Barbie/Ken Frankenstein Mask from K-Cup

I love to re-purpose k-cups any time I can, and here's a fun little craft for the kids. Or for an adult to make for doll play... These Frankenstein Masks, or Costumes, for Barbie and Ken can be as simple or elaborate as art skills -and patience- allow. I've made two, one an open face and the second has eye holes and more green. If this is a Halloween or birthday party craft, I suggest an adult have all of the k-cups pre-cut and let the kids color and decorate them. I used Sharpies for the boldest color. 

Bucket head and jagged bangs:

More of a hat look...

And a pull on mask:

I purposely used the most beaten up, dirtiest, well worn, black jacket I had to add to the Frankenstein look. Thrift store grab bag rescue:@)

My Barbie Pinterest Board here.

What I did:

1. Pull foil off of k-cup, tap out coffee grounds, pull out filter. Wash and dry k-cup.
2. The bottom of the cup will be the flat top of the head.
3. Using sturdy scissors, kitchen shears are best, cut off the ridge that had the foil glued to it. But leave two 1/4" pieces at the sides for the illusion of neck bolts.
4. If making open face mask, cut out enough of the cup in a rectangle shape to show the dolls eyes.
5. Make jagged cuts for the bangs.
6. If making eye hole mask, cut an arch between the bolts just high enough to expose the mouth and tip of the nose. Cut eye holes (I used a hole punch. Can use Exacto knife or utility knife.
7. Color with Sharpies as desired.

♻Let's recycle creatively and 

Have a Happy Day🎃

Cheesy Devils -aka Mac and Cheese Stuffed Red Bell Peppers

Ok folks, this may just be the scariest Halloween post ever here at Pig In Mud. If you've been around for a while you know I like to keep the 'happy' in Halloween. But I had some red bell peppers in the the garden and did raise two boys... Yep, even as grown men today they got a kick out of these Cheesy Devils:@) Two ingredients, peppers and store bought prepared macaroni and cheese. Kids love mac and cheese and this is an easy way to add a little veggie into dinner. Simply cut some exaggerated tringles for eyes and free hand a wonky circle for the mouth and bake. Done.

Want to add some protein? Maybe use the mac & cheese with burnt ends or serve crescent wrapped mummy hotdogs with them:@)

Cheesy liquid oozing from eyes and mouth...

Oh yea, it is Halloween after all:@)

My Halloween Food Pinterest Board here.

Cheesy Devils -Macaroni & Cheese Stuffed Peppers

1. Use one extra pepper than you plan to bake.
2. Choose any red peppers that will stand up, tops cut off, seeds and membranes removed.
3. Cut eyes and mouth out of pepper.
4. Use store bought prepared mac and cheese from the cold case. Stuff the peppers, pressing down lightly to fill with mac and cheese.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30-45 minutes. I used 30 minutes, my peppers were a little thin from the garden and I do like a little bite.
6. While in oven, cut horns out of the red pepper we didn't bake. Push into mac and cheese when done baking.

Make something just for fun and

Have a Happy Halloween Season🎃

Game Day Sightings at the stores...

Well folks, the Phillies let us down last night, here's hoping the Eagles have a great game today:@) Sharing a couple quick pics from the stores... 

Philadelphia Pretzel Factory has logo pretzels:

You do need to order them a day ahead.

And Walmart has logo chicken nuggets:@)

And of course, something sweet:@)

Love the footballs...

GO BIRDS!!!

🏈Have a Happy Day:@)

Halloween Peeps as Cupcake Frosting

I've been wanting to try using a Peep as Cupcake Frosting for a while, and decided the big round Jack-O-Lantern ones at Dollar Tree would be a good choice. This couldn't be easier folks, whip up a batch of your favorite cupcakes and set the timer to go off 3 minutes early, pull them out of the oven and top each one with a Peep. Finish baking and we have a melty sticky topping for our treat. I think the kids will be tickled... I know I was:@)

There are large green Frankenstein's too. 

Fluffy, and did I say sticky?

Very sticky:@)

And a side view:

Lot's of sweet topping...

If one slides a bit off the top you can carefully try to nudge it back with a fork while it's still hot. Best tip: Try to not over fill your cupcake liners with batter (I do have a habit of doing that:@)

This idea is very similar to the Marshmallows I used HERE, only with a seasonal twist.

How'd it taste? Good! 

Very sweet and sticky:@)

To use a Peep as cupcake frosting:

1. Set time to go off three minutes earlier than the normal bake time for your favorite cupcakes.
2. Remove pan from oven and place a Peep on top of each cupcake.
3. Bake for the next 3 minutes, or until Peeps just begin to get a bit melty but are still kinda fluffy.
4. Remove pan to rack and cool in pan so marshmallows set a bit.
5. **Please be sure to allow time for the marshmallow to cool off before serving. Melted marshmallow is HOT.

🎃Have a Sticky Sweet Happy Day!

Halloween Char-BOO-terie Board

Can you believe it's already October this week? This is just a silly post to remind everyone to pick up whatever you see early, things sell out fast and retail is ~swiftly~ moving right into the Christmas season. My Char-BOO-terie Board was inspired by the fun mini green cheese balls UTZ put out this year. Then I saw the Ghost Peeps, yep... I spent a weekend grabbing whatever I saw that might work for a Halloween charcuterie. Mostly single serving Walmart or Dollar Tree size packs of goodies because I wanted to make a smaller board. I like that the arm almost splits the board into sweet and savory sides...

The fun green cheese balls...

Boopie glass adds a little height to the tray:

Ham, cheese, and Ritz cheese mini crackers to dip in that Aldi Pumpkin Maple Spread:@)

May we serve you?

Skeleton hand adds a little texture:

My best tip: Never pour directly onto your tray/board. Always place things, that way crumbs don't end up all over the board. It will look neater. Trust me...

As the lights go down and it begins to get dark out...

The ghosts are coming to life...

Spooky stories anyone?

My Pinterest Boards:

Halloween Food here

Charcuterie for All Seasons here

All of them here

• Walmart: Utz green cheese balls, mini Halloween pretzels, pepper jack cheese, ham steak, and Reese's pieces. The funky food picks came from there many years ago.
• Dollar Tree: Skeleton hand serving utensil, Mini Ritz cheese crackers, ghost Peeps.
• Aldi: Pumpkin Maple Spread. The little ghost dish was a part of a tiered tray decorating set. It's cute but I was disappointed to see that it isn't food safe.
• Pumpkin tea light is from an outlet store. I just wanted to share the idea that a little light does help bring the board to life:@) Any tea light will work, I initially bought silver glittered ones at Dollar Tree but then saw the pumpkins.

🎃Stock up now folks, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Eagles Game Day Bling

I stopped at Marshalls and couldn't believe my eyes... How fun for the Game Day Diva:@) Talk about making an entrance at the football party or fundraiser! Even though only $20 I did leave it for the next girl, my diva days are long gone-ha. I'm sure if I went back today they were all snatched up. Even my Philly store had a few other teams, you never know what you'll find. I say represent proudly, and...

Shinily:@) 

100 percent sequins:

Grab it when you see it-

GO BIRDS!!!

🏈Have a Happy Day:@)

Pickled Banana Peppers -Refrigerator Pickle

Here's an easy way to use up however many, or few, peppers you have in the garden. These Pickled Banana Peppers are a nice pungent, vinegary, topper for salads, chili, nachos, or sandwiches, really anything:@) This is a refrigerator pickle that comes together fairly quickly, and only requires about one week of marinating time. I like that it's ready to eat in a shorter amount of time, my other recipe below takes about six weeks in the fridge. I planted sweet peppers this year, this recipe works with both sweet and hot peppers. 

I used 4 peppers, added them to a pint jar and cut the brine recipe to a quarter. There was plenty of room for a few more peppers.

Full disclosure: I served them with my favorite White Chicken Chili after 24 hours in the fridge. We just couldn't wait and they were very good!

I posted another recipe for Marinated Refrigerator Banana Peppers back in 2010, that one uses less sugar, no spices, and calls for garlic:

Easy Pickled Banana Peppers-from here

2 C white vinegar

2 C apple cider vinegar

1 C sugar

1 tsp mustard seed

1 tsp celery seed

1 lb banana peppers, tops and most of the seeds removed, sliced into 1/4" rings

1. Pack peppers into sterilized jars.
2. Bring vinegars, sugar, mustard and celery seed to a boil. Stirring to dissolve sugar.
3. Pour brine over peppers. Add lids and rings, or a plastic screw on lid, to jar.
4. Allow to cool on counter, then store in refrigerator.
5. Let marinate for about a week (if you can) before serving.

Let's enjoy the last of the harvest and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Easy Pumpkin Maple Meatballs -2 Ingredients

I don't think these Pumpkin Maple Meatballs could get any easier folks. Your favorite frozen meatballs, a jar of pumpkin maple spread from Aldi (or any store that has something similar), and a slow cooker. I used my Little Dipper Crock Pot and about half a jar of the jam. Only two ingredients Lynn? Ok, if you'd like to add a little something else... How about some pumpkin pie spice. Or dare I say... Maybe a few shakes of hot sauce? But honestly, my crew says it was perfect as is. And I mean the whole crew this time! This is a nice sweet seasonal treat perfect to snack on after leaf raking, a trip apple picking, or pumpkin hunting at the garden center. 

And of course it's great for... 

Football parties:@)

How to make a Barbie Crock Pot here.

Let's change up our hosting routine and try something new while the pumpkin flavors are available! Maybe even tuck a jar away for Thanksgiving... Just a thought.

The Aldi jam I used:

As a point of reference I used 14 bite size meatballs and half of a 12.5 oz jar in my Little Dipper Crock Pot. There was room for a few more meatballs.

Pumpkin Maple Meatballs

1. 1 lb+ frozen cooked meatballs
2. 12 oz jar Pumpkin Maple Spread
3. Place meatballs in slow cooker, cover and cook on high for an hour.
4. Pour jam over meatballs reserving a few tablespoons to stir in before serving. 
5. Turn temp to low, place paper towel under lid, and cook for about two more hours or until heated through. (My Little Dipper is only one temp, I use at least 2 1/2 hours).
6. Stir in reserved jam. 
7. Stir and serve with fun food picks. 

🍁🏈Enjoy a snack and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Temp-Tations Football Theme'd Serving Items on QVC #2

Last year I shared that Temp-Tations on QVC has Football Theme'd Items HERE. Well, the pattern must be popular because they came back with some new items this year:@) I'll show a few, you can pop over to QVC.com to see what's left if desired. Everything from aprons to potholders to cutting boards.

Baking dishes, 2.5 quart (shown)

and a 9x13 version with lid/serving tray

Lazy Susan:

Tea Kettle:

Insulated Tote Bag and Bowls:

🏈Fun items for game day or gifts...

Grab it when you see it and

Have a Happy Day:@)