Awesome Spinach & Artichoke Dip 

Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup mayonnaise  1/2 teaspoon sour cream 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup grated Romano cheese 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced

salt and pepper to taste 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a small baking dish.
2.	In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, garlic, salt and pepper. Gently stir in artichoke hearts and spinach.
3.	Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with mozzarella cheese. Bake in the preheated oven 25 minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned.

Christmas Cookies (Sugar Cookie Cutouts)

Fruitful Friday ----- Ye Old English Fruit Cake

(we like our's all natural without all the candied fruits)

5 lg. eggs
1/2 lb. real butter
1 c. sugar
1 3/4 c. flour (plain)
1/2 tbsp. baking powder
3/4 lb. dried cranberries or cherries
1 lb. drained pineapple tidbits

1 cup diced dates

1 cup golden raisins
4 c. pecans 

4 tablespoons vanilla

1 teaspoons lemon flavoring 

 Toss fruit and pecans in 2 cups of flour; set aside.

Cream butter and sugar on medium high speed of electric mixer until light and fluffy; add flavoring and continue beating. Beat egg and add to creamed mixture. Dissolve soda in water. Add remaining 3 cups of flour and soda mixture to creamed mixture. Blend thoroughly. Fold in coated fruit and pecans.
 Pour into well greased and floured pans. Bake 3-3 1/2 hours at 250 degree oven. Will keep for 30 days in the fridge.

Thrifty Thursday ----- Mulled Orange Cider

        Here it is, December 1st, and Christmas is just around the corner. We thought is would be fun to share some our favorite holiday recipes we all of you.  So... to kick off the Holiday season, we would like to share an old traditional favorite.

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar 
• 2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 4 cups apple cider 
• 2 cups orange juice 
• 1/4 cup lemon juice 
• 1/4 cup pineapple juice 

Preparation

1. Bring 1 cup water and sugar to a boil in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil 3 minutes. Add apple cider and juices; bring to a boil. Add cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger; reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 to 20  minutes.
2. Pour mixture through a wire-mesh strainer into a Dutch oven, discarding spices and 
3. Serve hot with sliced "Ye Old English Fruit Cake" (Recipe posted Dec.2, 2011)