Fruit Dip

1 can fruit cocktal, drained and crushed
1 8-oz block cream cheese
1 package vanilla instant pudding
1 T orange juice

Allow the cream cheese to soften (you can use the microwave if necessary. Add drained and crushed fruit cocktail, package of pudding dry, tablespoon of orange juice and mix well. Refrigerate for three hours and serve with graham crackers, vanilla wafers and the line. You can also shape it into a log and cover it with almond slivers.

Irresistible Brownies

3/4 c. butter
2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. cocoa powder
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
4 eggs
2 t. vanilla
2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients, reserving 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. Pour into baking pan. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake 30 to 35 minutes.

Perfect Party Punch

3 (three ounce) packages of fruit flavored gelatin mix
4 c white sugar
13 c boiling water
2 (46 fl. oz) cans pineapple juice
1 (16 oz) bottle lemon juice concentrate
2 (two liter) bottles ginger ale, chilled

In a large bowl, combine gelatin and sugar. Stir in boiling water until mixture is dissolved. Stir in pineapple juice and lemon juice concentrate. Divide into two containers, and freeze until solid. To serve, place gelatin mixture in punch bowl, and chop into pieces. Pour in ginger ale.

Homemade Pedialyte

Just wanted to pass this along to anyone who needs it. I haven't actually made it, but my doctor gave me the recipe for it. It is much cheaper than the real stuff and you probably have most of it on hand for when the little ones get sick!

16 oz. lemon or orange juice from concentrate
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar
8 oz. water

Mix together. Chill. Serve. Mmmmm.

Chicken Noodle Casserole

I found this recipe here a long time ago and had bookmarked it to cook another time. I came across it today and realized I had all the ingredients for it, so I threw it together for dinner. My 1 year old LOVED it and ate two servings. And Glen said he really liked it. Definitely easy and tasty (and makes enough for leftovers!)

12 oz. wide egg noodles, cooked according to pkg directions (I used farfalle)
3 T butter
3 T flour
1 1/2 c milk
1 1/2 c chicken broth
2 breast of chicken, chopped and cooked (I used the canned chicken (like tuna) from Costco and just chopped it a little)
1/2 of a small onion, chopped
1 T garlic, minced
1/2 t salt
1/4 t pepper
fresh parsley, chopped (didn't use)

For the topping:
2 T melted butter
1/3 c italian seasoned breadcrumbs

Cook pasta according to package directions, set aside. In a large skillet, melt butter and add onion and garlic. Cook until onions are soft, just a few minutes. Add flour and whisk together and let it brown a bit. Slowly add the milk and chicken broth. Cook on medium low until bubbling and the mixture starts to thicken. Add salt and pepper, chicken and noodles. Combine well.

Pour into a greased casserole dish. Mix the melted butter and breadcrumbs until well combined. Sprinkle on top of the noodles. Cook in a 375* oven for about 15-20 minutes or until breadcrumbs are nice and toasted. Top with fresh parsley. ENJOY!

Scotch-A-Roos

Melt together in a pan..
1 c. karo syrup
1 c. peanut butter
1c. sugar
1 T. butter

6 c. rice krispies
6 oz. butterscotch chips
6 oz. pkg milk chocolate chips

After the butter, syrup, peanut butter, and sugar are melted, add the rice krispies. If still sticky add more rice krispies until desired consistency. Pack tightly in 9x13 pan. Melt chips together and spread on top. Chill, or let set.