PRAYERS

SOME OF MY FAMILY!

I thought you might like to see some of my family!

My grandchildren Mike and Robin

My granddaughter Kaitlian

My daughter Cearle and husband Greg

Me and 5 of my 8 children

My son Matt

My daughter Cearle doing her Team Pinning

“Hey batter batter batter batter batter batter batter!

“Hey batter batter batter batter batter batter batter!
 By Southern Plate

When we were little, my brother used to play on baseball teams a lot. So Mama would pack up me and my sister and the whole family would head out to the ball park where my sister and I would try to find someone to play with or risk having to pretend we were actually following the baseball game. There was this thing that the boys on the opposing team did whenever someone went up to bat, they’d chant “Hey batter batter batter batter batter batter batter batter..” No, they weren’t requesting that someone mix up some muffins. Apparently this chant was to throw off the batter’s concentration in order to give them an advantage (If you have to throw off their concentration in order to win though, what is that saying about your playing abilities? Just a random thought from a backseat driver, I’ll shut up now). I woke up this morning and was thinking of how many of us have something on the sidelines, chanting as we take our turn at bat. How many times we get distracted by petty things that nag, nag, nag, so distracted that we lose sight of our original goal. On a grander scale, we may set out to change the world and be fully capable of doing that, but we get so caught up in swatting a honey bee that the sun sets and we missed the chance to give our orders to the assembled army. They’ve all gone home out of boredom, and we’re not a single step closer to our goal. Why? Because we spent our day swatting at a honey bee. Annoying, isn’t it? There are so many batter chants in our life. Things that steal our focus, things that cause us to go tilting windmills instead of accomplishing what we’re meant to accomplish. Those little honeybees could be anything from ugly acting people to congested traffic. I have a hundred petty things that call for my attention each morning. I’m not talking about laundry, dishes, or such. Those aren’t petty. I mean things like getting irritated over something someone else does or says, chasing after offenses or spending my time getting frustrated that I can’t make something work the way I want it to when there is another way that will work staring me right in the face. Crazy, huh? I have to remind myself that my life is too short to dedicate it to trivial things like that. A dear friend (hey Auntie!) pointed out to me recently that the Greek word for “offense” also means “bait” as in, to bait a trap to ensnare. So if you think about it, when we waste our time taking the bait of a honeybee or those folks in the outfield trying to throw us off, we’re allowing ourselves to be caught in it’s trap – and when we’re caught in a trap, we’re not doing what we need/want to do. I know you’re gonna hear some chants today and probably have more than a few honeybees buzzing about your head but I challenge you to ignore them as you go up to bat. This is your time to hit it out of the park and you have limitless home runs within you.

Cheap And Neat Idea For All Hallow's Eve

APPLE ZUCCHINI BREAD!

APPLE ZUCCHINI BREAD

Since apples and zucchini are so abundant this time of year, it's only natural that the two be used together in one recipe. Made this yesterday and it makes a nice moist bread. My family loved it!

INGREDIENTS:

 4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking soda

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

5 eggs

1-1/2 cups vegetable oil

2 cups sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

 2 cups shredded unpeeled zucchini

 1 cup shredded peeled apples

1-1/2 cups chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:

 In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. In another bowl, beat eggs. Add oil, sugars and vanilla. Pour over dry ingredients; mix well. Stir in zucchini, apples and pecans (batter will be stiff).

Spoon into three greased 8-in. x 4-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until done.

Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely

BIG & CHEWY OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES!

OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES:

Make going back to school sweeter by tucking one of these cookies into the kids' lunch boxes. My daughter made these cookies today for her grandchildren and they are the best oatmeal cookies I have ever had. You simply have to try them.

 INGREDIENTS:

11/2 Cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt (use ¼ tsp. if starting with salted butter)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. freshly grated NUTMEG
2 sticks butter,unsalted softened
1/2 tsp. PURE VANILLA EXTRACT
1 Cup light brown sugar, packed
3/4 Cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3 Cups oatmeal
11/2 Cups raisins

DIRECTIONS:

Adjust oven racks to low and middle positions and preheat oven to 350°.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and NUTMEG; set aside.
Beat the butter and VANILLA until creamy.
Add the sugars and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix well.
Fold in the oats and raisins.
Roll the dough into generous 2-inch balls. Place the balls on the cookie sheets, leaving at least 2 inches between each ball.
Bake at 350° until the cookie edges turn golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.

Halfway through the baking time switch the cookie sheets from top to bottom and turn them from front to back.
Place the cookie sheets on a cooling rack and let the cookies cool completely before removing.
For chocolate chip cookies, substitute chocolate chips for raisins and omit the
nutmeg.
Recipe from Penzeys

STEWED TOMATOES IN CROCKPOT!

STEWED TOMATOES IN CROCKPOT

Homemade stewed tomatoes from the crockpot for freezing. When the tomatoes are abundant this is a great way to use some of them and have stewed tomatoes for dishes when the winds are cold and the snow is blowing outside and you're all warm and ready to dig in to some good food.

INGREDIENTS

6 to 8 ripe tomatoes

2 tablespoons margarine (I use bacon grease)

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

3/4 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

3 tablespoons sugar (more or less)

1 small bay leaf

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

DIRECTIONS

Core tomatoes; place in boiling water for about 15 to 20 seconds, then into ice water to cool quickly; peel.

Cut tomatoes in wedges. In Crock Pot, combine all ingredients.

Cover and cook on low 8-9 hours.

Remove bay leaf. Sprinkle top with parsley, if desired.

 Serve as a side dish or freeze in portions for soups or other recipes.

Serves 6.

Recipe may be doubled.

THE LORD MADE WOMAN!

"The One Flaw In Women"

By the time the Lord made woman,
He was into his sixth day of working overtime.
An angel appeared and said,
'Why are you spending so much time on this one?'
And the Lord answered, 'Have you seen my spec sheet on her?
She has to be completely washable, but not plastic,
have over 200 movable parts, all replaceable
and able to run on diet coke and leftovers,
have a lap that can hold four children at one time,
have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart
-and she will do everything
with only two hands.'

The angel was astounded at the requirements.
'Only two hands!? No way!
And that's just on the standard model?
That's too much work for one day.
Wait until tomorrow to finish.'
'But I won't, ' the Lord protested.
'I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart.
She already heals herself when she is sick
AND can work 18 hour days.'

The angel moved closer and touched the woman.
'But you have made her so soft, Lord.'

'She is soft,' the Lord agreed,
'but I have also made her tough.
You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish.'

'Will she be able to think?', asked the angel.

The Lord replied,
'Not only will she be able to think,
she will be able to reason and negotiate.'

The angel then noticed something,
and reaching out, touched the woman's cheek.
'Oops, it looks like you have a leak in this model.
I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one.'

'That's not a leak,'
the Lord corrected,
'that's a tear!'
'What's the tear for?' the angel asked.

The Lord said, 'The tear is her way of expressing her joy,
her sorrow, her pain, her disappointment, her love,
her loneliness, her grief and her pride.'
The angel was impressed.
'You are a genius, Lord.
You thought of everything!
Woman is truly amazing.'

And she is!
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness,
love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take 'no' for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideals.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE TINY FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

VALENTINE BROWNIE MOSAIC CHEESECAKE!

It seems that most people fall into one of three categories when it comes to Valentine’s Day:

Group #1: They enjoy the holiday and celebrate. Usually gifts and dinners at nice restaurants are involved.

Group #2: They think Valentine’s Day is nice, but over the top. They still recognize the day with cards, maybe a small gift, and prepare a nice dinner in.

Group #3: This last group completely hates the holiday, brands it a “Hallmark holiday” and wants nothing to do with acknowledging it.

Where do you fall on this spectrum?

This Cheesecake is for those of you that fall in-between #1 and #2!

Brownie Mosaic Cheesecake

Equipment used:

9" x 13" glass baking dish
Food processor
Stand mixer
10” Springform pan
Sheet pan

Part One: One Bowl Brownies

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate (Baker’s chocolate, optional of course)
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter
1 3/4cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup flour

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line 13×9-inch baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Grease foil.
Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on high for 2 minutes, or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add flour and salt; mix well. Spread into prepared pan.
Bake 30 to 35 minute or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. (Do not over bake.) Cool in pan on wire rack. Remove brownies from pan, using foil handles.

Cool brownies, then cut** them into 3/4- to 1-inch squares for use in the cheesecake. You will have more than the two cups of cubes, loosely measured, than you will need, and I’m sorry, you’re just going to have to decide for yourself what to do with the extra.
Add cubes to cake batter as directed below.

** I find that brownies are fantastically easy to cut once they’ve been refrigerated–you end up with nice clean lines, and in this case, a sharp pizza wheel was especially helpful. Also, brownies taste better cold. I’m just saying.

Part Two: Crumb Crust

3 cups finely ground Oreos
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Stir together crust ingredients and press onto bottom and 1 inch up side of a buttered 24-centimeter springform pan. Fill right away or chill up to 2 hours.

Part Three: Cheesecake

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sugar
2 cups brownie cubes (from recipe above)

Make crumb crust as directed above for 24-centimeter cheesecake. Preheat oven to 350°F.

Make filling and bake cake: Beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until fluffy and add eggs, 1 at a time, then vanilla and sugar, beating on low speed until each ingredient is incorporated and scraping down bowl between additions.
Fold brownie cubes in very gently and pour mixture into prepared pan. Put springform pan with crust in a shallow baking pan. Pour filling into crust and bake in baking pan (to catch drips) in middle of oven 45 minutes, or until cake is set 3 inches from edge but center is still slightly wobbly when pan is gently shaken.
When completely cool, top with following glaze.

Part Four: Ganache Glaze

3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, broken up, or 1/2 cup chocolate morsels
2 ounces butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon confectioners sugar

Grind the chocolate into powder in the food processor, scald the butter and cream in a saucepan (or in a Pyrex cup in the microwave). With the machine running, pour the hot cream/butter mixture slowly through the feed tube onto the chocolate. Blend until completely smooth, stopping machine to scrape down sides once or twice. Add the extract and sugar and process until smooth. Spread over cheesecake while ganache is still warm. Chill until ready to serve.
Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen

WE DIDN'T HAVE GREEN!

We Didn't Have Green

Received this from a friend and wanted to share with you all.

At the checkout at the store, the cashier told an older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment.

The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didn't have the green thing back in my day." He responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment."

He was right -- our generation didn't have the green thing in its day. Back then, we returned milk bottles, pop bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.

But we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery shop and didn't climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time we had to go two streets.

But he was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day.

Back then, we washed the baby's diapers because we didn't have the throw-away kind. We dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts -- wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that old lady is right; we didn't have the green thing back in our day.

Back then, we had one TV, or radio, in the house -- not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a handkerchief (remember them?), not a screen the size of the Wales.

In the kitchen, we blended and stirred by hand because we didn't have electric machines to do everything for us. When we packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, we used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not plastic bubble wrap. Back then, we didn't fire up an engine and burn petrol just to cut the lawn. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working so we didn't need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But he's right; we didn't have the green thing back then.

We drank from a fountain when we were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time we had a drink of water. We refilled writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and we replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But we didn't have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the bus and kids rode their bikes to school or walked instead of turning their mothers into a 24-hour taxi service. We had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And we didn't need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful we old folks were just because we didn't have the green thing back then?

Just the thoughts of a selfish old person who obviously needs a lesson in conservation from a smartass young person

A KIDS VIEW OF CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!





You Tube

A Kids view of Christmas.

I received this from a friend. I hope it touches you as much as it did me.

Thanks Jonthy!

BROWNIES ANYONE!

I have made all of these brownie recipes and they are to die for...If you love BROWNIES, then these recipes are for you!!!

PEANUT BUTTER TRUFFLE BROWNIES

Craving chocolate and sweet peanut butter all wrapped up into one indulgent bar? Start with a no-fail brownie mix, then add layers of peanut butter and melted chocolate chips. Yum.

INGREDIENTS:
Brownie Base
1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker Original Supreme brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box

Filling
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk

Topping
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray or shortening. (For easier cutting, line pan with foil, then grease foil on bottom only of pan.)

In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan. Bake 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted 2 inches from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In medium bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave topping ingredients uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds; stir until smooth. Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. For brownies, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator

PEANUT BUTTER RIPPLE BROWNIES

Crave the classic chocolate and peanut butter flavor combo? Here it is in brownie form, frosted of course!

INGREDIENTS:
Brownies
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker Original Supreme brownie mix
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
2 eggs
Chopped peanuts, if desired

Peanut Butter Frosting
1 cup vanilla frosting (from 1-lb container)
1/3 cup peanut butter
2 to 3 teaspoons milk

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan. In small bowl, beat sugar, 1/2 cup peanut butter, the flour and 2 eggs with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes; set aside.

In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, oil, water and 2 eggs until well blended. Spread in pan. Drop peanut butter mixture by tablespoonfuls onto batter. Swirl through batter with knife.

Bake 40 minutes. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In medium bowl, stir all frosting ingredients, using spoon, until smooth and spreadable. Spread frosting over brownies; sprinkle with peanuts. For brownies, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows

ULTIMATE TURTLE BROWNIES

Make the ultimate! Indulge brownie mix with extra caramel, nuts and chocolate.

INGREDIENTS:
1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker Original Supreme brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch)
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box
1 bag (14 oz) caramels, unwrapped
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 bag (11.5 oz) semisweet chocolate chunks (2 cups)
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread 1/2 of batter (about 1 1/2 cups) in pan. Bake 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in large microwavable bowl, microwave caramels and whipping cream uncovered on High 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until smooth.

Pour caramel over partially baked brownie; spread to edges. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the chocolate chunks and 1/2 cup of the pecans. Drop remaining brownie batter by small spoonfuls onto caramel layer. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup chocolate chunks and 1/2 cup pecans.

Bake 33 to 36 minutes longer or until center is almost set. Cool 1 hour at room temperature. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour before serving. For brownies, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows. Store covered at room temperature.
Recipes from Betty Crocker

HONEY GLAZED HAM & ORANGE CRANBERRY SAUCE!

HONEY GLAZED HAM

We made this for my great grandson’s birthday party a couple weeks ago. It was one of the best hams I have ever had.

INGREDIENTS:

Glaze

1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup coarsely chopped peeled fresh ginger
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup whiskey
zest of 1 orange
1stick cinnamon
5 whole cloves
1 star anise
1 clove garlic crushed

Ham & Pineapple

2 whole carrots peeled and cut into large chunks
2 stalks celery cut into large chunks
1 whole orange, cut into 4 wedges
1 smoked cured ham, about 10 pounds, at room temperature
1 4 1/2 pound pineapple, peeled, quartered lengthwise, cored, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices I was lazy and used canned pineapple.

DIRECTIONS:

Combine the honey, vinegar, ginger, mustard, brown sugar, whiskey, orange zest, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, star anise and garlic in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Remove from the heat and steep for 5 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl; discard the solids.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the carrots, celery, onion and orange wedges in the bottom of a roasting pan and set the ham on top of the cut vegetables.

Brush some of the glaze over the ham to coat entirely and generously.

Tent the ham with foil. Bake until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the ham registers 140 degrees F, brushing with the glaze every 20 minutes, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. The glaze should be golden and caramelized and the ham should be fully heated through.


Remove the roasting pan from the oven and allow the ham to rest for 10 minutes. Transfer the ham to a carving board. Strain any pan drippings into a small bowl and skim off any excess oil.

Preheat the broiler. Place the pineapple slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Brush some of the glaze over the pineapple. Broil until the pineapple is tender and golden brown basting pineapple with juices, about 10 minutes.

Holding the ham in place with a carving fork, cut the ham into about 1/4-inch-thick slices and arrange on a platter.

Arrange the pineapple slices around the ham. Serve with the reserved pan drippings and any remaining glaze and enjoy.
Recipe from Curtis Stone

ORANGE CRANBERRY SAUCE

I like cranberry sauce with my ham. Okay, after nearly 56 years of cooking, my search for the "definitive" cranberry sauce recipe is over! This recipe is fantastic!! This is the best cranberry sauce I have ever had! I used to just resort to canned because I never seemed to be able to make a "good" cranberry sauce.

INGREDIENTS:

12 ounces cranberries
1 cup white sugar
1 cup orange juice

DIRECTIONS:

In a medium sized saucepan over medium heat, dissolve the sugar in the orange juice. Stir in the cranberries and cook until the cranberries start to pop (about 10 minutes). Remove from heat and place sauce in a bowl. Cranberry sauce will thicken as it cools.
Recipe from Toni

INNER PEACE!

I'm passing this on because it worked for me today. A Doctor on TV said to have inner peace we should always finish things we start & we all could use more calm in our lives. I looked around my house to find things I'd started & hadn't finished, so I finished off a bottle of Merlot, a bottle of Chardonnay, a bodle of Baileys, a butle of wum, tha mainder of Valiuminun scriptins, an a box a chocletz. Yu haf no idr how fablus I feel rite now. Sned this to all who need inner piss. An telum u luvum...

MY DAY WITH PRETZELS & THE WINNER IS!

See I didn't forget to pick a winner for the Tobacco Leaves & it is about time I did this!

The winner is Becca's Dirt.

PRETZEL TURTLES

Quick and easy turtle candies! Mini pretzels, caramel covered chocolate candies, and pecans make up this delicious treat.

INGREDIENTS:

20 small mini pretzels
20 Rollo candy pieces
20 pecan halves

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).

Arrange the pretzels in a single layer on a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Place one Rollo on each pretzel.

Bake for 4 minutes.

While the candy is warm, press a pecan half onto each candy covered pretzel. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

SWEET PRETZEL STACKS

Easy! The hardest part is sharing them! For a nuttier confection, use 1/2 cup of peanuts. Good way to use up leftover condensed milk & pretzels.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups crushed pretzels
1/4 cup peanuts
2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

In a large mixing bowl combine pretzels and peanuts. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan mix together condensed milk, chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Cook over low heat stirring constantly until chips are melted (about 5 minutes).

Remove pan from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Pour saucepan mixture over the pretzel/peanut mixture and stir until thoroughly coated.

Drop by rounded teaspoons onto waxed paper or foil. Cool (or chill) until firm. Store in covered container in cool place (or in

CARAMEL PRETZEL NUT POPCORN

This is a very good holiday treat that my kids can't get enough of. It combines the sweetness of caramel with the saltiness of pretzels, nuts and popcorn. There is no mess because it is mixed in a large throw-away brown bag!"

INGREDIENTS:

8 cups broken salted pretzels
20 cups popped popcorn
4 cups dry roasted peanuts
3 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups butter
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large paper grocery bag
Pam vegetable spray

DIRECTIONS:

Place the pretzels, popcorn and peanuts into a large paper bag sprayed with the Pam, Set aside.

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, and butter. Cook, stirring to melt the butter and dissolve the sugar, until the mixture comes to a boil. Once the mixture is at a full boil, continue to cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove from the heat, and stir in the salt, vanilla, and baking soda. The mixture will foam up when you add the soda, so use a long spoon to stir.

Immediately pour the sugar mixture over the popcorn and pretzels in the bag. Shake until evenly coated.

For a crispier treat, boil the sugar mixture longer, or bake the finished mix in the oven at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 10 minutes.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & JALAPENO CHRISTMAS COOKIES!

I'm inviting all my Blogging friends to join me in returning to the traditional greeting of "MERRY CHRISTMAS" instead of the politically correct "Happy Holidays"!! If you agree with me, please re-post this message.....MERRY CHRISTMAS! We need Christ back into our lives
GOD IS WELCOME IN MY HOUSE。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */________/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門｜ •
... If God is also welcome in your House re post this -- Keep CHRIST in CHRISTmas!

I for one, am sick & tired of others telling me what is politically correct to say. There wouldn't be any holiday without the birth of CHRIST.
So as always I will continue to say "Merry Christmas" not Happy Holidays!
I will also call my tree a Christmas Tree not a holiday tree.

CRANBERRY JALAPENO COOKIES

These are really good and look so festive.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all-purpose flour
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup white vinegar
3 jalapeno peppers, chopped
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
12 ounces fresh cranberries
Confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Place flour in bowl of food processor. With processor running, drop in chunks of the cream cheese and butter. Process until dough is formed.

(Alternatively, mix the cream cheese and butter in a large mixing bowl by hand or with electric beater. Slowly blend in flour until dough is formed.)

Wrap dough in wax paper or plastic wrap. Chill for at least one hour. While the dough is freezing, make the cranberry mixture. Place the water and vinegar in a 3-quart saucepan. Bring to a boil and let boil 5 minutes. Add the jalapeno peppers and the sugar. Return to a boil and let boil 5 minutes. Mix in the cranberries. Return to a boil and let boil 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour onto jelly roll pan. Chill for at least one hour.

Pre-heat oven to 350 F. Dust your work surface with confectioners' sugar. Working with a small chunk of dough, roll dough to about 1/4" thick. Cut dough into 2" squares. You can re-use the dough scraps.

Place dough squares on cookie sheet sprayed with vegetable oil spray (do not *grease* the pan or you'll have a real mess!). Put about 1 teaspoon cranberry-jalapeno relish in the center of each dough square. Bring 2 corners of the dough-square up and seal well.

Bake 12 minutes. If cookies unfold during baking, press them back into shape while warm.

Remove to a baking rack to cool completely. Dust lightly with confectioners' sugar.
Recipe from christmas-cookies.com

IN MEMORY

A year ago today my oldest grandchild was shot & killed.
It has been a very hard year on me trying to understand this senseless killing.
To top it off I have been trying to put up a brave front for my daughter, David's brother, sister and 2 sons.

That was a big mistake and it finally got the best of me.

David's death left a big void in my life as he lived with me and I loved him so much, as did everyone else.

Now when I think of David a smile comes to my heart before tears to my eyes.

I realized I needed help and that is where I have been. I thank everyone who wrote & emailed me showing their concern. It helped me through this so much. A big shout out goes to Linda & Johnty.

Please remember David in your prayers.

MILLION DOLLAR PIE & HERSHEY CORN FLAKE BARS!

GARAGE SALE!

Tomorrow is the Divine Mercy’s youth sale. It is held in the school’s gym and is always chock full of goodies.
The nice thing about this big sale is everything is separated into categories, so you only have to go to the area you are interested in.
I have always came away with a big haul and the youth carry it out to your car.
My granddaughter Malinda is also having a garage sale, but know I don’t want anything from her. She is getting rid of baby stuff and little girl’s clothes.
Next week is Faribault’s city wide sale. I love going to garage sales, especially when I find some good buys. I then sell my finds on ebay.
What are some of the best things you have found at a garage sale?

MILLION DOLLAR PIEA delicious, sinfully creamy dessert that makes them cry for more. The perfect summertime treat!"

INGREDIENTS:

1 largest Cool Whip
1 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. fresh lemon juice
1 med. crushed pineapple, drained
1 can condensed Eagle Brand milk
2 graham crackers crusts
Some grated lemon rind

DIRECTIONS:

Empty Cool Whip, drained pineapple, chopped pecans in large mixing bowl. Add Eagle Brand milk and fresh lemon juice to above ingredients. Stir well. Mixture will thicken. Pour into 2 graham cracker crusts and place in refrigerator to chill for about 1-2 hours before serving.


HERSHEY CORN FLAKE BARS
INGREDIENTS:

3/4 c. dark Karo corn syrup
1 c. chunky peanut butter
4 Hershey chocolate bars
3/4 c. white sugar
3 c. corn flakes, crushed

DIRECTIONS:

In a saucepan, heat the corn syrup and the sugar until bubbly and melted. Remove from heat and stir in the peanut butter until melted. Mix the warm ingredients with the crushed corn flakes and spread into a 9x13 inch cake pan.

Place the Hershey bars on top of the corn flake mix and allow to melt for several minutes. Spread the warmed chocolate uniformly across the top of the bar mixture.
This recipe is not compatible with any weight loss diet and will result in an immediate will power collapse.