Stamp Happy

Turn cookies into extra-special place cards
(orig. published in Martha Stewart Living 12/09 p.76)

Add a personal touch to your table by monogramming cookies with guests initials. For the cookie, use shortbread, which doesn't puff up much as it cooks. Shape the dough with a cookie cutter, and imprint the letters with clean crafts-store rubber stamps.

Lemon Chicken with Olives and Ricotta

(Orig. published in Better Homes and Gardens 09/09 p. 195)

8 No-boil (oven ready) lasagna noodles
1 lemon
4 small skinless, boneless, chicken breast halves, halved crosswise
1 cup garlic-stuffed or pitted green olives
1 cup ricotta cheese
Olive oil
Fresh rosemary (optional)

1. In Dutch oven bring 3 inches water to boiling. Add noodles and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Cover. Cook 6 minutes or until tender; drain. Lay noodles in single layer on waxed paper. Cover; set aside.
2. Meanwhile, shred lemon peel; halve lemon. Juice 1 half, cut remaining into wedges. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and 1/2 of lemon peel. In skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken. Cook 10 minutes or until no pink remains, turning once. Add olives, heat through. Remove from heat.
3. In microwave-safe bowl combine ricotta, the lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Microwave on high 30 seconds, stirring once.
4. Spoon ricotta mixture into bowls. Top with noodles, chicken, olive mixture, remaining lemon peel, and the fresh rosemary. Pass lemon wedges. Serves 4.

10 One-Bite Wonders

Delicious ideas for dressing up everyday snack crackers
(orig. published in Better Homes and Gardens 03/07 p.218)

Top cracker as follows...

1) Fruit and Cheese White cheddar cheese, sliced fresh pears
2) Brunch Starter Sliced cucumber, smoked salmon, sour cream, chives
3) Garden Snack Herbed cream cheese spread, fresh basil, sliced cherry tomato
4) Breakfast To Go Cooked bacon, hard-cooked egg wedge, black pepper
5) Kid Pleaser Peanut butter, banana slices, fudge sauce
6) Mediterranean Treat Mixed olive tapenade, capers, fresh parsley, chopped pimiento
7) Company Coming Horseradish spread, blue cheese, roast beef slices, fresh dill
8) Deli Special Honey mustard, smoked turkey, fruit preserves
9) Mexican Spice Black bean spread, avocado slices, fresh tomato salsa
10) Sweet Surprise Vanilla frosting, fresh raspberry, shaved milk chocolate

Another tip: A small dab of butter on each cracker adds flavor - and holds toppers in place

Simmering Potpourri - a holiday hit

1/2 orange
1/2 lemon
1/4 whole cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
3 bay leaves

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Potpourri may be cooled and stored in the fridge for repeat use.

Save $$ with these EZ Tips

1. Wash all your laundry in cold water.
2. Every morning fill your sink with soapy water and place dirty dishes in it. At the end of the day, wipe dishes with a sponge and put in your dishwasher. You'll save an enormous amount of water if it's not "running" while you rinse.
   
3. Try natural light during the day. Don't turn on the lights, it's that easy.
4. Light a candle. They give off more heat than they do light. If you turn down the heat at night, light a candle on your nightstand until you're ready to fall asleep. It'll help keep you warm.
5. When you shower, don't turn the water on at full strength. Push the knob in halfway to reduce the water pressure. You'll save water and your shower water will fall on your head lightly like rain.
6. Check your cell phone usage and make sure you are in the right plan. If you call the customer service line twice a year you are likely to always have the best plan for your usage.
   

Chicken Salad Recipe - A Company Favorite

1 12.5 oz. can Tyson white meat chicken
1/3 cup Miracle Whip (add more if you like your salad creamy)
1 bundle of grapes, halved
2 stalks celery, chopped
Dash of salt and pepper

1. Drain chicken.
2. Mix all ingredients together.
3. Serve on croissants or white bread.

Yum! Thanks, Kayme!

Birthday party idea - for little kids

"The Backwards Party"

1. Send out "backward"s invitations, so you have to use the mirror to read the information on it. Party attire: wear your clothes backwards.
2. On party day, guests enter through the back door.
3. Then the whole party goes in reverse starting with presents, then cake, game time, snacks and finally pass out party hats and shirts.
4. Give kids yellow shirts with "backwards" writing on it that reads (in the mirror) "S'RETNUH HTFIF" in rainbow letters.
5. Sounds like fun!

Thanks, Laura!