Betty

I know we don’t have our Recipe Page up and running yet, but I thought this was a great time to post a holiday recipe. I KNOW some of you are already making Christmas treats. :)

This is a very simple fudge recipe from the kitchen of Kayla Schalkx. Yummy!

5 Minute Fudge

You will need:

two tbsp butter
two cup mini marshmallows
two thirds cup carnation milk
one and a half chocolate chips
one and two thirds cup sugar
one tsp vanilla
one and a half tsp salt

Directions:

Melt butter, milk, sugar and salt over medium heat. Bring to a boil. Cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly. take off the heat. Stir in vanilla, marshmallowws and chocolate chips. Stir until melted & put into an 8 into square pan.

Let me know if you try it.

Xoxoxoxo

Betty

PS.  BBs, you can click HERE to read my older posts. I hope you like my new page.  I love the picture of Archie and me at the top, don't you??

Is Christmas Eve! I am NEVER gonna get all these gifts made in time. I might just give everyone the supplies and the finished picture and let them make their own presents this year! LOL That would be tacky, though, wouldn’t it? I’ll worry about that later.

Don’t you love my new bloggy background? It is so CHEERY! Thank you, Patty, for decorating ALL our blogs so perfectly!

This is a big week in Riverdale. There are tons of Christmas events – a band concert, 2 church programs, a canned food drive, a Christmas Bazaar, and an open house at my favorite sporting goods store! PLUS Mom wants me to help her put up the tree tonight and decorate the mantle.

I hope the teachers go easy on the homework this week, because I don’t have time to do it!

Perhaps the biggest day this week is Friday – you know why, don’t you? Yeah, it’s Archie’s Birthday! You know, 3 months ago I had all sorts of birthday gift ideas for him – so, I’m glad I picked his present up then. :) It’s been wrapped and stashed in the closet for weeks now. I hope he likes it. I’ll give you a hint: It’s NOT Christmassy… or even wintery!

Okay, time to head to the attic and drag all the Christmas decorations down for Mom. Hey bbs, who is the holiday decorator in YOUR house? LMK.

Xoxoxoxo

Betty

PS.  BBs, you can click HERE to read my older posts.

Hanukkah begins tonight at sundown! I don’t know what you celebrate at your house – Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa (am I forgetting anything?) I’m a Christmas girl myself, but I LUV learning about my friends’ holiday traditions.

So, if Hanukkah is IT at your house, tell me how YOU celebrate it!

Xoxoxoxo

Betty

Hi bbs! Twenty days and counting!

You will be happy to know that Mom has stopped decorating our house – FINALLY. LOL Boy, she LUVS Christmas! It really was fun to help her, even though I didn’t think I had time. It was fun to watch her dig through the boxes and unwrap our family decorations – some of them are really old – and she has little stories about all of them!

She’s a snow globe collector, my mom. She has 37 of them in all sizes, and she knows where each one came from. I collect Christmas ornaments myself. Veronica collects stockings – of course they have a gazillion fireplaces at her house, so she has plenty of places to hang them. Midge collects Christmas tree figurines and Nancy collects snowmen. I asked Ms. Grundy about this; she collects Christmas cards.

Seems like almost everyone I know collects something Christmassy, so I want to know if YOU collect anything? I’m bettin’ you do.

Xoxoxoxo

Betty

That’s right – it’s Archie’s birthday! I think he’ll really like my gift – and it’s not Christmassy one bit! I see he’s giving hints about his Christmas gift to US over on his blog. Invitations, huh? I wonder what he’s got up his sleeve?

Midge just called. A whole bunch of my friends are going Christmas Caroling tomorrow night. Sounds like fun – I think I’ll join them. Caroling really isn’t much fun in July, you know. :)

Hey, are any of YOU going caroling this Christmas? LMK

Xoxoxoxo

Betty

Archie’s Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Archie!

Luv U

Betty

The days left ‘til Christmas are FLYING by!! I think I’m gonna have to come up with a Plan B for Christmas gifts. I have NO idea what Plan B looks like – but I’ll let you know when I get it figured out. LOL

I vowed NEVER to go back to Riverdale Mall to Christmas shop, but that’s where I’m headed. I called Ronnie; she’s gonna meet me. Don’t worry, I’m wearing my running shoes, my cell phone is fully charged, and I’m going to the mall with the same mindset I get when I compete in sports – to WIN!

Let me know what YOU’RE doing this weekend. (I hope it’s something fun!) Oh, and if you get a few minutes, go check out the new holiday comics Patty put on the AC website. Many of them feature ME. I don’t like to brag, but they ARE good. (Link) LMK which is your favorite. :)

Happy Saturday!

Xoxoxoxox

Betty

Wow, it sounds like some of my bbs had a rocky weekend! Some of you have been sick, some lost family members, some of you just had s-t-r-e-s-s! Pop Tate once told me that’s just life interfering with our plans. Pop is pretty wise.

It’s been a little rocky in Riverdale, too. Our Fairy Blogmother has been feeling a big under the weather herself. And so is Archie. He came to school today with a cold. He said he doesn’t know how he got it. Let’s see… maybe it has something to do with the fact that he went caroling Friday night. In the snow. In sandals! NO! That couldn’t possibly be it! LOL

I’m sending Bloggy Hugs today to:

Hilda

Katy

Pureheart

Patty and

Archie

May you ALL feel better SOON!!!

Not all of you had a bad weekend. Sounds like ONE of us got some pretty exciting news:

Congratulations, Cinnamon Apple! Way to go! Woo hoo!!

Xoxoxoxox

Betty

P.S. LMK what’s happening in YOUR week!!!

Do you guys remember that scary scene from the Wizard of Oz? Well, that’s exactly how I felt when I read all your comments from my last post! Boy, there’s a lot of stuff going on out there in Bloggy Buddy-land!

Hugs to EVERYONE!

I really DO wish nothing bad ever happened, but that’s just not the way life works, is it? Soooooo, what do we do? We check on our friends. Say a prayer. Send a hug and a smile. And wait for a sunnier day… because they DO come. ?

You will be happy to know that Patty is MUCH better and back to her perky Fairy Blogmother self! She was going bird-watching in Riverdale Park this afternoon. And Archie looked lots better at school today, too.

I hope today begins a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOng string of GREAT days for each one of

YOU!

Sending you too many xoxo to count!

Betty

I know it’s Wednesday and everything, but since I’m going to start my Christmas baking tonight I thought you might like a recipe to try this week. It’s yummy and I got it from Deborah Vogts. Oh, you might need a parent to help!

Chocolate Caramel Nut Bars

1 - 14 oz. bag of caramels
2/3 cup evaporated milk (divided)
1 two layer German Chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup margarine, melted
1 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
1 - 6 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips

Melt caramels with 1/3 cup milk over low heat or in microwave, stirring until l smooth. In mixing bowl, combine remaining milk, cake mix, and margarine; mix well. Press 1/2 of cake mixture into bottom of a greased 13X9 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 6 minutes. Sprinkle 1 cup nuts and chocolate chips over crust. Top with melted caramel, spreading to edges of pan. Top with teaspoonfuls of remaining cake mixture; press gently into caramel mixture. Sprinkle with remaining pecans, pressing lightly into top. Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool slightly; refrigerate. Cut into bars to serve. Delicious!

LMK if you try it!

Xoxoxoxo

Betty

So, I guess you’ve all seen the big Jughead announcement. Poor guy! I really thought Corporate had given up on the idea of trying to “modernize” us! Oooh, this is sooooo infuriating – and right here at Christmas, too!

Jug is such a sweetheart; he was so supportive of Veronica and me during our whole makeover fiasco earlier this year. Ronnie and I will be right there for him, too.

We’re here for ya, Juggy! Luv you!

Xoxoxoxo

Bets

Tonight I’m making a Christmas favorite – Peppermint Bark. Midge is a BIG fan of this holiday treat and it’s super easy to make, so I thought I’d post the recipe. I got this one from my friends at the Food Network. :)

Peppermint Bark

Ingredients

crushed candy canes, (enough to equal 1 cup)
2 pounds white chocolate
peppermint flavorings, optional

Preparation

Place candy canes in a plastic bag and hammer into one-fourth-inch chunks or smaller.
Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Combine candy cane chunks with chocolate (add peppermint flavoring at this point if desired.)

Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet layered with parchment or waxed paper and place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm.

Remove from cookie sheet and break into pieces (like peanut brittle.)

Happy Christmas!

Betty

Season’s Greetings!

Midge here to make the winning announcement for Week 21’s Story Starter, Thanksgiving Fiasco. This was a FUN story and I loved reading each and every entry.

The story I chose was written by Maddie F. It was FABULOUS, FUNNY, FRESH, and FAST-MOVING! One more thing – it was Soooooo Ms. Grundy! Congratulations, Maddie! And thanks to everyone who sent in entries! I look forward to judging another story contest SOON!

Love to All,

Midge

OMG, I can’t believe Christmas is NEXT WEEK!!!! Yikes! I still have sooooo much to do. Mom’s kitchen looks like a tornado hit it; I have been baking up a storm!

How’s your Christmas prep going? Got all your shopping done? Presents wrapped? Tree decorated? Think you’re caught up? Well, let Ronnie and me add ONE MORE THING to your list of Christmas To Do’s – don’t worry, it’s really fun!

Run over to the Story Starter page (link) to see our last Story Starter for THIS QUARTER! I promise, you’re gonna like it.

Gee, I hope there’s no homework this week. I still have 30 pounds of cashew brittle to make!

Xoxoxoxoxo

Betty

Lots of people have asked me for the recipe for Cashew Brittle; it’s a favorite here. So, in case you want to make some to share this Christmas, here it is. This candy gets HOT, so you might want a parent to help!

Cashew Brittle

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup real butter

• 1 tablespoon light corn syrup

• 1 1/2 cups salted cashew pieces

PREPARATION:

Makes about 1 pound candy.

In 2-quart saucepan combine sugar, butter and corn syrup. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until candy thermometer reaches 290 degrees (25 to 30 minutes).

Remove from heat; stir in cashews.

Spread to 1/4-inch thickness on waxed paper lined baking pan. Let cool completely. Break into pieces.

LMK if you try it!

Xoxoxoxo

Betty

I am exhausted! Last night I finished up my baking and then checked through my gift list. I have 2 more names on that list – my Aunt Millie who is too picky to cook anything for, and Ms. Grundy – who has everything!

So, the question I want to ask you is this: Do YOU have one of THOSE people on your list? You know, someone who is really hard to get presents for? Who is that person, and what do YOU do with them every year???

I really want to know!

Xoxoxoxo

Betty

Ronnie and I posted a brand new Story Starter a couple of days ago. So far, I haven’t seen very many entries, so I’m guessing you are really really busy with Christmas… or you hated this one. Gee, I hope you didn’t hate it!

Anyway, click on over there when you get a few minutes and give it a read. I really think you’ll like it!

So, what do I like most about blogging? That’s simple: I love hearing from all of YOU, and it happens so quickly! I mean, as soon as we put up a post, you guys start commenting – no waiting on a publishing date, or endless edits, or any of that other stuff. We just TALK.

We have LOTS of exciting things planned for our little blogs in the coming year. We’re still working out the details, but look for NEWS early next year…

Back to today: We can’t have a birthday without a party game – so here’s the one I chose. It’s called I Like You Because…. It’s simple: just post something nice about one of our bbs. Compliment as many bbs as you want! I’ll start:

Okay, YOUR turn! Have fun. J

Hi bbs! I’m on my way to Archie’s big Christmas Movie Party! This is gonna be so much fun. We’ve all decided to exchange gifts there too, so I’ve got my car loaded and ready to go. It took me 3 trips to get everything packed – and I still feel like I’m forgetting something…

Oh well, I guess I’m ready to go! I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. Go have yourself some Christmas FUN today!

I’m sooooo excited! Today I’m gonna spend the entire day delivering gifts and holiday wishes. Then my family goes to the Christmas Eve service – it’s a tradition.

Archie’s party? It was the best Christmas party I’ve ever been to! Archie was so sweet (as usual) and was a perfect host. We watched It's a Wonderful Life - twice! You could tell Archie put a LOT of time and effort into his gift this year.

Fortunately for me, after the movie I just happened to find a sprig of mistletoe in my purse ;-) so I gave him a little Christmas kiss. (Apparently, I wasn’t the only one with that idea; Ronnie had some mistletoe, too!)

Okay, Mom’s calling me. Time to go.

Hey, how do YOU spend Christmas Eve at your house? LMK. I’ll read all about it when I get back.

May YOU have the brightest, shiniest Christmas EVER!!!

Love,

Betty

Happy Christmas! Yeah, I know, some people are already taking down the lights – but not here in Riverdale, or at my house either! We still have Christmas to celebrate with my Dad’s family! They’re all converging on our house Friday night (they live all over the country)

So, I plan to fill this week with lots and lots of Christmas-ing! I got TONS of presents. Here are a couple of my favorites: is a fuzzy blue sweater that is the cuddliest I have ever worn! (from Ronnie, of course) A book of car wash gift certificates from my dad, and scrapbooking supplies – oodles of them – from my mom! Can’t wait to start using those!

Okay, tell me about YOUR Christmas. Do you still have family to get together with? And what did you get???

Can’t wait to read your comments.

Hi bbs! Eat everything in your Christmas stocking yet? I still have half a chocolate Santa left in mine.

Today, I’m going shopping with Ronnie. Yup, me… at the mall… again. Ronnie seems to think that if I shop enough during the very busiest time of the year, I will learn to appreciate it as a sport. LOL

One of my favorite things in the whole wide world is to play with The Archies – and we get to play FOR THE ENTIRE TOWN Monday Night!!!! Woo Hoo!!! 

I gotta tell ya, I’m a little nervous though. I mean, we haven’t practiced ONCE since the last time we played. Seriously – there’s dust on my tambourine!  And we’re not just playing for our friends at school; this is a very big deal!

I’m supposed to be choosing music with Reggie. Yeah right – everything he picked has a solo in it - for HIM! LOL (Oh well, at least he’s enthusiastic.) 

So what exactly does one play for New Year’s Eve?  Christmas music? Nope. Too late for that (even though I’m still humming Christmas songs like crazy!) Gotta think of some songs quick – we’re rehearsing TONIGHT! And all day tomorrow.  And all day Monday… right up until it’s time to go play! 

Hey, if you know any good songs we should do, LMK… 

Thanks! 

Xoxoxoxo Bets  

So, this morning we’re all sitting around the table eating breakfast, and Mom looked at Dad and said, "You know, this is the first year in I don’t know when, that you haven’t gotten me slippers." She was pretty happy about it. (Dad gets her a pair every year, and they’re usually… well… ugly.)

Dad stared at his OJ a minute and said, "Yes, I did. You unwrapped them, remember?"

Dad got up from the table and went out in the garage. There, behind the tools and his fishing tackle was a shoe box from the sporting goods store.

You should have seen the look on mom’s face! Poor Dad. I think I’ll send him shopping with Ronnie next year.

Nothing like this ever happens at your house, does it?

Gotta run… rehearsal!

I’m soooooo nervous! You know why? The weather is supposed to be PERFECT – no rain, not too cold. Do you know what this means?

The crowd tonight is gonna be HUGE! Reggie heard there could be more than 20,000 people downtown tonight for the First Night Celebration – and most of them will hear US play!!!

Okay, you know how I’ll be spending New Year’s Eve. I wanna know what YOU’RE gonna do tonight? Do you go to a party or watch the specials on TV? Do you stay up until midnight or go to bed at your usual time? LMK!

I’m really nervous… Wish us luck!