Welcome to another issue of Around the Kitchen Table!

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends, family, and good food!

I went out shopping today; the roads are already packed and it's just December 1st. I know you are all super busy preparing for the holidays.

Recipes this issue include Chalupa Casserole, Cranberry Nut Mix, Maple Nut Fudge, Butterscotch-Chip Cookie Mix, Maple Nut Ice Cream Sauce, Instant Cocoa Mix with Marshmallows and Chocolate Chips, Triple Chocolate Cookie Mix, Jalapeno Jelly, Coconut Madeleines, Rum Butter Stars, Peppermint Puffs, Pfeffernusse Cresents, Dutch-Oven Potatoes.

If you have a dog or are a dog lover you have to read, "A Dog's Rules for Christmas.

Enter this month's contest to win one of our Aloe and Green Tea Candles in a tin from our Holiday Entertaining and Gift Line.

Visit my Watkins Online Catalog for a free Holiday Candy and Fudge Recipe Collection.

If you are interested in starting your own Watkins Home Business get all the details at: Watkins Business Details

Build your own home business so you can stay home with your family, retire early, pay off bills, or save for retirement. With consistent effort you can build a thriving business! Let me help you.

I love to hear from you. Any suggestions to make this newsletter more informative and helpful are appreciated.

Until next issue,
Make your house a Watkins home.

eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com

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Recipe For Christmas Joy

1/2 cup Hugs
4 cups Love
1/2 cup Peace On Earth
2 cups Goodwill Toward Man
4 tsp Kisses
1 cup Special Holiday Cheer
2 tsp Christmas Spirits
1 Sprig of Mistletoe
1 Medium-Size Bag of Christmas Snowflakes

Mix hugs, kisses, smiles, and love until consistent. Blend in holiday cheer, peace on earth, Christmas spirits and good-will toward man. Use the mixture to fill warm hearts, where it can be stored for a lifetime. (It never goes bad!)

Serve as desired under mistletoe, sprinkle liberally with special Christmas snowflakes. It is expecially good when accomapnied by Christmas carols and family get-togethers. Serve to one and all.

A new mainline catalog is coming out January 1, 2007. Some new products will be introduced, some products will be phased out, and some products will have a price increase. Stock up now.

Two New products

Roasted Turkey Gourmet Gravy Mix - NEW
01173 $7.99
There’s nothing like Grandma’s homemade gravy over mashed potatoes. Inspired by Grandma Watkins’ original recipe, our new Roasted Turkey Gourmet Gravy Mix makes it simple to enjoy this comforting favorite everyday; just add water, simmer and taste. Savor the rich, made-from-scratch flavor, just like being in Grandma’s kitchen!

Watkins Sampler - NEW
10530 $18.99
Watkins Sampler gives your customers eight reasons to try some of our most popular products, all packaged in a sturdy reusable logo bag and ready for travel or gift giving.

Watkins Sampler Contains:
Aloe & Green Tea Hand & Body Lotion 1 fl oz/ 29 mL
Vanilla Hand & Body Lotion 1 fl oz/ 29 mL
Peppermint Foot Cream 1 fl oz/ 29 mL
Mango Shea Butter .70 oz/ 20 g
Lemon Cream Shea Butter .70 oz/ 20 g
All-Natural Lavender Hand & Cuticle Salve .25 oz/ 7 g
All-Natural Lemon Hand & Cuticle Salve .25 oz/ 7 g
All-Natural Lemon Body Oil 1 fl oz/ 29 mL

Did You Know?

The Holiday and Gift Line for 2006 is now available in our online catalog, under Gifts and Entertaining - 2006. Check out the special offers for your holiday baking, entertaining and gift giving needs. You'll want to order early so you won't be disappointed if some items sell out. Online Catalog

Apple Spice Bread Mix $5.49	Spice Towels	Shortbread Cookie Mix $5.19	Aloe and Green Tea Candle in tin $5.99
Beverage Sampler Set 2 each of 3 Gourmet Cocoa Mixes $6.99	Cinna-Cream Sprinkles $4.59	Traditional Cider Brew $8.99	Pumpkin Bread Mix $5.79
Mango Shea Butter $6.99	Lemon Hand and Body Lotion $8.99	Aloe and Green Tea Shea Butter $6.99	All-Natural Lemon Hand and Cuticle Salve $6.99 and $3.79

Original Double-Strength Vanilla (325 ml/11 fl oz) Save $2.00
01008 Regularly $11.99 Special $9.99

Gold Medal Assortment
05960 $27.99
Includes an 11 fl oz bottle of Original Double-Strength Vanilla, 6 oz tin Purest Ground Cinnamon, and 6 oz tin of Granulated Black Pepper

Spice Towels
05629 (set of 2) $12.99 or just $7.99 with purchase of Trial Mark™ Vanilla (01008) or Gold Medal Assortment (05960)

Baking Cocoa
01038 $4.99

Cooking Spray
01040 $5.99

Baking Powder
01039 $3.99 or just $2.66 when you buy Baking Cocoa (#01038) and Cooking Spray (#01040)

Gourmet Peppers and Blends
Regularly $4.69 - Special $4.39 each

02001 Cracked Black Pepper
02002 Granulated Black Pepper
02003 Cajun Pepper
02005 Lemon Pepper
02006 Onion & Garlic Pepper

Gourmet Whole Peppercorns
$4.99 each

02011 Black Tellicherry Peppercorns
02007 Garlic Peppercorn Blend
02008 Royal Peppercorn Blend

04646 Spice Mill
$9.99 or just $6.66 with purchase of any 2 peppercorns

Sea Salt
02012 Regularly $4.69 - Special $4.39

Purest Granulated Black Pepper (6 oz.) - Save $1.00!
01140 Regularly $7.99 - Special $6.99

Gourmet Extracts and Flavors
Regularly $4.99 - Special $4.49 each

21392 Butter
21398 Chocolate
21385 Maple
21388 Peppermint
21391 Rum
21375 Vanilla (Clear)

21390 Vanilla (Original Double-Strength)
Regularly $5.49 - Special $4.99

Baker’s Size Extracts
Regularly $8.99 - Special $8.49 each

01191 Almond
01192 Butter
01194 Coconut
01195 Lemon

Vanilla (Original Double-Strength)
01196 Regularly $9.99 - Special $9.49

Pure Vanilla
01197 Regularly $16.99 - Special $16.49

Dessert and Frosting Mixes
Regularly $5.99 - Special $5.49 each

01012 Banana
01013 Butterscotch
01014 Chocolate
01016 Lemon
01019 Vanilla

Regularly $6.99 - Special $6.29 each
01015 Coconut
01017 Rice Pudding

Regularly $7.99 - Special $7.29
01018 Tapioca

Watkins Vanilla Classic Recipes™ Cookbook - Limited Quantities
09453 $10.99

Mouthwash Concentrate - Limited Quantities
02337 $5.49

Trial Mark Mouthwash Mixing Bottle
06254 $1.49 or 99¢ with purchase of Mouthwash Concentrate (02337)

Peppermint Whitening Anticavity Toothpaste
02332 $3.99 or purchase two toothpastes and get the third one for $1.99!

The Perfect Stocking Stuffers
Vanilla Body Bar
02984 Regularly $4.49 - Special $3.99

Aloe & Green Tea Refreshing Body Bar
03056 Regularly $4.49 - Special $3.99

Vanilla Cologne Rollette
02989 Regularly $5.99 - Special $5.49

Vanilla Lip Care
02979 Regularly $2.79 - Special $2.49

Aloe and Green Tea Shea Butter
10476 Regularly $7.99 Special $6.99

10513 (120 ml/4 fl oz) Regularly $7.99 Special $6.99

Lemon Cream Shea Butter
10482 Regularly $7.99 Special $6.99

Mango Shea Butter
10493 Regularly $7.99 Special $6.99

Shimmer Organza Gift Bag
Organza gift bag makes a delightful gift of any of our body care products.

05570 Regularly $2.99 Special $1.99 or FREE with purchase of 3 Shea Butters.

TheraTrim™ Duo
02284 $29.99

Watkins Energy Bars (7 per box)
$12.99 each - Limited Quantities

02085 Chocolate Mint
02089 Oatmeal Cinnamon Raisin

Oatmeal Cinnamon Raisin Energy Bars

Mood Plus - Save $1.50!
02273 Regularly $19.99 - Special $18.49

Brain Plus - Save $1.50!
02275 Regularly $18.99 - Special $17.49

Petro-Carbo Salve (4.38 oz)
02372 Regularly $8.99 - Special $8.49

Many other products are featured in the December Highlights Catalog and December Specials Online.

A Dog's Rules For Christmas

1. Be especially patient with your humans during this time. They may appear to be more stressed-out than usual and they will appreciate long comforting dog cuddles.

2. They may come home with large bags of things they call gifts. Do not assume that all the gifts are yours.

3. Be tolerant if your humans put decorations on you. They seem to get some special kind of pleasure out of seeing how you look with fake antlers.

4. They may bring a large tree into the house and set it up in a prominent place and cover it with lights and decorations. Bizarre as this may seem to you, it is an important ritual for your humans, so there are some things you need to know:

   a. Don't pee on the tree
   b. Don't drink water in the container that holds the tree
   c. Mind your tail when you are near the tree
   d. If there are packages under the tree, even ones that smell interesting or that have your name on them, don't rip them open
   e. Don't chew on the cord that runs from the funny-looking hole in the wall to the tree

5. Your humans may occasionally invite lots of strangers to come visit during this season. These parties can be lots of fun, but they also call for some discretion on your part:

   a. Not all strangers appreciate kisses
   b. Don't eat off the buffet table
   c. Beg for goodies subtly
   d. Be pleasant, even if unknown strangers sit on your sofa
   e. Don't drink out of glasses that are left within your reach

6. Likewise, your humans may take you visiting. Here your manners will also be important:

   a. Observe all the rules in #4 for trees that may be in other people's houses. (4a is particularly important)
   b. Respect the territory of other animals that may live in the house
   c. Tolerate children
   d. Turn on your charm big time

7. A big man with a white beard and a very loud laugh may emerge from your fireplace in the middle of the night.
   DON'T BITE HIM!!

ENTER DECEMBER'S CONTEST

Thanks for reading my newsletter and entering each month. Please don't quit; you might be next month's winner!

Lorraine from Wisconsin is November's newsletter contest winner. She receives her choice of a jar of our Traditional Cider Brew, a bottle of Original Double-Strength Vanilla, a bottle of Clear Vanilla, or a can of Roasted Turkey Gourmet Gravy Mix, one of our new products.

From Lorraine in Wisconsin
My favorite Christmas memory is what my Grandma made for us!!! Every year my Grandma would send us a box full of love! She said she was sorry she couldn’t afford gifts for all 27 grandchildren, (in all) but honestly, what we really wanted was to see Grandma’s box arrive. It always arrived about a week before Christmas and it was sheer torture to wait until Christmas!!!! Then, on Christmas morning, it was always the first gift opened!! It was stuffed with homemade treats. She would make all the family favorites… peanut brittle, molasses cookies, oatmeal cookies, mint candies, date nut roll, and various breads (baked in tin cans for shipping). My mom always got a small box inside all for herself because she doesn’t like raisins. All the recipes were handed down through generations. The molasses cookie recipe is from the 1860’s and the peanut brittle – sorry – we all had to promise secrecy before she would give us that one. Gifts should always be about the love given and the love received, and the hours my Grandmother spent baking for us shows us what love is all about.

From Lilly in Pennsylvania
I love to add ingredients to a mason jar for soups, cookie mixes, etc. I add a decorative cloth design to the lid and cut it out with pinking shears and a bow. People love receiving these as gifts. I add a tag for the instructions. (I've done a Watkins chicken soup base with tortellini and freeze dried veggies one year and they loved it so much they started to give it to others as gifts.)

From Audrey in Idaho
I definitely make homemade gifts. I always give my brother coconut bon-bons, this is a family recipe that my mom used to make, and now I make. My brother loves them. I also send several pounds of candy through the mail to missionaries from our church. We also deliver my homemade candy to over 30 friends. I am busy in November making lots of candy.

This year I have made several crafts to give as gifts. I made a clock that is about two feet round for my sister-in-law, it looks old and antiqued and I know she will love it ( I also made one for myself and I love it!), I made some fabric yo-yo trees for my sister, and I taught a class on making fabric yo-yo trees to about 10 women in October. They were so fun to make. I love to craft, when I have the time. I also like to see something sold in stores, and then try to make it myself, for less of course. I also make scrapbooks or calendars to give as gifts. One year I gave my husband a scrapbook, and he said that was the nicest gift he has ever received. I also gave one to my brother, and he looked it for over 3 hours the first night he had it.

Thanks ladies! You all sound like you love Christmas and making and giving homemade goodies. Thanks for sharing!

The winner of December's contest wins an Aloe and Green Tea Candle in a unique tin designed to keep furniture cool. To enter December's contest tell us if your family opens presents Christmas eve or Christmas morning, or if you celebrate other holiday traditions. Email your answer, name and address to: eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com with "December Contest - Presents " in the subject line.

Make your life the best it can be. Eat nutritious foods, exercise, love, and laugh!

Reducing Eye Stress

Take a break Whenever you're working on a task that requires close concentration, take a break every 20 minutes or so. Look at a faraway object—a picture on the opposite wall, or a view out the window—for at least 30 seconds. By allowing your eyes to shift focus, you allow them to rest.

Blink Try to blink often—every few seconds or so—when you're paying close attention to your television or computer screen. Blinking moistens your eyeballs and relaxes your eye muscles.

Close your eyes If you have a long task that involves prolonged staring, close your eyes periodically. Even if you just shut your eyelids for a few seconds, you'll get some immediate relief.

Relax your eye muscles Briskly rub your hands together until they grow warm, and gently place the heels of your palms over your closed eyes. Hold them there for a few seconds.

Cool water relief If you soak a washcloth or hand towel in cool water, wring it out, and place it over your eyes for five minutes, it will relieve strain.

Cool your eyes with sliced cucumber Lie on your back and place one slice over each closed eye. Leave on the slices for two or three minutes, or replace the first pair with another, cooler set of slices.

Tearing up For eyestrain that is related to dry eyes, use artificial tears, available at pharmacies. Consult your phamacist or physician.

Light up your life When you're reading, be sure the light is adequate. A gooseneck lamp directed so that the light falls on the page helps the print be the most visible. Generally, a lower-watt bulb in a gooseneck lamp is more effective than a higher-watt bulb in a shade lamp. Try a 45- to 65-watt indoor floodlight bulb.

Don't settle for just one reading lamp in an otherwise dark room Be sure that other lights are also turned on. If there's too much contrast between the light where you're reading and the rest of the room, your pupils will constantly have to narrow and widen to adjust for the difference.

Use shades Wear sunglasses in any bright sun—even in the winter! They will reduce eyestrain that comes from squinting. Choose sunglasses with yellow, amber, orange, or brown lenses. Light in the blue part of the spectrum is what makes us squint, and these lenses block it.

Source: 1,801 Home Remedies: Trustworthy Treatments for Everyday Health Problems

Turkey Cooking Helplines

The winter holidays are just around the corner. Here are some holiday tips and substitutes to help take some of the stress out of your holiday cooking.

You can call any of the following hot lines during the holiday months:

Meat and Poultry Hot Line: 800/535-4555 (or in Washington D.C. call 202/720-3333)

Butterball Turkey-Talk Line: 800/323-4848 (800/833-3848 for individuals with hearing or speech impairments)

Reynolds Turkey Tips Line: 800/745-4000.

Measuring Syrups

Before measuring syrupy sweeteners such as honey and corn syrup, lightly coat the measuring cup or spoon with vegetable oil or cooking spray. Every drop of the syrup will easily slip out instead of clinging to the sides of the cup.

The same thing can be accomplished if you measure the shortening called for in a recipe and then use the same (unwashed) utensil to measure a syrup.

Or dip the measuring implement in very hot water before measuring the sweetener.

Chalupa Casserole

1/2 cup chopped onion
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup water
3 tablespoons Watkins Soup and Seasoning Base
2 Tablespoons flour
1 (10-ounce) can tomato soup
1-1/2 cups shredded cheese
1-1/2 cups light cream
Salt to taste
12 flour tortillas

Saute the onion in the oil in a skillet until tender. Add the ground beef. Cook until the ground beef is brown and crumbly, stirring frequently; drain. Stir in the water, chili powder and flour. Cook, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the soup, cheese, cream and salt. Remove from heat.

Cut the tortillas into strips. Layer the tortilla strips and ground beef mixture 1/2 at a time in a greased baking dish. Bake at 325 degrees F for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips and a crisp green salad. May be prepared in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator. Bake just before serving. If refrigerated add approximately 15 minutes to cooking time. Serves 6 - 8

Cranberry Nut Mix
Nuts to everyone on your list!
Makes 4 cups

3 cups salted mixed nuts
1 1/2 cups sweetened dried cranberries
1/4 cup honey
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup butter
1 tsp Watkins Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Watkins Ground Ginger
1/2 tsp salt

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 2 large baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Mix salted mixed nuts and sweetened dried cranberries in a large bowl.
3. Melt honey, light brown sugar, and butter in a small saucepan. Pour over nut mixture; toss with cinnamon, ginger and salt.
4. Spread onto prepared baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on sheet on wire rack 5 minutes.
5. Turn out onto waxed paper; cool completely. Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 3 weeks.

Maple Nut Fudge

1 1/2 cups maple syrup
1 3/4 cups sugar
2/3 cup heavy cream or 5-ounce can evaporated milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cubed
1 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract
1 cup chopped walnuts

1. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick foil. Coat foil with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine syrup, sugar, heavy cream and salt in a medium-size saucepan. Bring to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring. Once boiling, cook 7 to 8 minutes or until mixture registers 238 degrees F on a candy thermometer.
3. Remove pan from heat; with an electric mixer, beat in butter and vanilla. Continue to beat on high power for 8 to 9 minutes, or until thickened, light in color, and fudge loses its glossy finish. Stir in nuts and spread into prepared pan. Let stand until firm, about 25 minutes. Cut into squares.

Butterscotch-Chip Cookie Mix

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Watkins Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons Watkins Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 mason jar (1 quart)
1 cup butterscotch chips

1. In large bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In smaller bowl, stir together half of this flour mixture and the cocoa powder a few times so cocoa is partially mixed into flour mixture.
   Layer mix ingredients in jar: Spoon flour-cocoa mixture into bottom of large canning jar with lid; press down very hard to compact (a small spice jar works well). Spoon plain flour mixture on top of flour-cocoa mixture; compact. Continue layering with dark-brown sugar, light-brown sugar, and granulated sugar, compacting each layer. Place butterscotch chips on the top. Close jar tightly. Store up to 2 weeks at cool room temperature.
2. To present as gift: Tie jar with ribbons and bows.
   Attach instructions to jar with ribbon
   In large bowl, combine 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) cooled melted butter with 3 large eggs and 1 tablespoon Watkins Vanilla Extract. Stir in contents of this jar just until mixed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 13 minutes. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

   Gift Idea
   Give a jar of this cookie mix with a bottle of Watkins Vanilla.

   Maple Walnut Ice Cream Sauce
   Makes about 2 3/4 cups sauce. Cook 7 to 8 minutes.

   2 cups maple syrup
   5 teaspoons cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
   1/4 cup dark rum or 1/2 tsp Watkins Rum Extract
   2 cups shelled walnuts, coarsely chopped

   1. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring the maple syrup to boiling over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low; simmer until the syrup registers 220 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 5 minutes.
   2. Stir cornstarch mixture into syrup; boil for 1 minute. Remove saucepan from heat. Stir in rum and walnuts. Let mixture cool completely.
   3. Spoon into airtight jar. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

   Instant Cocoa with Marshmallows and Chocolate Chips
   Makes about 14 cups mix (enough for 42 servings).

   7 cups instant nonfat dry milk powder
   1 box (1 pound) confectioner's sugar
   2 cups Watkins Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, sifted
   2 cups powdered nondairy creamer
   2 cups mini marshmallows
   1 cup mini chocolate chips

   1. Stir together the dry milk powder, confectioner's sugar, cocoa powder, and nondairy creamer in a large bowl. Mix mini marshmallows and mini chocolate chips in another bowl.
   2. Divide cocoa mixture evenly between 7 pint jars. Spoon marshmallows and chocolate chips on top of cocoa mixture.

   Gift Idea
   Pack up a jar of homemade cocoa mix with a mug and chocolate spoons.

   Add tag to jar
   For one serving, stir together 1/3 cup of the cocoa mix and 3/4 cup of boiling water in a large mug until the mixture is well blended and chocolate chips begin to melt. Serve warm.

   Peppermint Cocoa Mix - Mix crushed peppermint candy canes with chocolate chips and marshmallows.

   Triple-Chocolate Cookie Mix
   Layer ingredients into a jar, then attach easy baking instructions with a festive holiday ribbon.
   Makes quart jar of mix; 3 dozen baked cookies.

   1 mason jar (1 quart)
   2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
   1 teaspoon Watkins Baking Powder
   1/2 teaspoon baking soda
   1/4 teaspoon salt
   1/2 cup Watkins Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
   1 cup packed dark brown sugar
   1/2 cup granulated sugar
   1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
   1/3 cup white baking chips

   1. In medium-size bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups of the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In small bowl, blend remaining 1 cup flour and the cocoa powder.
   2. Layer dry mix ingredients in jar: Spoon half of the flour-cocoa mixture into bottom of jar; press down to compact (a small spice jar works well). Spoon half of the plain flour mixture on top of cocoa mixture; compact. Repeat. Top with dark brown sugar and granulated sugar, compacting each layer. Place both kinds of chips on top. Close jar tightly. Store up to 2 weeks in a cool, dry place.

   Attach a note to jar with cookie recipe
   In large bowl, combine 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) cooled, melted unsalted butter with 3 eggs and 1 tablespoon Watkins Vanilla Extract. Stir in contents of jar just until mixed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons, 2 inches apart, onto a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 to 13 minutes or until firm. Cool on sheet on wire rack for 1 minute. Remove cookies to rack; cool completely.

   Jalapeno Jelly
   This jelly's got a jump and a jolt, so give it to your spiciest friends.
   Makes 6 1/2 pints. Cook 8 minutes.

   2 large sweet green peppers (about 1 pound), cored, seeded, chopped
   6 large jalapeno chilies, seeded and chopped (about 2/3 cup)
   1 cup cider vinegar
   5 1/2 cups sugar
   1 box (1.75 ounces) powdered pectin, dissolved in 3/4 cup water
   1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
   Green food coloring
   6 canning jars (1/2 pint), lids, seals

   1. In food processor, mince green peppers and jalapenos with vinegar.
   2. Boil over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until slightly thickened.
   3. Meanwhile, in small saucepan boil pectin-water mixture 1 minute.
   4. Add pectin mixture, lemon juice, and desired amount of food coloring. Boil 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
   5. Pour hot jelly mixture into sterilized canning jars; seal. Process in hot water bath following manufacturer's instructions. Remove jars from water and place on wire rack. Let stand at room temperature 24 hours or until jelly sets.
   6. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

   Coconut Madeleines
   Makes 24 madeleines

   1/2 cup sweetened flake coconut
   3 large eggs
   1/2 cup sugar
   1 cup all-purpose flour
   1/2 teaspoon Watkins Baking Powder
   1/8 teaspoon salt
   1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
   1/2 teaspoon Watkins Coconut Extract
   1/2 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract
   1 tablespoon confectioner's sugar

   1. Coat 24 indentations in madeleine pans with nonstick cooking spray.
   2. Pulse coconut in a food processor until ground. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar until blended and slightly foamy, about 2 minutes. On low speed, beat in flour, ground coconut, baking powder, and salt just until smooth. Add melted butter and extracts; stir just until combined. Let stand, covered, 15 minutes.
   3. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Spoon a slightly rounded tablespoon of batter into each indentation.
   4. Bake madeleines at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes, rotating pans halfway, or until golden around edges and springy when pressed with your fingertips. Let cool in pans on wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove madeleines from pans to rack; let cool completely. Dust with confectioner's sugar before gifting.

   Rum Butter Stars
   Makes 4 dozen cookies.

   2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
   1/2 teaspoon Watkins Baking Powder
   1/8 teaspoon salt
   1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
   3/4 cup sugar
   2 eggs
   1 teaspoon Watkins Rum Extract
   1/2 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract
   24 red and green glace cherries, halved

   1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
   2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
   3. In another large bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs and extracts. Beat in dry ingredients on low until just combined.
   4. Place dough in a pastry bag or cookie press fitted with a large star tip. Pipe stars, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased baking sheets. Place a glace cherry half on the top of each. Refrigerate baking sheets for 30 minutes.
   5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes, until edges just start to brown.
   6. Remove cookies from baking sheets to wire racks and let cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.
   Variation - substitute Watkins Almond Extract for Rum Extract.

   Peppermint Puffs
   Makes 3 dozen cookies

   2 cups all-purpose flour
   1/4 teaspoon salt
   1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
   1 cup confectioner's sugar
   1 egg
   1/2 teaspoon Watkins Peppermint Extract
   1/2 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract
   8 ounces white chocolate, melted with
   1 teaspoon shortening
   1/2 cup finely chopped candy canes

   1. Stir together flour and salt in medium bowl.
   2. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl until smooth and creamy. Beat in egg. Beat in peppermint and vanilla extracts.
   3. On low speed, beat in flour mixture. Shape dough into a ball; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour.
   4. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.
   5. Shape dough into 1-inch balls for a total of 36 cookies; place on prepared baking sheets.
   6. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool completely. When cool, brush with melted white chocolate; dip in chopped candy canes. Let harden on waxed paper.

   Pfeffernusse Crescents
   Makes 5 dozen.

   2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
   1/2 teaspoon baking soda
   1/2 teaspoon Watkins baking Powder
   1/4 teaspoon salt
   1/4 teaspoon Watkins Black Pepper
   1/2 teaspoon Watkins Ground Cinnamon
   1/4 teaspoon Watkins Ground Nutmeg
   1/4 teaspoon Watkins Ground Cloves
   1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
   2 eggs
   1 tablespoon orange zest
   1 cup honey
   Confectioner's sugar for rolling

   1. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
   2. In another large bowl, beat butter, eggs, and zest until smooth, about 3 minutes. Beat in honey until combined. On low speed beat in dry ingredients until just combined.
   3. Cover and refrigerate dough overnight.
   4. Heat oven to 350 degrees. With well-floured hands, form 1 level teaspoon dough into a ball. On a well-floured work surface, form each ball into a 2-1/2-inch-long log. Bend into a crescent shape and place on ungreased baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough.
   5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8 minutes until slightly golden. Remove from oven; cool on baking sheet on wire rack for 1 minute. Roll warm cookies in confectioner's sugar. Place on wire rack to cool completely.

   Dutch-Oven Potatoes
   These creamy, cheesy potatoes are the perfect accompaniment for simple grilled meats. Mash leftovers, or puree them with milk for a delicious soup.

   1 cup all-purpose flour
   1 quart half-and-half
   6 medium russet potatoes, cut into thin slices
   1 red onion, cut into thin slices
   1 1/2 teaspoons salt
   1/4 teaspoon Watkins Pepper
   1 stick butter or margarine, sliced
   8 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded

   1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine flour and half-and-half in a medium bowl; mix well with a fork or whisk. Pour enough into a Dutch oven to cover the bottom.
   2. Layer one-third of potatoes, onion, salt, pepper, butter and cheese over flour mixture. Repeat layers twice.
   3. Pour remaining flour mixture over the layers.
   4. Bake, covered, until potatoes are tender, about 1 hour.

   Make Ahead
   You can prepare these potatoes up to 24 hours ahead. Refrigerate until ready to reheat and serve.

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   
   Bird Watching

   The 20th season of ProjectFeeder Watch began last week. Winter weather hasn't set in yet so there haven't been a lot of birds at my feeders. And a hawk has been swooping through my yard catching birds. My bird count for Thursdy and Friday of last week was

   Wild Turkey - 4
   Western Scrub Jay - 6
   White Crowned Sparrow - 2
   Mourning Dove - 5
   Oak Titmouse - 1
   Chestnut-Backed Chickadee - 2
   House Finch - 3
   Dark Eyed Junco - 8
   Golden Crowned Sparrow - 4
   California Towhee - 2
   Stellars Jay - 1
   Anna's Hummingbird - 2

   Today is one of my bird counting days for this week. I like to feed and watch the squirrels too but they sure put a dent in the bird seed and peanuts! Five hungry squirrels are at my feeders now! They look like acrobats, climbing and jumping. Some squirrels can jump from the ground up to my hanging baskets and they have no problem climbing metal poles.

   Project FeederWatch

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   CUSTOMER REWARDS

   I'd like to reward my Watkins customers.

   Become a Member of my Watkins $100 Club!
   

   Each time your product total reaches $100.00 in one year, you will receive a gift certificate for $10.00 off your next Watkins order. (Total does not include shipping and sales tax.) This total is accumulative - you do not have to order $100 worth of Watkins products in one order. I keep a total of the products you purchase and when your total reaches $100 I will send you a $10 gift certificate! January 1 begins a new year.

   Ask your family and friends if they would like to order Watkins products with you. If your order is $75.00 or more your shipping is free!

   Order Online:
   Watkins

   Order by Phone:
   Toll-Free Ordering at:
   US 1-800-247-5907
   Canada 1-800-665-5756
   Please give them my ID# 335001 when ordering.

   Order by Mail:
   Mail your order with check or money order to:
   Watkins Incorporated
   P.O. Box 5570
   Winona, MN 55987-0570
   Please give them my ID# 335001 when ordering.

   Get FREE SHIPPING on orders over:
   $75.00 in US
   $99.00 in Canada

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   SHIPPING RATES

   US Shipping Phone, Mail, Fax, or Internet Orders Order Total Shipping Charges $0 - $29.99 $5.95 $30.00 - $74.99 $8.95 $75.00 and more Free

   Canada Shipping Phone, Mail, Fax, or Internet Orders Order Total Shipping Charges $0 - $39.99 $5.95 $40.00 - $98.99 $8.95 $99.00 and more Free

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   JOIN OUR TEAM
   

   The Watkins Business Opportunity

   • The ability for you to take control of your personal and financial future and earn in direct relation to your effort.
   • Equal Opportunity: Whether you have a Harvard degree or a GED, you possess the key to take charge and make a difference in your personal development and financial well being.
   • Everyone, regardless of life's challenges, has the opportunity, in accordance to your willingness and commitment to work, to learn and earn in accordance to your dreams and aspirations.
   • The time and money to achieve your dreams.
   • Opportunity for you to live and work as you choose according to your personal values and vision.
   • A system of learning that is founded on successful people teaching and inspiring others based on their experience.
   • Opportunity to develop skills that you will use in every walk of life: communication, money management, time management, goal setting, and leadership.
   • The privilege of identifying people that you want to help and empower by opening the door to endless opportunities.
   • Turnkey opportunity for you to learn and realize your goals and aspirations. Learning curve, motivation and inspiration increase with your belief and conviction to make it happen.

   Start your own home-based business with Watkins. We offer several assortments to join Watkins and the Summit Group.

   1 – The Good Tastings Starter Kit - $99.00 US; $125.00 Canada (plus tax and shipping)
   2 - The Business Introduction Package - $59.95; $69.00 Canada (plus tax and shipping)
   Assortment details, pdf file Assortments

   
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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   Just click on this link and "Cast Your Vote." Please vote. You can vote once a day. Your votes help me to increase my subscribers.
   Thank you. I appreciate your support.

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   It is only as we develop others that we permanently succeed.
   Harvey S. Firestone
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   The Watkins Company is beginning its 138th year of providing outstanding products that people use every day. What other company has such a history of experience, success, and integrity?

   Get all the details today! Watkins Home Business

   Or contact me at: eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com

   DID YOU KNOW THAT WATKINS:

   • Offered the first known money-back guarantee?
     
   • Had two leaders presented in Success Magazine’s “We Create Millionaires” article on MLM?
     
   • Is 138 years old?
     
   • Was rated as one of 5 Hot Home Based Companies in Executive Female Magazine?
     
   • Was listed in the “A” list of Top Network Marketing Companies in Downline News Magazine?
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   “Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway. We might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.” - Earl Nightingale

   
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   If anything in this newsletter has added a little spice to your life tell me about it. If you have any other helpful hints for using spices and herbs, share them with our readers. Email me at: eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com

   If you would like to receive a Watkins Monthly Highlights catalog, our Watkins Mainline catalog, and a FREE sample please send your request to eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com

   If you would like to browse our online catalog go to
   Watkins
   Our home business may be right for you or someone you know - Visit our informational web site at
   Watkins Home Business
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   Thank you once again for your continued support and for remaining a valued subscriber to
   Around the Kitchen Table - Watkins Newsletter!
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   When your family gives thanks remember to include a prayer for the men and women standing guard to keep us all safe and free.
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success." - Henry Ford
   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
   *** Integrity Since 1868 ***
   138 years of experience and integrity goes into each one of our products. J.R. Watkins started a lasting tradition when he introduced the world's first money-back guarantee, which we still honor on every product we sell.

   Hope to see you next month!
   Eleisia Whitney
   Independent Watkins Associate, ID# 335001
   23 Oak Ridge Lane
   Danville, CA 94506

   Watkinize Your Life

   Copyright 2002-2006
   Around the Kitchen Table
   

   The statements made and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the Independent Watkins Associate who is the publisher of this document, and are not to be construed as the statements or opinions of Watkins Incorporated. Sponsoring or selling Watkins products outside U.S.,U.S.Territories and Canada is strictly prohibited. Contests and prizes are provided by Eleisia Whitney and not Watkins, Inc. or other Independent Associates.

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