Christmas spiced cider

1 qt. sweet cider

1/4 cinnamon stick

Heat ingredients in sauce pan and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Holiday spice tea

4 cups water

1 cinnamon stick

1 tsp. whole cloves

4 tea bags

1 c. chilled pineapple juice

1 c. chilled orange juice

Bring water, cloves and cinnamon to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add tea bags; cover and brew for 5 minutes. Remove tea bags and spices. Combine tea with remaining ingredients. Can be served as hot spice tea or ice tea.

Party dip

1 can cream of celery soup

1 pkg. cream cheese, softened

Combine ingredients and mix until blended.

Hot dog soup

2 all beef hot dogs

1 can tomato soup

1 soup can of water

1/4 tsp. celery salt

1 can English peas, drained

Combine all ingredients. Heat and simmer for a few minutes.

Banana muffins

1 1/2 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

1/3 cup margarine, melted

Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Combine bananas, sugar, egg and margarine and mix well. Stir into dry ingredients until moistened. Fill lined and greased muffin cups in muffin tin 3/4 full and bake at 350 degrees for 12-18 minutes.

Cooking tip – To keep spaghetti from boiling over whenever cooking, add a few tsp. cooking oil to water.

Recipe hints – If the recipe calls for 1 lb. of butter use 4 sticks; for 1 cup chopped nuts, use 1/4 lb. of nuts; for 3 cups cooked rice, use 1 cup uncooked rice; 4 cups flour equals 1 lb.; 1/2 cup butter equals 1 stick.

Covered dish dinner tip – Whenever making a dish for a covered dish dinner, use disposable dishes to serve it in, this way you won’t have to worry about keeping up with your containers.

Food tip – Let cheese stand at room temperature for an hour before eating it.

Grape float

2 cups grape juice

2 cups ginger ale

4 cups vanilla ice cream

Combine all ingredients and stir until ice cream melts slightly.

Party punch

2 cups cranberry juice

2 cups orange juice

1 bottle ginger ale

Combine ingredients and stir until blended.

Acorn squash pie

1 medium acorn squash

1 envelope plain gelatin

1 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1-14 oz. sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)

2 eggs, well beaten

1 graham cracker pie shell

Peel and cook squash in water in saucepan until tender. Combine gelatin, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt, stir in milk and mix well. Let stand for 1 minute. Cook and stir constantly until gelatin is dissolved and mixture thickens slightly, about 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in squash and mix well. Pour into pie shell and chill for 3 hours.

Ham and cheese muffins

2 1/2 cups self-rising flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 cup milk

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup finely chopped, fully cooked ham

1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Combine flour and baking soda in large bowl. Combine remaining ingredients, stir into dry ingredients until moistened. Fill lined and greased muffin tin 2/3 full. Bake at 425 degrees for 16-18 minutes.

Among those from Falkville Senior Citizen Center attending the Morgan County Christ-mas party at the center in Decatur were Movlyn Roberson, Charles and Linda Williams, Bobby and Linda Ball, Fay Anders, Robert Morris, Jerry and Jeannie Kelsey, Carol Cole, Martha Garrison, Patsy Clemmons, Vivian Summer-ford, Judy McClellan, Martha Asherbranner and Clevell Asherbranner. �