Apple Julep

I signed up for Sunday school breakfast this month and decided Mother's day would be a great day to take a few things.  I decided to try my luck again at making another drink since I don't really think the Brunch Punch went over very well with the guys last time.  While this is probably still a "girly" drink, it is less punchy and easier for, at least, my guy to handle.  In addition to this drink, I took Sausage and Egg Casserole and Grape Salad.

Apple Julep

4 c. apple juice
1 c. orange juice
1 c. pineapple juice
1/4 c. lemon juice

Mix all juices together and serve well chilled.

Of course, I doubled the recipe to make sure we had enough.

Champagne Punch (Mocktail)

I was first introduced to this drink through my last job and a party we were hosting.  I got The Bun some regular white grape juice this week and the flavor reminded me.  This is a deliciously refreshing drink...not very sweet like most punches.  I am a punch lover!  I know you should sip punch, but in the privacy of my own home, I am a punch gulper.  This one is no exception.  I thought I would share it because it would be a great New Year's punch if you were planning a party.

Champagne Punch (Mocktail)

2 bottles Welch's sparkling white grape juice, chilled
1 (1 liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled

Stir ingredients together.  Freeze some mixture in ice ring, if needed.  Serve well chilled.  Double as needed.

Cherry Limeade

I've been slowly going through my "to try" file of recipes.  When my company stopped by this weekend, I thought it was the perfect time to try some of them.   One of those recipes in my file that I have been wanting to try for a while was this Cherry Limeade.  The Dish Washer didn't care for much of it.  You have to like it to want to drink it.  It is pretty tart, and has been compared to Sonic's.  I found it very refreshing.

Cherry Limeade

1 (2 L.) bottle Sprite
1 can frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
1 jar maraschino cherries

In a pitcher, combine Sprite, limeade and juice from the jar of cherries.  Chill and serve.  Garnish with cherries and/or lime.

**If it is too strong for you, you can water it down to the strength you like it.

Hot Cranberry Punch

Where, oh, where to begin? You probably thought I was never coming back! The Bun is a little over 7 weeks from being "cooked" and to say that I have been pre-occupied preparing for him is the understatement of the year!!!

I guess we should back up to Thanksgiving! We spent Thanksgiving with The Dish Washer's family and certainly had plenty to eat! If you could have seen the pan of dressing that we were eating out of...YUM! Biggest pan I have ever seen. I took the Apple Dapple Cake that Tossie shared with us. I actually made it the Sunday before for our church wide Thanksgiving meal and made it in my pretty bundt pan. I decided the next time around, I would make it in a 9x13 so that the icing could really soak down in the cake. It was much better that way!!! Tos said that is how she always makes it too. Click on the recipe to see the picture of the bundt pan cake. I also made her Sweet Potato Casserole, which everyone loved!

Then came busy December...
Somewhere in between, I also made Chicken and Biscuit Dumplings so have now added a picture of that. My friend and her beau came over for a Christmas gathering and she brought her Taco Soup. It was very good! She's not known for her skills in the kitchen so I was very proud of her domestication! I made Symphony Brownies to go with dinner and had her some White Trash as a parting gift.

We've been to Atlanta to cheer on our favorite football team. ROLL TIDE! Then we went to Vegas to attend the National Finals Rodeo. One last trip before The Bun. WHEW!! I'm tired!

Mom and dad came up to see The Bun's room one of those weekends and she was wanting to try a frittata out of Southern Living. I hope to post that soon.

I guess that catches us up to Christmas! For my family's gathering Christmas eve, I made Goody Girl Championship Potatoes and Lady's Green Beans. Other things on our list of goodies besides the turkey and dressing was ham, Waldorf salad, macaroni and cheese, squash casserole, sweet potato casserole (the same mentioned above), pea salad, devilled eggs, cake, cookies, and more cake! Man there was a lot...I'm sure I am leaving something out!

Christmas day we hosted The Dish Washer's family at our home. With all the eating, we decided just to do heavy snack foods. We had dips and chips galore, mini pulled pork bbq sandwiches, twice baked new potatoes, and desserts coming out the wazoo including chocolate chip pound cake and Granny's Cut-Out Cookies. I also made a cheese bite that I plan to share soon and a lemon poppy seed cake that I have had on my mind since reading about it.

I also made this punch to serve and it was first time to make and try. Man this was soooo good and I am not typically a fan of hot apple cider. This has the warmth but a much different taste. It was in my handwritten cookbook that I have mentioned on here several times.

Hot Cranberry Punch

2 c. pineapple juice
2 c. cranberry juice
1 c. water
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. whole cloves
1-1//2 sticks cinnamon
pinch of salt

Put brown sugar, cloves, cinnamon and salt into percolator basket. Pour juices and water into percolator. Allow to hat for about 10 minutes or until perked. Remove basket. Can be refrigerated when cooled and reheated.

**I didn't have any cloves, so I just use two whole sticks of cinnamon instead.

Be looking for those other posts with the new recipes spread out over the next few days.

Peanut Butter Milkshake

Forget the Super Bowl!!! We've had a much more exciting day with a new baby in our family! Tossie had Baby Sister very early this morning. She is precious!! And her little baby neck (my weakness) is so cute! Today I was thinking a lot about how quickly they grow up. Big Sister was just born the other day (so it seems) and now she is three. And, oh man, is she excited about being a big sister. Lots of baby excitement in our families lately...my heart is full!

Peanut Butter Milkshake (I don't really have measurements)

large scoop of vanilla ice cream
large scoop frozen cool whip
1 spoonful of peanut butter (normally I am a Jif pb fan, but today, let's make it Reese's)
milk (depends on how thick or thin you like your shakes)

Blend all ingredients in blender until preferred consistency is reached.

Brew-Ha-Ha Punch

My Buddy (his mama and Deese, too!) just left my house for a quick visit. We had a little bit of time to buy wood from the lumber yard (aka Jinga blocks) and check them out with the cash register before he had to leave. I also fixed us a quick dinner (Reuben Casserole) that I had promised a while back. It was very good. Click on the recipe to see what change I would make for next time.

Halloween is just around the corner. When I was in high school, a group that I was a part of hosted a Halloween party for some kids. I can't remember now which group that would have been (maybe Key Club?), but I was assigned to make punch for the party and was given this recipe to use. It is really very good and I just love the name of it. Click here for some more cute Halloween treats over at Picky Palate.

Brew-Ha-Ha Punch

2 c. sugar
2 quarts water
2 envelopes lime drink mix
1 can pineapple juice
1 quart ginger ale

Stir sugar and water until sugar dissolves. Add other ingredients and chill.

Brunch Punch

Hasn't this weather been great?! I love being out on the porch this time of year. Tomorrow is another breakfast day at work, and I'm not cooking a thing!! I'm not in the cooking mood tonight. I can hardly believe it myself, because I really have some fun things to try. I can't very well not show up with anything and then partake in the breakfast goodies, so I am taking the easy way out. I've decided to take Brunch Punch.

Brunch Punch

1 (46 oz.) can pineapple juice
3 c. orange juice
2 c. cranberry juice
3/4 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. lime juice

Combine all together and stir until sugar is dissolved. Chill well and serve.

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I may not be in a cooking mood tonight, but Monday night I made the Sweet and Sour Pork Medallions. I have added a picture. Now I am off to watch Top Design...I caught the replays this weekend and while I was watching, I thought "holy cow, I've seen her before." She went to my school, so I am now cheering on the hometown girl.

Peach Lemonade

What do you do when life hands you lemons (and breaks your A/C)? You make lemonade, of course, and throw some peaches in to make it that much sweeter!! That fan is going non-stop, but in the picture it doesn't look like it! This is VERY REFRESHING!!

Peach Lemonade

3 large, very ripe peaches, cubed (skin on)

1/2 c. fresh lemon juice (about 4 lemons)

1-1/4 c. sugar (I used Splenda)

3 c. water

Process peaches in food processor or blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Pour peaches through a wire-mesh strainer into a pitcher, discarding solids. Add remaining ingredients, stirring until sugar dissolves. Serve over ice, garnishing each glass with a slice of peach, if desired.

Old-Fashioned Lemonade

Yesterday, MOTC and I were strolling a local Spring Festival and we decided to treat ourselves to some fresh lemondae...you know those lemonade stands that have INCREDIBLE lemonade. It inspired me to share a recipe for lemonade...

Old-Fashioned Lemonade

8 cups water
1-3/4 c. sugar
1-1/2 c. lemon juice (more fun to use fresh lemons even though more work, but nobody is looking!)

In a saucepan, bring 1 cup of water and the sugar to a boil until the sugar is disolved. Allow to cool to room temperature and then place in fridge until chilled.

In a pitcher, combine simple syrup, lemon juice and remaining water. Serve with a slice of lemon and ENJOY!

Certainly not as easy as adding water to a powder and stirring, but you may want to bust this one out when company is coming!