Sweet Potato Casserole

Here was a favorite side dish from our Christmas in July party. It would also be great for a Thanksgiving/Fall meal.
Sweet Potato Casserole
4 cups mashed sweet potatoes, about 2 1/2 lbs (you can bake or boilthe potatoes, I normally boil but read some reviews that it is betterif you bake for an hour, I think I might try that this time)
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon (Increase, decrease, or omit the spices depending onpreference, I like to increase)
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 cup packed brown sugar (I normally double the topping, my favorite part)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, milk,salt, 1/3 cup butter, vanilla, and spices. Mix together and pour into a greased 13x9 inch baking dish.
2. To prepare the topping, combine in a separate bowl the brown sugar, flour, 1/3 cup melted butter and pecans. Mix together and crumble over sweet potato mixture. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F(175 degrees C) for 35 to 45 minutes.
submitted by Melissa Russell

Blog Swap- Cocktail Night In by Cher at Love, Actually blog

I'm excited to welcome back Cher to my blog for this blog swap. She has wonderful date ideas for you and that very special person in your life.
Hello, again! It's been a few weeks since I was here last...and I'm glad to be back! I hope you've taken the time to stop by my little blog, Love Actually. If not, come on over. You're welcome anytime! Okay, on to today's idea...

~~~

Did any of you happen to watch "Four Christmases"? If not, allow me to explain why it's pertinent to this post. The opening scene of the movie shows a guy and girl meeting at a bar for the first time. He's apparently hitting on her and she's not interested... Soon after, however, sparks begin to fly and a make-out session goes into high-gear! What's funny is that we later find out that these two strangers are actually a couple! They came to the bar that night with alternate personalities to "meet" again for the first time....what a way to spice things up! It was a hoot to watch...I'm sure it'd be even better in real life!

So, in lieu of this brilliant roleplay, I've created a late-night date idea that allows you and your spouse to kick back and enjoy a drink...notice that I said nothing about a bar!

Invite your spouse "in" for cocktails....or "mocktails" in my case. (alcohol-free).

-Have your kitchen cleaned up and use your table or countertop as your bar. (or if it's nice outside, use your patio or deck)

-Prepare some drinks (great recipes below..or Sparkling Cider is easier, faster, and probably cheaper!) (the drinks look really convincing with grapes or olives on a toothpick, or limes on the side of the glass)
-Get some cheap martini or wine glasses ($ store)
-Put some cut cheese and crackers on a little tray
-Dress up just a little...throw on some lipstick, ladies!
-
Get your act together... (pretend you don't know him/her, and they'll soon catch on and play along)
- "Do you come here often?"
- "Have I met you before? You look so familiar."
- Use some cheesy pickup lines (if it gets you both laughing, I'd be one happy blogger!)
- Make up interesting things about your "other" self (again, the movie provides excellent examples--I recommend watching it first!)

I designed these fun invites that you could give them that morning, when they get home from work/school, or just an hour before! Whatever works best.

Download Blue/White Invite HERE

Download Brown/Green Invite HERE

If you don't want to do the whole "alter ego" thing, then use this as a break from work, school, or the kids. Promise to only talk about each other, your love, but not all the stresses that have you down!

Here are some recipes (with my personal stamp of taste approval!) if you choose to make your own drinks:

Favorite Recipes from our parties

Because most of these parties have been potlucks we have had some fabulous food discoveries! I am collecting recipes from each of our parties to share our favorites with you. Most of them come from our guests. Now to scrounge up those recipes.....
(Side Dishes and Appetizers)
Strawberry Salad
War WonTon Soup
Chicken and Pork Eggrolls
Bacon Wrapped Waterchestnuts
Turkey Meatballs
Baked Potstickers with Sweet and Sour Sauce
Tomatillo Salsa

Sweet Potato Casserole

(Soup)
Taco Soup
War Wonton Soup
Potato Ham Soup

(Main Dishes)

(Desserts )
Caramel Apple Brownie Pie
Apple Crisp

Lucky Punch

1 c. sugar
3 c. unsweetened pineapple juice
1 6 oz. can frozen orange juice
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 liter lemon line beverage

Combine 2 3/4 c. water and sugar till sugar dissolves. In blender combine 1/2 of pineapple juice and all of orange juice concentrate cover. Blend till smooth. Add orange juice mixture to sugar mixture. Stir in remaining juices. Transfer to a glass 9x13 pan and freeze one hour. Remove from freezer after one hour and break ice chunks. Add fruit juice mixture to punch bowl and pour in Sprite. Add raspberries.

This is a delicious juice and many had multiple glasses of punch and asked me how I made it.