Pulled pork BBQ beef Little Smokies in bbq sauce Guacamole Salsas Onion dip Mexican Pizza - On a large flat platter or pizza pan layer 1 large can refried beans, 3 or 4 mashed avocados, chopped green onions, small can of green chilies, some taco sauce or salsa, chopped olives, chopped tomatoes and cover the whole thing with 8 oz. of shredded cheddar. Serve with tortilla chips. Most guys like foods that familiar and simple. Sweet mixed with salt and too many veggie ingredients are snack killers.

At present I'm working toward going part time this summer. I may not go full time until I retire from my "day" job. Cooking and sewing have been my favorite activities for many years. As a teen, I did alot more sewing than cooking. As a stay-at-home mom I did more cooking than sewing. As a single mom, I had to make time for both and work in a little gardening all while working outside the home full time and being a full time mom to my sons. I believe deeply that families should sit down together for meals as much as possible. I hope I can help today's families do that more often. Thanks for the encouragement.....stay tuned....

My favorite is by Paul Prudhomme. It sounds really spicy, but isn't. I think the combination of the beef and pork is what keeps it moist. CAJUN MEAT LOAF SEASONING MIX: 2 bay leaves 1 tsp. Salt 1 tsp. Ground cayenne pepper 1 tsp. Ground Black pepper 1/2 tsp. Ground White pepper 1/2 tsp. Ground cumin 1/2 tsp. Ground nutmeg MAIN INGREDIENTS: 4 Tblsp. Unsalted butter 3/4 cup finely chopped onions 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions 2 tsp. Minced garlic 1 Tblsp. Tabasco sauce 1 Tblsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup evaporated milk 1/2 cup ketchup 1-1/2 lbs. Ground sirloin 1/2 lb. Ground pork 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1 cup very fine bread crumbs Combine seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. Melt butter in a 1-qt. Saucepan over medium heat. Add onions, celery, bell pepper, green onions, garlic, Tabasco, Worcestershire, and seasoning mix. Sauté until mixture starts sticking excessively, about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping the pan bottom well. Stir in the milk and ketchup. Continue cooking for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow mixture to cool to room temperature. Place ground beef and pork in an ungreased 13x9-inch pan. Add eggs, cooked vegetable mixture, and bread crumbs. REMOVE BAY LEAVES. Mix by hand until thoroughly combined. In the center of the pan, shape the mixture into a loaf. Bake, uncovered, at 350° F. for 25 minutes, then raise heat to 400° F. and continue baking until done, about 35 minutes longer. Serve immediately. **This is best using both beef and pork, but can be made with beef only.** From Paul PrudhommeÂs A Louisiana Kitchen.

ever since making cranberry jezabel a few years ago, i decided that i actually liked cranberry sauce! not a doubt in my mind that i need to do a test run on that ginger/pear recipe! and what's even more clear is that i am just going to have to try out marilyn's version of stuffing! and you are right, ann--you don't mess with family favorites on thanksgiving and i know that ted's sister would just love that sweet potato recipe of yours and i'm going to make sure she gets it--thank you! and thanx for the "cheater baked beans" chase. i've made annie's several time and i'm sure we'd enjoy your version as well--we both are fans of limas! and of COURSE your family must have those beautiful dills of yours! it just wouldn't be right, otherwise...i'm glad you and elery will be able to share the time together annie, and raise a toast to all that have gone before us. sometimes traditions change long before we are ready for them to do so... i was going to try out one other new dish this year--an apple and cranberry sauce. it smelled so good while it was cooking that i even toyed with the idea of making some little pastry cups and adding in a teaspoon or two of the leftover sauce for later on. well--back to the drawing board. there wasn't room for everything in the fridge and it's been quite cold out so i put the covered sauce pan out on the deck and sort of forgot about it. we had just finished mixing the stuffing last night and time to rearrange things, and i remembered my sauce! so i went out to get it. man, that saucepan was HEAVY! well you boob. we'd had a driving rain the night before and that lid just couln't compete with the wind--my cranberry sauce is now soup! ladle anyone? anyway, a clink of my coffee cup to all--hope you have a wonderful and peaceful day regardless of what is or isn't on the menu this year!