Birthdays in January

Tissue box & trash can in one.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Chicken Bites

Ingredients

8 chicken tenders, flattened & cut in two

3-ounce package softened cream cheese

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & finely chopped

8 slices bacon, cut in half

Directions

Dab 1/2 teaspoon (more or less) of cream cheese on top of

each chicken tender. Sprinkle a scant 1/4 teaspoon of

peppers over cream cheese. Fold or roll chicken to enclose

cream cheese mixture. Wrap each roll with one piece of

bacon and secure with a toothpick.

Grill until bacon is brown and crispy on both sides.

Notes

Be sure to wear plastic gloves when handling fresh jalapenos. The

oil will attach itself to your hands and is not easily washed away.

An inadvertent swipe of the hand close to your eyes could be an

unforgettable experience.

For reference, if you are substituting for the chicken tenders (i.e.

dark meat, large pieces of chicken breast, game meat), the size of

the tenders I used were 5-6 inches long and 2-3 inches wide

before flattening and cutting in half.

Try flattening meat inside a zip-lock bag. No flying pieces, no

contamination on your cutting board from the chicken, and cleanup

is super easy.

4th _ Barry

5th _ Joy

10th _ Lonnie

14th _ Tony

15th _ Brennen

Cold Tip:

Birthdays in February

2nd – Vincent

3rd – Olivia

9th – Lyndsey

26th – Aunt Loretta

28th – Joshua

Clean the microwave and leave it

smelling sweet with this household

trick! Mix 2 cups of water and 1

teaspoon of vanilla extract in a

microwave-safe container, and zap

it on high for five minutes. When

it's done, remove the container

and wipe down the interior of the

oven. Any gunk should slide right

off.

Bacon Pancakes1. Prepare your ingredients.

Cook your BACON first.

A microwave bacon cooker is not

cheating.

2. While bacon is staying warm, mix

your batter. Yes you can use a premade

mix. HINT: A large griddle will make this

breakfast a breeze to cook !

3. Prepare griddle (teflon is easiest). Swab

surface of griddle or pan with a little

bacon grease to prevent sticking and add

flavor. Use a paper towel to distribute

grease evenly. Look for thin coating not a

puddle of the bacon grease.

4. Pour thin layer of batter on skillet or

griddle. Lay one piece of cooked bacon

across the top. Pour another thin layer of

batter over the bacon. Cook until edges

show slight color change, with a turner,

lift carefully to check for golden color

under "cake". When golden -flip it. Cook

until golden brown on both sides.

5. Place cooked pancake on platter and

keep warm in low temp oven (covered

with towel) until all the bacon pancakes

are cooked. Serve with butter and maple

syrup. Enjoy!

20th – Nick

Birthdays in March

Smart Idea: Make large batches of

soup then freeze in silicone muffin

molds. Pop 'em out and freeze ‘em

in baggies. Just reheat 2-3 pucks in

a mug for a quick dinner.

*** Note: This is just my opinion about potatoes:They don’t freeze well. If you plan to freeze the soup – you could leave it

out.

CREAMY BROCCOLI & CAULIFLOWER SOUP

4 CUPS WATER

2 CHICKEN BULLION CUBES

2 CANS CHICKEN BROTH

1/2 CUP DRIED ONION FLAKES

1/2 CUP DRIED PARSLEY FLAKES

2 LBS. VELVETA ( REGULAR & OR MEXICAN)

1 CAN CREAM OF MUSHROOM SOUP

1 CAN CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP

1 POTATO (optional)

1 CAN OF CARROTS (OPTIONAL)

1 BAG EACH FROZEN BROCCOLI & CAULIFLOWER

1) SIMMER WATER, BULLION, BROTH, ONION, PARSLEY FLAKES,

AND 1 POTATO - UNTIL THE POTATO IS DONE. TAKE THE POTATO

OUT. ADD THE CANS OF SOUP. (YOU MAY ADD A CAN OF CREAM

OF POTATOE SOUP IF YOU LIKE.) STIR UNTIL ALL LUMPS ARE

DISSOLVED. CHOP OR MASH THE POTATO AND RETURN IT TO

THE POT.

2) CUBE THE VELVETA AND ADD IT TO THE POT. ONCE THE

CHEESE IS MELTED, ADD THE FROZEN VEGGIES. CONTINUE TO

COOK ON A LOW HEAT UNTIL THE VEGGIES ARE THAWED.

THIS TAKES ABOUT 5 TO 10 MIN. THE CHEESE TENDS TO STICK

TO THE BOTTOM OF THE POT - SO KEEP STIRRING.

THIS MAKES A LOT OF SOUP - SO USE A VERY LARGE POT - I USE A ROASTER.

IT FREEZES VERY WELL.

Birthdays in April

Clean lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher by

pouring a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that

works) into the detergent cup and running the (empty)

dishwasher. The citric acid in the mix wipes out stains; you don't

have to.

Lemonade Kool-Aid as Dishwasher Cleaner

Artichoke Bread

(makes 1 loaf)

Ingredients:

1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)

2 green onions (sliced)

2 cloves garlic (chopped)

1 (4 ounce) package cream cheese (room temperature)

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup mozzarella (grated)

1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (grated)

1 loaf Italian or French bread (sliced in half lengthwise)

Salt & Black Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Mix the artichoke hearts, green onions, garlic, cream cheese,

mayonnaise, sour cream, mozzarella and parmigiano reggiano

reserving some of the cheese. Taste and season with salt &

pepper.

2. Hollow 1/2 an inch out of the center of both halves of the

bread.

3. Spread the mixture into the hole in the bread slices and top

with the reserved cheese.

4. Bake in a preheated 350F oven covered in foil for 20 minutes.

5. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the cheese is melted

and golden brown.

Birthdays in May

Sugar as Hand Degreaser

Cut grease on hands by rubbing them with a

mixture of sugar and water.

3-Ingredient

Pulled Pork

Ingredients

1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin

(pork shoulder or butt

can also be used)

1 (12 ounce) can of

root beer

1 (18 ounce) bottle of

barbecue sauce

8 hamburger buns

Directions

1. Place the pork tenderloin in a slow cooker and

pour the can of root beer over the meat. Cover

and cook on low for 6 hours or until pork shreds

easily with a fork.

2. After pork has cooked, drain and discard the

root beer. Shred the pork and place it back in the

slow cooker. Pour the barbecue sauce over the

pork and stir to combine. Serve immediately or

keep warm in slow cooker until ready to serve.

Serve on hamburger buns.

22nd – Amanda

23rd – Jaidyn

24th – Grandmother

Birthdays in June

Ingredients

1 12-ounce can frozen pineapple juice

concentrate, thawed

1 6-ounce can frozen limeade

concentrate, thawed

4 cups cold water * 1 liter club soda,

chilled

Ice cubes

Fresh strawberries (optional)

Short (6-inch) wooden skewers

Assorted fruits such as halved orange slices, halved

lime slices, orange sections, raspberries, strawberries,

sliced kiwifruit, and mint sprigs

Summer Pineapple Strawberry Cooler

Directions

In a large pitcher combine pineapple juice concentrate,

limeade, and water. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

To serve, transfer fruit juice mixture to pitchers; add club soda,

ice cubes, and fresh strawberries.

Serve with Fruit Swizzle Sticks, if desired.

Makes 14 (6-ounce) servings.

Fruit Swizzle Sticks: On short (6-inch) wooden skewers, thread

assorted fruits and mint sprigs. Make-Ahead Tip: Up to 24

hours ahead, prepare the juice mixture and chill well. Proceed

as directed.

Sit back, soak up the sunshine sipping a sweet drink and enjoy

summer.

You put toothpaste on the picture's hanger,

eyeball where you want your picture hung, press

against the wall, then place the nail in the

toothpaste spot on the wall. Wipe off toothpaste

and hang picture! Brilliant!!!

20th – Carol

Birthdays in July

7th – Jan

10th – Laurie

12th – Annabelle

Aluminum Foil as Glassware Scrubber

To get baked-on food off a glass pan or an oven rack, use

dishwashing liquid and a ball of foil in place of a steel-

wool soap pad, says Mary Findley, president of the

cleaning-products developer Mary Moppins. It's one way

to recycle those used but perfectly good pieces of foil

you hate to throw out.

NOT YO’ MAMA’S BANANA PUDDING

2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies –Or ‘Nilla Wafers

6 to 8 bananas, sliced

2 cups milk

1 (5-ounce) box instant French vanilla pudding

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping thawed, or equal

amount sweetened whipped cream

Directions

Line the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch dish with 1 bag of

cookies and layer bananas on top.

In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well

using a handheld electric mixer. Using another bowl, combine

the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until

smooth. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese

mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture

and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture over the cookies

and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate

until ready to serve.

Birthdays in August

5th – Debbie

13th – Gandy

Keep Brown Sugar Soft. Use a marshmallow

in your brown sugar to keep it soft.

Neiman Marcus Chicken Salad

Makes about 6 cups

1 lb. cooked chicken breasts, cut into ½″ cubes

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup thinly sliced celery

1 cup halved purple grapes

½ cup sliced almonds, toasted

1 tbsp. finely chopped parsley

1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste

½ cup whipped cream

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Combine chicken, mayonnaise, celery, grapes,

almonds, parsley, and salt in a bowl.

Add whipped cream and pepper; fold to combine.

Birthdays in September

1st – Darnell

15th – Sarah

16th – Lisa

18th – Charles

24th – June

17th – Tommy

Mason Jar & Votive Cup

Spaghetti with Tomatoes, Black Olives, Garlic, and

Feta Cheese

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds tomatoes (about 3),

seeded and cut into 1/2-in pieces

1/2 cup Kalamata or other

black olives, pitted

1/4 pound feta cheese, crumbled

3 tablespoons drained capers -optional

3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper

3/4 pound spaghetti

6 tablespoons olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

In a large glass or stainless-steel bowl, combine the tomatoes, olives,

feta, capers, parsley, salt, and pepper.

In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the spaghetti until just

done, about 12 minutes. Drain.

Meanwhile, in a medium frying pan, heat the olive oil over

moderately low heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

Add the cooked pasta and the garlic oil to the tomato mixture and

toss.

Birthdays in October

4th – Derek

9th – Ursin

20th – Vincent, Jr.

22nd – Charles, Jr.

26th – Buddy

Cookie Sticks

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine the oil, sugars, egg and vanilla.

Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to

sugar mixture and mix well. Divide dough in half.

On a greased baking sheet, shape each portion into a 15-in. x

3-in. rectangle about 3 in. apart.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over dough; press lightly.

Bake at 375° for 6-7 minutes. (Bake for 8-9 minutes for crispier

cookies.) Cool for 5 minutes.

Use a pizza cutter to cut each section into 4 large pieces to

make them easy to transfer to cooling racks.

Use a serrated knife to cut the cooled sections into 1-in. strips.

Baking Soda as Drain Unclogger

To get your drain running again (without resorting

to chemicals worthy of a hazmat suit) pour ½ cup

soda, then ½ cup vinegar, down a clogged drain.

Cover it with a wet cloth, wait 5 minutes, uncover,

and flush with steaming-hot water.

Birthdays in November

11th – Jodi

20th – Jessica

21st – Tanya

Never, never pour water on flaming fat or oil - you'll spread

the fire.

If the fire's inside a pan, slap on the lid. If outside, turn off

the heat and douse the flames by tossing on a handful of

baking soda or salt.

Chocolate Caramel Potato Chips

INGREDIENTS

12 oz milk chocolate (I used candy melts)

12 oz bag rippled potato chips

14 oz bag of caramels, unwrapped

3 tablespoons half and half

Bag of Heath Bar Bits ‘O Brickle

Line baking sheets with wax or parchment paper and set aside.

Put caramels and half and half in a microwave safe bowl and

microwave for about 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.

Stir until melted and creamy.

Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the melted caramel halfway

down both sides of the potato chips. Be sure to brush only a light

coat,

or the chips will get too soggy. Place on lined baking sheets to set

for about 30 minutes.

Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and dip the caramel

coated chips about a third of the way, allowing the excess to drip

off.

Sprinkle the Heath Bar bits on the melted chocolate and place

back

on the wax paper to set for about 2 hours.

Everyone deserves candy-coated potato chips at least once in their

lives.

Birthdays in December

22nd – Barbara

26th – Larry

28th – Jeff

Wrap celery in aluminum foil

when putting in the refrigerator

and it will keep for weeks.

Mulled Wine SangriaYield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 cup)

1 bottle merlot or other red wine,

chilled and divided

1/3 cup sugar

1 sachet Mulling Spice Blend

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

(about 1 large orange)

1 (16-ounce) bag frozen unsweetened

strawberries

1/2 orange, thinly sliced and cut in half

1 (12-ounce) can club soda

Preparation

1. Combine 1 cup wine, sugar, and sachet in a small

saucepan; bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes. Remove from

heat; cool. Discard sachet. Pour mixture into a pitcher; add

remaining 3 cups wine. Chill thoroughly. Add juice,

strawberries, orange slices, and club soda.

Mulling Spice BlendYield: 1 sachet

2 teaspoons whole allspice

1/4 teaspoon whole cloves

1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick, broken in half

1 (3 x 1-inch) strip orange rind

Preparation

1. Combine all ingredients on a double layer of cheesecloth.

Gather edges of cheesecloth together; tie securely.