Party Recipes

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
1 lb medium shrimp, peeled (about 45)
½ tsp garlic powder
salt
15 slices of bacon

Cut each slice of bacon crosswise into 3 pieces. Sprinkle shrimp with garlic and salt. Wrap each shrimp with 1 piece of bacon. Arrange on a broiler pan. Broil turn occasionally for 8 -10 minutes. Serve with cocktail pics.

Mini Cheeseburger Puffs
1 pound ground chuck
2 teaspoons steak seasoning
Garlic salt, to tasteBlack pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 package puff pastry sheets
20 (1-inch) slices Cheddar
Crisp fried bacon, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the first 5 ingredients. Hand-form patty to 1/4 normal burger size, about 2-inches in diameter. Cook burgers to medium. Do not overcook.

Roll out thawed puff pastry. Cut 10 (6-inch) even panels. Place burger in center of square and top with 2 slices of cheese. Fold edges up and twist on top. Bake 20 to 25 minutes and serve warm.

Bacon Wrapped Breadsticks
1 24-4 1/2 inch long sesame breadsticks, package
12 slices bacon
2 teaspoon garlic salt or powder
1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a mixing bowl, combine the parmesan cheese with garlic salt and set aside. Cut the bacon slices in half so they are approximately 5-inches long. Wrap each bread stick with one slice of bacon, starting at one end and ending at the other. Place wrapped bread sticks on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 15 minutes or until bacon is browned. Remove from oven and immediately roll bread sticks in cheese mixture. Let cool and serve at room temperature.
Yield: 2 dozen


Mexican Bar Dip
1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese
1/4 cup Thick 'N Chunky Medium Salsa
1/4 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 Tbsp. sliced pitted black olives
1 Tbsp. chopped cilantro

PLACE unwrapped block of cream cheese on microwaveable plate; top with salsa, shredded cheese and olives. MICROWAVE on HIGH 45 sec. - just till Cheddar cheese begins to melt. Sprinkle with cilantro. SERVE with RITZ Crackers.

Games, Gift Exchange, Etc

Several have emailed and even a couple have posted comments the past month or so questioning about various games etc. I have included a few but I need games, too. So if you know a good game please post it in the comments. If you post annonymously please type your name at the end of your post. Even though you have to give your name to post annonymously it doesn't share it unless you leave your name in the comment section.

Let me know what you think!!!

Gift Exchange

Everyone draws a number

Number 1 chooeses 1st gift, ornament, etc

Number 2 can either take 1st persons unwrapped gift or choose his own under the tree

Number 3 can take from 2, 1, or a new gift

Once a gift has been taken 3 times it is dead and can't be taken again. For instance the 1st time it is taken counts as 1 time PLUS it can be taken by 2 persons

The last person can choose a gift from the tree or any gift that isn't 'dead'

Once a persons gift is taken by someone she can choose a new gift from under the tree or from someone. If from someone then that person has to choose a gift from someone or the tree, etc.

The more people the more fun.

Encourage people to not be 'Christian' and to take from people rather getting a gift from the pile, tree, etc. It makes the game more fun.

Christmas Carol Quiz
Read the descriptions below and then write the name of the carol.
1. Bleached Yule
2. Castaneous-colored Seed Vesicated in a Conflagration
3. Singular Yearning for the Twin Anterior Incisors
4. Righteous Darkness
5. Arrival Time: 2400 hrs -- Weather: Cloudless
6. Loyal Followers Advance
7. Far Off in a Feeder
8. Array the Corridor
9. Bantam Male Percussionist
10. Monarchial Triad
11. Nocturnal Noiselessness
12. Jehovah Deactivate Blithe Chevaliers
13. Red Man En Route to Borough
14. Frozen Precipitation Commence
15. Proceed and Enlighten on the Pinnacle
16. The Quadruped with the Vermillion Probiscis
17. Query Regarding Identity of Descendant
18. Delight for this Planet
19. Give Attention to the Melodious Celestial Beings Top of Form
20. The Dozen Festive 24 Hour Intervals Top of Form

Answers: (Don’t include these on the quiz . . . duh!)
1.White Christmas
2.Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
3. All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth
4. O Holy Night
5. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
6. O Come, All Ye Faithful
7. Away in a Manger
8. Deck the Hall
9. Little Drummer Boy
10.WeThreeKings
11. Silent Night
12. God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen
13. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
14. Let it Snow
15. Go, Tell It on the Mountain
16. Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer
17. What Child is This?
18. Joy to the World
19. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
20. The Twelve Days of Christmas

Christmas Poem Mad Lib
Ask your audience for the parts of speech in order of the parenthesis. Then read “’Twas The Night Before Christmas” like a Mad Lib. Don’t let the audience know what you are doing. Just simply ask them to give you a noun, another noun, a plural noun, in order of the way given in parenthesis. After you have collected all the parts of speech then insert them in the proper place as given and read the story. It will be funny!

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all the the (noun),
not a creature was stirring, not even a/an (noun).
The (plural noun) were tucked, all snug in their (plural noun),
while visions of (adjective) plums danced in their heads.
Then up on the (noun) there arose such a clatter.
I sprang from my (noun) to see what was the matter.
It was St. Nicholas with his little (adjective) belly,
That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of (plural noun).
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
And filled all the (plural noun), then turned with a jerk.
And laying his (noun) aside of his nose
And giving a nod, up the (noun) he rose.
I heard him exclaim as he (past tense verb) out of sight,
“(adjective) Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Christmas Wrap

• Pick 2 teams (2 persons per team)
• Provide each team with the identical items of each of the following: tape, scissors, gift wrap, box, & a bow
• Each team plays with only 1 right hand and 1 right left hand
• provide long scarves to tie other arm behind their backs
• The team that wraps their gift first (fully wrapped) wins!!!!!

Name that Christmas Song
Play a few lines of a song and the person that guesses the Christmas tune first, wins a small gift. Or the person who guesses the most songs wins a gift. It is ideal to try and find old songs that are rarely played so that guests have to put their thinking caps on.

Right Left Game Exchange

Read fairly slowly pausing at punctuation.
The group forms a circle or sits in a straight row.Each holds the gift he brought to the party. While the poem is being read, each person passes his gift to the person on his right when reader says RIGHT; when reader says LEFT, each passes the gift he has to the left. The gift each person has in his hands at the conclusion of the poem is his to keep. We have done this @ our Christmas Banquet. Rather than everyone bringing a gift one gift per table was provided. Each table passed one gift and the person who ended up with the gift was the winner. For a party where boys take a boys gift and girls take a girls gift you can form two circles - a male and a female. Use your creativity and fit your audience!

Twas the night RIGHT before Christmas when RIGHT through the house Not a creature was LEFT stirring, not even a mouse--The stockings were hung RIGHT by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be RIGHT there. The children were nestled RIGHT snug in their beds, while visions of sugarplums danced RIGHT in their heads, and mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled RIGHT down for a long winter's nap, When RIGHT out on the LEFT lawn there rose such a clatter, I sprang RIGHT from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the RIGHT window I LEFT like a flash; tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow LEFT a luster of midday to objects RIGHT below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,but a miniature sleight and eight tiny reindeer. With a little old driver RIGHT lively and quick; I knew RIGHT in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came; and he whistled and shouted, and called them RIGHT by name: "Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On Comet, on Cupid, on Donder and Blitzen! To the RIGHT top of the porch! To the LEFT top of the wall! Now dash away, dash away, dash RIGHT away all!"As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly when they meet RIGHT with an obstacle, mount RIGHT up to the sky, So up to the housetop the coursers they LEFT flew, with a sleighful of toys and St. Nicholas, too. And then in a twinkling, I heard RIGHT on the roof,the prancing and pawing of each little RIGHT and LEFT hoof.As I drew in my head and was turning LEFT around down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.He was dressed all in fur, RIGHT from his head to his LEFT foot,and his clothes were all LEFT tarnished with ashes and soot.A bundle of toys he had flung RIGHT on his back, and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His RIGHT and LEFT eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was LEFT drawn up like a bow, and the beard LEFT on his chin was as white as the snow. The stump of a pipe he held RIGHT in his teeth, and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a round little belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. He was RIGHT chubby and plump, a RIGHT, RIGHT jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself. A wink of his LEFT eye and a LEFT twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went RIGHT straight to his work, and filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk. And laying his finger to the LEFT of his nose, and giving a nod, he LEFT up the chimney he rose. He sprang RIGHT to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all LEFT like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he LEFT--out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

Christmas Artists
This game is fun for ages 5 - 95

• Choose several artists.
• Provide each artists with a pencil and a sheet of paper.
• Have each artists place their paper on top of their head.
• Then give the artists an item to draw something relating to Christmas - stocking, snowman, tree, etc.
• The audience can vote on the best artists.
• Of course a small prize can be award or 1st place & 2nd place winner ribbons.

Hum the Carol Game

This can be a good ice breaker. Write Christmas songs on slips of paper. If you are playing at a small party you can have two slips of the same song. If played at a larger party or banquet you can have several of the same song. Let each person draw a slip of paper out not showing it to anyone. Instruct the people that they are to begin humming the song on their slip of paper when you say "go". The object of the game is to locate the other person humming the same song that you are humming. When the partners find each other they hold hands and begin to sing the words to their song! They win the prize! It's great fun with a large group. Make sure you spread everyone around the room to begin with and mix up the slips really good. Have fun!

Pictionary

• Divide the group into two teams
• Provide each team with a white board and marker
• Have slips of paper with Christmas carol titles or items relating to Christmas.
• Have the players to take turns being the artists
• Each artists drawing for a particular round is given the same thing to draw
• The artists then draws without using words, letters, sounds, or jestures what was on the paper for his team
• The team that guesses correctly first wins the round
• Keep score

Sing Along

This one gets wild and crazy

• Have a list of words
• Divide the group into two teams
• Call out a word
• At the same time each group sings a chorus or verse to as many songs that they can think of with the word in it. The group that can think of the most songs for a word wins the round.
• Then give another word
• Keep score to see which teams wins!
• Careful don't let the teams make up songs! lol

For instance the word "Mary" the teams could sing

• We wish you a Merry Christmas
• Have yourself a Merry Christmas
• Mary Did you know
• Instruct the singers they can sing any song it doesn't have to be a Christmas song

Correction....

I omitted a MOST necessary ingredient from the Blueberry Salad recipe


1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk

Ladies Social Recipes

Creamy Chicken Pasta Soup
1 medium carrot shredded
Minced onion to taste
Course ground black pepper to taste
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 1/2 cups half and half
1 whole chicken
6 cups chicken broth
1 can green beans, drained
1 cup penne pasta

Boil chicken and debone. Return broth to medium heat. Add soups, cream, green beans, minced onions, pepper and carrots to chicken broth. Cook until bubbly and green beans are tender. Mix in chicken.

Cook penne pasta as directed on package until tender but still firm to bite. Drain pasta and add to soup mixture. Simmer until ready to serve.

Mandarian Nut Salad
1 bag Spring Mix Salad Greens
1 small can Mandarian oranges, drained
1 cup walnuts

Mix all ingredients well. Serve with various dressings: Poppyseed, Raspberry Vinaigrette, etc

Cheese Ball, Cheese Sread, Cheese cubes & Crackers
Last night I cheated and bought cheeseballs but I do have several delicious recipes I'll share!

Zesty Cheese Ball
16 oz cream cheese
1 jar shredded, dried beef
1/3 cup zesty Italian salad dressing

Mix all, chill, shape and cover with pecans. Serve with Townhouse crackers. When I take this out I have to give everyone the recipe

Ranch Cheese Ball
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 (1 ounce) package Ranch-style dressing mix
2 cups chopped pecans

In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, and dressing mix. Form into one large ball or two smaller balls. Roll in chopped pecans to coat surface. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight.

Blueberry Salad
1 can Blueberry Pie Filling
8 0z cream cheese, softened
16 oz Cool Whip, thawed
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can crushed pineapple, drained
3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Serve chilled.

Chocolate Heath Bark
1 package chocolate almond bark
1 package heath toffee bits
1 cup chopped walnuts

Melt bark according to package directions. Mix in toffee bits and walnuts. Spread thin onto wax paper. When cool break into bite size pieces. Store in airtight container.

Andes Bark
1 package white chocolate almond bark
1 package Andes Mint Bits (in store near chocolate chips)
1 cup Wilton red dipping chocolate discs

Melt bark according to package directions. Mix in Andes chips. Spread thin onto waxed paper. When cool drizzle with melted red chocolate. When red is set break into pieces.

Snow Drops
1 package white chocolate almond bark
2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Melt bark according to package directions. Mix in coconut and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

Easy Peanut Butter Kisses
1 tub peanut butter cookie dough
Mini Baking Chocolate Kisses (available near chocolate chips)

Roll cookie dough into small balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake per pkg directions. Immediately upon removing from oven insert one mini kiss. Remove cookies from pan and allow to cool.

Easy Peanut Patties
1 package chocolate almond bark
3 cups salted party peanuts

Melt bark according to package directions. Mix in peanuts. Stir until peanuts are well coated. Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper.

Bedtime Story Tea
4 Lipton Bedtime Story Tea Bags
2 cups water
1 1/3 cup sugar
water

Boil tea bags in 2 cups of water. Put sugar in 2 quart pitcher. Pour hot tea over sugar to dissolve sugar. Finish filling with water and stir well. Chill. Serve over ice.

Hot Spiced Wassail
1 gallon apple juice
32 oz ginger ale
16 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1 cup red hots

Pour juice and ginger ale into large coffee pot. Place cloves, cinnamon sticks, and red hots into coffee pot basket. Perk for 15 minutes If you do not have large cofee pot simply place liquids and candy in large stock pot. Tie cloves and cinnamon sticks in a peice of cheesecloth and place in pot. Cook over medium heat until wassail comes to a boil.

I also served the following:
Sam's Chocolate Triple Ecstasy ( I removed from cardboard and garnished with crushed peppermints)
Sam's Coconut Cake
Sam's Pecan Pie
Sam's Brownies
Sam's Creme Puffs
Fruit (strawberries, grapes & pineapple chunks, drained) with Chocolate Hazelnut Nuetella
M&Ms
Water with lemon slices


I have found that most of Sam's desserts are very good. I remove from packing and garnish. For instance I sprinkle confectioners sugar over a bowl of creme puffs. I would never serve all bought desserts at a party. I have found that people really enjoy homemade candies. Mixing in easy homemade candies with some tasty traditional bought desserts makes everyone happy!

For approximately 45 persons I quadrupled the soup receipe. I had about 4 cups of soup left. The soup was served in 9 oz clear 'squatty' punch cups. Several got seconds though! We prepared 7 recipes of salad. I had too much salad left. I should have prepared only 5 recipes. I made 3 gallons of tea. I had some left but not much. I had 3 gallons of water. Probably 1.5 gallons were consumed. I have the double restaurant supply drink dispenser. Each side holds 3 gallons. (Great investment!!!) I doubled the wassail recipe. It was a great hit! The ladies enjoyed the wassail as they arrived. We actually had a wintry Texas night!!! I bought the 3 assorted 3 pack cracker barrel cheese slices from Sam's. Most all the cheese was eaten. Most all the cheese ball and the 16 oz cheese spread was consumed.

Hopefully I didn't leave anything out! CUPC girls if I omitted a menu item from this recipe list let me know. Each of you know I love to share. I will be happy to post the recipe.

Try some of these and let me know what you think!!!!

Have a happy happy holiday!!!!!!! I love CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

Pickle Ornament Tradition -- Materialism

Legend says that the pickle, a symbol of good luck, was the last ornament to be placed on the tree in Germany. The first child to find the pickle on Christmas morning was rewarded with a special blessing to begin the new year. The blessing would be an extra gift.

Redonia enjoys looking for our pickle ornament through out the season. It's usually hid several times. Of course the extra gift can be something of value or simply another stocking stuffer type gift. My children and their Daddy enjoy getting chocolate drinks in their stockings. One year the extra gift was simply another bottle of drink. One year when the kids were in high school I had a gift card for McDonalds, a favorite breakfast place, enroute to school.

Each year Kent and I purchase gifts for the full-time church staff. One year I included a pickle ornament and a small wrapped gift with the teacher's gift. I included the legend of the pickle ornament. I felt I was a part of each families Christmas morning since I provided not only the pickle but the reward for the person who found the hidden ornament. Still some of the staff talks about their fun each year with hiding the ornament. This year the Blair Family plans a twist on the pickle ornament. The children are going to hide the ornament for Mom and Dad to find.

The pickle ornaments can be found at most stores. They are found with the Old World style ornaments. This year I've seen them at all the major department stores. Target, Hobby Lobby, and Garden Ridge sells them, too. This is just another way of having fun with your family.

I am concerned that Christmas has become too comercialized. Christmas should be more than buying the latest video game, the most sought after doll, or the 'fastest' tennis shoes. Yes, I buy gifts for my family. When my children were little they always had nice Christmas gifts but we have always endeavored to make sure the gifts weren't the priority. Most of my children's growing up years we were in home missions. While the children were very blessed most years we were not able to afford the latest and greatest toys or gadgets.

One year we purchased Nintendo for the children. It was such a sacrifice. We bought a used monitor and even a few games from a pawn shop. Sure years later they upgraded to PlayStation but it wasn't a Christmas gift. Most years our Christmas was bought with money given to us from our church or church families. Some years the church gave us gifts rather than money. In those years Christmas was very lean. Did Redonia or Trent even realize it? No because Dad nor Mom made a big deal about it. Only a few years ago when Trent was 16 I went to Dollar Tree on Christmas Eve for a few more stocking stuffers. I felt Trent needed one more nice gift but we couldn't afford anything more. I begin to search Dollar Tree. Remember the gift would only cost $1.00. Much to my amazement I found sportscoats for $1.00. Trent got 2 more nice gifts. This was when 'retro' was popular. Trent thought he received a $100 gift. I remember standing in Dollar Tree being hugged by Kent hugged. We both had tears knowing God gave this Mother the desires of her heart. From that day to this I have never seen sportscoats at Dollar Tree. Kent nor I can recall the brand of the sportscoats but they were a real expensive name brand. God has always been faithful to us!

Today I sit in my recliner thinking of God's blessings. Since Thanksgiving Trent has received $950 above and beyond his salary. $50 was for a belated wedding gift, $200 from church families, some from a preaching engagement the weekend after Thanksgiving, and various places. I sit here with tears streaming remembering several Christmases as a teen that Trent would give of his resources to our church that may be struggling or a visiting minister. Once the Vyvial's preached for us in December. Trent felt compelled to give them $100. He was in high school and working part-time. I KNEW he really didn't have the $100 to give yet he gave. Several other years he would give extra so we could help others. Last week when his Dad handed him a check Trent said, "Dad I don't want to take this check form the church." With tears in his eyes he remembered that Christmas time around a a church is tight. Kent insisted Trent take the check. I didn't even realize the amount of extra $$$ Trent and Calah have received until yesterday. Deadra came into our office and begin to cry. She was telling of a conversation of gratitude she over heard Trent and Calah having. She said then Trent explained to her his many blessings.

Last week Trent asked me for a gift list. Of course I couldn't think of a single item. I told him I just wanted he and Calah to be blessed and for us all to be able to spend some quality time together in a few days. Deadra's report to me yesterday was my gift! I'm a blessed Mother. I'm glad my boy has grasped the meaning of Christmas. It is truly more blessed to give than to receive. I know his giving has brought his blessings. Some give out of obligation but I've observed Trent give out of love.

This year make Christmas what it should be -- a time of love and happiness. I believe if we endeavor to have the best Christmas ever God will make sure we have it! But remember I'm not talking about the best Christmas ever in terms of the most or latest and greatest.....

Merry Christmas to each and all and I mean 'merry' .....

It's Almost Here....

Come on girls.....It's Christmas...It really is almost here!!!!!

Keep the charm in your home this week. Often as the Christmas draws near the pressure strengthens. Make a list today. Go ahead and write it on a full sheet of paper. I keep one going in a opened Word document on my desktop. List the things that must be accomplished today and for the rest of the week. If you finish today's list begin tomorrows. Sometimes it is easy for me to complete part of one day's list and a few items for later in the week. Marking things off a list seem to help my 'feelings'.

Here's a sample of my list....

Today:
Make grocery list for ladies social
Buy groceries
Buy paper products
Make homemade goodies
Cook dinner ---- have to put it on a list or it doesn't happen
Wrap a few items for gifts for tomorrow night
Reconcile my checkbook
Wrap last 2 gifts for toy drive
Wrap the remaining gifts for nieces and nephews
Doctor's appointment
Bank
Go to the office
Address Christmas cards to friends/family

Tomorrow & later in week:
set up tables for party
decorate tables
cook
set up tree for ornament exchange (will be # 6!)
dust
have KENT vacuum!!!!
clean bathrooms
sweep/mop
prepare meal for party
Christmas shop for my immediate family - finally!
Church Wednesday night
Go to outreach kids homes and remind of toy drive (like they'll forget!)

Ok this is just a start.......the PRIORITY on my list is to ENJOY the week and spread holiday cheer. Regardless the size of the list I will fit in time fto enjoy Christmas. Kent's whistling mixed with singing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year". Yes, it is!!!!!

A Southern Home

Southern homes are usually filled with laughter, food and photos. I'm glad I'm a southern girl! Tonight 3 teen girls are staying the night with Redonia. They just scurried upstairs like little mice with plates, bags, and cups. The plates are filled with brownies, chips and salsa. The bags are filled with candy. One bag was a 3 lb bag of M&Ms. The cups are filled with water and coke.

Here I sit at my laptop. I've been enjoying some of the pics we took yesterday. Of course across the room is a digital frame scrolling with many great pics. On my coffee table are pics of nieces and nephews with Santa. I enjoy pictures of those I love.

Enjoy the following pictures....