Fifty-Nifty Recipes....Giant Fiberglass Pineapple

We will continue our tour...making a stop in Maryland.  Maryland looks absolutely beautiful!  The above picture is of Baltimore's Inner Harbor.  I read that there is plenty of shopping, eating, and a very cool aquarium.  If the city is not for you then you could visit Susquehanna State Park (pictured below).  Hike, camp, or you could take a picnic lunch and enjoy the scenery!

Lots of  Maryland recipes involved lobster, clams, crab...I decided on a crab dip.  This would also be a good recipe for those football parties!

Crab Dip

Ingredients

• 11 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 5 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 2 (6 ounce) cans crab meat, drained and flaked
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 (1 pound) loaf round, crusty Italian bread

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, onion, mayonnaise, crab meat, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Spread mixture into a 1 quart baking dish.
3. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. While the dip is baking, cut a circle in the top of the bread, and scoop out the inside to create a bread bowl. Tear the removed bread into pieces for dipping.
4. Remove baked crab dip from the oven, and stir well. Spoon the mixture into the hollowed out loaf. Place bread bowl and chunks of bread on a medium baking sheet, and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Serve hot.      

         

Curious about what kind of house Edgar Allen Poe lived in or his graves?  Yes, that was graves...plural.  What about seeing a giant fiberglass pineapple or a tiny church...10x12 feet?  Then there is always the story of the three lead coffins....Maryland has it all and more!

 A few years ago my family took a vacation west.  Knowing we were going to have an extremely long drive, I searched for unique stops along the way... Google Roadside America...it provided several memories.  Most of the time they were small stops so we could take some pictures and stretch our legs....but it was fun.  Check out the site to see what might be in your area.

Thanks for stopping by!

Facebook fan page

Just wanted to let you all know that I have just started a Facebook fan page.  I will be sharing some cool links with you, some family activity ideas, crafts, and, of course, more recipes.    Just look for "Sweet Tea and a Rocking Chair."  Thanks, and I will see you there...Just keep scrolling down...I've posted several new things!

Hope you have a super day....

Fifty-Nifty...The Carolinas

Dear Sweet Tea and a Rocking Chair,

I would like to share a little local place for SC. It is actually just a little more than a roadside stand on steroids. It is called Windy Hill Orchard (www.windyhillorchard.com). It is the only cider press in the area, and is full of charm. Family run, they specialize in tours for preschool & up led by Johnny Appleseed (with a Christian emphasis). It is great!! Also one of the greatest things about living in the Carolinas is that a trip to the ocean or to the mountains is only a day trip!!

Have a great day,

Valerie

I asked my college friend Valerie to help out with the Carolinas.  She has lived in both states...so she is just the right person to give us a taste of her part of America.  These recipes sound delicious.

SOUTH CAROLINA--BANANA PUDDING

Ingredients:
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. corn starch
3 eggs, separated
1 can evaporated milk + enough regular milk to make 2 cups
1 tsp. vanilla
3 ripe bananas (more or less depending on size)
Vanilla wafers
6 Tbsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. Cream of Tartar

Directions:
Cover the bottom and sides of a 2 quart casserole dish with vanilla wafers; cover the wafers with a layer of banana slices (be sure you have enough banana left to cover the top of the filling).

In a heavy sauce pan, mix together the sugar and corn starch. Add egg yolks and milk. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low and continue to stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla. Pour into prepared casserole dish, cover with a layer of bananas, and set aside.

In medium mixing bowl, add the 3 reserved egg whites, 6 Tbsp. sugar and Cream of Tartar. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks form. Cover the pudding with the prepared meringue and place in the oven (350 degrees) until top is golden brown. Allow to fully cool before serving. Refrigerate any leftovers.

NORTH CAROLINA--SWEET POTATO BISCUITS

(As far as the biscuit recipe goes, I don't have one. It took me 20 years to finally make a decent buttermilk biscuit. A friend shared her secret with me, and I swear by it. It has never failed me. I use Southern Biscuit Formula L Restaurant Style Biscuit Mix. I don't even follow the recipe on the bag. I just pour some of the mix into a bowl and add buttermilk. Roll out, cut, place, and bake at 425 for 20 min.)

Southerners love their sweet potato casseroles! Some love the marshmallow topping, and some love the brown sugar/pecan crunchy topping. For this recipe, the leftovers of either kind will do, just remove the topping. You will need at least a cup of the filling, depending on how many biscuits you want to make.

To make sweet potato biscuits (an Eastern North Carolina classic), combine your dry ingredients in a bowl, then add your sweet potato filling and mix-your dough should be a pale orange. Add your liquids, being careful to not add too much--you won't need as much due to the potato filling.

Prepare and bake your biscuits as you normally would. Serve hot out of the oven. My husband likes his with lots of real butter, but honey butter or cinnamon butter are both fantastic as well! Any leftovers can be tightly wrapped and frozen for another time.

 Thought I would put a personal interest on these states.  My love of lighthouses!  I have a collection of them...Valerie, I have a replica of the one that is pictured first. It really makes my family smile when I speak of visiting lighthouses...then I tell them I just want to see them, not go UP in them.  I am terrified of heights!

www.lighthousefriends.com  is a website that I found that has a list of all the states that have lighthouses.  Lots of pictures and some history (hmmm....highlighted to catch my husband's attention...CIVIL WAR HISTORY ON THE SECOND LIGHTHOUSE PICTURED!!!)

Bodie Island, North Carolina

Morris Island, South Carolina

Have a great day and thank you for visiting!

Apple Dump Cake

So easy...an added plus so that you can spend more time out in this beautiful weather...



Apple Dump Cake

1 can apple pie filling
1 box spice cake mix
1 cup melted butter or margaring
1/2 chopped pecans or walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Pour pie filling into a 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle with dry cake mix.  Pour melted butter on top.  Sprinkle with chopped nuts.

Bake about 30-40 minutes.  Enjoy!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...Pit Stop...Rest Area?

I don't know about you...but I am physically tired today.  So, we are taking a pit stop...or if you want we can stop at a rest area.  It is whatever you need today.  Difference?  When I think about a pit stop I think of a fast boost...people helping you to get back "on the road" quickly.  Rest area is slower...quieter.... Both are needed in our lives....I am going to go for the rest area today.  Let's pause from our recipe tour...

Here is our house.  I think of it as my retreat.  Always wanted to live in a log cabin...never thought I would!  The Lord surprised me with this one...

 So thankful for my front porch...helps provide the quiet times that I sometimes need.  It's fun with my family, too....oh, and I must not forget my friends that come to visit...let's see, raccoon, opposum, chipmunks, wild turkey (yes, really)....we have also had a goat visit us.

 Here is my sunset....God is so good!

  One of my favorite Bible verses...

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Isaiah40:31

I will leave you with a simple rest area...or pit stop lunch idea.  When we go on trips we will make wraps (using tortillas) instead of sandwiches.  I do not have to worry about my bread getting crammed between luggage or getting sat on.  Some like just a cream cheese spread with chopped veggies and meat.  Another kind of wrap spread is a mayo salsa mixture and your choice of veggies and meat.  We have even tried a peanut butter and jelly wrap (not a favorite).  Chicken strips are good in them also.  Have some fresh fruit on hand..and some cookies.  You are set to go.  Just remember to keep it simple.  It will give you more time with your family...giving you the time you need also!

Have a wonderful day....thanks for taking a break with me!

Fifty- Nifty Recipes....Wisconsin

The next state on our America recipe tour is Wisconsin.  This is where Maranatha Baptist Bible College is located.  Janet's husband teaches and coaches the Crusaders.  I'm sure that Janet and her husband stay busy....and love what they do!   The history of this college is pretty amazing (www.mbbc.edu/college). 
Janet's family enjoys Wisconsin Cheese Soup  (www.allrecipes.com).  With the weather turning cooler... and a busy schedule this soup sounds wonderful.

Wisconsin Cheese Soup

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons margarine
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 5 button mushrooms, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped ham
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large heavy kettle, melt butter or margarine. Add carrots, celery, onion, green pepper, mushrooms, and ham; cook over medium heat until vegetables are crisp tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Do not brown.
2. Stir in flour and cornstarch; cook, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Add broth and cook, stirring, until slightly thickened. Add milk, paprika, cayenne, and mustard.
3. Stir in cheese gradually, stirring until cheese is melted. To avoid curdling, do not allow soup to boil after cheese is added. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve piping hot.

For dessert we should treat our hosts to a trip to Upper Krust....want a Fudge Pecan Pie, or a Peachy Caramel Crumb Pie....Dutch Apple?  Old Fashioned Custard?  Janet says their pies are very good....too many decisions...but it would be fun trying to decide!

Thanks, Janet, for sharing part of your Wisconsin with us.  I am going to leave a jar of caramel apple jam as a thank you.  Enjoy!
Go to www.tipjunkie.com/jar-homemade-gifts/ to see 48 gift jar ideas...The caramel apple jam recipe is on this site.  Ever thought of baking a pie or cake in a jar...then gifting it?  Learn how here...lots of other fun ideas at this site also!

See you soon!

Fifty-Nifty States... Fall in New Hampshire

 Introducing the Belknap Mill.  Built in 1823 and is the oldest unaltered brick textile mill.  It was also one of the first mills to convert from weaving to knitting during the Civil War.  It is now called the "Official Meetinghouse of New Hampshire."

 New Hampshire also hosts a pumpkin festival each year.  I was pleasantly surprised when I ran across two recipes that I had forgotten about.  At church Harvest party these two recipes were shared...delicious and easy to make.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Beat all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Makes 1-1/2 cups

This was served with a platter of mini bagels and a variety of breads.

Pumpkin Honey Butter

• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup honey 3 tablespoons canned pure pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1. Place the butter in a mixing bowl, and whip on high speed with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 1 minute.
2. In another bowl, stir together the honey, pumpkin, and pumpkin pie spice until well mixed. Add the honey mixture to the butter, and whip on high with the electric mixer until the mixture is fluffy and smooth, about 1 more minute. Chill the pumpkin butter for several hours or overnight to blend the flavors.

This can be served on pancakes, toast, biscuits...

How to Carve a Pumpkin to Make a Pumpkin Soup Bowl

I thought this idea was cute...not a big fan of pumpkin soup, but I did like the sound of a stew or salad served from it.


One more picture for today...this is Blow Me Down Bridge in Cornish, NH.



Happy Fall, Y'all!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes....LOTS of Water!

I will never forget the first time that I saw part of the Great Lakes..in person.  Not in magazines or books.  Absolutely beautiful!  I had heard them described as "breath-taking"...um, yeah. right.  Seriously, they are breath-taking.  The below picture is of Lake Superior in Minnesota.

My friend Amie, from Minnesota, said her family enjoys the Mississippi River Headwaters.  Before leaving for the park we should help her get dinner in the crockpot (recipe below).  Dinner should be done when we get back...let's put on our hiking boots...or walking shoes and head to Itasca State Park (www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/i ).  Looks like there are a lot of trails, camping sites...cabins for the less adventuresome-meaning me.  There are more than 100 lakes...and you will be able to say that you walked across the Mississippi River!

Thanks, Amie, for sharing a bit of Minnesota with us!

Here is her recipe...

Minnesota Wild Rice Soup
Yield: 4-6 servings

3/4 cup wild rice, uncooked
7-10 slices crumbled cooked bacon and/or chopped cooked chicken
1 can mushrooms, drained
4 chicken flavored bouillon cubes
2 tablespoons butter
1 can cream of mushroom soup
4 cups water

Add 1 cup half and half the last hour of cooking; okay to add at the beginning too. Optional: 1 cup corn, 2 sliced carrots, onion powder

Dump all in crock pot and cook on HIGH for 4 hours. Serve with bread and salad for a complete meal.  Amie says this has become a family favorite.

 

Before we leave Minnesota we should get our picture taken with Paul Bunyan in Bemidji, MN.  A website told me that they actually dress Paul in sweaters and hats during the winter... Must be a challenge considering the Minnesota winters and that he is 18 feet tall and weighs 2.5 tons. 

Thanks for visiting!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes..."And they're off!"

We continue our tour with a stop in...Kentucky!

My daughter has always loved horses.  She loved to play house, but she also spent many hours playing house with her toy horses...she had collections, she had a horse birthday, complete with a horse cake...read any book having to do with a horse..getting the picture?  Last year we watched Secretariat...she wore a hat in honor of the Derby.  My boys do not understand how we can watch all the "pre-Derby" stuff....then the race is over in a blink of an eye.

I think this year we will have a Kentucky Derby party...Everyone will wear a hat and bring a dish to pass!  A friend of my husband's passed this recipe  to my husband when she learned of my daughter's love of horses and the Derby.

 Kentucky Hot Browns...

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups milk

6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg, beaten

2 tablespoons heavy cream

salt and pepper to taste

2 pounds sliced roasted turkey

1 tomato, thinly sliced

8 slices white bread, toasted

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

8 slices crispy bacon

Directions

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour with a whisk or fork, and continue to cook and stir until it begins to brown slightly. Gradually whisk in the milk so that no lumps form, then bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Mix in 6 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and then stir in the beaten egg to thicken. Do not allow the sauce to boil once the egg has been mixed in. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream.
2. Preheat the oven's broiler. For each hot brown, place two slices of toast into the bottom of an individual sized casserole dish. Cover with a liberal amount of roasted turkey and tomato slices. Spoon sauce over the top of each one and sprinkle with some of the remaining Parmesan cheese.
3. Place the dishes under the broiler and cook until the top is speckled brown, about 5 minutes. Remove from the broiler and arrange two slices of bacon in a cross shape on top of each sandwich. Serve immediately.   

 The Lord has given us a beautiful log cabin to live in...what a blessing!  An added benefit?  Our friends here have horses that we get to enjoy!  God is so good to us.

             See you again soon!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...Aloha!

Welcome to Hawaii!  Land of sunshine, tropical breezes, palm trees, ocean sounds, the Brady Bunch...really?  the Brady Bunch?  I don't know why, but when I think of Hawaii, I am reminded of the time the Brady Bunch went to Hawaii...several episodes long....must have really made an impression on me...

Island Style Fish Tacos
Serves 8

1 lb Fresh Fish in 2 oz strips
Olive Oil
Fresh herbs, garlic, salt & pepper (marinate fish in this for 1 hour before grilling)
Flour tortillas

Salsa:
Combine or blend the following 1 hour before serving:
1 Large Ripe Tomato, Finely Diced
¼ Round Onion, Diced
1 T Cilantro, Minced
1 Large Clove Of Garlic, Crushed
½ Green Bell Pepper, Minced
Lemon Juice
Salt & Pepper

Creamy Garlic Dressing:
Combine until creamy:
1 Pt Buttermilk
1 Pt Mayonnaise
10 Cloves Peeled Garlic
¼ C Parsley, Minced
1 Medium Onion, Diced
1 T Mustard
Salt & Pepper

To assemble:
Grill strips of fresh fish until medium done, reserve.
Warm tortillas. Place a bed of lettuce or cabbage on tortilla. Top with grilled fish, creamy garlic dressing and salsa.

Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Sorry.  Could not resist...remember "pork chops and applesauce"?  I found the recipe for you!

Brady Bunch Pork Chops Recipe - Food.com - 73062

An extraordinary day...For the brave at heart...  Give each child a jar to decorate the home for his new resident.  Have him decorate it inside and out.  The resident...well, go on a bug search!  When everyone has a bug resident make the proper introductions..Now for the "Ugly Bug" contest...see who wins...award a crown....And the winner is....

Speaking of winners.  Don't forget our prize give away!  It is simple- look on the right side of the blog for the followers section..."follow this site"...  Set up a google account (just your email and create a password),  and you are set!

Have a wonderful day!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...Mississippi

Did you all ever "eat" mud cakes/pies from your children?  My youngest daughter loved making them for my husband and I.  She especially enjoyed Daddy's look of pure happiness as he gobbled up her treats.  I'll admit it..he was definitely a lot more fun in that area than I was!  I think I will have that look of "pure happiness" as I gobble up the following treat....

My friend, Leah, shares a Mississippi Mud Cake with us.  Sounds delicious!

Mississippi Mud Cake

www.foodnetwork.com

Food Network invites you to try this Mississippi Mud Cake recipe from Paula Deen.

I asked Leah for some trivia or points of interest in Mississippi.  Elvis was born there...never knew that.  Well, Leah and I are not a big Elvis followers, but I did look up his childhood home.  What a humble beginning!  Then Graceland....

Leah said it best,"...what a far cry it is from the wealth he found and the misery it brought him later."

Another fun and educational thing to do in Mississippi is the Vicksburg National Military Park...a battlefield and a museum.

www.nps.gov/vick/index.htm

Make it an extraordinary day....

Looking for something fun to do with your kids....?  Something that will cost only one penny?  I have done this with my students when I taught in a Christian school. 

Flip a penny.  Heads means turn right, and tails turns left. Start at the door.  Choose someone to flip the coin.  BUT  before the first coin toss...decide the rules.  Such as how far between coin tosses, or will everyone get three tosses,etc....decide the rules before starting the trip.  When you get home share a snack, draw a picture about the trip, just enjoy being together.  Such a simple idea...but a lot of fun!

Don't forget the prize give away mentioned in the previous post on the blog.  It is entitled "First time for..."

Thanks for stopping by...

First Time for ...well, read all about it....

So many of you have been an encouragement to me in my blogging "journey".  I started with a family blog.  A lot of my family lives so far away that I thought it would be helpful to blog about things happening in our lives.  My friend Lori helped me get the blog going.  Thanks, Lori!  I then started this blog...hopefully to be used to encourage others to enjoy taking care of their families...and to have fun doing it.  Boy, was I surprised...those reading the blog ended up encouraging me!  This has been such a blessing.  So...

First time for everything...

Announcing a prize give away!

All you have to do is "follow" the blog...How?  Look on the right side of my blog page for the followers section (underneath the picture of the mirrors)...click "follow this site".  It will ask for your google account.  All that means is your email (it does not have to be a google address), then create a password.  Once you "follow"  my blog you will be eligible for the give away.  Details to follow!  Oh, and did I mention that I get a new outfit if I get at least twenty followers??  I am really liking this!

Thank you for all of your support...now I am off to research more for our Fifty-Nifty Recipe tour!

Thanks for stopping by!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...An ice cold glass of Coke...

 My husband collects Coca-Cola  things..He has signs, replicas, antiques.  Our master bathroom is even decorated with Coca-Cola.  He has several antique bottles with the Coke still in it.  One is very interesting.  Ladies, remember the foam type rollers?  This bottle has the roller rod still floating in the Coke.  Pretty cool!  If we are ever in the Atlanta, Georgia area we plan on visiting the museum (www.worldofcoca-cola.com).  

To go along with the theme and the state of Georgia, let's have some of Cracker Barrel's Coca-Cola Cake.  This gets a five-star rating!  It is a chocolate lover's "dream come true."  Hop on over to a cool site I frequent often...full of copy cat recipes in order to find this wonderful chocolate cake!  www.copycat-recipes.net

Thanks for visiting...

A thought to leave with you today.

"Be somebody you would be proud to know."

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...Ohio?

 The reason for the question mark in the title?  I am no longer going in order for our state tour...at least for now...We are skipping on over to OHIO!  Last year my husband surprised me with a trip to this Bed and Breakfast in West Salem, Ohio.  I was feeling a little down having just dropped my oldest daughter off at college....a get away was a good idea!

 We had this whole house to ourselves...in this quiet little town...um...no internet, no cable....

 The house was huge!  We got the key...and we were on our own...  It was truly a relaxing time.

The trip had to include dinner at Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen (www.mrsyoderskitchen.com).

Such wonderful home-cooked food!

A recipe that I am including in this post is Amish Wedding Cake.  My husband enjoys this at the restaurant.  It is time consuming...so plan ahead!

Amish Wedding Steak

Ingredients:
2 lbs. ground beef
2 c. soda cracker crumbs
2 c. milk
1 sm. onion, chopped
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 soup can of water
1 can mushrooms (may also use fresh)

Directions:
Mix meat, crumbs, ,milk, onion and spices together. Pat down firmly in cake pan in square cake pan let set overnight. Cut into serving size squares, roll in flour, and brown on both sides (in margarine or butter) Set in baking dish and cover with mixture of soup, water and mushrooms. Bake at 350 for 90 minutes.

I found this recipe...does not look difficult or expensive, but you will need to plan ahead.

I love visiting this area of Ohio.  It has always been so peaceful, and the Amish people are so friendly.

Thanks for visiting Ohio with us!



Fifty-Nifty Recipes...Delaware Peach Crisp

Dinner at our home tonight was baked chicken, pasta salad, and fresh squash.  It was delicious! 

Today's state is Delaware.  State beverage?  MILK!  Favorite foods?  Broiled chicken with sour milk biscuits and crab cakes.  Crab and clam seem to be popular in Delaware.  With the cool weather here (at least, it is here) I thought a peach crisp sounded yummy.  Peaches are also popular in this state.  I am planning on making this one soon. 

Peach Crisp

• 1 can (29 ounces) sliced peaches
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

TOPPING

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• Vanilla ice cream, optional

Drain peaches, reserving the syrup in a saucepan; set peaches aside. Stir brown sugar, cornstarch, honey, cinnamon and nutmeg into the peach syrup until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add lemon juice, raisins, pecans and reserved peaches. Pour into a greased 2-qt. baking dish.

• For topping, combine flour, sugar and butter. Sprinkle over peach mixture. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Serve with ice cream if desired.

Have a wonderful day!

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."  Matthew 18:20

Fifty-Nifty Recipes....Christmas in Connecticut

 I love this movie....! The movie begins with Jones on a raft (been there for 18 days) waiting to be rescued.  While waiting he dreams of his first meal..."steak and baked potato, asparagus in hollandaise sauce, chocolate cake, and ice cream"....after being rescued and sent to a hospital his first meal has to be milk with an egg in it.  He says, "All I get is milk,milk, milk.  Every time I yawn I am scared I will moo."

 Meanwhile Elizabeth Lane writes regular articles called "Diary of a Housewife" for a magazine in which she details her life on her farmhouse with beautiful scenery, husband and baby, antique finds, and lots of mouth-watering recipes...In reality she lives in a New York City flat, is single, and can not cook!  Yes, you guessed it.  Her boss and Jones end up invited to spend Christmas with her!

Felix, her friend and Hungarian restaurant chef/owner attempts to help her out.  At one point he tells Lane that she better stick to writing rather than cooking.

"Better you cook on the typewriter."

She has an elaborate Christmas menu planned...I found a few of the simpler menu items, went to my OLD Betty Crocker book...Here you are....

Candied Sweet Potatoes

2 pounds sweet potatoes

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

3 tbl. butter or margarine

3 tbl. light cream or milk

1/2 tsp. salt

If using fresh sweet potatoes, prepare and cook.  Cut each potato crosswise into 1/2 inch slices.  In medium skillet, combine all other ingredients and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly.  Add sweet potato slices; stir gently until glazed and heated through.

Cranberry Orange Relish

Finely chop 4 cups cranberries and 1 large orange (peel and pulp), in blender.  Stir in 2 cups of sugar.  Cover and refrigerate at least three hours.  Excellent served with turkey or baked chicken.

Russian Dressing

(For green salads)

Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup chili sauce, and a few drops onion juice.  If desired, add 1 tsp. lemon juice.  Makes 3/4 cup.

I left out a lot about the movie...I will probably watch it   way before Christmas....maybe even this week...and enjoy your stay in Connecticut!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes....Colorado

Colorado Cowboy Cookies

2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (packed) dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped toasted walnuts (about 4 ounces)

How To Prepare:

Take the first five ingredients and whisk in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugars in large bowl until it becomes light and fluffy. Now add eggs and vanilla and beat it to combine. After that add dry ingredients and beat until just blended. Now stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Cover the dough and chill it for one hour.

 Preheat to 350°F. Grease baking sheet. Make the dough into balls, using 1/4 cup dough for each. Place all on prepared sheets, spacing it at least two inches apart. Flatten them with hand to 3 1/2-inch rounds. Bake 10 minutes and then rotate sheets. Bake it until cookies are golden brown in color around the edges and firm in center, about 4 minutes longer. Next, cool it on sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to racks to cool completely.

These BIG cookies are ready to enjoy!

I loved looking at so many pictures of Colorado.  It is beautiful!  Katherine Lee Bates wrote "America the Beautiful"  after being inspired by the view from Pikes Peak.  Another fun fact that I read about was that thousands of valentines are re-mailed from Loveland each year.  Seems like a romantic idea to me...

 Thanks for visiting!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...California

Did you know that more turkeys are raised in California than in any other state in the U.S.?  This was cool...In Chico, CA bowling on the city sidewalks and driving your cattle down the street are both illegal.

The following sandwich is an Ina Garten (from Food Network)  recipe...

California BLT's

6 thick-cut slices smoked bacon

4 slices good white bread

4 tablespoons mayonnaise

4 to 8 lettuce leaves

1 ripe avocado

1/2 lemon, juiced

1 sliced tomato

 Salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Cook bacon.  Drain on paper towels and set aside.

Place the bread slices on a sheet pan and toast them for 5 minutes. Turn the slices and toast for 1 more minute, until all the bread is evenly browned. Place 2 slices on a cutting board. Spread each slice with about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise. Cover the slices with a layer of lettuce. Peel the avocado and slice it 1/2-inch thick. Toss the avocado slices gently with the lemon juice, and arrange on top of the lettuce.   Place 3 slices of bacon on top of each sandwich and then add a layer of tomato slices on top of the bacon. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.  Top with bread.

California Pizza

     1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped green pepper

2 teaspoons canola oil

2 (6 inch) flour tortillas

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1 medium tomato, sliced

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. In a small skillet, saute onion and green pepper in oil until tender. Place tortillas on an ungreased baking sheet. Top with onion mixture, oregano, garlic powder, tomato and cheese. Bake at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut each pizza into four wedges.   **This only makes a couple of pizzas!

Fifty-Nifty Recipes...Arkansas

At one point in my life I lived in Louisiana, went to high school in Arkansas, and went to church in Mississippi.  Yep, all at the same time!  I probably did not appreciate collard greens when younger, but I sure do enjoy them now.  Rarely do I get to enjoy this treat....something that my family is thankful for.  I can't convince them that it is wonderful!

Southern Style Collard Greens

1 bunch collard greens - rinsed, trimmed and chopped

2 smoked ham hocks

2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed chicken broth

21 fluid ounces water

1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Place the collard greens and ham hocks in a large pot. Mix in the chicken broth, water, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 1 hour.               

When growing up I remember camping along the Buffalo River in Arkansas.  The canoe trips, campfires, oh, and those rainy trips that we would have to be told often to not touch the sides and tops of our pop-up camper...or we would end up getting wet....with everything else!  I loved waking up to the sounds and smells of breakfast being cooked over the fire.  Remember the foil packets with hamburger, onion, potato, and carrots?  I recently found a packet recipe with a chicken breast topped with salsa.  Sounds like I might need to try that one!

I will leave you with this Martin Luther quote that has  really made me think...

"What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in Heaven for our Lord God.  We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well pleasing to God, not on account of the position or work, but on account of the Word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow."

Thanks for visiting with us!

Fifty Nifty Recipes... The Valentine State

This was such a fun state to explore!  Arizona!  One of its nicknames is the Valentine State because it was admitted into the Union on February 14.  Here was the Gunfight at OK Corral.  One website told me that "It is unlawful to refuse a person a glass of water."  I also read about the food available at the Arizona State Fair.  A few "interesting" things offered....Deep Fried PB&J sandwich, scorpions and crickets dipped in chocolate, salami suckers (salami dipped in batter and deep fried on a stick), and doughnut sandwiches.  I would not advice eating like that on a regular basis, but it sounds fun!  Other normal things were on the menu for the less adventuresome (like me)....

This chicken recipe is from a friend of mine who was from Arizona.  It was a family favorite... and not too expensive!

Chicken Adobo



• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 (3 pound) chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 large onion, quartered and sliced
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 2/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf

Directions

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken pieces until golden brown on both sides, then remove. Stir in the onion and garlic; cook until they soften and brown, about 6 minutes.
2. Pour in vinegar and soy sauce, and season with garlic powder, black pepper, and bay leaf. Add the browned chicken, increase the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the chicken is tender and cooked through, 35 to 40 minutes.  Can be served over rice.             

When reading about the Arizona State Fair I remembered Paula Deen making doughnut sandwiches.  I looked it up...and here it is!

Donut Sandwich

• 1 pound hamburger
• 1/4 cup onion, finely diced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic
• 4 slices of your choice cheese
• 4 Krispy Kreme Glazed Donuts, sliced in half
• 4 fried eggs
• 8 slices cooked bacon  (break in half)

• In a medium size bowl, mix hamburger, onion, salt, pepper, and garlic together, and form into 4 equal sized patties. Grill or cook them according to your preference. Place a slice of cheese on top of the hot burger to melt slightly.
• Place half the Krispy Kreme Donut on a plate, cut side up.
• Add cheese topped hamburger to the donut, stack the hot fried egg on top, bacon slices, followed by the remaining donut half.   

I think I will go get a tall glass of lemon water now!  I hope you are enjoying our tour of the country.  Thanks for visiting with us....