Jacob's 4th birthday, Superheroes!

    I don't do huge birthday parties with tons of kids and games. No gift bags. Just the same few friends and family, some simple decorations and a great cake. You can click on the pictures to see them bigger. 

Basic idea of the theme was superheros. Nothing to fancy or over the top though. 

The "leap tall buildings in a single bound" or "Gotham City" City scape in the back is simply two pieces of  black posterboard. I accordion folded them, cut the tops into different shapes and used a foam brush and grey paint for the windows. It was really fun to do and cost under two dollars to make. 

The flag-banner-bunting-garland took a little longer. I bought two comic books at good will for $.70 each, and one roll of red grosgrain ribbon. With my paper trimmer and tape runner this took an hour or so to make. I absolutely love it.  I see more of these in my future as the possibilities are endless. :) 

I downloaded some mask templates off the internet. I cut them out and traced them on foam. I have a desk job, that gets very slow sometimes, and these were assembled there.  A  hole punch, scissors,  some elastic cord ($1.99 at the craft store)  and some colored  foam sheets is all it took. i free handed the lightning bolts and stars and some stripes. Kids loved these, Great instead of the traditional party hat! 

Some quick cutout kerplunks, pow, bams and kabooms and you have cupcake topers! 

The cake took a little time and a HUGE bag of M&M's. But once you get a rhythm  going, really not a lot of work. Just time. And patience. Lots of patience. :) 

Four  layers of yumminess!! 

Simple. Inexpensive. Creative. Exactly what a party should be! 

Homemade Kit Kat Bars

I have mentioned these classic bars several times in the past few months in conversation and have been surprised to hear that no one has even heard of them! When I was a kid these were always at picnics and family get together. A great summer no bake treat, not  that I only make them in the summer!They are called Kit Kat Bars I assume because of the crunchy layers. I don't think they taste anything like them. Or like anything else really. They are very rich and sweet. And awesome. :-) 

The recipe is as follows-

- about 70-75 Club or Waverley crackers

- 2 sticks of butter

- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs

- 1 cup packed brown sugar

- 1\3 cup granulated sugar

-  1\2 cup milk

- 2\3 cup creamy peanut butter

- 1\2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

- 1\2 butterscotch chips

And then I just wanted to praise my aluminum Nordic Wear cake pan. It also is what you would have seen on all the tables and camping trips when I was a kid here in Wisconsin. It's lite weight. Deeper than most pans of it's kind. The metal lid is nicely raised allowing even more space, won't crack or melt. And just looks retro rad. :-) 

Line the bottom of the pan with crackers. No need to grease it. You may have yo break a few to fit. 

Melt butter in a saucepan, stir in sugars, Graham cracker crumbs, and milk. Bring to a boil and stir continuously for five minutes.

Spread half of the mixture on the crackers, add another layer of crackers, the rest of the mixture then a third layer of crackers.

Melt the peanut butter, chocolate and butterscotch chips in a smaller saucepan or in the microwave, stirring often. Once it is melted and well combined spread over the top layer of crackers. 

Chill in the refrigerator for at least thirty minutes before cutting.

Walk outside. Love that it is seventy degrees and the trees on your street are starting to put on a beautiful show in October. :-) 

And then round up the kids and eat half the pan! No these really are sweet. This was the next day. They are different than anything out there, give them a try!