Jasmine and her new best friend...

Well, yesterday I wasn't ever able to post the pictures of Jasmine and Mattie...we will see how it goes today...

Here are Jasmine and Mattie posing together...

Mattie and Jasmine playing with toys...Jasmine loved this toy of Mattie's but she could hardly even walk with it because it was way too big for her.

Here is their favorite game. Jasmine would stand up like this at Mattie's face and Mattie would push her off...sometimes Jasmine would end up in a roll on the floor but she loved it!

Just chillin'

I just had to add this picture...Jasmine can run so fast! (Mattie is hiding behind the dinning room chairs). Last night I had been playing with Jasmine and all of the sudden she started running, like you can see below, all around the house. Grandma just laughed and said, 'it's like she is a wind up toy!"...that explains it well.

The last few days..

For the last few days I have been staying at my aunt and uncle's house in town. Jasmine loved it because their dog enjoyed her and they got to play together alot...see pictures below. I spent lots of time studying (I feel like I am in college again) flight attendant stuff. And watching the snow fall...also see picture below.

Jasmine does not like going out in the snow...

This is out in the back yard under the deck...



Here is the deck that looks out over a really pretty view...which you can't see because of the fog.Well...blogger tells me that I have to get off so more pictures to come!!!

Fruit Crisp

1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 butter or magarine

Soften butter, mix all ingredients together. Put fruit, 6 medium apples,10 medium peaches in baking dish pour dry ingredients over the top. I alsouse canned pie fillings and just reduce the cooking time a little. Bake at 350, 40 to 45 minutes. Serve warm with some vanilla ice cream makes a great dessert.

Pray...

Please be praying for this family in their loss... News feed

Here is a link to a recent interview they held with their adoption agency.

Grandma's Apple Turnovers...

Yummy...I just ate a yummy apple turnover that Grandma G made...here is the recipe...or the best I could get out of her.

Well, here you see, you take a can o' those there biscuits you can buy at the store. That's the nice thing about it see, their real easy to make and all. So, I took some dried apples (the sliced up ones) and cooked up to soften them. Just put some water and 'em dried apples in a pot on the stove and cook 'em 'till their soft. Then just take the biscuits out o' the can and roll 'em out...not too thin though. Then I put some splenda in the apples to sweeten' them a bit. Spoon the apples onto the biscuits and fold it over (put the apples on one side and fold it over like a hoggie sandwich sort of). Then just put some oil on a cookie sheet and put 'em on there, oil the top of 'em and stick 'em in the oven for a while at 425. (they are golden brown)

Yep...there you have it. They are really good!

Family Pictures...

While all of my family was in Jackson over Christmas, we got a chance to have some family pictures taken... I just got a few of them today!

Here are my awesome parents...And here are my parents, me and my three sisters...Kara, me, Letha, Hannah.Here are mom and dad, otherwise known as , Umma and Babu...with the grandkids...Wesley, Isaiah, Bria, Tirza and Sahara...Here is the whole clan...

A baby shower...

On saturday I got to go to my cousin, Leah's baby shower for her newest little girl. Here are some pictures of the event! Here is little Maleah...

Here she is with her grandma...my aunt Julie.

And here is her momma, my cousin Leah with her big sister Gracie...

Hey everybody...

As you can see I am seriously lacking in the dinner department...this is a problem. I would be posting more but my cookbook is in Jackson...won't you send me some good food recipes!?!?

Getting to know Longview...

Well, I spent most of Friday getting to know the town of Longview, Washington. Since my car is still in Jackson, Tennessee, it wasn't much help to me. So, I got to know the bus system around here. I have to say that it is much nicer than the one I left in Jackson! Here is a picture of what my view is like from the bus stop...

That is Ocean Beach Highway...we didn't have any roads with names like that in Jackson...we were landlocked. notice the sky in the picture...that's right, you can't see it. That is what it has looked like since I got here. I think I will be missing the sun really soon! Here is Jasmine waiting patiently in her carrier...

She likes being in her carrier when she chooses to go in there on her own...but when I make her go in there she worries. Since she spent an entire day on Wednesday in there, I don't blame her.

Well, that's all for now...a post about my cousin's baby shower is coming soon.

My new room...

I got into Longview last night so I have been working on getting settle in at my Grandma's house. I will be staying here for a while until I get figured out where I will be working and living...here are some pictures of my new living space.

Here is my bed...

And here is the view from my window beside my bed...I have organized and cleaned stuff up since I took this picture, so imagine it without the suitcase and stuff all over the floor...

Family

Well, this is a bit late in coming but for the last few weeks everyone in my family was together in Jackson, TN. We had a good time with everyone together for Christmas...those pictures are on my computer that I had to leave in Jackson so maybe someday I'll post those. For now, some random shots and some catfish cabin pictures will have to do.
Here are Sahara, Bria and Tirza after getting their faces painted...it looks like Bria already washed hers off.

Bria at Catfish Cabin...Kara made Indian food for everyone...yum!Tirza loves my new boots...All the kids watching a movie...I guess Tirza was busy with something else when I took this picture.Wesley is serious about watching tv...We take up a big table at Catfish Cabin...it is SO good!
Isaiah and his fake grin...

Peanut Butter Rudolph Reindeer Cookies

1/2 c unsalted butter, softened
3/4 c peanut butter
1/3 c granulated sugar
1/3 c packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
48 large M&M candies
96 mini semisweet chocolate chips
Pretzels, broken into 96 1-inch pieces

Heat oven to 375 and place rack in center. Grease two baking sheets. Beat together all ingredients except candies, chocolate chips and pretzels. Roll into 1 inch balls and place 1 inch apart on prepared sheets.
Bake, one sheet at a time, until just set and bottoms are golden, 8-10 minutes. For each cookie, immediately place 1 M&M in center for nose, 2 chocolate chips for eyes and 2 pretzel pieces on top for antlers. Transfer cookies on sheets to wire rack and let cool completely.

Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallow Sandwiches

1 c flour
1/2 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
4 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 c unsalted butter
1 1/2 c sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 c red and white sprinkles
Peppermint Marshmallow

In medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, adn salt; set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt together chocolate and butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Let stand until cool, about 20 minutes. Stir in sugar and extract until combined. Stir in eggs until combined well. Add flour mixture andn stir until a soft dough forms. Roll cookies into 3/4 inch balls. Dip tops in sprinkles and place, coated side up, 1 inch apart on prepared sheet. Bake at 325 until set but not firm to the touch, 10-13 minutes. Cool on rack completely.

Meanwhile, prepare Peppermint marshmallow.
Transfer half to a large decorating bag fitted with a 1/2 inch plain tip or coupler. Pipe mounds, about 1/2 inch high, on flat side of half of the cookies. Top with remaining cookies, making sandwiches.

Peppermint Marshmallow:

1 packet unflavored gelatin
1/3 c cold water
1 c sugar
2 oz peppermint candies, very finely crushed (1/3 c)
Red liquid food coloring

In a large mixer bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let stand until softened, about five minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1/4 c water. Stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Brush down sugar crystals on sides of pan. Place a candy thermometer into mixture. Boil (do not stir) until syrup registers 238F (soft ball stage), about 10 minutes, Pour into gelatin.
Beat galatin mixture until slightly cooled, about 5 minutes. Increase speed and beat to soft peeks, about 12 minutes. Stir in candy until combined. Tint with food coloring. Use immediately.

Sides

Grean bean/Corn Casserole
Veranda Fruit Salad
Fresh Spinach Salad
Easy Broccoli Salad
Stir Fried Broccoli
Copper Penny Carrots

Tandoori Chicken

2 chickens, cut as desired

Remove skin from chicken and cube with a mixture of 1/2 Tbsp garlic and ginger minced.

Add Tandoori Masala (about 200 grams). Rub into chicken as well.

Then mix 200-250 ml yogurt, 1/2 c lemon juice, dash of chili, 2-3 T oil, 1/2 can tomato paste.
Mix all well together.

Marinate overnight or for several hours.

Makes a LOT of marinade.

Easy Cheesy Manicotti

1 (8 oz) pkg Manicotti (uncooked)
1 (16 oz) ctn. cottage cheese (or ricotta)
2 c (8oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 c grated parmesan cheese (divided)
1 egg
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 (28 oz) jar spaghetti sauce
1/2 c very hot water

Mix cheeses (using 1/4 cup of the parmesan), egg, salt, and pepper in large bowl. Put 1 1/2 cups of the spaghetti sauce in 9x13 inch pan. Fill raw manicotti with cheese filling. Pour hot water over the top of noodles then cover with remaining spaghetti sauce and sprinkle the remaining 1/4 of the parmesan cheese over the top. Seal VERY tightly with foil (this allows the noodles to cook while it is baking). Bake at 350 for one hour or until noodles are tender. Makes 4 to 5 servings.

Oven Porcupines

1 lb ground beef
1/2 c uncooked regular rice
1/2 c water
1/3 c chopped onion
1 t salt
1/2 t celery salt
1/8 t garlic powder
1/8 t pepper

1 can tomato sauce (15 oz)
1 c water
2 tsp worcestershire

Heat oven to 350. Mix meat, rice, 1/2 c water, the onions, salt, garlic powder and pepper. Shape mixtures by rounded tablespoonfuls into balls. Place meatballs in ungreased baking dish 8x8x2 inches. Stir together remaining ingredients; pour over meatballs. Cover with aluminum foil; bake 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 15 minutes longer. Serves 4-6.

Butterfinger Cake

1 pecan cake mix
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tub cool whip
1 butterfinger candy bar

Make you cake mix just like the box says. Poke holes all over your cake with the end of a wooden spoon. Pour s. c. milk in the holes. Let cake cool completely. Then spread your cool whip on top of the cake. Sprinkle the Butterfinger candy bar over the cool whip. Refrigerate and serve.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

4 c water
20 oz frozen chopped broccoli
1 c chopped onion
2 c cubed potatoes
1 c chopped celery
4 chicken bouillon cubes
1 lb Velveeta, cubed
2 cans cream of chicken soup

Cook broccoli, onion, potatoes and celery in water until crisp tender. Add bouillon and stir to dissolve. Add Velveeta and soup. Continue to cook until Velveeta melts.

Green bean/Corn Casserole

1 c french style green beans, drained
1 pkg. frozen shoe peg corn, cooked and drained
1 can cream of celery soup
1/2 c sour cream
1/2 c chopped onion
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c chedder cheese
1/2 c sliced almonds
1 stick butter
1 stack Ritz

Mix corn and green beans in sprayed casserole. Combine next five ingredients and put on top. Make topping with almonds, butter and Ritz. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

Indian Curry

1/3 c ghee or oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 c chopped onions
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 T cumin seeds
1 tsp sugar
1 1/2 T tumeric
3 T curry powder
1/4 tsp red chili powder
1 piece cinnamon stick
1 tsp paprika
1 chicken (deboned, precooked, cut up)
1 1/2-2 c canned tomatoes (400-450 grams)
3-4 c chicken (or beef) broth
1 T corn starch
1/4 c water

Heat ghee or oil in large pan until hot. Add mustard seeds-oil should be hot enough for seeds to 'pop'. Add onions and garlic and begin to saute. Add other spices and all other ingredients. Cook until slightly thickened. Serve with rice and nan bread.

Maandazis

2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
3 T sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 c milk

Mix all ingredients. Drop by rounded tablespoonfulls into hot oil and fry until golden, turning when lower side is brown. Serve with powdered sugar or honey.

Spicy Crackers

1 package Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
1 c salad oil
1/2 tsp lemon pepper
1/2 tsp garlic pepper
1 box crackers (200 grams)

Mix all ingredients except crackers. Place crackers in single layer on baking sheet with rim. Pour oil mixture over crackers in pan until coated. Bake at 250 for 35 minutes or until crunchy.

Remove from pan and cool on paper towels.

Granola

4 c oatmeal
1/2 c brown sugar
3/4 c wheat germ
1 c shredded coconut (or 1/2 c for less calories)
1/3 c sesame seeds
1 c peanuts, chopped
1/2 c vegetable oil
1/2-3/4 c honey
1-1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Heat oats in ungreased pan at 350 for 10 minutes. Mix all ingredients. Bake at 300 for 30-45 minutes. Stir occassionally. Let cool. Break up and store until snacky!

Cream of Tomato Soup

2 T butter or margarine
3 T flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/3 tsp peper
2 c milk
1 can tomatoes (28 oz)
1 T minced onion
1/4 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 bay leaf
1 whole clove
pinch of soda

Melt butter in top of double boiler or heavy saucepan. Stir in flour, 1-1 1/2 tsp salt and pepper. Slowly add milk, cook, stirring constantly until smooth and thickened.

In another saucepan, combine tomatoes, onion, celery seed, salt, sugar, bay leaf and whole clove. Simmer uncovered, 5 minutes. Remove bay leaf and clove. put through blender. Stir in soda. Mix in tomato mixture into milk mixture. Heat together.

Chicken Curry

4-6 T shortening
3-4 T curry powder
chicken (stewed and deboned)
1 large onion, chopped
juice of 1 small lemon
2-3 T sugar
salt to taste
red pepper, if desired
2-2 1/2 cups canned tomatoes
1-2 c milk

In large frying pan, heat enough shortening to deep fry the onions. When onions are brown, add 3 T curry powder adn 1 T shortening. Mix well. Add chicken, curry powder, lemon juice, sugar, sald and red pepper. Add tomatoes. When tomatoes are soft, add 1 cup milk. Cover pan and simmer for 2 hours. Add additional milk for consistency.

Texas Hash

3 onion, sliced
1 large green pepper, sliced
3 T oil
1 lb mixed beef
2 c cooked tomatoes
1/2 c raw rice
1 tsp American chilli powder

Cook onion and pepper in oil until onions are yellow. Add meat and cook until meat falls apart. Stir in remaining ingredients. Pour into greased 20- quart baking dish.

Cover and bake 1 hour at 350. Remove lid for last 15 minutes.

Verandah Fruit Salad

5 tart apples
1 large stalk celery
1 c english walnuts
1 c whipped cream, whipped
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cinnamon
2 T sugar
1/2 c shredded toasted coconut

Dice first three items. Mix with whipped cream. Stir in lemon juice, cinnamon and sugar. Add toasted coconut.

Note: Instead of 1 c whipped cream and sugar, you can substitute 1 package, dream whip.

Fresh Spinach Salad

Salad:
1 lb fresh spinach, washed and torn in chunks
4 oz water chesnuts, drained and sliced
2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
5 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled

Dressing:
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c vinegar
1 c oil
2 T Worcestershire sauce
1/3 c ketchup
1 medium onion, grated

Combine salad ingredients well. Mix dressing and pour desired amount over salad and toss well. Serves 6

Sweet Treats

Layered Brownie Bites
Comforting Cookies
Creamy Chocolate Fudge
Peanut Butter Squares
Brownies
Snickerdoodles
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Reeses Peanut Butter Bars

Fruity

Limuru Pear Pie
Raw Apple Cake
Banana Fritters

Easy Broccoli Salad

1 c sour cream
2 T vinegar
1/2 c mayonaise
1 tsp salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
fresh broccoli
fresh cauliflower
fresh tomatoes

Mix sour cream, vinegar, mayo, salt, and garlic. Refrigerate overnight. Pour over mixed, cut up veges.

Stir Fried Broccoli

1/2 c chicken broth
1 tsp cornstarch
2 T soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
3 T oil
1/2 c sliced onion
1 lb broccoli, (cut)

Combine broth, cornstarch and soy sauce and set aside. Heat oil in skillet adn cook onions until golden. Add brocolli and stir fry for 3 minutes. Add sauce and cook 1 minute or until sauce clears.

Condensed Soup Substitute

3 T butter or margarine
3 T flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 c milk

Melt butter or margarine in heavy saucepan. Blend in flour and salt, cooking and stirring constantly until bubbly. Using wire wisk, stir in milk. Cook just until smooth and thickened. Makes slightly over one cup. About a 10 oz can.

Cheese soup:
1/2 c grated cheese
1/4 tsp dry mustard

Tomato soup:
Use Tomato soup as liquid add a dash of garlic salt, onion salt, basil, and oregano.

Mushroom soup:
1 T chopped onion
1/4 c chopped mushroom in margarie before adding flour

Celery soup:
Saute 1/ c chopped celery and 1 T chopped onion in margarine before adding flour

Onion soup:
Saute 1 large (chopped) onion in 1 to 2 T butter or margarine and add to thicken sauce

Chicken soup:
Use chicken broth or bouillion for half liquid
1/3 tsp poultry seasoning
diced cooked chicken

Copper Penny Carrots

4 c sliced carrots
1 medium onion, sliced into rings
1 bell pepper, sliced into rings
1 can condensed tomato soup
1/2 c sugar
5 tsp mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Cook carrots and cool. Layer vegetables in bowl. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over vegetables. Marinate overnight.

Burrito Supreme

6 flour tortillas (8")
2 c refried beans (16 oz can)
1 c sour cream (8 oz)
1 c shredded cheddar cheese (4 oz)
1 c salsa or taco sauce (8 oz)
3 1/2 oz olives (optional)

Spread all toppins on tortillas. Roll and putt on serving plate. Cover with wax paper. Microwave on high 4 minutes or until hot. Also in conventional oven, cover and bake at 350 until heated through.

Bean Salad

1 can green beans (400 g)
1 can pinto beans (400 g)
1 can white beans (400 g)
chopped onion, if desired
chopped green pepper, also optional
1/2 c vinegar
3/4 c sugar
1/4 c oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp celery salt (optional)

Drain and mix all beans with onion and pepper. Blend all other ingredients and pour over bean mixture. Seal bowl and turn upside down occassionally to coat beans. Chill at least 12 hours.

Sloppy Joes for a crowd

2 kilos minced beef
4 medium onions
2 T oil
1 3/4 c tomato paste
3 1/4 c water
4 T lemon juice
4 T vinegar
3 T Worcestershire Sauce
1/4 c brown sugar, heaping
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp tabasco sauce
2 tsp garlic salt
2 tsp mustard

Brown meat and onions in oil. Brown well then add remaining ingredients. Cook 20-30 minutes. Serves 12-15. (tastes better the longer it cooks) Serve with Dinner Rolls.

Juicy Meat Loaf

1 lb ground beef
2/3 c milk
1/3 c rolled oats
1/4 c finely chopped onion
1 tsp salt
1 T shortening

Mix all ingredients together (keep shortening aside). Shape into loaf with wet hands and place in greased loaf pan or casserole dish. Dot top with shortening. Bake at 350 for about 1 hour or cooked through.

Pancake Mix

12 c flour
2 T salt
3/4 c baking powder
3/4 c sugar
4 c powdered milk

Combine well. Store in airtight container. Does not need refridgeration.

To make pancakes:

1 1/2 c pancake mix
2 T melted shortening
1 c water
1 egg, beaten

Combine all ingredients and beat until smooth. Bake on hot griddle. (This is also excellent to use for waffles)

Crepes

2 eggs
1 1/2 c milk
1 T cooking oil
1/4 tsp salt
1 c flour

Combine all ingredients.

Heat a lightly greased skillet. Remove from heat and spoon 2 T of batter into skillet, tilting skillet to spread batter evenly. Return to heat and brown lightly. Serve with topping such as strawberries, bananas, chocolate syrup, cool whip, etc.

Reeses Peanut Butter Bars

1 c peanut butter
1 c butter
2 c powdered sugar
2 c chocolate chips (or any other chocolate you want to use)

Melt peanut butter and butter in a medium pan. Once melted add powdered sugar and mix well, it will be lumpy for a while...just keep mixing. Once mixer is smooth pour into pan (use whatever size you want, the smaller the pan the thicker the bars will be) I put wax paper in the pan first to help get the bars out later. Place the peanut butter mixer in the pan into the fridge to harden. Melt chocolate, once melted take out peanut butter mixer and pour chocolate on top. Smooth over and place back in fridge. Let harden. Once hard, cut into squares.

Dinner Rolls

1/4 c warm water
1 T active dry yeast
pinch of sugar
1 c milk
1/4 c shortening
1/4 c sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
4 to 4 1/2 c flour

Dissolve yeast and sugar in water. Scald milk, shortening, sugar and milk; then cool to luke warm (works well in microwave). Add yeast mixture and mix. Add the egg and mix well; then add flour. This will be a very soft dough, may be too soft to knead on a wooden board. Beat the dough with a wooden spoon unitl smooth and elastic.

Place in a greased bowl and turn once to coat top. Rise till double. Punch down and shape.

Place on greased pan or baking sheet. Cover and allow to rise until light and almost double. Back at 375 until golden brown.

Raw Apple Cake

1 c raisins
1/4 c water
2 T vinegar
1/2 c shortening
2 eggs
2 c sugar
4 c diced apples, sprinkled with salt
2 c flour
2 tsp soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 c chopped nuts

Boil raisins in water and vinegar. Stir until they take up all the water. Let cool before using.

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and beat. Add apples and raisins. Mix dry ingredients and add to batter. Beat well. Needs no liquid. Bake in loaf pan at 350 for 45 minutes.

High Altitude German Chocolate Cake

4 oz German chocolate or Bournville chocolate bars
1/2 c boiling water
3/4 c butter
1 3/4 c sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 3/4 c flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
1 c buttermilk

Melt chocolate in boiling water and cool. Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs one at a time and beat well after each. Add melted chocolate and vanilla and blend well. Sift flour, salt and soda together. Add flour mixture to batter alternately with buttermilk, beating after each addition.

Pour batter into 3 cake pans lined on bottom with wax paper. Bake 30 to 35 minutes at 375.

Pumpkin Pie (homemade)

2 eggs
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 T flour
1/4 tsp ginger
3/4 c (6 oz) evaporated milk
1 c cooked pumpkin
1 unbaked pie shell

Combine all ingredients. Mix well and pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake at 400 for 50 minutes.

Layered Brownie Bites:

Cook a 9X13 pan of brownies and cool completely.
Spread on 1 can of frosting - I didn't quite use the whole can.

3/4 c salted peanuts, chopped
3 c rice krisipie cereal
1 c creamy peanut butter
1 bag semisweet chocolate chips

Sprinke frosting with peanuts. Measure cereal into a bowl. In a saucepan, melt peanut butter and chocolate chips over low heat, stirring constantly. Pour over cereal in bowl, stirring til coated evenly. Spread over frosted brownies.

Refrig about 30 min or until set before cutting. Store in frig.

Pie crust

Double 9 inch pie crust:

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3/4 salt
2/3 c solid shortening
1/3 ice-cold water, (approx)

Mix together flour and salt, cut in shortening. Use a fork to mix in water 1 T at a time. Roll out and transfer to pie pan.

Single 9 inch pie crust:

1 1/4 c all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c solid shortening
1/4 ice-cold water, (approx)

Lumuru Pear Pie

6 large pears (softish)
3/4 c sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 T flour
2 T butter
Pastry for 2 crust pie

Prepare pastry. Peel, core and slice pears. Mix sugar, cinnamon and flour then mix with pears. Pour into pie shell. Dot with butter. Cover with top crust. Cut slits all over top crust to allow steam to escape. Bake at 425 for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

Comforting Cookies

2 c veg. oil
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 c brown sugar, packed
2 c sugar
4 c all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
4 c cornflakes, coursely crushed
1 1/2 c quick oats
12 oz chocolate chips

I just throw it all in a bowl and combine it but the real directions go like this...Combine oil, eggs, vanilla. Add sugars; mix well. In seperate bowl combine flour, soda, salt. Add to sugar mixture, beating until blended. Stir in cornflakes, oats, chocolate chips. Drop by tablespoonfulls, 3 inches apart. Back at 350 for 9-10 minutes. Yield: 9 dozen

Creamy Chocolate Fudge (the best ever)

1/2 c cream cheese (4 oz)
1 T cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp cooking oil, for greasing (optional)
1/2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 T butter
wax paper

Mix together cream cheese, cocoa powder and powdered sugar in a bowl. Melt chocolate chips and butter. Stir in a Tblspoon of the cream cheese mixture. Stir it all together then put it into the pan with the wax paper lining. Smooth top and put into the fridge to cool and harden. Cut into squares and serve.

Sahara

My niece Sahara, who is seven...gave me this note tonight:

Peanut Butter Squares

1 c flour
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 c margarine (or butter, or oil)
1/3 c peanut butter
1 egg
1 c quick cooking oats
1 c chocolate chips

Mix well all ingredients except chocolate chips and press into a 13x9 greased pan. Mixture will be dry but will press in easily. If too dry, it will crumble and not stay together in squares. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

Sprinkel chocolate chips on top to allow to melt. Then spread with icing.

Icing:
1/2 c icing sugar
1/4 c peanut butter
3-5 T milk
Beat all ingredients together until spreading consistency is obtained.

Brownies

1/2 c margarine
2 eggs
1 c sugar
pinch of salt
3/4 c sifted flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
5 T cocoa
1 c nuts (optional but yummy)
1 tsp vanilla

Melt margarine; add sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add salt, flour, baking powder and cocoa and stir together. Then and nuts and vanilla.

Bake on greased 8 inch round or square baking pan at 325 for 25 minutes or until brownies are firm but still moist.

Snickerdoodles

1 c shortening
1 1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 3/4 flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt

2 T sugar
2 T cinnamon

Mix shortening, sugar and eggs. Sift flour (or not, I never sift it), cream of tartar, soda and salt; add to first mixture. Mix well. Form into 1 inch balls and roll in mixture of sugar and cinnamon.
Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Back at 400 for 8 to 10 minutes.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

1 c shortening
1/4 c peanut butter
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c flour
1 tsp soda
2 c rolled oats
1 to 2 c chocolate chips (or 3 large Bournville, chopped)
1 c chopped nuts (optional)

Cream together shortening, peanut butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix flour, soda and salt and add together with rolled oats and chocolate chips. Mix well. Drop by teaspoonfuls on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes.

Banana Fritters

1 1/2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 T powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 c milk
1 egg
3 bananas, mashed and sprinkled with lemon juice
deep pan of oil

Get the oil super hot, drop batter in oil, take out and place on paper towels (or whatever you have to drain the oil out)...eat and enjoy!!!

Anyone made these recently that remembers how you know when they are good and done?

Let's share...

Just for recipes that we all keep asking each other for...send them to me via email and I will post them up here. That way we will all have the great recipes online!

Way behind...

Woh, I cannot believe how long it has been since I posted. I have been staying busy with ALL of my family being here in town. My parents came, then Kara and David, Wesley and Isaiah came the day before Christmas Eve...so since then we have been kicking family time into high gear. More to come later...lots of pictures...for now, I am off to bed!