Chocolate-Orange Balls

6-ounce package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons corn syrup
1/2 cup orange juice
2 1/2 cups vanilla wafers, crushed
1 cup chopped nuts

Assortment of colored sugars for garnish, if desired.

Combine chocolate chips, sugar and corn syrup in a heavy saucepan. Stir until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat, stir in orange juice. Add vanilla wafer crumbs and nuts, mix well. Chill until firm. Form dough into 1" balls. Roll in colored sugar if desired. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 weeks.
Makes about 1 pound

Received in a swap ......

this little snowman was, a few years back. He is made from a finger of a glove. Stuffed and stiffened.

Peanut Butter Chipper Cookies

18-oz. tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup peanuts, coarsely chopped

Blend together cookie dough and peanut butter in a large bowl until smooth. Mix in chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and nuts until evenly distributed. Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Let cool slightly on baking sheets: remove to wire racks and cool. Makes 2 to 3 dozen.

I did these 5 ornaments for a woman here in town that lost her daughter back in the winter to cancer. The mother is 92 and is one of the sweetest ladies I know. Known her my whole life. I also made one for the husband, their daughter and her 2 kids. Normally I get a picture of them and shrink it down to thumbnail size and put a few inside and then also one on the ribbon but didn't have one. Thought of asking the family but hated to do that. I went to the cemetery after work the day of the funeral and picked the flowers out to dry. Hoping to take them by later tonight.

Snappy Asparagus Dip

1 lb asparagus, trimmed, cooked and pureed
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup salsa
1/8 teaspoon lime juice
cayenne pepper, salt and pepper to taste

Combine all together, mix well. Cover and refrigerate until chilled. Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

Good with fresh veggies or tortilla chips

Ornament received in the CIJ swap

I received this from Michelle (MinnieCo). It is cute. I have the stuff to do mini ones.

Isn't the box cute that she fixed for it?

Click to enlarge.

Give Away for Christmas In July

I will hold this give away for the whole month of July. On July 31st the winner will be chosen by all the names being put in and one drawn out.

Would appreciate you posting a recipe, craft, decorating ideal, or money saving tip or tips on how you make it thru the holiday season.

OR...........

You can post any type of wedding ideals. DD getting married May 21st. Colors are orange and fuschia. Any decorating (center pieces, flowers etc), favors or anything. We have alot of ideals and think most is set but this is a way to really bring different ideals in.

The shower will be an open house type of thing.

Please spread the word about the give away.

Be sure to leave an e-mail addy or a way to contact you if you should win!