kattitudes

Labels to create place cards, party favors, centerpieces or what have you.

These labels are available full size if you will click. Then right click and save to your own computer. From there, work on them in your own graphics program to size to fit your own ideas.

Remember that most browsers will now automatically resize pictures that are too big. If that happens, you usually only need click on the picture again to see it full size in all its glory.

The last weekend before Thanksgiving. I am thinking a large number of you are going to be working on preparations for your dinners this weekend, right?

And you will need more labels to create place cards, party favors, centerpieces or what have you.

These labels are available full size if you will click. Then right click and save to your own computer. From there, work on them in your own graphics program to size to fit your own ideas.

Remember that most browsers will now automatically resize pictures that are too big. If that happens, you usually only need click on the picture again to see it full size in all its glory.

Free label time.

It dawned on me that next week is Thanksgiving. Can you believe it? Next week! I am not so worried, in that I have everything pretty much ready, but the last thing that really can happen is to make some pretty table decorations.

So, I’m passing along some labels today for you to use to create place cards or party favors or centerpieces or what have you. Just whatever floats your boat. I will probably post another batch of Thanksgiving labels before the big day.

These labels are available full size if you will click. Then right click and save to your own computer. From there, work on them in your own graphics program to size to fit your own ideas.

Remember that most browsers will now automatically resize pictures that are too big. If that happens, you usually only need click on the picture again to see it full size in all its glory.

I did not realize that hummingbird cakes were unique to the American southland until I moved away from here and back again. I wish everyone could taste their amazing goodness. They are just fantastic, each bite absolutely loaded full of fruit just waiting to explode in your mouth. It is rather like a fruitcake, but the fruit fresh, not dried and it has a white cake base.

Hummingbird cakes are stereotypically topped with sweet cream cheese frosting (icing) so if you give this as a gift mix, you might make the serving suggesting to your recipient. The combination just makes the cake divine. Quintessentially southern.

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2/3 cup pecans, chopped

Layer ingredients and store in airtight container.

Attach a tag with the following instructions:

Hummingbird Cake

1 cup vegetable oil
3 beaten eggs
8 ounce can crushed pineapple (undrained)
2 cups mashed bananas
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 jar mix

Preheat to 350 F.
Combine all in large mixing bowl but do not beat. Stir just until moistened.
Spread into greased 10×15 pan or greased bundt pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes. Cool before serving.

Ingredients:

1/4 cup white chocolate or vanilla milk chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup sweetened dried cherries (or cranberries)
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 cup buttermilk biscuit baking mix

Layer ingredients and store in airtight container.

Attach a tag with the following instructions:

White Christmas Cherry Bars

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a bowl, combine the following:

1 jar mix
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Blend well & spread in a greased 8×8 pan. Bake at 350 F for 20-22 minutes.

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup chopped nuts

Layer ingredients and store in airtight container.

Attach a tag with the following instructions:

Applesauce Cookies

Whip 3/4 cup of butter or shortening until light and fluffy.
Add 1 egg and 1/2 cup applesauce and beat until mixed. Gradually stir in mix.
Drop teaspoons of dough on a greased cookie sheet.
Bake for 8 – 12 minutes at 350 degrees F.

This is a fantastic gift mix. And it is utterly wonderful to mix up and keep in your own pantry. You use it in place of all that plastic condensed canned plastic soup junk. You can use it for casseroles or as a base for soups that you make. This is such a great trick to keep in your cupboard. You will find you pull it out as a recipe rescue time and time again.

Ingredients:

2 cups powdered nonfat milk
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup (or less) instant vegetable bouillon
2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
1 teaspoon basil leaves
1 teaspoon thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Combine ingredients and store in airtight container.

Attach a tag with the following instructions:

Use to substitute one can of condensed soup. Combine 1/3 cup dry mix and 1 1/4 cup cold water in saucepan. Cook and stir until thickened. Add as you would soup.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup dried pinto beans
3/4 cup dried red kidney beans

Seasoning packet:

2 tablespoons dried onion flakes
2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
6 chicken bouillon cubes
1/2 cup uncooked white rice
1 cup small cut pasta

Combine ingredients and store in airtight container.

Attach a tag with the following instructions:

Rinse and pick over beans. Put into 5 quart heavy pot with 4 cups water. Bring to boil, cover and remove from heat. Let sit for one hour.

Drain beans and return to pot. Add eight cups of water and contents of seasoning packet. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer one hour or until beans are firm tender. Stir in rice and bring to simmer. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

Uncover, stir in pasta and 1/2 cup water. Simmer 10 minutes or until pasta is tender.

If you are gifting this mix to a vegetarian, you can omit the vegetable bouillon altogether. If you are gifting to a regular omnivore, you can easily replace the vegetable bouillon with beef bouillon or omit altogether.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup assorted vegetable flakes according to your tastes (Suggestions include tomatoes, celery, onion, zucchini, onion, peas, broccoli and carrots. You can make your own by putting dried veggies in a blender until pea-sized)
1 tablespoon cracked wheat
1 tablespoon pasta, broken up
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried sweet basil
pinch garlic powder
pinch onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
Optional: one cube vegetable bouillon

Combine ingredients and store in airtight container.

Attach a tag with the following instructions:

Add mix to 2 cups of boiling water (or stock if preferred). Allow to steep covered for approximately 3-4 minutes.

I am one of those rare creatures that just does not care for tomato soup. Tomatoes in soup are perfectly wonderful, but plain tomato soup – bleah. Bizarre dichotomy, I know.

As a result, I am absolutely unable to judge which of these recipes are a better fit. Therefore, since I have both, I decided to simply post both so as to allow those that like this sort of thing to make a final determination for themselves.

These simple mix in a jar recipes make an utterly fantastic packaged gift for university mates and children that are going back. Send them with as many mixes as you can package up. They will already have access to a kettle in their dorm rooms, I am sure (as I most certainly did), and the ability to whip up a nice (free) mug of soup from home would be most appreciated.

Ingredients for Variation One

4 tablespoons nonfat dry milk
2 tablespoons powdered dry tomatoes
1/8 teaspoon basil
dash of salt
dash of pepper

Combine ingredients and store in airtight container.

Attach a tag with the following instructions:

Add mix to one mug of hot water. Stir and let steep for two minutes.

Ingredients for Variation Two

3 cups dried tomato slices
1/2 cup dried milk powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine ingredients in blender to crush to powder.

Store in airtight container.

Attach a tag with the following instructions:

1 package mix
1 1/2 quart boiling water

Combine and simmer 10 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon butter after cooking.