No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 (8 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup canned pumpkin pie mix (not canned pumpkin!)
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups Cool Whip
1 (9 inch) graham cracker crust

Mix cream cheese, pumpkin pie mix and sugar until smooth.  Fold in Cool Whip.  Pour into crust. Refrigerate 2 hours before serving.

Thanks to Food.com for this recipe!

Roasted Red Onions

6 Tablespoons butter
3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 bunch fresh thyme
Salt
Pepper
4 red onions, halved

Combine the butter, vinegar, honey, thyme, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute to reduce slightly.  Place the onions, cut sides up, in a single layer on a baking pan.  Drizzle the butter-vinegar mixture over onions.  Roast until soft and slightly caramelized, about 45-60 minutes.

Thanks to FoodNetwork.com for this recipe!

This is a new recipe and it was absolutely delicious!

Fruit Cake Balls

1/2 lb candied fruit, chopped
1 box powdered sugar
1/2 lb graham cracker crumbs
1 1/3 cup coconut
2 sticks butter, melted
1/2 lb raisins, chopped
1 cup nuts, chopped

Mix all ingredients and shape into 1-inch balls.  Roll in powdered sugar.


Thanks to cooks.com for this recipe!

Oreo Truffles

36 Oreo Cookies, finely crushed
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
Coating of choice (chocolate chips; white-chocolate chips; vanilla candy coating, etc)

Mix Oreos and cream cheese until well blended.  Shape into 1-inch balls.  Dip in melted coating of choice. Place on waxed paper.  Sprinkle with crushed Oreo crumbs.

Thanks to Kraft for this recipe!

Muddy Buddy Chex Mix

9 cups Rice or Corn Chex
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in microwave until mixture can be stirred smooth.  Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.  Pour into gallon resealable plastic storage bag.  Add powdered sugar.  Seal bag.  Shake until well coated.

You can also use butterscotch or white-chocolate chips for a different variation.

Thanks to General Mills for this recipe!

Baked Corn Pudding

1/2 cup sugar
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn, drained
1 can (15 oz) cream-style corn

In large bowl, combine sugar and flour.  Whisk in eggs, milk, butter, salt, and pepper.  Stir in corn and cream-style corn.

Pour into a greased 2-qt baking dish.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Thanks to Taste of Home for this recipe!

Glazed Beets

3 (15 oz) cans whole beets
5 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cider vinegar

Drain beets, reserving 2/3 cup juice.  In medium saucepan, combine sugar, flour, and salt.  Stir in vinegar and reserved beet juice until smooth.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Add beets; reduce heat.  Cook, uncovered, for 4-5 minutes or until heated through.

Thanks to Taste of Home for this recipe.  My sister says it's a keeper!

All Those Goodies

What is Christmas without goodies?  My son, RJ, came home on December 19th from college.  His one request:  goodies!  I think his wish was granted!

7 Layer Bars
Beefy Cheese Ball 'n Crackers
Cheese Wafers
Chex Mix
Fruit Cake Balls
Fudge (w/ nuts and w/out)
Haystacks (Butterscotch and Chocolate)
Muddy Buddy Chex Mix
Oreo Truffles
Salsa Dip 'n Chips
Sausage 'n Cheese Balls
Veggie Tray

Everything was prepared in double or triple recipes.  There was plenty to be had by all!

Christmas With the Marcoms/Tutors

We ended our Christmas celebrations by having my sister, Robin and her family for Christmas.  This includes, of course, Mama and my nephew's sweet family.  My final Christmas cooking included:

Chocolate Pie

Corn Pudding

Glazed Beets

Green Beans

Ham Poppy Seed Rolls

Potato Casserole

Potato Salad

Three Bean Salad

Turkey Breast

White Chocolate Dip 'n Cookies

It was a perfect ending to our Christmas holiday! 

Christmas Day (At Home)

This year, we spent Christmas Day at home.  We started with a nice breakfast followed by the opening of gifts. Our Christmas Day was extra special this year as we were able to spend the afternoon with our daughter, Tarah.  Robert's parents also came over to visit for a bit.  I served:

Beef Roast
Broccoli Casserole
Deviled Eggs
Old Fashioned Mac 'n Cheese
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Roasted Red Onions
Rolls

It was a wonderful day!

Christmas Eve (To the Thornton's)

Each Christmas Eve, we gather with Robert's family in Bahama.  This year, I took:

Cheese Ball and Crackers
Fruit Cake Balls
Green Bean Casserole
Ham Poppy Seed Rolls
BBQ Meatballs
Potato Salad

It is a time of laughter, celebration, and good food!