Reindeer Poop Cookies

By

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January 12, 2024

Reindeer Poop Cookies are a fun and festive no-bake treat, perfect for holiday gatherings or as a whimsical gift. Here’s a simple recipe to make these delightful cookies.

Ingredients:

1/2 stick or 1/4 cup “real” butter
1 1/2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
20-24 caramels (unwrapped)
1/2 bag marshmallows
5 cups Rice Krispies®
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Melt butter and caramels in a large saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly.
Stir in marshmallows, chocolate chips, and vanilla and remove from heat.
Continue stirring until fully melted.
Add in Rice Krispies®, stir quickly to coat well.
Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto waxed paper.
Allow to set, store in an airtight container for up to a week.

These Reindeer poop cookies are not only easy to make but also customizable based on your preferences or dietary needs, making them a hit for both kids and adults alike.

Below, are some creative variations of Reindeer Poop Cookies.

Gluten-Free and Vegan Version:

Substitute traditional butter with Earth Balance or coconut oil.
Use sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter instead of peanut butter to accommodate nut allergies.
Replace regular chocolate chips with dairy-free chocolate chips and use coconut milk instead of regular milk for a completely vegan treat.

Chocolate Mint Delight:

Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the chocolate mixture for a minty flavor.
Incorporate crushed mint candies or Andes mints into the cookie mixture for added texture and taste.

Coconut Craze:

Mix in shredded coconut to give the cookies a tropical twist.
For an extra layer of flavor, drizzle melted chocolate over the cooled cookies and sprinkle with additional coconut flakes.

Caramel Surprise:

Include chopped caramels within the cookie mixture for a gooey center.
Alternatively, drizzle caramel sauce over the top after they have set for an indulgent finish.

Nutty Addition:

Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for crunch and flavor.
Ensure that any nuts used are safe for those with allergies if serving to a group.

Colorful Fun:

Use food coloring to dye portions of the cookie mixture before combining them, creating visually appealing swirls.
Roll the cookies in colorful sprinkles or edible glitter before they set for a festive look.

Fruit Flavors:

Incorporate dried fruits such as cranberries or cherries for a tart contrast to the sweetness.
You can also use freeze-dried fruit powder mixed into the dough for natural coloring and flavor enhancement.

These variations not only enhance the flavor and appearance of Reindeer Poop Cookies but also make them suitable for various dietary needs, ensuring that everyone can enjoy this playful holiday treat.

Winter has arrived in Great Falls

By

Alan

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January 12, 2024

Seems that over the past few months we here in Montana have experienced what I like to call an extended Chinook.

High temps for the most part averaged around 50 degrees for quite a while up until a few days ago.

The national weather service has predicted a low temp for Friday night to be right around 36 degrees below zero and a high temp for Saturday to be around 14 degrees below zero.

Though some folks here might hunker down during the bad weather, most of us just go on about our day, including most of our schools.

Our schools are fairly proactive as a rule and upon after seeing that our weather was about to turn, the Great Falls Public Schools put out this notice:

“Assume that school will be in session and buses will be running as scheduled unless there is official notification from the Superintendent to the contrary.

The Superintendent may order the cancellation of some or all bus routes; the delay of some or all bus routes; the closure of school; the delay of school start; and/or the early dismissal of school.

Parents should seek out information but try not to call the school. Notification may be made or accessed in the following ways:

• *Mass phone and/or voicemail notification from the GFPS automated attendance system (Remind)
• GFPS Twitter: @GFPublicSchools
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreatFallsPublicSchools
• GFPS Website: https://www.gfps.k12.mt.us
• Media Twitter and websites: @KRTV, www.krtv.com, @KFBB. www.kfbb.com, @GFTribune,
www.greatfallstribune.com
• Radio Stations: FM: 92.9, 94.5, 97.9, 98.9, 101.7, 102.7, 104.9, and 106.1
AM: 560 and 1450 (Please be aware that GFPS has no control over media or radio station announcements.)
• Call 406-268-6444 for a recorded message (you may reach a busy signal depending on caller volume)

Be sure to access the Crisis Manager App on your phone for additional directions.

*Remind notifications will only be made when large groups of parents need to do something (i.e. keep students home, pick students up, etc.).

Mass phone and voicemail notifications are not sent for announcements that do not require parents to take action of some kind.

Information about Remind and Crisis Manager can be found at this website:
https://www.gfps.k12.mt.us/cms/lib/MT50000605/Centricity/Domain/108/Parent-Notification-Crisis Manager-Notice-2020.pdf

Please note: If the decision is to operate as usual, there will NOT be postings or announcements.

Parents have the right and responsibility to make attendance decisions for your children based on your individual circumstances.”

—

This most current stretch of below zero weather is looking to stay with us for 3 or 4 days. On Tuesday, when temps finally warm up to the mid 20’s it’s going to feel like a heatwave.

Though our kids aren’t going to get a snow-day out of this latest round of weather, there are some kids around the state that will.

Lewistown schools (along with various after school activities) will be closed on Friday, along with schools in Power, Flathead County, Noxon, Thompson Falls, and Trout Creek.

Winter has definitely arrived in Great Falls, and around the state.

Grilled Bourbon Pork Chops

By

Alan

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January 7, 2024

Ingredients:

1/4 cup bourbon or unsweetened apple juice
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 bone-in pork loin chops (1/2 inch thick and 8 ounces each)

Directions:

In a small saucepan, mix bourbon, brown sugar, mustard and garlic; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 2-3 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Mix onion powder, salt and pepper; sprinkle over pork chops.
Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat 3-5 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 145°.
Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Serve with sauce.

Building the Montana State Capitol

By

Alan

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January 6, 2024

Corruption, scandal, and controversy tainted all stages of planning and design of Montana’s Capitol building. – Ellen Baumler (Former Interpretive Historian at Montana Historical Society)

A design competition for the building was conducted in 1896. The commission selected a design by George R. Mann as the winner. In 1897, after it was found that the Commission was planning to scam money from the building project, it was disbanded and a second Capitol Commission was convened. The new Commission abandoned Mann’s plan as being too costly, and had a second design competition, won by Charles Emlen Bell and John Hackett Kent, of Bell and Kent of Council Bluffs, Iowa. In order to have their design built, Bell and Kent relocated their office to Helena.

While Mann’s building was never built in Montana, it was selected later as the basic design for the Arkansas State Capitol.

Showdown: the oldest ski area in Montana

By

Alan

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January 3, 2024

Seems that Montana hasn’t been getting a whole lot of snow this year and it’s sort of put some Montana ski season pass holders in a bind — That is — Until Showdown stepped up to lend a hand.

Showdown ended up getting enough snow this year to open up (a little late) around Christmas time.

As is the case here in Montana, we are usually always looking out for our neighbors and with some Montana ski areas still closed due to a lack of snow, Showdown is offering free lift tickets for season pass holders of several other ski areas.

The tickets will be given to any current season pass holder of Montana Snowbowl, Blacktail Mountain Ski Area, Maverick, Turner, and Teton Pass.

Also, The Edith Hotel in White Sulphur Springs is offering a 15% discount to all season ticket holders whose ski area is not open yet so out-of-town skiers can overnite for less if they want to.

Showdown boasts one triple chair, two double chairs and a “magic carpet” conveyor for beginners and is only about 60 miles south of Great Falls.

Call or write Showdown to learn more:

Call: 406-236-5522
Snow Phone: 406-771-1300
Email: info@showdownmontana.com

Visit Showdown online at:

https://www.showdownmontana.com/

Showdown Mountain Cams are live and online:

https://www.showdownmontana.com/mountain-cams

Learn more about The Edith Hotel: https://www.showdownmontana.com/theedithhotel

Showdown Montana began as Kings Hill ski area in 1936 — the first to open in Montana — but little information exists about its early formation near the mining community of Neihart. Back then, like most ski areas being formed, skiing was a social activity organized by a club. For Kings Hill the club was located in Great Falls.