Hello everyone and a warm welcome to all our new subscribers! I want to thank Rosie for spreading the word about Two Friends Newsletter. At least half of our subscribers are also a member of Rosie's Prayer Pals. For those of you that are not members of Rosie's Prayer Pals, and would like to be a member of an excellent prayer chain, then this one is for you. Rosie prints prayer requests, blessings reports, member birthdays, anniversaries, short stories, "angel thoughts", yummy recipes and other things. Here's where to join OTHOLLO@aol.com . We have a lot to share this week, so let's get to it. Keep warm everyone! ~Toni
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Now for Phyllis...
HEALTHY LIVING by PHYLLIS
Hi everyone! This week I'd like to talk about cravings vs. hunger. Have you ever thought you were hungry, but when you went into the kitchen to get something to eat, nothing looked good? Well, most likely you were not really hungry after all!
Cravings and hunger are two different things, with different signs. If you can learn to recognize the difference, you can possibly stop giving in when those cravings strike.
If you are really hungry, you will feel physical symptoms such as; hunger pangs, growling stomach or even a headache. On the other hand, if you are just craving something, the physical symptoms won't be there...and its even possible that what you are feeling is "emotional hunger."
Another sign that you have true hunger is that pretty much any food will satisfy your hunger, as opposed to a craving when you only want a certain type of food.
If you are truly hungry, the symptoms won't go away until you eat, but if you're just having a craving, then it is possible to distract yourself and let the craving pass.Sounds easy enough! And here's a link to an online quiz to help you determine if you're really hungry, or if you're just having a craving.
http://www.upmc.com/Services/WeightManagementServices/OurPrograms/WeightManagementCenter/lifestyle-change/Pages/cravings-hunger-quiz.aspx
___________________________
Here's a fun link!
http://www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneInHistory/selectMonth.htm
At this site you can find out what song was number one on the charts the year you were born...or any year you're curious about.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
COOL PICKS by Phyllis
Here I am again with another website that I think is worth sharing. This week its
http://www.43things.com/
At 43Things, its all about making goals and listing them. I'm a firm believer in writing things down, whether it be a food journal, a personal journal or a list of goals. Taking the time to write it down just seems to make it more important. So I go to 43Things and post my goals, along with a brief personal entry about why I want to attain this goal and what I plan to do to reach it. Not only can you post your own goals, but you can read the goals of others and perhaps even find inspiration. You can "cheer" someone on, or post a message for them.
You don't need to post 43 goals....you can post as many or as few as you like. Some of my personal goals are to exercise more often and to stop taking a certain loved one for granted. What are your goals? Try posting them on 43Things and perhaps it will inspire you to achieve them.
Please remember that Toni and I welcome YOUR cool picks, so feel free to share them. Your input is always important to us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's a poem that I like;
I'm nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody too?
Then there's a pair of us -- don't tell!
They'd banish us you know.
How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog.
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!
-Emily Dickinson
-----------------------------------
Here's way to 'burn your boredom'!
http://www.bored.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Again this week I'd like to share a bonus cool pick with you. Its a site that is new to me called SparkPeople. Check them out at
http://www.sparkpeople.com/
SparkPeople is a great site for people wanting to lose weight, maintain their weight, or just live a healthy lifestyle. There are message boards, health and fitness articles, recipes, tips and more! You can create your own SparkPage and get SparkBuddies to share motivation and encouragement with. Its totally free, too! I've been to many websites about diet and exercise, but SparkPeople is my new favorite. Whenever I'm tempted to go off my diet, I log onto SparkPeople and it helps me stay on track. If you join and would like to add me as your SparkBuddy, email me (Phyllis) at
http://us.mc1110.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=twofriendsnewsletter@gmail.com and let me know...I'll tell you my Spark name!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Check this out!
http://www.missingmoney.com/
Maybe you have some money coming to you that you didn't know about! I checked this site a few years ago and found out that my late Grandma had money due to her heirs from an insurance policy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you still use plastic grocery store bags? Why not purchase re-useable ones? You can get them for about a dollar...and most grocery store chains will give you five cents back each time you use it, so eventually it'll pay for itself! Another good reason to stop using plastic bags is because of their negative impact on the environment. Here is a website to show you what happens to plastic bags that are thrown away.
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/MULTIMEDIA02/80505016/
This is a slide show. To view it, use the scroll bar inside the page.
__________________________
Here are some uses for your daily newspaper...after you finish reading it, of course!
1. Deodorize food containers. Stuff a balled up piece of newspaper into a lunchbox and seal it overnight.
2. Ripen tomatoes. Wrap them individually and leave them at room temperature.
3. Pack breakables. Wrap them with newspaper, then crumple newspaper into the empty sections of your packing box to prevent things from shifting around.
4. Clean mirrors and windows. Spray on your window cleaner and use crumpled newspaper instead of paper towels for a lint free shine.
5. Wrap gifts. The Sunday comic section is great for wrapping childrens presents for birthdays.
If you know of any other uses for newspaper, don't keep it to yourself! Email me and tell me your uses for newspaper, and I'll put it in a future issue.
________________________
Make your own Christmas gift...aromatherapy bath salts! Easy to make and inexpensive too!
You will need;
6 cups Epsom salts
2 cups table salt
4 cups baking soda
Large jars with lids
Essential oils such as peppermint or lavendar
Mix salts and baking soda in a large bowl, then add essential oils until you get the strength of scent you want. Mix well with a big spoon, then place salts into the jars. You can print out your own custom labels for a fancy touch. Makes a great gift...and don't forget to keep one for yourself, too!
_________________
*****************************
Now for Phyllis...
HEALTHY LIVING by PHYLLIS
Hi everyone! This week I'd like to talk about cravings vs. hunger. Have you ever thought you were hungry, but when you went into the kitchen to get something to eat, nothing looked good? Well, most likely you were not really hungry after all!
Cravings and hunger are two different things, with different signs. If you can learn to recognize the difference, you can possibly stop giving in when those cravings strike.
If you are really hungry, you will feel physical symptoms such as; hunger pangs, growling stomach or even a headache. On the other hand, if you are just craving something, the physical symptoms won't be there...and its even possible that what you are feeling is "emotional hunger."
Another sign that you have true hunger is that pretty much any food will satisfy your hunger, as opposed to a craving when you only want a certain type of food.
If you are truly hungry, the symptoms won't go away until you eat, but if you're just having a craving, then it is possible to distract yourself and let the craving pass.Sounds easy enough! And here's a link to an online quiz to help you determine if you're really hungry, or if you're just having a craving.
http://www.upmc.com/Services/WeightManagementServices/OurPrograms/WeightManagementCenter/lifestyle-change/Pages/cravings-hunger-quiz.aspx
___________________________
Here's a fun link!
http://www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneInHistory/selectMonth.htm
At this site you can find out what song was number one on the charts the year you were born...or any year you're curious about.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
COOL PICKS by Phyllis
Here I am again with another website that I think is worth sharing. This week its
http://www.43things.com/
At 43Things, its all about making goals and listing them. I'm a firm believer in writing things down, whether it be a food journal, a personal journal or a list of goals. Taking the time to write it down just seems to make it more important. So I go to 43Things and post my goals, along with a brief personal entry about why I want to attain this goal and what I plan to do to reach it. Not only can you post your own goals, but you can read the goals of others and perhaps even find inspiration. You can "cheer" someone on, or post a message for them.
You don't need to post 43 goals....you can post as many or as few as you like. Some of my personal goals are to exercise more often and to stop taking a certain loved one for granted. What are your goals? Try posting them on 43Things and perhaps it will inspire you to achieve them.
Please remember that Toni and I welcome YOUR cool picks, so feel free to share them. Your input is always important to us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here's a poem that I like;
I'm nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody too?
Then there's a pair of us -- don't tell!
They'd banish us you know.
How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog.
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!
-Emily Dickinson
-----------------------------------
Here's way to 'burn your boredom'!
http://www.bored.com/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Again this week I'd like to share a bonus cool pick with you. Its a site that is new to me called SparkPeople. Check them out at
http://www.sparkpeople.com/
SparkPeople is a great site for people wanting to lose weight, maintain their weight, or just live a healthy lifestyle. There are message boards, health and fitness articles, recipes, tips and more! You can create your own SparkPage and get SparkBuddies to share motivation and encouragement with. Its totally free, too! I've been to many websites about diet and exercise, but SparkPeople is my new favorite. Whenever I'm tempted to go off my diet, I log onto SparkPeople and it helps me stay on track. If you join and would like to add me as your SparkBuddy, email me (Phyllis) at
http://us.mc1110.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=twofriendsnewsletter@gmail.com and let me know...I'll tell you my Spark name!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Check this out!
http://www.missingmoney.com/
Maybe you have some money coming to you that you didn't know about! I checked this site a few years ago and found out that my late Grandma had money due to her heirs from an insurance policy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Do you still use plastic grocery store bags? Why not purchase re-useable ones? You can get them for about a dollar...and most grocery store chains will give you five cents back each time you use it, so eventually it'll pay for itself! Another good reason to stop using plastic bags is because of their negative impact on the environment. Here is a website to show you what happens to plastic bags that are thrown away.
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080506/MULTIMEDIA02/80505016/
This is a slide show. To view it, use the scroll bar inside the page.
__________________________
Here are some uses for your daily newspaper...after you finish reading it, of course!
1. Deodorize food containers. Stuff a balled up piece of newspaper into a lunchbox and seal it overnight.
2. Ripen tomatoes. Wrap them individually and leave them at room temperature.
3. Pack breakables. Wrap them with newspaper, then crumple newspaper into the empty sections of your packing box to prevent things from shifting around.
4. Clean mirrors and windows. Spray on your window cleaner and use crumpled newspaper instead of paper towels for a lint free shine.
5. Wrap gifts. The Sunday comic section is great for wrapping childrens presents for birthdays.
If you know of any other uses for newspaper, don't keep it to yourself! Email me and tell me your uses for newspaper, and I'll put it in a future issue.
________________________
Make your own Christmas gift...aromatherapy bath salts! Easy to make and inexpensive too!
You will need;
6 cups Epsom salts
2 cups table salt
4 cups baking soda
Large jars with lids
Essential oils such as peppermint or lavendar
Mix salts and baking soda in a large bowl, then add essential oils until you get the strength of scent you want. Mix well with a big spoon, then place salts into the jars. You can print out your own custom labels for a fancy touch. Makes a great gift...and don't forget to keep one for yourself, too!
_________________
Now for Toni...
Cathy K sent this to me and I wanted to list it first because it's such a good and easy thing to do...
If you go to this web site, http://www.letssaythanks.com/ you can pick out a thank you card drawn by a school age kid and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq . You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services.
How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them.
This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time to do it, and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say thank you enough.
******************************
Cheryl sent this and what a neat and easy idea to help make a pretty holiday table..
Easy Way to Make Butter Pats
Cheryl sent this and what a neat and easy idea to help make a pretty holiday table..
Easy Way to Make Butter Pats
Use an egg slicer to cut a cold stick of butter or margarine into even slices. They will be the same size and look attractive on plates. You also will have built-in portion and calorie control.
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This week's state is Florida...
The name Punta Gorda, which means, "fat point" when translated from Spanish. The moniker was given to the city because a broad part of the land in Punta Gorda juts into Charlotte Harbor.
This week's state is Florida...
The name Punta Gorda, which means, "fat point" when translated from Spanish. The moniker was given to the city because a broad part of the land in Punta Gorda juts into Charlotte Harbor.
The harbor itself is somewhat unique, as it is the point where the Peace River meets the ocean.
Orlando attracts more visitors than any other amusement park destination in the United States.
Orlando attracts more visitors than any other amusement park destination in the United States.
Cape Canaveral is America's launch pad for space flights.
Florida is not the southernmost state in the United States. Hawaii is farther south.
A museum in Sanibel owns 2 million shells and claims to be the world's only museum devoted solely to mollusks.
The United States city with the highest rate of lightning strikes per capita is Clearwater.
Gatorade was named for the University of Florida Gators where the drink was first developed.
Young aviator Tony Jannus made history on January 1, 1914 when he flew the world's first scheduled passenger service airline flight from St. Petersburg's downtown yacht basin to Tampa.
Dr. John Gorrie of Apalachicola invented mechanical refrigeration in 1851.
Dr. John Gorrie of Apalachicola invented mechanical refrigeration in 1851.
Miami Beach pharmacist Benjamin Green invented the first suntan cream in 1944. He accomplished this development by cooking cocoa butter in a granite coffee pot on his wife's stove.
Key West has the highest average temperature in the United States.
The Saint John's River is one of the few rivers that flows north instead of south.
The largest lake in Florida is Lake Okeechobee.
May 20, 1970 Florida lawmakers passed and sent to the Governor a bill adopting the moonstone as the official state gem. Ironically, the moonstone is not found naturally in Florida...nor was it found on the moon.
Miami installed the first bank automated teller machine especially for rollerbladers.
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is a cable-stayed concrete bridge. Opened in 1987 the bridge coasts through the clouds at 190 feet above water. Its bright yellow support cables spread from the two center pillars. The structure gives drivers unobstructed view of the water during the 4.1 mile trip over Tampa Bay.
DeFuniak Springs is home to one of the two naturally round lakes in the world.
Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America because the city has 185 miles of local waterways.
Marathon is home to Crane Point Hammock, a 63.5 acre land tract that is one of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the Keys.. The area contains evidence of pre-
Colombian and prehistoric Bahamian artifacts, and once was the site of an entire Indian village.
The first graded road built in Florida was Old Kings Road in 1763. It was named for King George of England.
When first completed in 1989 the Dame Point Bridge became the longest cable-stayed span in the United States, the longest concrete span of its type in the Western Hemisphere, and the third longest cable-stayed bridge in the world.
Venice is known as the Shark Tooth Capital of the World. Collecting prehistoric sharks teeth has been a favorite pastime of visitors and residents of the Venice area for years
Florida is the only state that has 2 rivers both with the same name. There is a Withlacoochee in north central Florida (Madison County) and a Withlacoochee in central Florida. They have nothing in common except the name.
************************************
~Marie's Laughter~
Time to get up
Early one morning, a mother went in to wake up her son. "Wake up, son. It's time to go to school!" "But why, Mom? I don't want to go." "Give me two reasons why you don't want to go." "Well, the kids hate me for one, and the teachers hate me, too!" "Oh, that's no reason not to go to school. Come on now and get ready." "Give me two reasons why I should go to school." "Well, for one, you're 52 years old. And for another, you're the Principal!"
************************************
~Marie's Laughter~
Time to get up
Early one morning, a mother went in to wake up her son. "Wake up, son. It's time to go to school!" "But why, Mom? I don't want to go." "Give me two reasons why you don't want to go." "Well, the kids hate me for one, and the teachers hate me, too!" "Oh, that's no reason not to go to school. Come on now and get ready." "Give me two reasons why I should go to school." "Well, for one, you're 52 years old. And for another, you're the Principal!"
In addition to the joke this week, Marie has a Cool Pick to share:
I visited here today and thought that you would enjoy it too http://wandascountryhome.com/christmas/candycane/
***********************************
One of the most enchanting parts of the holiday season is driving down the streets and feeling like you're in a winter wonderland as you glimpse house after house decked out in bright lights, evergreen boughs and more. This year, we want people all over the country to see your hard work and creativity, which is why we're creating a virtual neighborhood block where you can show off your decorating skills--and get inspired by others' creations. Between December 1, 2008 and January 5, 2009, upload snapshots of your most impressive Christmas decorations here. Ten lucky finalists will be featured on the website--plus earn ultimate bragging rights for the year ahead.
http://www.womansday.com/Content/Family-Lifestyle/Holidays/Christmas-Decorations-Photo-Contest
******************************
Everyone loves a good snowball fight. Just be sure not to hit Santa!http://www.elfmovie.com/swf/snowball_fight/
One of the most enchanting parts of the holiday season is driving down the streets and feeling like you're in a winter wonderland as you glimpse house after house decked out in bright lights, evergreen boughs and more. This year, we want people all over the country to see your hard work and creativity, which is why we're creating a virtual neighborhood block where you can show off your decorating skills--and get inspired by others' creations. Between December 1, 2008 and January 5, 2009, upload snapshots of your most impressive Christmas decorations here. Ten lucky finalists will be featured on the website--plus earn ultimate bragging rights for the year ahead.
http://www.womansday.com/Content/Family-Lifestyle/Holidays/Christmas-Decorations-Photo-Contest
******************************
Everyone loves a good snowball fight. Just be sure not to hit Santa!http://www.elfmovie.com/swf/snowball_fight/
***************************
From Sharon:
I use http://www.fitday.com/ and it calculates a lot more options than most weight loss sites. It also figures how many calories you burn each day with tasks from housework to walking and more. And you can add your own foods to it and it figures the caloric intake .. check it out..
From Sharon:
I use http://www.fitday.com/ and it calculates a lot more options than most weight loss sites. It also figures how many calories you burn each day with tasks from housework to walking and more. And you can add your own foods to it and it figures the caloric intake .. check it out..
****************************
I've been keeping you up on local gas prices; today John reported to me that it is $1.89.
I've been keeping you up on local gas prices; today John reported to me that it is $1.89.
****************************
Foam Peanuts
Some are now made from vegetable starch. To test, toss one under water--if it disintegrates, you've got nontoxic, biodegradable peanuts. As for the nonrecyclable plastic kind, call The Peanut Hotline (800-828-2214) for a list of businesses that accept them.
Foam Peanuts
Some are now made from vegetable starch. To test, toss one under water--if it disintegrates, you've got nontoxic, biodegradable peanuts. As for the nonrecyclable plastic kind, call The Peanut Hotline (800-828-2214) for a list of businesses that accept them.
****************************
Shop safely online
1. Be sure the site is secure. Shop only from your home computer, not one at work or that others might use, such as in a library or cyber cafe. URLs should start with https: That s means it's secure--and you should see a padlock symbol somewhere in the browser frame.
2. Never use your debit card online. A thief can potentially hack into your bank account and clear it out. Debit cards don't have the same fraud protection that credit cards do. If you want to shop auction sites or less recognized sites, be sure you can make the purchase using PayPal or a similar go-between that offers some level of buyer protection.
3. Shop trusted sites. The online version of a bricks-and-mortar retailer is usually safe. A site that misspells words, especially in its URL, is likely bogus.
4. Trust your instincts. If something seems too cheap, it probably is.
Shop safely online
1. Be sure the site is secure. Shop only from your home computer, not one at work or that others might use, such as in a library or cyber cafe. URLs should start with https: That s means it's secure--and you should see a padlock symbol somewhere in the browser frame.
2. Never use your debit card online. A thief can potentially hack into your bank account and clear it out. Debit cards don't have the same fraud protection that credit cards do. If you want to shop auction sites or less recognized sites, be sure you can make the purchase using PayPal or a similar go-between that offers some level of buyer protection.
3. Shop trusted sites. The online version of a bricks-and-mortar retailer is usually safe. A site that misspells words, especially in its URL, is likely bogus.
4. Trust your instincts. If something seems too cheap, it probably is.
**********************************
Warning: Fun and yummy holiday recipe treats ahead. =)
Foolproof Chocolate Fudge
18 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips *
Warning: Fun and yummy holiday recipe treats ahead. =)
Foolproof Chocolate Fudge
18 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips *
1 (14 oz) can Eagle ® Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
dash salt
½ to 1 cup chopped nuts
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chips with Eagle Brand. Remove from heat; stir in remaining ingredients. Spread evenly into wax paper-lined 8- or 9-inch square pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto cutting board; peel off paper and cut into squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature.
*Milk chocolate chips may be substituted (and are preferred by me and John)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This is a favorite Christmas treat recipe of ours.
Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Bars
1 cup peanut butter
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, softened
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
One 11.5 oz. (2 cups) package chocolate chips, divided
Preheat oven to 350*. In large mixer bowl, combine peanut butter and butter; beat until smooth. Add sugar, eggs and vanilla extract; beat until creamy. Blend in flour and salt. Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips. Spread into 13 X 9-inch baking pan. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until edges begin to brown.
Remove from oven; sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips. Let stand 5 minutes until morsels become shiny and soft. Spread chocolate evenly over top. Cool completely. Cut into 1 1/2 bars. Makes 48 bars.
Be sure to watch these when baking and take them out before they get too done because if over-baked they'll be hard and dry. With my oven what I've found is to bake them 25 minutes at 350* and then turn the oven off for the final 5 minutes.
Also I add a topping that I make with peanut butter, confectioners sugar and milk. There's no recipe for this, I just keep adding and mixing till it tastes good. It just needs to be the right consistancy to spread correctly. I try to go for the constistancy of honey. One pan needs about 1 cup of this topping and I can't even seem to make less than about 4 cups so I put it out in small containers and freeze it and then next time I want to bake a pan, the topping is ready as soon as it thaws. So what you do is after the chocolate chips have melted and you've spread those, spoon on the topping and then swirl it around getting the melted chocolate into the topping till it starts looking kinda marbled. The reason you want to get the chocolate mixed into the topping is that the chocolate part will harden and it makes the topping stay on better. And it looks pretty all swirled together. Hope you'll enjoy these as much as we do.
Oh, for easy clean-up I line the pan with Reynold's Release foil. I use Reynold's Release to line pans pretty much anytime I'm baking.
In heavy saucepan, over low heat, melt chips with Eagle Brand. Remove from heat; stir in remaining ingredients. Spread evenly into wax paper-lined 8- or 9-inch square pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto cutting board; peel off paper and cut into squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature.
*Milk chocolate chips may be substituted (and are preferred by me and John)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This is a favorite Christmas treat recipe of ours.
Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Bars
1 cup peanut butter
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) butter, softened
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
One 11.5 oz. (2 cups) package chocolate chips, divided
Preheat oven to 350*. In large mixer bowl, combine peanut butter and butter; beat until smooth. Add sugar, eggs and vanilla extract; beat until creamy. Blend in flour and salt. Stir in 1 cup chocolate chips. Spread into 13 X 9-inch baking pan. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until edges begin to brown.
Remove from oven; sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips. Let stand 5 minutes until morsels become shiny and soft. Spread chocolate evenly over top. Cool completely. Cut into 1 1/2 bars. Makes 48 bars.
Be sure to watch these when baking and take them out before they get too done because if over-baked they'll be hard and dry. With my oven what I've found is to bake them 25 minutes at 350* and then turn the oven off for the final 5 minutes.
Also I add a topping that I make with peanut butter, confectioners sugar and milk. There's no recipe for this, I just keep adding and mixing till it tastes good. It just needs to be the right consistancy to spread correctly. I try to go for the constistancy of honey. One pan needs about 1 cup of this topping and I can't even seem to make less than about 4 cups so I put it out in small containers and freeze it and then next time I want to bake a pan, the topping is ready as soon as it thaws. So what you do is after the chocolate chips have melted and you've spread those, spoon on the topping and then swirl it around getting the melted chocolate into the topping till it starts looking kinda marbled. The reason you want to get the chocolate mixed into the topping is that the chocolate part will harden and it makes the topping stay on better. And it looks pretty all swirled together. Hope you'll enjoy these as much as we do.
Oh, for easy clean-up I line the pan with Reynold's Release foil. I use Reynold's Release to line pans pretty much anytime I'm baking.
**********************************
Here is a recipe for a very low-fat hot chocolate mix. It is really rich and creamy. In addition to just being good to have for yourself I thought it would be part of a nice Christmas basket theme. You could fill a pretty Mason jar or festive tin with the mix and then add one or more of the following: some cute mugs, a bag of marshmallows, a can of whipped cream, a box of muffin mix, etc. Be sure to add a card or label to let the person know the hot chocolate mix to water ratio.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
1/2 cup cocoa
3/4 cup sugar
3 cups powdered milk
dash of salt
It says to sift all ingredients together, but that really made a huge dusty mess in my kitchen, so I just mix all ingredients together and then store in a cool, dry place.
When ready to use, add 2 tablespoons mix to each 4 ounces of boiling water.
Here is a recipe for a very low-fat hot chocolate mix. It is really rich and creamy. In addition to just being good to have for yourself I thought it would be part of a nice Christmas basket theme. You could fill a pretty Mason jar or festive tin with the mix and then add one or more of the following: some cute mugs, a bag of marshmallows, a can of whipped cream, a box of muffin mix, etc. Be sure to add a card or label to let the person know the hot chocolate mix to water ratio.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
1/2 cup cocoa
3/4 cup sugar
3 cups powdered milk
dash of salt
It says to sift all ingredients together, but that really made a huge dusty mess in my kitchen, so I just mix all ingredients together and then store in a cool, dry place.
When ready to use, add 2 tablespoons mix to each 4 ounces of boiling water.
******************************
Kris Kringle is the German words for "Christ's Child"
~~~~~
The first Animal Crackers were not made for eating...they were made as Christmas tree decorations!
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
William Arthur Ward
Kris Kringle is the German words for "Christ's Child"
~~~~~
The first Animal Crackers were not made for eating...they were made as Christmas tree decorations!
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
William Arthur Ward
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,
The little Lord Jesus, Laid down His sweet head,
The stars in the sky Looked down where He lay,
The little Lord Jesus Asleep in the hay.
The cattle are lowing, The poor Baby wakes
The cattle are lowing, The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus,No crying he makes
I love Thee Lord Jesus, Look down from the sky
And stay by my cradle, Till morning is night
Be near me, Lord JesusI ask Thee to stay,
Be near me, Lord JesusI ask Thee to stay,
Close by me foreverAnd love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear childrenIn Thy tender care
And take us to heavenTo live with Thee there.
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