improvised dip recipe

    This past weekend was our church's middle school's annual snow camp. This year they only had us do two meals for them, Sat.'s lunch and dinner. And they specifically wanted the chili dog bar and the fajita bar's again. Yes, they were sure. The thing is, from my perspective, that's not cooking for them, it's just doing prep work and serving. But they were insistent, so that's what we went with.
    When I got to GFS (Gordon Food Service) Friday to purchase what we needed, I found out that they now no longer carry the huge bag of Bugles in-store. They are available by the case, to be ordered ahead of time. But I wanted them the next day, and no I didn't want a whole case worth. I didn't want to go with Potato chips, cuz then I should also buy that kind of chip dip, and they always go through more bags of potato chips than other products. Hum mm... I was going to go with pretzel sticks, but Brandon (my driver :-> ) didn't think middle schoolers were that fond of pretzels. More Hum mmm. And then the stock boy suggested corn chips. I hadn't seen any big bags of corn chips on the shelf and wasn't interested in a case of the individual sized bags. There were three big bags of their brand of corn chips on the shelf - sort of hiding by leaning against the shelf support. I took them.
    Later I got to thinking about a comment the stock boy had made - about how everybody likes dipping corn chips into chili. Then I got to thinking about how I usually have a half of the can of chili sauce left over anyways .... inspiration hit :-)   Hey, who just said "Ought oh"?!!!? o;-p

    I also heard a couple of you ask why do I buy such a big can of chili sauce, if I usually have half of it left. Because buying one big can of it at GFS, is still less expensive than buying three small cans of it at the grocery store. So we usually just stick what's left in our freezer and use it later at some point in time.
    But like I said, this time I got inspired. I'm gonna try and type this out for you more recipe style .... but there will be commenting mixed in to.

    Improvised Chili Based Dip Recipe:
   1/2 of an institutional sized can of Chef Mate (TM) Hot Dog Chili Sauce With Meat.
       (stock # 2336841. current price - $6.64)
   4 Tablespoons Butter *
   1 1/2 man's fist sized Spanish Onion **, finely minced
   1/3 of a five (5) pound bag of Shredded Cheddar Cheese ***

   ~ Thourally spray the inside of your crock pot with pan coating spray
   ~ Dump the Hot Dog Chili Sauce into the crockpot.
   ~ In a sprayed small skillet, melt the butter and then add the finely minced onion.

     Saute' till onions turn clear.
   ~ Dump the onions and the shredded cheddar on top of the chili sauce in the crock pot.
   ~ Mix everything together, put the lid on, turn the crock pot onto High, and wait.

   About twenty minutes later, we stirred it to see if it had gotten hot enough to melt the cheese. It was almost all of the way there. Then we did a taste test. Drats. It pretty much just tasted like the chili, which wasn't bad, just wasn't what I was aiming for.

   ~ Melt another four(4) Tablespoons of Butter * in the small skillet and add an additional whole and half large sized finely chopped Spanish onion **.
   ~ Top the onion with about 1/3 Cup of Garlic Powder (which we had there due to needing to use it later for the peppers and onions for fajitas)
   ~ Add about 1/4 Cup of Woster-chester-shire-sauce (aka: Worcestershire Sauce (TM) ;-p)  (which was also on hand to use on the peppers and onions)
   ~ It is now harder to tell when the onions have sauteed to clear, due to the Worc. Sauce coloring... but when they have, dump the pans contents into the crock pot.
   ~ also dump in about 1/4th of what is now left in the bag of cheese ***
   ~ and add about 1/3 of the five(5) pound tub of Sour Cream (which was also on hand for the fajita bar).
   ~ Mix everything thourally, put lid back on, and LEAVE ALONE!! ("Heat escapes when you take that lid off..." o;-p)

   Wait another twenty minutes or so and do another taste test. You then have a decision to make. "Will the kids really appreciate this dip, or should we just save it for ourselves?" o;-p
    They not only liked the dip, they came back for seconds and thirds of it! We only had about half of a regular sized chip dip container (I save empty containers to re-use for leftovers) left over to bring home.

    Warning, this does make a very thick dip which rather plops / oozes off of the spoon onto the plate. But it was GOOD!!!

   No, I didn't remember to take a picture of the finished product. Sorry. I had moved onto making the gooey Rice Krispie treats o;-p.

    When your making this recipe, feel free to combine the *, **, and ***'s and add the Worcest. Sauce, Garlic Powder and Sour Cream right from the get go, instead of waiting and adding them in later. ;->

     Thought I should post this improvised recipe right away, so some of you can use it next Sunday for your Super Bowl get togethers.

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I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:
~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)' (http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/).
~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).
~ "Market Yourself Monday", are hosted by Sumo, at 'Sumo's Sweet Stuff' (http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/)
~ "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Lisa, at 'Blessed with Grace' (http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com).
~ "Tuesdays at the Table", are hosted by Cole, at 'All The Small Stuff' (http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/).
~ "Kitchen Tip Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Tammy, at 'Tammy's Recipes' (http://www.tammysrecipes.com/).
~ "Tasty Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Jennifer, at "Balancing Beauty and Bedlam" (http://www.beautyandbedlam.com/)
~ "Whatever Goes Wednesday('s), hosted by Michelle, at 'Someday Crafts'
(http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/)
~ "Full Plate Thursday('s), hosted by Miz Helen, at 'Miz Helen's Country Cottage' (http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/)
~ "(Foodie Friday's)", are hosted by "Gollum" (aka: Michael), at 'Designs by Gollum' (http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/)

For a Cold Winter's Night ;-)

    Last Summer we started a series that we dubbed "Warm Weather Desserts". Yes, "started". Because yes, we do plan on adding more recipes to that series starting in a couple of months. You know, when our local weather man isn't frequently talking about "wind chill factors", or yet again announcing that we are under "severe winter storm warnings".
   There are literally trillions of desserts which work great for cold weather desserts due to how you need to run your oven to make them. The bigger of a batch of cookies you bake, the longer your oven is helping heat the house (besides the 'warm fuzzies' that you feel from the smells coming out of said oven ;->).
    My family (as in my side of Brian and my families) use to make this one winter time dessert that I really, really, really like. And so, I continue to make it occasionally. (I started to write "I continue to make it upon occasion". - The occasion being when I have a craving for it. o;-p) This past week held just such an 'occasion'.
    The dessert? Home made chocolate pudding that you serve while still very warm. That's good! But then we take it one step further. We put a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Your challenge then, is to see if you can eat all of it before the ice cream finishes melting. Why? Just for the fun of it. And no cheating only eating the scoop of ice cream! Besides, if you do that, your missing out on the wonderful tastes that eating the pudding and the ice cream together produces. Wonderful indeed!!! (I think that perhaps my one bowl full didn't quench my craving far enough o;-p)

    [ For the record - Yes, this wonderful, smooth chocolate pudding CAN be made up during the warm weather months, scooped into bowls, cooled all of the way and then refrigerated to be served as a warm weather dessert. But that then does involve standing over a hot stove top for awhile. Sometimes your just wiling to do that!]

    This recipe came from Bisquick (TM). And seeings how my family use to make it back before I was married, and I've now been married over thirty (30) years ... the recipe has been out for awhile. ;-)

   Chocolate Pudding:
   1/2 Cup (regular) Bisquick(TM)
   3/4 Cup Sugar
   1/3 Cup cocoa
   1 Cup Water
   2 Cups (whole) Milk

   ~ Combine baking mix, sugar and cocoa in large saucepan. Gradually stir in water and milk.
   ~ Cook, stirring constantly over medium high heat until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute.
   ~ In cold weather, cool a little, stirring a couple of times. Spoon into bowls and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
   ~ In warm weather, cool, stirring occasionally. Spoon into serving dishes and refrigerate. Looks cute garnished with a dollop of whip cream, topped by a single chocolate chip.

   This recipe serves three people a decent sized bowl of pudding. If the people are quite young in age - it serves more than three. ;-p  Trust me, it is very easy to triple this recipe and still use a large sized sauce pan! (TIP -->) Just takes a bit longer to reach the boiling point, and then you need to boil and stir for about three minutes.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:
~ "Sweet Sunday('s)", at "My Sweet Creations" (http://tastingmysweetcreations.blogspot.com/)
~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)' (http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/).
~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).
~ "Market Yourself Monday", are hosted by Sumo, at 'Sumo's Sweet Stuff' (http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/)
~ "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Lisa, at 'Blessed with Grace' (http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com).
~ "Tuesdays at the Table", are hosted by Cole, at 'All The Small Stuff' (http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/).
~ "Kitchen Tip Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Tammy, at 'Tammy's Recipes' (http://www.tammysrecipes.com/).
~ "Tasty Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Jennifer, at "Balancing Beauty and Bedlam" (http://www.beautyandbedlam.com/)
~ "Whatever Goes Wednesday('s), hosted by Michelle, at 'Someday Crafts'
(http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/)
~ "Full Plate Thursday('s), hosted by Miz Helen, at 'Miz Helen's Country Cottage' (http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/)
~ "(Foodie Friday's)", are hosted by "Gollum" (aka: Michael), at 'Designs by Gollum' (http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/)

LATE ADD : 
~ "Beat The Winter Blues Party", hosted by Karen, "The Suburanite", at "Goodbye City, Hello Suburbs!" (http://goodbyecityhellosuburbs.blogspot.com/)

Yet again, HE supplied :-}

    You might remember me mentioning recently, that Brian and I had stopped at the big Jo-Ann Fabric's at the mall. While there I had commented to Brian that I needed to start doing some type of crafting soon. When he had puzzedly asked why, I had answered that doing so always helps me get motivated in other areas too, and maybe it would help me not be so blue about still have vertigo, this now a year later. He thought it made complete sense.
    I then started thinking over just what kind of crafting I wanted to do. I decided it needed to be something involving the use of my sewing machine. Here my dear husband had bought the wonderful machine for me knowing I enjoy doing projects that are oh so much easier using one, and of course thinking I would start using it all of the time. Neither of us had a clue that becoming "Ms. Vertigo" was right around the corner!
   But I did use it to create the quilt for our grand daughter. :->.
   And there is another grand child on the way, so I could make another quilt. Nope, don't know if this one will be a boy or a girl. At least not yet. But I could just make two (2) quilts. o;-p
   I also wanted to use the sewing machine because if I start getting real dizzy, it's easy to turn the machine off for awhile and leave the project sitting, without compromising the project at all.
   Hum mmmm.... what did I want to create?
   A couple of different ideas came to mind. But it would require more material... so it was going to need to wait a couple of weeks.
   Then Benson said that his friend Crystal had a box of material they were going to donate someplace and asked if I would be interested in going through it myself first. Sure!!
    That was over a week or two ago.
    Then she was here this past Wed. and asked if they could bring it in. Mind you, I was thinking one box full. Here are pictures of what all they carried in. Eight (8) box's and a huge laundry type bag full!

    Yeah, oh my goodness!

    The women of the people whom Crystal lives with does lots of sewing, including making stage costumes, etc.. Somebody had donated these goods to her. All of the above was what was left over after she took out what she wanted.
    The box's had been in her car long enough that the material inside of them was COLD!!!  So I waited until Thursday to start actually looking through them, totally unsure just what I would find. My original idea was that I might find a couple of things I liked, and then I might pass the balance on to my friend Elizabeth B. who not only has the business where they make banners for people/groups/organizations, etc., but she also does a lot of crafting on her own and had even put out a request for scrap material not to long ago, to use in rug making. (Yes, that was a long sentence) Then again, maybe I'd have her teach me rug making. Though that wouldn't involve using my sewing machine.
     Here are close-er up pictures of some of the material I pulled out on first go-through.

     But there was also a lot of soft material such as you would make infant sheets from. BIG pieces of it. And some upholstery type fabrics. And corduroys. And a bunch of what I think of as late 60's type knit material. And some baggies with beaded trim in them. And just all types of materials.

     While I am not positive just how much of it I personally am going to keep, I do know that it's at least more than two (2) box's full. So far .. o;-p
     And yes, some of the material will work wonderfully for one of the non-grand-children-related projects that I had in mind. I can't say yet what the idea is, seeings on how they will hopefully turn out good enough to be given as gifts. o;-)

     So yet again, I had a desire and the Lord provided. HE knew ahead of time what my heart was going to want to do, and had all the wheels already in motion to provide my desire for me. HE is so amazing!!!

     THANK-YOU Lord for your continued provision!
     THANK-YOU Crystal for donating to "my" cause. ;-p
     Thank-You Benson and Crystal for carrying the box's in through the white flaky precipitation stuff for me.

Laughter - what a medicine!! ;->

   The other day I mentioned how I often receive emails which I have dubbed the "feel good" kind. Well, I also frequently receive humorous ones. Yes, sometimes the exact same one the same day or a day apart from certain sources, but that's okay, because I know how to read one and delete another. And yes, often I receive ones that have been around so many times that I know them by their titles. But that's okay too, because amongst all of them, a few ones I haven't seen before slip in. Some I only find 'okay', others are rather comical, but some strike me as down right hilarious!!
    When I mentioned the "feel good" type the other day, I'd had no intentions what-so-ever of turning around and then doing a posting about the "comical" type. But then yesterday morning I opened one of that type from my Aunt Carol that qualified under the "down right hilarious", at least in my opinion, and so I immediately decided to do a posting about the comical type as well.
    So-o,  just like I did with that one email my dad had forwarded to me, I am going to forward this comical one of my aunt's to you as well.

    The title of the email was, "This is a HOOT………."
    The body of the email read, "This lady, a resident of a retirement community in Omaha , N.E., was asked to give the invocation at a dinner/convention of retirement community managers. She does so, but then decides to add a few words of her  own..."
     It then had a link to a You-Tube clip. Most often, due to the age of my computer, I am unable to access You-Tube clips. But this one it both down loaded AND allowed me to watch. And am I ever thankful it did! I tell you folks, I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming!!!
     I hope that you too enjoy it like I did. And, I hope that the words the sweet lady shared in the video touch your heart as well. They did mine.

                    CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO.

  ~  Laughter really IS the BEST medicine!!!!! :->  ~

Phone conversations ... ;-p

   Byron (our eldest son) called yesterday, to excitedly tell me how he had 'sort of' been on the radio. Yes, 'sort of'. ;-p. He is able to get one of the shows from one of our local radio stations, via pod cast. The shows co-hosts frequently run this feature where they read stories submitted by their followers, telling how the person had accidentally embarrassed themselves while doing something quite normal. Examples are things such as, suddenly singling real loud and perhaps even dancing along with the music you are listening to via ear phones - in a setting where it's rather quiet and of course nobody else can hear the music. Or laughing out loud over something that you just remembered - and yet the situation your currently in is all wrong for laughing out loud. Etc..
    Byron had emailed them one of his own experiences. They had read his email on the air yesterday and then spent a good amount of time mocking Byron over it. For this, Byron was thrilled! No, that's not weird. Honest. It was all good natured ribbing, which he knew would be the end result if they did chose his submitted story. And he states that he would have ribbed anybody else if they had told him it had happened to them. ;-p

   While Byron was telling me his news, Analyse (our adorable impy grand daughter) was making all kinds of a ruckus in the back ground. Byron explained that Cyndi (his wife/Analyse's mom) was sitting at the table working on some important paper work, but Analyse was all upset because Cyndi wouldn't share her papers or pen with her.
    He put his phone on speaker phone so that I could talk to Analyse. The second she heard my voice she went silent, but Byron informed me she was grinning ear to ear.
   Byron asked her, "is that your grandma?" And he laughingly told me she was shaking her head yes.
   "Talk to grandma".
    I said, "Hi Analyse, grandma loves you!"
    She answered, "Ge...ma! _*~! _ `.._*! ..."
    I chuckled and said "really?"
    She replied, "!!_*~`_!!!!"
    Suddenly both Byron and Cyndi are cracking up in the back ground. Over Analyse's continued jabber, Byron informed me that while she had been talking to me, she had first pointed at Cyndi, then at the pen and paper, then waved her hand towards the whole situation before turning back to the phone with a quizzical expression on her face as if to ask both, "Do you understand" and "Can you make her share?"
    Suddenly Byron started laughing even harder. He explained that after he had finsihed 'translating' what had been going on, Analyse had started shaking her head yes, as though what he had said was an exact translation of what she had been telling me.
    Oh my goodness. What an imp! ;-p You've heard tales of children whom when they aren't getting their way with a parent, informing said parent that they are going to call and ask grandma... In essence, that is what Analyse was doing. LOL!!! And yet I have made it a point to not contradict what her parents tell her. Funny!!!
    I guess my laughter insulted her, because she got even more vocal over the whole situation and Byron ended up ending the call.
    That girl continues to keep us all on our toes! But man do we love her!!!!

laugh fest

    March 10 - 20 promises to be full of laughter here in Grand Rapids, MI this year!!! Those are the dates for our local Gilda's Club 10th anniversary.
    The only original info. I had, was that three particular comedians were going to be part of this years "laugh fest" here in G.R.. So I started my search for information by typing in "Laugh Fest in G. R. MI".
    The first lead I followed was a clip on one of our local TV/News stations web page - WZZM-13. In their info. I read, "Carroll Velie, Co-Chair Laugh-Fest notes, "Our Gilda's Club is one of the most successful Gilda's Clubs in the nation." " 
      And then "... funny fundraiser that will include 50 some comedians performing at 25 venues over the course of ten days in March. Big names include Betty White and Bill Cosby." Brian had seen a bill board stating that Gabriel Iglesias (aka: "fluffy" - chocolate cake guy ;-p) had also agreed to join the line up.
     I followed the lead on that page to the Gilda's LaughFest official page. I first clicked under the "comedy" title and read, "Comedy ....The biggest of our four festival categories…".  Appropriate for a Gilda festival! You can click HERE to see the comedians they have lined up.
    Under the "Call For Talent" label I read, "What makes YOU laugh?  Showcases are forming and Gilda’s Laughfest is currently booking acts – from amateur and professional talent, to anything in between.   If you like to laugh, or make others laugh, come share “What Makes You Laugh!”  Go HERE if your interested in being a part of their "version of American Idol of laughter with you on stage".
   Under the label "Performance  & Film" it starts, "Laughter for stage and movie enthusiasts ....Wanna watch?  Kick back and be entertained by live performances or a variety of funny films."  Click HERE to read more just on that.
    And then there was the category "Seriously Funny Stuff" which started off with, "Other things which make YOU laugh.   Experience! Here’s where you’ll find seriously funny stuff so original we had to create a catch-all category for it.  Below is our list-to-date…"  Click HERE to see that list.
    Of course you need tickets for everything. You can follow a link on the sites main web page to get  information about them.


     It seems that good ole' Grand Rapids, MI is becoming the host to a lot of big events!

     In THIS posting I mentioned how they have been filming more movies here.

     I've told you about how our city is currently hosting the Princess Diana exhibit.

     Above I told you about this years 'menu' for our local Gilda's Club yearly fund raiser.

     And Grand Rapids also hosts what's called "ArtPrize".  The dates for ArtPrize 2011 are: Sept 21st - Oct. 9th. The first paragraph on their web page reads, "ArtPrize is a radically open competition. Open to any artist in the world who can find space. Open to anybody in Grand Rapids, Michigan who wants to create a venue. Open to a vote from anyone who attends."  To visit ArtPrize's web page, click HERE.
  
     Lots of events to enjoy right here in mid-west MI. :-) 

"spread our wings and soar with eagles"

    Like I am sure many of you do too, I often receive emails which I have dubbed the "feel good" type. Sometimes they contain sentimental stories of such a nature, as to make you "feel good" and have the 'warm fuzzes' after having read them. Some contain prayers of some sort. And others promise you will receive some particular type of a blessing 'if you but forward this on to X amount of people in a specific amount of time'.
   Yesterday I opened one my dad had sent me, which from the get go I was sure was going to fall into one of the afore-mentioned categories. And maybe others whom read it thought it did. But it touched me. Deeply.
    As many of you know, I am an analyzer. I have a tendency to analyze things whether others think the thing needs it or not. And, whether I should analyze it or not. (Yes, there is a difference.) To a great point, it's just the way I'm wired.
    So as you would expect, after having read the email from my dad, my brain started analyzing it to some degree. But this time, it didn't just start, it kept going. What I came up with really impacted me. The things my analyzing hit upon, were things which in turn brought the names of other people to mind. People whom I truly wish would read it and take heed to the words contained there in. Things which I know I too need to take heed as well as action on.
    My dad had received the contents of the email from a friend and then forwarded it on. In a way, I too am now forwarding it on.
    May you "feel good" once you have finished reading this, and may it give you the 'warm fuzzes'. But even more than that, I hope that it too touches you deeply.
- - -
   "No wonder God wants us to spread our wings and soar with eagles."

   "The Story of the Eagle"

    "The eagle has the longest life-span among birds. It can live up to seventy (70) years. But to reach this age, the eagle must make a hard decision.

    In its' forties (40's), its' long and flexible talons can no longer grab prey which serves as food. Its' long and sharp beak becomes bent. Its' old age and heavy wings, due to their thick feathers, become stuck to its' chest and make it difficult to fly.

   Then, the eagle is left with only two options: die or go through a painful process of change which lasts one hundred and fifty (150) days.

   The process requires that the eagle fly to a mountain top and sit on its' nest. There the eagle knocks its' beak against the rock until it plucks it out. After plucking it out, the eagle will wait for a new beak to grow back and then it will pluck out its' talons. When its' new talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking its' old age feathers.

   And after five (5) months, the eagle takes its' famous flight of rebirth and lives for thirty (30) more years.

   Why is change needed? Many times, in order to survive we have to start a change process. We sometimes need to get rid of old memories, habits, and other past traditions. Only freed from past burdens, can we take advantage of the present.

   Our lives are not determined by what happens to us, but by how we react to what happens. Nor by what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.

   When it rains, most birds head for shelter; the eagle is the only bird that, in order to avoid the rain, starts flying above the cloud. 

   Isaiah 40:31 "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
                       They will soar on wings like eagles;
                       they will run and not grow weary,
                       they will walk and not be faint."
          {N(ew)I(nternational)V(ersion)}

    Psalms 103:5 "Who satisfies your years with good things,
                          So that your youth is renewed like the eagle."
          (New American Standard Bible)   "

  I found this picture on line at this address: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/images/dvn/aboutus/eagle_soaring%20closeup.jpg

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
NEXT week, I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:
~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)' (http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/).
~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).

and now - the Peanut Butter Fudge :-)

  We have been telling you about how I ended up making cakes for my side of the families Christmas gathering this now past Christmas. And about how we did them up fancy like.

   Here is a picture of all of them on display in my sister's dining room.

  We've zoomed in on the "Drool-over-able Chocolate Cake",

  the "Strawberry Cake",

  and the "Carrot Cake".

  Last week we moved on to the Chocolate Covered Strawberries (YUM!)

   Here is the full display from a different angle.

   We are not going to be zooming in on my dad's chocolate fudge which did arrive and fill the bottom plate on the stand. Yes, I think a picture was taken of it once it arrived .... but early on in doing these postings, I pulled a real "Lucy" and deleted close up pictures that I had every intent of using later on. Therefore, I have had to use Publisher to make my own zoom in pictures for the various postings. Sometime down the road I'll have him make me some more and I'll do a posting on it! But it might be awhile seeings how it's almost Valentines and I'm hoping to do some baking for that....
    But in the mean time, I can still do a zoom in on and feature posting about the Peanut Butter fudge which you see on the top plate of the stand.
    The oh so yummy Peanut Butter Fudge. The recipe was passed on to us by our Aunt Mary Burgess. I have made it before. The past few years my sister has been making it at Christmas time. I hope she continues doing so. ;-)

    Peanut Butter Fudge:
     recipe came via Mary Burgess

   2 Cups Sugar
   3/4 Cup Milk
     Mix these two together in a sauce pan and bring to a full boil. Let boil for six (6) minutes - stirring constantly - watch about boiling over!

   Remove from heat and add:
   27 finely crushed soda crackers (put them in a bag and crush them with your rolling pin!)
   1 Teaspoon Vanilla
   1/2 Cup Smooth Peanut Butter  (preferably a good brand such as Jiff or Skippy)
   Stir until well mixed and somewhat thickened.
   Pour onto a buttered platter.
   Let set up for a couple of hours.

   ENJOY!!!!!

This concludes this series of the desserts served on my side of the family for Christmas 2010.

Stay tuned to see what I decide to whip up next ;-)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:
~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)' (http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/).
~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).
~ "Market Yourself Monday", are hosted by Sumo, at 'Sumo's Sweet Stuff' (http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/)
~ "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Lisa, at 'Blessed with Grace' (http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com).
~ "Tuesdays at the Table", are hosted by Cole, at 'All The Small Stuff' (http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/).
~ "Kitchen Tip Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Tammy, at 'Tammy's Recipes' (http://www.tammysrecipes.com/).
~ "Tasty Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Jennifer, at "Balancing Beauty and Bedlam" (http://www.beautyandbedlam.com/)
~ "Whatever Goes Wednesday('s), hosted by Michelle, at 'Someday Crafts'
(http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/)
~ "Full Plate Thursday('s), hosted by Miz Helen, at 'Miz Helen's Country Cottage' (http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/)
~ "(Foodie Friday's)", are hosted by "Gollum" (aka: Michael), at 'Designs by Gollum' (http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/)

2010 Hopefully Useful Tips Directory

       This is a directory listing of sorts, of all of the "Hopefully Useful Tips" we posted in 2010.

 

Jan. 4 th, 2010 - "Wrapped Prettily" - decorating/wrapping presents while still being frugal.

 

Jan. 11 th, 2010 - "The Last Three Words" - has a lot to do with coping with life.

 

Jan. 18 th, 2010 - "Colors And Dots Coding" - makes laundry sorting ever so much easier!

 

Jan. 25 th, 2010 - "Ways to Entertain Children" -

 

Feb. 1 st, 2010 - "(Electric) Roaster Into A Crockpot" - how to make the one cook more like the other one does.

 

Feb. 8 th, 2010 - "Adding A Gas Cutter" - how to cook and eat beans, etc. without producing gas afterwords.

 

March 1st, 2010 - "Easy Glue Clean-up Tip" - learned it on 'Ask This Old House' PBS show

 

March 8 th, 2010 - "What Do You Like" - figuring out how you should decorate and then keeping the things you like in a file system

 

March 15 th, 2010 - "They Are An Easter Tradition" - tips on making deviled eggs.

March 22 nd, 2010 - "Hopefully Useful Tips '09" - subject appropriate postings from that year on our first blog site

 

March 29 th, 2010 - "Plain Ole Vinegar To The Rescue" - eliminates orders in ... and helps when boiling eggs ...

April 12th, 2010 - "Hopefully Useful Tips '08" - subject appropriate postings from that year on our first blog site

April 15th, 2010 - "So That's What It's Called"  - I have "IGAD" o;-p

April 19th, 2010 - "Killing Flying Insects and Spiders" (How to - and quickly!)

April 26th, 2010 - "Non-Tax IMPORTANT Papers To Save"

May 3rd, 2010 - "A New Home For My Earrings"

May 24th, 2010 - "Backing Up a Trailer" - how to talk yourself through it

June 1st, 2010 - "Hopefully Useful Tips '07" - subject appropriate postings from that year on our first blog site

June 19th, 2010 - "the "green" quilt" - a quilt for our grand baby

June 21st, 2010 - "the Princess has a throne" - From 'her throne', Analyse can view the world, and it is a mutual love affair ;-)

July 26th, 2010 - "Newly Improved Back Screen Door" - dog and grand children safe ;-)

August 25th, 2010 - "Our New Carts Are Here" - for Recycling and Trash

Nov. 28th, 2010 - "Christmas Directory" - Christmas related postings from our previous blog

Dec. 20th, 2010 - "Cute Christmas Gifts from Joanna" - a snowman and a cloth Christmas tree she hand made for me

Dec. 31st, 2010 - "Mastering Home Cooked Meals"

 

 

   As with the "Cooking and Baking Directories", doing these directories helps me find when and where it was I had posted something. I'm sure you other bloggers never have that problem o;-p.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:
~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)' (http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/).
~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).
~ "Market Yourself Monday", are hosted by Sumo, at 'Sumo's Sweet Stuff' (http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/)
~ "Whatever Goes Wednesday('s), hosted by Michelle, at 'Someday Crafts'
(http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/)

We spotted Elvis -

    Last Wed. after our appointment with the newest specialist, we stopped in at the big Jo-Ann fabrics out at the mall. While we were going to look for a specific type of fabric, there were silk flowers just inside the door, and we do have a wedding on this year's agenda ....
    A couple of minutes later some people come through the door and the guys voice catches my ear so I glance up, then my head snaps up, to see him grinning wickedly at me. It was Elvis!
    His voice - Elvis!
    His hair cut and face - Elvis in his prime!
    His smile - Elvis's devilish grin!
    His outfit, plain ole jeans and any ole shirt. Maybe they were there to get more 'rhinestones' for his white suit? ;-p

    Brian said that the reason we could rest assured that it was an Elvis impersonator not the real Elvis, was due to our spotting being at a Jo-Ann Fabric's, not at a Burger King. ;-b!!

    I think this qualifies under "Whit and Wisdom from Brian" - don't you?

moving on to - the Chocolate Covered Strawberries (YUM!)

   We have been telling you about how I ended up making cakes for my side of the families Christmas gathering this now past Christmas. And about how we did them up fancy like.

   Here is a picture of all of them on display in my sister's dining room.

   We've zoomed in on the "Drool-over-able Chocolate Cake",

   the "Strawberry Cake",

     and the "Carrot Cake".

   But to stop there would just be wrong. There are a couple of more pictured items that we really should zoom in on!
   Today's is the Chocolate Covered Strawberries (YUM!).

   (this picture is before the parchment paper was removed from under the cake, which we used for transporting purposes. More tip about that in the original posting about the cakes.)

   As with the drool-able-over chocolate cake, yes, I CAN easily provide a list of reference's whom will confirm that these chocolate covered strawberries do indeed provoke a "YUM!" response, should you doubt me o;-p. And no, the list does NOT only contain woman's names! It was reported to me late Christmas Eve, that a certain brother-in-law of mine had been spotted with more than one. ;-p And his name is only one of the male names on the list.

   There are numerous recipes out there for chocolate covered fruit. And we have tried a few of them. One year we paid a considerably higher price and purchased this quality name specialized dipping chocolate. Melted it according to directions. Made and served the product. Only to be told in sort of whispers, "Please don't take this wrong, but I liked the way you use to make these better. What did you do different?"  We weren't offended, we found it comical!
   We tried recipes where you melted butter with the choc. chips. Several times. Because we just could not figure out what was causing it to lump up so quick. Never did.
   Some people use recipes which include melting wax in with the chocolate. Yes, this is edible. In-fact, lots of store brand choc. chips contain wax. While they do make the final product more shiny, we have chosen to stick to our plain and simple but oh so tasty technique. Why? Because they never fail to get the "YUM!" response. Any other questions?  ;-p 

    Get fresh strawberries, whether that involves going out and picking some, or going to the store and buying some.
    Individually wash them under cold water, then set apart on layered paper toweling to dry. Completely. Chocolate will not cling good to wet fruit.
  
   Place water in the bottom part of a double boiler, but not so much that when you add the top pan, the water touches the bottom of the top pan while boiling. Put the pan on the stove and turn the heat on to med. high.
   Right away add the top pan and dump LOTS of Nestle (TM) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips into the pan. Yes, you want the Nestle(TM) ones!!! Trust me on this!!!
   Wait a couple of minutes until you can see by looking that some of the chips are turning darker due to getting warm. Start stirring them, making sure to scrape the bottom of your pan as you do so. No, you do not have to stand there and stir them the whole time.
    Once the water in the bottom pan comes to a high boil, turn it w-a-y down. By now, all of the chips will be melting and you'll be able to stir them into a nice smooth sauce like substance.

   Place a piece of parchment or waxed paper on a plate, or a cookie sheet.
   Gently pick up a strawberry by it's stem. Dip and then roll the fruit in the hot chocolate. Hold above the hot choc. for but a moment to drip, then lay onto the parchment paper.
   Go onto the next strawberry (or piece of fruit). Then the next. And the next. Till you have done all that you intend to.
   Tip here --> Sometimes it is best to sit on a stool while doing these. And when doing big batches, you oft times have to stop long enough to melt additional chips.
   BONUS TIP --> As hard as it is, strive hard not to pop a freshly dipped strawberry into your mouth .... that chocolate is H-O-T!!! (or so I would think.... o;-p)

   Once your cookie sheet is full of dipped fruit (you CAN place them quite close together. Preferable not touching like they are here.), place the pan in your fridge for about 10 minutes for them to set up. It is then best for you to do a 'quality control check' on one, or two, or.... ;-b

    If you end up with too much left over melted chocolate - scrape it out onto parchment paper and let it set up. You can then eat it by the chunk, or chop it and use it in cookies, or on ice cream, or any other ideas your mind brings to the forefront.

   While we served these at Christmas, they are good for lots of occasions. According to my niece Breanna - "any and every occasion!"
    Valentines is coming..... these are NOT hard to make!  NO THEY ARE NOT!!! Benson made the ones for Christmas!  Thanks for your help Benson!!! :-D (He also took all of the pictures in this posting :->)

   Couple of other 'details' - 
~ Fruits you can use - Strawberries, small bunches of seedless green or red grapes (HUGE hit!), apple slices, orange slices, cherries, to name but a few.


~ chocolate dipped fruit has a very short shelf life, even when kept refrigerated! It is best to schedule them in the day you plan on serving them. Two days before is w-a-y to soon!!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:
~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)' (http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/).
~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).
~ "Market Yourself Monday", are hosted by Sumo, at 'Sumo's Sweet Stuff' (http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/)
~ "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Lisa, at 'Blessed with Grace' (http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com).
~ "Tuesdays at the Table", are hosted by Cole, at 'All The Small Stuff' (http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/).
~ "Kitchen Tip Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Tammy, at 'Tammy's Recipes' (http://www.tammysrecipes.com/).
~ "Tasty Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Jennifer, at "Balancing Beauty and Bedlam" (http://www.beautyandbedlam.com/)
~ "Whatever Goes Wednesday('s), hosted by Michelle, at 'Someday Crafts'
(http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/)
~ "Full Plate Thursday('s), hosted by Miz Helen, at 'Miz Helen's Country Cottage' (http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/)
~ "(Foodie Friday's)", are hosted by "Gollum" (aka: Michael), at 'Designs by Gollum' (http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/)

it's now officially ...

   As of 4 a.m. this morning, it's now officially been a year that I have been struggling full time with this vertigo. :-[. Before that, I had had bouts of struggling with it. Numerous bouts. More than I had thought. Or so I found a couple of months ago, when slowly working my way through our old blog looking for something. But it was 4:00 a.m. on January 12th of 2010 that I woke up with all out symptoms of it.
    I am thankful that I don't constantly have all out symptoms. For me, that is the equivalent of riding on a full speed merry-go-round and a full speed tilt-a-world at the same time. So-o-o-o thankful that I seldom have full symptoms!!!!!
    Everyday I wake up hoping to find that my symptoms have vanished. But this morning, the hope was even greater. After all, today marked a full year. But alas, yet again, my hopes were crushed.
   What Lord? What is it that you are trying to teach me through this that I have not yet learned?  I know I don't always catch on to things quickly. Even things that looking back, should have been blatantly obvious. Let alone the things which make me think "come on Cheryl, it wasn't that hard, how slow are you?!?"
    It's been a year. A solid year. Preceded by all of the splotches of it. My heart gets so heavy with fear over the thought that perhaps this is permanent. To spend the rest of my life like this ... . Yes, I am currently in my early fifties. But I am ONLY in my early fifties!!! I have many years of life ahead of me. And I do NOT wish to spend them constantly dizzy and nauseous, etc.. But I don't necessarily get to chose on this subject, do I?
   I have the metal black saying that Pam R. had gifted to us a couple of years ago hanging on the back door, so that every time that I am the one to let Boo in and out, I see those words, "In everything give thanks".
   Giving thanks for this vertigo is such a challenge!!! Such an half hour by half hour, seeing what needs to be done, but getting sick to my stomach dizzy when attempting to do it, challenge. Being totally dependent on others for errands that need handled, and chores that need done, and feeling trapped, challenge.  I could go on, but it would just sound like I am whining. I do not wish to whine. Honest. I am just so tired of all of it, and my heart is so heavy with the continuance of it all.

Drool-over-able Chocolate Cake ;-)

    For the record, yes, I CAN easily provide a list of reference's whom will confirm my subject line as being the truth, should you doubt it's authenticity o;-p.

    As I have previously mentioned, I ended up making cakes for my side of the families Christmas gathering this now past Christmas. And we did them up fancy like.

   Here is a picture of all of them on display in my sister's dining room.

   In THIS posting, we zoomed in on and gave you the recipe for the Carrot Cake.

  Then in THIS posting, we zoomed in on and gave you the recipe for the Strawberry Cake.

    Today, we are zooming in on the Chocolate Cake.

    The Drool-over-able Chocolate Cake! :->
    Actually, I've already shared that recipe with you. Back when I made it for Analyse's first Birthday. You can find the recipe, as well as cute pictures of it made both into regular sized and mini sized cupcakes HERE.

    I had had this idea of how to do it kind of fancy like for Christmas. At the store, I had Brian and Brandon dig through candy bins searching for a bag of the white and dark chocolate swirled candy kisses for me (which they did, successfully :-) THANKS AGAIN GUYS!!!).  And according to all of 'my guys', I was making those "weird girlie noises" when my idea turned out looking exactly the way I had hoped it would. :-D

    Isn't it cute?!!!

   I had put little poofs of the chocolate frosting between the swirl kisses.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:
~ "Whatever Goes Wednesday('s), hosted by Michelle, at 'Someday Crafts'
(http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/)
~ "Full Plate Thursday('s), hosted by Miz Helen, at 'Miz Helen's Country Cottage' (http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/)
~ "(Foodie Friday's)", are hosted by "Gollum" (aka: Michael), at 'Designs by Gollum' (http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/)

and then next week:
~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)' (http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/).
~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).
~ "Market Yourself Monday", are hosted by Sumo, at 'Sumo's Sweet Stuff' (http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/)
~ "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Lisa, at 'Blessed with Grace' (http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com).
~ "Tuesdays at the Table", are hosted by Cole, at 'All The Small Stuff' (http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/).
~ "Kitchen Tip Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Tammy, at 'Tammy's Recipes' (http://www.tammysrecipes.com/).
~ "Tasty Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Jennifer, at "Balancing Beauty and Bedlam" (http://www.beautyandbedlam.com/)

2010 - Cooking and Baking Directory

   This is a directory listing of sorts, of all of the "Cooking and Baking" postings we did in 2010.
 

Jan. 18 th, 2010 - "Cookies - The Edible Kind ;-p "

Jan. 26 th, 2010 - "Made From Leftovers"

Feb. 1 st, 2010 - "(Electric) Roaster Into A Crockpot" - making one work more like the other

Feb. 2nd, 2010 - "Inspired By Chef Gordon Ramsey" - Chicken in unusual wraps

Feb. 8 th, 2010 - "Adding A Gas Cutter" - cooking and eating beans, etc.  without producing gas

March 15 th, 2010 - "They Are An Easter Tradition" - Deviled Eggs

March 29 th, 2010 - "Plain Ole Vinegar To The Rescue" - includes tip on boiling eggs

April 6 th, 2010 - "Warm Weather Dessert # 1" - No Bake Cheesecake

April 9 th, 2010 - "Warm Weather Dessert # 2" - Banana Split Dessert

April 29th, 2010 - "Warm Weather Dessert # 3" - Rice Krispie Treats / "The Thick Soft Type"

May 7th, 2010 - " "Cooking and Baking" Directory '09 " category appropriate postings from that year on our original blog.

June 13th, 2010 - "Chocolate B-day Cake :-)"

June 16th, 2010 - "Warm Weather Dessert # 4" - Graham Crackers With Icing

June 25th, 2010 - "Party Foods # 1" - Bean 'Salsa'

June 29th, 2010 - "Show-n-Tell" - 2 things: a couple of pic's of Analyse from her 1st B-day party, and my 'new to me' baking rack

July 2nd, 2010 - "Party Foods # 2" - 'Polish Roses' and Pickle Wraps

July 14th, 2010 - "About Cooks ;-p"

August 2nd, 2010 - "Warm Weather Dessert # 5" - Ice Cream Pie

August 6th, 2010 - "Party Foods # 3" - Garden Fresh Bruschetta

August 9th, 2010 - "Warm Weather Dessert # 6" - Strawberry Shortcake

Dec. 2nd, 2010 - "Another Improvised Recipe" - [actually, two  ;-p] using Pork Chops

Dec. 14th, 2010 - "A Canopy To Grill Under" - we found what we had been looking for!

Doing these directories helps me find when and where it was I had posted something. I'm sure you other bloggers never have that problem o;-p.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
I 'plan' on linking this particular posting up to:
~ "Making Your Home Sing Monday('s)", are hosted by Nan, at 'Mom's the Word (I love to hear)' (http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/).
~ "Homemaker Mondays ... Yours, Mine & Ours", are hosted by Jen, at '11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven' (http://rtheyallyours.blogspot.com/).
~ "Market Yourself Monday", are hosted by Sumo, at 'Sumo's Sweet Stuff' (http://sumossweetstuff.blogspot.com/)
~ "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Lisa, at 'Blessed with Grace' (http://blessedwithgrace.blogspot.com).
~ "Tuesdays at the Table", are hosted by Cole, at 'All The Small Stuff' (http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/).
~ "Kitchen Tip Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Tammy, at 'Tammy's Recipes' (http://www.tammysrecipes.com/).
~ "Tasty Tuesday('s)", are hosted by Jennifer, at "Balancing Beauty and Bedlam" (http://www.beautyandbedlam.com/)
~ "Topsy Turvy Tuesday's", are hosted by Ashlee, at 'I'm Topsy Turvy' (http://imtopsyturvy.com/)
~ "Whatever Goes Wednesday('s), hosted by Michelle, at 'Someday Crafts'
(http://somedaycrafts.blogspot.com/)
~ "Full Plate Thursday('s), hosted by Miz Helen, at 'Miz Helen's Country Cottage' (http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/)
~ "(Foodie Friday's)", are hosted by "Gollum" (aka: Michael), at 'Designs by Gollum' (http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/)