Sugar Cookies

1 pound of butter, softened
1 1/3 cups of sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 large egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 2/3 cups all purpose flour

Beat and cream the butter, sugar& salt until light and fluffy.
Beat in 1 yolk at a time and vanilla until smooth.
Beat in flour gradually, until well combined.

~~ Make pecan sandies by adding 2 cups of chopped nuts. Roll cookie dough and cut in rounds.

~~ Make raspberry thumbprint cookies by pressing thumb in each cookie. Place a tsp. of raspberry jam and sprinkle coconut and almond slivers over the top. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Can drizzle white chocolate over the top for a great tea party cookie!

~~Make chocolate dipped coconut sticks, by rolling dough in sticks and baking. Then, dip the sticks in melted chocolate chips and roll in toasted golden coconut - A beautiful luncheon cookie!

Be creative and adorn the cookies for every occasion with love and prayers! Make your home filled with the sweet aroma of time well spent in the care of your family!

Proverbs to Live By ~ From our Loved Ones

Waste not, want not.
You can do it, if you try!
Never give up! I won't give up on you!
Haste makes waste.
Finish what you start.
Tell the truth, no matter what the cost.
Listening is different from hearing.
When you look at someone, you usually listen to them.
It is right to obey.
We care for others.
Think for yourself!
We all make mistakes. Learn from them~ not to repeat them.

Live by principles that you have learned from your loved ones. Live by faith.

Tamales from Migsy

TAMALES
Clean and soak the corn shucks in warm water for several hours or overnight.
Dry well and set aside.

Dough:
2 cups Harina~Maseca
1 cup of white corn meal
2 envelopes dry yeast
3 heaping kitchen spoons of Crisco
Hot chicken stock (about 7 dippers)

Soak yeast in warm water with 1 tablespoon of sugar. Let rise about 10 minutes.

Mix 2 flours well: add stock enough to beat dough. Add yeast and shortening. Beat at a high speed until fluffy. Add salt to taste. Test dough, dropping a small amount in a cup of cold water to see if it floats.

Let dough rest for awhile until fluffy.

Form dough into tamales and palce mole and shredded chicken.

Cook over steam for 1 hour.

Can freeze afterwards and save until later. Celebrate! Ole!

Banana Bread from Ms. Gibson and Mary Margaret

Banana Bread

1 cup of Wesson oil
2 1/2 cups of sugar
4 eggs
1 cup of sour cream
2/3 - 1 cup of chopped nuts(optional)
2 tsp. soda
2 tsp. real vanilla
3 cups of flour
4 mashed ripe bananas

1. Cream oil and sugar together.
2. Sift flour and soda.
3. Add all the ingredients.
4. Pour into 2 greased loaf pans.
5. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes at 325*
6. Use toothpick to check for doneness.
7. 2 loaves of bread! YEAH! You can freeze them!
8. Serve with honey walnut spread!