Best and Easiest Macaroni and Cheese
Preheat oven to 350°. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a 3 quart baking dish in the warm oven.

Add 2-1/2 cups dry macaroni and stir to coat.
Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt and an 8 oz. package sharp shredded cheese over macaroni and stir lightly.

Add 1 quart of milk over all. Do not stir. Do not cover while baking. Bake 1 hour (Mine took longer than 1 hour). Makes 2 quarts of macaroni.

The secret to this is to use sharp cheddar cheese.
Jeane in PA

This is for the 80 year old that purchased cheddar cheese powder and didn't know what to do with it. Well, I purchased some put out by Pioneer. I heated 2 c. water to hot not boiling and added 1 cup and whisk it with a whisk to get the lumps out. It is wonderful over broccoli, macaroni, cauliflower, asparagus and what ever you use cheese sauce on. Enjoy the newsletter so much. Keep up the wonderful work.
Madelyn of Central Ar.

Vermont Maple Products at The Vermont Country Store

To Boots in Va --
Save your money on a gizmo to torte or cut cake layers. All you need is a piece of monofilament fishing line.

I normally use about a 10 or 14 lb test line, and then on the sides of the cake, put a toothpick in a couple or three places around the layer to mark where you want to make the cut, for example, 1/2" or 3/4" from the base. Then, take a piece of fishing line and put it right below the toothpicks, and bring the line around the cake. Then, cross the ends of the line and pull. This will make a nice clean cut when you pull the ends and it will slice right through the middle of the cake. I have used this method to even make very thin layers for my specialty lemon torte, where I will cut a single layer into three or four layers before adding my filling.

I have made wedding and special event cakes for approximately 30 years, and have used this trick without fail. It is also an easy way to cut sheet cakes by stretching a piece of fishing line from side to side or end to end on the cake to get clean cuts, without disturbing the icing or decoration like you would by drawing a knife through it. Just take a length of fishing line, and lay it across the top of the sheet cake, and pull tight, and pull it toward the base of the cake. Repeat wherever you would typically draw a knife through it.

This is also the best way to cut a cheesecake!
Hope this helps!
Sandy H in Blue Springs, Missouri

Recipes from the 2005 Newsletters.

For Boots in Virginia
Just use dental floss to cut a cake layer into two pieces. Works just great. Genie

Boots in VA was asking for the gizmo to cut cake layers in half. You don't need anything special for that. Use a clean piece of dental floss and by using a "sawing" motion you can cut threw the cake any place you want. Works like a charm!!
Jan in Texas

I have a salad recipe that I think you will like

Taffy Apple Salad
4 Cups diced unpeeled Granny Smith Apples
8 oz crushed pineapple drained real good. [save
juice]
2 cups small marshmallows
10oz cool whip
1-1/2 cups chopped salted peanuts

Dressing
1/2 Cup sugar
2 T red cider vinegar
1 T flour
1 egg,beaten

In small sauce pan mix flour, sugar, vinegar, & egg with 1 cup pineapple juice (add water to make 1 cup.) Cook over low heat stirring constantly until thick. Cool completely. Combine apples, pineapple, marshmallows & 1 cup peanuts. Pour cooled mixture over fruit. Stir in cool whip. Sprinkle remaining peanuts on top & refrigerate.
Alice - Kansas

This is for Moerlina who asks about a dry pudding mix to make while camping.

Moerlina, I have no idea what kind of flavored pudding you want but if you follow these instructions, you can make any flavor you like at your next campout.

1 Large box of instant pudding mix (I use the Jello brand)
1 cup instant dry milk
3 cups of water
1 ziplock baggie

Mix your dry milk with the dry pudding mix and store in the baggie. When you get the camp ground, just pour the water into your baggie and shake well and let the pudding set for awhile. We put crumbled cookies like chocolate chip or Oreos on the bottom of a paper cup and pour the pudding over. One large box usually feeds four but we have children so we double this recipe.

For Karen In SW Arkansas regarding the citrus chicken marinade. Karen, I marinate 6 chicken breasts in the following:

1/2 cup of orange juice,
1/2 pineapple juice,
2 TB fresh orange zest
1 TB of black pepper and 1 tsp. salt
1 TB of Cumin
1 TB chili powder
1 tsp Cayenne pepper
2 TB vegetable oil.

Marinate for at least an hour then broil or grill. Use the juice to baste the chicken while baking.

The pineapple juice gives the chicken a sweet and tangy flavor and compliments the orange flavor. You can add more or less cayenne pepper depending on how spicy you want the chicken to be. If you want a true lime flavor, just squeeze fresh lime juice lightly over the chicken right before you serve it

For Marilyn In Michigan. I found the recipe for the Outback Steak Seasoning on Uncle Phaedrus's Lost Recipes. All he states there is to sprinkle the following over your steaks and marinate for a awhile then grill.

1 package of taco seasoning, 1 package of Italian dressing mix and one can of Coke. The recipe with the Scottish ale was also on that web site and it sure sound like a good recipe. We're going to try both tonight!
Andee In L.A.

If you are having a hard time locating certain spices, go to:
www.spicesetc.com
there you will find Star Anise and many many more.
Trish in Fl

Hi Nancy and all
Regarding the flea problem .... Before the new flea repelling products came out, I always put a layer of lime on my fenced-in yard where my 2 poodles loved to play. Then I used a hose sprayer with Palmolive dish detergent to spray the lime down into the ground. With dogs on all sides of our yard, mine were the only ones that were free of fleas. I did this every spring and never had fleas again. One side effect was my yard always looked better and greener than all the yards around us. I got this tip from the breeder that I got my fur babies from. I did use a flea bomb inside the house the first time to get rid of any inside. That also got rid of all the spiders hiding inside not to mention the little bugs in my house plants.

The lime keeps the fleas from emerging from underground.
Barb/De.

I know everyone here loves TnT recipes. Well, this recipe I just tried 2 days ago and it was so moist, so yummy and so easy. Enjoy! Hi Nancy, and thank you for this wonderful newsletter!
Dawn, cape cod, ma

Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Recipe Yield: 8-10
Nonstick cooking spray
1 box Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans (if desired)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 cups butter
1/2 cup oil
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup sour cream

Spray 10-cup bunt pan with nonstick cooking spray. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In a small bowl with an electric mixer, combine eggs, oil, and butter until light and fluffy.

Add cake mix and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add vanilla and cinnamon and mix another minute. Using a rubber spatula. Fold sour cream into batter (batter will be stiff).

Drop half of batter by large spoonfuls into prepared bunt pan. Using a rubber spatula, spread batter to cover bottom of pan. Sprinkle brown sugar mixture evenly over batter. Top with remaining batter, dropping by spoonfuls and spreading with rubber spatula to cover filling.

Insert knife into batter in pan and zigzag through cake to lightly swirl filling. Tap pan to remove air bubbles. Bake cake until puffed and golden brown on top, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes. Invert onto serving plate and shake gently to remove cake from pan.

Note: you can ad blueberries to this by adding about ½ to 1 cup to the mixed batter. I also sprinkle the top of the cake with a bit of brown sugar just before baking to give it that crunch.

Forgot to copy Chili Cornbread Casserole from April 13th newsletter. Could you please forward this to me. Thanks. love your newsletter ... it has supplied me with great meals!!
Thanx! Mary

It is still online. All you have to do is go to that newsletter and print it out.
http://www.nancys-kitchen.com/april-13-2007.htm
Nancy

For Vickie -- Ohio what size pan do you use for the Lemon Dessert?
Really sounds good but need to know what size pan for how thick
this would be. Thanks
Marilyn, Mn.

Hi Nancy hope you and your darlings are ok. I don't think you have gave us any reports on how they are doing for awhile. It always puts a smile on my face when people talk about their little one's. The Easter bunny left a nice surprise for us, a litter of pups with our outside dog. Even with a kennel she seems to escape every so often, seems I'll definitely have to fix it so
there is not another holiday surprise.

In the April 26 newsletter Susan in WV was wanting a pea salad recipe. The one I make is fairly simple and got it from our cafeteria lady who is an excellent cook;

Lettuce cut up
Onion chopped up in little pieces
Shredded chedder cheese
Frozen peas
Mix all together and just before serving add ranch dressing

No certain amounts, just add as much or as little as you want of all.
Jenny in Ky.

For Hudson Valley Kathleen,
Regarding using Star Anise in your Chai tea, I've always used cardamom (which you didn't mention). Would I use the Star Anise in place of the cardamom or in addition to it. I've never used or smelled Star Anise.
Thanks, Marge in OH

The following message was in April 13th's newsletter:

"At this same brunch, someone spilled red wine on my tablecloth. I use the $1.00 Awesome cleaner from the Dollar Tree and it comes out like a charm. Works on all stains and the price is right.
Linda from OR"

I am in need of a really good stain remover/cleaner because I have an exercise mat that has a few little stains on it. Plus, over time I know that I will need to continue using it. Since the mat is covered with a cloth-type material, but it can't be taken off and the whole mat can't be washed, could I use the Awesome cleaner with it?

Thanks so much in advance, Linda!!!!!!!
Karen T.

Dear Nancy:
I've got a question. Tona in Bama has provided us with a plethora of great recipes. However, I would like to know what "Tona in Bama" means. Is Tona a male or female? Also, does Bama mean Alabama?
Thanks so much in advance, Karen T

Could someone please tell me what newsletter the recipe for the Crock Pot Chocolate Mess was in, I'd appreciate it. And Nancy, you are doing such a great job with this newsletter, and I'm sure everyone appreciates what you are doing. God Bless You
thanks, Sally in PA

Response to Shirley (4/27): The Maple Cocoa Shake recipe is correct as written.
Athena in DE

Grace from Al (April 27 newsletter) Regarding the flies coming into the house when your husband needs the door open longer: I have seen a door sized net like screen in catalogues that can be just pushed aside with you body as you enter and falls back into place. Do you know what I mean? I will keep a look out for it and send you better information when i see it again.
Margo/Boston

Hello Nancy, Thank you for your many hours you must spend on your computer putting the newsletter together.

We ALL appreciate it. First of all, I would like to thank Karen in SD for the planting tip for horseradish, which I am going to try as soon as it quits raining.

For Roberts wife in Ohio, and the oil on sweatshirts. I don't know if this will work, but I had some grease from cooking on a pink shirt and I tried many things and finally tried scrubbing bubbles and it took it right out and did not affect the color. If your sweatshirts have been dried in the dryer with the oil on them the stain may be set forever but give it a try.
Roz in Indy

April 27th newsletter: Who ever did the search for Tona's recipes would you please tell me how you found them? I went to the link you provided but couldn't find her recipes..
Thank you, Candy

To Grace in AL --
To get rid of flies around your entry way, try filling gallon-size or larger clear plastic bags about half-full of water, and sealing up, then hanging close to the door. If the water leaks out for whatever reason, just replace the bag of water.

I know this sounds crazy, but when my son and his bride were married in my front yard of our country home, almost seven years ago this coming September, my sister-in-law told me about doing this. Even though the temperatures were in the high 80's and low 90's, we were going to have the reception buffet outside, and we set the buffet tables up on our porch that extended the full length of the house. About three days before the wedding, we filled clear bags with water, and tied a fancy little bow around the top with a sprig of artificial flowers and greenery to dress up the bag, and then hung these bags under the eave of the porch roof, and at the top of each column on our porch. Surprisingly, the bags looked more like balloons and were decorative, but the main point was, we did not notice flies at all around the food buffet or on the porch, or within several feet from the porch. I left the bags up the rest of the fall, and still did not notice flies around that porch area.

The next spring, I did the same thing, and kept them there until we moved that summer, and again, we saw almost no flies. In my new home, I have a large arbor area over my patio, and I have continued to do this, hanging the bags under the eaves of the arbor, and have no problems with flies in that area, or trying to come in through my sliding patio doors when my young grandchildren leave the door open.

I have no idea why this works, but I know of a couple horse stables in the area that do the same thing around their horse barns and paddock areas.
Sandy H in Blue Springs, Missouri

Hi Nancy, Nancylanders and furbabies. Hope all is well in your part of the world and that this was a lovely Friday for a change.

Judy Montana - I prepared the shrimp yesterday. I prepared the marinade then put in the UNcooked, peeled shrimps. Tonight I cooked the shrimps in the marinade and it was divine!!!! I'm sure that it would be just as lovely with the cooked shrimp. Thank you for a great, simple and versatile recipe.

Boots in VA - the only gizmo you need is either thread or dental floss which you put around the cake at the height you want to cut it, cross the thread in front and pull on each side.
Angel from Sherbrooke

To Robert's wife in Ohio --
My husband has been a heavy equipment mechanic for over 36 years on the same job, and encountering the heavy grease and road tar stains is commonplace. One of the best things I have found has been rubbing the grease/tar with mechanic's hand cleaner such as Gojo or Goop, and letting it set in the oil for an hour or two before washing. That usually takes out most stains, then wash normally.

Also, on some severe cases I have washed the stain with gasoline or lighter fluid, then rinsed, and washed then in the washer.

These have been two of the best things that work for me, but there will just be some things that nothing seems to work on, and it is due to the type of stain and the type of fabric, and I hate to say it, but used transmission oil is one of the toughest to remove.
Sandy H in Blue Springs, Missouri

Comment
Please use extreme caution if using gasoline or lighter fluid.
Nancy

In April 28th newsletter, Karen from SW Arkansas was asking about the citrus marinade for chicken. There is a product called MOJO (it is pronounced Moe-hoe) that can be bought in the supermarkets. It can be found in the Spanish/Latino section there. Goya makes a version of it. I used to live in Florida and bought it all the time. It's wonderful to marinade chicken, fish, Shrimp. I did a search online for the one from the restaurant and here it is! :-)
~Dee in England

El Pollo Loco recipe
1 chicken, cut into pieces (leave skin on)
1/3 cup lemon juice1/3 cup lime juice
1/3 cup canola or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Briefly simmer the cut-up chicken in a deep-sided skillet, keeping the pieces in a single layer without crowding them, until the meat appears milky white and the juices run clear, no longer pink. Allow to cool in the broth, uncovered, while you prepare the basting sauce.

Arrange the chicken pieces skin-side up on broiler pan in single layer and baste with enough of mixture to evenly coat skin side. Turn and baste the other side. Turn skin side up and broil 6 inches from the heat source, brushing with additional sauce every few minutes until skin is very crispy and golden brown, approximately 5 to 8 minutes for large pieces.

Basting Sauce
Mix juices, oil, turmeric, salt and pepper. This makes enough to baste nine pieces.

To Mary in Colorado.
In the grocery stores here I have found the cheddar cheese powder in 2 different spots. One is with all the popcorn supplies, They carry both cheddar and nacho cheese. Then in the pasta section you can find Kraft cheddar cheese powder also.
Mary from Iowa

Dear Nancy,
I am SO glad to read your message about having a problem with all the turtle posts.

I, too, feel the way you do. Although I have not had a turtle as a pet, I have an affinity for them for some reason. ( Actually I am a vegetarian because about 25 years ago I finally couldn't take eating animals any more & could fend for myself in the cooking department. It was one of the best choices I ever made in my life. :) )
I wanted to write to express my heartache about the turtle messages but felt I was likely being "too sensitive" on a board with a majority of omnivore members.

I don't mind most 'meat' recipes as many can be adapted to use meat replacers or leave it out entirely and still have an interesting meal. But even more than baby cow (veal) and baby sheep (lamb) recipes that show up occasionally, these messages/recipes upset me a great deal. I just did my best to scan the message and if I saw 'turtle' I skipped it entirely. But to read your message allowed me to write to you and express my views too. I do not care if you print this (in whole or in part)- I just wanted to send you a huge HUG for saying something 'out loud'. :)
Thank you so much.

For Robert's wife in Ohio. Try GOJO hand soap. It's a hand cleaner that mechanics use. Scrub it in with an old toothbrush and let it sit for a little while. Then wash. It might take a couple of washes. Rose in Texas

Hi Nancy
My husband & I have been gone on holiday for over 3 weeks so just getting caught up. I really want to thank Carolyn from Los Banos for sending the information of Maytag dishwashers recall. Unfortunately mine was on the recall list and I never would have known if it hadn't been for this wonderful newsletter. Thanks for preventing what could have been a disaster.
Bea in IL

To Grace from Ala. I was told and have use this method. Put some plain tap water into a zip lock bag. Seal it and hang it by your doors.

I punched a hole in the top of the bag, above the zipper, and reinforced it with those little hole things, then I hang it from a hook on my patio. And we don't have any flies. Now if only this would work with those pesky little gnats.

I have a friend, that puts string through several and hangs them on the side of her door. It really does work. There is something about the water in the bag that send those flies packing.
Louisiana Lady

Yes, used 1 tablespoon vanilla in the strawberry milkshake recipe using the Magic Bullet. I love vanilla and usually have a heavy hand. In this case with the strong strawberry flavor it just seemed to work. Of course you can start with a teaspoon, taste and can add more.
jamtx

For Boots in Va. regarding cutting cake layers in two. I don't know about any "gizmos" that will do it, but Cook's Illustrated recommends placing a cooled layer on top of another and making a slight cut (1/8") in both layers. Then cut in half as carefully as you can with a long serrated knife using a sawing motion. The reason for the slight cuts is so you can stack them back up like they were and any unevenness will not show.
Barbara in AL

TRADE-WINDS SALAD
2 cup cooked shell macaroni
2 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup cubed cooked chicken, turkey, or ham
1 1/2 cup pineapple chunks undrained
1/2 cup chopped apples
1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon salt

Cook macaroni shells and drain well and cool. Melt butter and brown sugar in medium saucepan. Add chicken, turkey or ham and cook until browned; cool. Combine cooled macaroni, chicken, turkey or ham, apples and cheese in large bowl. Drain pineapple chunks saving 2 tablespoon of the juice; add the pineapple chunks to macaroni mixture. Combine mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, pineapple juice and slat and blend well. Pour dressing over macaroni mixture. Toss lightly. Chill. Serves 6
Bette~Indiana

ORANGE SLUSH
3 cups water
3 cups sugar
Boil 2-3 minutes, stir until syrupy.
Let cool.
1 large can crushed pineapple
1 large can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 large can water that the orange juice was in
6 finely chopped bananas
1 bottle maraschino cherries
1 can mandarin oranges

Freeze. Serve slushy
Bette~Indiana

Hello Nancy and all, I hope everyone has escaped the terrible weather we've heard about lately. It's been a very stormy springtime. I have a request for help with a dessert my mother-in-law made for my children and now I've been asked to make it. I guess we all wish we'd paid more attention back when we had the chance to ask questions and observe. I know I sure do. This is an old recipe I'm sure. Probably one that was made up to speed things along. It's just called Cherry Dumplings. I'm not big on cherries so I don't recall ever tasting it, but I seem to remember it had cherries like you would use to make a cherry pie and then rolled out dumplings were dropped into the cherry juice. I'm sure there were other ingredients. Any help would sure be appreciated. I made the lemonade cake from the newsletter for my son to take on a fishing trip. Naturally when my daughter found out :) she said she wanted me to make her some cherry dumplings. Help! :)
I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.
Doris, S. Indiana

To Rosemary, 4/27/07 newsletter: Your Shrimp Sauce is almost identical to one I made up and have used for many years! I call mine Cocktail Sauce and use it with fish and seafood dishes. I just start with the catsup, add as much horseradish as I want, squirt some lemon juice in it and, the only difference from yours, I add Worcestershire (just a couple of shakes) in mine. I honestly can say I have never had any in restaurants that beats it.
Isn't it GOOD?
Barbara in AL

To Boots in Va
I think what you are looking for is called a Cake leveler, you can look it up at www.wilton.com, you can buy them anywhere they sell cake baking supplies, Jo-Ann.com , Michaels or Walmart.com. I use mine a lot.
Trish in Fl

Boots in Va 4/27 page 2 wanted a gizmo for cutting cakes into 2 layers, I got one at qvc a long time ago that came with something else i got, floss works the same and is a lot cheaper.

Sandy in Iowa 4/27 don't know if this is the one you want but I think you make it like mashed.
do not have the date, sorry.

"Cider Sweet Potatoes"
6 or 7 sweet potatoes
1 cup apple cider
2 tablespoons pure butter (nothing else)
2/3 cup maple syru1/2 teaspoon cinnamon ( You could add nutmeg, cardamon, etc if you want also)
salt boiling water I'm sorry I listed applesauce instead of apple cider!!! How to fix it is the same Dear Nancy it sounds like you need a lightning rod on your home!!! Do take care.
Judy Montana

Nancy i have finally got caught up with the newsletter and am going to turn this computer off. It is 12:00, lunch time, Saturday, and haven't hit a lick at anything. haha
Jenny in Ky

Hi Nancy and all Nancylanders,
In reply to Carolyn in Los Banos, CA about the Cream Cheese Banana Bread recipe. I used 2 tsp. baking powder although Tona in Bama calls for 1/2 tsp. in her recipe. I tried the bread with 1/2 tsp. baking powder and my bread didn't seem to want to rise enough. You can try it both way's and see which works best for you. Sorry for the confusion.
Dianne in Wisconsin

Carolyn in Los Bamos: I'm glad you tried the celery in the foil trick. I, too, never have to throw away celery - even after a three-week vacation. I came back and expected to have to empty my vegetable bin. The only thing I salvaged was the celery (which was about a week old when I left). For those who didn't see the original tip, be sure the celery is removed from any plastic sack or covering and completely and tightly covered so all air is kept out.
Doris in Oklahoma City

To Grace from AL, in the 2nd page of the April 27th newsletter:

You asked about ways to ward off flies that are entering an oft-used outside door:

1. Find some peppermint bar soap (maybe at a health food store?) and cut it into 3-4 pieces and place into a hose-end sprayer, and spray the area around the door once a week (sidewalk, deck, bushes, grass, etc.). Or you could use liquid peppermint soap, and fill the hose-end sprayer with that.

2. Grow lavender bushes around the door entrance -- one on either side of the door, and maybe another smaller one hanging near the door (or have a hanging container with sprigs).

3. Grow tansy plants near the door.

4. Install a ceiling fan inside, close to the door. Use one that moves 1,500 cubic feet or more of air downward per minute. Flies don't like to fly against the current.

Good luck!
Jeff in L.A

Hi Nancy,
In the 4/27 newsletter Boots in Va was wanting to know where to buy 'a gizmo' to cut a cake layer into two layers. She doesn't need to buy anything special, just a long piece of unwaxed dental floss and a few toothpicks will do the job. Place a few toothpicks every so often around the side of the cake layer. Then place the dental floss on the toothpicks all the way around, cross the ends of the floss and pull quickly through the cake layer. The one layer will then be two. Much less mess than trying to slice with a knife.

Also, Lynn in Las Vegas ask how I freeze onions. I don't do anything special. Just chop as many onions as I want (I usually try to chop at least two at the time), place them in a zipper bag and lay flat in the freezer. Be sure to double bag unless you want other foods onion flavored and smelling like onions. These, as well as the chopped green peppers, are easy to break apart (I just give them a quick 'whack' on the edge of the counter) and use in recipes where they will be cooked as they loose their crispness when thawed. I once tried to freeze celery but it was a complete mess - even when cooked. Won't try that one again.

Now I have a question for anyone that might have the answer. I have tried to freeze chopped/cut-up potatoes and have not been able to do this where they can be used. I know that potatoes can be frozen because you can buy frozen French fries and frozen hash browns. I have to buy a 5# bag of potatoes to get just one or two at the time and if I don't use them quickly I wind up having to throw them away. As I live alone, this is quite a waste. Has anyone been able to freeze cut-up, uncooked potatoes? If so, what is the process? Do you blanch them as other vegetables, just put them in the freezer or what?

And to Nancy for your job on the newsletter, many thanks. Your efforts are much appreciated.
Oma in LA (Lower Alabama)

I want to say thank you to Helen in Mississippi for her venison and wild turkey recipes. They sound great and I will try them. Also thank you to Sue who responded to my request for turtle recipes. These are all a great help. I will be watching for more great recipes.
Kathy in Alabama

This is in response to Karen T. in the 4/26 newsletter, requesting chocolate recipes. If she goes to www.Hersheys.com she will find a wide variety of recipes for all sorts of things made with chocolate. Also, to Boots in Va., on 4/27, looking to cut layers in her cakes, you can use dental floss. Works very well and is readily available.
Thanks Nancy, I love reading all the recipes, tips and stories, from all over the world, in this newsletter. They truly are a unique "family". I agree with all the others who say this is a highlight of my day, to read this newsletter.
Eileen from WNY

This suggestion is for Robert's wife in Ohio who has transmission oil stains. I have always used Lestoil for greasy stains and it really works. I don't think it smells very good but if you rub it in and let it set for a while, I would say at least a few hours, it will work. Then wash it with the warmest water the fabric will allow and if necessary do it again. If you hang it to dry and it is still stained you can rewash it but not as well if you dry in the dryer. I think the dryer just kind of sets the stain.
Betty in ME

Nancy, I had to laugh at your comments about pets and how hard it is to see recipes for turtle. I am the same way and have been told I am nuts. Our neighbor used to raise chickens and would offer them to our family from time to time. I used to help my friend feed the chickens and gather the eggs. Since I knew these chickens, I couldn’t eat them. Also, I will only eat shrimp that has been breaded. If they look too much like what they are, I can’t eat them. I was once served a catfish with the head on. I had to send it back to the kitchen and ordered something else. When I go to the grocery store I buy “meat”. I don’t buy cow, pigs or chicken. It works for me.

I, too, worry about you living in Texas with all the tornadoes. We have them in Iowa, too, so I know how destructive they can be. It just seems like Texas has more than its fair share of tornadoes.

Finally, this is for Boots in Virginia; Wilton has a cutter for dividing cakes into layers. I have one, but rarely use it. Since I would have to look for it, I find it easier to just use a piece of dental floss. If you are worried about it being uneven, poke some toothpicks around the cake to use as a guide.
Sandy in Iowa

Hi Nancy,
Thank you for the courage to say what I could not say, about the turtles. I have never liked the fact that people hunt animals. I am an animal lover. I have had many turtles as pets when I was growing up. It really made me sad to hear about the turtles. I know, different strokes for different folks.......
Thanks for saying what you said.
Jackie

Hi Dawn from Cape Cod!
I was just wondering where you live there! I am in Texas but used to live there and would love to hear from you!!
Debbie

Ditto and Siggy's Corner
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eToys: Top Travel Toys
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Save on Staples brand products

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CLICK HERE to respond to newsletter replies, requests and tips. Please include date of newsletter, name of recipe and number of servings.  Remember to include your name within the message as well.