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I have been very busy, in case you noticed that I have not posted for two weeks now. So sorry!!
Isn't this a lovely photo above? Little Miss Muffett.. so sweet. Makes me want to crawl in the photo and "sit along side her."
I have had a very busy week in my kitchen. ( throught my house, but here is the kitchen part LOL) I Made a few things that turned out real nice.
These are just some of those goodies that we, and even some neighbor- friends, enjoyed this week:
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Pecan Shingles:
Graham Crackers
Butter
Brown Sugar
Vanilla
Crushed Pecans
Directions:
* Line a jelly roll pan, or any other pan with sides, with your graham crackers. Make sure the grahams touch.
*Melt equal amounts of butter to brown sugar on your stovetop. Add some vanilla, a teaspoon is fine. Bring to a boil, stir a little, remove from heat. Should be thick like a heavy pancake syrup. If it's not, just add a bit more sugar and melt it down some more.
*Pour that 'syrup of happiness' overtop of the grahams.
*Sprinkle the chopped pecans all over the top of the happy grahams.
*Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes. Let cool.
*Share with a friend.
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Autumn Fruit Salad
Granny Smith apples (half dozen, or more if you need more food!)
1/4 Cup (or less) Apple Cider, cold
1/2 Cup Shredded Coconut ( I use all natural)
1/2 Cup Raisins
1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries
1/2 Cup Walnuts, whole pieces
1/2 Cup Vanilla Yogurt
Directions
* Do not peel apples. Core & chop apples into bite size, nickel sized pieces.
* Stir in apple cider slowly, just enough to cover/coat your apples well. Not runny! This was something I thought of instead of using lemon juice or orange juice. It not only worked, but it kicked up this salad in a big way!!
* Add all remaining ingredients, except for the yogurt. Toss well. Enjoy.
Note: It's better if you have a short while to refrigerate this sald. Then, just blend in the yogurt directly before serving. Just make sure that you don't add the yogurt and then let it sit around. It will get runny:( and not pretty! LOL
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The following casserole I made for the ladies table at our local homeschool co-op. We each take a week to make a casserole. This is just your typical morning casserole. Although, I made it larger, in an 11 X 15 pyrex dish, instead of the 9 X 13. I was very happy with the result. The ladies loved it.
Strata Bake
1 Lb Sausage, cooked, drainned & crumbled
6 Eggs, beaten
2 C. Milk
1 1/2 C Shredded Cheeses. ( I used Colby Jack & Swiss)
6-8 Slices white bread, crusts trimmed
salt & pepper to taste
You made also add:
Onion, green pepper, tomatoes, mushrooms.
Directions
*Butter your casserole dish.
*Place bread slices in bottom of dish.
*Beat eggs and milk together, add your salt & pepper. Set aside.
*Place sausage on top of bread.
* Spread around the cheese.
*Top the cheese with any extras, like onions, etc.. (I added sauteed onions/peppers to mine)
*Sprinke more cheese if you want.
*Pour your egg/milk mixture, evenly over your casserole.
*Refrigerate Overnight
***Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes, or until it looks brown/ready.

( ( THE ABOVE CLIPART IS COURTESTY OF DESIGNEDTOAT.COM)) Thanks!!
MAKING CENTS ($$$) OF IT ALL....
The apple dish above was, yet, ANOTHER, dish that I made from those 3 bushels of apples that I got for ten bucks on our anniversary trip. Sounds nuts that they would still be good. But, I have kept close watch on them, on my cold front porch. When stored outside, they really do last a very long time. YIPPEE. I still have enough left of 3 different kinds to make a heaping more load of goodies. Lucky you'all!! hee, hee,hee.
The nuts, I usually try to buy one pack of nuts each week. That way I don't break the bank. I just replenish. I always, though, try to buy double or even tripple of those during this time of year. At Kroger this past week, all nuts were 3.99 per LB. That is a very good price. Especially for pecans. Those pecans are so costly. I love this time of year!!!
Butter is simply dirt cheap right now. It is 1.50$ per Lb at Walmart for their brand. Land O Lakes is 2.00$, which is still a really good deal.
Disapointed that COSTCO raised the price of their heavy cream this month. They can't fool me!
Chocolate chips are also dirt cheap right now. Stock up now if you can. Freeze them too, along with the nuts, butter, and other goodies. A homemaker can never have enough staples in the pantry. In the longrun, this is truly what saves money. All kinds of things can be created in the spur of a moment.:)
Walmart also has very large bags of sugar for around $10.74$, for 25 Lbs.
If you can purchase one large item each week, then all this will slowly fill your pantry. Invest in your pantry. I believe this saves money, big money in the longrun.
I love to talk saving, baking, saving!!!! Can't help it!! Just forgive my ramblings....
Love to all,
Joyfully sharing,

Shannon |