Halloween - Party Mix time!

 Ah memories of homemade costumes, driving miles between stops with one objective, Get Candy.

 

 While the children enjoy the fun and festivities, maybe you want something better than a pack of smarties.  This is my very favorite party mix, given to me by a friend.  The crunchy with the buttery sweetness.  Heaven!

Halloween Party Mix             

                                                        Preheat oven to 250 bake

12 oz. mini pretzel twists

1 large jar dry roasted peanuts

1 box 12 oz. peanut butter Ritz Bits

Spread in large pan w/1" sides.  [I use my broiler pan that came w/the oven]
In a 2 qt saucepan combine,
1 stick butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup  

Mix well, bring to a boil and boil ONLY 5 minutes.  Add 2 tsp vanilla & 1 tsp baking soda. 
Pour over pretzel mixture and briefly stir to cover. 

Bake 45 minutes @ 250 Bake, STIRRING every 15 minutes.  
Turn onto wax paper and pull pieces apart quickly and let begin to cool.  Add 

1 lb M&M's 

12 oz Candy Corn                

Store in airtight container or Ziploc bags.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meet the family

 This is certainly one of our most vocal family members and recently became the most valuable.  Kitty Witchens came to us as a mere baby.  His daddy no longer wanted him as he now shared a dog with his future wife and there was no place for "Witchens".   It was senseless to hold ill will toward the young couple as you only have to lay eyes on our beautiful daughter-in-law to understand why our son "tossed" the cat like yesterdays bathwater.  The Kat however held a grudge for long time.  [more about that in a later post] 
Kitty Witchens spent his early days with us in some measured degree of turmoil.  There were definite behavior issues but they were mostly resolved over time with firm discipline and lots of love.   In recent months we lost our beloved Miss Chevious aka Little Cat to kidney failure.  She was a demure and beautiful girl, a Persian Seal Point, barely nine when she died. 
The two cats never adored each other but seemed to come to a mutual understanding to co-exist in our home.  We had absolutely no idea how much Witchens actually hated Little Cat until she died.  He has been on cloud nine ever since.  At first we thought it was simply because he was missing her but it soon became apparent that he loved not having her here, skipping around like a youngster and the constant purring he hadn't done in years. 
Witchens has largely been a good natured cat with human friends, as long as you don't over stimulate him.   He sleeps on 'his chair' in the living room, spends most of his days on  the screen porch soaking up the sun and watching squirrels, eating large quantities of what must be the most expensive cat food in existence and chasing his lady bug.  Okay, he does more "looking" at the ladybug than chasing these days but he's just a great cat.  He talks when he's hungry or sleepy, or simply desires your attention or to let you know there are squirrels outside again.  He is feeling better now after a recent illness.  Again, a post for another day. 
Kitty Witchens says Hi!

Kitty Witchens posing for the camera. Spring 2014