Mellen.....box got there quick! the one thing i wanted to include i could not find. I wanted to send paula deens bbq sauce or marinade BUT it was no where around here to be found. will have to track some down to stock up. last time i bought it i got the last 2 jars. now i cant find any! the envie should be arriving soon also Woot I got a box from IOWA it arrived Saturday! I got the plants in the ground yesterday. and for life of me cannot remember what they were! Read your lovely note to kiddo. She said wow mom she knows all about her state. We know nothing about ours like that! as i was reading it i showed her the goodies! I had 2 cookbooks - now i have a total of 6 in my collection! (see what you guys got started? lol) nah cant blame it on yall. although ive gotten 3 total from obf trades-my grandmother had like a gazillion when she died but my aunt took them all!)One from Iowas sesquicentennial anniversary. one from the church mellen grew up in - full of her family recipes! ( your note is in the cookbook now so i can remember which are family of yours!) I will quote some from the note maryellen wrote. and tell ya what i got! besides 2 cookbooks. Iowa is one of the top hog producing states - i got a box of ready to eat bacon - heat in the microwave and its ready@! Iowa is one of the top cattle producing states - i got beef sausage made in IA. ( while reading this kiddo said oooo do we get a calf? lol some reason she wants a baby calf. i said NONONO!) lol IA also known for corn - so we got some popcorn grown in IA. Great for movie night next weekend. BBQ sauce made in IA. some new hersheys chocolate truffles! were a little melted but but them in fridge and they are good! OOOOOOo i love a box with food! ty so much mellen!!!

Hi all, I come by and check but don't read everything. I see Marci and Dee said hi, and maybe others have, too. My family's left. I don't know if I mentioned it, but they were successful in their attempt to set up swimming with the dolphins. I couldn't go to that, but did get to swim in the ocean. That's not something I can ordinarily do because of my illness and disabilities. I tried to post a couple of days ago, but everything that came out sounded upset and I didn't want to scare anyone. :) I've been ill the last few days. I talked to my doctor and she said it sounds like viral meningitis. That's the mild kind, not the kind that can leave a person brain damaged or dead, so its nothing to worry about, just uncomfortable - who needs more pain and fatigue. I might go in to her office tomorrow. Tropical Storm Celia went by here yesterday. She was a hurricane a few days ago, but diminished. There was thunder and lightning and heavy rain and winds, but nothing too damaging. Just enough excitement but not too much. I've got into anime for reasons I won't go into. I ordered Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz. Has anyone here seen it? Does anyone know or remember the song by Don McLean, "Chain Lightning?" I've always liked that song. Very dramatic. My internet relationship, which I talked about earlier, is still going strong - seven months now. I said that he is very unhappy and troubled, which is still true, but he has turned out to be also very caring, intelligent, and sweet. I hope we can continue to be friends for a long time, and I hope his situation improves for him. I've been reading about the get together next year. Remember, I'd like a video. :) I know that it will be a blast. It's nice to come here and have this group. You are such a loving bunch where all are welcome. There have been so many ups and downs, but people are always supportive and caring. Love to you, thanks for remembering me, and I hope everyone has a good day. I'm not spending as much time here as I was, which may change (who knows) but I won't get lost. It's been so frustrating to me when others that I care about quit posting and then I never know how they are doing. Also I've asked my son to let people here know if anything happens to me so that everyone won't be wondering. He knows how important this group has been to me. Amy

Next Saturday is the start of college football season--woo hoo! I think I will make these and freeze half for another Saturday. I will probably use Havarti instead of Swiss. Harry isn't crazy about it (but he likes gueyere??). HAM AND CHEESE SLIDERS (The Girl Who Ate Everything) 24 good white dinner rolls 24 pieces good honey ham 24 small slices Swiss cheese 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1/3 cup miracle whip Poppy Seed Sauce: 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds 1 1/2 Tablespoons yellow mustard 1/2 cup butter, melted 1 Tablespoon minced onion 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise and miracle whip. Spread onto both sides of the center of each roll. Place a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss inside of each roll. Close rolls and place them into a large baking dish or heavy cookie sheet. Place very close together. In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the poppy seed sauce ingredients. Pour evenly over all of the sandwiches. You do not have to use all of the sauce! Just use enough to cover the tops. Let sit 10 minutes or until butter sets slightly. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Uncover and cook for 2 additional minutes or until tops are slightly brown and crispy. Serve warm. Note: Sandwiches can be assembled a day ahead and kept in the fridge ready to bake.

Made this for my MOnday potluck lunch and dish was empty when I went home. Delicious! Lemon Cream Salad 10 ounces lemon-lime carbonated beverage 1 cup miniature marshmallows 6 ounces cream cheese 1 (6-ounce) package lemon flavored gelatin 20 ounces frozen red raspberries in syrup, drained ***I used canned blueberries, drained 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained 3/4 cup chopped pecans 1 cup whipped topping (recommended: Cool Whip brand) In a saucepan over low heat, combine lemon-lime beverage, marshmallows and cream cheese and stir until smooth. Remove mixture from heat and add lemon-flavored gelatin until dissolved. Stir in thr raspberries, pineapple and pecans and chill until mixture is the consistency of unbeaten egg whites. Fold in whipped topping and pour into a lightly oiled 5 cup gelatin mold. Chill until firm and serve.