Meal Planning with Connie

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas season! Ours was quite eventful - but fun! I look forward to sharing more in the coming days.  Can you believe we have entered a new year?! I find the old adage - "The older you get, the faster time flies!" to be so true!  There is a poster with this poem and a painting of Nadine Stair in the ladies’ room at Square Books in Oxford, MS. I take time to read it each time I am there, which, at my age, is almost every time I am in the store! It reminds me to not take myself – and life – quite so seriously. I am reminded for my need to trust God more – especially with the small things of life! IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER I'd dare to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual t...

Christmas Potpourri Kit On Friday, I received this neat potpourri kit from two sweet, little brothers, who are in one of my classes. I thought it was a very clever gift and am looking forward to simmering it on my stovetop! I thought some of you might be looking for a good gift idea for your children’s church helpers or school teachers. Be sure to let the kids help put it together! A cute tag and ribbon complete the kit! Kit contents: one small orange one small apple two cinnamon sticks a handful of fresh cranberries a few whole cloves (1 - 2 teaspoons) It was all contained in a sheet of cellophane, tied with a pretty ribbon and had the following directions tied to the bag: Christmas Potpourri Slice orange and apple. Combine all ingredients in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a light boil and simmer on low. Enjoy the warm scents of the season! Merry Christmas! Boys’ Names (I folded this portion of the tag under for privacy.) Clever, cute, and enjoyabl...

Mrs. Kat’s Wassail Mrs. Kat’s Wassail Christmas simply wouldn’t be Christmas without a batch or two or three of Larry’s mom’s wassail. It is so good! We have been asked for this recipe dozens of times. Larry usually makes it, not me. He has it down to a science. He prepared his first batch of the season to share with co-workers today. Christmastime is here! 1 gallon apple cider 1 large can unsweetened pineapple juice 1 large can unsweetened orange juice 1½  cups sugar 2 sticks cinnamon juice of 2 lemons Combine all ingredients. Never boil only simmer...

Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball Tis the season for appetizers! I took this cheese ball to a church finger food fellowship last Sunday night. We all thought it was really good! 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 (1 ounce) package buttermilk Ranch dressing mix ½ cup “real” bacon bits 1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 4 green onions, chopped chopped pecans Combine cream cheese and ranch dressing mix in a bowl until smooth. Add the bacon, cheese and green onions, stirring until well combined. Shape mixture into a ball and roll in the chopped pecans. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Serve with crackers.

Green Beans with a Twist Green Beans with a Twist A simple, yummy way to prepare green beans! You could use canned or frozen green beans, but I do think fresh is best. The dish looks really festive with the bacon sprinkled on top! 4 bacon strips, chopped 1 package (32-ounces) fresh green beans 2 tablespoons butter 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix In a large pan (I use my cast iron Dutch oven), sauté bacon until crisp. Remove from pan with a slotted spoon and drain. Add butter and beans to bacon drippings. Sauté beans about 10 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer until beans reach desired tenderness. Sprinkle beans with dressing mix; toss to coat.  Just before serving, sprinkle with bacon. 

Artichoke Dressing If you like artichokes, you’re going to “hug my neck” for this recipe! I got the recipe from friend from Louisiana, and we love it! She uses the microwave to prepare hers. I bake mine in the oven. Either method produces a delectable dish! It can be served as a side dish or as an appetizer spread. If using as an appetizer, serve with crackers. Recipe doubles easily and heats over really well. I almost like it better the second day! 1 can artichokes in water (not marinated) 1 cup dry Italian bread crumbs ½ cup olive oil ½ cup parmesan  cheese 1-2 teaspoon minced garlic 1 egg ½ - 1 teaspoon salt Process  artichokes, water and egg in blender or food processor, until desired consistency is reached. I like to have some of the artichokes still in little pieces.  Combine artichoke mixture with all other ingredients. Microwave directions: Cook in microwave 7 minutes mixing after first 3 minutes. For more servings, double or triple all ingredients and time in...

Little Smokies and Apple Sauce Little Smokies and Apple Sauce This dish is full of flavor and so easy to make. They were a hit at Sunday School and at home!

 2 pounds Little Smokies 
Sausages 1 cup applesauce 
 2/3 cup brown sugar 
 1 small white onion, finely chopped 

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine applesauce, brown sugar and onion. Add sausages to sauce and toss to coat. Pour into prepared dish. Bake, uncovered, for about 45 minutes, stirring once. This recipe can also be made in the Crockpot. Cook on low heat for 3 hours.