til there is no more room to weave.

And that's it!  :) 

Jordan