What a Beauty!

This little gem was a surprise gift from my brother-in-law Craig. Last night at our Thanksgiving dinner I was asked if I had a mixer. Well, I did but it was just a very inexpensive hand mixer. I then turned around and what to my eyes did I see.....a 1960's vintage Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer!!! It's a beauty! I can't wait to make a cake and the first cake I make will be for Craig! Thanks Craig, who knew a mixer could make a girl so happy!!!

Baked Macaroni Cheese with Ham

Baked Macaroni and Cheese
6 tbsp butter
4 tbsps. flour
1 3/4 cups of half and half
1 1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese
1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (you can use less cheese if desired)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
3 cups of diced ham
5 cups cooked macaroni
1 cup bread crumbs - half for the inside crunch and half for a topping
1/4 cup scallions, diced
pepper to taste

Using a large saucepan melt the butter and add the flour – stir and gradually stir in your half and half making sure to keep stirring as the entire mixture thickens.

Pour in your cooked macaroni. Add your shredded cheese and your Parmesan to the mixture - now you can add half the bread crumbs and scallions, and add the cubes of ham.

Stir well and pour into a well greased casserole or baking dish. Put the last of the bread crumbs on the top for a nice crunchy top layer. Bake at 350 degrees about 20 minutes or until the top is crisp.
recipe from http://southernfood.about.com/

Pulled Pork Sandwiches in the Crock Pot

This was my first time making pulled pork sandwiches and I loved them. I served them with corn from my dad's garden and fresh coleslaw from the deli. A great treat!!

Pulled Pork (Crock Pot) Recipe

1 day 30 min prep

SERVES 10

4 lbs pork roast (shoulder or butt)
2 large onions
1 cup ginger ale
1 (18 ounce) bottle favorite barbecue sauce (I like Bone Sucking Sauce)
barbecue sauce, for serving (optional)

Slice one onion and place in crock pot.

Put in the roast and cover with the other onion, sliced.

Pour over the ginger ale. Cover and cook on LOW for about 12 hours.

Remove the meat, strain and save the onions, discard all liquid. With two forks, shred the meat, discarding any remaining fat, bones or skin. Most of the fat will have melted away.

Shredding the meat.

Return the shredded meat and the onions to the crock pot, stir in the barbecue sauce. Continue to cook for another 4 to 6 hours on LOW. (I only cooked on low for another 1-2 hours or until the sauce was warm.)

My favorite BBQ sauce.

Cooking the meat with the sauce.

Serve with hamburger buns or rolls and additional barbecue sauce. recipe from www.recipezaar.com