FRUIT DIP RECIPE

I went to a candle party this weekend and the hostess made a REALLY GOOD fruit dip.

1 (12 oz) cool whip
1 individual serving size Vanilla yogurt
1 sm box instant White Chocolate pudding - (use the dry mix - don't make pudding)

Whip the 3 together - let it set a little bit so the pudding mix can blend.
Cut up your fruit and "wa-la"

For a lighter side.....use lite cool whip, lite yogurt and sugar free pudding.

HO-HO CAKE

2 prepared 9" Round Chocolate Cakes

FILLING:
2 T flour
1 C milk
2/3 C sugar
2/3 C shortening
1/3 C butter, softened
3/4 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt

In small saucepan, combine flour & milk until smooth - stir in 1/4 C sugar. Bring to boil over medium heat and cook & stir 2 minutes or until thick. Pour in large bowl & cool. Beat in shortening, butter, vanilla, salt and remaining sugar until smooth. Spread between cake layers.

GLAZE:
1/4 C butter, cubed
1/4 C baking cocoa
3/4 C powdered sugar
2-4 T milk

Melt butter & cocoa in small saucepan. Whisk in powdered sugar & enough milk to make drizzling consistency.

HICKORY GROVE LAKE

I had my camera with me today so I drove out to Hickory Grove Lake at noon to see what I might spot to take a picture of. The deer were unreal. I had 3 of them run right in front of me but they move so fast, I didn't have time to get my camera up and ready. Spotted them in the timber so zoomed. Then I ran across the squirrel who could care less that I was in the area.

SCRAMBLED EGG MUFFINS! Yum

My boss has been bringing egg muffins to work with him and warming them up in microwave for his breakfast. Said it was a new recipe his wife had found and he really liked them so I thought I would give it a try and see how it would go over in my house. You know, I live with 'Mr. Picky'. This morning I gave it a shot and it PASSED as a these aren't so bad. I made half of them with sausage and the other half with bacon. You can refrigerate or freeze for a quick breakfast fix when running late. Just warm them up in the microwave. We just put one on a plate and cut up so you had a 'scrambled egg omelet'.

SCRAMBLED EGG MUFFINS
1/2 lb bulk pork sausage (I used half of that for 6 and put bacon in other 6)
12 eggs
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped gr pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (I used Kraft Four Cheese)

In a skillet, cook the sausage (or bacon) over medium heat until done. In a bowl, beat the eggs, add onion, gr pepper, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stir in meat and cheese.
Spoon 1/3 cupful into greased muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. (I baked mine for 20 min and they were done)

Hope you enjoy!

ANOTHER IOWA STORM - ICE

Woke up to freezing rain. Decided to work from home today. Will Winter ever end??

View out our East bedroom window - There is no view, its ICE covered!

Just a little ICE on the mailbox....and highway

A WEEKEND OF SLEDDING WITH GRANDPA

Nick came up and stayed this weekend and brought his sled. So of course he and Grandpa Bob had to try it out since we've had so much snow. Me?....someone had to take the pictures and be ready to pick up the pieces if there were any 'accidents'. :p

Taking turns sledding down the hill

Sledding can really wear a person out.

How about some video??

Here Grandpa Bob and Nick try sledding together.

ANOTHER IOWA BLIZZARD

Another storm hit this week leaving LOTS of snow and many closed roads. But no matter how high the drift......he got into his 'man shed'! :-)

A little snow is nice but this is ridiculous!

This is what the highway looked like east of our driveway this morning.
Yes, there really is a highway under that snow

This is what the highway looked like west of our driveway. Very large drift

Large drift in our yard by the highway.