New old post----- WFMW!

Today is a Greatest Hits of TIPS edition of WFMW over at Rocks in My Dryer. Shannon asked us to pick our best tip...

Soooo, I checked my dozen or so tips and thought, hey, they're all good! HA!

HOWEVER, one in particular received such a wee bit 'o love (why did no one love that tip?) that I thought I'd bring it back. I mean, it had a RECIPE in it for goodness sake! AND the recipe includes simple things....marshmallows, rice krispies and CHOCOLATE!

For the love of Pete, make these.... SOON! But just note, I added (by mistake) too much butter and I stand by my mistake as one of the best recipe mistakes I could ever make. I'm right up there with Paula Dean and The Pioneer Woman when I say, "too much butter? humph, no such thing!"

I will add that since this was a holiday posting... I'm adding in a little addendum to the original tip. You can use these little "hand sweepers" for a multitude of carpet spills--- cheerios, cookie crumbs, those pesky little game pieces, etc etc. They do not pick up children or small pets.

Here's my WFMW tip from December 12 , 2007:

You are in for a treat today!

Not only am I sharing my indespensible tip for Christmas tree needle pick-up in a world of wall to wall carpeting, but a recipe as well! I know I've shared many a recipe on here before, but this recipe is going to knock the socks off of all the other recipes ... it's that good. Just wait!

So first off, we finally put our little tree up on Sunday and as soon as the tree was up, out came my tree's best buddy, the Needle Picker-upper thing-a-ma-jig. Yeah, I don't know what this is called, a crumb catcher maybe? That is what it's original purpose is- catching all the crumbs after dinner on your tablecloth. But I discovered that it is the PERFECT tool for catching all your needles that blanket the carpet beneath your Christmas tree. AND it is the perfect size for say, a 5 year old boy to use to pick up said needles! HA! I think you can find them at Bed Bath and Beyond and other household stores.

Here it is shown beside our tree, upside down so you can see the little bristles that collect all those needles. It's like a manual sweeper in your hand. I don't have a dust buster, but I have one of these and it fits nicely in a drawer in the kitchen- not a big space guzzler. You simply turn it over, on the surface you want to clean, and move it back and forth (not side-to-side) and it will scoop up all those pesky needles! Voila, carpets clean... in a matter of speaking. Now, onto that recipe.

First a warning... once you read this recipe, immediately get out your shopping list and pen and write down the ingredients (you'll thank me). Then when you're at the store, buy those ingredients and make these cookies, again, you'll thank me. Your waistline may not thank me, but your mouth will and besides today is a Feast day! Our Lady of Guadalupe! So eat 'em up!

Now, I don't like to mess with classic recipes but when I read the description under these, I knew that the combinations were a winner, I just didn't realize how amazing they would be!

Caramel Crisp Bars

(from.... drum roll.... Family Fun website- so many good things over there)

An irresistible twist on crisped-rice treats, this simple melt-and-mix recipe takes the classic kid favorite to a whole new level. (oh yes it does!)

4 cups mini marshmallows
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter-I mistaken threw in the whole stick! they still worked! I'll keep that mistake,too
14 caramel candy squares- awwww make it 20
1 tsp vanilla extract
6 1/2 cups crisped rice cereal
1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips - I may decrease that amt next time, they'll still be amazing

1. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with a piece of foil that extends over each end. Grease the foil; set the pan aside.
2. Melt the marshmallows, butter & caramels over low heat in a large saucepan. Stir until the mixture is smooth, approx. 9 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Then add the cereal and chocolate chips; mix well
4. Spread mixture in the prepared pan and let cool completely- 45 minutes (or as long as you can stay away!)

Transfer to a cutting board by lifting up the foil. Slice into bars. Store in an airtight container.

So, these make for a lovely breakfast treat- they do have CEREAL in them you know! If you make them, leave me a comment and let me know what YOU think.


NOW, get yourself back on over to Shannon's blog for more Greatest Hits Edition TIPS!