CLICK HERE to respond to newsletter replies, requests and tips. Please include date of newsletter, name of recipe and number of servings.  Remember to include your name within the message as well.

Video Recipes for the 5 inch Reversible Better Baker Bowl Maker
Cornbread Chili    Ice Bowl   Meatloaf  Chocolate Cakes

Amish Carmel Corn
7 quarts of popped corn
2 cups dry roasted peanuts (optional)
2 cups brown sugar
½ cup light corn syrup
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp. Watkins Vanilla Extract ( I use 1 tsp. Watkins Carmel extract instead)

Place popped corn into two shallow greased baking pans. Use roasting pans, jelly roll pans or disposable roasting pans. Add the peanuts, if using. (Instead of dry roasted peanuts, you could use dried fruit like Crainins, cashews, honey roasted peanuts, etc.)

Preheat oven to 250º. Combing the brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and salt in a pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to blend. Once the mixture begins to boil, boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly.

Remove from the heat, and stir in the baking soda and vanilla. The mixture will be light and foamy. Immediately pour over the popcorn in the pans, and stir to coat. Don't worry too much at this point about getting all of the corn coated.
Bake for 1 hour, giving them a good stir every 15 minutes. Line the counter top with waxed paper. Dump the corn out onto the waxed paper and separate the pieces. Allow to cool completely, then store in airtight containers or resealable bags.
For a Cracker Jack like flavor you can use 1/3 cup light Karo and 1/3 cup molasses.

www.watkinsonline.com/hutto
sunnywatinsgirl@aol.com
Order Toll Free 888-965-7070

I am giving away 2 books in December. One is a 1982 ENTERTAINING by Martha Stewart, and the other is a Christmas Treasury 256 page book of recipes, decorations, etc. For every Watkins order placed in December your name will be put in the hat. The drawing will be Dec. 20.

Watkins Dessert Mixes and Soup Bases are on sale for the month of December. Please email your name and street address to me if you would like a copy of the December flyer.

For Carol in Friday's newsletter - PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE check your local shelter for your ragdoll cat or kitten. You would be amazed how many purebreds end up there, cats and dogs. And even if you don't find the ragdoll, maybe some other little feline waif will capture your heart. By the way, I had the good fortune of having a ragdoll kitten show up in my yard, which led to an 18-year love affair.
Barbara Nosek, Las Vegas

A newsletter was not sent out yesterday.  I could not get focused in on the newsletter when I got a call that my brother, Bud, is not doing well and is back in the hospital.
Nancy Rogers

In the Nov. 30 n/l Sue asked for the chocolate drop
fudge recipe. Here it is, Sue.
Barb in OKC

Chocolate Drop Fudge
1 bag of Old Fashion Chocolate Drops (white filling inside)
1 C peanut butter
1 Tbsp butter
Handful of chocolate chips

Place all ingredients in microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 2 minutes (microwaves vary). Mix together making sure to stir in any of the white center that may clump a little. Pour into 8x8 pan and let cool at room temperature. You can find the Chocolate drops at any dollar store, but don't wait too late to buy them because the closer to Christmas they are gone.
RosieG in Pa

This recipe was also sent in by Doris - De.

Hi ..I was wondering if anyone in Nancyland has any good ways to use dried cherries. I have quit a few of them and wondered about making a cherry cobbler. Has anyone tried doing this with them?
Mary from Newton Falls, Ohio.

2 Ingredient Fudge (canned frosting and 12 oz. choc. chips)
Salad Recipes
Salad Dressing Recipes
Jar Mix Gift Recipes

Cranberry Walnut Cream Cheese Muffins
2 sticks unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, cold
3-1/2 cups sugar, plus more for sprinkling
3 eggs
1 tsp Tahitian vanilla
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp almond extract
2 1/2 cups cake flour, plus 1 Tbsp
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup walnuts, chopped and toasted
1 Tbsp all
8 oz fresh cranberries, rinsed

Preheat oven to 375. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, toast chopped walnuts for 5-7 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove from oven and let the walnuts cool while preparing the batter.

Cream softened butter and cream cheese on medium-high for 1 minute. Add sugar in three batches, creaming on medium-high for 1 minute and scraping down the bowl before each new addition. Add the eggs one at a time and mix until incorporated. Add vanilla, lemon juice, and almond extract.

Add salt to 2-1/2 cups cake flour and add the flour to the batter in two batches, mixing on low until just incorporated. Toss cranberries with remaining 1 Tbsp cake flour to coat. Fold cranberries and walnuts into the batter until evenly distributed. Scoop batter into a well-greased or paper-lined jumbo muffin tin (if you use paper liners, be sure to still grease the top of the tin).

Fill each cup 3/4 full. Sprinkle the top of each muffin with 1/4-1/2 tsp sugar and top with 3 un-floured cranberries, lightly pressed into the batter.

Bake at 375 for 31-35 minutes or until a skewer tests done in the center of the muffin. Decrease the time if you bake the recipe in a regular-sized muffin tin.
Yields: Depends on muffin size, approximately 12 jumbo muffins.
Dawn - Cape Cod, MA

The recipe database on this site died months ago.  I want to get caught up on getting the recipes posted so they have been posted my other site. More recipes will be added on a daily basis. I want to get recipes on the alphabetical indexes current.
December 2007 Alphabetical Index to Newsletter Recipes
November 2007 Alphabetical Index to Newsletter Recipes
Nancy Rogers

Hey guys, I am writing in the hopes that someone has a clone recipe for the Texas Ya-Hoo cakes. The written description of the cake is " chunks of pure chocolate, golden Texas pecans and rich California cherries baked into a moist, delicious cake as true as the heart of Texas". It's usually called a fruit cake, but is way better than fruitcake to me. I usually buy one or two every year, but at $30 apiece, I'd rather make my own. Any help would be appreciated...oh one more thing, I do not think the cherries are maraschino, I think they are just pitted cherries. Thanks!
Make it a GREAT day!
Lisa (East Texas)

Happy up coming Holidays to all. Nancy you are quite a woman and deserve a lot of credit on keeping this group organized. I have a request. Would you wonderful cooks share a TNT corn fritter recipe? I am going to a birthday brunch and would love some recipes that I could make to bring.
Thanks,Dee in Aurora,Canada

Good morning Nancy!
This is for Sue who is wanting the recipe for the old fashioned crème drop fudge from the 11/30 newsletter: I don’t remember which newsletter it was in and couldn’t find it doing a fast search. I did keep it though, except I forgot to put the name of the person who sent it in! Another senior moment, I guess! LOL

Easy Fudge
1 lb. Brock's old fashioned creme drops
1 c. peanut butter
3/4 to 1 c. chopped nuts

Mix candy and peanut butter in microwave safe bowl. Heat 4 or 5 minutes until melted. Stir well to mix. Add nuts, mix well. Pour in pan (about 9x12). Spread and let cool. Cut into squares. Needs to be done pretty fast as this hardens rather rapidly.

Take care of those kitties!
Chris in NM

Terry Lansing, IL was asking for an idea for her grandson who is always at meetings, why don't you go to a hobby shop or craft shop and get a miniature chair like they sell for doll houses and stick the money on the back or wherever, I think he will get a kick out of that. This is just a thought. Have fun. Peggy from Belleville, Ontario, Canada

Dear Nancy
In the last couple of days when I have high-lighted a recipe to print off I do what I always do, go to file print, selection and then hit print, but the only thing that prints off is the divider lines between recipe's. Is something happening when you transfer things over?
Thank You
Betty in MI.

Comment
I haven't changed anything on the site in the past several days (or weeks) that I know of and did try and print out a section of the newsletter a couple of minutes ago. Would like to know if other recipe family members are having the same problem.
Nancy Rogers

Happy holidays to everyone. Merry in MN wrote in the newsletter dated Nov 29 about Kamish Pastries

I am sending in a recipe that I got from a woman I was friends with in the 70's. She used to make this for her big Holiday party. She said her mother made this when she was little. Her family heritage was Russian Jew. My kids loved this recipe so much when they were little. They used to fight over who would get the end pieces when it was still warm. A few years back, I lost the recipe, and was frantic. I searched many times on the internet and never found anything that comes close, so I know this is a special one. Just a couple weeks ago, I found the missing recipe card in with some business papers that I was sorting through. Wow, was I ever excited! I am going to surprise my family this year with a batch. I just thought that some of the people in our group might like the recipe, since it is so unusual. If anyone has ever had anything like these, I would love to hear back from you about where you got your recipe.

I grew up in that background of Russian Jewish Heritage and Kamish was known as Kamish Bread and you can find many different recipes for them at.
http://www.jewish-food.org/recipes/manindex.htm

Make them and enjoy for me.
Sandy Danvers Ma

Has anyone added anything extra to the box pumpkin bread and banana bread mixes ? Some of them are not as flavorful as homemade.
Thanks Kathy

To Judy from Alaska, thank you so much for my two recipes. I am excited about making them next week. We are cookie baking this weekend with my grands and the nutmeg logs will be wonderful. How silly of me to call them nutmeg fingers. LOL. From Fl to Alaska, you have made my day.
Nancy in Fl.

CLICK HERE to respond to newsletter replies, requests and tips. Please include date of newsletter, name of recipe and number of servings.  Remember to include your name within the message as well.

Mary in Polond, OH was wanting some snack mixes that don't use cereal. Why don't you just substitute the ingredients you want in the snack mix recipes? I would do cup for cup.
Connie in TX

In November 30th. newsletter Terry Lansing wanted to know suggestions for a small gift to go with money for her son who is "always in a meeting." I suggest that she give him a toy watch with a note saying "what time is your next meeting?" Another suggestion is giving him a small notebook with the note "this is for taking notes at your next meeting."
Hickory

For Carol in wrapping money for son always in a meeting, wrap the money in several meeting agendas and fake airline tickets, design a box with several important people sitting around a conference table.
Dairiel of Saint Paul, MN

I just wanted you all to know that I have been happy to see "our own Watkins lady" here on this newsletter (thanks, Nancy) I had used up all my onion soup base, almost out of my vanilla, and am getting hints from my nieces for the garlic and dill dip mix for Christmas gifts. It was so nice to speak with Brenda - she placed my order so fast!! Thanks Brenda!! I was disappointed last week when I needed to make a dip and veggies and used another soup mix (you know the one I mean, it starts with a "L" and is also the name of a popular tea) Well, it was so salty that I had to add more sour cream to make it able to be eaten. Not with the Watkins onion soup base, it is perfect as a dip, and can also be used in gravies, pot roast (yum), I am sure you will find many other uses as well. Can you tell I really like this? haha!

Nancy,
How does someone contact the Watkins lady mentioned above? I am interested in seeing what people are talking about!
Marilyn in OH

Comment
There a Watkin's ad on the sidebar of the page. Brenda has an ad in the newsletter each day. It is generally the first or second message on the page. Brenda contributes recipes a lot to the newsletter as well.

Someone asked for this recipe but I don't remember who it was. I happened to find it on the internet. I hope this is the recipe she is looking for.

Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
2 (10 oz.) bags of marshmallows
18 T. oleo
9 C. Rice Krispies
1 sm. bag of caramels
1 can Eagle Brand Milk

Melt over low heat; one bag of marshmallows and 4 T. oleo. Stir in 4 1/2 C. Rice Krispies; press into a 9"x13" buttered pan. Melt caramels, 10 T oleo, and Eagle Brand Milk together and spread over Rice Krispie mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Then repeat Rice Krispie recipe from above and put on top of caramel mixture. ENJOY
Grandma O, IL

To Dianne in Wisconsin, Thanks for getting back to me about using the Splenda in the cream cheese bars. Does this come out firm enough that it can be eaten using just your fingers?
Also thanks to GrannyM in IL. for the comment about using the pie filling. I was thinking there were sugar free pie fillings, but actually will probably not use the pie filling after all.

We have the annual senior citizens Christmas Dinner coming up, and our church always furnishes the cookies and punch. I'm in charge of diabetic/sugar free cookies, and candy, so I'm collecting any recipes that are quick and easy, but tasty too!
Thanks everyone!
Dee in S. IL.

Cream Cheese Bars -
I made these last year for Christmas and they were wonderful when I made them - everyone loved but I had a few left over and they were kinda messy on the top the next day. Maybe I should have put them back in the refrigerator. My recipe didn't say anything about refrigeration. What do you think? Doris - De.

I am sorry that we have run out of cookbooks! This was our first cookbook, and being a small church we did not know how many to order. Sorry if you ordered and did not get your cookbook. I will let you know when we get the second reprint. Also we had two Linda's from Texas to order, and know that Linda Heiseman's book was sent out and hope she received it. Their was another Lindah that wanted a book, but I do not know her last name in order to check the list of books that was sent. For you who wanted a book, I am sorry that we ran out, and hope that you will be able to order on the next reprint. I will notify you when you can order.
Betty T. Ga.

Hello Bakers
I am looking for an idea on how to make sour milk for a recipe that I have. Also, what can I use in substitution for corn syrup? Great to hear your ideas.
Happy Cooking and Baking to All, Fran, Upstate New York

Carolyn in Los Banos got "goo" on her new iron and can't get it off. A quick thing to try is sprinkle salt on a piece of waxed paper on the ironing board and run the hot iron over the salt, moving to clean salt as you go. This might work. Then Faultless makes an iron cleaner. It is in a little tube and can be found in the area of ironing boards, etc. in Wal Mart-or maybe with the spray starches. It is hanging on a little display that hangs off the shelf. Can't remember for sure where I found it, but look in those areas to begin with. This really does clean the iron.
Connie in TX

A big thank you to BB in IN letting us know about the lower sugar frosting. I saw it at the store last week and wondered how it would work in the 2 ingredient fudge. Now I will be trying it for sure.
Connie in TX

This is for Lauren MD Nov 28 newsletter
This is my mother's bread pudding. I've had the recipe probably 40 years at least. So it is Tried and true. Pat W from Southern California

My Mother's Bread Pudding
Preheat oven to 325 Degrees

1 Qt Milk Scalded ( I use 2% )
1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp Vanilla
5 Eggs
6 Slices Bread Toasted and buttered ( or to fit the pan)
1 Cup Raisins

Topping
1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Tsp Cinnamon or to taste
Mixed together

Scald milk, add sugar, vanilla and beaten eggs. ( I temper them with a little milk first then pour into the milk.) Toast and generously butter bread. Cut in half for easier serving. Place toast in sheet cake pan,
(That will fit in a larger pan to water bath the pudding.) Pour milk mixture over bread, add raisins and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar mixture over the mixture. Place pan in larger pan and add water to about 1/2 way up the pudding pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 325 degrees or knife inserted in center comes out clean.

You can use sour dough bread cut up in 1 " squares, or add 6 Tbl chocolate chips . A girl friend of mine uses day old glazed doughnuts

For Sandy in ND. I made your corn bread & chili casserole tonight and it was delicious! The only change I made was to use pinto beans and I only put in 8 oz of salsa. This is a keeper!
Kotton in MN

Hello Nancy & Gang,
I agree with the member who wrote in a couple of days ago--you should write down Ditto & Siggy's Life & Times in book form. I am sure you would have a hit, but when on earth would you have time? I love the stories-truely.

For Terry-Lansing about the gift. It was always an ongoing joke at our job that when a meeting is called we look at each other, laugh and say "you got your pen?" There was a member who was forever asking to borrow the pen of the person seated next to her. You might buy a pen set and tuck it in there, then wrap it.

To Carolyn in Rochester-Honey---now that I have picked myself up off the floor from laughing, I HAVE to ask, what did you do with the $100 check you got? That was some expensive litter-LOL< Here is another goodie for you guys.

Cow Pies
3 lb chocolate bark
1 t vanilla flavoring
1 c rice krispy cereal
1/2 c chopped pecans
1/2 c raisins*
1/2 c coconut

Melt chocolate bark in a double boiler until smooth. Remove from heat and add other ingredients to it. Stir to blend and drop while hot onto wax paper lined baking sheets into "pies". Let cool completely. Peel off and store in ziploc bags. These may be frozen for up to 1 month, also.

Pink Ladies-My sis had these at a charity auction to for Breast Cancer and are tasty as well as elegant.
1 c melted butter (not margarine)
4 c graham cracker crumbs
12 oz pink lemonade concentrate-thawed
8 c powdered sugar
2 c chopped pecans-fine
1 c coconut-tint pink with red food coloring*

Put crumbs into a bowl. Melt butter and pour into crumbs. Add lemonade and sugar, mixing well. Add nuts and roll into walnut sized balls. Roll balls into coconut that has been tinted. Place on a baking sheet and chill. Serve cold. These were served in a wine glass with mint and a silver bow around the stem, but she has also done them in dessert goblets.
*To tint coconut-put in a bowl and drop red food coloring 1 drop at the time into coconut-stirring well after each drop until you have a delicate baby pink (bubble gum) hue of color. Spread out on a sheet and allow to dry while you assemble the "ladies".

Orange Chicken-crock pot recipe
2 lb boneless, skinless breasts
2-12 oz cans orange sodas
1 c soy sauce
4 green onions-cut in 1" pieces
dash of black pepper
dash of garlic powder
Hot cooked rice

Mix chicken with all other ingredients except rice in a crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, but check after 6 hours (my crock pot cooks faster). Cook rice the last 20 minutes of cooking time. Serve chicken and sauce over hot rice.
Mimi ^..^

Can someone tell me the date of the newsletter for White Christmas Pie? (Karen in SW Arkansas referred to the recipe from Sharon in Indiana in the Nov. 18 newsletter). So I guess I am looking for Sharon's recipe! I would like to see if it is a different from my mother's recipe that I sent in after that date. My recipe has uncooked egg white's and is delish. (Sorry I don't remember the date of the newsletter where my recipe was printed)
Jae, Central OK

Cabbage Beef Casserole
1 medium head of cabbage, shredded
1 medium sweet yellow onions, chopped
1-tbspn vegetable oil
1-lb lean ground beef
1-cup Minute Rice
(28-oz) crushed tomatoes
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350E. Coat a (9 13 X 2-in baking dish with cooking spray. Place half of the cabbage in bottom of baking dish. Sauté chopped onions in oil. Mix I ground beef and cook until lightly brown. Lightly salt and pepper and stir in rice. Spoon hamburger mixture over cabbage in baking dish and top with remaining cabbage. Pour crushed tomatoes over the top and sprinkle with Tony’s Seasoning. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. (8 servings)

I need more recipes like this during the rush of the Christmas Season. Hope someone enjoys it as much as my family does.
Susana in Louisiana

For Marcia in Mt. Airy who is looking for an oven cooking recipe for baby back ribs. I don't remember where I found this method of cooking ribs, but it works really well and the meat falls off the bones. Take your ribs and cut into serving size, about 4/6 bones. Tear pieces of aluminum foil about 6 inches longer than the rib pieces. Coat front and back of the ribs with your favorite bbq sauce. Make packet with the foil by folding seams tightly on top and sides. Place the packets seam side up on tray in oven that has been preheated to 300 and cook for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. After ribs are done cooking I usually open the foil and drain the liquid that has accumulated, then rebaste with sauce again and cook for another 15 minutes or so to cook sauce onto the meat. I like my sauce to stick to the ribs. Hope you enjoy and Merry Christmas.
Linda from Pa.

Hi Nancy & friends,
Just wanted to tell you that I went back in time after seeing posts about Grape Salad and thought I'd add a note on it. My family has made this for a long time. Your recipe was in the October 7 issue. My cousin took this to a family reunion in southern Illinois. A family member called from Colorado to get the recipe as it was enjoyed so much. He had it made by a friend and took to a function he went too. Well, the function had nothing to do with food but when it came time for the speaker at the microphone, lo and behold he spent the first couple of minutes praising the Grape Salad.

So, for anyone who hasn't tried it---this may make up your mind. It's a refreshing treat from standard salads and even though I love them, jello salads.
Thanks, Jackie

Hi ..I was wondering if anyone in Nancyland has any good ways to use dried cherries. I have quit a few of them and wondered about making a cherry cobbler. Has anyone tried doing this with them?
Mary from Newton Falls, Ohio.

This is for Carolyn in Los Banos with the iron problem - go to you local fabric store and buy a tube of Dritz's Iron off. Just follow directions on the tube and the sticky fusible will come right off. I know because I use it all the time.
Margie, WA

Hi Nancy! I'd like to send thanks to Lesleigh for her Curried Cauliflower recipe submission. Lesleigh, I love curry so I'll definitely be trying your recipe along with the others that were sent it. Thanks so very much!

The Mexican Vanilla can be found on Amazon.com. I bought a 16 ounce bottle of Molina Real vanilla for about $9.00. Its really good and a great bargain for the price considering what a little bottle of pure extract costs these days.
(You can add a few pods of sliced vanilla beans to a bottle of vodka and let it sit for at least 4 months and make your own vanilla extract.)
Andee In Los Angeles

Thought I would share a couple of humorous things with the group. On the topic of Mexican vanilla, I have used it for years. Two years ago, my husband and I went across the border while we were in the San Antonio area on vacation. Many of you Texans know that you can walk across a long bridge in Laredo to get into Mexico to shop (much easier than driving your own car what with the insurance and stuff). So, I get 2 large bottles for myself and two for my mom. Then we tote it back across the bridge ( along w/ everything else we bought), pack it up to prevent breakage, and bring it home. The very next week while shopping at my local WalMart Supercenter, there it is....the exact same bottle I bought in Mexico for 40 cents cheaper!!! I stood there in the aisle and laughed! People looked at me like I was crazy. lol

Here's my kitchen "faux pas" that happened just last weekend: On Saturday afternoon I started to feel a little hungry. Still had all those Thanksgiving leftovers around and none of that sounded appealing. Since I was the only one going to eat at the time (husband was at work, 1 daughter off shopping, 1 sick daughter asleep on the couch), I decided on making a batch of Mexican cornbread just the way I like it. I always have to tone the heat down for my family when I make it. So, I preheat the oven and turn on the vent light while I am chopping the onions, red bell peppers and 4 jalapenos. Put my iron skillet in the oven to heat w/ oil and the onions and peppers and bacon to crisp up. Now, I am doing all this with only the vent hood light because my kitchen opens up into the family room, and my sick daughter is asleep on the couch. I go to the pantry and get a box of Jiffy mix. I mix up the Jiffy, add corn, 2 cheeses and the jalapenos, pour it over the onions, peppers, and bacon in the hot skillet and set the timer for 20 minutes. The whole time it is baking, I'm thinking how great this is going to be piping hot. So, after 20 minutes goes by, I take it out and cover the top w/ grated cheddar cheese. I cut a huge slab (about 1/4 of the pan) and carry it into the living room to eat it while I watch a movie. Fork up a big mouthful, chew and YUCK! Something tastes really weird. So I take a good look at it and realize the color looks funny too. Take another small bite to see if I can figure it out. Still tastes awful, so I go look in the trash at the Jiffy box. Yep, it was Jiffy alright, but not cornbread mix...it was oatmeal muffin mix! I laughed so hard I cried. Boy, what waste! And I had been looking so forward to it too. Thought about making another batch but found, after eating my mistake, that Mexican cornbread just didn't sound appealing right then. lol
So, there are two of my "duh" moments I thought I would share.
Make it a GREAT day everybody!
Lisa (East Texas)

For Carolyn in Rochester, NY, who wants to buy a new vacuum cleaner. If you can possibly afford the extra expense, I strongly recommend a Rainbow Cleaner. The dirt goes into a clear bowl of water, so you just empty the bowl when finished. The bags have gotten so expensive, besides the fact that they smell bad, especially if you have animals in the house. They last many, many years. My only experience with it was when I lived with my son for a while. His cleaner was old, and it was a hand me down, but it still worked great, and it was very easy to handle. I have been told that a reconditioned one is less expensive than a new one, and still has a good warranty.
Frances in Wesley Chapel, FL

Hi Nancy,
Siggy and Ditto are just too funny! I laughed when I read that Ditto hid all of his toys under the spread and that they both made thier Happy Meow :)

I wanted to Thank Sue from GA for the Fruit Cake Recipe with less Cake and more Fruit. My Mom's cakes were always so good as there was just enough cake to hold the frit together and it was so delicious that way.
To Carolyn in Rochester NY: I have an Orick Vacuume.

I won't ever buy another brand. They are lightweight (about 10 pounds), and they pick up stuff really well. We have 5 cats so we have lots of hair and so on in our house. I have owned many brands, but this is the best I have ever had.
Jackie in Pensacola

Carolyn, Rochester, New York was asking about vacuums...we switched over from the Kirby to a Dyson years ago. It is a wonderful cleaner. There is even a "pet" model especially for animal hair. My Dyson is not the pet one, but it came w/ a special attachment for pet hair and it works great. I would highly recommend this brand to anyone who needs a heavy cleaner, that is light weight. I use it for carpet and wood floors.
Good luck.
Lisa (East Texas)

Newsletter for November 30, 2007
To Carolyn from New York who asked about a vacuum. You had an older Kirby model, heavy, bulky etc. My pick would be the Dyson. They are somewhat expensive, but you would find ( as most people do ) that you can use most any other machine, then go back over what you have done with a Dyson and you will gets lots more material. The biggest bonus after that ....... no bags, no bags, no bags. Seems to me, most people either don't much like these Dysons' or they would never use anything else.
Hope this helps. Jackie

Mr Myron Drinkwater has a problem with his planters and neighbor kitties. We had a problem with squirrels digging out out bulbs in the garden. Someone suggested using the following recipe and spraying the area well. I don't know if it will work for kitties but I have a feeling they will move on to another unsprayed area. You can give it a try.
Barb/De

Squirrel Chaser
1/4 cup tabasco sauce
4 squirts liquid dish soap
1 cup water
1 Tbsp. chili powder

Mix well. Put in spray bottle. Spray area well in Spring and Fall.

For Myron Drinkwater and his problem with the cats, I have read that scattering orange and grapefruit peels can be a deterrent. Maybe lemon peels, too. There was an area behind an easy chair where a turtle -- yes, a box turtle -- made a mess and my cats decided that was the place to go. The citrus fruit peels -- plus a little scolding -- worked and they never go snooping behind that chair anymore. Of course, my friends wondered why there were orange and grapefruit peels beside the chair but they would not look as strange in a planters' box.
No name included with message

Hi Nancy, Well I believe the following recipe for ham loaf is the one I have been looking for. I am making it tomorrow for dinner. My hubby said he had never had it before! It is so good!

http://www.nancys-kitchen.com/

“Last night I couldn't sleep and got up and started looking through my grandmother's recipes. Knowing that there had been several recipes for Ham Loaf sent in to Nancy, I thought I might come across one and I did. In my grandmother's handwriting and dated 1929, this is her ham loaf. Jane Ann in Alabama”

Ham Loaf
1 lb. Ham
1 lb. lean Pork
2 eggs
1 cup bread crumbs
1 cup milk
Mix and shape into small loaves.

Syrup
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 scant cup of water
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 scant teaspoon dry mustard

Boil this and pour over the loaves in roaster. Bake slowly 2 hours. (Makes 12-14 small loaves). “As you can see, this recipe is almost 80 years old. Maybe this is one that someone was looking to find.”

Chris in NM

For the lady who wants a party mix without cereal:

Sugared Cranberry Trail Mix
1 cup whole almonds
2 cups small pretzels
1 cup dried cranberries
1 egg white
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread almonds evenly on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake 7-8 minutes or until nuts are slightly darker in color. Cool completely on pan. Reduce oven temperature to 225 degrees. In a large bowl, combine nuts, pretzels and cranberries. In a small bowl, beat egg white until foamy. Add sugar and cinnamon. Pour over pretzel mixture; toss until well coated. Spread evenly on a greased baking sheet. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely on pan. Store in an air-tight container.
grannym IL

Nancy please send us your address so we can send cards to you and your "helpers" ?

Mr Drinkwater your question was answered about the cats but since I don't have a cat now I didn't read it carefully. They suggested oranges for one thing. and I have heard that mothballs also help. Hope you and all our friends and family have a great and Blessed Christmas. Jean Cecil VA/FL

Mr. Drinkwater~ Spreading 'something' cats dislike in planters seems way to go. I've heard of someone using barbed wire--BUT, instead, do try scattering less extreme *orange peels* or spray area with *citronella*, because most cats hate that smell. And/or, try this TNT cat-deterrent recipe, which was submitted on web: "Grind up & mix in blender--1 clove Garlic, 1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce, 1/4 cup Sunlight dish soap, 2 cups Water--pour over area you want cats to stay away from." Too bad that cats don't leave fertilizer that's as beneficial as chickens'--then you'd be coaxing them into your planters with catnip instead!! Good luck.
Carol/SoCal

Comment
Ditto, Siggy and Nancy Rogers
Box 816
Canyon, Texas 79015

HI,
This is a response to Carolyn in Rochester, New York. We moved into a new house almost 2 years ago and we have a dog that sheds badly. I wanted to get a head start on my new carpet and someone suggested a Dyson especially for pet hair. I have been extremely happy with this vacuum. It is the best one I have owned in the 42 yr. I have been married. It does not require a bag, and I use it on bare floors as well as carpet.I hope this helps.
Kay in Illinois

In Response to Carolyn in Rochester, New York 11-30-07
I have heard that the Dyson Vacuum would be your best bet, my Daughter has one and they have a Brittany Dog that sheds like crazy and this Vacum picks up all of that shedded Dog Hair.
Ursula, Wa. State

Hi all, a few days ago I posted a request but have not seen it in the newsletter. I have 2 chihuahuas, 7 months old that I am trying to house break. I'm not having much luck. They do their business outside when I take them out, but they also dirty in the house - anywhere they please. Would anyone have any suggestions as to how to break them of this bad habit. Appreciate hearing your solutions, ladies. Thanks. Gay in L.I.

Kathy from Long Island is looking for a recipe for cookies from Holland - Stroopwafels. Does anyone have one?

for Myron Drinkwater 12/1
On Martha Stewart's show last week the pet expert said to put sharp toothpicks vertically all over the soil spaced about 2 inches apart to discourage cats and the other suggestion was to put down chicken wire over the soil as they don't like the feel on their feet or put chicken wire and then decorative stones.

Hope this helps.
Barb in N CA

Carol wants a ragdoll kitten but they are too expensive. Have you thought about adopting a ragdoll cat instead? I have seen them on rescue sites and also at adoption centers and they are very affordable.
Margo/Boston

I'd have to agree with what Lara of Carol/SoCal said in nov. 28th newsletter. About flavoring children's medicine. For awhile when I was grammar school age, my Mom would put milk of magnesia in orange juice and we'd have to drink it every morning. I don't remember how long she did that but it couldn't of been much more than a couple of weeks. One morning, my sister and I both got sick as a dog after drinking it. That was the last time we had to drink that. There was also the time that my sister and I had spent the weekend with our Dad and she gave us a piece of 'chocolate' when we came home. It wasn't chocolate.
All I can say is this was back in the late 50's-early 60's. Maybe back then it was the thing to do.

To this day, I don't do liquid meds of any kind and I'm 56 years old.
Have a great day!!!
Sandee in West TN

Does any one have a recipe for a dip that has these ingredients:
softened butter, softened cream cheese and brown sugar? There are more ingredients but I can't think of them. Thanks so much.
JBradburn - In

Hi Nancy, this is for Terry in IL, needing an idea for the money holder for her son for Christmas. See if you can get a small briefcase to stuff it in or buy a pen and take out the refill and roll the money and stuff in there. Of all the meetings I went to these were the two things that always went with me. Good Luck your idea sounds really unique. Pat, DE

This is for Marilyn, Michigan concerning a Christmas Jam Cake. I did a search of previous newsletters and came up with this one.
Holiday Cake Recipes

Christmas Jam Cake
4 c. flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. raisins
5 eggs
1 c. butter
2 c. brown sugar
2 c. jam
1 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. soda, dissolved in milk

Sift flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix with raisins. Cream butter and add sugar. Add jam to this batter mixture. Add the flour mixture, alternating with buttermilk. When all flour and buttermilk have been added, add beaten eggs and soda dissolved in milk. Stir thoroughly. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Ice with following

ICING
3 c. brown sugar
Butter the size of an egg
1 c. water
1 c. raisins
1 c. dates
2 c. English walnuts

Hope this is what she is looking for, Pat, Magnolia,DE.

Hi!
This is in response to Millie in MO who was looking for tips so that her Pecan Pie crust wouldn’t stick. I used two tips this Thanksgiving that seemed to work really well. First, when making a pie with high sugar content (and what could be higher in that than Pecan Pie!) do NOT .prick. your pie crust. Makes sense if you think about it. Next, gently flour both the top and the bottom of the crust just before putting in the pie pan. No sticking for me this year! Hopefully these tips will help you as well.
Susan in Wash State

About the Mexican vanilla......I purchased some about 7 years ago at the Global Market in my hometown, Manassas, Va. Have been using it ever since and it is definitely not a "low end" quality vanilla. We live 45 min away but I always try to remember to get some on our trips back. It was less expensive than the vanilla we all normally buy off our supermarket shelves and in my opinion is better. Our daughter recently brought some back from their recent Disney cruise to Mexico. Iris in Va.

*This may be a repeat recipe.  I could not remember if it had been posted before.

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Messages that pertain to canning and home remedies are no longer included in the newsletter.  Messages that pertain suggestions and opinions about health issues are not posted as well.

Some messages have been edited to avoid duplicate information that has been posted in recent newsletters.
Nancy Rogers