Leader Enterprise - May 15, 2013 - Mother's Day and an Anniversary Celebration

We have certainly welcomed this improved May weather with open arms, haven't we? The sunshine has been glorious. May your flowers and gardens bloom and grow bountifully.

To commemorate my 4th anniversary writing this column for the Leader, I thought I would share a little bit of what I wrote in my first column, published May 20, 2009. And just in case you have missed the story of why I call myself the "Better" Baker-read on.

But first of all, I want to thank all of you for your support and encouragement over the last 4 years. It is always a joy to see you somewhere in public, and hear that you've tried one of my recipes or that you are a faithful reader. I was very excited recently to meet a self-proclaimed "Biggest Fan of All" of my column. Hello Darlene! You are all my inspiration and I do appreciate your support more than words can express. 

"We've decided to name this column as such, because whenever folks have told me that I'm a good cook, I love to reply with "But I'm a better Baker" and I love opportunities to live up to my name. (I love teasing my husband that I had to humble myself to get married. I went from being a "King" to a "Baker".)

Since this is Mother's Day month, I want to share a few things about my own dear mother, Marie King, from Kunkle. I recently saw a friend of hers, whom I hadn't seen for nearly 40 years. When she realized who I was, she proclaimed to me "I ADORED your mother!" I hear that often and couldn't be more pleased when anyone tells me I'm like my mom.

Without reservation, her grandchildren have declared her to be a saint. And probably just about anyone else who ever knew her would agree. My mom passed away when she was only 64 years old. I have kept a jar of macaroni that I recovered from her kitchen cupboard soon after she died to remind me of the brevity of life.

Oftentimes, I love to share a quote by author Barbara Johnson. "If being a mother was going to be an easy job, it wouldn't begin with something called labor". Isn't that the truth?

So Happy Belated Mother's Day to all you Moms!

"All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does. That’s his."—Oscar Wilde

I decided to share two recipes from my mom's recipe box. This was her favorite cake. I love the simplicity of mixing it by hand in one bowl. It's delicious and moist.

GRANNY CAKE
1-1/2 c. sugar

2 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

2 eggs

1 (20ozs) can crushed pineapple, undrained

1/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 9" X 13"baking dish. Mix sugar, flour, baking soda, salt and eggs together. Add pineapple and blend well.  Pour into prepared pan. Combine brown sugar and nuts; sprinkle over top before baking. Bake about 30-40 minutes.

TOPPING:

1/4 c. sugar

1 stick margarine (1/2 c.)

1 c. evaporated milk

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine sugar, margarine, and evaporated milk; bring to a boil, then add vanilla. Pour over hot cake and let stand. Serve warm or cold.

I remember very well enjoying this special jello treat as a kid. It was one of the dishes I made to impress folks when I first got married. It makes a big batch too. Recipe can easily be halved for smaller families.

JELLO DESSERT

16 large marshmallows

1 c. milk

1 (6 ozs) box dry red jello

1 (8 ozs) pkg. cream cheese, softened

1 (20 ozs) can crushed pineapple, undrained

1/2 pt. whipping cream, whipped

(or use 8 ozs.Cool Whip)

1/2 c. mayonnaise

Place marshmallows and milk in double boiler (or microwave) and melt. In large bowl, pour mixture over dry jello and stir until blended. Beat in cream cheese until smooth. Add pineapple; cool. Add whipping cream and mayonnaise. Let stand until firm.

I don't believe it's ever too early to think about Memorial Day. I appreciate this quote from Ronald Reagan: 'If we lose freedom here, there's no place to escape to. This is the last stand on earth". My husband, Ron, will be speaking for the Pioneer Memorial Day ceremony at Floral Grove cemetery. Please support those who have, or who are currently serving, and remember those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

White Trash Dip & Weekend Potluck #67

WELCOME TO WEEKEND POTLUCK! 

AND...

Where I share something worth sharing...again..

Combine cream cheese, chili, bacon, cheese and onions - heat it up - gotta love it!! Everyone else will too. 

White Trash Dip

Now, let's take a quick peek back at last week...

The recipe with the most clicks was from our very own, Kim from Sunflower Supper Club! ~

Meat Lovers Pizza Dip by Sunflower Supper Club

We all must be in the mood for some dips, because here are the recipes that caught our attention this week ~

Hot Chocolate Cheesecake Dip by Will Cook For Smiles

Coconut Cream Pie Dip by South Your Mouth

And, a personal favorite ~

Black Raspberry Swirl White Chocolate Cheesecake by Turnips 2 Tangerines

If you were featured today, please don't forget to snag the Featured button below..

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Your hostesses ~

• The Better Baker ~ Marsha
• Sunflower Supper Club ~ Kim & Julie
• 4 Little Fergusons~ Tonya
• The Country Cook~ Brandie
• Mommy Time Party ~ Tabitha

Remember that when you link up, it shows on all FIVE blogs. Plus…

We TWEET. We PIN. We LIKE.

Linky Guidelines:

If you wish to be a featured recipe or for us to promote your recipe either on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, you MUST follow these instructions.

1. Please link up to your exact post and not the main page to your blog.
2. LINK BACK HERE from your post so that others can find the fun. (Need help linking back? Read this or watch this great instructional video.) You can use the button below or a direct link within your post.

When you are kind enough to follow our guidelines, we work hard to get you as much exposure as possible so that your time here is well invested. We want this to be a fun and rewarding experience for everyone!


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Jello Dessert

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO SON, DAVE!!
(Our 9# 8 ozs. baby..and our last one)
We celebrate YOU today Sonshine! 

This is a yummy, creamy, fluffy and fantastic dish from my mom's recipe files. 

It was something special she made for us, on occasion, growing up. 

It's also in my cookbook.  I remember well...this was the dish I made when I held my first 'home party' (Tupperware) back in the day...so long ago.  

You'll love this.  The melted marsh(a)mallows ;-} add a smooth texture, and the cream cheese and mayonnaise make it nice and creamy.

We have enjoyed it with all flavors of red jello - it's your choice. Serve it as a salad or even a dessert. 

(You know, when I was a kid, jello was a dessert and we didn't get something baked every day)

It also makes a large batch, so feel free to cut the recipe in half for a smaller family. I've made it by hand, and also, using a mixer.  I think the mixer just

makes it fluffier and feels good in my mouth! 

Eat up!

JELLO DESSERT

16 large marshmallows

1 c. milk

1 (6 ozs) box dry (sugar-free) red jello (6 serving size)

1 (8 ozs.) box cream cheese, softened

1 (20 ozs) can crushed pineapple, undrained

1/2 pt. whipping cream, whipped 

(or 8 oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed)

1/2 c. mayonnaise

Place marshmallows and milk in double boiler (or microwave) and melt. (medium heat or power). In large bowl, pour mixture over dry jello and stir until blended and jello is dissolved.  Beat in cream cheese until smooth. Add pineapple; chill about 15 minutes.  Add whipping cream and mayonnaise.  Let stand until firm. 

Yield: about 12 servings

Linked to Weekend Potluck

3 Yummy Soups using Ground Beef {Blast from the Past{

Some folks I know give up on making soup when the weather turns warm.  We enjoy it all year long, so I thought I would share a few of our favorites, and hope you'll be enjoying some soon too.  



This is a wonderfully creamy, thick and easy soup.  Your family will
scream for M-M-More!! 

Amish Cheeseburger Soup

This one is quick because you brown the burger, open a few cans and heat. 
Sweet and yummy. A delicious change from 'regular' chili. 

Quick Corny Chili




This has been a very popular blog recipe. It has options too. 
How can you beat cooking in the slow cooker?  

Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup (Weight Watchers)

Mixed Nut Bars

I saw this old photo in my files...from the holidays!...and decided I needed to share this awesome recipe.

I love this recipe for the holidays, but truly, it's wonderful any time of the year. 

If you like butterscotch, you'll love these. 

It's a butterscotch/corn syrup mixture poured over nuts on a yummy flour, brown sugar and butter crust. 

Can't go wrong! And the recipe can easily be cut in half. 

(This one comes from my cookbook too!=) I'm not sure where I came across the recipe years ago. 

MIXED NUT BARS 

1-1/2 c. all purpose flour

3/4 c. packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 c. butter or margarine, plus 2 Tb. (cold)

1 (11 ozs) can mixed nuts, coarsely chopped

1 c. butterscotch chips

1/2 c. light corn syrup 

Preheat oven to 350*. Lightly grease or spray 9" X 13" X 2" baking pan.  In a bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt.  Cut in 1/2 c. of butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press into prepared pan.  Bake 10 minutes; sprinkle with nuts.  Melt butterscotch chips (I use a lower power setting in the microwave); add corn syrup and remaining butter; mix well.  Pour over nuts.  Bake 10 minutes.  Cool. 

Yield: about 3-1/2 dozen. 

Linked to Weekend Potluck