Welcome to the home of all things creative! This section of the website is where you will find artwork, reviews, puzzles, comics, lists, poems, stories, and more created by the students of Wilson Area Intermediate School. These posts were originally published in December 2020.

TOP TeN CHRISTMAS MOVIES

December18, 2020

By Jazaiyah W.

These are my top ten Christmas movies:

1. Home Alone. Everyone should have watched this growing up.

2. A Christmas Story. I know I’m not the only one who secretly wanted pink bunny pajamas.

3. The Grinch. This movie will forever be a classic in my book!

4. The Polar Express. Did you know that there is actually a polar express train in real life!

5. Frosty the Snowman. I still sing the theme song till this day.

6. A Christmas Carol. Does anyone know if they still sell those pajamas Scrooge was wearing? Asking for a friend of course...

7. The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause. The whole movie franchise is amazing! But this one is the best.

8. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. This movie was probably even better than the play.

9. Elf. Some people may think this deserves a higher ranking. But this is my opinion.

10. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. No matter if you watch the newer version or older this movie will always be good!

Do you agree with this list? How many movies have you watched out of the list?

Mom always knows

December 18, 2020

By Shaye C.

December 18, 2020

By Emily M.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

Ingredients

• 3 ¼ cup flour

• 1 egg

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 teaspoon ginger

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¾ cup butter

• ¾ cup brown sugar

• ½ cup molasses

Directions:

1. Mix the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.

2. Beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy, then add molasses, vanilla, and the egg.

3. Mix in flour until well combined and the dough forms. Press into a thick, flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill in the refrigerate for 4 hours.

4. Roll the dough out on a floured surface or else it will stick with a ¼ inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes.

5. Bake for 8-10 minutes depending on the oven you have.

Blank

December 18, 2020

By Emily D.

Do you know me? I think you do, but just call me Blank. I have a story to tell you to help you figure it out.

There were two students talking one day.

“Do you know the kid in my class? The really quiet one?”

“I think. Why?”

“There is a rumor going around they are a monster.”

“Oh really? What is their name again?”

“Eh. Doesn’t matter. Lets call them Blank.”

Do you see what’s happening? Do you know that quiet, tired, sad, person?

“Do you think it’s true?”

“This may sound weird, but I think I do.”

“Yeah. If anyone was a monster it would be Blank.”

Now, I should say they don’t mean monster as a monster under your bed, in the lake, or the one behind you. (I’m kidding btw. There’s probably not a monster behind you.) They mean monster like a crazy person. I know, really respectful, but do you think you know “Blank” yet?

“Yeah have you seen their art? It gives me the chills!”

“Yeah. They are so quiet. What are they thinking?”

“Let’s just stay away from them.”

“Good idea.” The two of them walk on.

Do you want to meet “Blank?” You really don’t have a choice. There they sit, the kid now named Blank on the bench. All alone. Kids laugh as they pass, but no one talks to them. Blank stands up, and as they walk pass groups of talking people they sigh. Alone. No one. No one wants to talk to a no one. Blank leans against a nearby wall.

“Hey. Did you hear that Anyone is dating someone new?”

“Didn’t they only break up with the last one yesterday?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh. Don’t tell Anyone we were talking about them.”

Blank nods.

They could tell a lot of secrets. They don’t, but they could.

“Good. Now...”

The group walks off and so does Blank. Do you know them? Anyone I mean. Look at where you want to go. People will move around you, Blank thinks. Avoiding people and conflict. Blank enters the cafeteria, and sits at a table with their few friends.

“Hey Blank.”

“Hello.”

“So as I was saying...”

Blank starts drawing again. Even their “friends” ignore them. Sad really.

“What are you drawing?” a person says and sits in front of them.

“A character I like to draw.”

“Oh ok. Do you draw anything else?”

“Yeah. I draw a lot of things.”

“Can you draw me?”

Oh that question. Fun.

“Oh. I guess I can.” Blank says and turns the page in the sketch book.

“Can you draw me like this?” The stranger makes an… interesting… pose.

“It might take a bit, but I think I can.”

“You’re an artist. You should be able to if you want to get a job.”

“Right, hold still for a bit.”

“Ok.”

Why do people think artists are just walking printers for pictures they want? Like, art takes time.

“There you go.” Blank shows them a rough sketch with no fine lining or color.

“Aren’t you going to add color? Shading also?”

“I don’t have time. I want to eat please.”

“Fine.”

The person walks back to the table they came from. Alone again. Now. Do you know them? After lunch the group walks back to the halls, and head for the next class together. The friends are talking to each other, but not Blank, they are a few steps behind them trying not to step on their shoes. There is no climax to this story. There is no real theme. There are no names. No time or ages. Just a kid in school with their “friends.” Do you know the kid now called Blank?

Ornament cake pops

December 18, 2020

By Alexandria R.

This is a recipe that will serve 45 people

Ingredients:

• 1box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ German chocolate cake mix

• 1 cup buttermilk

• ½ cup vegetable oil

• 3 eggs

• 2 tablespoons unsweetened baking cocoa

• 1 bottle (1 oz) red food color

• 1 cup Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy cream cheese frosting (from 1-lb container)

• 2 cups green candy melts or coating wafers, melted

• 2 cups red candy melts or coating wafers, melted

• 1 cup white candy melts or coating wafers, melted

• 90 pieces Frosted Cheerios™ cereal (about 1/3 cup)

The Steps:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Then, spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, beat cake mix, buttermilk, oil, eggs, cocoa and food color with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely. Line the cookie sheet with waxed paper. Crumble cake into a large bowl. Add frosting; mix well. Shape into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place on a cookie sheet. Freeze for 15 minutes. Transfer to the refrigerator.

2. Dip half of the balls in melted green candy and the other half in melted red candy; tap off excess. Put them back on the cookie sheet and leave them until set.

3. Using a spoon, scoop melted white candy into resealable food-storage plastic bags; cut off the tiny corner of the bag. Pipe designs on cake balls; let stand until set. Gently press 1 cereal piece on top of each cake ball, attaching with melted white candy. Pipe dot of candy on cereal piece; attach another cereal piece upright in center for ornament hook, and you're done.

They should kind of look like this:

Christmas Poem

December 18, 2020

By Sa'Vannah S.

Christmas doesn’t always have to come from a store

Christmas can also come from the heart

The presents you make and the trees you find,

The jolly songs we sing together brings joy to all.

Christmas time is once per year,

We get to laugh and play...

but most of all we make snow angels.

Ready for Christmas Jigsaw Puzzle

December 18, 2020

By Jessica B.

Peanut Butter Blossoms

December 18, 2020

By Brianna P.

UNtitled COmic

December 18, 2020

By Matthew M.

The HUNTED Treehouse

December 11, 2020

By Payton H., Avery G., Jeffrey S., and Emily M.

Once upon a time there were five hunters, Payton, the leader, Avery, Jeffrey, Hayden, and Emily. One day, they saw a twelve point buck and Payton was going to bring it home. It fell to the ground. Jeffrey started to pick up the deer when it turned into a monster. They all started to run. Their hearts were beating out of their chests. They raced up the stairs to their treehouse and locked the doors.

Unfortunately, they left Jeffrey outside, and the monster swallowed him up. They were locked in the tree house with the monster outside. They had no food, no water, and no Jeffrey. (Although, to be honest, they liked it without Jeffrey because he was getting annoying. So was Avery, but no one told her that.)

The monster was climbing up the stairs and they needed to throw something at him. Emily was a great option. So they threw her off of the tree house. Emily stumbled down the stairs and the monster ate her.

Meanwhile, Avery was hungry out of her mind. She only had a hat, and so, she ate it. She choked and died, so she got fed to the monster.

Now the only two people left were Payton and Hayden. They needed to feed one or the other to the monster. So Payton grabbed Hayden and threw him off. Then she remembered that she had a bow and arrow hidden in the tree house. She got it out and shot the monster. He was dead.

She rushed down the stairs, pulled out her pocket knife and ripped open the monsters' belly. She took all her friends out and unchoked Avery. Later that night, they ate the monster for dinner, and thanked Payton for saving them.

Then, they lived happily ever after.

Or did they?

The Day Before Christmas

December 11, 2020

By Nathan P. and Ben T.

SPLATOON 2 REVIEW

PEPPERMINT BARK RECIPE

By Jazaiyah W.

December 11, 2020

Already in the holiday spirit? If so I got the perfect thing for you! A nice treat called Peppermint Bark. What is Peppermint Bark? Peppermint Bark is dark & white chocolate stacked on top of eachother topped with some chopped candy canes.

Here’s what you need:

• 12oz. Dark chocolate melts

• 12 oz. White chocolate melts

• Crushed candy canes

• Peppermint extract

Directions:

Step 1

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

Step 2

Place dark chocolate melts in a bowl, heat in microwave for 30 secs or until melted & Stir in ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract.

Step 3

Place dark chocolate on baking sheet, spread evenly let sit for 15-30 secs

Step 4

Place white chocolate melts in a bowl & heat in microwave for 30 secs or until melted

Step 5

Stir in ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract, add ¼ cup of crushed peppermints & stir

Step 6

Spread white chocolate evenly over dark chocolate in your baking sheet

Step 7

Immediately sprinkle crushed candy cane over your chocolate

Step 8

Let chocolate set and harden before cutting into pieces.

Holiday Shopping

December 11, 2020

By Emily D.

HOW TO MAKE PERFECT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

What is a Chocolate Chip Cookie ?

A chocolate chip cookie is a baked, moist dessert that you can eat anytime of the day. A delicious chocolate chip cookie has the power to make you warm inside, bring joy to your life ,and can build your spirit. Good food gives people a chance to take a break from having a bad day.

Please read below to find a simple chocolate chip cookie recipe, and be sure to have parent supervision!

Materials

1. whisk

2. big bowl

3. electric mixer

4. spatula

5. baking sheet and parchment paper

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 sticks(16 tablespoons) salted butter, room temperature

• ¾ cups granulated sugar

• ¾ cups light brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 Large eggs

• ½ cup semisweet Chocolate Chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375F degrees

2. In a median bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt

3. In a large mixing bowl cream together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.

4. Add in the eggs one at a time mixing well between each addition.

5. On low speed, slowly add dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.

6. Fold in chocolate chips.

7. Place 2 table spoons of dough onto the baking sheets 2 inches apart.

8. Bake in the oven for 7-9 minutes.

9. Let it sit on the tray for 1 minute so it can cool.

10. And then you're all done!

APPLE CRISP CHEESECAKE

December 4, 2020

By Ava B.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• Cooking Spray

• 12 graham crackers, crushed

• 6 tablespoons of melted butter

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• ¼ c. of granulated Sugar

• ¼ tablespoons of kosher salt

• For the Cheesecake:

• 4 (8oz) of a softened block of cream cheese

• ¼ c. of caramel sauce (save some for drizzling on top!)

• ¼ c. of granulated sugar

• 3 eggs

• ¼ c. of sour cream

• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour

• ½ teaspoon of kosher salt

• ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon

For the Topping:

• ¼ c. of packed brown sugar

• ¼ c. of all-purpose flour

• ¼ c. of old fashioned oats

• ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt

• 4 tablespoons of softened butter

• 1 apple that’s peeled and finely chopped

(Also you can use whipped cream on top for garnish if you'd like!)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 and grease a 8” or 9” inch springform pan with cooking spray.

2. Make crust: In a large bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, cinnamon, sugar and salt. Then, press into bottom of prepared pan and up the sides

3. In a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer beat cream cheese, caramel, and sugar until completely smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, then stir in sour cream and vanilla. Add flour, salt, and cinnamon and beat until fully combined. Pour mixture over crust.

4. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, flour, oats, cinnamon, and salt, then cut into the butter with a fork. Scatter apples in an even layer over the top of the cheesecake, then top with an even layer of the oat topping.

5. Wrap the bottom of the pan in aluminum foil and then place in a large roasting pan. Bake until the center of cheesecake can only jiggle slightly, that will be about 1 hour and 30 mins.

6. About 1 hour and 30 mins later, turn off the oven, prop open the oven and let cheesecake cool in the oven for an hour. Remove foil and refrigerate cheesecake for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

7. Finally, when ready to serve, drizzle with caramel, and serve slices topped with whipped cream, if you’d like!

Enjoy!

Vampire Diaries Review

December 4, 2020

By Jazaiyah W. & Alexandria R.

The Vampire Diaries (T.V.D.) is a supernatural teen drama series created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec.

Jazaiyah rates the show 8/10. The shows is very addicting & entertaining.

Alex rates it 7.5 /10. The show is very good and enjoyable.

However, there are some pros and cons to this show like any other.

One of the positive features of the show is its convoluted plot. According to Alex, "It has a lot of turns. You may think someone has died but in reality they are just on the other side and will come back later. This is great for people who get bored easily with the same things. If you miss one episode 3 people have died and 12 have come back.”

However, Jazaiyah points out some of the negatives, saying, “There is a lot of death in this show which can sometimes get tiring. Also the main character Elena spent too much time trying to look like a good person when risking her life for her loved ones but was always selfish in actuality.”

If you're looking for an addicting and enjoyable show to watch, try The Vampire Diaries.

Perfect bath bombs

December 4, 2020

By Alexandria R.

Need a great idea for a hand made holiday gift for a friend? Try making these relaxing bath bombs.

The things you will need.

• 1 cup of Baking soda

• ½ cup of citric acid

• ½ cup epsom salt

• ½ cup of cornstarch

• ¾ tsp of water

• 2 tsp of essential oil whatever scent you want( lavender, mint, rosemary, etc.)

• 2 tsp of oil(jojoba,sweet almond oil,coconut oil,olive, or even baby oil

• A few drops of food coloring

• Optional: Dried flowers or sugar cake decorations, like flowers or stars

Step 1: With the exception of the citric acid, mix the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Pour all of the liquid ingredients in a jar with a top. Close the jar and shake it vigorously.

Step 3: Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients, and use your hands to combine and meld together. At this point, add the citric acid. You'll probably notice a slight fizzing reaction because of the citric acid. But don't worry this is totally normal. Whatever you do, don't add more water at this stage, or the bath bomb will fizz prematurely and be ruined.

Step 4: Mash the mixture into your chosen molds very tightly. You may slightly overfill the molds and use a spoon or glass to press the mixture in as tightly as possible. Immediately loosen the bombs from their molds onto wax paper and let them dry overnight.

Step 5: Give the bath bombs a day or two to completely dry before using them or wrapping them up as gifts.

Step 6: Pop one in the bathtub, enjoy the burst of colors and fizz, and inhale the released aromas. Turn on some of your favorite music and relax.

TIPS: While making your bath bomb, the mixture should be a bit crumbly (similar to the consistency of wet beach sand).

Human Google

December 4, 2020

By Emily D.

December 4, 2020

By Ava B.

Ingredients:

• 8 candy canes

• 1 cup of milk

• ¼ cup of shaved semi sweet chocolate

• 4 cups of vanilla ice cream

• ½ tsp of peppermint extract

Instructions

1. Shave your chocolate bar with a cheese grater.

2. Crush your candy canes into pebble sized pieces by pulsing them into a blender.

3. Add milk

4. Top with shaved chocolate

5. Pour in the peppermint extract

6. Then add in the ice cream

7. Blend until you get the consistency you want

8. Pour into four glasses and top them with whipped cream and a cherry.

Big Tip: Pour your liquids (milk and peppermint extract) at the bottom of the blender to have everything blended well.

Enjoy!

Holiday Crossword

December 4, 2020

By Chris G.