The Harvest Party...for grown-ups...

I've graduated...

I'm no longer a room-parent...

I've turned in my visitor sticker...

but somehow...this time of the year,

I'm drawn to super-cute treats and snacks!

I'm ready for another school-party... but...

My kids have moved on...

they've passed through

 the grade-school hallways

and have happily

entered into jr. high and high school...

The timing was just right...the kids were ready to move on,

... even if I wasn't.

Luckily...

I still have an outlet for all this super-cute fun!! 

 I have you!! 

--Today on Fox19... it's like a harvest party for grown-ups!!

Mummy:

Pretzel Rods

White Candy Melts

Candy Eyes

Disposable Piping Bag

Turkey:

Pretzel Rods

1/2 of an Oreo or round cookie

6 candy corn pieces

1-pumpkin spiced chocolate chip or yellow candy for beak

Dark Chocolate, and Red Candy Melts

Candy Eyes

Disposable Piping Bag

Pumpkins:

Round Cookie Mold-Wilton- available-JoAnn's, Michael's

Orange, green and brown candy melts

Oreo Thins

Witch Fingers

Pretzel; Rods

Wilton Finger Mold-JoAnn's

Light and Dark Green Candy Melts

Wilton Pretzel Bags

Spider Ring- Target

Recipe For Harvest Snack Mix:

Harvest Snack Mix:

2 Cups Chex Corn Cereal

2 Cups Rice Chex

2 Cups Chex Honey Nut Cheerios

2 Cups Chex Cinnamon Cereal

2 Cups Bite-Size Pretzel Sticks or Waffle Shapes

2 Cups Bugles

1 Cup Cheeze-It Crackers

1-2 Cups Nuts (I used peanuts, but pecans or mixed nuts would be great too)

***add the next ingredients after snack mix has cooled.

1-2 Cups Dried Cranberries

2 Cups Prepared Caramel Corn

1 Cup Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Candy Corn, Candy Pumpkins

Mix the cereals and snacks together in a very large baking dish.  set aside. (Reserve the dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, candy corn/pumpkins, and caramel corn until after mix has cooled)

On the stove top, heat:

1 stick of butter

1/2 cup of brown sugar

1/4 cup light corn syrup

Once melted add 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice,  1/4 teaspoon allspice stir.

Let come to a boil.  Stir frequently.

Pour the hot, brown sugar/butter mixture over the cereal/nut/snack mix that is waiting in the baking dish.  Gently coat all the cereal, nuts, pretzels, bugles, and cheese crackers with the sauce.

Bake in a 250 degree oven.  Stirring every 15 minutes for 30-45 minutes.  Let cool.  

Once cool, add the candy corn, candy pumpkins, dried cranberries, caramel corn and pumpkin seeds. Serve.

This is a fun way to display your snack mix at a party...

print the graphic and attach to a clear container.

I'm thirsty from all this party planning!!

Bourbon-Cinnamon Apple Cider Cocktails: 

RECIPE FOR A CROWD:

1/2 gallon of apple cider (8 cups)

2 cups bourbon

2 cups apple schnapps

2 cinnamon sticks

***

Add together and let chill for 2 hours to overnight.

***

Just before guests arrive, add 1 two-liter of Ginger Ale (8 cups)

***

Add apple slices and garnishes

Rim glasses with cinnamon/sugar 

Add ice to a glass and pour.  

Enjoy!

RECIPE FOR A SINGLE GLASS:

1 part apple cider (3 oz)

1 part ginger ale (3 oz)

1 shot bourbon

1 shot apple schnapps

If you care for a stronger cocktail, add additional bourbon to taste.

Pour over ice, garnish and enjoy.

For garnish, slice apples across the middle to get beautiful full circles.  Use a small star cookie cutter to remove apple center/seeds. Place apple slice in glass or on rim.

Enjoy!!