Wow, here we are at November 1.  The Dickens people went out on the street today and it's time for me to begin my volunteer work as a step-on-guide.  I love being on the buses but it does take a little away from the holidays with my family doing this nearly every day of my life! 
The remarks that I get from the travelers, the group leaders, and other escorts and bus drivers makes it all worth it.  They always have good remarks about me, and they have great things to say about our town and county and the people they meet here.  I am writing a little story about Dickens and when I figure out the ending, I'll publish it here.

So it's holiday time and should have a recipe for you, but as of right now there is not a special one that comes to mind.  I do have a great tip for you to save time this busy time of year......
When you have to cook a meal choose things that you can do all in the oven.  Less clean up and you do not have to stand and watch the stove, you can be wrapping presents.  If you can get buy with it, eat on paper plates. 

I do the oven thing often.  Example:   Make pork chops coated with Oven Fry (they have it at Riesbecks and Wal-mart)  Then take a couple sweet potatoes (real sweet potatoes are not deep yellow but sort of creamy white)  or yams if you want and peel and slice them about 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick.  Add water about 1/2 way up on the potatoes, drop in 2 tablespoons of butter, one teaspoon of brown sugar and salt to taste.  (doesn't take much salt).  These will bake in about 20 minutes to 1/2 hour depending on how many you are making.  The pork chops take 45 min in a 400º oven.  Make sure to use a covered casserole for the potatoes, and you can also put your veggie in a casserole dish, season them and add to the oven same time as the potatoes.   Be sure to line your baking pan for the chops with aluminum foil, little effort to wash the pan. 

Open a jar of apple sauce and you have a great meal in 45 minutes, with very little clean-up. 

So I don't like to wish my life away, but I hate winter, so hurry summer and come back!   Til next time

Betty