Creamy Gummy Fish (or Bears) Candy -Low Carb using Sugar Free Jello

Calling for only three ingredients, this Creamy Gummy Candy is a very tasty, fun, low carb treat! While gummy bears might not be the first candy ~I personally~ reach for... I knew they are a favorite of my sons, and they loved this candy! And I have to say, I do think it's really good too. You can find actual gummy bear silicone molds on Amazon, I just picked up a fun silicone fish ice cube tray at Walmart for 98¢.

•  The original post just says to "heat the cream"... I suggest keeping the stove to medium and do not let the cream boil, once it feels hot to the touch add your gelatins.
• I bought the Walmart brand of unflavored gelatin, those envelopes are 7 grams each, I used two and it worked out fine.
• Some candy molds are sold with droppers to make filling each cavity easier. I picked up a turkey baster for 25¢ after Christmas... While still a little sloppy, it worked!
• Oh, and in case you're curious... My old buddy Earl says (remember Earl?) they do sell pig candy molds too:@)

Creamy Gummy Candy-from Keto thread on Reddit
4 serving size sugar free Jello
1 C heavy whipping cream
15g unflavored gelatin-my envelopes were 7g each, 14g worked fine

1. Heat cream over medium heat, do not boil.
2. Add gelatins, mix well and stir constantly while filling molds.
3. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (longer is better) before popping out of molds. 
4. Store colors/flavors separately in air tight container(s) in fridge.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

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2017 Favorites -Reader's Choice and Mine

Happy New Year Everyone! I can't believe we're at the end of 2017 already, time sure does fly! I hope you have your good luck food of choice tucked safely away in the fridge and corks ready to pop (or a nice cuppa to keep you warm and cozy). I wanted to share a few of my favorite things from the year and the number one ~very surprising~ most viewed post. Here we go:@)

My favorite, must-make-again-soon bread: Carrot Onion Dill, for bread machine or oven.

My favorite main dish was a toss up between: 

Baked Buffalo Chicken Nuggets and Great Northern Bean Sloppy Joes

I've been asked a few times what is your favorite spritz cookie recipe? 

Well ~as of this moment in time~ I have to say it's the Shortbread Spritz.

They do truly melt in your mouth, don't hesitate to try them folks:@)

This was a very good year for thrift store finds! 

I love everything I brought home but these three things (for $15 total), which all happen to be Christmas themed, 

are my favorites (I think...).

Vintage Tablecloth, Snowman Blow Mold and Ceramic Tree.

And finally, what was the number one most viewed post for 2017 at Pig In Mud?

~~~~~~~

wait for it...

~~~~~~~

Believe it or not... Curry Lime Popcorn!!!

The most viewed post of the year always seems to surprise me! 

I'd like to thank each and every one of you that takes time out of your day to visit Pig In Mud.

As I enter my 8th year of blogging, I appreciate you, and your kind motivation, more than you will ever know.

Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and wonderful 2018-enjoy every day:@)

Crafty Christmas-getting an early start on handcrafted gifts

I'm really not trying to freak anyone out (really, I'm not :@), just trying to provide a few Handcrafted Christmas Gift Ideas that don't take a whole lot of time and are easy to get started on now. What I love about most of these items is, they can be made in year-round colors or holiday colors and a couple are great anytime hostess gifts. So if you're planning on doing some crafting for Christmas this year, I hope you find a little inspiration here!

Three Strand Crochet Cotton Trivets or Coasters

I think it would be great to give a nice thick wide coaster with a bottle of wine! You could make the colors match their decor, the holidays, or... dare I say, their favorite team:@) A set of 4-6 thirsty, washable coasters for glasses would be a nice gift too. 

And this pattern was written up as a hot pad if you need a Thanksgiving hostess gift idea.

Quilted Christmas Ornament-any theme

While these ornaments may seem involved, I promise that once you get started it will click.

The best thing about them is, the focal point in the middle can be anything, just pick a favorite theme, cartoon character, sports team HERE, anything. They're a good stash buster too.

I've provided a link to a great tutorial.

Jean Pocket Potholders-using Dollar Store potholders

What I love about this idea is, it's a fun gift for younger folks and pretty guy friendly too, minus the flower button of course:@)

It's a great use for old or thrifted jeans, super simple to make and just cute!

Knit Barbie Sweater Pattern

What can I say, if you have little girls in your life you probably have Barbie too.

This pattern is pretty easy and fun to make. Even a novice like me can whip up a sweater in a few hours. 

Legend of the Christmas Spider-bottle cap spider ornament tutorial

A great craft the kids can help make. This is a special gift if you include the background story too.

One-sie Two-sie Crochet Dishcloth-an easy textured dishcloth

My crochet "skills" are marginal at best but even I can whip up these useful and pretty dishcloths in a couple hours. 

They are usually pretty well received too.

and last but not least...

Create your own Elf on the Shelf!

Remember, the elf comes to live with you the day after Thanksgiving, 

so if you want to start this tradition with the kids or grands you'll need to have an elf ready this month. 

(That's Elfina riding in on Earl yelling "the holidays are coming, the holidays are coming!!!)

You can click my Craft Index for more ideas.

Happy holiday crafting everyone:@)

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Cold Spinach Dip -no soup mix added

Do you hear the buzz in the air? Can you feel the excitement? Yep, it's that time of year again folks, football season! Time to shake the dust off of your team jersey, break out the red solo cups and find your favorite party recipes... As a true dip-o-holic I'm always looking for new things to try and in my book this Cold Spinach Dip is pretty darn close to health food... well, for a dip any way:@) You could really taste the spinach and garlic.

Thoughts: This really does need time to mingle in the fridge, give it at least 1-2 hours. To bump the flavor up a bit I'll be using a seasoned salt the next time, I'm leaning towards Lawry's Chile and Garlic:@) They wrote the recipe to be served in a hollowed out bread bowl and I'll bet that's very nice. Rachel suggested adding a little pimento, that sounds like a tasty option too.

This should be a very interesting year as a Philadelphia Eagles fan-bring it on!
And Earl says:

Amen Earl, amen.

Cold Spinach Dip-from FoodNetwork.com
1 large clove garlic
1/2 C chopped scallion (white portion only)-I used sweet onion
10 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained really well
1 C sour cream
1/2 to 1 C mayonnaise-I used 2 Tblsp
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme, or 1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 dash hot sauce or more to taste
1/2 tsp salt-I suggest using your favorite seasoned salt and you may want to add a little more
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
paprika for sprinkling on top-ooops, I forgot this for the pic

1. Put garlic and onion in food processor and mince.
2. Add everything except paprika and process until smooth.
3. Can serve in a bread bowl or with with chips and veggies.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

Happy St. Patrick's Day and five last minute quick ideas

I hope everyone has a little bit of green picked out to wear on the 17th, and in case you're looking for just a little something extra I've rounded up five last minute St. Patrick's Day ideas. As for me, I'll be planting peas after work and may raise a glass of something green and bubbly:@)

Bit O' Blarney Jello Candied Popcorn

Irish Potatoes Candy

Cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla and coconut rolled in cinnamon.

Hershey Kiss Shamrocks

Easter Kisses are out and have a nice light green color you could use.

Simple Beaded Shamrocks

Only requires pipe cleaners and beads.

And if you don't want to make a big dinner or happen to have some leftover corned beef...

Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup

and forever the ham... Earl O'Piggly says:

Kiss me I'm Irish!

Here's wishing everyone a fun and festive St. Patrick's Day-enjoy:@)

2014 Favorites

Here we are at the end of another year and I don't know about you, but 2014 sure went fast for me! Well, except maybe for shoveling all that snow... So let's get right to it and share some "favorites" from this past year:@)

My favorite fun purchase was Bella, this silly little Ceramic Pig Grill is a blast to BBQ on and just makes me smile!

Barbie's favorite post was this Crochet Bear Skin Rug, she (and I:@) do still love it today!

These great ornaments were my favorite junkin' find this year, everything pictured was 75¢.
I hope to find more bells, they looked pretty on the tree!

I do highly encourage anyone that's not interested in a big garden to still grow a few veggies in a planter. 

I had a lot of fun and got quite a bit of produce from mine.

And the 2014 post with the most views... Weight Watchers Loaded Baked Potato Dip! 

Weight Watchers???... Not something I'd expect here at Pig In Mud:@)
But then I've been surprised before: 2013, 2012, 2011.

As we close out the year I'd like to raise a glass and thank you once again for stopping by Happier Than A Pig In Mud! 

I sincerely appreciate your visits and enjoy our time together. 

And finally, Earl would like to send a little reminder...

Don't feed the pumpkins!!!

Wishing everyone a very happy and healthy 2015:@)

It's beginning to look...

A lot like Christmas! In this season of hustle and bustle, may the magic of the Christmas lights and sparkle of a treasured ornament give you pause... Take a moment and just ~be still~, look around you and smile, for there will only be one Christmas 2014, don't miss it:@)

And remember, the diet starts next week:@) 

Peppermint Popcorn, a great use for leftover candy canes.

Earl and I wish everyone a Very Sweet Christmas-enjoy!

Thanksgiving Dinner, from the archives

I thought it might be fun to put together a Thanksgiving Feast using nothing but previous posts. While this might be a little... eclectic, I'd love to have some of these things on my dinner plate! So "welcome" and I hope you find something you'd like to try in these suggestions.

Oh and, Earl says every table needs a centerpiece:@)

Appys-We'll start with meatballs, they're easy to make ahead and folks can serve themselves.

Italian Sausage Meatballs with Cranberry Glaze-really different!

Stovetop Stuffing Meatballs-easy if you're new to cooking or short on time!

Main Dish-Great if you're cooking for a small group and want to try something new:

Turkey Tenderloin, Brussels Sprouts and Apple Shish-Ka-Bobs

Sides-Here's a nice twist on some classics:

Bourbon (or Brandied) Sweet Potatoes

Corn and Chile Casserole-Wonderful flavors!

Amish Schnitzel Green Beans-my boys love them.

Cranberry Tangerine Chutney-amazing, a new tradition for me!

Relish Tray-Gotta have one! How about:

Refrigerator Bread and Butter Pickles (make them this weekend, can sub bell pepper for jalapenos)

And my funny bloggy blooper-Deviled Egg Turkeys

Classic Rapid Rise Yeast Dinner Rolls-our favorite!

Dessert-Whether you prefer pie or cake...

Falling Leaves Pie

Cold Oven Pound Cake

Party Favors/Hostess Gifts-

Maple Walnut Fudge, with or without dried cranberries

Ferraro Rocher Turkeys

I hope your Thanksgiving plans have fallen into place and that your favorite team wins on Thursday...

As long as that's the Eagles this year:@)

Have a happy day!