Drop-bys…and a Recipe for Savory Cracker Snack Mix

Do you know that I got 4 Christmas cards in the mail yesterday?!  And do you have any idea how happy that made me?!  Just like I was talking about yesterday…times FOUR!  Pure awesomeness!

Today, I’m busting my tail editing pictures of my house to show you tomorrow, making invitations for my sister’s baby shower (which I’ll share with you probably Thursday,) trying to catch up on laundry since I’ve fluffed the load in the dryer no less than 4 times here lately, and at some point, I really need to think of something great to make for dinner.  Or at least something decent…

I was thinking though this morning about another thing I really love about the holidays…and that is that people drop by randomly more often.  A lot of the time it’s to bring goodies, or to sing carols, or just because they were in the neighborhood…and I love it!  For many of you though, the thought of random drop-bys honestly makes you cringe.  And I get it…but here’s what I have to say to you about that….DON’T WORRY!  Whoever it is….they’re coming to see YOU!  And so what if your house isn’t party ready?!  They are coming to see YOU!  And if they’ve never been in your home before…well, just think that your willingness to invite them in for a little snack or a cup of coffee may just be the very thing they needed that day…no pretense, just a person who cares more about them than about some illusion of perfection.  You never know what difference you’ll make just by being real enough to just let someone in to your real home…to your real life.

Hebrews 13:2 says… “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” And the way I figure it, is if you aren’t suppossed to neglect being hospitable to strangers….then you sure as heck shouldn’t neglect being hospitable to friends!

So today I wanted to share a SUPER easy recipe for a little snack mix that’s great to keep around the house in case you do have drop-bys and need a quick little munchie to pull out.

This is SO easy to make and keeps for quite awhile…that is, if you can keep from eating it all the time!

Savory Cracker Snack Mix

You’ll need:

• 1 box Cheez-it Duoz (I like the cheddar and parmesan mix)
• 1 box Premium Saltine Cracker Minis
• 1 packet Ranch Dressing Seasoning
• 2/3 cup Canola Oil
• red pepper flakes (to taste…if you don’t like spicy, then skip this one…if you do, I’d start with about 1 tsp or so.)

Dump all of this stuff together and mix well in a large bowl.  About every 15 minutes for an hour, give it a quick stir.

That’s it.  Seriously…that’s it.

It tastes so savory and good…the crackers get super flaky because of the oil, it makes a ton, and it keeps for ages.  Just one of those things that’s great to have around in case you need a little bitty something to pull out and snack on while you enjoy company you may or may not have been expecting!  And let me encourage you….DO make a point to enjoy the company you weren’t expecting…you’ll be glad you did!

**How do you feel when people drop by unexpectedly?  Glad for the break in your day, or mortified about what they might be thinking?  Would love to know your thoughts on extending random acts of hospitality…