My most requested Recipe!

Over the years I have had many requests for various dishes. This one, without a doubt is requested the most. Uncle Doug can't go to Nascar Races without it. Since he leaves tomorrow for Talledaga I had to make a bunch. I really do not have a recipe but here is the best I can do.

We just call this "The Dip" You can adjust, add, reduce......whatever you want to do. I so hope you enjoy.

4 pounds of ground round

4 cans of rotel tomatoes

salsa

6 pounds of velveeta cheese

chopped onions

sour cream

brown ground beef with onions, drain and put in crock pot. Add rotel tomatoes, velveeta cheese and salsa . Continue warming until you get the right texture. Use the salsa (more or less) to determine this. Let cool a bit then add sour cream. Grab a bowl and watch the races.....Go JR!

Do not take to a boiling roll again or you will 'break' the sour cream

Uncle Doug, Keelie and Josh

Halloween treats for healthcare workers.

These cupcakes are pumpkin angel food with cream cheese frosting. I figure the fat free in the cupcake counteracts the the calories in the frosting. I am going to post many versions that I found on a Weight Watchers BB many years ago.

Endless Possibilities Angel Food Cake Serves: 12

1 box Betty Crocker (1-Step) angel food cake mix *see variations below*

Mix the angel food cake mix and desired flavor ingredients together and beat by hand until blended. Pour into ungreased 9x13 pan (or muffin tin) and bake at 350F for 35-40 minutes (muffins bake 15-18 minutes). Cool upside down for best results.

Lemon -- 1 cup + 3 Tbsp water, 2 Tbsp lemon juice and 2 tsp grated lemon peel

Orange Citrus -- 1-1/4 cup water and 2 tsp grated orange peel

Cherry -- 1 can (20 oz) light cherry pie filling Black Forest -- add 1/2 cup cocoa to Cherry Cotton Candy -- 1 small pkg (3.4 oz) sugar free flavored gelatin, any flavor, 1-1/4 cup water. Margarita -- 1 cup + 2 Tbsp water, 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice and 1-1/2 tsp grated lime rind Pineapple -- 1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple in juice (do not drain)

Pina Colada -- add 1 Tbsp coconut extract (and 1 Tbsp rum extract) to pineapple directions Pumpkin -- 1 can (15 oz) pumpkin, 3/4c water, 1T vanilla & 1T pumpkin pie spice (or spices below)

Spiced -- 1-1/4 cup water, 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp nutmeg and 1/4 tsp ground cloves

Carrot - Add 1/2cup finely shredded carrot 14oz can of pineapple cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg

Cream Cheese Whipped Frosting (I used 40 drops of yellow and 10 drops of red)

Ingredients:
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup white sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
Directions:
1.
In a small bowl beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form; set aside.
2.
In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla. Beat until smooth, then fold in whipped cream.

I found the pumpkin wraps at http://www.roundaboutsleeves.com/holidays/halloween.html

They have so many cute ideas and it was really easy.

We delievered 60 cupcakes to pharmacy staff, nurses and nurses aids at local Nursing Homes.

Look at these beautiful boxes of dog treats! We made tons of these little treats for our furbabies to take to the less fortunate dogs at our local shelter. Josh was not feeling well so she could not go but Keelie enjoyed distributing these to our local friends. We also got a box of used tennis balls from a local tennis court so everyone got a toy as well. Remember your local animal shelter! Many grocery stores have boxes to drop donations. You can also drop donations at your local food pantry. You can also make donations in honor of others to a shelter in your area. BOO!

My First Tablescape post

Here is the final look. I did change the napkins to a 100% cotton orange with a pumpkin napkin ring. The runner is a tapestry type material and is very subtle. The cutlery is Colin Cowell. The little wooden birds my precious husband bought me at an estate sale. I have canning jars on each place setting because I am serving soup in them. I thought it would be fun. Oh the dishes are from QVC. This is my first tablescape post. I take terrible pictures so please bear with me and I will try to get better. The little scarecrow on the swing is another find from my precious husband. The salt and pepper shaker are from Silvestri.

I would so love it if you would leave a comment on any thing about the blog that my precious friend Kathy from Life in the Slow Lane designed and set up for me. I just love it. When you check out her blog notice that beautiful child on that big 'ole pig! That is Kathy when she was young. I so love that image. Again thank you Kathy!

Beautiful handmade tablecloth

Look at this beautiful tablecloth. Handmade, this picture does not do it justice. It was given to me by the sweetest lady in the world. We were having soup this night and in the backgroud is a lovely swan soup tureen . I will be back soon to post some tablescapes.
T

The napkin rings are acrylic with built in salt and pepper shakers. I know I am going to have to do something Christmasy so I can do something great with that soup tureen. Isn't this tablecloth incredible? Please leave me comments if you came by for a visit.

Harvey and the other babies get ready For Halloween

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

I got this recipe off allrecipes a few years ago. It is Uncle Doug's favorite cookie in the whole world!

Ingredients:
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups butter, softened
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 cups chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour and baking soda, set aside. 2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar. Beat in the instant pudding mix until blended. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Blend in the flour mixture. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and nuts. Drop cookies by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. 3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Edges should be golden brown