A Man and His Dog
SUPPLIES FOR THE LITTLE MAN:
• Button-down shirt
• pants
• sports jacket
• shoes
• tie
• eyebrow pencil
• old briefcase
• fedora
SUPPLIES FOR THE DOG:
• 3 white tube socks
• fiberfill
• two 18-inch floral wires
• scissors
• belt
• 2/3 yard of black faux fur (or black felt)
• glue gun or double-sided tape
• 1/4 yard of white or spotted faux fur (or white felt)
• self-adhesive Velcro
• black construction paper
• permanent marker
• sweatsuit
DIRECTIONS:
Start with the little man: Have your child put on the shirt, pants, jacket, shoes and tie. Draw a thin mustache with the eyebrow pencil. Accessorize with briefcase (put a plastic bag inside for trick-or-treating candy) and fedora.
To create the dog’s tail, stuff one tube sock with fiberfill. Twist the floral wires together and thread through the top of the sock, tip to toe. Bend the wire gently through the toe fabric and twist back in to prevent it from slipping out of the sock.
Cut two small lengthwise slits in the sock top and thread the belt through. Wrap the wire at the opening of the sock tightly around the belt. If desired, cut out and glue black faux fur onto the tip of the tail.
To make the dog’s head, cut a 3-inch-wide strip of white fur or felt to fit around Dad’s head and attach strips of adhesive Velcro to fasten. Cut two ears from black construction paper — shape them like a flat-topped bowling pin, approximately 13 inches high and 4 1/2 inches wide.
Glue the paper ears to the back side of a piece of black fur or felt and cut them out. Tape the smaller ends of the ears, fur side up, to the inside of the headband.
Wear the headband so the ears flop out over the top. To make the paws, put a piece of cardboard inside a sock, then draw a paw print with permanent marker and remove the cardboard. Repeat with the other sock.
To create the dog’s body, cut out a large black fur or felt oval with a 3-inch tab at the top. Attach the oval to the front of the sweatshirt with double-sided tape, then fold the tab inside the sweatshirt collar. If desired, cut out ankle and wrist “cuffs” from the fur or felt and attach with Velcro.
Have Dad put on the turtleneck, sweatsuit, sneakers, tail and paw socks. Draw a nose and freckles on Dad with the eyebrow pencil. Accessorize with the headband, cuffs, collar and leash.
Tipsy Maple Corn: Makes 2 quarts
INGREDIENTS:
3 1/2
tablespoons bacon grease, or non flavored vegetable oil
1/2
cup popcorn kernels
1/3
cup Jack Daniels
1/2
cup pure maple syrup
1/2
cup unsalted butter
fresh ground black pepper
1
cup peanuts
3
pieces pancetta, baked until crispy and minced
DIRECTIONS:
Place the bacon grease in a 3-quart dutch oven with a lid. Add the kernels and place the covered pot over high heat. Once the popping begins, gently shake the pot to keep the kernels from burning. Once it is done remove the lid and set aside. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In another small pot add the Jack Daniels and heat it to burn off the alcohol and reduce it by half. Add the syrup and butter and heat until the butter is melted. Season with fresh ground pepper to taste.
Place the popcorn, peanuts and the pancetta into a large mixing bowl. You want to sprinkle a little of the syrup over the corn a little at a time. You want to stir as you do this. Take your time otherwise the corn will saturate with syrup and collapse and just be gooey.
Once it is coated put it on a sheet tray and spread it out. Then place it in the oven and back in for 20 to 40 minutes. Sometimes it takes longer to crisp that others so just check it and stir it around about every ten minutes.
