Grandma Ida

This poem I found goes out to my cousin Michele. Her grandmother Ida past away yesterday.

God needed one more to fill the empty space,he looked around the hospital and saw your sweet face,when you stopped breathing,we knew you were gone,you went so peacefully,so we knew you chose the right home,we knew your skies weren't so blue,and the roads were getting too tough for you,but you fought that fight,and you did the best you could do,the best part was you didn't die alone,the day God sent you home.

Makeup Tip: Mascara

I have very short eyelashes so a couple of years ago I started using L'Oreal Voluminous Original mascara. It's very light on the lashes and it looks really natural. I've been very pleased with it. My suggestion is to use an eyelash curler before applying the mascara.

Fluffy Cheesecake

I plan on trying this for Christmas.

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened

1/3 c sugar

1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip topping, thawed

1 prepared graham cracker crumb crust (6 oz. or 9 inch)

Beat cream cheese and sugar in lg. bowl w/ wire whisk or electric mixer until smooth. Gently stir in whipped topping.

Spoon into crust. Refrigerate 3 hours or until set. Garnish with raspberry sauce, cherry or blueberry pie filling or drizzle with chocolate and carmel.

Recipe: Rocky Road Fudge

This is the easiest fudge recipe you'll ever make.

1 (12 oz.) pkg. (2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 can Pillsbury Chocolate Fudge Creamy Supreme frosting

1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

3/4 cup chopped nuts (I like walnuts)

Line 8-inch squared pan with foil; extending foil over edges; lightly butter foil. Melt chips in large saucepan over very low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in frosting. Add marshmallows and nuts; mix until well coated. Spread in buttered foil-lined pan. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Remove fudge from pan by lifting foil; remove foil from fudge. Cut into squares. 36 candies.

Recipe: Cheese Danish

This goes out to Tami! My cousin Tanya gave me this recipe and it's so easy to make.

2 (8 or 10 oz. each) package of crescent rolls
2 (8 oz. each) package of cream cheese
1 c sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. lemon juice
1 egg

Glaze: 2 Tbs. warm milk, 1 c powdered sugar

Pull apart 1 pkg. of rolls and put on bottom of 9x13 greased pan. Mix all ingredients and pour over rolls. Then take second container of rolls and pull apart and lay on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Put glaze on hot out of the oven. Good served warm or cold . I like cold. This would be good for Christmas morning.

Breakfast Casserole

This is a great casserole to sever for you Christmas morning.

6 slices bread, cubed (I use white bread)

1 pound sausage (Bob Evans) browned and drained

8 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese

2 c milk

1 tsp. salt

pepper to taste

Cube bread and place evenly in a greased 13x9 pan or baking dish. Sprinkle evenly w/ sausage and cheese. Mix egg, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over ingredients in pan. Bake 45 minutes at 325 degrees until set. Cut into squares. Serves 8-10.

Holiday recipe: Broccoli Salad

This is one of my favorite salads to have over the holidays. It's very simple to make.

1 1/2 heads of broccoli

1/2 pound bacon - fried and crumbled

1/2 c salted sunflower seeds

1/2 c chopped onion

Dressing - 1 c miracle whip, 1/3 c sugar, 2 Tbs. vinegar (I use red wine vinegar)

Mix all together and refrigerate for a few hours. Enjoy!