Double Strength Imitation Clear Vanilla Extract 11 fl oz/325 ml $10.99	Buy Cooking Spray and Baking Powder and get Natural Baking Cocoa for $3.59	Save $1.00 on Soup and Gravy Bases
Limited-Edition Extracts, 2 oz/59 ml - Black Walnut, Danish Pastry, Hazelnut, Irish Cream - Seasonal items, limited quantities	Save $.50 on Roasted Turkey Gourmet Gravy Mix	Purchase one Pumpkin Bread Mix, get the second for $3.49 - Seasonal item, limited quantities
Cinna-Cream Sprinkles - NEW larger size - Seasonal item, limited quantities	Save $.50 on Country Gourmet Gravy Mix	Limited-Edition Snack & Dip Seasonings NEW - Garlic Parmesan, Jalapeno Cheddar - Seasonal item, limited quantities
Save on All-Natural Gourmet Herbs & Spices	Purchase one Shortbread Cookie Mix, get the second for $2.99, Seasonal item, limited quantities	Apple Cranberry Butter NEW - Seasonal item, limited quantities
Pumpkin Butter - Seasonal item, limited quantities	Save $1.00 on All-Natural Garlic Grapeseed Oil Liquid Spice	Save On Pizza Crust Mixes
Save $1.00 on Pain Relieving Liniment Spray	Save $1.00 on Menthol Camphor Relief Mist	Save $1.00 on Menthol Camphor Bath Soak
Save $2.00 on Menthol Lavender Drops	Purchase one Aloe & Green Tea Conditioner and get the Shampoo for just $4.99	Save $2.00 on The Lil’ Lip Combo
Save $.50 on Hand and Cuticle Salves	Save $1.00 on Body Oils	Purchase One Lemon Toilet Bowl Cleanser, Get The Second For Only $5.99

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

Sheliah from Arkansas is November's Newsletter Giveaway winner. She receives a selection of herbs and spices for holiday baking and cooking - Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Rosemary, Thyme, and Sage.

December's Newsletter Giveaway is a bottle of Watkins Orange Citrus or Lemon Liquid Hand Soap, formulated with premium natural ingredients and essential oils. This hard-working, natural hand soap creates a smooth lather of suds that rinse away, leaving your hands exceptionally clean and smooth. Gentle on hands - Watkins premium fragrance - Attractively packaged - Invigorating citrus scent.

To enter December's Newletter Giveaway send an email to eleisia@NotJustVanilla.com Tell us your favorite Christmas song or movie and put "Watkins December Giveaway" in the subject line. Please give your name and mailing address. The winner will be chosen at random from entries.

The products in this giveaway are provided by me and not by Watkins Incorporated or another Watkins associate.

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

• In recipes calling for Cardamom substitute equal parts of nutmeg and cinnamon.
• When a recipe uses flour as an ingredient you should only sift if it is specified in the recipe. If it does call for flour to be sifted, there are two ways it will appear in the directions: 1) If the recipe calls for "2 cups sifted flour," you should sift the flour into a bowl, then measure it. 2) If the recipe calls for "2 cups flour, sifted," you should measure the flour, then sift it.
• When baking cookies in a convection oven reduce temp by 25 degrees F. Even when the temperature is lowered by 25 degrees F. you can expect the food to be done 25 per cent faster than the recipe suggests.
• Brown sugar is white sugar and molasses combined so you can use 1 cup granulated sugar plus 1 1/2 tablespoons molasses as a substitute.

Give that favorite person on your Christmas list a Watkins Gift Certificate. Gift Certificates are avaliable in one dollar increments from $10 to $100. (Order gift certificates at my Watkins web site www.NotJustVanilla.com) or call Watkins at 1-800-WATKINS and give my name and ID# as your associate, Eleisia Whitney ID# 335001.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprints
This is one of my favorite cookies. The peanut butter and jam taste yummy together!

2 cups all-purpose flour (about 9 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract
7 tablespoons seedless raspberry preserves

Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine flour and salt, stirring well with a whisk; set aside.

Place sugars, peanut butter, and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well combined. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture to sugar mixture, beating on low speed just until combined.

Shape dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Press thumb into center of each dough ball, leaving an indentation. Cover and chill 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Uncover dough. Bake at 350 degrees F for 14 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove cookies from pans, and cool on a wire rack.

Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon preserves into the center of each cookie.

Substitute another flavor of preserves, jam, or jelly according to your personal preference. Grape, blackberry, raspberry, and strawberry are our favorites.

Chewy Spice Cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
2 teaspoon Watkins Ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Watkins Nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon Watkins Cloves
3/4 cup vegetable shortening (preferably trans-fat-free)
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup molasses
1 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract
1/4 cup granulated sugar

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and cloves.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the shortening and sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce speed to low and beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla. Add the flour mixture, mixing just until combined (do not overmix).
3. Place the granulated sugar on a plate. Roll heaping tablespoonfuls of the dough into balls; roll in the sugar to coat. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. (If the dough seems too moist add 1/4 cup more flour.)
4. Bake until the edges are firm, 10 to 12 minutes. Cool slightly on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Maple-Walnut Shortbread

1 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 egg, separated
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon Watkins Cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

1. Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, and egg yolk until smooth. Stir in the flour, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
2. Spread the dough into an ungreased 15 1/2-by-10 1/2-inch jelly-roll pan or cookie sheet with sides.
3. Beat the egg white in a small bowl with a fork until foamy. Spread evenly over the dough. Sprinkle on the nuts and press them gently into the dough.
4. Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until the shortbread shrinks slightly from the sides of the pan. Do not overcook; you want them to be a little chewy. Cut diagonally into 3-by-1 1/2-inch bars.
5. This recipe makes 36 bars.

Coconut Slice-and-Bake Cookies

2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Coconut Extract

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the coconut on a rimmed baking sheet and toast, tossing occasionally, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes; let cool.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cooled coconut.
3. With an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat to combine. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually mix in the flour mixture just until combined (do not overmix).
4. Form the dough into two 12-by-1 1/2-inch logs. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours or up to 2 days.
5. Cut the logs into slices and place on baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Sprinkle with sugar and bake, rotating the baking sheets halfway through, until golden, 9 to 11 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a rack to cool.
6. Storage suggestion: Keep the cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
This simple Slow Cooker Chicken Stew is perfect for those cold night meals.

2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cubed
2 cups chicken broth made with 2 cups boiling water and 1 tablespon Watkins Chicken Soup Base
3 cups potatoes, peel, cube
1 cup onion, chopped
1 cup celery, sliced
1 cup carrots, sliced thin
1 teaspoon Watkins Paprika
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Sage
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Thyme
6 ounces tomato paste
1/4 cup cold water
3 tablespoons cornstarch

1. In a slow cooker, combine the first 11 ingredients, cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours.
2. Then mix water and cornstarch until smooth, stir into stew.
3. Cook, covered, for an additional 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup

8 cups beef broth made with 8 cups boiling water and 4 tablespoons Watkins Beef Soup Base
6 1/2 cups water
1 pound cooked sweet Italian sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 (9-ounce) box tortellini
1 (9-ounce) box spinach tortellini
1/2 pound cabbage, shredded
1 small green bell pepper, cored and diced
1 medium zucchini, sliced
1 small red onion, chopped
1 medium tomato, diced
1 teaspoon Watkins Basil
Salt and Watkins Black Pepper to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan, for garnish

Combine broth, water, tortellini, vegetables, sausage and basil in large pot. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to slow boil over medium-high heat.

Reduce and simmer until vegetables are tender and pasta is cooked, about 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with Parmesan.

Serve with bread, rolls, corn bread, or biscuits.

Have you seen a tiny chickadee or titmouse pecking at the shell of a peanut to get at the treat inside? It's takes a very determined bird with a very tiny beak! Sorry I didn't get a photo.

See the amazing photo winners of the Great Backyard Bird Count - Overall Category and photo winners for all categories

Visit my blog Chickadees, Juncos, and Jays Oh My! to see my newest backyard visitors!

I did have a pleasant surprise yesterday! I saw six Chestnut-Backed Chickadees at my feeders all at once! I put up bird houses (nesting boxes) in my back yard and they may have helped to increase the local chickadee population. Oak Titmice, California Towhees, Mourning Doves, White-Breasted Nuthatches, House Finches, Western Scrub Jays, Stellar's Jays, Goldfinches, and Anna's Hummingbirds continue to visit but in lesser numbers.

Two California Quail visited our backyard stopping to sun themselves on an azalea planter. The darker-headed one is the male quail and the lighter-colored one is the female.

Visit my bird watching blog Chickadees, Juncos, and Jays Oh My!. See live birds at the Project FeederWatch live bird cam located in Colorado. Join Project FeederWatch and feed and count your backyard birds. Bird watching is a fun and educational family activity.

eNature’s Bird Call Challenge will test your knowledge of your local birds or those of any other zip code you choose. And you can choose to quiz yourself on just songbirds or every species of bird in the area. Click here to take the Bird Call Challenge to test your knowledge!

I found this web site with an amazing photo essay of The Birth of Two Hummingbirds

Visit Project FeederWatch for more information and to find out how you can become a citizen scientist and count the birds you your own backyard!

Find out more about this year's Backyard Bird Count at www.birdcount.org.

Top 25 bird lists by state and region for the 2008-2009 season are now online.
View lists of the most common feeder birds in each state or province.

Map of FeederWatch Count Sites

rightbird.com
for information about familiar and unfamiliar birds. Instantly see illustrations of birds that match the attributes you select. The more characteristics you know, the narrower the search is for the "right bird." Includes audible bird call samples.

Ask your family and friends if they would like to order Watkins products with you. If your order is $150 US or $150 CDN shipping is free!

Order Online:
Watkins

Order by Phone:
Toll-Free Ordering at:
US and Canada 1-800-928-5467
Please give them my ID# 335001 when ordering.

US Orders 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.

Canadian Orders by Mail:
Mail your order with check or money order to:
Watkins Incorporated
277 Hutchings Street
Winnipeg, MB R2X2R4
Please give them my ID# 335001 when ordering.

Get FREE SHIPPING on orders over:
$150.00 in US
$150.00 in Canada

The Watkins Business Opportunity

The Watkins Company is beginning its 143rd year of providing outstanding natural 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 and Optional Assortments under Join Us - As an Associate from the side menu.

Or contact me at: eleisiawhitney@watkinsonline.com Start your own home-based business with Watkins for as little as $39.95 plus tax. Our new Membership Package and Optional Upgrade Assortments allow you more flexibility. Join for the 25% discount or for part time or full time income.

Nestled in the Mississippi River Bluff town of Winona, MN., Watkins has been America’s pioneer in natural living since 1868. As America’s original natural apothecary manufacturer, Watkins uses only the finest natural ingredients in its diverse lines of personal care, home care, remedies and organic flavorings.

Committed to being America’s most trusted natural products company, Watkins adheres strictly to the same quality standards set forth by its founder J.R. Watkins. Its J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary line of personal care contains only natural, environmentally friendly ingredients from renewable resources, avoiding chemicals like parabens, sulfates, phthalates and more and is one of very few lines to be certified by the Natural Products Association.

Responsible manufacturing processes are as important as its commitment to providing natural, consumable items for everyday life. By utilizing gravity- fed filling, biodegradable packing materials, as well as strict recycling programs and much more, Watkins is devoted to leaving the smallest environmental footprint possible.

DID YOU KNOW THAT WATKINS:

• Offered the first known money-back guarantee?
  
• Had two leaders presented in Success Magazines We Create Millionaires article on MLM?
  
• Is 143 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?

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

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

Watkinize Your Life

Copyright 2002-2011
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.

Testimonials are based on personal experiences, and we cannot guarantee these same results for everyone.

The statements made and opinions expressed on this page are those of the Independent Watkins Associate who is the publisher of this document and are not the statement, opinion or view of Watkins Incorporated, and therefore are not to be construed as the statements, opinions, or views of Watkins Incorporated. Such statements and opinions have not been reviewed or approved by Watkins Incorporated.

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