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Hello Nancy and everyone, If we can stand one more sweet potato recipe, here is one that is different and not as sugar filled. I got it from our local newspaper.
Doris, S. Indiana

Microwave Mashed Sweet Potatoes
1 24 oz. can sweet potatoes, drained
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup chunky applesauce

In a large glass bowl, mash the sweet potatoes. Stir in the honey, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add applesauce, stirring well. Cover the bowl, then microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes, or until hot, stirring midway through. If you would rather use fresh sweet potatoes, you could bake and peel four medium size potatoes.
Doris, S. Indiana

I would like to prepare some frozen meals (especially chicken) for a friend who will be undergoing cancer treatments. The meals need to be child-friendly. Any suggestions?
Nancy, Ottawa

Hi Everyone in Nancyland
It will be snowmobile season soon. My husband and I go to the family cabin in the Adirondack Mts (New York State), and snowmobile as much as we can. I am looking for a recipe for trail mix that we can snack on while "sledding".
Diane Pottstown, PA

Ten Minute Beef Stroganoff
1 pound beef tenderloin, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/2 cup chopped onions
2 cups mushrooms
1 can condensed beef broth
1 cup sour cream
2½ tablespoons flour
salt to taste

Fry beef in 1/4 cup butter quickly. Push to one side add onions & mushrooms. Add beef broth (do not boil). Then add quickly the sour cream, floor and salt which has been stirred together. Heat thoroughly & serve over buttered noodles.

JL in South Jersey

Nancy in the 10/12 Pat IL was wanting the recipe from Cracker Barrel Meatloaf. The following is from the www.recipegoldmine.com. I have had the meatloaf at the restaurant and it is good.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Meatloaf
10 lbs. ground beef
30 oz. onion, chopped ¼" square
1 lb. diced green bell peppers
10 eggs
5 tablespoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons pepper
1/2 quarts diced canned tomatoes
2¼ cup grated biscuit crumbs

Place all in large bowl, mix completely with gloved hand. Place in 3 loaf pans, press down with spoon. Bake at 300ºF in convection oven for 60 minutes. Remove from oven and invert each loaf over 8" wire rack to drain grease and juice. Spread ½ cup of catsup over each loaf. Cut into portions 5 to 6 ozs. each and keep warm. Makes 42 5 ozs. servings.

Everyone have a great day. Nancy and 4 legged associate take care, stay safe and cool.
Susie Indy

Top 100 Recipe Sites

Hi Nancy, I need to bring in my metal flowers for the winter. I sure your readers have a good way to remove the rust, so they will be ready for spring.
Vickie in MO

Hi Nancy, Would like to ask Louise that sent in the Banana Nut Cake Recipe if the 1 cup shortening, softened. Is that Crisco? I would appreciate a reply ASP plan to make it this week.
Thanks, Joyce in Ky,

Good morning Nancy,
For Pat-IL in the 10/12 newsletter asking for a recipe of Cracker Barrel’s meatloaf, how about this? By the way, I only found one for 3 loaves!

Cracker Barrel Meatloaf
http://www.massrecipes.com/recipes/04/09/

10 pounds ground beef
30 ounces onion, chopped 1/4-inch square
1 pound diced green bell peppers
10 eggs
5 tablespoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons pepper
1 1/2 quarts diced canned tomatoes
2 1/4 cups grated biscuit crumbs

Place all in large bowl, mix completely with gloved hand. Place in 3 loaf pans. press down with spoon. Bake at 300°F in convection oven for 60 minutes. Remove from oven and invert each loaf over 8-inch wire rack to drain grease and juice. Spread 1/2 cup of catsup over each loaf. Cut into portions 5 to 6 ounces each and keep warm. Makes 42 five ounce servings

Suzie in NW Michigan, in the 10/12 newsletter, here is your recipe with measurements!

Chocolate Mississippi Mud Pie
Crust:

2 C. graham cracker crumbs
1/4 C. sugar
1/2 C. butter or margarine--softened

Filling:

12 oz. whipped topping
3/4 C. sugar
8 oz. cream cheese--softened
1 small package instant pudding--chocolate
1 small package instant pudding--butterscotch
3 C. milk

Thoroughly blend crust ingredients. Press firmly in bottom of pan. Blend together half of the cool whip, sugar, and cream cheese. Spread mixture on top of crust. Whip together the puddings and milk and spread on top of cream cheese mixture. Top with remaining cool whip. http://www.thatsmyhome.com/chocolate/mismud.htm Chris in NM

For Kyra in Florida who wants a soft chocolate chip cookie and a coconut pecan cookie, check out this link http://www.abbys-kitchen.com/cookie-recipes.htm where you will find lots! Also, check the Christmas section and cake mix section.

Coconut Pecan Cookies
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. sugar
1 c. butter, softened
2 eggs at room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 c. uncooked oats
2 c. coconut
1 c. chopped nuts

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients and add. Add all remaining ingredients. Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. Drop on greased cookie sheet and bake 8 minutes at 350 degrees. Robbie IN
Chris in NM

Here is a good Halloween recipe from Abby’s Kitchen page:

Halloween Crusty Crud
Makes about 5 dozen cruddy treats.

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
5 1/3 cups flaked coconut (about 14 ounces)
1 large box lime gelatin
1 cup ground, blanched almonds
1 teaspoon almond extract

In large bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, coconut, 1/3 cup of the unprepared gelatin, almonds and almond extract. Mix well with a large mixing spoon or rubber spatula. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for about an hour or until mixture is firm enough to mold with your hands.

Scoop by 1/2 teaspoonsful and shape into various-size balls. Place them on a baking sheet which has been lined with a sheet of wax paper. Make sure they are all slightly different.

Place a second sheet of wax paper on work surface and pour remaining unprepared (dry) gelatin onto the center of the wax paper. Roll each ball in gelatin to coat well and create a thin outer layer. Place back on the baking sheet. Return balls to the refrigerator for an hour before serving, and store any extras in the refrigerator.
Source: http://www.abbyskitchen.co.uk
Chris in NM

Now for another favorite sweet potato recipe!

Sweet Potato Spice Cake
1 c. butter
1 lb. box of light brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. mashed sweet potato (from baked sweet potato)
3 c. flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. soda
1/2 c. milk
Cream cheese flavoring

Cream butter; add sugar gradually, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at at time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla, then beat in sweet potato. Sift together flour, cinnamon and soda. Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Pour batter into two 9-inch greased and floured pans. Bake at 350 degrees until firm to touch, about 40-45 minutes. Let cool in pans 5 minutes, then invert onto racks to finish cooling. Cool completely before layering and icing.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
With an electric mixer, beat 4 ounces of room temperature cream cheese, 3 tablespoons room temperature butter, 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Source: http://www.abbyskitchen.co.uk
Chris in NM

is in response to Pat-Il who asked for a copy cat recipe fro Cracker Barrel's meatloaf. (10/12) I had saved this from Nancy's newsletter. The recipe is for a crowd, but I'm sure you could cut the ingredients down and make a smaller one. Maybe even cut the recipe in half and freeze a couple smaller ones from it depending on how many you want to feed.
Hope this helps.
Cheryl in North Olmsted, Ohio

Copy Cay recipe fro Cracker Barrel Meatloaf (for a crowd)
Serves about 42
10 pounds ground beef
30 ounces onion, chopped 1/4-inch square
1 pound diced green bell peppers
10 eggs
5 tablespoons salt (Personally, I would use less)
1 1/2 tablespoon pepper
1 1/2 quart diced canned tomatoes
2 1/4 cups grated biscuit crumbs

Place all in large bowl, mix completely with gloved hand. Place in 3 loaf pans. Press down with spoon. Bake at 300 F in convection oven for 60 minutes.

Remove from oven and invert each loaf over 8-inch wire rack to drain grease and juice. Spread 1/2 cup of catsup over each loaf. Cut into portions 5 to 6 ounces each and keep warm.
Cheryl in North Olmsted, Ohio

Judy in Buffalo, Thank you for the cheese blintzes recipe. Will try real soon..
Candy

Pina Colada mix at my stores (Wegmans, Tops) are either found where all the liquor mixes (no alcohol in these mixes) are located or by the toppings for ice cream or sometimes above the ice cream cooler itself.
Judy/Buffalo

 
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This is for Florence in Indiana (Oct 12th) who was looking for a 2-coloured afghan pattern for her mother's nursing home:
Last week I was reviewing my favorite crafting links and found this one http://www.sarahanns.com/crochetworks/cwhome.html.

If you scroll about 1/3 of the way down the page there is a pattern for a reversiable afghan potholder - if you use a very large hook it makes an afghan and a small hook will make a potholder using the same pattern. Hopefully this helps!
Fran in Ottawa Ontario

Suzie in NW Michigan I think this is the crust that you are looking for.

Mix together:
1 cup flour
1 stick soft butter
2 tbsp water
1/2 cup nuts

Mix into a ball and press into a 9 x 13 pan. Bake 350 until lightly golden. Time depends on your oven. Approximately 10 minutes

While crust is baking mix together:
2 8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 beaten large eggs

When you pull crust out of oven pour 1 cup of 'melted' jam (i do it in microwave and use raspberry jam) over the baked crust and then the above cream cheese mixture over that and return it all to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes. To serve I cut it into squares.

Or you can just make a layer of topping for the cooked crust by mixing together:
2 instant pudding (any flavor)
2 cups cold milk
3/4 cup sour cream

Spread on cooled crust and before serving spread with a layer of cool whip.
Judy/Buffalo

Karen, Tom and Arval spend a lot of their time in Oregon and just came back.  They came over to see where I have moved.  They brought me some fresh eggs, and freshly picked tomatoes and okra.  When we came back from lunch Ditto had found some new uses for the okra.  He put a couple under his pillow and one was in his water dish.  Ditto puts all of his prized toys in his water dish.  I should have counted the number of okra so I know if all of them have been found.
Nancy Rogers

For Louise in Alabama... 10 sweet potato pies ... well you may as well make 11 and send me one. LOL. Please share your recipe for the pies. I'm at home recuperating from a 2 week hospital stay and major colon surgery and am craving a sweet potato pie so do share your recipe. I hope it is an easy one.
Thanks, Susan in Middle Ga.

Both Ditto and I are watching out the window.  Several houses down the street are several young children.  The four or five year old has a new little kitty.  She is pushing it in her dolly buggy down the street.  The kitty is trying to escape all along the way.  Ditto is enjoying it as much as I am.  It is so fun to watch the children on the block. 
Nancy Rogers

This is for Suzy in NW Michigan, who was asking for the measurements for her Mississippi Mud Pie. My recipe is called Chocolate Lust but it is the same thing.

Crust:
1 c. flour
1 stick margarine, softened
2 T. sugar
1 c. chopped pecans

Mix ingredients for crust. press into a 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees; cool.

Filling:

2 c. Cool Whip
1-8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
Mix ingredients until smooth. Spread over cooled crust

Topping:
1 sm. pkg. instant chocolate pudding
1 sm. pkg. instant vanilla pudding
2 c. milk
2 c. Cool Whip
Mix puddings and milk until smooth and thick. Spread over filling mixture. Top with Cool Whip. Chill. Cut into squares. Must be refrigerated; may be frozen.
Connie in TX

Recipes using Peanut Butter
Cabbage Recipes
Green Bean Casserole Recipes
Thanksgiving Recipes
Cranberry Recipes
Holiday Recipes
Meatloaf Recipes

Hello Nancy and Nancylanders. Some time ago here was a discussion in the group on cleaning the hard-to-reach bottom windshield area inside the car.
.
Yesterday my husband was looking at a catalog that had arrived in the mail and exclaimed he saw the solution. Here is the URL for the tool.

As you can see the handle pivots on the triangular plate to conform to the surface angle.
Some of our clever members may be able to look at the picture and create their own. Leah
.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/car+care/i

Kyra in Fla. you can't go wrong with the chocolate chip cookie recipe on the package of Nestle's Chocolate Chips. They always turn out soft for me. A couple hints tho, I want to pass on to you. BE Sure and use butter and have it soft. Also only bake about 8 minutes, just when they start to get a little brown. Hope this helps.
Joyce

I'm really interested in the Cream of Wheat Cornbread recipe posted by Doris, AL since she stated that it tastes surprisingly like regular cornbread. I wonder if she thinks that it might work as a substitute for regular cornbread in a cornbread dressing recipe. I'm on a special diet for dialysis patients and cornmeal is one of the things not allowed , but cream of wheat is allowed and I'm trying to put together holiday menus around my dietary requirements.

Everyone in my family is very encouraging to me about most changes but my oldest daughter is not too fond of the idea of not having the sweet potato casserole that we've had on every holiday for at least 30 years. I think I'm going to surprise her and make it anyway, I just won't eat any of it. Isn't it funny how you never really care about eating a particular food until you're told you can't have it? I'm like that with potatoes. I hardly ever ate potatoes until I went on dialysis and was told that I couldn't have potatoes in any form or fashion. Nowadays when I look at a restaurant menu, I practically drool over the potato dishes. Oh well, I guess that's just human nature.
Gail in LA

10/12/08
This is for Suzie in Michigan.
This is a very old recipe and I am sure you can use any flavor pudding. We used to do that when
we made these tortes. They were very good.

Royal Instant Pistachio Pudding Torte
1 cup flour
I stick soft butter
1/2 cup nuts.
Press in 9 by 13 pan. Bake at 325 for 12 to 15 min.

8 oz cream cheese
2/3 cup powdered sugar
Beat and add 1/2 of 9 oz cream cheese
Spread on crust

2 pkg pudding
2 1/2 cup milk
Beat and pour on cheese. Top with the rest of cream
MK in Wi.

This is for Suzie in NW Michigan, for Mississippi Mud Pie.

First layer
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Mix together and press into a 9 x 12 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Cool 2 to 3 hours.

Second layer
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
Half of a 13 and 1/2 oz. tub of Cool Whip
Beat together until fluffy and spread on top of first layer. Chill well.

Third layer
2 pkg. Instant pudding
3 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Mix according to pudding instructions. Spread over second layer and chill.

Fourth layer
the other half of the Cool Whip container
Spread over the pudding layer. Chill at least 2 hours or overnight.
Frances from Wesley Chapel

Suzie in NW Michigan wanted a recipe for Mississippi Mud Pie. I am sending a recipe for Mississippi Mud Pie, and then there is Chocolate Delight which has 2 layers like I think she is referring to - you just put a pudding layer before and after the cream cheese layer. I hope this is what you want Suzi.
AtlantaPat

Mississippi Mud Pie
1 cup chopped Walnuts or Pecans
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 (3.9 ounce) packages instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups cold milk
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (or you can use Cool Whip)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

In a medium bowl, combine nuts and flour. Mix well. Then stir in softened butter or margarine. Stir until ingredients are combined and mixture forms a ball. Press into bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and cool.

Place pudding mix in a medium bowl and whisk in milk. Mix until smooth. Allow to set up for 5 minutes then spread on top of cooled crust.

In a large bowl whip cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in confectioner's sugar until mixture is smooth. In a separate bowl, whip cream until soft peaks form; then fold into cream cheese mixture. Spread over pudding layer. Chill before serving.
Recipe yields 1 - 9x13 inch pie = 12 Servings.

For Florence in Indiana does the afghan you are looking for have a name? Is it reversible? Made of two colors and one color peeks out of the holes on the opposite side? Need you to tell us more about it?
Jody

My new husband's corn ball recipe Thank you Etta in La for the mention, my husband think that his mother did not hav any meat, pork bones, etc in the this thing soup. I would ask his mother, but we are in our 60's and she is long passed.

Due in Tenn...do you have the recipe that you think it might be and are you willing to share it with us?
Nancy in Fl.

Hi Nancy!
This is in response to Suzie from NW Michigan who was looking for recipe for her Dad's birthday party.

Mine is very similar but it's called Pistachio Pudding Dessert. I'm sure you could substitute any pudding mix, though.

Crust:
1 C flour
1 stick margarine or butter
2 T. sugar
1 C chopped pecans (reserve a few nuts for the top of the dessert)

Mix together flour, margarine, sugar and chopped nuts. Press into 9X13 pan. Bake 10 min. at 375. Watch closely as this can burn easily. Cool.

First Layer:
8 oz. cream cheese
3/4 C powdered sugar
1 Small carton Cool Whip (You will need 2 cartons)

Cream cheese, powdered sugar and Cool Whip. Mix well & pour over crust layer.

Second Layer
2 large Pkgs Instant pudding, (I use pistachio, makes a green layer) or any other flavor could be substituted.
2 1/2 C milk
Beat pudding mix & milk well. Pour over first layer.

3rd Layer:
Spread second carton of Cool Whip over pudding layer. Top with the reserved chopped pecans.
Delores Poitz

The way I cook smelts is clean them, roll in cornmeal and fry in bacon fat. Am from Maine and this is the way most people cook them. Am living in the South now and the mention of smelts make my mouth water.
Joyce from SC

Nancy, I know you haven't heard from me in a while, but life is crazy. I've missed the newsletter and all the friends I had here. I have an answer for Suzie in NW Michigan concerning her recipe. I make the same thing, except I call it a four-layer pie. Suzie, I hope this is what you're searching for:
Doris in Oklahoma City

Four-Layer Pie
1 1/2 stick margarine, melted
1/2 c. pecans chopped fine (optional)
1 1/2 c. flour
2 T. sugar
8 oz. cream cheese
2 small cartons Cool Whip
1 c. powdered sugar
2 small boxes chocolate instant pudding
1 1/2 c. milk

Preheat Oven To 350.
Combine melted margarine, flour, sugar and pecans (if using). Mix well with fork and pat into bottom of 9 X 11" pan. Bake until brown, about 20 minutes. Cool. Mix cream cheese, 1 carton Cool Whip and powdered sugar. Spread over cooled crust. Mix instant pudding and milk, let stand until thick and spread over last layer. Top with remaining carton of Cool Whip. Note: Fruit pie filling can be substituted for pudding.
Doris in Oklahoma City

Hello Nancy and all Nancylanders. A month or so ago I bought a small jar of capers. And I have no clue how to use them. Any recipes will be greatly appreciated. Nancy, Ditto sounds like a real joy for you.
Thanks, Sue in GA

Nancy I am so happy that Ditto is doing so much better, I know what a comfort he is to you!

bill Alb-NM- Rule number one! Never use "cooking" wine. Use only wine you will drink. Chicken Marsala is of course the standard that comes to ones mind first, but there are several other uses. I love to add a good splash to pasta sauce, put in chicken soup as it simmers in the crock pot. Wonderful to sprinkle over fresh strawberries, let sit awhile then enjoy. In my opinion, any recipe that calls for white wine, you can use marsala. I love to make chicken marsala, and substitute thin lean pork chops, really good! I'm sure you will get many more great ideas! Enjoy!
Billie in Fl

Dear Nancy & Friends,

We're slipping on the voting again, people: Nancy's site is down to 3rd. place again. Click on Top 100 Recipe Sites to get Nancy back where she belongs!

I have a sweet potato recipe for that lady (can't remember name) who wanted some different variations. I clipped it out of the MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL from their "You Asked For It" -Restaurant favorites column, posted Oct. 23, 2007. Pam Childs, owner of The Prairie Inn Supper Club in North Leeds, WI, sent the recipe & said it is served as a side dish in place of a starch. At one time, the plan was to have it on the menu seasonally, but customers enjoyed it so much it's now a regular item.

The Prairie Inn Supper Club Sweet Potato Crisp
(Makes about 15 servings)

6 to 7 cups canned yams (about)
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup (half a stick) plus 1 1/2 tbsps. butter, room temperature (divided)
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tbsps. flour
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine 6 cups of the yams with the egg, milk, granulated sugar & 1/4 cup butter & beat well with electric hand mixer. Mixture should be the consistency of mashed potatoes. If too thin, add additional yams. Spread evenly into a greased 13x9" pan. Mixture should come to a depth of 1/2 to 3/4 inch.

To make topping, combine brown sugar, flour, remaining 1 1/2 tbsps. butter & the nuts. Mix well & sprinkle on yams. Bake in preheated oven 45 to 60 minutes or until browned & top is caramelized & appears crispy. Let cool slightly, then cut into squares.
Take care, everyone! Susan/Superior, WI

to Sandee: I too dislike mushrooms and have used cream of onion soup for years. Works the same way. And Green bean casserole is great without the little bits of mushrooms.
Dineen in MI

Nancy,
Since Vista is taking so much abuse in your column lately, I'd like to weigh in with some comments. I am a computer tech and am reading that people seem to be having problems getting your column, among other things.

First, let me warn your readers: do not uninstall Vista to reinstall XP or some other version of Windows. Besides the fact that it is an expensive undertaking, the motherboard on your new computer has components meant to be run by the drivers built into Vista; changing your operating system will cause you headaches down the road.

One of your readers mentioned that the security settings on the computers that cannot get your newsletter must be set too high. This is a distinct possibility. If you do not know how to lower these settings, go to www.google.com and type in "how do I lower my security settings in Vista." Almost any computer question or problem can be asked and answered in this fashion.

Also, many computer users use Firefox or some other browser instead of Internet Explorer. The hint in your column of clicking three times to highlight a section to be copied works great in Internet Explorer; it does not work in Firefox, my browser of choice.

Most people who have Vista and have problems don't realize the problems are not with the operating system (Vista), but with the programs and peripherals they have been used to using. It is possible that a program you have used for years (games, for example) may not work on Vista due to their age; check the website for the game to see if there has been an update. If your printer is more than about three years old, it will likely not work with Vista. There are many things to consider when changing to a new computer. Having said that, let me say that Vista is not that different from XP; some of the screens look different and there is more "eye candy," but it is still an operating system and, in my opinion, a better one than we've ever had.

I apologize for the length of this email, but your column has a wide following and I would hate to see people scared to buy Vista - it's really not evil. LOL. My 80-yr-old mother uses it and loves it.

Thanks again for all you do for all of us.
Doris in Oklahoma City

I want to thank all of the ladies who responded to my request for recipes for Smelts. I plan on trying every one of them.
I knew I could rely on you guys.

Thanks Nancy, for this web site. What would we do without you???
Donna in Colorado

Sandee in West TN wrote inquiring about using cream of onion soup in green bean casserole. I have never used this, as my daughter and I love mushrooms, but don't know why it wouldn't work. The cream of onion soup is delicious and should compliment the casserole OK. Sandee also mentioned she doesn't cook for Thanksgiving as there are just 3-4 people.

Due to many factors, we are unable to travel to be with family members any more (I am physically not up to the trip, our car is not in the best of shape, gas prices - you know the list) but I do cook our traditional Thanksgiving meal for my daughter and myself. It just seems as though it unites us with family even if we can't be with them in person. Sandee also mentioned she didn't know about cooking Christmas dinner this year due to her husband's job situation. Believe me, I can understand what she means. My daughter and I live on my SS as she has been unable, along with many people we know, to get a job although she keeps trying and never gives up, so after paying the bills we don't have much left. We get food from a volunteer organization once a month but it isn't enough for two people for a month. However, I do horde what little money we have each month and somehow manage to get our turkey and fixings for Thanksgiving and Christmas so we can keep up tradition. We, too, celebrate Christmas for its real meaning, but at the same time we feel, even though we are only two, that this keeps us in touch with family through the spirit of it and keeps our hopes alive that just around the corner things will improve. I do hope that Sandee and her family can enjoy their Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners in this same spirit and hope. God Bless and you will be in our prayers.
Muriel in Florida

Hi Nancy and all 'Landers, Question! Would a bed of the mint Lemon Balm deter fleas? We have it planted in the backyard. It smells so clean and fresh when picked, I've been trying to think of ways to use it after it has been dried.
Margaret, Tulsa

Debbie AR, call an exterminator to spray the house inside and out. Fleas lay thousands and thousands of eggs constantly, only way to get rid of them when the problem is that bad is to get a professional.
Billie in Fl