Things you need:

• 2 1/2″ Styrofoam Balls
• Heavy-duty foil cupcake liners
• Iridescent White Soft Snowflakes
• Berry Spray (color of your choice)
• Craft Glue
• Paint Brush or Foam Sponge Brush
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Scissors
• Ribbon or decorative string for hanging
• Skewers or Dowel Rods

Things to do:

Step 1: Press a dowel rod into each Styrofoam ball, and coat a little more than half of the top of the ball with a generous layer of craft glue.

Step 2: Roll the glue-coated Styrofoam ball in a shallow pan filled with artificial snowflakes, then use your fingers to press the flakes securely to the surface. Tap gently to remove excess flakes, and prop a coffee can or mug to dry. Try to wait patiently because if you try to glue liners on before the styrofoam balls dry, the sides won't stick. If you have little hands to help you with this project… they will LOVE this step!

Step 3: After glue sets and dries, add a generous dollop of hot glue to the bottom and the top inside each foil cupcake liner and press the Styrofoam ball in firmly. Be sure to carefully press the sides of the foil - so the liner is tightly glued on. Also, remember that you may not want to push the styrofoam ball down too far, or the bottom will curve, and your cupcake will not sit flat (not a big deal if you plan to hang them, though). If you have little hands to help you with this project… be sure to only have big kids or adults handle the hot glue step.

Step 4: Snip the berries from the branch, leaving about an inch of stem, and cut lengths of ribbon or decorative thread for hanging. Add a dollop of hot glue to the top of each Styrofoam ball, pressing the tails of the ribbon (if you want to hang your cup and berry into the Styrofoam. You can also flip your cherry around with the step showing upwards to make it look like a cherry stem! Allow drying thoroughly before displaying.

These Styrofoam Ball Cupcakes are also perfect for adding a unique, super adorable, and sweet decorative touch to the wedding reception, birthday party, baby shower, or bridal bash. You can create a mouth-watering centerpiece by dangling these charming decorations from a tabletop ornament tree or make a sweet bouquet by inserting dowel rods into the bottom and displaying them in a festive vase. While you are at it, make an extra baker's dozen to share with family and friends.

 Cran-Apple Crush 

It's not a crush. It's real love when it comes to this apple drink delicacy. 

They say when one good thing ends, something even better may be just around the corner! So, yes, beloved summer with your icy cold beverages that we love to sip outside under clear, sunny skies, you are missed, but fall brings with it that cozy ambiance. Think: walking under falling leaves, filling ourselves with heartwarming indulgences that keep our tummies satisfied, and staying snug sipping cider on these cool, crisp Autumn days. Leave it to Smarty to kick off the season with deliciously apple-sizing drinks!

Cran-Apple Crush Ingredients:

• ½ oz simple syrup
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• ½ oz lime juice
• 10 cranberries (fresh)
• 2 oz infused vodka **
• 2 green apple slices
• ice

Directions:

1. Combine simple syrup, brown sugar, lime juice, and 6 cranberries in a shaker
2. Add infused vodka and ice, then shake
3. Strain into Crystal Clear Hard Plastic Rock Glasses
4. Garnish with thin apple slices and remaining cranberries

1. combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water (or any equal amounts)
2. Let water boil
3. Stir mixture
4. After sugar has dissolved, let cool

1. Using a double boiler on medium-high, cook 1 liter of vodka, 3 cloves, 5-star anises, 1/2 cinnamon stick, and 10 green cardamoms for ten minutes
2. Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and let cool
3. Keep refrigerated

Complementary Smarty Disposable Party Plasticware:

Party on, Smarties! With love Smarty had a Party!

I love this time of year when the supermarkets bust out the big bins of deliciously fresh apples and fill one after another. Days become shorter, colder and our appetites change as well. We start to crave cozy, heartier, meatier, comfort food recipes, warming to both body and soul. So Smarty Had A Party has prepared a delicious recipe for you - Grilled Apples with Sweet Sausage Stuffing! Enjoy Smarties!

Ingredients:

• 4 large Gala, Rome, or other large baking apples
• 1 cup apple cider
• 2 tablespoons nut liqueur
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
• 4 small cipollini onions, peeled
• 3 large garlic cloves, skins left on
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ cup walnuts
• 6 ounces loose sweet Italian sausage
• ¼ cup finely chopped celery
• 4 teaspoons poultry rub (recipe below)

Poultry rub

• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons coarse salt
• 1 tablespoon rubbed dried sage
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
• 2 teaspoons dried marjoram
• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary (crushed)
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg

Directions:

Step 1: Light a grill for indirect medium heat, about 350ºF

Step 2: Cut the onions in half through their equators, and then toss with the unpeeled garlic and oil in a bowl. Brush the grill grate and coat with oil. Grill the onions, cut-side down, and the unpeeled garlic directly over the heat until the onions are tender and the garlic is charred in spots, about 5 minutes, turning once or twice. Squeeze the garlic from its skins, and then chop along with the onions.

Step 3: Put a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-duty roasting pan directly over the heat. Add the walnuts and toast until fragrant, about 5 minutes, shaking occasionally. Remove the walnuts from the pan and chop.

Step 4: Add the sausage to the pan and cook until lightly browned all over, 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove and set aside. Add the celery to the drippings in the pan and cook for 4 minutes, stirring now and then. Add the onions, garlic, sausage, and the poultry rub and cook for 1 minute. Scrape the stuffing into a bowl.

Step 5: Cut the apples in half crosswise and remove the core from each half with a melon baller. Put the apples, cut-side up, in the skillet or a roasting pan. Fill the center of each half with the sausage mixture. Mix the apple cider, liqueur, vinegar, and sage and pour around and over the apples. Cover the pan with foil and put the pan on the grill away from the heat. Cover the grill and cook for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and cook until the apples are tender, 15 to 20 minutes more.

Step 6: Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Drizzle the apples with the cider syrup from the pan and serve.

Complementary Smarty Disposable Party Plasticware:

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