This year Charlie will be 19 which is so hard to believe. As we get closer to the #Holidays and his Birthday I keep thinking of things we did when he was little For my family the simplest childhood memories are the ones that stick with us the longest.

When Charlie was little, he didn’t get the opportunity to attend kindergarten like many of the children his age. The preschool program available where we lived in Hurst had limited spaces and specific eligibility priorities, and unfortunately, our family didn’t meet the requirements.

I remember being disappointed because I wanted Charlie to have those opportunities to learn, play and spend time with other children his age. Then one day, I picked up a magazine at the Hurst Recreation Center which was a Godwink.

Inside was information about classes being offered for children Charlie’s age. It turned out to be one of those little moments that felt like a blessing. Thanks to Hurst Recreation Center and Dotty his teacher Charlie started taking classes at the Recreation Center. He took tap, dance and jazz. He also attended a pre-kindergarten class and, much to our delight, a cooking class.

And Charlie absolutely loved cooking. One day he came home telling me about the Halloween snacks they had made. There was something called “boogers on a stick” — or at least that’s what I remember him calling one of them.

It’s been a long time, and you have to remember that Charlie is now 19, so some of those little details have gotten a little fuzzy over the years. But there is one snack I remember. Ants on a Log. Or, as Charlie has always called them, Ants on a Stick.

It’s funny how something so simple can stay with you. Traditionally, Ants on a Log are made with celery, peanut butter and raisins. The celery becomes the log, the peanut butter fills the middle, and the raisins become the little ants marching across the top.

But if Mom and Dad were here, I know exactly how they would have made theirs. They would have reached for the jar of cheese spread. That was their favorite thing to put on celery. What is your’s and why?

Now, I’m sitting here trying to figure out how we’d describe that version of Ants on a Log. Cheese spread is yellow. Mud is usually brown. So maybe we could call it Ants in the Mud? LOL I’m pretty sure Mom and Dad would have just called it celery with cheese. And honestly, that’s probably why I love these simple little snacks so much. There isn’t really a right or wrong way to make them.

Make Your Own Ants on a Log

The classic version is easy:

• Celery
• Peanut butter
• Raisins

Wash and cut the celery into manageable pieces. Spread peanut butter into the center and add raisins along the top. That’s it!

Of course, around here, I already know there may be a problem. If you know my family, you know that vegetables aren’t exactly everyone’s favorite food. David will eat celery. I’m not sure about Charlie. And before you ask about me… No.

Probably not, if you want me to be completely honest. But if it’s something Charlie made? Well, I might a tiny little bite but David and Charlie would be telling me I need to eat all of it. Would you want to share with me?

Here’s where children can have some fun. The ants don’t have to be raisins. Which is another Godsend because I’m not going to eat Raisins. Are you? If your #Homeschooling you can make these in your classes.

You can use:

• Raisins
• Chocolate chips
• Dried cranberries
• Blueberries
• Mini chocolate candies
• Other small dried fruit or toppings your family enjoys

And if peanut butter isn’t an option, use another spread that works for your family. But I will stick to Peanut Butter for mine. Although, the point is to let the children make their own and when creating this snack the Sky’s the limit

Since Halloween is right around the corner, we can turn this simple childhood snack into something a little more fun. Use chocolate chips for the ants and add a few candy eyes. Let the children create creepy-crawly Ants on a Log. And if your family doesn’t celebrate Halloween, that’s perfectly fine, too. Make them a fun fall snack instead or a Christmas snack.

Now, I have a question for you. Why should Halloween have all the fun? At Christmas, use red and green toppings, dried cranberries, raisins or colorful sprinkles. You could even set out several toppings and let everyone create their own Christmas Ants on a Log.

Another question you might be asking is does it have to be Celery? Not necessarily. The celery works especially well because it has that little hollow area in the middle where the peanut butter or cheese spread can sit.

But I think the sky is the limit when you’re making a snack like this. You could experiment with apple slices, pretzel rods or other foods that give you a long “log” to decorate. The important part isn’t whether you followed the original recipe perfectly. It’s having fun making something together.

Charlie probably doesn’t remember Ants on a Log the way I do. That’s the funny thing about being a mom. Our children don’t always realize which ordinary moments we’re quietly putting away in our memories.

A little boy and a cooking class at the Hurst Recreation Center. Halloween snacks and Ants on a Stick ie Log. And a memory that has stayed with me for all these years. Now Charlie is closer to 19 than 18. And here I am, thinking about those little celery logs ie sticks again and wondering whether he’d actually eat one today.

I already know David would probably eat the celery. Mom and Dad would have reached for the cheese spread. And me? Well… If Charlie made it, I might give it a try. Or you might find me eating the Peanut Butter. So what would your family put on their Ants on a Log ie Sticks?

Raisins? Chocolate chips? Cheese spread? Something completely different? I’d love to hear what your family would use for the ants — because maybe the best part of Ants on a Log is that there really isn’t just one way to make them.

Easy Ants on a Log ie Stick Recipe

Ingredients

• Celery stalks
• Peanut butter, cheese spread or another favorite spread
• Raisins or your favorite “ants”

Optional Toppings

• Chocolate chips
• Dried cranberries
• Blueberries
• Mini chocolate candies
• Sprinkles
• Candy eyes for Halloween
• Red and green toppings for Christmas

Directions

1. Wash and dry the celery.
2. Cut the celery into snack-size pieces.
3. Spread peanut butter, cheese spread or another favorite spread into the center.
4. Add raisins or your chosen toppings.
5. Serve and enjoy!

Remember: There doesn’t have to be just one way to make Ants on a Log. Let the children choose their favorite spread and toppings and create their own version. Peanut allergy? Choose a spread that works for your family’s dietary needs.

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates