Valentine Dessert And a Free Local Event...

Need a recipe for February 14th?  Here ya go...

Gotta love recipes with cherry pie filling! 

This is how it appeared before going into the oven...

This is my donation for a Valentine event at the

 antique mall where I sell. 
 

Unfortunately -  I forgot to take a picture of the after.  

All I had left were the few pieces, above, which had fallen apart!  

It should look something like this...

Source

Ziegler's in the Country will be hosting a free Valentine Tea 

(meaning tasty goodies and booth sales throughout the mall) 

this weekend on Feb. 9th - 1-4 pm.  So if you are near

south central PA - you might want to check it out.  

2975 Elizabethtown Rd
Hershey, Pa 17033
717.533.1662

Now for that dessert recipe  (sorry for several food posts this week)...

Fruit Swirl Bars

1- 1 1/4 c. sugar
1/2 c. soft margarine or butter
1/2 c. Crisco
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. vanilla
1 t. almond extract
4 eggs
1/8 t. cinnamon (optional)
3 c. flour
1 1/2 cans cherry pie filling

Beat sugar and shortenings and eggs on high 3 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients.  Spread 2/3 of batter in 10x15
greased pan.  Spread cherry pie filling over batter.  Drop 
remaining batter onto pie filling.  Bake 350 degrees 30 min.

Glaze

1 1/4 c. confect. sugar
2 T. lemon juice
1 t. melted marg. or butter

Drizzle over cake after removing from oven while still warm (but not hot)

Tip - I made 3/4 of this recipe using 1 can pie filling and a 9x13 pan.

Enjoy!  ~Joyce

Make Your Own Air Freshener For Pennies....

One day on Pinterest I discovered an air freshener recipe.  

I decided to try it - with what I had on  hand. 

I'm happy to announce that it works!  I used plain old tap water 

and this orange oil - picked up at a local

 discount grocery store for 99 cents...

You can find this oil here if you're interested and

 can't find any essential oils in your area.

I'm happy to have an all natural alternative to store bought air fresheners.  

That first link I shared will give you a lowdown of all the yuck in most of them.

To make: 1 T. baking soda, 3-5 drops essential oil,

 water (distilled if you like)

Mix oil into baking soda.  Pour baking soda mixture into 

spray bottle and fill with water.  Shake - and that's it!
I used the bottle from my old air freshener - thrifty huh?

You can supposedly also use this to freshen fabrics and carpets - 

but I've not tried it that way.  I'm so happy with this discovery!  

What cleaning or home products have you tried that you like?  

I'd love to know about them.

Be blessed & stay healthy ~Joyce
Linking to Home Sweet Home Linky Party

Loving Winter...

My Love and I have been out shooting the winter wonderland 

we're currently living in.   It's fun for us to compare our photos.   

First up - from my country drive with my 'point and shoot' camera...

There was still some Christmas decor in place.

 We live near an old mill with photogenic buildings...

And a few shots from our own backyard...

Now from the 'fancy schmancy' camera - 

on different back roads that My Love travelled.
He wasn't thrilled with these - but I like 'em!

Don't you just want to head down this winding road?

 The perfect snowman...

Are you experiencing winter where you live?  

Might as well embrace it in all its beauty!

The Lord bless you this day ~Joyce
Linking to Wow Us Wednesday

Antique Cookie Recipe...

Today I'm sharing a recipe from my Auntie's VERY old cookbook...

 Oatmeal Refrigerator Cookies are simple to make...

Essentially you just mix them up... 

Wrap 2 logs of dough in wax paper...  

Chill... Slice and bake.

Homemade cookies anyone?

I didn't make these gluten free - so I didn't try any.

But My Love assured me they are good!
Would love to hear if you enjoyed them.

Oatmeal Refrigerator Crisps

1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1 1/2 c. flour
3 c. oatmeal
1 c. coconut


Cream shortening and sugars.  Add egg, vanilla & coconut.  Beat well.  
Add remaining ingredients slowly.  Mix well.  Form dough into 2 logs 
about 2" in diameter.  Wrap in waxed paper.  Chill (freezer for 1 hour).
Slice with sharp know about 1/4" thick.  Place on cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees till lightly browned or they appear just ever so 
slightly underbaked (will finish baking when removed from oven).
Makes approx. 5 dozen.

                           Linking to Twirl and Take a Bow Tuesday

A Pink and Burlap Budget Friendly Wedding...

We were honored to be invited to a friend's wedding this past weekend.  

It blessed me to see the simple beauty in this wedding....  

all without breaking the bank.  (Here's hoping the bride will not take offense!)  

But it truly was 'simply' - beeeuuutiful! 

Before entering the church gym 'reception hall' - 

we were greeted with this wonderful birch log display 

which gave our seating assignments...

 

Self-serve and tasty appetizers were offered while we waited 

for the reception to begin...

 Loved the table settings...

Yep - we were table #13.  

(Don't worry - I'm not the least bit superstitious.)

 The favors at each place setting were these sweet jars 

of apple butter - 'Jam packed with love'...

A twine and clothespin photo display above the gift table...

Our gift was the basket on the floor on the left.   

I enjoy making the container part of the gift... 

makes for simple and attractive wrapping.

And of course, a few parting shots of the handsome couple.

Signing the marriage certificate...

And posing just for me...

Love, loved her handmade dress...
(The gym was a bit chilly - so the sweater was a nice 'after the ceremony' wrap.)

The Lord bless your marriage my friends!  I know you'll choose to be

faithful to Him and each other... in good times and bad.  Love you!
Linking to Modest Monday