11/10/11

I do not like to mention the word snow, but I am also aware of the fact that when it gets to November anything can happen. We had enough last year to last for two years! I love it when I do not have to go outside to drive anywhere or scoop my side walk. If it would only snow everywhere but on the roads, sidewalks, and my driveway I would be very content with winter! Know anywhere that I can submit an order with those qualifications? I did not think so!

My whole week seemed to be involved with food. My nephew and his son are putting a new roof on my neighbor’s house. Now wouldn’t you think that I should cook lunch for them? The first day I learned that my nephew was not feeling well and went home. No one should be on a complicated roof if you are not fully aware. So I told his son and another employee that I had never met that they could come for lunch. My cooking, however god or bad, sounded superior to their peanut butter sandwiches. I had baked an apple pie with crumb topping and had scalloped potatoes , meatloaf, hot rolls and fresh frozen corn from my freezer. They were very appreciative, especially of the pie. Besides that, the unknown employee cleared the table while I was finishing my pie! He was possibly feeling guilty about eating two pieces of pie. The next day Mark was back (maybe he heard about the pie.) I noticed they were all working so I baked another pie and went over to tell them that they could come for lunch again. They told me they were planning on leaving early, because of threatening rain and they could not tear any more roof off if it were going to rain. Now what is a diabetic going to do with a pie with sugar in the filling and the crumb topping. So I told them to come over when they finished and eat the pie. I did not have to twist their arms. The next day they were back. I told them to come for lunch but no more pie! We had mashed potatoes, gravy, minute steaks, beef and noodles, garlic toast and more corn. For dessert they had to be happy with left over sugar cut out cookies, shaped and decorated like pumpkins. My daughter had asked for 4 dozen for a church celebration at her church. She got the choice ones but my roofers were very content with the left overs. It was a pleasure to do it because they were so appreciative of the food and ate like threshers used to. It was a magic occasion for me.

Another place where food is the prime subject was at my grandfather’s descendants family reunion. There was a small crowd, with only one outside of my dad’s kids and grandkids present. A cousin’s wife from Akron , Indiana came and brought two delicious and different desserts. I mentioned that if she would send the recipes to me I would use them. I should be more like her, because in about three days I had the recipes. What is more outstanding, neither me nor my nosy old friend lost track of them. Now while I still have them in sight, we better stop and get them on the way to you. I think you will like them both.

TANGY FRUIT SALAD
2 tablespoons orange Tang
1 box INSTANT lemon pudding
1 large can fruit cocktail, drained, reserve juice
2 cans mandarin oranges, drained Reserve I cup fruit juice.

Stir Tang into juice. Add Lemon pudding. Mix and stir well. Add fruits and stir until blended. Refrigerate. If you want to be more elaborate you can add cut up bananas, dipped in pine- apple juice and drained maraschino cherries.

JUDY’S 3-LAYER KEEBLER BARS
1st layer: Keebler Club Crackers

2nd layer:
2/3 cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
1 cup crushed graham crackers
¾ cup coconut (optional)

Line a lightly greased 9 x 13 pan with club crackers. Boil ingredients for layer 2 for five minutes. Do not stir too much or it will crystallize. Remove from heat and add coconut. Pour over crackers, spreading evenly. Add another layer of club crackers.

3rd layer:
2/3 cup peanut butter
½ cup chocolate bits
½ cut butterscotch chips

Melt together ingredients for layer three and spread over second layer of crackers. Cool. DO NOT BAKE. Cut into bars.

Thanks to Judy Haney, an in-law, but a very special person in her own right, much like her mother-in-law who was a favorite aunt of mine.