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Nancy Rogers

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Here is the Edible Christmas trees again for those that missed it, hope you get in time to make for Christmas! Billie in FL

Edible Christmas Trees
Cone shape ice cream cones (not the flat bottom kind)
white cake frosting
4" cookies
green food color
assorted little candies such as M & M, skittles or other little shapes

Take some of the frosting and coat the top of each cookie to look like snow. Sit a cone in the middle of ea, open end down. Add green color to the rest of the frosting to shade you like and frost each of the cones. Then stick on candies to decorate the trees. Sometimes I'm able to find the little chocolate candies that are wrapped like a package, and put those around the bottom. Other than that everything used to decorate the little trees is edible! The kids love these and when they were small they always helped to make them. Have fun!
Billie in Fl

Salmon Recipes, Smoked Salmon Recipes
http://www.whatscookingamerica.net/SalmonRecipe.htm
This is for the lady with the smocked salmon for Christmas. Hope this helps
Marlene Fl.

Hi Nancy,
When I read today's thought for the day I thought how appropriate, particularly at this time of the year.

Chris in NM I am so delighted that you too are a whole milk user. I've tried all the semi-skimmed and full-skimmed varieties, I'd rather do without milk than use them. Best Wishes to you and Bob.

Nancy I couldn't believe it when you told us about Ditto falling off the chair, thought our Charly was the only daftie. If I get up in the middle of the night to use the little girl's room (quite a common trip these days), she toddles through to greet me, eyes not quite open sits on the bathroom mat for an tickle and has been known to be found asleep there a few hours later.

Billie in Fl, got the aerogarden empty and cleaned out and the new seed beds already to go.

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Nancy, Ditto and Chris in particular for all their hard work, but thanks goes to everyone of you for getting involved in Nancy's Newsletter. There's not another one like it. God Bless You All.

I hope that everyone enjoys a wonderful Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year.

Keep warm and healthy.
Sylvia <Scotland>

This is for Ann Dec. 22 newsletter,

First of all I’d like to say Merry Christmas to everyone.

Here is a smoked salmon recipe that my family loves. We celebrated Christmas last Sunday (that’s the only time I could get all my children together). This recipe was one of the foods I served and everyone loved it. My smoked salmon was fished for by me in Alaska. My brother smoked it and sent it home with me. Smoked salmon is also good just eaten plain.

Smoked Salmon Spread
This is very creamy. I have served it as a cheese ball. Just form into a ball and sprinkle with paprika. Very pretty looking for Holidays and potlucks.

2 (8 oz.) pkgs. cream cheese, softened
12 oz. smoked salmon, chopped
6 dashes Worcestershire sauce
5 drops hot pepper sauce
1 tsp. chopped fresh dill weed (I have used the dried dill weed 2 tsp.)
2 TBS chopped green onion

In a medium bowl, stir cream cheese until it is no longer in a hard form. Add salmon, sauces, dill, and onion; mix well. Serve with crackers.
Hope you enjoy as much as we do.
Angie in Ohio

A special note from Barb in Bayside, Queens, NY:
Reading this put a big lump in my throat and brought tears to my eyes...Judy, you said it better than anyone else I've read here ...for those who might have missed it, here's her letter to our good Nancy who works so hard to give us pleasure and good recipes all year:

Nancy, Wishing you and the entire Nancyland family a happy blessed holiday season. May God bless each of us with good health and happiness in this coming year as we continue sharing kindness and hospitality with one another around the world.

Most of all, remember our boys overseas in your thoughts and prayers and pray for their speedy return to the families that wait.
Judy/Buffalo

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Hi Nancy
Wishing you and your's a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year! Also, I would like to thank the many readers who are so faithful in responding to many requests for recipes. It is such a joy to see that their wonderful people out in this world who still can make a difference daily.
Happy Holidays to All! Fran, Upstate New York

Thank you so much to everyone who sent me Sugar Cookie Recipes! I can't wait to try them all!

Merry Christmas everyone!
Renée in Ceres, CA

Now I've really gone and done it. help We are having our first family reunion 2 days after Christmas. I purchased one of those chocolate fountain flowing thingey. I think they will all love dipping fruit, pretzels, angel food cake, etc etc in to get the chocolate. But it does not come with any recipes for the chocolate. Does anyone have one of these and what recipe do you use?
Nancy in Fl

Thank you all ahead of time and be blessed during this holiday season.

Dear Nancy and Nancyland family, I want to wish everyone here a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. A special thanks goes out to you Nancy, for all your hard work, and to Ditto for all the help he contributes in your putting the newsletter together .
Cheryl in North Olmsted, Ohio

Concerning lemon pie filling: I found Musselmans lemon pie filling at our local Fareway Store. But I was disappointed because it was just too sweet - nothing like the made from scratch lemon pie.
Gina

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you Nancy, your assistant, and to all of the Nancylanders out there. I am one of the many that appreciate all that you do, Nancy, putting this newsletter together. I am writing concerning Kyra and Barb in Florida and their letters about canned lemon pie filling. I am not from Florida, but have found the lemon pie filling, mixed it with dry one step angel food cake mix, bake in a 9 x 13 pan, and have wonderful lemon bars. I have never seen the lime filling, but if I ever do, you know that I will try making the lime bars also. The lemon ones are the best and easiest ones I have ever made.
Karen, Il

Thank you to everyone who sent in the sugar free hot chocolate mix for me. I was wondering--when you substitute Splenda, for sugar, do you think it has an aftertaste, and people realize there is not the real sugar, in the recipe???
Thanks, all, Sue

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Hi Fran in Upstate NY and Jane in NC, I am from Poughkeepsie, 36 years' worth, hoping to retire in TN soon.
Hudson Valley Kathleen

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year especially to you Nancy and your readers.

I have been looking for a recipe for a dish I had when I worked a lady brought it in and I just loved it. I think it is Serbian or Yugoslavian . It is with lots of eggs and phylo dough crust. Can anyone help me please?
Thanks in advance, Rubie from Wi.

RE: For Peggy of East Texas. In the Dec. 13/14 Newsletter, you had a recipe for "3" Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge. Could you please tell me what kind of milk you use in this?
Thank You, Sara in FL

Sara I just use whole milk.

Recently I saw a recipe for a sugar-free pecan-cream cheese dessert. One of the ingredients was Featherweight Sweet Pretences topping (may have been Pretenses). I cannot find this anywhere. I tried googling it and didn't get any information there either. Can someone tell me what it is and where I might find it or what would be an acceptable substitute for diabetics?
Vergie in TX

Hi Nancy
I am a great fan of your site. many months ago there was an article about a cookbook with a title of something about death or funeral and the book had recipes in it as well. I can't remember the exact title could someone let me know when it appeared?

I have been to my local library and there are "tons of cookbooks" and i just didn't have the patience to look through all.
thanks, Happy holidays to you and Ditto.
Barbara in Delray Beach Florida

Here's another idea to re-use Christmas cards - cut out the really pretty seasonal pictures and frame them, us them to decorate your home for the holidays/winter. I saw this on an episode of CityLine last week or the week before (the day after I sent in the scrapbooking suggestion) - one example they showed was a very small square frame with a picture of a polar bear in a Santa hat (Christmas decorating) and the other was of snow covered birch trees (seasonal decoration to last thru March)

For CJ in Ohio, I've tried scrapbooking & spent hundreds of dollars on the supplies and just don' t have the patience to glue teeny-tiny pieces of paper onto things. I want to scrapbook so badly I make myself sick sometimes. I donated my pile of stuff to my son's school for their silent auction last year and now I sit & watch my mom, nieces & aunts "do thier thing" while sipping a cup of tea and work on my knitting & crocheting. At least I keep the important things and take lots of pictures - I've tried a scrapbooking program on the computer with some success but it still takes me 3 or 4 hours to do one page! I think I'll leave scrapbooking to those who truly enjoy it!
Fran in Ottawa

Merry Christmas Nancy, Ditto, and ‘Landers,
Thank you, Nancy, for the wonderful job you do with the newsletter! The recipes are great and your cat stories are so entertaining. You are helping me keep my sanity through a tough period in my life. During the past two months, I have lost both my brother and brother-in-law to cancer. I would like to ask my recipe family to consider making contributions to one of their local Hospice organizations when giving their yearly donations. These are wonderful organizations, staffed with very caring people. Many friends had told me how special they were, but you get a better understanding of just how special when you experience something firsthand. They truly helped to ease us through a difficult time. I cannot say enough good things about them. And thank you, Nancy, for giving me the opportunity to do so.

I will be praying for everyone to have a wonderful, safe and blessed holiday season. Love to all! TXteacher

We are just about ready for Christmas at our house. Will have in-laws for Christmas Dinner, but my hubby smoked two turkeys yesterday, so a lot of the work for Christmas Day is done!

This is in response to Kathy in Ohio's question about the foil pans in making fruit cakes. I use those every year for making fruit cakes to give away. Although, I do make my fruit cakes at the beginning of November and once a week, I drizzle about two teaspoons of brandy over, then cover. Anyway, to prepare my pans, I just grease well with butter and then flour the pans. Once my batter is made, I just pour in and bake as usual. If I've buttered/floured the pans properly, the cakes do not stick. Good luck, Kathy, and Merry Christmas to all!
Tina in GA

Simple Sauerkraut Balls
1 medium onion
1/4 cup margarine
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup flour
1 lb. sauerkraut, drained
1/4 cup flour
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
Bread crumbs

Sauté the onion in the margarine. Blend the flour and water; add to onion. Add the sauerkraut and cook over low heat until mixture thickens and boils; let cool thoroughly.

Chill the mixture for easy handling. Shape mixture into small balls; roll in ¼ cup flour. Combine the egg with milk; dip balls in this mixture, then roll in the bread crumbs to coat. Deep fat fry the balls until golden brown.
JL in South Jersey

This is for Fran in Fl out of NY I am from the Hudson Valley. I have lived in South Amenia and Dover Plains. I am currently living in Claverack which is near Hudson. I am originally from Massena, NY.

He is wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy Happy New Year.
Marie, Claverack NY

Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes
6 medium potatoes
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. butter
1 can cream of mushroom soup
4 slices American cheese

Pare and thinly slice potatoes. Toss in 1 cup water with ½ tsp. Cream of tartar. Drain. Place half of potatoes in greased crockpot. Top with half of onions, half of flour, salt and pepper. Repeat layers of potatoes and onions. Sprinkle with remaining flour. Add butter and soup. Cover. Cook on low 7-9 hours/High 3-4 hours. Add cheese 30 minutes before serving. (Recipe can be doubled for 5 quart pot.)
JL in South Jersey

Here's a quick and easy recipe for Christmas. Kids always like it because it has Cheerios in it!

Crunchy Peanut Clusters
1 package Vanilla Flavored Candy Coating (almond bark)
broken into pieces
2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
4 cups Cheerios cereal
2 cups miniature marshmallows
2 cups peanuts

Melt the candy coating over medium heat in a saucepan or you can also microwave for 1 minute on high, stir, and microwave in 25 second increments, stir, until melted.
Stir in peanut butter until mixture is smooth. Add remaining ingredients, stirring until coated.

Drop mixture by heaping teaspoonfuls on waxed paper. Let stand for 1 hour or until firm. Store tightly covered. Yum!

Merry Christmas to all...thank you Nancy for this wonderful newsletter-we really do appreciate all your hard work...love and Happy New Year too! ScarlettinFL

P.S. Saw the Lemon Pie Filling in Winn Dixie this am!!!

Thank you Doris for Zack's Ginger Crinkle Cookies. I made these yesterday and they are delicious! Needed some last minute cookies and what a great choice So simple and easy to make.

jeanlock in McLean VA
Really enjoyed HOW TO COOK A TURKEY from the Woman's Day Magazine!
Thanks for sharing. ScarlettinFL

I included these in the holiday trays that I made for family and friends. They were a big hit and are fun to make with the grandkids.
Robbie IN

Pretzel Rod Treats
1 package (10 ounces) pretzel rods
1 package (14 ounces) caramels
1 tablespoon milk
1-1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
2/3 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped pecans or other nuts

With a sharp knife, cut pretzel rods in half-or use your hands to do this. set aside. Coarsely grind chips and nuts in a food processor or blender. Mix all the chips and nuts together and place in a large shallow bowl. In a large saucepan over low heat, melt

caramels with milk or you can do this in the microwave. If using microwave, do it in one minute intervals, stirring after each minute, until caramels are completely melted.

Pour caramel mixture into a 2- cup bowl or cup. Dip the cut end of the pretzel piece two-thirds of the way into caramel mixture (reheat in microwave if mixture becomes too thick for dipping). Allow excess caramel to drip off, and then roll pretzels in the chip mixture. Place on waxed paper until set. Store in airtight container.

You can use any combination of chips you like, such as peanut butter chips, toffee chips, or milk chocolate chips. You can also use a variety of nuts and increase the amount of nuts that you use.
Robbie In

Do you have a recipe for Lobster stew?
Thank You, Faye

Merry Christmas to all!
grannym IL

Hello Nancy, Ditto and all the gang
Christmas is drawing closer and closer with each passing second and my excitement is growing and growing.

To start, I would like to share a little poem written by Joanna Fuchs as a little early Christmas gift for each one
at Nancyland.

Recipe for Christmas

Recipe for Christmas All Year Long
Take a heap of Child-like wonder
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life--
Each day a sweet surprise.

Mix in fond appreciation
For the people whom we know;
Like festive candles,
Each one has a special glow.

Add some giggles and some laughter,
A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!)

Stir it all with human kindness;
Wrap it up in love and peace,
Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease.

If we use this healthy recipe,
We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas Spirit,
Even when it's not December.
by Joanna Fuchs

I don't know the author of this poem, but it seems she knows Nancy and all the gang very well - doesn't it?

Jeanlock in McLean Va your no nonsense approach to cooking a turkey is perfect. My mom used to cook all her turkeys this way. (We always had huge turkeys) so this was the ideal solution for my busy mom.

I should let it be known that she did all the cooking herself - preferring to be alone in the kitchen as opposed to having seven busy children in there with her. (Poor dear, our part was to do the dishes after the big event was over). I am just beginning to see what a smart women my mother was! lol

Oh yes, I also want to thank John's Mama for her Lemon Pound Cake. Thank you for sharing this Earlene in NC If all goes according to my plan - I will bake this tomorrow morning and use it as my sharing cake when we travel around on Boxing Day visiting my husband's family.

To say I have been blessed this past year through this amazing Newsletter with all the wonderful notes of love, care and concern would be a gross understatement. I have been INCREDIBLY BLESSED! All thanks to you Nancy for drawing us all together this way. I wish ALL a blessed Christmas and I ask our Lord and Savior to shower Nancy and each Nancylander with a double portion of blessing in whatever way you need, including physical, financial, spiritual blessing. Comfort in grief, a friend in loneliness and joy in sadness. Double blessings to all.
Merry Christmas and Happy Healthy New Year!

Nancy,
I have a suggestion:
Start the New Year off right,
Take Saturday & Sunday off.
We will survive, it will be better for you, too.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Yea !
Maxine D. Cascade,Va.

Comment
I will think about it.
Nancy Rogers

To JL in South Jersey. I am originally from Clifton, then Wayne. Now I live in Four Seasons at Wall. My brother-in-law and family lived on Villanova Drive in Jackson for many years. Nancy, you are a wonder! I look forward to this newsletter every day, except Friday. Recently, I found a recipe for Pineapple Surprise Crunch from 2006. Was it ever a hit -- as was the grape salad, which people are always requesting.
Mary Kay in South Jersey

This is for Kathy in Ohio who asked about making fruitcake in the small foil pans. I have made mine in them for MANY years. I just spay them with Pam or any kind of cooking spray.
Mary in Va