Cranberry Fruit Delight

This is a recipe that my family enjoys for Thanksgiving or Christmas. With the strawberry gelatin, even the children like it. It's easy, fruity and fresh tasting!

Cranberry Fruit Delight
1 bag fresh cranberries, chopped
1 large seedless orange, peeled and chopped
1 large red delicious apple, unpeeled, cored and chopped (I got a little carried away and
peeled my apple this time)
3/4 cup crushed pineapple, undrained
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1 package (4 serving size) strawberry Jell-O
1 cup chopped walnuts
3 walnut or pecan halves
1 maraschino cherry

~ Place cranberries, orange, apple and crushed pineapple in a medium bowl.
~ Add 3/4 cup sugar and mix well; set aside for about 15 minutes.
~ Meanwhile, heat 1 cup orange juice and 1/4 cup water in a saucepan until it comes to a boil.
~ Add Jell-O and stir until it completly dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
~ Meanwhile drain all liquid from cranberry-fruit mixture, reserving 3/4 cup, discard any remaining liquid.
~ Add 3/4 cup liquid to Jell-O. Chill in refrigerator for about 30 minutes and then add to cranberry-fruit mixture; mixing until well blended.
~ Cover and chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.
~ The salad will set up more as it chills, but will not set up completely.
~ Just before serving add chopped walnuts, mix and garnish with 3 walnut halves and a maraschino cherry or fresh cranberry.
                                                      * Recipe Source: Dana's Recipe *

Amish Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

 My daughter Alisha chose these whoopie pies, after winning the cake walk, at a fall festival held at my youngest daughters school.

I ask if anyone knew who had made them, and the secretary in the office remembered who had brought them in for the cake walk. She ask for the recipe and the lady was gracious enough to bring a copy of the recipe to school the very next day, my daughter brought it home to me, in her book bag. I'm so happy she shared this recipe with me.

Amish Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

2 cups pumpkin

2 egg yolks

2 cups brown sugar

1 cup oil

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

~Mix flour, spices, baking powder and baking soda.

~In a separate bowl, beat together pumpkin, egg yolks, brown sugar, oil and vanilla. gradually add dry ingredients, beating well.

~Drop by teaspoonfuls (I used a tablespoon) onto lightly greased baking sheet.

~Bake at 350 degrees F. for 12 to 15 minutes, taking care not to burn.

~Let cool one minute on cookie sheet, then remove to wire cooling rack.

Filling:

~Beat 1/2 cup soft butter, 8-oz. soft cream cheese, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.

~Gradually add in one pound of confectioners' sugar and beat until creamy.

~Spread generously between 2 cookies.

~Makes 2-1/2 -3 dozen 2-1/2 inch sandwich cookies.

* Recipe Source: A lady I never got a chance to meet. But I appreciate very much, her sharing this recipe with me. * 

Halloween 2008

My grandaughter Savannah Rose in her Raggedy Ann costume. She won the costume contest in her age group, at our local mall, Halloween 2008. I think she looks adorable!

Halloween 2009

This is my grandaughter Savannah Rose, in her peacock costume. This picture was taken on Halloween night at a costume contest she entered at our local mall. Isn't she cute! Her Gan-Gan thinks she's a winner!

Halloween 2007

This is my  grandaughter, Savannah Rose in her spider costume. I don't usually like spiders, but I really love this one! 

Hot Chocolate Mix

This is a hot chocolate mix that my daughter Andrea and I enjoy making, she likes mixing all the dry ingredients together. We enjoy it on cold mornings and made it to give as party favors at the Halloween party my sister and I hosted for our families. 

Ingredients you will need, the brands I choose for this recipe.

 Andrea's Hot Chocolate Mix

1 cup (8 oz.) non-fat dry milk (Carnation)

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar (Domino or Dixie Crystals)

2 cups (16 oz.) Instant chocolate milk mix (Nestle)

1/2 cup (6 oz.) non-dairy coffee creamer, we like Hazelnut flavor (Coffee Mate)

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa (Hershey's)

Large box (5.9 oz.) instant chococlate pudding mix (Jell-O)

Miniature marshmallows, if desired

~ Combine all ingredients, except miniature marshmallows.

~ Mix well and store in airtight container.

~ Mix 3 to 4 level tablespoons with (8 oz.) hot, not boiling milk. 

~ Top with miniature marshmallows and enjoy!

                                                       

 * Recipe Source: Andrea's Recipe *

Halloween Party Picks

 I had trouble finding Halloween picks this year, so I made my own. I purchased the sticker       

book pictured above, at AC Moores craft store and a large box of round toothpicks at Walmart. Choose sticker books that have uniform stickers that will line up evenly when you stick them back to back at the top of each toothpick. And make sure there is a matching pair of stickers for each pick you will want to make. A little time consuming, but  I thought this was a nice alternative to store bought picks.