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Chocolate dipped PAINT BRUSH rice crispy treat recipe

Ingredients 

• 4 tbsp (56g) butter
• 5 cups (225g) mini-marshmallows
• 5 3/4 cups (152g) Rice Krispies
• White melting chocolate
• Popsicle sticks

The basics of making Rice Krispies treats are simple. Here’s how it goes:

• Over low, low heat, melt the butter in a pot
• Once it’s melted, add the marshmallows
• Still with low heat, stir the marshmallows until thoroughly melted and cook another minute
• Turn off heat
• Stir in cereal
• Transfer to buttered pan
• Cover with wax paper and press down
• Let cool for 20 minutes and cut it up
• Melt chocolate in microwave (30 seconds, stir, 30 seconds stir etc.) till ready
• Poke hole in treat, dip stick in melted chocolate which will act as “glue” to hold the stick in place
• Dip treat in melted chocolate and set on waxed paper to dry
• Package and Enjoy!

If you’ve made Rice Krispies treats before, all of this should be familiar. I just want to emphasize the low heat. The flame should just tickle the bottom of the pan. Be patient, it still doesn’t take that long.

Extra: For easy clean-up, just soak the pot in hot water and give it a few minutes
With the technique down, let’s make some treats!

After watching the Golden Globes this past weekend we can’t help ourselves when we say that we are super excited to work with the film industry locally in Seattle.  We recently got a call from Seattle Film Institute’s Founder, David Shulman to paint their new location in Magnolia.

David Shulman received his MFA in Cinema/Television from USC and taught film/video at the university level prior to founding the Seattle Film Institute in 1994, where he is the Executive Director. He has produced, directed, written and edited numerous PBS documentaries. David worked as a story analyst for Columbia Pictures and has worked on a wide range of feature films. He recently completed World Enough and Time, an independent 35mm feature film which he wrote, directed, and edited.

The job is no small task as we will need to paint over 40,000 Sf of New wallboard, 30 + doors, HVAC ducting, and the exterior facades.  We are currently working out the details to paint a specialized projector screen, painted white boards and green screens.  Awesome!

If you are in Magnolia this month feel free to stop by and see us in action. The New SFI is located to the east side of QFC off of Dravus.   Be sure to check out SFI website for the latest on their new location and there fantastic programs.

Thanks to our team for a fun night out.  We had a great time at Kickin Boot in Ballard and an even better time singing Karaoke at Hamburger Harry!  It’s still a mystery how Pete (Estimator) kept his white shirt so clean?  Congratulations to Josh (Lead Painter) in winning the grand prize, Ryobi Drill Drill set!

If you live in the Walling ford neighborhood you may have seen our Holiday Elves up on the roof of QFC and Tutta Bella / Seattle Bank.  We also just flipped the switch on our shop lights on 38th and Woodlandpark N.  If you are inspired to decorate check out this link to the Wallingford Chamber of Commerce to adopt a tree on 45th! 

Tis the Season of  bundling up, getting out the ladder, climbing on the roof, untangling your old Christmas lights and risking life and limb.   Sounds like fun right?  Let us help, we are Jolly, safe and will have your lights up in no time.  Start a new tradition this year by hiring REED Painting to help you decorate.

Our crew was given a great opportunity and spent the week at Pike Place Market painting the windows on a historic building. In the past the crew has washed gum off of the wall that is across from the historic Gum Wall, as can be seen in our previous blogs. Come say hello if you are in the area!

Did you go to the Fremont Fair last weekend?  Then you may have seen some GMP (Green Man Paint) on some parade floats and who knows what else….   Reed Painting Co, via GMP donated 20 gallons to the Fremont Neighborhood Arts Council.  Happy Solstice!

Sustainable Seattle, founded in 1991, is an organization that strives for social justice, collaboration, and stewardship. Their mission is to be a catalyst for positive change. In December REED’s Recycled Paint Program (Green Man Paint) was nominated for the Sustainable Community Outstanding Leadership Awards. There are numerous categories of award and RPC won the Innovation in Sustainability Award. This award recognizes organizations or individuals that introduce a new way to do things that inspire others and contribute toward positive change in our progress toward sustainability. We were honored to receive the award and gracious for the nomination. For more information about Sustainable Seattle and their many wonderful programs please visit: www.sustainableseattle.org.

For more information about the recycled paint program please contact Tammy Sheridan at tammy@reedpaint.com. 

 

REED in the Community

WE’RE IN THE ZOO

REED Assists Woodland Park Zoo with Facility Maintenance

This fall, REED started working with the Facilities and Exhibit Department. The Woodland Park Zoo has been a part of our community for more than 100 years, encompasses nearly 100 acres and is home to 1,090 individual animals. All of this requires a lot of maintenance every year; and this year they gave us a call to see if we could help them with  a few projects. For a little over one month,  two of our painters have been camped at the Zoo painting various buildings. Keep an eye out for us the next time you’re there. For information about Woodland Park Zoo Memberships click here.

What do Elephants, Hippos and Bears Have In Common?

They love watermelon! RPC’s neighbor , who had many watermelons left over from their vodka and gin distilling process, donated the melons to us and we were able to donate a few dozen to the animals at the zoo. Zoo crew member Lanny Kittleson was able to walk us through the warehouse to see what the animals are fed. As you can see from the photos, the warehouse stocks fresh produce, grain and meat; it takes approximately 2,000lbs of food per day to feed the 1600-1800 animals the zoo houses. Did you know that elephants and orangutans love ketchup and mustard? Peanut butter and jam is a real hit too – it’s a great way to camouflage the taste of medicine. Would you like to feed penguins, giraffes, and elephants? Check out the zoo’s website for feeding schedules.

ZOO DOO: The Best Manure in Town

Are you an avid gardener? Looking for a unique stocking stuffer? Zoo Doo is just one of the ways the zoo maintains their conservations efforts – and they make it available to you! We were fortunate to have Composting & Recycling Coordinator Dan Corum give us a tour. Manure is collected from nearly 2 dozen species; it takes about 6 months to transform into living soil. As bacteria feed & reproduce the core temperature can reach 150 degrees, eventually turning manure into the most rich compost available in the Pacific Northwest. This compost is excellent for enhancing water & nutrient retention, improving soil texture, and it’s completely organic. Plus, it saves the zoo nearly $60,000 per year in disposal costs! In fact, the demand has caused the zoo to institute a lottery twice a year for patrons wanting more than what is regularly available at the zoo store. For more information please visit www.zoo.org/zoo-do. For a limited time the zoo will be selling Holidoo, a compost made entirely from the end products of the elephant exhibit. For details click here.

 

GO PSAAZK! WAIT, WHAT’S PSAAZK?

Puget Sound Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers

RPC has long been concerned about wildlife conservation. That’s why we are doing our part to contribute to the growth of wonderful organizations such as the  Puget Sound Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (PSAAZK) and Wild Fish Conservancy. The PSAAZK recently held their Annual Holiday Silent Auction & Bake Sale to raise funds for zookeeper professional development, educational outreach, and worldwide conservation. RPC was pleased to donate a “Painter for a Day” to assist this notable organization raise funds. Last spring they provided partial support in funding a collaborative research project studying the Burmese Vine Snake. For more information, visitwww.pugetsoundaazk.org.

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Save the Salmon with The Wild Fish Conservancy

The Wild Fish Conservancy recently held their Annual Wild Fish Soiree & Benefit Auction. RPC was happy to donate a “Painter for a Day” to this event’s auction, thus helping raise funds to support science, education, and advocacy. For more information about this organization please visit their website at www.wildfishconservancy.org.

HEALING WITH HOLIDAY LIGHTS

RPC recently heard of a family that suddenly lost someone very close to them. Dave, husband to Sharon, and father to Michelle, suddenly passed away a few weeks back. One of our painters heard of the story and brought it to the attention of owner, Randy Reed. It is hard to feel anything other than grief during a time of loss, but RPC was ready to do whatever we could to hopefully bring a bit of cheer to this incredible family. While Dave’s brother-in-law took out Sharon and Michelle, Randy and a couple of technicians installed holiday lights on their home. Sharon and Michelle were delighted by the surprise!

LUMINOUS AT SEATTLE ART MUSEUM

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is currently holding a special exhibition which includes Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and South Asian art. SAM is home to one of the finest collections of Asian art in North America and has safeguarded these treasures for nearly eighty years. RPC was brought on board to paint the gallery stands and walls for this exhibit. The exhibit will run through January 8^th. If you have some time this would certainly be an excellent one to see.  For more information please visit www.seattleartmuseum.org.

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HOLIDAY TREATS

PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD

Ingredients

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup egg substitute
• 1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
• 1 1/2 cups honey
• 1/2 cup butter or stick margarine, melted
• 1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt
• 1 cup wheat germ
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• ICING:
• 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2 teaspoons fat free milk
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat eggs and egg substitute. Stir in the pumpkin, honey, butter and yogurt until smooth. Stir in wheat germ. Combine the dry ingredients; gradually add to pumpkin mixture and mix well. Coat a 10-in. fluted tube pan with nonstick cooking spray and dust with flour; add batter.
2. Bake at 350 degrees F for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Combine icing ingredients until smooth; drizzle over cake.

RPC SUPPORTS LOCAL ANIMAL CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION PROGRAM

Every winter the Puget Sound Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (PSAAZK) holds a Holiday Silent Auction, Bake Sale, and Dinner to raise funds for thier organization.  This year the PSAAZK reached out to one Seattle painting contractor and that was Reed Painting Company.  RPC was happy to support the non-profit organization by donating a “Painter For A Day” to the silent auction.  One of our painters will provide the winner with a day’s work of professional services to do any job they like, whether residential  or commercial.

The Silent Auction preview will be on November 18, 2011 from Noon-2pm and the Silent Auction, Bake Sale, and Dinner will begin at 4pm.  All are open to the public.  For more information, visit the PSAAZK website here or contact Steve Cremer at steve.cremer@zoo.org.

The PSAAZK is located at the Woodland Park Zoo grounds.  Recently RPC was asked to assist the maintenence department at the Zoo in the painting of numerous buildings on site.  The majority of jobs that come in for RPC are residential properties and in the Seattle Metro area, however, we do have a number of contracts with local businesses and are excited about our new relationship with the Woodland Park Zoo.  Our local zoo has many wonderful exhibits and programs – you can visit their website at www.zoo.org.

The PSAAZK, a non-profit organization, is dedicated to the promotion of zoo keeper education and strives to make the public aware of valid and deserving conservation projects and the need for the preservation of natural resources and animal life.  Vis