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Red Velvet Cake using a cake mix
1 regular size box yellow cake mix
5 eggs
˝ cup oil
1 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp. Watkins cocoa
2 ounces red food coloring.

Combine the above ingredients to thoroughly mix. ONLY add these ingredients - NOT those listed on the box. Bake according to box directions. Can be baked in 2 9" pans or a 13" x 9"

Old fashioned icing for the cake tomorrow.

www.watkinsonline.com/hutto
email:sunnywatkinsgirl@aol.com
Order Toll Free: 888-965-7070

I have several Fiesta dishes for sale. Please email me for pictures and prices. I have added to my website today some inexpensive children's gifts I think you will like.

Please email your name and address for a copy of the Watkins December flyer.

For Anna in regards to Mexican vanilla
I love Mexican vanilla and buy it at Mexican grocery stores. If you live in an area with a strong Mexican population, you will find a Mexican grocery store.
Dawn in SW GA

Hi Nancy & readers of Nancyland. Glad to hear that a great Thanksgiving was enjoyed by all. I want to do a little bragging about the turkey that my husband did on the grill. He is not a cook so this was a big undertaking for him. We bought a Sittin Turkey Steamer that I saw advertised on the Internet. He followed the instructions that came with it and the turkey was delicious. I can recommend it to all. He is really bragging as he doesn't cook anything that doesn't read Microwave on the package. I'm sure he'll want to cook another one for Christmas. Best wishes to All for a very Merry Christmas.
Muriel, Naples, FL

Comment
The sittin Turkey Steamer is sold by www.cookschoice.com. There is a demonstration of it on their site. I have both the Sittin Chicken Steamer and the Sittin Turkey Steamer. The turkey one will accommodate either a turkey or a chicken. In the past had heard about doing a beer can turkey but didn't have a clue what it was. This gadget makes the best turkeys and chickens. If you are interested in more information check the cookschoice site and view their online videos. I really am glad I have the turkey and the chicken steamer.

The video is at the bottom of the page and explains all about it. Just press the play button to view.

I am all ready to make my plum pudding, thanks to all of you that sent recipes, however I do have one more question. I remember my Mother making this before Christmas, do you think I could make this next week and keep an orange juice soaked cloth on it closed tightly in the fridge and then re-steaming it on Christmas day? Don't know what I would do without your advise. Your the Greatest.
Trish in Fl

Re: Vilhilla Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix - Doris in Oklahoma. I plan on using the spice mix in my pumpkin pound cake. I am sure it will be very good. Also, in my mother's pumpkin cookie recipe. I am like you, it is good so I am finding other places to use it. I do not care for pumpkin pie, too much, so when I made it for Thanksgiving, I tasted the mix before I put it in the pie shells. Yum, yum, as my daughter says. It is a winner.
Shirley in the Ozarks.

Cashew Brittle
2 cups salted roasted cashews
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup Karo light corn syrup
1 TBLSP. margarine or butter
1/2 Tsp. butter flavoring
1 Tsp. real vanilla
1 Tsp. baking soda

Mix cashews, sugar and corn syrup in a med. sized Pyrex bowl. Microwave on high for 4 min. Take out and stir. Microwave 3 more minutes. Take out and add the butter, butter flavoring and vanilla. Stir and return to microwave for 2 min. Take out and add the baking soda. Stir and fold until mixture is fluffy. Work quickly and spread out evenly on a lightly buttered cookie sheet. Let sit until completely cooled. Break into pieces and keep in an airtight bag or container. Enjoy! (This was tested in a 1000 watt microwave)(Adjust your time with the wattage of your microwave)
Source: All Easy Candy Recipes
Nancy Rogers

Southern Pralines
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. light corn syrup
2 tbsp. margarine
1/4 tsp. soda
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. pecans

Combine sugar, milk, corn syrup, margarine, and soda in a saucepan. Place over moderate heat, stirring gently until sugar dissolves. Cook to soft ball stage, 238 degrees on candy thermometer, and remove from heat. Add vanilla, and beat until creamy; stir in pecans. Drop from spoon onto waxed paper. Yield: 3 dozen.
Source: All Easy Candy Recipes
Nancy Rogers

Dear Nancy & Friends,
I already sent in a bunch of cookie recipes earlier today, but want to add one more carrot cake recipe that I got from a dear co-worker, Stella VanMassenhove, back on Nov. 7, 1983 (she's been in a nursing home the past few years). Everyone always demands this recipe as soon as they take one bite!

CARROT CAKE (The Best)
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups oil
2 level tsps. baking powder
2 level tsps. baking soda
1 tbsp. cinnamon.

Beat and add: about 3 cups grated carrots & 1 cup nuts (walnuts or pecans). Grease & flour bundt pan. Bake at 375 degrees for an hour (don't overbake).

Stella's Cream Cheese Frosting:
Blend with mixer until smooth 1 box powdered sugar (approximately 3 3/4 cups), 1 stick soft butter (or margarine), 8 ounces softened cream cheese, & 1 tsp. vanilla. Frost cooled cake.

Praying your brother is doing better, Nancy!
Thanks, Susan from Superior, WI.

Hi Nancy. I have a request for a recipe. Years ago, I made a cauliflower dish that was so good. You boil the whole flower and then coat it in some kind of mustard and cheese sauce. It did not have Velveeta in the recipe. The cauliflower is then baked. There might have been mayonnaise in the recipe as well but I'm writing because I just don't remember how to make it at all. If anyone has a recipe like that, could they please submit it? Thanks!

I'd also like to mention a quick cat toy that I made for a stray cat. Take one of those old square potholders, fold them in half into a triangle, fill it with a squished-up plastic shopping bag and sew up the sides. Its a nice way of recycling a potholder. When your cats pounce on it the cats will hear crunchy kind of sound inside which will keep your cat amused for awhile. I made an square with my Knifty Knitter out of regular kitchen string, stuffed it with a plastic bag and just ran another piece of string in and out of the loops to seal it up. The kitten who got to play with it tossed it around in our front yard for a good hour and then took it home with her. All of the stray cats in my neighborhood get a toy for the holidays.
Thanks, all. Happy Holidays to everyone! Andee in Los Angeles

Leftover Turkey Pie
1 c. flour
1 c. milk
3 tsp. butter or margarine
2 c. diced turkey
1 pkg. frozen mixed vegetables
1 can whole kernel corn
1 can tiny English peas
1 can mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup
1 sm. can potato sticks
1 sm. can mushrooms (optional)

To make the batter for the pie, melt the butter or margarine in a large, flat pan sometimes used for sheet cakes. Mix together the flour and milk. Mixture will be lumpy, but this is normal. Pour mixture into pan on top of butter; set aside. Next cook 1 package of frozen mixed vegetables. Add 2 cups of diced turkey, can of soup, can of corn, English peas and small can of potato sticks. Mushrooms are optional, but tasty! Stir together and pour mixture onto batter. Put the majority of the mixture in the middle because it will even out as it cooks and the crust bakes around it. Cook at 350-375 degrees for about 30 minutes.
Source: Abby's Leftover Turkey Recipes
Nancy Rogers

Leftover Scalloped Turkey
2 tbsp. butter or margarine
1 1/2 c. packaged herb seasoned stuffing mix
1/4 c. finely chopped parsley
1 can cream of chicken soup (undiluted)
1 c. leftover turkey gravy or canned gravy
2 c. cubed cooked turkey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 1 1/2 quart casserole. In medium saucepan combine butter with 1/2 cup water; cook over medium heat until butter melts. Remove from heat and add stuffing and parsley. Toss lightly until stuffing is moist; set aside. Combine soup with gravy in small saucepan mixing until smooth. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring. Remove from heat. In casserole dish layer 1/2 of turkey, 1/2 gravy, and 1/2 stuffing; repeat. Bake uncovered 30 minutes. Serve hot.
Source: Abby's Kitchen Leftover Turkey Recipes
Nancy Rogers

Hello Nancy and Friends:
I thoroughly enjoy the newsletter with all the good recipes, stories and comments. I do wish it would come directly into my email. After the change to Yahoo, I received it for a couple of days but since then I have to go to Yahoo to view the newsletters. I wanted to take a minute to thank Donna in IL for the Stuffed Cranberry Sauce and Tona for the Cheesecake Pecan Pie recipes. Both recipes were enjoyed for Thanksgiving dinner. This year I chose to do corn for a vegetable and used the following recipe from our Tulsa World newspaper and submitted by Chris Ellerts. It was a nice change, easy, and everyone liked it.

Easy Creamy Corn
2-10oz. pkg. frozen corn
2 T. sugar
1-8oz. pkg cream cheese
1/4 cup butter
6 T. water

Combine in slow cooker; cook on low approximately 4 hours, stir occasionally.
Serves 8

Carolyn in Tulsa

Would like the recipe for the hand cream, does anyone out there have it,
thanks, Sally in PA

Lindah, Tx, I checked with the church yesterday, and the secretary told me they had sent out about 70 cookbooks to our group. We only have about 70 books left, and they want to be sure church members have a chance to get their books first. She told me they would send out books that were received before my cut off that was in the newsletter. She will send the check back if you request. I will check to see if your book has been sent and if it hasn't, I will tell her to send your check back and you can reorder when we get in the next print out. Sorry!
Betty T. Ga.

Tee, I did the Icing in the Cake this past weekend! It was so easy! I had a lemon cake mix, and used Vanilla icing that I had in the freezer. I made it into a pound cake in tube pan, and did not ice. I only had 1/2 can of frosting on hand, but the cake is delicious. You could use a lot of different frosting.
Betty T. Ga.

I just found a site that I think everybody would like .
The URL is : http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/cat0006.html
It has a lot of good stuff in it.
Liz From Kansas

Hello Nancy and everyone in Nancy land! I haven't been able to be on here for 5 months, and have missed you all greatly! I'm so glad to see all my favorite recipe givers out there as well as many new names! Hope everyone had a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to Christmas, and the wonderful new recipes to try. Last year the 2 ingredient fudge, cake bon bons, poor mans turtle candy, grape salad, and others were such a big hit
here. Im hoping to have new and easy recipes to try this year as well. Glad to be back!
Dee in S.IL

Hi Nancy and all Nancylanders,
Well, I think winter has arrived in northern Wisconsin - only 8 above zero today and snow flurries. Brrrrr lol. Nancy I am always amazed at the antics of your cat's-they act way too human lol. I have a male cat 2 yrs old and neutered who likes to play a little too rough sometimes and I'm going to try the trick of buying him a larger stuffed animal to maul. He weighs 16 pds and is a big boy so he needs an outlet for being feisty. Don't remember who asked for my Cream Cheese Bar recipe but here it is - I make these for every holiday and people just can't eat them fast enough.

Cream Cheese Bars
2 pks crescent rolls 1 cup sugar 2 (8 ozs each) pkgs cream
cheese-softened
1 tsp. vanilla 1 egg, separated

Lightly butter a 9x13 pan. Spread 1 pkg crescent rolls on bottom of pan-being sure to press serated edges together to form crust. In bowl mix cream cheese, sugar, egg yolk and vanilla til smooth. Cream cheese dough will be thick. Spread cream cheese mixture on crescent roll dough in your pan- spread clear to edges. Lightly flour counter top or cutting board. Lightly roll out second pkg of crescent rolls so they will fit your pan. Fold in half (so you can pick it up easily). Unfold on top of cream cheese mixture in
your pan. Try to cover as much of the cream cheese mix as you can with the second crescent roll dough. Spread a little (just enough so it covers dough) of egg white over top crust. I don't use all of the egg white. Bake at 350degrees for 35 minutes or til light brown. Keep an eye on bars the last 5 minutes so
they don't get too brown as ovens vary.

Refrigerate for several hours before cutting into bars so cream cheese can set.

This looks like a complicated recipe but is actually very easy. Just takes longer to type it out lol.
Dianne in Wisconsin

Morning Landers,
Hope you're all recovered from the holiday. Still dealing with leftovers? Lucky you. Mine are almost gone except for a lovely ham bone I'm fixing with a pot of pinto beans. Yumm. I wanted to add my recommendation to those considering brining their turkey. It makes an unbelievable difference. My hubby (not a turkey fan) took sandwiches to work for several days and bragged to everyone about how great this turkey was. We bought the turkey brining bag and just set it in a styrophoam cooler. Rinsed it really well that morning and it roasted up beautifully. I do think the gravy was a little salty but not horribly.

In comment to Anna about her Mexican vanilla. I just saw an Alton Brown show on Food network about vanilla and he said Mexican vanilla was sort of low end. The best vanilla was from Madagascar because it was more pure and more closely regulated. If you go to their website and click on his shows you should be able to see that episode.

Best wishes to all and especially the kitties,
Linda Boyles, Fairborn Ohio

Hey Nancy & Gang,
I hope you had a blessed holiday, as well as the rest of the group. My MIL made her turkey in the crock pot this year, and let me tell you, it was to die for. So moist and juicy!! My Tootie has gone back home until after Christmas, so I will be cooking solo. She is already missed. This recipe was one I collected during the holidays. I added a few of my own touches at the bottom of the recipe. .

Ham & Swiss Casserole
1 c raw rice
1/2 lb deli ham-cut into strips
10 oz frozen asparagus spears-thaw & drain
1/2 c fresh Parmesan
1-1/2 c Swiss cheese-shredded
1 T butter-in bits + extra to butter pie plate
1/2 c milk
1-3/4 c water
1/4 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 t garlic powder
1 c crushed potato chips (she used Sour Cream & Onion)

Mix rice, water, milk, salt, garlic powder, and pepper in a saucepot and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Add butter, Parmesan, and 1/2 c Swiss cheese to rice and stir until thick. Butter a 9" pie plate and spread rice mix into dish. Arrange asparagus on top with ends pointing out. Lay ham strips between spears in a spoke fashion. Cover with remaining cheese and chips. Cover with foil and bake 350* for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes. Serve warm.

**You can use 2 cups of leftover baked ham and substitute broccoli spears for asparagus. I also added 1/4 c grated onion and 2 oz of diced, drained pimentos to rice when I added the Swiss cheese. It was great.
Mimi in AL ^..^

In the 12/26 newsletter Rebecca IL was asking for information about measuring cups and other devices that would aid her mother, who has low vision. She can check out www.maxiaids.com for a wide range of products that will help her mother in all aspects of her life. Their toll free number is 1-800-522-6294. She can ask them to send her a free catalog. She can also check with her state division of vocational services or agency for the blind for services that will aid her mother in adjusting to her vision loss. She does not need to be seeking employment in order to be eligible for these services; she can just be a homemaker. Her mother is also eligible to receive free large print books or books on tape through her state library for the blind and physically handicapped.

In the same newsletter Sue wanted ideas for using her leftover turkey. I substituted turkey for the chicken in my favorite white chili recipe and my favorite chicken enchilada recipe. Both dishes were delicious and eaten quickly.

In the 11/18 newsletter Jackie wanted recipes for sending her son, who is in the military, homemade treats. I submitted recipes and other information several weeks ago. I will look up the date in which the information appeared and let you know. Although my son enjoyed all the homemade treats that I sent him, while he was overseas, he also greatly enjoyed receiving Oreos, Girl Scout cookies and the cans of popcorn that the Boy Scouts often sell at Christmas.
Robbie Bowling Green, IN

To Diane in Houston and Corinne in Washington: Thanks for your helpful tips about my kitty cat, Casper. I had him neutered yesterday morning and today he is almost back to normal. This morning he crawled onto my lap and began purring contentedly as if to tell me he is so thankful to be back home where it's quiet and comfortable. This cat has really stolen my heart! He's so loving and affectionate. I mentioned to the vet about his wanting to suck on my clothes when I'm holding him (the cat, NOT the vet!!! LOL!) and he suggested buying a soft stuffed toy of some kind that has soft little things that stick out, such as little ears or a tail. . . . . .anything that might resemble a mother cat's nipple.

If anyone knows of a particular stuffed toy that might fit that description, PLEASE let me hear from you! I guess at my next trip to Walmart I'll be looking for stuffed toys with soft little ".titties!"
Becky in MagTown Arkansas

Carolyn, Rochester, New York asked about cauliflower, how to keep it white. I was told years ago by a fellow who was a chef that you put lemon juice on the whole head before cooking and it stays white. This does work well for me. I always steam so I just squeeze fresh lemon juice over all before cooking. If you boil, put lemon juice in the water.
Billie In Fl

Carolyn, Rochester, New York asked about cauliflower, how to keep it white. I was told years ago by a fellow who was a chef that you put lemon juice on the whole head before cooking and it stays white. This does work well for me. I always steam so I just squeeze fresh lemon juice over all before cooking. If you boil, put lemon juice in the water.
Billie In Fl

I would love some recipes for really good, moist pound cake. I tried the famous Elvis Presley recipe and wasn't that fond of it. It was not moist and was way too cake-like. The crust it formed was good: crunchy. Thanks all!
Dawn - Cape Cod, MA

I got my Sanctuary cookbook yesterday. I wonder how long it will take me to eat my way through it. For $12, you get a VERY nice binder/cookbook!
grannym IL

For Anna,
You can order Mexican vanilla online at - www.vanilla.com/html/facts-mexican.html

I have a question and maybe Dennis is the one to ask, but maybe the ladies and gentlemen also know.

Why do you put vinegar in pie dough? What does it do?

My Mother or other older relatives never did use vinegar in theirs. Is this something new or have people been doing it for years?
I will appreciate any response to this question.
Thanks you, Lou, Fl.

To Mary in Oregon. I contacted Betty Crocker about the Cinnamon Swirl Cake mix. They informed me by e-mail that it has been discontinued.
JJWS in Jax FL

Carolyn in Rochester. I live in Hannibal N Y and I plant my garlic on Columbus Day and was told to dig it on 4th of July now one year it did good last year it never came up I do have some up this year but have read to take it up like in May or so. I read it can rot if left too long and 2 years ago I did have one rot, that was in until 4th of July. Maybe I will pull it a little sooner this year. Good Luck. I do have good luck planting it Columbus Day.
Mary Ann upstate N Y

Hi Nancy, Was so happy to find a newsletter this a.m. Missed the letters but was glad you had a little time off and got to visit with loved ones.

Linda in WV (newsletter 11-26-07) has a problem with kitties and wallpaper. Are the cats scratching the paper, or spraying it. If scratching, I would suggest something else be placed in front of that wall for them to scratch on. Also, sprays can be found at pet stores to repel scratching. If it is a spraying problem, surprise the kitties with a trip to their local friendly vet. You can also use a "black light" to find spots where animals have wet or sprayed and it has dried.

Dianne in Houston and Corrine in Washington, glad to know I'm not the only one who makes a trip to the vet for an "alter job" #1 on the list when we get a new kitty. We have had cats for 42 years and neither of us has ever seen a baby kitty born.

Nancy, sorry this is so long, omit if you like. But it is so good to have you "back on line" again. Hope you can take some time off Christmas to have more R&R.

P.S. Has Ditto thought about publishing his memoirs? They are hilarious. You can't imagine how many people you entertain with Siggy & Ditto's antics.
Margaret, Tulsa

Tona's Rave Cake is just that. My whole family loves coconut and this cake is wonderful. I did add some coconut extract to the cake batter and decided to add the nuts to the frosting. I also added coconut to the frosting instead of sprinkling it over the cake. This cake is right up there with the Refrigerator Coconut Cake you make with cream of coconut and sweetened condensed milk. I think I like the Rave Cake better. You can not beat cream cheese icing. Thanks Tona for a delicious cake that has been a hit the two times I have made it.
Jane Ann in Alabama

this is for Rebecca in Illinois newsletter November 26. She asked if anyone had any ideas where cooking tools for her mother's friend who is suffering from macular degeneration could be gotten. I have a SIL who has this same problem. I took her measuring cups and spoons and labeled them with a permanent maker in large numbers. This helped her a lot. I also took some of her favorite recipes and did them on my computer in large type. She also has contact with an organization in our state of North Dakota that supplies some helps for those who are visually impaired . It is not easy to lose your eyesight.
Good luck Marian in ND

Hi Nancy!
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and got a little rest and relaxation too! This is for Francis in Wesley Chapel, FL

Hi Frances! I just wanted to tell you that I made the Old Fashioned Green Beans for Thanksgiving and they turned out great. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. I wanted to make them ahead so I cooked the beans in salt water for about 8 minutes. I then plunged them into ice water to stop the cooking process. I drained them and them laid them on a clean kitchen towel, rolled them up a little. They remained a pretty green and then added the rest of the ingredients and warmed them in the oven just before serving. Everyone really enjoyed the recipe.
Thanks again. Pat in SC

Hi Nancylanders, Could someone tell me where to find the chocolate drop fudge? I tried your search and couldn't find. I must be doing something wrong.

This is for Nancyb, you aren't suppose to make your dressing sit with raw eggs overnite. If my dressing sits I use eggbeaters.
Thank you Robert's wife in Ohio

I am behind in reading the newsletter, but wanted to answer the person that passed by recipes which called for separating the yolk from the white in eggs. You can just use the shell to separate, or pampered chef has a utensil that works wonderful for jus this purpose. The utensil will sit on the edge of a measuring cup to make for hands free separating!
Linda in Moline

Good morning Nancy, I am responding to Anna who was wanting to know if she could buy Mexican vanilla in the US. Anna, if you live close to one of the large cities in the SW, like San Antonio or El Paso, there are Mexican mercados where items from Mexico are sold. Only in those “stores” would it be sold. It is an import and bottles of vanilla are limited for individuals, like liquor, etc. We used to have a little Mercado here in Alamogordo and the vanilla was sold there. Now we have to either go to Juarez or across from Columbus, NM to get it. We live very close to both places. Hope this helps!
Chris in NM

To Joan in Ma from Don in MIch: With regard to your question about how much meat to use in the AAA stuffing. I use ˝ lb of each, veal and pork. Works pretty good. I made it this thanksgiving and I used a little too much broth for my taste. So watch that aspect of it.

Nancy, this is for Lara who was wondering about flavorings for medicines. I used to be a pharmacy tech and I can tell you that mixing anything with prescription drugs is a bad idea. Other substances mixed with prescription drugs can cause loss of efficacy and in some cases undesirable and even dangerous chemical reactions. Your best bet for kids who hate the taste of medicines is to have a glass of their favorite drink waiting for them after they take the medicine. Eventually, they'll learn the trick of downing the medicine really fast and following it up quickly with a tasty beverage.
Kate in NC :-)

I want to thank Lois Kingston, WA for the Soldiers Angels address, I have been accepted and have letters and pkg on its way, it is just a small way to THANK our Soldiers for sacrificing so much for us. Hope many will pitch in and help to......
Donna from Oregon

I hope someone can find in their recipes, these two that I lost. One is a lemon bread with maraschino cherries in it. and the other is a cookie that is sort of like a finger shape and has frosting dipped on both ends and sprinkled with nutmeg. I am sorry I do not even have the names of them.
Nancy in Fl. Be blessed Nancy

Dixie in AL (Nov 26th) wanted to know an easier way to cut up orange slice candy.

I use scissors. I dip them in the flour after each snip or two.
gramaj

This is my first post and thought I would share my Mother's Blackberry Jam Cake for which she is famous for making. This is very moist and delicious. She use to make 1,000 of these cakes each year for a local company to give as gifts ... don't know how she did it but that's my Mother. She is now 87 years old and still going strong! If you make it, hope you enjoy it as much as we have over the years.

Aunt Gin's Blackberry Jam Cake
3 eggs
2 cups self-rising flour
2 cups sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup oil
1 cup chopped pecans
1 1/2 cups Blackberry Jam
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
3 tsps. cinnamon
3 tlbs. cocoa
3 tbsp. condensed milk (not evaporated)

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Grease tube pan and line bottom with wax paper.

Cream oil and sugar. Add eggs one at a time and beat well. Add buttermilk and mix well. Mix flour, spices, cocoa and nuts in a separate container. Add to egg mixture an d mix well. Add jam and mix thoroughly. Stir in condensed milk.

Pour into greased tube pan and bake for 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean. Top with Caramel Icing.

Caramel Icing
1-1/2 cups brown sugar
3/4 stick butter
1/3 cup milk
1-1/2 cup confectioner's sugar

Pour confectioner's sugar into metal or heat proof mixing bowl and set aside. Mix brown sugar, butter and milk in saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 1/2 minutes. While still hot, pour this over the confectioner's sugar and beat with mixer until smooth and thick enough to spread over cake. You can decorate the top with whole pecans if you wish. You can also make a brown sugar glaze to drizzle over the top instead of icing the whole cake.

My favorite way of eating this cake is without icing, cut a slice, warm it in the microwave, spread with a little butter and have it with my coffee.

You can also make in small loaf pans but you will have to adjust the cooking time.

I have also made this using seedless blackberry jam.
Enjoy, Phyllis in Kentucky

Re: Leftover Turkey

Hello everyone and you and the helpers also Nancy. This is for Sue on her leftovers, this is something that Mama came up with. There is no real measurements;

Chop about 1 and 1/2 cups leftover turkey and 3/4 cups diced tomatoes; 1/2 cup diced onion; and one serrano pepper diced small.

Put all ingredients in large skillet with about 2 tablespoons. oil and cook on top of stove until opinions is translucent and every thing is cooked to your satisfaction and eat with tortillas, toast, or chips.

This is very good!
Pappy

Would someone please give me the newsletter date for the Hillava Pumpkin Pie? Thanks
Sudie in San Diego

Betty T in Ga. I just received 2 of the 3 Cookbooks from Sanctuary and they are WONDERFUL. What a professional job. I figure the 3rd one I ordered, got lost in the mail somewhere. THANK YOU, SO much for making the cookbooks available to us. I'll re-order the 3rd one. It's worth it. Postage was $5.20. The church needs to up the price of postage OR send by "media mail" at the PO. Media mail is MUCH cheaper, generally. Anyway, thank you, thank you.
Richard, FL

Question re: Elyssa in PA and Nancy's Crockpot Stuffing of 11-26-07. Does this get crusty on top? I'm just confused when using a crockpot if you can get it that way on top since so many like that part.
Anna

Hi,
I hope everyone had a very happy and filling thanksgiving :)
I am hoping that some one out there might have a great recipe for fruitcake. My mom used to make one that was mostly fruit and not too much cake. It had just enough cake to hold it all together.

Thank you Nancy for giving us such a great gift as this newsletter and for giving so many others the chance to share their lifelong love of cooking and the memories that they have had with family and friends of long ago.
Jackie :)

This is for Mary Jo in MD who wanted a recipe for slow cooker macaroni and cheese. Go to www.30daygourmet.com. There is a wonderful free Crock-Pot Mac n' Cheese recipe under Sides & Salads. I make it often. It is also a freezer recipe.
Sheila Upstate NY

26 November for Dixie in AL regarding cutting orange candy slices for the cake: My mom always floured the candy slices and her scissors to keep them from getting so sticky.
Carol in TX

Dixie in AL was asking for tricks in cutting up the candy orange slices for her cake. Here are two: spray your scissors (or knife if that is what you are using) with some baking spray. Another thing would be to dip the knife or scissors in flour as you cut. One of those should help.
Good luck. Connie in TX

For Sue in the Nov 26 issue regarding gnats/fruit flies. Put a few drops of Dawn dishwashing liquid in about 1/4 cup of CIDER vinegar and place on counter. The mix attracts the gnats, they land in the liquid and drown. Works like a charm. I usually place a cup near my bananas when I'm ripening them for bread. Definitely TNT!
Leasa in Iowa

Nancy, I just read your most encouraging letter to J who was asking about how you coped with your MD.

You are such an inspiration I just had to tell you how touched I was by the things you said, especially about concentrating on the things one CAN DO rather on what one CANNOT DO. And being ever mindful of the many, many blessings (no matter how small they may seem) that God gives us. These are words of wisdom to all of us, not just those who have a health condition to cope with.
Thank you for inspiring all of us to live each day better and to the fullest capacity.
God Bless, Barbara in Corsicana, Texas

For Melody in Nebraska...I think I will make your Orange Slice cake but am curious when you say you "cure" it till Christmas. What, exactly, do you do ? Wrap it and leave it out, freeze it or what. Would so appreciate knowing what and how you do this. Thanks, Barbara in Corsicana, Texas

I had a recipe for rice krispy bars that had a Carmel center. Had to pat a layer of rice krispys and add Carmel center and then a layer of rice krispys on top. My grandson was just crazy for these. When he came to AZ to visit from MN this month I could not find the recipe. Can any of you wonderful people remember this recipe? He will be back again real soon and I sure would like to surprise him again with these bars.
Virginia in Apache Junction

To SUE,
Wanted to know how to get rid of the "gnats" flying around in her kitchen. If those pesky things are "Fruit Flies" this is my TNT Recipe to get rid of them. It works for me.

Take a small sauce dish and fill about 1/2 full of Cider Vinegar.

COVER tightly with a piece of Saran Wrap and poke several small holes in the top of the Saran Wrap and set the dish where the flies seem to be congregating.

The flies will crawl through the small holes and not be able to get it.
They eventually die. Make sure all the flies are dead. If you remove the dish to soon with live ones still in it, they will get away and you'll have to start all over again.
Good Luck, Karen From Wisconsin

*This may be a repeat recipe.  I could not remember if it had been posted before.

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Messages that pertain to canning and home remedies are no longer included in the newsletter.  Messages that pertain suggestions and opinions about health issues are not posted as well.

Some messages have been edited to avoid duplicate information that has been posted in recent newsletters.
Nancy Rogers