Easy Raspberry Pie



I love raspberries and any food  that has the word raspberry in the name.  This Raspberry pie is so simple to
make.  It is a nice and refreshing pie on a hot summer day.



Ingredients:
2/3 cup boiling water
1 package 3 oz. Raspberry Jello
Ice Cubes
1/2 cup cold water
1 tub 8 oz. Cool Whip, thawed
1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust

Instructions:
Add boiling water to gelatin mix in large bowl.  Stir for 2 minutes until gelatin is completely dissolved.  Add enough ice cubes to cold water to measure 1 cup.  Add to gelatin.  Stir until slightly thickened.  Remove any unmelted ice. Whisk in Cool Whip until well blended.  Refrigerate 20 minutes or until the mixture is thick enough to mound. 
Spoon mixture into crust.
Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.


Honey Glazed Carrots


I always struggle with side dishes for dinner, especially vegetable side dishes.  We usually just eat lots of salads.  I've been trying to cook (eat) more vegetables.  This recipe is so simple and tasty.

Ingredients:

1 lb. bag baby carrots
1/4 cup Honey
Pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line a baking pan with  foil.  Mix carrots and olive oil together and pour into the baking pan.  Drizzle honey over carrots.  Season with pepper.  Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until carrots are tender.     

Luau Party



I help plan the activities for the women at my church (Relief Society extra meetings).  In March we celebrated the Relief Society's Birthday by having a Luau Party.  We had a wonderful time!

Invitations:


Decorations: 

Happy Birthday Sign

Bowls filled with tropical fruits and leis


Tables:

 Flowers as centerpieces, leis, and forks wrapped with napkins



Food:

 Hawaiian Haystacks


Drinks:



Dessert: 

Lemon and Carrot Cake Cupcakes with buttercream frosting and an umbrella on top





Folded Napkins

Wrapping forks, knives, and or spoons in napkins is a simple way to make parties or events look more festive.  Here are step by step picture instructions to fold a fork inside of a napkin.





(Turn Over)



(Turn Over)
  Wrap with ribbon and connect with glue dots. 
You can also tie a bow instead. 

 Use a glue dot to attach flower.  

Stick a jewel on top of flower. 







Hawaiian Lemonade


This Hawaiian Lemonade is a refreshing lemonade drink perfect for any luau or summer party.  

Ingredients:

6 ounces can frozen lemonade concentrate
3/4 cup water
1 12 ounce can apricot nectar or peach nectar
12 ounce can unsweetened pineapple juice
ice cubes
1 1/4 cups ginger ale
Lemon slices (optional)


Directions

Combine lemonade concentrate and water. 
Add nectar and pineapple juice
Stir well.
Add ice cubes and ginger ale.
Stir.
Top with lemon slices if desired

Recipe from  food.com

Oreo kisses


Most people love Oreos.  Most people love Hershey's kisses.  Most people love personalized notes.   


So, MOST PEOPLE will love these Oreo truffle kisses,

To make these delicious treats you:

Need:
* 1 package oreo cookies (all but 7)
* 1 8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
* Chocolate bark

* Foil 
* Paper and pen

Instructions:
* Finely crush a package of Oreo cookies (all but 7).  I used my Vitamix.  This was fast and easy.  
* Cream the crushed Oreos with one package of softened cream cheese.  
* Once the Oreos and cream cheese are well mixed put them in the fridge to harden a little (about 30 min.)
*  Roll into 1 inch balls.  Push them down to flatten the base and then mold to look like a kiss by pinching the tops.   
* Place the molded kisses onto parchment or wax paper on a cookie sheet.  
* Place in freezer or fridge until they are hard. 
* Melt chocolate bark.  I always struggle with melting chocolate so check out my tips here!
* Dip chilled Oreo truffle kisses into melted chocolate.  Cover the truffle completely.  Take out with a spoon and have truffle slide off spoon onto parchment/wax paper.

* Let the chocolate harden on the truffles. 
* Refrigerate. 

  You can stop at this step if you are just wanting a tasteful treat.  But I would recommend to keep going to add the cuteness factor!

* Cut foil into little squares (about 2 in. x 2 in.)  You want the foil to barely be able to wrap around the kiss.
* Cut strips of paper and write special messages to your loved ones. 
* Wrap the foil around the truffle and special message. 

     







I am sure you think it is weird that you use all but 7 Oreo cookies for this recipe.  It's okay. I think it is weird too.  You really could use the entire package if you would like.  However, I think the true reason you are suppose to leave out 7 Oreos  is because.....


I left out 7 Oreos.  I gave one to my husband and left the 6 others sealed in the package.  In the morning the Oreos were gone.  Any guesses?  My dear husband decided he wanted them.  





Baked Cauliflower

I have been exploring new ways to eat vegetables besides salads all the time.  I bought some cauliflower and tried this amazing recipe.  It is sooooooo good.  

Ingredients:
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
3 large cloves garlic, thinly cut
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 

Directions: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine cauliflower and garlic in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Place in a baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes. Stir half way.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.