Cloudy dreary Monday…

with rain on the way to change to snow flurries tonight.  Flurries I can handle, freezing rain and inches of snow NO!

Sticking to my promise that I was through Christmas shopping I took a huge bag of clothing, shoes and books to Good Will.  I ventured no further even though Good Will is situated right in the heart of the shopping area.  I have to call a halt sometime.  I have spent way more this year than I planned.  I am helping our economy to recover; that is what I have been telling myself.    One good thing in my favor is I pay cash when I shop so no big credit card bill after the 1st of the year.

I am getting ready to start my candy making.  The first thing I am making is White Marshmallow Candy.  This candy is luscious.

 

White Marshmallow Candy

 

by Beth Marie in Candy

Marcia gave me this recipe a long time ago. 

• 2 lbs white bark  (I never have white bark so I use Nestle’s white chocolate chips)
  
• 1 cup crunchy peanut butter
  
• 2 cups dry roasted peanuts
  
• 3 cups crisp rice cereal
  
• 2 cups miniature marshmallows (the colored ones make this candy look festive)

Melt bark and peanut butter together in microwave in a large bowl.  Stir every minute until melted. Add nuts and cereal to the melted mixture.  Stir in marshmallows.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper and let cool.  Freezes well so you can make this way ahead.

My sister has asked that we all say a prayer for an 11 year old boy in WV who is in a wheelchair.  He is being hospitalized today with critical liver problems.  I am not at liberty to divulge his name because of confidentiality.

“Our Father in heaven, please be with this child today.  Hold his hand, be with his family, and keep them all in Your care.  Please heal his body if it be thy will.  In Jesus name I pray, and for His sake.”  Amen.  Thank you.

  Beth

Walkin’ to Missouri…

Sammy Kaye
Peaked at # 11 in 1952
Words and music by Bob Merrill, 1952


Poor little robin walkin', walkin', WALKIN' TO MISSOURI;
He can't afford to fly.
Got a penny for a Poor little robin, walkin' walkin' WALKIN' TO MISSOURI
Got a teardrop in his eye.

The above is the chorus for the three verses which follow:

1.  I hope my story don't make you cry,
But this birdie flew too high;
He flew from his old Missouri home.
He fell right into the city ways, like dancin' in cabarets,
>From party to party he would roam.

(Chorus)

2.  He met a birdie who looked so nice,
A real bird of paradise,
Good lookin' but fickle in the heart.
She gave him kisses and gave him sighs,
But oh, how she told him lies,
'Cause she loved another from the start.

(Chorus)

3.  His dreams are battered, his feathers bent,
Now he hasn't got a cent;
He feels like his heart is gonna break.
So if he ever walks up to you,
Please throw him a crumb or two,
'Cause you could have made the same mistake.

I was reading Toodie’s blog this morning and it made me feel very nostalgic.  I was born in a log cabin in Missouri in the age of the dinosaur.  It has been many years since I have visited, actually was the funeral of my oldest sister 25 years ago.  I would love to visit the place of my birth again.

  Beth

WOW!!

I am worn out from facing Black Friday.  No, I didn’t go at midnight like a lot of people.  My niece and I left at 8 AM.  I went by the post office and mailed a package to Australia.  Then to K Mart and Wal*Mart and finished off at Culvers for lunch.  I definitely am through with my Christmas shopping now and much poorer for it.   Thanksgiving morning my daughter and I went out early in the morning and I bought the bargains.

The Thanksgiving meal with Mike’s brother’s family was very nice.  Lots of good food, way too much to mention.  I had quite a time getting all of their family straight, who belonged to who (or is it whom?) etc.  But it was fun and they were all very nice to me.  Rousing games of Uno and Trouble were played with Tessa (who is almost 5) taking an active part.  That child is really bright!

It is sunny today but windy and very cold.  It is 32 degrees and I don’t think it will get much higher today.   I guess winter is here. 

I hope you all had a very nice holiday and remembered to count your blessings.

  Beth

Happy Thanksgiving…

Are the pumpkin pies ready?  Is the turkey cooked?  Cranberry sauce anyone?  I fixed a Thanksgiving meal for my daughter and son in law last weekend.  Tomorrow I am going with them to my SIL’s brother’s house for Thanksgiving dinner.  All I have to take is hot rolls.  I can  do that. 

Things I have to be thankful for:

1.  My family

2.  My friends (to include all of my wonderful blog family)

3.  My health

4.  Last but not least and what sustains me and keeps me going, My faith in God.

I have many more things I am thankful for.  Each day I am able to get out of bed I thank God.  I am so thankful for our military troops keeping our great country free.  On a frivolous note I am thankful that Bristol did not win on DWTS last night.  What a travesty that has been.I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

  Beth

Records broke yesterday..

The high here yesterday reached 73 degrees and broke a record of 70 degrees set in 1908.  A tornado toppled a school bus yesterday in Northern Illinois.  Here we had thunderstorms and a heavy downpour.  The temp fell from 73 down into the 20s overnight.  Right now it is 27 degrees.  This means I will have to dig out my winter coat again before I run errands this morning.

I received a Christmas present from my brother yesterday.  A Nook, a violet t-shirt that says ‘Am I good sister or the evil sister,’ Rae got the same thing) and a Christmas tote bag.  Now I have to figure out how to use the Nook.  I see I have to have a wireless network or a 3-G network.  I have neither one so I have the dreaded cable company coming to hook me up a router.  I had a wireless network at home but when I moved here I gave my laptop and router to my SIL.  Any suggestions anyone? 

I really have to keep this short as I have to go to the bank this morning and run a couple of other errands.  Stay safe and be happy!!

  Beth

As I promised myself…

in addition to cooking the turkey on Friday I did manage to get the cleaning done.  I also put out the Christmas decorations, what few I do put out.  Number one on the list being the fiber optic angels that Jim was so fond of.  Then my other Christmas tree, three Christmas music boxes and finally the clock that plays a Christmas tune on the hour.  I really like that.  I think I will buy a small wreath for my front door as I see there is a place there to hang one.

Yesterday, I took dinner over to my daughter’s house.  Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, cake and cranberry relish.  I wrapped everything in newspaper and I managed to get it all there hot.  Of course the mashed potatoes were Kroger’s and the gravy belonged to Heinz and was packaged in a jar.  It was all very good and I left all leftovers and half of my baking dishes over there so that they could have a meal today without cooking.

It is foggy out this morning and the temp is to rise to the upper 60s with a sharp cold front coming through on Wednesday.  If my SIL is up to it we will go to his brother’s house for a meal on Thanksgiving.  Jim and I went with them once and there is always lots of food and people so that should be fun.

I need to finish this off as I have to leave in a few minutes.  I hope you all have a great day.

  Beth

http://www.realfood4realpeople.com/convert.html

Above is the link for conversion charts for our oven temps as opposed to England and Australia.  This is in answer to questions I received from England and Australian friends.  In answer to one question the c in my recipe stands for cup, thus, 1 c sugar equals 1 cup of sugar.  If you don’t have cornmeal in England or Australia but have corn flour you might Google and see if there is a recipe for corn bread using corn flour.  Since Illinois is famous for growing corn there is no shortage of cornmeal here. 

Has anyone noticed that Live Writer is being ornery today?  It will not let you put in a title and throws up categories that you may use or you may add one which is what I did.  I prefer to make up my own title, thank you very much live writer.

I got another turkey at the Food Depot on Wednesday.  It was 39 cents a pound with no minimum purchase.  Since I had already squeezed that other turkey in the freezer I had no choice but to put this one in the fridge to unthaw.  So, I have a 14 pound turkey cooking in the oven right now.  I am trying to make things a bit easier for my daughter.  This morning she took Mike for his first therapy session since coming home from the hospital.  Has anyone tried the different potato sides that  you can buy in the store now?  Bob Evans has a good mashed potato side as does Kroger in their version.  Am I getting lazy in my old age?  Nah, just trying to make things a bit easier.  Anyway, tomorrow I will cart stuff to eat over to my daughter’s house.

I had thought to clean today but I am having trouble getting in the mood.  I will do it this afternoon though, I promise myself.

I hope you all have a peaceful weekend.  Be happy!!

  Beth

Another gray November day…

and the temperature is hovering at 39 degrees.  I have been out and about this morning, first to get my hair cut, then out to pay my cable bill.  I had a nice little quarrel with Comcast as they tacked on a visit to my home that was supposed to be covered by the service maintenance plan I have.  Man, I am so unhappy with Comcast that I could spit nails.  My telephone service which is part of Triple Play goes out about once a week for an hour or two, sometimes for a whole afternoon.  When the phone goes out, my internet goes out, then I have to spend anywhere from 15 minutes on upward on my cell phone getting it all straightened out.  Frustrating as the devil!!

Then I took the ham and beans over to my daughter’s house.  For my friends in England and Australia that wanted to know about this dish, it is not like your pease porridge that you have.  It is made with Great Northern Beans.  After they have soaked (either in boiling water for 30 minutes, or overnight in cold water) you add water and cook them on top of the stove (or in a crockpot) along with some ham or bacon and other seasonings until they are done.  They are best served with hot cornbread.  Any leftover beans can be easily made into baked beans by adding catsup, brown sugar and a bit of mustard and baking for half an hour in a preheated 350 degree oven.

Perfect Homemade Cornbread

 

by Beth Marie in Breads

1 c. sifted flour
1/4 c. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1 c. yellow cornmeal
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 c. milk
1/4 c. shortening

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix first 4 ingredients, add cornmeal and cut in shortening (use your electric mixer). Then add milk and eggs, stirring until all is moistened. Let stand for 5 minutes. Pour into greased 9"x9" pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

I hope you are all having a great week.  Be happy!!

  Beth

Mike’s Home…

My son in law came home from the hospital this morning.  He seems to be doing very well.  Thank you all for the kind thoughts.

Would you  believe that it could be snow flurrying outdoors at 40 degrees?  Well it is.  It is a dark gray November day.  I just hope none of it decides to stick to the ground.

The squirrels are busy scurrying around in my front yard amid the pile of Oak leaves trying to get all of the acorns buried.  Quite a job for them.  I noticed my neighbor putting up a squirrel feeder next door.  Jim had them on our trees at home.  Squirrels can be ornery and messy but they are a lot of fun to watch.  I noticed a robin still here this week.  I am sure he will take off for southern parts any day now.  As he was all alone he will have some flying to do to catch up with his buddies.

I have ham and beans cooking which I will share with my kids.  They really smell good.  I will tell this story in hopes that my sis in law isn’t reading this.  A few years ago when she and my brother were first married she sent me an email asking how to fix ham and beans.  I got quite a chuckle out of that because that is usually one of the first things a wife learns to cook.    Of course not all newlyweds are as poor as Jim and I were when we were first married. Anyway, sort the beans, soak the beans, drain the beans, cover the beans with water, chop an onion in them, add the ham hock and cook until done, watching the water level and stirring occasionally.  Nothing to it.

I need to finish this off and get busy.

  Beth

"I think at the end of time, God will have us fill out our own evaluation."

OK, Where did Monday go?

I spent several hours  at the hospital with my daughter yesterday.  My son in law had knee replacement surgery.  He did just fine.  As soon as he was awake and on his way to his room I came home.  I am not much on hospitals, having spent many days and nights in the hospital with Jim in 2006.  But that is in the past and this is the future. Mike starts his therapy this morning and will probably get to go home on Wednesday.  This will be a long few weeks for him I imagine.

I read a friend’s blog this morning about counting cows mooing trying to get to sleep.  I thought about what I do in the same situation.  After prayers if I am having trouble falling asleep, I recite the first  line of the TOPS pledge over and over in my head.  “I am an intelligent person, I will control my emotions and not let my emotions control me.”  Say that out loud and stop and think how many time we let our emotions control us.  This usually causes us to say or do something that we are very sorry for almost immediately.  Hey, you are saying, how did this old gal know this.  I went to TOPS for several years when my children were small, in addition to working a full time job etc. Actually, a bad thing to do.    Lose 2 lbs one week and gain it right back.  I played with that same 2 lbs for several years.  Now I have a strict exercise program that I do each morning.

I am doing laundry this morning, the last is in the dryer.  Then I need to go to the store as I am out of a few things.  This afternoon, a quick trip to the hospital to see how my son in law is doing.  I hope this week is turning out to be a good one for you all.  Remember, we are just as happy as we let ourselves be.  Stay safe!

  Beth

We’re Only Here for a Little While…

Songwriters: Holyfield, W; Leigh, R;

I'm gonna hold who needs holdin'
Mend what needs mendin'
Walk what needs walkin'
Though it means an extra mile
Pray what needs prayin'
Say what needs sayin'
'Cause we're only here
For a little while
Today I stood singin' songs and sayin','Amen'
Saying goodbye to an old friend who seemed so young
He spent his life workin' hard to chase a dollar
Putting off until tomorrow the things he should have done
Made me start thinking, "What's the hurry, why the runnin'?
I don't like what I'm becoming, gonna change my style
Take my time and I take it all for granted
'Cause we're only here for a little while"
Gonna hold who needs holdin'
Mend what needs mendin'
Walk what needs walkin'
Though it means an extra mile
Pray what needs prayin'
Say what needs sayin'
'Cause we're only here
For a little while
Let me love like I'll never see tomorrow
Treat each day as though it's borrowed
Like it's precious as a child
Oh, take my hand
Let us reach out to each other
'Cause we're only here for a little while
Gonna hold who needs holdin'
Mend what needs mendin'
Walk what needs walkin'
Though it means an extra mile
Pray what needs prayin'
Say what needs sayin'
'Cause we're only here
For a little while
Gonna hold who needs holdin'
Mend what needs mendin'
Walk what needs walkin'
Though it means an extra mile
Pray what needs prayin'
Say what needs sayin'
'Cause we're only here
For a little while.

This is the way I am feeling today.

  Beth

Our Homeless Vets http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm

“Veteran-specific highlights from the USICH report include:

23% of the homeless population are veterans
33% of the male homeless population are veterans
47% served Vietnam-era
17% served post-Vietnam
15% served pre-Vietnam
67% served three or more years
33% were stationed in war zone
25% have used VA homeless services
85% completed high school/GED, compared to 56% of non-veterans
89% received an honorable discharge
79% reside in central cities
16% reside in suburban areas
5% reside in rural areas
76% experience alcohol, drug or mental health problems
46% are white males, compared to 34% of non-veterans
46% are age 45 or older, compared to 20% non-veterans
Service needs cited include:

45% need help finding a job
37% need help finding housing”

These are newer statistics from what I posted in another one of my blogs.  These statistics are heartbreaking.  Please read this link to find out what we all can do to help.

************************************************************************************************************************

This has been a rather lazy day for me.  To be quite honest, all I have done so far today is to clean out the small hallway closet.  I need another room for as much junk as I have.  I thought when I moved that I was getting rid of a lot, evidently not nearly enough.

Kroger has small turkeys for 59 cents a pound this week.  With careful maneuvering I managed to get a 12 pound one in the freezer above my fridge.  This necessitated my cleaning out the freezer, which I hate to do and in the process I discovered a bag of frozen banana puree.  I save the bananas that are too ripe and mash and freeze them.  This meant I had to make banana bread yesterday which I hadn’t planned to do.  Recipe on my recipe site listed under Breads.  I gave most of it to my daughter who is planning to treat her co-workers tonight.

I hope this is a super weekend for us all.  I plan to do some more Christmas shopping tomorrow.

  Beth

Veterans Day Prayer and Meditation

 

May we take a few moments to reflect, remembering those who served our country well ...

"You gave for peace with courage
That families may be free
So children could grow strong
And safe they'd ever be.

In giving for the sake of peace
You may have suffered loss
Your body may still show its wounds
From taking up the cause.
May remembrance of your time away
Your sacrifice for peace
Spur us on to strive more strongly
For freedom, that there'll be release.
From causes that sent some away
To fight that we may freely live
With gratefulness we thank you, veterans
For all you gave and give!"

Prayer by Susan Helene Kramer

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I am remembering our veterans today with heartfelt thanks to all of those men and women who unselfishly fought for our country in the past and the ones who are involved in the turmoil of our world today.  May God Bless them all.  A special thanks to my brothers who spent several tours of duty in ‘Nam, to my Jim for his time spent in Korea and to all of my friends and relatives who served us in the military.  I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

  Beth

Wednesday, rant day..

and there is good reason to rant  and make mention of the fact that because the young mother of two small boys has no insurance she is being released from the hospital today, far too early for the many injuries she suffered.  Remember, Angel, is a young friend of my sister Rae.  Angel was injured in an automobile accident last week on her way to work at Mainstream.  She is a struggling single mother, trying to make ends meet.  Her closest family is a sister who is trying to take care of Angel’s boys while she is recuperating.  She suffered many broken bones and lacerations; all from an accident that will most likely be traced back to the car she was driving.  My sister is trying desperately to help her by making many phone calls on her behalf.  This is all thwarted by the fact that Angel is no relation to my sis so because of the privacy act she (Rae) has hit a bunch of brick walls.  Please do continue to remember Angel in your prayers as this young lady has a long hard row in front of her.

Yesterday morning I had a dental appointment to get my teeth cleaned.  Now that is one thing I hate with a passion, all of the poking and prodding around on my teeth.  My mouth is always sore for several days afterward.  What is the alternative?  Yep, you said it, so I will continue to go every 6 months and get my teeth cleaned as much as I hate it.

It is a lovely day today, up close to 70 again.  The colder, more seasonal weather, is due back this weekend.  The weeks fly by so fast, it will soon be spring again.

My son in law is having surgery on his knee next Monday morning.  This kind of puts a damper on Thanksgiving activities so I probably will get a small turkey and fix the works here that day.  It seems so hard to gather family around for holidays anymore and this makes me sad.  There definitely will be no going to the boat for the buffet  on Thanksgiving as it appears my son will be unable to come that day.  Now I am shooting for Christmas. 

I should get started on some house cleaning.    I hope you all are having a good day.

  Beth

I had a wonderful time…

last night.  The concert was great, the crowd was enthusiastic and even though he had cancelled some shows recently because of illness, Don Williams still did a superb job.  Near the end of the program he was singing “You’re My Best Friend” when he started coughing so bad.  The audience finished singing the song for him.  It was awesome!  Another backup singer was coughing too.  I did see something last night that I hadn’t seen since Jim and I saw Willie Nelson and Emmylou Harris in concert at the Assembly Hall in Champaign Il many years ago.  Willie had short hair then and he and Emmylou were just starting their careers.  There was liquor sold and allowed in the theater during the concert that night and also at the concert last night.  I really don’t approve of this, but I will say this, booze sure revs up the crowd.    There were a lot of young people in the audience and Williams (who was recently inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame) got several standing ovations.  I did purchase a greatest hits DVD that I can play now that I know how to work my DVD player with the cable.

It is going to be a lovely day, it is 39 degrees now to reach 70 today.  My kind of day!!

I hope you all have a good day.  Let’s all make the most of it as we have no way of knowing if this will be our last one.  Stay safe and be happy.

  Beth

I remember this old song…

I remember this old song from when I was a small child growing up in Western IL.  The second video is really funny.  The first video is mostly a promotion of a local radio station.

I just talked to my sis in WV.  Angel has broken ribs in addition to her other broken bones and lacerations.  She will be in the hospital for quite some time.  She has asked Rae to ask me to thank you all for the prayers and to please continue with them as they are appreciated so much.

I have just been on the phone with the gal that was my maid of honor when I was married 100 years ago.  She lives up the road from me a few miles.  Talk about a small, small world.

Tonight is the night that my daughter and I are heading off to see Don Williams.  I am looking forward to that although with the time change I will be out past my regular bedtime. 

  Beth

Busy morning for a Saturday…

and I have been to a Christmas  Bazaar (I hope I spelled that right as the spell checker didn’t scream at me) at the hospital, a handmade quilt fair at the Miller Senior Center and topped it off by stopping by Kroger's where they were having their Christmas Appreciation Day.  My daughter and I did all of that this morning.  I got some lovely things, including a gorgeous little Christmas tree.  All things were pricey, but for a very good cause so I paid up without one single complaint.  I love Christmas bazaars.  It never fails to amaze me the talent that people have.  In my younger days I did a lot of crafts too, plus knitting and sewing and I am sorry to say I don’t do that much anymore.  I have located my knitting bag and lots of yarn.  The thought has crossed my mind to get a sewing machine too.  We shall see if these things come to pass. 

Thank you all for your prayers for Angel.  I don’t have an update on her condition but I will have later this afternoon.  Rae (my sister) and her daughter have gone to the hospital this morning to see how she is.  Rae did talk with Angel last night and she was overwhelmed when she was told that prayers were being said for her all around the world.  Thank you all so much!!  Her accident remains a mystery as she was driving one of those cars (I will not mention the name) that has been plagued in the last year or so with sudden acceleration recalls.  One minute she was driving normally and the next minute she had been involved in an accident.

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend.  Kerrie (Australia) if you are reading this it is urgent that you send me an email as soon as possible. 

  Beth

Prayer request from my sis in WV…

“Beth, please go on your blog and ask for prayer for a young lady at Mainstream.  Her name is Angel.  She was seriously injured this morning in a car accident going to work.  She has a broken collarbone, tailbone and pelvis.  Also a severe cut in the groin area and numerous other cuts.  She has two small boys and is a single mother without insurance.  So if you will just ask them to pray that an angel will be with Angel.”  THANK you all for your kind thoughts and prayers for Angel. 

  Beth

Don Williams video from You Tube by request…

This is my Don Williams Ian.  Is it the same as yours?  My friend Ian from Australia asked me to post this video so he could determine if it is the same Don Williams he has seen in concert.

I am heading off for the grocery stores in a few minutes.  I hope you all have a great day.

  Beth

Yes, I did…

I started my Christmas shopping yesterday.  My daughter and I went to Kohls in East Peoria where I managed to spend a big chunk.  That did include a new winter coat for me and several Christmas presents.  Then afterwards we ate at the China Buffet.  It was not bad as there was a lot of American food there.  I don’t like Chinese food as it seems to me that there is cabbage in everything.  Lots of different desserts too.  You should remember as I am telling you about these places we eat at that I only eat one plateful of food.  Otherwise I wouldn’t be able to waddle.    Plus I workout every day and that helps too.

A friend of my daughter got tickets for us and we are going to see Don Williams Sunday night at the Peoria Civic Center.  Most of you have probably never heard of him.  He is a classic country artist who ranks right there with George Jones and Johnny Cash.  Williams is best known for his # 1 hit You’re My Best Friend.  I love that song.

“You placed gold on my finger
You brought love like I've never known
You gave life to our children
And to me, a reason to go on.

Chorus:

You're my bread when I'm hungry
You're my shelter from troubled winds
You're my anchor in life's ocean
But most of all, you're my best friend.

When I need hope and inspiration
You're always strong when I'm tired and weak.
I could search this whole world over
You'd still be everything that I need.”

I am doing laundry this morning.  I have one load finished and one in the dryer.  I am planning to go to visit my sister’s grave today and put some flowers in her vase.  Her birthday is November 5.  Then I have to go by the pharmacy and pick up some prescriptions so it will be a busy morning.

Stay safe and be happy.

  Beth

How to use up your Halloween Candy…

I had 3 trick or treaters between 5 and 7PM last night.  I just found out from my daughter that most of the churches in town had set up tail-gates to give out candy to the costumed children.  I did get to see my great niece.  She was adorable but she is like a little bolt of lightning at 18 months.  This is the best pic I could get of her as she was somersaulting and going non stop all of the time.  To complete her costume she had red glittery shoes but she didn’t stand still long enough for me to get a picture of them.      SNICKERS® COOKIES

Cookie made with SNICKERS® Brand Bars. 1 c. sugar 1 c. brown sugar 1 c. butter 1 c. peanut butter 1 (16 oz.) pkg. SNICKERS® bars, miniature size 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. soda 3 c. flour 2 eggs, beaten Cream together sugar, brown sugar, butter and peanut butter. Add vanilla extract and eggs; mix. Add dry ingredients. Cut candy bars in fourths. Wrap dough around each piece forming a ball. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 350°F for 12-18 minutes or until golden brown.

Baby Ruth Cookies Recipe

Photo by: Taste of Home

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
  
• 3/4 cup sugar
  
• 1 egg
  
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
• 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 2 Baby Ruth candy bars (2.1 ounces each), chopped

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in candy bars.
  
• Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Immediately remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 4 dozen.

BUTTERFINGER CANDY COOKIES

1 1/4 c. flour 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1 stick unsalted butter 3/4 c. sugar 1 egg 1 c. butterfinger candy bars, chopped 1/2 tsp. vanilla Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Cream butter and sugar together. Beat in egg and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients and candy pieces. Chill dough for 1/2 to 1 hour. Drop by teaspoons full onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 8-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire cooling racks.   Beth