Cheeseburger Soup

1/2 lb. ground beef;3/4c.chopped onions;3/4c.diced carrots;3/4c.diced celery;1t.basil;1t.dried parsley flakes;4T.butter,divided;3c.chicken broth;4c.diced potatoes;1/4c.flour 8 oz. Velveeta cheese;11/2c.milk;1t.salt;1/4t.pepper;1/4c.sour cream.
In a 3 qt.skillet,brown meat & onion.drain & set aside.in same pan,saute carrots,celery,basil& parsley in 1T.butter until tender.Add broth,potatoes & meat.Bring to a boil.Cover & simmer until potatoes are tender.Meanwhile,in a skillet,melt remaining butter,add flour.Cook & stir until bubbly.Add milk,salt,pepper & cheese.Heat & stir for 5 min. until smooth.Add to soup.Remove from heat.Add sour cream.Do not boil after it is all together. DELICIOUS! serves 8

Peppermint Patties

I have to share this recipe even if for most the candy making is over till next year. This will be one that i will use all year!If you like York patties like i do,you will love these! Our son Kevin asked why buy the York patties??? They even look like the boughten ones! :) :)
1 lb.powdered sugar;3Tbsp.butter,softened;2 to 3 tsp.peppermint extract;1/2tsp.vanilla extract;1/4c. evaporated milk;2c.(12ounces)semisweet chocolate chips;2Tbsp.shortening-In a bowl,combine first 4 ingredients.Add milk & mix well.Roll into 1-inch balls & place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.Chill for 20 minutes.Flatten with a glass to 1/4 in.;chill for 30 minutes.In a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl,melt chocolate chips & shortening.Dip patties;place on waxed paper to harden.Yield:about 5 dozen. THE BEST!!!!!!NOTE- Paul wanted to know why i didn't make mine bigger!!:) :)

Dinnerbell Raisin Cream Pie

Here is the recipe from the cookbook i was sharing on my status on facebook yesterday.
The reason its called Dinnerbell raisin cream pie is that this recipe was used when my sister in law used to make dinners for their catering business & the name of her business was called dinnerbell & this recipe was used exclusively for the suppers.Today her & her husband have moved to Honduras for 4 years to be on the mission field,please remember them in your prayers!
Take 1 c.raisins,1 1/2c.water,2/3c.sugar & 2tsp. lemon juice.Put in kettle,cover & simmer for 15 minutes.Dissolve 3 Tbsp.corn starch or clear jell in 1/2c. sweet cream.Add 2 egg yolks.Mix well,then add to raisin mixture.Boil all together till thickened.(note:mine thickened really quik)Add 1/2 tsp.salt,1/2 tsp.cloves,1/2tsp.cinnamon & 1/4 tsp.nutmeg.Boil 1 minute more.Add 1 Tbsp.butter & 1 c. sour cream.Cool.Pour into baked pie crust & cover with whipped cream. DELICIOUS!!!!!!!

Dip for fruit

Here is a very simple,last minute,delicious dip for apples,grapes,any finger fruit.
8 oz. cream cheese-softened;1/2 cup plus 2T. brown sugar;2T. white sugar;1t. vanilla-mix together and ENJOY!!!!!

Almond Chicken Casserole

Again i remind you all,i do not post a recipe that me or my children have not tried!
This is very simple to make and ohhh so very good!
2 cups cubed cooked chicken;1 can(10-3/4 ounces)condensed cream of chicken soup,undiluted;1 cup(8 ounces)sour cream;3/4 cup mayonnaise;2 celery ribs,chopped;3 hard-cooked eggs,chopped;1 can(8 ounces)water chestnuts,drained& chopped;1 can(4 ounces)mushroom stems& pieces,drained;1 T. finely chopped onion;2 t. lemon juice;1/2 t. salt;1/4 t. pepper;1 cup(4 ounces)shredded cheddar cheese;1/2 cup crushed cornflakes;2 T. butter,melted;1/4 cup sliced almonds.In a large bowl,combine the first 12 ingredients.Transfer to a greased 13-in.by 9-in.by 2in. baking dish;sprinkle with cheese.Toss cornflakes with butter;sprinkle over cheese.Top with almonds.Bake,uncovered,at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.Yield 6-8 servings..ENJOY!!!!!! most def. a family favorite!!!

its been to long........

I missed chatting with you all!! Yes its been so long that i forgot my password for my blog,lets just say that is very sad!!!Here we are 2010!! wow,who would of thought it,2010! I will tell on my age but i remember in high school,discussing what it would be like living in the year of 2000's.:)All i can say its awesome living in this era!
I'm not much for goal setting the first of every year because well, i'd be interested to know how many of you follow through to the end with them,yup thot so!! :)And again maybe thats why my book isn't completed yet or the recipes for the cookbook are scattered everywhere!
Have much to share so what do i share?? We spent time with our family between the holiday's.Was so awesome to see our children again,even Kevin & Michelle came up from florida to be with all of us!I miss Krystal& Kendra so much too & can't forget our favorite son in law Jeremey and Kendra's Brad!So we made memories to last!And i cannot forget the most precious thing that happened to our family this past year! we got blessed with our first grandson,Jacob;Krystal & Jeremey adopted him,it became official in October.He is 7 years old and is grandma Karen's favorite!!!!! I cannot say enough how much i love our children and miss them but one thing i am learning;we can always love them & support them wherever we are! Kids hug yourself for being the best kids i have ever had!! Can you tell i'm having a "i miss them" moment!!:) :)
On a different note,later on i will be posting afew recipes for you all to enjoy...Gotta go wipe my tears.......

want your house to smell......so good this time of year...

Where do i begin???? i have so many things to share and that includes recipes,anything from peppermint patties to how to use up your leftover turkey to a simple recipe to keep your skin soothing for the winter!Plus a recipe you must have to make your house smell soooooo good!!!!
Today i will share that recipe;
1-2 quarts water;3T.ground cinnamon;2T.ground cloves;1t.ground nutmeg;1T.anise seeds(optional);1t. ground ginger...
Bring to boil-stirring occasionally.Then simmer to low
NOTE:I personally keep adding water to the spices and use it for acouple days.You will not be disappointed in this smell!!!
Matter of fact i am heading to my kitchen right now and get my potpourri started....
Before i go i will also share a recipe for:Skin-soothing bath;
In a large container(with lid),mix 1 cup light olive oil,1/2cup each honey and liquid soap and 2T.vanilla extract.Shake gently and pour 1/4 of the mixture into a warm bath.Store in a cool,dry place for up to 6 months.This neutralizes damaging radicals to fortify skin against cold-weather calamities like windburn,chapping,and dryness.