Grandma's Christmas Party

Good Morning, everyone! I talked to Grandma last night, and she asked me make a Post to let you all know that we will be having the Grandkid's Christmas Party (aka Pinata Pizza Party) the same time we always do - the Monday before Christmas:

Monday, December 21 - 5:30 PM
at Grandma & Grandpa Honey's house

Enchilada Time

So here are the assignments for our holiday Enchilada Dinner.

Where - Aunt Pat's

When - November 28th

Help roll enchilada's, decorate & set-up 2:00 pm

Dinner - 5:00 pm

Aunt Marianne's Family - Poke Cakes (3) & organizing a Nativity for all the little kids (Mary Jo - Aunt Elaine said she would look for the last one we did for the Crum Party)

Aunt Pat - Enchilada's

Aunt Elaine - Chips, Salsa & Treat Bags

Aunt Janet & Aunt Colleen - Tostada Bar

Aunt Colleen - Provide Keyboard and Darren's talent if possible

Stay tuned for more info. We are excited!!!!

Preguntas??? Call Aunt Pat

Save the Date

Look at me, I am posting on the blog! Thanks Mary Jo. Don't forget our birthday lunch for Marianne this Saturday , 11:30 at Gecko Grill. The mother, the sisters, the daughters, the nieces... all are invited. You might want to bring some pictures and some sweet stories to share. Hope to see you there.

Aunt Marianne's Birthday

This post is from Aunt Pat
Let's get together for lunch in loving memory of Marianne this Sat. Oct. 31st. ( Did you know that 50 years ago on Halloween was the day Marianne was baptized? ) We will meet at 11:30 at Gecko Grill, her favorite! All are invited. After lunch, we'll go to the cemetery with flowers for who ever would like to go. At 9:00AM some of the sisters will go and help grandma with her house. She requested a small group this time so we'll just have the sisters.

Also, make sure to mark your calendars for Sat. Nov. 28th. We will have our Chapman family Christmas enchilada party. It will be at the Freestone's and assignment will be posted on the blog.

Baked Ziti

My Friend Deborah gave me a great tip a few months ago. She told me to go to allrecipes.com type in what you want to make, find the one that has the highest rating and most comments and use that one. I wanted the make baked ziti one night and did what she told me and the ziti was AMAZING!!! I made it for Bonko last night and it was a hit. I buy everything at fresh and easy. The traditional marinara sauce is my favorite.

Ingredients
1 pound dry ziti pasta (I use whole wheat)
1 onion, chopped (Never add it)
1 pound lean ground beef (I used ground turkey last night and it was good. I was also the 1st time I've used meat...i think I like it better without)
2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
6 ounces provolone cheese, sliced
1 1/2 cups sour cream
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add ziti pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain.
2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, and simmer 15 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, Provolone cheese, sour cream, 1/2 sauce mixture, remaining ziti, mozzarella cheese and remaining sauce mixture. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheeses are melted.(I turn the broiler on the last 3 minutes to make the cheese crispy)
   

Pecan Bars

So I made these tasty treats for Conference. It was a good thing there were lots of people to help eat them so I wouldn't eat the whole pan myself (which I could). Don't worry that these have 9 cubes of butter, it makes it better.

Pecan Bars from the Barefoot Contessa

Crust:

• 1 1/4 pounds unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 extra-large eggs
• 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping:

• 1 pound unsalted butter
• 1 cup good honey
• 3 cups light brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 2 pounds pecans, coarsely chopped

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the crust, beat the butter and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, until light, approximately 3 minutes. Add the eggs and the vanilla and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients into the batter with the mixer on low speed until just combined. Press the dough evenly into an ungreased 18 by 12 by 1-inch baking sheet, making an edge around the outside. It will be very sticky; sprinkle the dough and your hands lightly with flour. Bake for 15 minutes, until the crust is set but not browned. Allow to cool.

For the topping, combine the butter, honey, brown sugar, and zests in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook over low heat until the butter is melted, using a wooden spoon to stir. Raise the heat and boil for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and pecans. Pour over the crust, trying not to get the filling between the crust and the pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cold. Cut into bars and serve.

Now Collette need to post her great recipe for baked ziti...

Help for your 3 Month Supply

I am starting a new experiment for October. You can find details at my cooking blog (Classic Homemaking). It should help you with your 3 Month supply. But I need help, too! Please, if you make the recipes, let me know what you think, and how they work for you!!!

Thanks!

PS - if you are wanting a pressure canner, they are on sale right now on Amazon! And, you get free shipping. This is the exact one that I have and I love it. $85 is an AMAZING price!