FamilyFun - September 2009

EverydayFun

Tee Is for Tote

RECYCLED CRAFT

When your child outgrows her favorite shirt, turn it into a handy bag. To make one, cut off the shirt’s sleeves, collar, and bottom as shown. Turn the shirt inside out and sew up the bottom hem (or close the seam with fusible bonding web, such as Super Weight Stitch Witchery). If you like, prevent the shoulder seams from unraveling by putting a few dots of fabric glue on each seam end. Turn the tee right side out, and it’s ready to tote!

For more ways to put old T-shirts to good use, turn to page ;;. ❋

Healthy Snack

Sticks and Stones

This crunchy, lunch-box–friendly snack mix is sweetened with fruit juice and brown sugar.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons butter

• N cup frozen orange or apple juice concentrate

• N cup brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

• 3 cups oatmeal cereal squares (we used

Quaker Oatmeal Squares)

• 2 cups pretzel sticks

• 1K cups whole almonds

• 1 cup raisins or dried cranberries

Heat the oven to 300°. Place the butter, juice concentrate, and sugar in a large, microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 45 seconds to melt the butter. Stir in the cinnamon.

Spread the oatmeal squares, pretzels, and almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toss the pieces with the melted-butter mixture to coat. Bake the mix, stirring the pieces every 10 minutes, until the mixture is dry to the touch and the nuts are lightly toasted, about 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven, then stir in the dried fruit. Let the mix cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. Makes about 7 cups.