Glurch (not edible)

Mix these ingredients together in a medium size bowl:

• 1 cup glue
• 3/4 cup hot water
• a few drops of food coloring

In a separate bowl mix:

• 1/2 cup hot water
• 1 tsp. Borax laundry booster

Add the Borax mixture to the glue & water mixture.  It will immediately clump together.  Squeeze the mixture until the water is all absorbed into the glurch mixture.  The more you play with it the better it gets.  Do not get on clothing or carpet.  Keep in a sealed bag or container.

Hot Buttered Fluffy Pretzels

This recipe is adapted from Fifteen Spatulas and had been borrowed and adapted a couple of times before that.

For the Dough:

2.5 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

2.25 tsp instant quick rise yeast

1 cup warm water (110 degrees F)

For the Topping:

1/2 c warm water

1 tsp baking soda

vegetable oil for greasing the sheet pan

coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Combine all the dough ingredients in a stand mixer.  Mix with the paddle attachment until somewhat combined (or by hand with a wooden spoon).  Change to the dough hook and knead on medium low for 5 minutes.  The dough should feel soft and smooth, and barely not sticky.

Lightly grease a bowl with oil.  Place dough in bowl & rotate the dough so the oily side is on top.  Cover with a towel & let rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F, and lightly grease a baking sheet with vegetable oil or line with parchment paper rated up to 450 degrees.

Place dough on lightly oiled counter top.  Divide the dough into 8 pieces.

Make a soda wash by whisking the warm water and baking soda.  Cook in the microwave for 1 minute.  It's not going to dissolve completely & that's okay.

Roll each of the eight pieces into a long rope and shape into a pretzel. 

Dip each pretzel into the soda wash and place onto the greased baking sheet.  Sprinkle with coarse sea salt, then let rise for 10 minutes.

Bake for 9 to 10 minutes until the pretzels are golden brown.  Brush the pretzels with the melted butter while they are hot out of the oven.  

Kool-Aid Play Dough

2 c flour
1/2 c salt
1 pkg Kool-aid
2 Tbsp Cream of Tartar
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 c water

Combine dry ingredients in a large pot.  Mix well & add the oil & water.  Stir over medium heat until the mixture is almost too hard to stir.  Allow to cool for a few minutes, then knead until smooth & pliable.  Refrigerate in airtight container between uses.

Homemade Chapstick

1 heaping tsp of beeswax
2 Tbsp mineral oil
3 Tbsp vaseline
a small piece of crayon (for color)
1/4-1 tsp candy flavoring (the good stuff you buy at confectionary stores)

Place beeswax, mineral oil, & vaseline in a disposable metal/foil  pie tin (the small ones from frozen pot pies work best).  Fill a sauce pan with a small amount of water & place pie tin gently inside.  Stir over medium heat with popsicle stick until clear.  Remove from heat.  Add crayon & flavoring  Stir until combined.  Pinch the side of the pie tin to form a pouring spout.  Pour into containers.  Allow to cool.  You can buy new chapstick containers at some health food stores.