St. Patrick's Day Rice Krispie Treats

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup butter
• 4 cups marshmallows
• 5 cups Rice Krispie cereal
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• green food coloring (optional)
• 3/4 cup of Lucky Charms marshmallows - Have the kids pick the marshmallows out of the Lucky Charms cereal - It's a great job for little hands and will keep them busy for at least a few minutes!

INSTRUCTIONS

Melt butter over low heat until completely melted. Gradually add the 4 cups of marshmallows and stir often to avoid burning. When marshmallow/butter mixture is completely melted, add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla and green food coloring. Mix well. Remove from heat and stir in Rice Krispie cereal. Once mixture is mostly combined, stir in the Lucky Charms marshmallows. Press into a greased 9x13 pan and cut into squares.

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Easy Valentine's Day Treats

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. It's the perfect time to indulge your sweet tooth with these easy treats. Enjoy!

Chocolate Dipped Wafer Cookies

Ingredients
Wilton Chocolate Wafers (or any chocolate you can melt)
2 packages Wafer cookies
Valentine's themed sprinkles
Parchment-lined cookie sheet

Directions
1. Melt chocolate in microwave or over stove top.
2. Dip the ends of the wafer cookies in melted chocolate.
3. Lay cookies flat on parchment lined cookie sheet.
4. Decorate with sprinkles.

Chocolate Heart Pretzel Treats

Ingredients
Mini Pretzels
Heart shaped chocolates
Pink and red M&M's
Valentine's themed sprinkles

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees.
2. Place pretzels on a baking sheet.
3. Top each pretzel with a chocolate heart.
4. Bake in oven for 3-5 minutes. *Do not over bake. You want the chocolate to be just slightly softened.
5. Immediately press one M&M into the chocolate on each pretzel and/or decorate with sprinkles.
6. Chill in the refrigerator until chocolate hardens.

Backyard Gardening with Tappan Bailey

Temperatures outside may be chilly, but it's already time to start thinking about spring! For gardeners, now is the time to prepare for spring plantings. If you aren't a gardener but want to begin, check out this gardening Q. & A. with our very own Tappan Bailey!

Tappan's son with broccoli from their backyard garden!

• What prompted you to start backyard gardening and how long have you been doing this?

I wanted to create a fun project that I could do with the family outside. Also, I felt that it would be a healthy and educational project for the kids. This will be our third spring garden in the raised planters that we built.

• Do you have to have much gardening knowledge or would you encourage beginners to try this out?

I grew up helping my mother and father with yard work, but I did not have much knowledge in growing vegetables or fruits. Yes, I would encourage beginners to get dirty and start a garden of their own. We have had a blast and have grown some pretty tasty vegetables and fruits.

• When should you start getting ready for spring plantings?

I would suggest that you start planning for your spring garden now.

• What have you had the most success with in your garden?

We have had most success with snap peas, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, squash, cucumbers, carrots, and kale. If you are just beginning, I would suggest all of the above. Also, I would suggest that you buy Mel Bartholomew's book All New Square Foot Gardening - it's a great start on getting educated. Archie's Gardenland has been a great source for plants, soil, and knowledgeable staff as well.

• What is the time investment like to have a successful garden?

If you want to have a successful garden you will need to spend time planning, experimenting, and learning what works best in your yard.

• What has been your favorite part of backyard gardening?

The most fun has been watching the kids pull up the carrots. I have been told that it is an experience that the child will remember forever.

Interested in starting your own backyard garden? Check out these resources to help you get started!

http://www.sunset.com/garden/backyard-projects/ultimate-raised-bed-how-to-00400000011938/

http://www.amazon.com/Carrots-Love-Tomatoes-Companion-Successful/dp/1580170277/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390942289&sr=8-1&keywords=carrots+love+tomatos

http://www.amazon.com/Vertical-Gardening-Vegetables-Flowers-Space/dp/1605290831/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390942364&sr=8-1&keywords=vertical+gardening

My Favorite Chili

January is a great time to cook chili. Cold nights call for something warm, and this recipe won't disappoint. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1 pound spicy sausage
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large green bell pepper, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
• 2 T chili powder
• 2 T brown sugar
• 1 T cumin
• 3 T tomato paste
• 1 t dried oregano
• 1/2 t pepper
• 1/2 t salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 1/4 cups Merlot or other fruity red wine (Use something you would drink! If you don't have any, you could substitute beef broth).
• 2 28-ounce cans whole tomatoes, undrained and coarsely chopped
• 2 15-ounce cans kidney beans, drained
• Toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, and jalapenos

Directions

• Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add sausage, beef, onion, bell pepper, garlic and jalapeno. Cook about 8 minutes or until meat is browned, stirring to crumble.

• Add chili powder, brown sugar, cumin, tomato paste, oregano, pepper, salt, and bay leaves, and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly.

• Stir in wine, tomatoes with juice, and kidney beans. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer one hour, stirring occasionally.

• Uncover and cook for 30 minutes. Discard bay leaves.

• Serve with your favorite toppings!