Spider Cider (Kid Friendly)

Hello!  I am back from the most fantastic vacation to sunny Florida and Walt Disney World!  Halloween this year is going to be kind of a bummer at my house because we will be childless and my sweet hubs has surgery on Nov. 1st that will require us to drive an hour and a half from home very early in the morning.

Anyways, normally I love to go all out for Halloween and if we are lucky enough for it to fall on a weekend, then  I make every meal "Halloween-ish" from breakfast through dinner.  One of my favorite idea's is what I call "Spider Cider":

Just use your favorite hot cider recipe, I have a couple that I like to use.  One of them that's super easy is:

Ingredients:
1 c. water
2 quarts apple juice
1 c. orange juice
1/4 c. lemon juice
5 or 6 cinnamon sticks
2 tsp ground cinnamon
2 T. brown sugar
2 tsp whole cloves
2 or 3 diced apples
Big plastic spiders (make sure that they float so that no one will choke on one!)

In a pot, combine the first 8 ingredients and bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.  Strain out the cinnamon sticks and cloves and then pour into individual cups (I like to use clear ones). Toss in some chopped apples and drop in a plastic spider.

This one is always a hit with kids and is great for either breakfast or after trick or treating when everyone is chilly and needs to warm up!

*This could also very easily be turned into an adult drink by adding Spiced Rum...

Linking to:
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Easy Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

 I love Strawberry Spinach Salad, I eat it all year long, we did it as a side dish for our Valentines dinner this year.
I dont' pre mix any of the ingredients.  I put everything in separate bowls so that if someone doesn't like one of the ingredients, they don't have to put it on.  This also helps with ensure that any leftovers will taste great because it doesn't go all soggy like when it's mixed together for too long.  Here is my quick and easy recipe for it:
                              Ingredients:                      
****Spinach.  I like Natural Directions organic, not only because it's organic, but also because it comes in this little tub and stays fresh for much longer than the bagged kind.

****1 qt of fresh strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced, again I prefer organic

**** One bag of butter toffee sliced almonds.  I like the Sunkist Almond Accent brand

**** Feta Cheese Crumbles.  I love the Atheno's brand.

**** Brianna's Strawberry Vinaigrette, this stuff is freaking delish!:

And there you have it, so quick and easy! 

Enjoy!