Healthy Cheese Ball?

Yes, if it counts that it has kiwi and strawberries in it. Anyway, have you seen this recipe? I am not sure I had. But I'm sure going to give it a whirl!

"Better Than A Fruitcake Cheese Ball"

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

2 t. mayonnaise

¾ c. chopped pecans, divided

½ c. chopped candied kiwi fruit, divided

½ c. chopped candied strawberries, divided

Cream together Cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and mayonnaise. Add ½ c. pecans, ¼ c. kiwi fruit and ¼ c. strawberries.

Mix remaining pecans, kiwi, and strawberries. Press coating mixture into cheese ball to make it stick. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 2-3 hours. Bring to room temperature before serving.

(Sharon Fabianke/Texas Electric Cooperative)

Beautiful!

The Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist

Savannah 

In Keeping with Tradition.....

On Thanksgiving Day, we always take a few minutes to do our "Christmas Craft" with the family. It's usually an ornament that can be added to the tree. We have done them from all ends of the creativity scale. Never the less..... it's so special to look at them from year to year and think about those sweet times together.

So here are a few shots from yesterday.......

And the last two pics here are crafts done for Jonah and Glory for their first Thanksgiving/Christmases (2005 and 2008)....

(Happy Birthday, Greg!)

Blessed Beyond Measure!

I have so much to be thankful for. It is really about Thanks-Living each and every day!

Happy Thanks-Living to you!

Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a beautiful island off the coast of Georgia. Vacationers flock the island for its hotels, resorts, beaches, and guided tours. We took a tour of the historical area as we made our way to Savannah during our first day.

The 240-acre historical area is most known for the Jekyll Island Club era from 1888-1942. Here there are over 30 buildings that surround the club building which are mostly restored "cottages." It seems that the rich and famous came to their Jekyll homes only January through March of every year to avoid harsher winters else where. Most of the homes had no full kitchens; all meals were prepared at the clubhouse. The meals were delivered and served by individual homeowners' staff.

(Clubhouse)

Can you imagine...these were homes to families for only three months of the year?!

If I could just remember a third of all the information we were told, I would impress myself!

 A WINNER!

I got back last night. What a beautiful city Savannah is. I haven't had time to get my thoughts together. But, as promised, I wanted to take care of the giveaway.  

Thanks to everyone who left kind words. Congratulations, Deb (Ladybug From Texas). Random Integer Generator pulled your number up. So you have won the countertop recipe flipbook that came back with me. Email me your address, and I will get it in the mail pronto!!

Pictures and some stories later.........

Savannah and a Giveaway!

Marilyn, two friends, and I are headed out this morning! I have wanted to tour Savannah now for several years, and I am so excited that I will finally get to see it. We fly out bright and early (6:55 a.m.) and will come home Monday night. We have 7 days of "stuff" lined up to do in 4-5 days. We will be staying in a row house similar to these.

While I am away, I will be hosting a giveaway for a surprise gift I'll be bringing home. Just leave me a comment. The giveaway will close Monday night, November 22, and the winner will be announced on Tuesday.

Another ChaChink!

In my quest to use up things on hand, another project is complete. Chachink!

I had new pint jars, rings, and lids. I had peppers that Marilyn had given me. Put these with my love for El Chico's carrots, peppers, and onion relish, this girl is smiling.

I am smiling because, even though I was pushed for time, it's done. I'm smiling because Rick ran the veggies through the food processor for me! I'm smiling because the jars are sealed, and that is a very good thing.

Marilyn has previously posted the knock-off recipe on our recipe blog. If you are interested in it, go here. .

Tidbits

Jelly with a Punch!

I've been trying to use up things in our large freezer--mainly because it needs a good cleaning. This morning I decided to set out two jars of frozen plum juice with plans to make jelly this afternoon. I even had the cute little jelly jars already on hand, too.

So when I got ready to get started late this afternoon I got a little surprise. I discovered that I had one container of plum juice and one container of strawberry punch!

So I'm here to tell you I just mixed the two together and WAALAA. I now have the cutest little jars of strawberry plum jelly you've ever seen.

Tonight we sampled it. Rick gave it two thumbs up, and I have to admit -- it's good!!

Apple Cake with Caramel Sauce

If you want a crowd pleaser for the fall, then take my word for it. THIS IS IT! I made it again last night for my ladies' bible study group. Serve it warm and just watch the smiles.

Cake:

¾ c. butter

2 c. granulated sugar

2 eggs

2 c. all purpose flour

2 t. ground cinnamon

2 t. baking soda

½ t. ground nutmeg

½ t. salt

4 cups finely chopped apples (I used Granny Smith.)

1 t. vanilla

Sauce:

¾ c. butter

¾ c. granulated sugar

¾ c.  packed brown sugar

¾ c. heavy cream

1 ½  t. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 cake pan.

Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in eggs one at a time. Sift together dry ingredients and add to egg mixture alternately with apples. Stir in vanilla. Pour into greased pan and bake for 40-50 minutes.

Cool in pan for 5 minutes before cutting into squares.

Sauce: Combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Immediately remove from heat and spoon over individual servings of warm cake.

YUM YUM!!!

Table Talk

Our church hosted a senior citizens' luncheon/bingo event yesterday. Norma, one of our very talented ladies, always decorates the tables. She did a great job; take a peek at several of them.......

Which one do you like best?

NASCAR'S NEWEST  FAN

Jonah got to come down to Texas Motor Speedway on Friday with Justin. He was thrilled to be there. He went to the truck races with him that night and then spent the night. Saturday morning Rick and I took him to the church ministry area where they were conducting children's activities throughout the entire weekend. Later that afternoon he got to go to the Sprint race with everyone. He went home Saturday afternoon (not that he wanted to).

This afternoon while he was at the house I decided to "interview" him.

Me: "Jonah, can you tell Nanna five things you liked the best about NASCAR weekend?"

Jonah: "Umm. Yes. The flyover. The play area. Getting to make a pinewood derby car. Watching the race."

Me: "One more?"

Jonah: "Getting to wear headphones."

He's already asked if he gets to stay longer next year when he's six!

A BIG HELLO!

Just wanted to do a quick shout this evening. We've been at NASCAR at Texas Motor Speedway since Thursday. Didn't have any internet...thus the reason for no posts. But rest assured -- I have good stuff to share with you. Later!

Treats for the Ladies

Last week I had decided to whip up something for the ladies in my bible study. Nothing fancy....just a few Halloween treats to take home.

Supplies......white sacks, computer-printed image, homemade cookies and brownies, a Snickers bar, and bible verse cards I made.

Oh my goodness. What did I do??

Yes, I forgot to give them to the ladies. I realized it the next morning! Don't laugh...do not laugh!

I just put everything in the freezer--sacks and all. Luckily, I did remember to take them out yesterday.

So last night when we met, I had myself a note taped in my book..."GIVE OUT THE HALLOWEEN SACKS!"

Do any of you relate?

Hope you got treated--not tricked!

The Cutest Little Bones and Bug!