Day 3 of 4th of July recipes and crafts

Today and tomorrow are going to be crazy busy because I am getting ready for Alyssa's 3rd birthday party!  I can't believe she is already 3 and will be going to Preschool in the fall.  It's exciting but sad at the same time.  My little baby is growing up.  I am using a new recipe as one of the side dishes for her birthday so I will post more on that later.  Also, maybe after her party, I will be able to make some of these 4th of July treats I have been *dying* to try.

Today's recipe is 4th of July Jigglers.  I have seen (and eaten!) the layered salads and I am sure this tastes just like that but in fun star shapes.

Ingredients

• Two packages (4 serving size) or one package (8 serving size) any flavor red gelatin (e.g., JELL-O)
• Two packages (4 serving size) or one package (8 serving size) blue gelatin (e.g., JELL-O)
• Whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip) 
• 2-1/2 cups boiling water
• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups
• Rubber scraper or large spoon
• Table knife
• Two 9x9-inch pans (or you can do it in one pan, one flavor at a time)
• Clear plastic cups (4 to 6 ounce size)
• Star-shaped cookie cutters
• Large tray
• Cherries (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Pour one flavor of gelatin into the mixing bowl. Add 1 1/4 cups of the boiling water and use the rubber scraper to stir until all of the gelatin has dissolved (about two minutes). Pour the mixture into one of the pans. Repeat with the other gelatin flavor.
2. Put the pans into the refrigerator and let the gelatin chill for about three hours.
3. Put about an inch of warm water into the sink. Dip just the bottom of the pan (don't let the water come up over the sides) into the water for just a few seconds. (Note: Be careful to not let it sit too long or the gelatin will start to liquify.)
4. Wash your hands thoroughly. Use the star-shaped cookie cutters or the table knife to cut shapes. Use your hands to lift out the shapes onto another tray. Repeat with both flavors.
5. Place a thin layer of  jigglers (blue or red) onto the tray, then add a layer of whipped cream. Alternate the jigglers and the whipped cream until you have a stack of jigglers. Top with a cherry if you would like and enjoy!

Recipe courtesy of Kaboose.com.


Today's craft is Red, White and Blue Garland.  This craft is really easy and I bet many people have the supplies lying around. 

Tools and Materials
Letter-size, stationery-weight paper in red, white, and blue
Paper cutter or scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Bone folder
Mini-stapler
1/8-inch hole punch
White cotton string

Red, White, and Blue Garland How-To

1. Cut paper to 6 by 11 inches. Using a bone folder to make crisp folds, fold the paper in half; then, fold it in half twice more. Open the folded paper, and use the creases as guides to accordion fold the paper to resemble a fan.
2. With the paper still folded, find the center, and mark it with a pencil. Use a desktop stapler to staple the center. (The staple should be perpendicular to the folds.)
3. Make a mark, 1 inch from each end on the folded side of the fan. Using scissors, trim both ends of the paper on an angle, starting from the 1-inch marks and cutting to the paper's edges.
4. Fan out the paper to form a star, and bring the ends together. Staple the ends together with a mini-stapler.
5. With a 1/8-inch hole punch, punch 2 holes, one fold apart from each other. Thread cord through one hole, around the back of the star, and then through the other hole.


Craft courtesy of MarthaStewart.com.