Peanut Butter Cornflake Bars

2 cups sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
2 cups peanut butter
8 cups cornflakes

Spray cookie sheet with non-stick vegetable spray. IN a large sauce pan, bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil over medium heat. ADD peanut butter and stir until well blended. REMOVE from heat and add cornflakes, stirring until coated. QUICKLY spread onto the prepared cookie sheet. LET set until firm. Cut into squares. YIELD:28-32 bars. {Southernlady Magazine 2005}

Victoria's Chili

1 pound of Lauras ground beef....no hormones
1 {15oz.} can tomato sauce
chili powder
1 can pinto beans
1 can of black beans
minced garlic
sea salt and pepper
What's This Seasoning no msg
Cavenders All Greek Seasoning salt free no msg
extra virgin olive oil cold pressed
Pur water

In a large saucepan.......add about one tablespoon of oil olive.....add 2 tablespoons of Pur Water{add what you like}....... slowly brown ground beef and add some minced garlic.......I love garlic so I add a bit more than normal.......add sea salt and pepper, tiny amounts, and add What's This Seasoning and Cavenders Seasoning.......and chili powder.....I just add what I think is good..you will get the taste right as you keep making this chili...I like more chili powdert than most so just add accordingly............simmer on very low heat and then I add one large can of tomato sauce, reuse the tomato can and fill with Pur water.........add black beans and pinto beans and simmer until well cooked and seasoned.......serve with sourdough bread or cornbread.........I don't measure I just toss the ingredients in and it comes out really great........enjoy! {Our mother made something like this chili and we loved it...I just put a spin on it}

Pancake Syrup

You can place this in a nice glass container and give with the pancake mix.

Strawberry Syrup
3 cups halved strawberries
3/4 cup water
1-1/2 cups sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon butter

In a medium sauce pan, bring strawberries and water to a boil. LOWER heat and simmer for 10-minutes. STRAIN juice and return to pan. ADD sugar and lemon juice and bring to a boil again, stirring until sugar dissolves. ADD butter and continue boiling gently 2 minutes. SKIM off foam and pour syrup into desired jars. STORE in refrigerator up to one month. Yield: 4-half pints. {Southernlady Magazine 2005}.

Food Gifts in Containers

I love homemade food gifts. I just have not met anyone that gave them. So here are a few recipes for you from Southernlady Magazine 2005. You can search for pretty bottles and jars. Find other things to give with the food gifts.

Pancake Mix
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Fill a plastic bag with mix, tie with ribbon, and attach Preparation Instructions.

Preparation Instructions:
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil {Use a healthier oil, I will use olive oil}
1 1/3 cups Pancake Mix

In a medium bowl, combine milk; egg, and oil. Stir in the pancake mix until moistened. Cook in a lightly greased skillet or griddle. Yield 10 {5 inch} pancakes.

"Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons."~~Ruth Ann Schabacker

Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Crispy Bacon

4 slices thick sliced bacon {I suggest Turkey Bacon}
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1-1/2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 pounds fresh Brussels sprouts, halved

In a large skillet......I suggest cooking slow, cook bacon over medium heat for 15 minutes, or until browned and crispy. REMOVE bacon and crumble; set aside. RESERVE 1/4 cup bacon drippings in pan. ADD garlic; cook over medium heat for 1 minute. ADD balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepepr, stirring to combine. ADD Brussels sprouts, stirring to coat; cover and cook for 5 minutes. REMOVE cover, increase heat to medium-high, and continue cooking for 10-minutes, stirring frequently. GARNISH with crispy bacon. {Southenlady Magazine Sept?Oct 08}

Merry Christmas
The year is almost over....and we start a new year of 2009. I hope this month you can be with family, friends, and meet new friends. Invite people to your home making their visit festive.........make a Happy Birthday JESUS cake.....a great time to prepare chili or special soup with sourdough bread....sing Christmas songs and read about the birth of our Savior JESUS CHRIST. Thank our Lord for your many blessings.....right now in our lives they are more than you can count. I hope to bring you many recipes and tips and who knows what. Don't forget to pray the Lord's Prayer by bowing to him and giving him praise. Again, Merry Christmas.