Patsy Reiter

Writing stories for children and adults for over fifteen years

Easter Chick Craft

 

Here’s a fun Easter craft that I’m preparing for our church preschool classroom. I found this particular template online, but any chick picture should work well.

Children will love spreading kernel corn and adding their own designs. I used a large amount of tacky glue and spread it with a paint brush before adding the corn. I coated the top of the corn with clear glue as an extra measure of stickiness. The craft does take an amount of time to dry. We will make our chicks on a lunch tray to prevent kernel corn from spilling.

Supplies needed are pictured below. The base is white cardstock.

Have a blessed Easter!

Get the Lead Out!

Get the lead out!

We’ve all heard that at one time or another. My 2024 wish for you is to move forward with energy and conviction. Whether your gain is spiritual, personal, professional or financial, let’s encourage and pray for one another to be the best we can be.

Start off the new year by setting reasonable goals (no one is perfect.) Take necessary me-time. You need to be happy and healthy to achieve your goals. Show kindness and volunteer. Being around others and helping them is a great mood booster. Exercise and eat well. Doing these things may also improve your sleep. Who’s not exhausted at the end of a busy day?

So, you should already know what my goal is. All of the above! And I do hope to put the pedal to the metal and finish my current writing projects.

You can do it!

Happy 2024!

Tweaked Christmas Cards

 

I’m always looking for ways to save money and create easy projects for children. When I found a package of twelve Christmas cards at the Dollar Tree an idea popped into my head. I purchased glitter glue and spread it across the candles on the front cover. I did the same for the cards below. This is an easy, not-so-messy project for children and the end results are beautiful. Just enlarge the pictures I’ve posted and view the sparkle card on the right. For larger projects, I spread glue with an appropriate-sized paint brush.

While you’re preparing for the holidays, adding sparkle to Christmas cards is a great project for any aged child, including ourselves.

Below I’ve included a Chocolate Crinkle cookie recipe that is a family favorite. As you can see, the recipe has been viewed multiple times.

Merry Christmas!

Holiday Pecan Pumpkin Dump Cake

 

Looking for an easy last-minute dessert for Thanksgiving or Christmas? I found this Pecan Pumpkin Dump Cake online and it is quick and delicious.

My neighbor, who recently moved away, gave me the recipe, but I lost it. Rather than bother her, I just googled and found a similar one.

I’ve included the recipe below. Since I only made it once, I would recommend not over-baking. Next time, I’ll remove it from the oven a few minutes early.

Enjoy.

Pecan Pumpkin Dump Cake

The best pumpkin dessert ever! Pecan Pumpkin Dump Cake is easy for every night but delicious enough for Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Prep Time20minutes 
Cook Time1hour 
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy thanksgiving dessert, pumpkin dessert, thanksgiving
Servings: 15
Author: Julie Clark

Ingredients

  • 15 ounces solid-pack pumpkin
  • 12 ounces evaporated milk
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 box butter pecan cake mix Betty Crocker (15.25 ounces)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • vanilla ice cream or whipped cream

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350º Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13 pan with butter or cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, salt, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice until well blended. Make sure the eggs are fully incorporated.
  • Pour the pumpkin batter into the prepared pan.
  • Sprinkle the dry cake mix over the pumpkin.
  • Drizzle with the melted butter.
  • Sprinkle the pecans on top. Then sprinkle the brown sugar over the pecans.
  • Bake for 1 hour or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Check the cake at about 45 minutes while baking. If it is getting too brown, cover with foil for the remainder of baking.
  • Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and blessed Christmas!