A POEM ABOUT OUR GIRLFRIENDS
**Someone will always be prettier.
**Someone will always be smarter.
**Some of their houses will be bigger.
**Some will drive a better car.
**Their children will do better in school.
**And their husband will fix more things around the house.
**So let it go, and love you and your circumstances.
**Think about it!
**The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.
**And the most highly favored
**woman on your job may be unable to have children.
**And the richest woman you know,
**she's got the car, the house, the clothes~~~~
**might be lonely.
**And the word says, 'If I have not Love, I am nothing.'
**So, again, love you.
**Love who you are.
**Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say,
**'I am too Blessed to be Stressed and too Anointed, to be Disappointed!'
**'Winners make things happen~~
**Losers let things happen.'
**Be 'Blessed' Ladies~~~~~
**'To the world you might be one person,
**but to one person you could mean the world'***
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
FCW Minutes
20 May 2011 at the Den
Jackie and Cheryl scrapped while watching some Cold Case episodes from 7-11pm.
13 May 2011
no meeting because of Mother's Day
1 May 2011 at the Den
Met two new friends: Robin and Deborah. Began at 6pm and ended at 11:30pm. Robin painted while the rest scrap-booked. We all got to know each other better.
17 April 2011 at Tidelands
Roast Beef dinner with Black forest pizza dessert. Jackie worked on her Easter cards. Cheryl worked on her own album. Quiet evening.
10 April 2011 at the Den
It was rather quiet with only two members present. Cheryl and Jackie scrap booked. Cheryl, digitally, to finish a Christmas present for xmas past for her step-daughter. She also got materials ready for the next day's homeschooling art class.
3 April 2011 No FCW due to unforeseen circumstances.
27 March 2011 at the Den
20 March 2011
11, 12, 13 March
Jaime visited before moving to Ontario. Slept over at Cheryl's three nights. Jaime had to fight with her dead car Saturday morning with the help of CAA and Canadian Tire. The three of us attended Mackenzie's dance recital/closing. Finally had lunch at 4pm and were able to get crafting at 4:30pm. Natalie slept over Saturday night. Sunday we moved to Jackie's to scrap, quilt, and do math homework (Nat's back in school!). Jackie and Natalie hit Costco in the afternoon. Natalie finally bought the awesome backpack for her 17" screen laptop. Jaime drove Natalie home around 10pm and Cheryl followed, eventually.
6 February 2011
30 January 2011 at the Lair
Natalie served ribs, garlic potatoes, and veggies followed by a banana cream pie with special Carmel sauce. Jackie worked on Easter cards and wrapped up early as she wasn't feeling her best. Cheryl worked on her album. Natalie set up her free-with-laptop-purchase printer. Leela ran off and across the busy street until Duke and Jackie arrived.
16 January 2011 at the Den
Jackie served a delicious, veggie-full Suzanne Sommers dinner followed by cherry cheesecake complete with whipped cream. Yummy!
9 January 2011 at the Tidelands
Canceled because of snow.
2 January 2011 at the Lair
Natalie slaved again, for us, and cooked up a wonderful New Year's dinner. She began with fresh fruit with the preparations to make fruit smoothies if we wished. Then there were various pastry ordeurves such as dried tomatoes with cheese, caramelized onion and cheese, spinach and cheese, and cranberry and lemon brie (yummy!). She also made us each a Harry Potter Butter Bear. Sweet and smooth. I was full then. Yet, Natalie had roasted pork with pomegranate juice, baked sweet potatoes with onion, baked acorn squash topped with cranberry dressing with mushrooms (first time I like acorn squash- I ate it all), and a chilled balsamic vinegar and soy sauce asparagus salad. And dessert was a type of cheese cake made from a cheese similar to cream cheese but not as heavy and topped with blueberries. I enjoyed this yet we discussed ways to make it tastier: add some sugar, lemon rind, more lemon juice, add berries to the cheese, change the berry choice...
Natalie shared her block-buster movie idea based around "fallen" angels. No more details lest I get myself in trouble. Jackie worked on Samantha school album (photos of every classmate). Cheryl worked on and finished Leela's third and hopefully last album. On to her own next!
18 December 2010 at the Tidelands
Cookie making while Jaime visits from PH on her way to Ontario for the holidays.
12 December 2010 at Jackie's (the den?)
Yummy vegetarian lasagna and cherry pie for supper. Natalie working on her movie script for the society. Cheryl worked on Leela's album. Jackie worked on Christmas cards and balancing her books.
5 December 2010 at The Lair
Roast chicken for dinner. Yummy. Natalie worked on her tv script. Cheryl prepared embossed stamps for card making the next day. Jackie worked on her album.
14 November 2010 at the Lair
Jackie away at Scrap booking retreat.
7 November 2010 at The Lair
Natalie made a fish chowder (remember in the future that Jackie can't have mollusks) and chocolate cake/pudding. Cheryl worked on Leela's album (Mackenzie's is finished). Jackie worked on Samantha's album. Natalie shared her story thus far for "the Society."
31 October canceled for Hallowe'en.
17 October 2010 at the Lair
Jackie worked on adding up her household recipts. Cheryl worked on Mackenzie's album.
10 October 2010 Thanksgiving at the Tidelands
Jackie was unable to attend due to her family's dinner.
At Jackie's; the dungeon?
3 October 2010
At the Tidelands. Ate roast beef, and veggies: potatoes, swiss chard, carrots, and peas. Jackie worked on Samantha's album, Cheryl on Mackenzie's album. Natalie shared new Daz models that will work with her animated series project. Missed Jaime now that she is in Mulgrave.
28 September 2010
At Jackie's - her place needs a name!
19 September 2010 The Lair
Natalie made melt-in-your mouth roast beef with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and oriental veggies and cherry chip cake with chocolate pudding. Natalie shared her scripts thus far. Jaime worked on quilt squares. Cheryl groomed Leela, made dino puzzles for crafts Monday, edited her FCW digital scrapbook with Jackie's help, and made page layouts for Kenzie's album. Jackie worked on her digital scrapbooks and photos.
12 September 2010 The Grove
Jaime made yummy chicken pot pie with rainbow sprinkle icing. Cheryl worked on labeling photos. Jaime put together FCW cookbooks.
5 September 2010
Shakespeare by the Sea, Twelfth Night, at Point Pleasant Park. Chilly but very enjoyable. Natalie brought a lovely picnic supper.
29 August 2010 (Tidelands)
Cheryl worked on Kenzie's album. Natalie shared her frustrations about work. Jaime told us she has a new, full-time job on the eastern shore and will be moving to Port Hawksberry mid September. yeah! and boo-hoo. Jaime was unable to pin her quilt together as her filler blanket wasn't big enough.
28 June 2010 Chapters in Bayers Lake
Jaime and Natalie hung out at Chapters while Cheryl was recovering from a weekend camping at Jellystone.
31 January 2010 (Tidelands)
Met at the Tidelands and had to wait for Cheryl to cook supper as she worked until 5pm. Her husband had the potatoes ready though. Started with salad and bread with bruchetta or humus. Cranberry chicken, potatoes, and stuffing followed. Jaime learned how to knit the basket weave pattern! Natalie kept our imaginations going with her enthusiasm over her stories she's writing. Made plans to see Iron Man II to Jaime. Cheryl tried to figure out where to begin with scrap booking as she's neglected it so long. Completed one calendar page and two pages as well as organizing her photos. Shared her awe at the Avatar movie. It's a gotta see!
24 January 2010 (the Grove)
Enjoyed Jaime's tasty rolls/buns, beef stew and bark (a little too much) at the Grove. Jaime tackled the challenge of learning to knit in her newly acquired chair. Natalie read/worked online. Cheryl did some knitting, sorting of photos, and read Natalie's "fluffy" Buffy and Spike story to provide feedback. It was an easy and pleasurable read.
17 January 2010 (the Lair)
Enjoyed a beautiful and tasty spread at the Lair/Natalie's to celebrate the holidays. Mmmm. And...a record-breaking first was shared, we ALL crafted at the same craft - knitting - at the SAME TIME!!! Oh, and Natalie crafted. ;) Love ya! We actually stitched and bitched. lol
Yes, other people may join us, with the approval of all FCW members. Shouldn't be hard. And remember, we love food and witty conversation. :)
16 January 2010 (at the Tidelands)
Enjoyed spaghetti cooked by Cheryl's husband before crafting and chatting. Jaime took on the challenge of learning to knit. Cheryl tried to organize her neglected scrap booking. Natalie looked at Cheryl's Vampire English thesis, the personalized calendar, and Leela's wee album (after Jaime). And of course, we chatted.
time passes by.... ;)
7 May 2009 (the Grove)
Enjoyed Natalie's Jareth birthday cake and iced tea at the Grove. Jaime worked on her father's birthday scarf and checked out her Enterprise model. Cheryl put together layouts for Mackenzie's photo album. Time to buy more pages.
30 April 2009 (the Tidelands)
After supper of hot dogs, snacks, and a sexy Spock 30th birthday cake for Jaime. Jaime enjoyed Cheryl's massage chair. Cheryl cut out squares from old jeans to make a raggedy quilt. Natalie took notes for FCW staycation weekend as to the menu and who was bringing what.
23 April 2009
Jaime needed a night off so cake was frozen and Nat and Cheryl went to the movies to see, "17 Again." So nice to look at.
12 March 2009 (the Grove)
Jaime had her yummy humus (with roasted garlic) again and Cheryl brought bread and maple butter. Jaime worked on a scarf for her dad's birthday and Cheryl reached the end of her photos for Kenzie's scrapbook! Discussed nutty relatives and roommates who have no consideration of others. Reflected on the fact that a year ago Jaime was talking of becoming a librarian and now is halfway through her training (almost). Yahoo! Bounced around ideas for May weekend that we are looking forward to: Value Village, Farmer's Market. Jaime showed up her newly acquired sugar bowl from Home Sense for her hamster's creamated remains.
January 1, 2009
New Year's Day!
December 25, 2008
No meeting as Cheryl does her Christian Christmas thing. Jaime celebrated Winter Solstice on 21 December while Cheryl was at her sister's birthday party.
December 18, 2008 (the Grove)
Jaime had chocolate chip and shortbread cookies for munching while doing her Christmas baking. Cheryl lost her keys in Jaime's apartment and she and Nat spent 40minutes trying to get back into her security building and get her attention. All was well after that. :)
December 11, 2008 (the Tidelands)
All three back together after Jaime's term one has ended. Good to be back together. Cheryl had too many snacks: cherry surprises, humus, couscous and more. Jaime finished another scarf and Cheryl planned page layouts.
December 4, 2008 just didn't happen. oops!
November 26, 2008 at Reitman's
Cheryl and Natalie went shopping for some new clothes for Cheryl. I am tired of waiting to loose weight to buy something that is dressy and fits properly.
November 19, 2008
Miscomunication between Natalie and Cheryl made this evening not happen. Cheryl went Christmas shopping.
November 12, 2008 (the Tidelands)
Nat and Cheryl baked 10 dozen Nieman cookies and made two batches of rice krispie squares for upcoming craft/bake sales for the Girl Guide tea and Sale, Gertrude Parker Elementary School, and Cheryl's church. Natalie shared her dark humor film idea of call center workers who want to go to jail where life is easier and made the "bad guys pay" doing it. Jaime was away coming to the crunch of her first MLS term.
November 6,2008 (the Tidelands)
Cheryl planned several layouts for Mackenzie's latest photo album. Jaime knit on another Christmas present. The living room as meeting place made a more comfortable atmosphere than the usual dinning room. - I forget the discussion. Obama to some degree, and environmental issues were the topic of conversation.
October 30, 2008 (the Grove)
Chocolate cupcakes were served. Yummy. Jaime knit and Cheryl worked on Kenzie's album.
October 23, 2008 canceled due to assignments and lack of transportation
October 16, 2008 (the Grove)
Jaime finished a scarf she was crocheting for a Christmas present. Jaime discussed the success of her last three assignments (all A's!!!) and the frustration of still working with two law students who don't pull their own weight in a team assignment. Cheryl planned six pages for scrapping and laid out 24 more with photos. Natalie did not complain about work! We did of course, discuss the environment, again. Chocolate Chip Cookies were served. ;)
October 9, 2008 canceled due to assignments and appointments
October 2, 2008 at (the Lair) for the last time at this location.
Cheryl finished her Rooney pumpkin person outfit. Jaime worked on knitting a scarf while complaining about the frustrations of the lack of equal team work and the over-whelming workload of taking MLS to the point that some people have dropped out already. Natalie lamented having to move out of her present building and the discussed the possibility of pursuing an education in Newfoundland in the fall of 2009. Pumpkin cookies and grapes were served. :)
September 29, 2008 canceled due to assignments and curriculum night
what happened here?
July 18, 2008 (the Tidelands)
July 11, 2008 (the Lair)
Jaime finished the blanket she started in May for her friend's baby and even got it packaged up. Cheryl labeled all of Taylor's back-to-school supplies; on principle. What child needs 50 pencils for one year of school? She wasn't going to provide supplies for other kids unless the school was upfront about wanting donations. Natalie tried to help Cheryl get her wedding ring off. It was because her finger was so swollen that it was uncomfortable, really. We weren't successful that night but her ambulance experience string technique made it successful for Cheryl to get it off later. There's not only a tan line but a visible dent. And of course, the environmental issues were discussed again, funding for education, and tall, dark handsome men.
July 4, 2008(the Grove)
Jaime put a very pretty scalloped edge on her baby blanket. Cheryl worked on photo layouts for Mackenzie's album even though the album is full. Natalie shared the photo she designed for her "fire child" character that got her booted from Daz (they didn't appreciate the smoke bikini bottom). She also shared her plans to turn her empty living room into a greenhouse of sorts to supply herself with her own fresh vegetables rather than pay increasing prices. She suspects that grow lights would draw the attention of the RCMP thinking she was growing something that is often smelled in the hallways of their apartment building. Again, we discussed environmental issues and unjust costs (daycare, education). Jamie mentioned some wise words told to her, in today's society we have anxiety because we have the instincts to fight or flight but a lot of problems such as the environment, we have little control over making it difficult to fight or flee. Anxiety is caused from our indecision. We can choose to do something or we can choose not to think about it.
June 10, 2008 (the Tidelands)
Natalie expressed her frustration at her great idea not making the top ten for the challenge at work and discussed her story idea for King of Nightmares including the character, water child. Jamie discussed her success at obtaining funding for her new endeavor to pursue earning her MLS and ended with her decision to not get her masters or to beat herself up over grades as she did in grad school. Cheryl was repeatedly interrupted by her two daughters and phone calls (step-daughter, sister, and husband). Alcohol was not involved in this evening, just ginger ale.
June 3, 2008 (the Grove)
Natalie discussed her challenge of her green newsletter and her idea for the challenge at work. Jamie discussed her challenge to obtain funding for her future education. Cheryl finally divulged that she didn't see a Cape Breton trip as being practical for her as it would be something she'd like to involve her family in.
May 8, 2008 (at the Grove, again)
Menu and agenda was planned for our four day weekend. Financial contribution gladly received for "booze" for our weekend and donor was made an honorary member.
J crocheted on a baby blanket for a friend. C prepared scrapbook layouts
and made a May calendar. N talked; particularly planning how we could make a trip to Cape Breton happen next year. We discussed the injustice of single
mothers and the cost of daycare. We also discussed the lack of people
recycling when the facilities are so readily available.
May 1, 2008 (at the Grove)
A menu and venue was planned for the FCW four day weekend.
Nat's birthday cake (baked and decorated by Jamie) was enjoyed by all.
Vented about idiot co-workers.
April 24, 2008 (at the Tide lands)
Debate
about science not necessarily being fact or being able to prove
anything (I think I remembered that correctly). Discussed the
oppression of society of single persons; particularly financially.
April 17, 2008 (at the Grove)
Discussed
the struggle of single mothers in the workplace. The audacity of taxes.
And the absurdity of education costs. On a lighter note, cartoons of
today verses the cartoons ofyesteryear's and how we weren't afraid to
over-protect our children but told it like it was...cartoons died,
little red riding hood got eaten and little rabbit foo, foo bashed them
on the head not kissed them.
March 27 (at the Grove)
-N discussed her work success and newsletter project and recognition
-J served homemade salsa and multi grain nachos, listened reflectively
-C forgot to bring extra pages to work on, completed three and planned layouts for more pages in Kenzie's album
- discussed future May trip locations and saving funding
- discussed traveling to Cape Breton next year and saving $1/paycheck
March 20 (at the Lair)
- C completed 7 pages in M's album and finished scrapping May 2007
- N fought with trying to learn her new hobby/money making plans and in trying to find the morphing skull cap
- J picked up her aunt at the airport to surprise her mother
March 12 (at the lair)
- C unable to attend due to bad weather and husband in emerge
- J didn't arrive until 10pm, after work and a bad-weather drive home
6 March 2008 (at the Tide lands)
- J cut out flannel squares for future project
- N discussed her Daz purchases and future plans
- C completed 7 pages in her daughter's album, and it's done!
28 February 2008 (at the Grove)
- Everyone enjoyed N's pulled pork and garlic potatoes and two servings of J's layered, dairy-free cake
- viewed N's Daz purchases online
- C completed 5 pages in T's album
21 February 2008 (at the Lair)
- J asked what kind of cake C likes. All!
- J served humus and pita bread. Yummy! Need more.
- N revealed that she can purchase her fireplace locally rather than from the US.
- J's success into the master's program was toasted in recognition.
- C completed 6 pages in T's album.
our location names:
the Grove
the Lair
the Tidelands
the Den
Birthdays:
February (1970) Cheryl
April 25 (1979) Jaime
May 1 (1970) Natalie
Jackie and Cheryl scrapped while watching some Cold Case episodes from 7-11pm.
13 May 2011
no meeting because of Mother's Day
1 May 2011 at the Den
Met two new friends: Robin and Deborah. Began at 6pm and ended at 11:30pm. Robin painted while the rest scrap-booked. We all got to know each other better.
17 April 2011 at Tidelands
Roast Beef dinner with Black forest pizza dessert. Jackie worked on her Easter cards. Cheryl worked on her own album. Quiet evening.
10 April 2011 at the Den
It was rather quiet with only two members present. Cheryl and Jackie scrap booked. Cheryl, digitally, to finish a Christmas present for xmas past for her step-daughter. She also got materials ready for the next day's homeschooling art class.
3 April 2011 No FCW due to unforeseen circumstances.
27 March 2011 at the Den
20 March 2011
11, 12, 13 March
Jaime visited before moving to Ontario. Slept over at Cheryl's three nights. Jaime had to fight with her dead car Saturday morning with the help of CAA and Canadian Tire. The three of us attended Mackenzie's dance recital/closing. Finally had lunch at 4pm and were able to get crafting at 4:30pm. Natalie slept over Saturday night. Sunday we moved to Jackie's to scrap, quilt, and do math homework (Nat's back in school!). Jackie and Natalie hit Costco in the afternoon. Natalie finally bought the awesome backpack for her 17" screen laptop. Jaime drove Natalie home around 10pm and Cheryl followed, eventually.
6 February 2011
30 January 2011 at the Lair
Natalie served ribs, garlic potatoes, and veggies followed by a banana cream pie with special Carmel sauce. Jackie worked on Easter cards and wrapped up early as she wasn't feeling her best. Cheryl worked on her album. Natalie set up her free-with-laptop-purchase printer. Leela ran off and across the busy street until Duke and Jackie arrived.
16 January 2011 at the Den
Jackie served a delicious, veggie-full Suzanne Sommers dinner followed by cherry cheesecake complete with whipped cream. Yummy!
9 January 2011 at the Tidelands
Canceled because of snow.
2 January 2011 at the Lair
Natalie slaved again, for us, and cooked up a wonderful New Year's dinner. She began with fresh fruit with the preparations to make fruit smoothies if we wished. Then there were various pastry ordeurves such as dried tomatoes with cheese, caramelized onion and cheese, spinach and cheese, and cranberry and lemon brie (yummy!). She also made us each a Harry Potter Butter Bear. Sweet and smooth. I was full then. Yet, Natalie had roasted pork with pomegranate juice, baked sweet potatoes with onion, baked acorn squash topped with cranberry dressing with mushrooms (first time I like acorn squash- I ate it all), and a chilled balsamic vinegar and soy sauce asparagus salad. And dessert was a type of cheese cake made from a cheese similar to cream cheese but not as heavy and topped with blueberries. I enjoyed this yet we discussed ways to make it tastier: add some sugar, lemon rind, more lemon juice, add berries to the cheese, change the berry choice...
Natalie shared her block-buster movie idea based around "fallen" angels. No more details lest I get myself in trouble. Jackie worked on Samantha school album (photos of every classmate). Cheryl worked on and finished Leela's third and hopefully last album. On to her own next!
18 December 2010 at the Tidelands
Cookie making while Jaime visits from PH on her way to Ontario for the holidays.
12 December 2010 at Jackie's (the den?)
Yummy vegetarian lasagna and cherry pie for supper. Natalie working on her movie script for the society. Cheryl worked on Leela's album. Jackie worked on Christmas cards and balancing her books.
5 December 2010 at The Lair
Roast chicken for dinner. Yummy. Natalie worked on her tv script. Cheryl prepared embossed stamps for card making the next day. Jackie worked on her album.
14 November 2010 at the Lair
Jackie away at Scrap booking retreat.
7 November 2010 at The Lair
Natalie made a fish chowder (remember in the future that Jackie can't have mollusks) and chocolate cake/pudding. Cheryl worked on Leela's album (Mackenzie's is finished). Jackie worked on Samantha's album. Natalie shared her story thus far for "the Society."
31 October canceled for Hallowe'en.
17 October 2010 at the Lair
Jackie worked on adding up her household recipts. Cheryl worked on Mackenzie's album.
10 October 2010 Thanksgiving at the Tidelands
Jackie was unable to attend due to her family's dinner.
At Jackie's; the dungeon?
3 October 2010
At the Tidelands. Ate roast beef, and veggies: potatoes, swiss chard, carrots, and peas. Jackie worked on Samantha's album, Cheryl on Mackenzie's album. Natalie shared new Daz models that will work with her animated series project. Missed Jaime now that she is in Mulgrave.
28 September 2010
At Jackie's - her place needs a name!
19 September 2010 The Lair
Natalie made melt-in-your mouth roast beef with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and oriental veggies and cherry chip cake with chocolate pudding. Natalie shared her scripts thus far. Jaime worked on quilt squares. Cheryl groomed Leela, made dino puzzles for crafts Monday, edited her FCW digital scrapbook with Jackie's help, and made page layouts for Kenzie's album. Jackie worked on her digital scrapbooks and photos.
12 September 2010 The Grove
Jaime made yummy chicken pot pie with rainbow sprinkle icing. Cheryl worked on labeling photos. Jaime put together FCW cookbooks.
5 September 2010
Shakespeare by the Sea, Twelfth Night, at Point Pleasant Park. Chilly but very enjoyable. Natalie brought a lovely picnic supper.
29 August 2010 (Tidelands)
Cheryl worked on Kenzie's album. Natalie shared her frustrations about work. Jaime told us she has a new, full-time job on the eastern shore and will be moving to Port Hawksberry mid September. yeah! and boo-hoo. Jaime was unable to pin her quilt together as her filler blanket wasn't big enough.
28 June 2010 Chapters in Bayers Lake
Jaime and Natalie hung out at Chapters while Cheryl was recovering from a weekend camping at Jellystone.
31 January 2010 (Tidelands)
Met at the Tidelands and had to wait for Cheryl to cook supper as she worked until 5pm. Her husband had the potatoes ready though. Started with salad and bread with bruchetta or humus. Cranberry chicken, potatoes, and stuffing followed. Jaime learned how to knit the basket weave pattern! Natalie kept our imaginations going with her enthusiasm over her stories she's writing. Made plans to see Iron Man II to Jaime. Cheryl tried to figure out where to begin with scrap booking as she's neglected it so long. Completed one calendar page and two pages as well as organizing her photos. Shared her awe at the Avatar movie. It's a gotta see!
24 January 2010 (the Grove)
Enjoyed Jaime's tasty rolls/buns, beef stew and bark (a little too much) at the Grove. Jaime tackled the challenge of learning to knit in her newly acquired chair. Natalie read/worked online. Cheryl did some knitting, sorting of photos, and read Natalie's "fluffy" Buffy and Spike story to provide feedback. It was an easy and pleasurable read.
17 January 2010 (the Lair)
Enjoyed a beautiful and tasty spread at the Lair/Natalie's to celebrate the holidays. Mmmm. And...a record-breaking first was shared, we ALL crafted at the same craft - knitting - at the SAME TIME!!! Oh, and Natalie crafted. ;) Love ya! We actually stitched and bitched. lol
Yes, other people may join us, with the approval of all FCW members. Shouldn't be hard. And remember, we love food and witty conversation. :)
16 January 2010 (at the Tidelands)
Enjoyed spaghetti cooked by Cheryl's husband before crafting and chatting. Jaime took on the challenge of learning to knit. Cheryl tried to organize her neglected scrap booking. Natalie looked at Cheryl's Vampire English thesis, the personalized calendar, and Leela's wee album (after Jaime). And of course, we chatted.
time passes by.... ;)
7 May 2009 (the Grove)
Enjoyed Natalie's Jareth birthday cake and iced tea at the Grove. Jaime worked on her father's birthday scarf and checked out her Enterprise model. Cheryl put together layouts for Mackenzie's photo album. Time to buy more pages.
30 April 2009 (the Tidelands)
After supper of hot dogs, snacks, and a sexy Spock 30th birthday cake for Jaime. Jaime enjoyed Cheryl's massage chair. Cheryl cut out squares from old jeans to make a raggedy quilt. Natalie took notes for FCW staycation weekend as to the menu and who was bringing what.
23 April 2009
Jaime needed a night off so cake was frozen and Nat and Cheryl went to the movies to see, "17 Again." So nice to look at.
12 March 2009 (the Grove)
Jaime had her yummy humus (with roasted garlic) again and Cheryl brought bread and maple butter. Jaime worked on a scarf for her dad's birthday and Cheryl reached the end of her photos for Kenzie's scrapbook! Discussed nutty relatives and roommates who have no consideration of others. Reflected on the fact that a year ago Jaime was talking of becoming a librarian and now is halfway through her training (almost). Yahoo! Bounced around ideas for May weekend that we are looking forward to: Value Village, Farmer's Market. Jaime showed up her newly acquired sugar bowl from Home Sense for her hamster's creamated remains.
January 1, 2009
New Year's Day!
December 25, 2008
No meeting as Cheryl does her Christian Christmas thing. Jaime celebrated Winter Solstice on 21 December while Cheryl was at her sister's birthday party.
December 18, 2008 (the Grove)
Jaime had chocolate chip and shortbread cookies for munching while doing her Christmas baking. Cheryl lost her keys in Jaime's apartment and she and Nat spent 40minutes trying to get back into her security building and get her attention. All was well after that. :)
December 11, 2008 (the Tidelands)
All three back together after Jaime's term one has ended. Good to be back together. Cheryl had too many snacks: cherry surprises, humus, couscous and more. Jaime finished another scarf and Cheryl planned page layouts.
December 4, 2008 just didn't happen. oops!
November 26, 2008 at Reitman's
Cheryl and Natalie went shopping for some new clothes for Cheryl. I am tired of waiting to loose weight to buy something that is dressy and fits properly.
November 19, 2008
Miscomunication between Natalie and Cheryl made this evening not happen. Cheryl went Christmas shopping.
November 12, 2008 (the Tidelands)
Nat and Cheryl baked 10 dozen Nieman cookies and made two batches of rice krispie squares for upcoming craft/bake sales for the Girl Guide tea and Sale, Gertrude Parker Elementary School, and Cheryl's church. Natalie shared her dark humor film idea of call center workers who want to go to jail where life is easier and made the "bad guys pay" doing it. Jaime was away coming to the crunch of her first MLS term.
November 6,2008 (the Tidelands)
Cheryl planned several layouts for Mackenzie's latest photo album. Jaime knit on another Christmas present. The living room as meeting place made a more comfortable atmosphere than the usual dinning room. - I forget the discussion. Obama to some degree, and environmental issues were the topic of conversation.
October 30, 2008 (the Grove)
Chocolate cupcakes were served. Yummy. Jaime knit and Cheryl worked on Kenzie's album.
October 23, 2008 canceled due to assignments and lack of transportation
October 16, 2008 (the Grove)
Jaime finished a scarf she was crocheting for a Christmas present. Jaime discussed the success of her last three assignments (all A's!!!) and the frustration of still working with two law students who don't pull their own weight in a team assignment. Cheryl planned six pages for scrapping and laid out 24 more with photos. Natalie did not complain about work! We did of course, discuss the environment, again. Chocolate Chip Cookies were served. ;)
October 9, 2008 canceled due to assignments and appointments
October 2, 2008 at (the Lair) for the last time at this location.
Cheryl finished her Rooney pumpkin person outfit. Jaime worked on knitting a scarf while complaining about the frustrations of the lack of equal team work and the over-whelming workload of taking MLS to the point that some people have dropped out already. Natalie lamented having to move out of her present building and the discussed the possibility of pursuing an education in Newfoundland in the fall of 2009. Pumpkin cookies and grapes were served. :)
September 29, 2008 canceled due to assignments and curriculum night
what happened here?
July 18, 2008 (the Tidelands)
July 11, 2008 (the Lair)
Jaime finished the blanket she started in May for her friend's baby and even got it packaged up. Cheryl labeled all of Taylor's back-to-school supplies; on principle. What child needs 50 pencils for one year of school? She wasn't going to provide supplies for other kids unless the school was upfront about wanting donations. Natalie tried to help Cheryl get her wedding ring off. It was because her finger was so swollen that it was uncomfortable, really. We weren't successful that night but her ambulance experience string technique made it successful for Cheryl to get it off later. There's not only a tan line but a visible dent. And of course, the environmental issues were discussed again, funding for education, and tall, dark handsome men.
July 4, 2008(the Grove)
Jaime put a very pretty scalloped edge on her baby blanket. Cheryl worked on photo layouts for Mackenzie's album even though the album is full. Natalie shared the photo she designed for her "fire child" character that got her booted from Daz (they didn't appreciate the smoke bikini bottom). She also shared her plans to turn her empty living room into a greenhouse of sorts to supply herself with her own fresh vegetables rather than pay increasing prices. She suspects that grow lights would draw the attention of the RCMP thinking she was growing something that is often smelled in the hallways of their apartment building. Again, we discussed environmental issues and unjust costs (daycare, education). Jamie mentioned some wise words told to her, in today's society we have anxiety because we have the instincts to fight or flight but a lot of problems such as the environment, we have little control over making it difficult to fight or flee. Anxiety is caused from our indecision. We can choose to do something or we can choose not to think about it.
June 10, 2008 (the Tidelands)
Natalie expressed her frustration at her great idea not making the top ten for the challenge at work and discussed her story idea for King of Nightmares including the character, water child. Jamie discussed her success at obtaining funding for her new endeavor to pursue earning her MLS and ended with her decision to not get her masters or to beat herself up over grades as she did in grad school. Cheryl was repeatedly interrupted by her two daughters and phone calls (step-daughter, sister, and husband). Alcohol was not involved in this evening, just ginger ale.
June 3, 2008 (the Grove)
Natalie discussed her challenge of her green newsletter and her idea for the challenge at work. Jamie discussed her challenge to obtain funding for her future education. Cheryl finally divulged that she didn't see a Cape Breton trip as being practical for her as it would be something she'd like to involve her family in.
May 8, 2008 (at the Grove, again)
Menu and agenda was planned for our four day weekend. Financial contribution gladly received for "booze" for our weekend and donor was made an honorary member.
J crocheted on a baby blanket for a friend. C prepared scrapbook layouts
and made a May calendar. N talked; particularly planning how we could make a trip to Cape Breton happen next year. We discussed the injustice of single
mothers and the cost of daycare. We also discussed the lack of people
recycling when the facilities are so readily available.
May 1, 2008 (at the Grove)
A menu and venue was planned for the FCW four day weekend.
Nat's birthday cake (baked and decorated by Jamie) was enjoyed by all.
Vented about idiot co-workers.
April 24, 2008 (at the Tide lands)
Debate
about science not necessarily being fact or being able to prove
anything (I think I remembered that correctly). Discussed the
oppression of society of single persons; particularly financially.
April 17, 2008 (at the Grove)
Discussed
the struggle of single mothers in the workplace. The audacity of taxes.
And the absurdity of education costs. On a lighter note, cartoons of
today verses the cartoons ofyesteryear's and how we weren't afraid to
over-protect our children but told it like it was...cartoons died,
little red riding hood got eaten and little rabbit foo, foo bashed them
on the head not kissed them.
March 27 (at the Grove)
-N discussed her work success and newsletter project and recognition
-J served homemade salsa and multi grain nachos, listened reflectively
-C forgot to bring extra pages to work on, completed three and planned layouts for more pages in Kenzie's album
- discussed future May trip locations and saving funding
- discussed traveling to Cape Breton next year and saving $1/paycheck
March 20 (at the Lair)
- C completed 7 pages in M's album and finished scrapping May 2007
- N fought with trying to learn her new hobby/money making plans and in trying to find the morphing skull cap
- J picked up her aunt at the airport to surprise her mother
March 12 (at the lair)
- C unable to attend due to bad weather and husband in emerge
- J didn't arrive until 10pm, after work and a bad-weather drive home
6 March 2008 (at the Tide lands)
- J cut out flannel squares for future project
- N discussed her Daz purchases and future plans
- C completed 7 pages in her daughter's album, and it's done!
28 February 2008 (at the Grove)
- Everyone enjoyed N's pulled pork and garlic potatoes and two servings of J's layered, dairy-free cake
- viewed N's Daz purchases online
- C completed 5 pages in T's album
21 February 2008 (at the Lair)
- J asked what kind of cake C likes. All!
- J served humus and pita bread. Yummy! Need more.
- N revealed that she can purchase her fireplace locally rather than from the US.
- J's success into the master's program was toasted in recognition.
- C completed 6 pages in T's album.
our location names:
the Grove
the Lair
the Tidelands
the Den
Birthdays:
February (1970) Cheryl
April 25 (1979) Jaime
May 1 (1970) Natalie
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Recipes (to be added to as time goes on)
Main Dishes (dairy free as some of us can't have dairy)
Dairy-Free Sweet and Condensed Milk (Natalie's)
Dairy free ricotta (Jaime's)
Tuna Casserole (Cheryl's)
1 onion, chopped
1 can tuna, drained
3 stalks of celery, chopped
3 boiled eggs, sliced
dairy-free white sauce
chicken bullion
1/2 cup mayonnaise or plain yogurt
crushed potato chips for topping
White Sauce (instead of one can of cream of chicken soup)
2Tbsp melted margarine
2-3 Tbsp flour mixed with melted margarine
Add about 2 cups of soy milk or milk substitute
Microwave 2 minutes at a time on high until thick. Add chicken bullion and still until well blended. Mix all ingredients (except chips) in a 2 qrt casserole dish. Top with crushed potato chips and bake at 350 F for 3- minutes or until bubbly.
Baked Beans (Cheryl's)
Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo (Cheryl's)
1 container Herb flavored better than cream cheese
1 block of mozza flavored Rice cheese, grated
Soften in the microwave and stir until well blended.
Add the following:
1/2 cup of Parmesan flavored Rice topping
Soy milk or milk substitute, enough to make a sauce 2-5 cups depending on desired thickness.
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sprinkle with garlic powder and cook in the microwave, about 6 minutes on high. Slice and add to sauce. Serve on noodles.
Linguine or Spaghetti noodles according to package directions.
Dairy-Free Baked Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Natalie's)
1 whole bulb or garlic, roasted in the oven for 20 minutes and mashed
1.5 lbs (about 6 medium) red potatoes, unpeeled, overcooked (microwave or stove top), mashed
3 Tbsp olive oil
salt
pepper
Roast garlic, let cool, mash, add oil and salt. Mix together with mashed potatoes and serve!
Ham Glaze (Cheryl's)
for 4 lbs ham:
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp brown sugar
3/4 tsp. mustard
1/2 Tbsp. flour
vinegar, enough to make a paste
Spread over ham and bake. Decorate with pineapple rings and maraschino cherries if desired.
Greek Potatoes (Cheryl's)
8 potatoes, peeled and cut into 4-5 pieces
2 lemons
olive oil
oregano, salt, and pepper
4 cloves garlic
chicken oxo or chicken soup base
Fried Rice Casserole (Cheryl's Mum's)
2 cups Uncle Bens Long grain rice, uncooked
1 pkg. Lipton Onion Soup Mix
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup soya sauce
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
3 cups water
Spray casserole with oil. Add all ingredients, stir, cover, and bake at 350 F for 1 hour.
Bok Choy Salad (Cheryls Mum's)
1 head bok choy
1 bundle green onions
Wash, dry, and cut greens into large bowl.
Saute:
4 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 cloves crushed garlic
2-3 Tbsp. sesame seeds
Add to salad.
Boil for 1 minute:
3/4 cup oil
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup soya sauce
1/4 cup vinegar
Pour over salad before serving.
Golden Glazed Chicken
Easy, but elegant and it has a delicious kick to it! Serve this with white rice or stuffed baked potatoes or even boiled potatoes with butter and mint.
For 10 people
10 boneless chicken breasts
(half the sauce is plenty for 8 pieces)
1/2 cup butter
1 cup honey
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
4 tsp. mild Curry powder
4 tsp. lemon or Lime juice
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1) Arrange chicken in a single layer in baking pan. Bake at 350 F oven for 10-15 minutes, until partically cooked.
2) In a sauce pan (or microwave) melt butter. Add remaining ingredients stirring until smooth. Pour over chicken.
3) Bake uncovered in 350 F oven about 30 minutes, basting occassionally with sauce, until chicken is tender and glazed. If you would like to thicken the sauce, drain the sauce into a sauce pan and add a little corn starch. Bring to a boil and pour back over the chicken.
Yogurt
4 cups skim milk powder
5 cups water
Whisk and scald (heat in microwave until bubbles or reaches 150 F)
Put in sauce pan and add 1/2 can evaporated milk. Put milk mixture in pan of cold water to cool to 14 F. Add culture or 2 servings of plain yoghurt. Place on electric heating pad on low, wrap in blanket for 7-12 hours (longer makes it thicker). Makes 2 liters. Good for women to eat lots of this while taking antibiotics. Great mixed with maple syrup and flax seed, granola, fresh fruit, jam or pie mix.
Oatcakes (Jackie's)
1 cup butter
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
Cream together.
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup whole wheat flour
Add and mix well. Sometimes hand kneeded helps at the end. This fits perfectly in a Pampered Chef square pan. Spread on cookie sheet or in square pan and cut into squares before baking. Bake at 325 F for 20 minutes. Can sprinkle chocolate chips over the top near the end and spread melted chocolate over top.
Apple Crumble (Natalie's)
DRINKS
Marguritta
1 can frozen limade
1 cup tequilla
splash of Grand Marnier
Blend together in blender. Pour into a second container or storage container. Measure out 1 cup of the mix into blender with 5-7 ice cubes. Blend on ice crush option until slushy. Serve at once.
Rim: twirl rim in thin layer of lemon juice which is on a plate, shake of excess, and twirl in salt on a second plate.
Slushie
1 container of lemonaide
1 can of lime concentrate
1 pint vodka
Mix and freeze. Stir before serving.
Dairy-Free Sweet and Condensed Milk (Natalie's)
Dairy free ricotta (Jaime's)
Tuna Casserole (Cheryl's)
1 onion, chopped
1 can tuna, drained
3 stalks of celery, chopped
3 boiled eggs, sliced
dairy-free white sauce
chicken bullion
1/2 cup mayonnaise or plain yogurt
crushed potato chips for topping
White Sauce (instead of one can of cream of chicken soup)
2Tbsp melted margarine
2-3 Tbsp flour mixed with melted margarine
Add about 2 cups of soy milk or milk substitute
Microwave 2 minutes at a time on high until thick. Add chicken bullion and still until well blended. Mix all ingredients (except chips) in a 2 qrt casserole dish. Top with crushed potato chips and bake at 350 F for 3- minutes or until bubbly.
Baked Beans (Cheryl's)
Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo (Cheryl's)
1 container Herb flavored better than cream cheese
1 block of mozza flavored Rice cheese, grated
Soften in the microwave and stir until well blended.
Add the following:
1/2 cup of Parmesan flavored Rice topping
Soy milk or milk substitute, enough to make a sauce 2-5 cups depending on desired thickness.
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sprinkle with garlic powder and cook in the microwave, about 6 minutes on high. Slice and add to sauce. Serve on noodles.
Linguine or Spaghetti noodles according to package directions.
Dairy-Free Baked Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Natalie's)
1 whole bulb or garlic, roasted in the oven for 20 minutes and mashed
1.5 lbs (about 6 medium) red potatoes, unpeeled, overcooked (microwave or stove top), mashed
3 Tbsp olive oil
salt
pepper
Roast garlic, let cool, mash, add oil and salt. Mix together with mashed potatoes and serve!
Ham Glaze (Cheryl's)
for 4 lbs ham:
1 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp brown sugar
3/4 tsp. mustard
1/2 Tbsp. flour
vinegar, enough to make a paste
Spread over ham and bake. Decorate with pineapple rings and maraschino cherries if desired.
Greek Potatoes (Cheryl's)
8 potatoes, peeled and cut into 4-5 pieces
2 lemons
olive oil
oregano, salt, and pepper
4 cloves garlic
chicken oxo or chicken soup base
Coat the bottom and sides of a roasting pan with olive oil (about 1/4 cup). Put potatoes into the pan and drizzle with olive oil. Squeeze 2 lemons (has to be real lemons not Real lemon flavor) over them then sprinkle with oregano, salt, and fresh pepper. Add enough water to skim over the top of the potatoes. If not cooking with chicken, you can use some chicken soup base in the water, it adds to the flavor. Add some garlic (about 4-5 minced cloves). Roast in the oven at 350-375 F until the water is pretty much dried up (roughly two hours). Before you take them out of the oven, broil for 5-10 minutes with the pan uncovered and it will brown the tops up a bit.
Cheesy Potato-Vegetable Soup(Cheryl's)
A nutritious and delicious luncheon1 serving has 246 calories
1/4 cup butter or cooking oil 1 large onion, chopped
2 cups potatoes, peeled, cubed 1 clove garlic, crushed
1 large carrot, peeled, diced 2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sweet basil 1/2 tsp celery seed
4 cups chopped broccoli or cauliflower 3 cups stock or water
1 tbsp sugar, optional 1 cup milk1 cup medium cheddar cheese, grated
In a large skillet melt butter, add onions, potato, carrot, garlic and seasoning. Saute 5 minutes. Add broccoli, saute one more minute. Add stock (water); Bring to a boil; Reduce heat and simmer covered until vegetables are cooked. Blend soup in a blender or food processor, leaving some chunks. Transfer back to skillet; stir in milk and cheese. Heat until cheese is melted. Serve with sprinkle of garnishes.
Fried Rice Casserole (Cheryl's Mum's)
2 cups Uncle Bens Long grain rice, uncooked
1 pkg. Lipton Onion Soup Mix
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup soya sauce
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
3 cups water
Spray casserole with oil. Add all ingredients, stir, cover, and bake at 350 F for 1 hour.
Bok Choy Salad (Cheryls Mum's)
1 head bok choy
1 bundle green onions
Wash, dry, and cut greens into large bowl.
Saute:
4 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 cloves crushed garlic
2-3 Tbsp. sesame seeds
Add to salad.
Boil for 1 minute:
3/4 cup oil
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup soya sauce
1/4 cup vinegar
Pour over salad before serving.
Golden Glazed Chicken
Easy, but elegant and it has a delicious kick to it! Serve this with white rice or stuffed baked potatoes or even boiled potatoes with butter and mint.
For 10 people
10 boneless chicken breasts
(half the sauce is plenty for 8 pieces)
1/2 cup butter
1 cup honey
1/2 cup Dijon mustard
4 tsp. mild Curry powder
4 tsp. lemon or Lime juice
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1) Arrange chicken in a single layer in baking pan. Bake at 350 F oven for 10-15 minutes, until partically cooked.
2) In a sauce pan (or microwave) melt butter. Add remaining ingredients stirring until smooth. Pour over chicken.
3) Bake uncovered in 350 F oven about 30 minutes, basting occassionally with sauce, until chicken is tender and glazed. If you would like to thicken the sauce, drain the sauce into a sauce pan and add a little corn starch. Bring to a boil and pour back over the chicken.
Breads, Rolls, and Loaves:
Basic Rolls (Cheryl’s)
Scald 1 ½ cups milk or milk substitute (or microwave on high for 6 minutes in large bowl). Pour into a large bowl and add ¼ cup sugar, 2 tsp. salt, ¼ cup shortening. Cool to lukewarm. In the meantime, sprinkle 1 package (1 Tbsp.) of active dry yeast, ½ cup warm water and 1 tsp. sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes, and then add to lukewarm mixture. Beat in 3 cups of flour (can substitute 1-2 cups of flour with whole wheat flour), work in well, knead dough and add more flour as needed for about 5 minutes. Place in greased or floured bowl, cover and let raise about 3 hours, punch down, cut into sections, cover and let raise about 2 more hours (until doubled in size). Bake at 375 F for 25 minutes. Makes 24 rolls (one 9*13 inch pan) or two loaves.
Dips and Spreads:
Humus and pita bread
chick peas
tahini butter
garlic (fresh, roasted is best)
lemon juice
Blend together and serve with warmed pita bread cut in wedges.
Spinach Dip (Jaime's)
Desserts
Cracker Bark (Natalie's recipe)
Shortbreads (Norma's recipe)
First mixture: 1 lb butter and 1 cup icing sugar
Second mixture: ½ cup cornstarch and 3 cups flour
Combine the two mixtures. Beat well with electric mixer until light and fluffy (15 minutes). Roll out on well floured surface. OR Drop on cookie sheet and flatten with bottom of floured glass. Bake in 350 F oven for 10 minutes or until lightly browned.
Old Fashion Cocoa Pudding (Vicki)
1 C sugar
1/3 C cocoa
1/4 C flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 C water
2 egg yolks
1 TBSP margarine
1 tsp vanilla
In saucepan combine sugar, cocoa, flour and salt. Gradually whisk in water and egg yolks. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat, stir in margarine and vanilla until blended. Pour into individual dishes. Refrigerate until set. Garnish with whipped topping if desired.
Baked Alaska (from junior high)
3 squares of cake (cake mix, baked)
3 scoops of ice cream or Frozen Rice Dessert
0.5ml salt
0.5ml cream of tartar
3 egg whites
50 ml sugar
Pre-heat oven to 450F (230 C). Completely cover a small wooden cutting board (both sides) with foil-shiny side in. Place squares of cake on the covered board and place a scoop of ice-cream on each piece of cake. Set the entire board in the freezer. Separate 2 eggs. Beat the egg whites (steel or glass bowl) with 0.5 mL cream of tartar and 0.5 mL salt until stiff but not dry. Continue beating while gradually adding 50 mL of sugar. Continue beating until very stiff. Remove board and cake from freezer. Very quickly "frost" the cake and ice cream with meringue. Leave no uncovered spots. Place on bottom rack until brown. Serve at once.
Dairy-Free Cheesecake
1 container of "Better than Creamcheese" 1cup
2 Tbsp. Tofuti sour cream
2 Tbsp. white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 Tbsp. margarine
18 Oreo cookies
Seal 6 cookies in a bag and crumble with rolling pin. Combine with 1 Tbsp. of margarine melted and place some on the bottom of 12 muffin cups. Blend together better than cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar. Mix in Tofuti sour cream followed by egg. Gently stir in 6 chopped Oreo cookies and fill muffin cups. Top with 6 more chopped Oreo cookies. Bake at 325 F for 15 minutes or until slightly soft in center and beginning to brown on the edges. Eat the rest of the package of cookies (should be about 12 left). Enjoy!
Cherry Surprises (Cheryl’s) 2nd favorite)
½ cup Butter 1 Tbsp milk
1 ½ cup Coconut 1 tsp Almond extract
1 ½ cup Icing sugar Maraschino cherries well drained.
Mix together. Roll around a red cherry. Then roll in crushed graham crackers. Store in fridge.
Chocolate Bon-Bons (Daddy’s favorite)
1 cup peanut butter ½ cup coconut
1 cup icing sugar ½ cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 cup rice krispies 4 Tablespoon butter
Mix well. Form into balls the size of a walnut. Dip into the following: 1, 6oz package of chocolate chips melted over hot water (watch carefully). Add 2 Tbsp. of melted was (paraffin). Dip the balls in the chocolate a few at a time, using a fork to help remove. Allow to drip along the side of the pan before removing entirely. Place on wax paper, chill and keep in a jar.
Cadbury's Cream Egg (from book:Even More Top Secret Recipes)
1/2 cup light corn syrup 2 drops red food coloring
1/4 cup butter, softened 1, 12 oz bag milk chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla 2 Tablespoons vegetable shortening
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups powdered sugar
4 drops yellow food coloring
Combine corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt in a large bowl. Beat well with an electric mixer until smooth. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing by hand after each addition. Mix well until creamy. Remove about 1/3 of the mixture and place it into a small bowl. Add the yello and red food coloring and stir well to combine. Cover both mixtures and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm. When mixtures are firm, roll a small, marble-sized from the orange filling, and wrap a portion of the white filling around it that is roughtly twice the size. Form this filling into the shape of an egg and place it onto a cookie sheet that has been brushed with a light coating of shortening. Repeat for the remaining filling ingredients, then refrigerate these centers for 3-4 hours or until firm. Combine the milk chocolate chips with the shortening in a glass or ceramic bowl. Microwave chocolate on high speed for 1 minute, then stir gently and micorwave again for 1 more minute, and stir gently. Be very careful not to overcook the chocolate or it could seize up on you and become unusable. Use a fork to dip each center into the chocolate, tap the fork on the side of the bowl, then place each candy onto wax paper. Chill. After 1-2 hours of chilling, dip each candy once more and chill for several hours, or until completely firm. Makes 2 dozen candy eggs.
Cherry Gumdrop Cake (Fran’s recipe)
2 cups sugar pinch of salt
1 ½ cups margarine or butter 3 eggs
3 ½ cups flour (substitute 1 cup with whole wheat flour) 1 cup milk or water
2 tsp. baking powder 2 tsp. vanilla
Cream butter and sugar together and add eggs. Add flour, alternating with warmed milk. Fold in cherries (1 small package) and 1 package of gumdrops, cut up. Bake at 300 F for 1 ½ hours in a tube or circle pan. Place a pot/pan of water in the oven while cooking.
Honey Gingerbread Cookies (Sarah’s favorite)
½ cup sugar 2 tsp. cinnamon
3 cups flour ½ tsp. each of powdered cloves and nutmeg
2 tsp. baking soda ½ lb butter or margarine cut into dots
1 tsp. salt ½ cup honey
2 tsp. powdered ginger
Mix sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg together. Work the butter into dry ingredients with your fingertips. When thoroughly worked in, add honey and stir until blended. Refrigerate for 1 hour or longer. Roll the dough out about 1/8 inch thick on a floured board or between sheets of waxed paper.
Spicy Gingerbread Cookies (Taylor’s Choice)
½ cup brown sugar 1 tsp. vanilla
¾ cup butter or margarine 1 tsp. allspice
2/3 cup molasses ½ tsp. ground ginger
1 egg ½ tsp. baking soda
1 ½ tsp. grated lemon peel ½ tsp. salt
2 ½ cups flour ¼ tsp. baking powder
1 ¼ tsp. cinnamon
Combine sugar, butter, molasses, egg, and lemon peel. Beat until creamy. Add remaining ingredients and beat until well mixed. Cover and refrigerate at least two hours. Preheat oven to 350 F. On well floured surface, roll out dough, one half at a time, to ¼ inch thickness. Cut out with floured cookie cutters and place one inch apart on cookie sheet. Bake 6-8 minutes or no indentation remains when touched.
Microwave Peanut Brittle (Aunt Eva Mae’s recipe)
1 cup white sugar 1 Tbsp. margarine
½ cup light corn syrup 1 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp salt 1 tsp. soda
1-1-1/2 cups roasted, salted peanuts
Combine sugar, syrup, and salt in 2 quart casserole dish. Microwave on high 5 minutes. Stir in nuts and microwave 2-5 minutes, stirring twice. Stir in butter, vanilla, and soda. Spread to ¼ inch thickness on well-greased cookie sheet. Let cool and break into pieces.
Yogurt
4 cups skim milk powder
5 cups water
Whisk and scald (heat in microwave until bubbles or reaches 150 F)
Put in sauce pan and add 1/2 can evaporated milk. Put milk mixture in pan of cold water to cool to 14 F. Add culture or 2 servings of plain yoghurt. Place on electric heating pad on low, wrap in blanket for 7-12 hours (longer makes it thicker). Makes 2 liters. Good for women to eat lots of this while taking antibiotics. Great mixed with maple syrup and flax seed, granola, fresh fruit, jam or pie mix.
Oatcakes (Jackie's)
1 cup butter
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
Cream together.
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup whole wheat flour
Add and mix well. Sometimes hand kneeded helps at the end. This fits perfectly in a Pampered Chef square pan. Spread on cookie sheet or in square pan and cut into squares before baking. Bake at 325 F for 20 minutes. Can sprinkle chocolate chips over the top near the end and spread melted chocolate over top.
Apple Crumble (Natalie's)
DRINKS
Marguritta
1 can frozen limade
1 cup tequilla
splash of Grand Marnier
Blend together in blender. Pour into a second container or storage container. Measure out 1 cup of the mix into blender with 5-7 ice cubes. Blend on ice crush option until slushy. Serve at once.
Rim: twirl rim in thin layer of lemon juice which is on a plate, shake of excess, and twirl in salt on a second plate.
Slushie
1 container of lemonaide
1 can of lime concentrate
1 pint vodka
Mix and freeze. Stir before serving.
How It Began
About three years ago and after the birth of my second child I decided that I needed to set aside tiem for me each week or I'd burn out. I took Thursday nights to use a room at the public library to have quiet me time and scrapbook before going for some theraputic swimming. When I went back to work I met and made friends with Jamie who started coming to my house Thursday nights and we'd work on our own crafts that otherwise get put aside unless we make time for them. Later, Natalie, a friend from juniour high who moved away and I lost contact with, reappeared at my workplace and I recognized her. She stared joining us as well. I believe Natalie does more talking than crafting but as Jamie would say, it's all good. We have since named our group and given names to our locations - secret codes... It was mentioned at our last meeting and christening of Nat's new abode with a wonderful spread of food, that we should have a place where we can post our recipes, meeting locations, etc. So here is my first attempt.
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