12/16/13

A Giving Christmas: Jenn from A Jennuine Life

Today we're picking up a Giving Christmas with Jenn from a Jennuine Life.  She is so talented. Thank you so much Jenn for coming over here today! 

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Hi everyone!  I'm Jenn from A Jennuine Life and when I'm not sewing for my two daughters Arden and Hadley, I'm trying my hand at all sorts of creative pursuits - I'll give pretty much anything a try!



Arden loves to help me in the kitchen, so when Karly asked if I wanted to share an idea for a giving Christmas, I thought setting her loose in the kitchen was the way to go.  Family friends of ours from when I was a girl shared their recipe for a simple yet awesome hot cocoa mix.  I've also been eyeing recipes for homemade marshmallows and thought this would be the perfect time to give them a try.  We have some great neighbors that would surely appreciate a little holiday warmth and cheer!


Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

3 C nonfat dry milk
1/2 C cocoa
1 C sugar

Thoroughly combine all ingredients.  Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.  Use within two months.  Stir 3 level tablespoons of mix with 1/2 cup hot water until dissolved.  24 servings.

Arden poured all the ingredients into a large plastic container and then carefully shook it to combine all the ingredients.  We doubled the recipe so we'd have plenty to share as well as some to enjoy at home.


Using a funnel, I filled up several different sizes of canning jars for giving.


For the marshmallows, I made an eggnog version found here.  Since the marshmallows involved the stove and separating egg whites, Arden did all the other tasks.  She lined the pans with foil and shook the powdered sugar all over to coat the pans.  She added plain gelatin to the eggnog, and sprinkled cinnamon and nutmeg over the top of the filled pans.  There might have been a little sampling happening - yum!


For our first foray into making marshmallows at home, I'd say they were a success.  That is, after I cleaned up marshmallow goo from all over our stove!  First, I don't recommend doubling this recipe - it should be done in batches if you want to make more than one pan.  Also, get your egg whites whipped up before you start cooking the rest, or you'll be doing a frantic dash around the kitchen.  After trying several different tools to cut them up, I found a pizza cutter dipped in powdered sugar worked the best.


Arden decorated a paper bag for giving, and I made a quick label and tossed some marshmallows into a treat bag.  We have a family with teenage boys next door, and a wonderful older lady across the street who will receive the result of Arden's work.  


Enjoy!  I hope you have a safe and happy {and warm!} holiday season!!


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3 comments:

  1. Jenn, this isa great younger kid project! Thanks for the idea. My girl loves to do things like this, but since she wants to mostly "do it herself" it's nice to get ideas where too much freedom won't result in disaster. :)

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  2. Aside from unsafe activities in the kitchen, pretty much the only thing we've found that she can't help with is cracking eggs. Even with my holding her hands and explaining to be gentle, she repeatedly smashed them open in her hand. Now Mommy cracks all the eggs!

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  3. Wow, the first thing I thought of was marshmallow goo all over everything. Marshmallows are one thing you won't ever see me making from scratch! I can barely handle making rice krispy treats because of the gooey marshmallows!

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Shout outs are ALWAYS welcome! I LOVE comments!!