Fix-It and Forget-It

Ok, time to play word association.

What’s the first thing you think of when you see the word “fruitcake?” Continue Reading...

Thanksgiving is nearly here and that means it’s officially time to pull out the recipe for this Spicy Party Mix.

Why?

1. Our friends and family just can’t seem to get enough of the stuff. They keep sneaking back for more and, by the end of the evening, that bowl of mix is usually empty.

2. It’s easy to transport to a party. We just put the mix in an airtight container and take it along with us as we travel. We don’t have to worry about keeping it warm and there’s no sticky spill to clean up if the container tips over.

3. Spicy Party Mix is a great gift for teachers or the host of a holiday party. All you need to do is put the mix in an airtight decorative container or glass jar and add a bow. The kids may enjoy decorating these festive gifts after school or on the weekend.

Make sure to take the lid off your slow cooker and keep it off while this Spicy Party Mix cooks. That way, the moisture escapes as the mix cooks and the crackers and pretzels stay crisp instead of getting soft. And remember to stir the mix gently so the crackers don’t break.

Spicy Party Mix. We love making it, serving it, and giving it as gifts. But we love eating it most of all.
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Today we’re making Easy Autumn Cake.

Why?

Because it’s officially autumn. Because we are craving a warm treat full of fresh apples, which are hanging heavily from the trees here in Lancaster County. Most importantly, we’re making Easy Autumn Cake because it’s a great dessert to share on Family Day: A day to eat dinner with your children.

Finding time to eat together as a family can be tricky when soccer games, play practice, homework, and after school jobs fill every evening. Sharing a meal as a family can sometimes feel like a special occasion. But research shows that the more kids eat at home with their parents, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, or use drugs. Eating together at home is a simple tool to help prevent substance abuse. So this year, we’re making an effort to gather around the table with our family a couple nights a week or invite a few close friends over to share a meal. The fellowship with loved ones is sweet and may just be life-altering. For more information on Family Day, check out this site:

Family Day: A day to eat dinner with your children.

So celebrate your family tonight with a slice or two of this delicious apple cake. It’ll add a little something extra special to your time together.
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1. Why is the menu-writer sometimes better than the chef? Now and then the food sounds better than it tastes.

2. Why don’t they bring the menu back to you when they serve your meal? I’d like to remind myself about what all is in the dish, now sitting in front of me, that made me choose it in the first place? As I eat the food, I often can’t identify the ingredients that made me want to try this entrée above all the others.

3. Who decides if the person making the food is a “chef” or a “cook”? And what’s the difference, really? The prices charged? The ingredients? The recipes? The procedures? The atmosphere of the restaurant?
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