Fast Holiday Candy Recipe: Pecan-Raisin Clusters

Photo by Cynthia L. Nobles

From Denny:  Talk about a simple recipe that is fast to create!  Perfect for holiday entertaining this little gem of a recipe comes from Cynthia L. Nobles and it was featured in our local Louisiana newspaper a couple of months ago.  Of course, I quickly recognized it's worth as a recipe perfect for the holidays, whether it's gift-giving or entertaining the friends and relatives! :) 

Do you have a little leftover morning coffee?  This recipe uses up a few tablespoons of it so no need to throw it out after all.  I mean, really, when you can make a chocolate recipe with some leftover morning coffee who said being frugal couldn't be fun and tasty?...

Santa Music Round Compact Mirror

Cookies: Coconut-Almond Macaroons

Photo:  Arthur D. Lauck/The Advocate, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

From Denny:  Raise your hand if you enjoy coconut macaroons.  Yeah, me too!  They make some stellar ones on their seasonal menu, dipped in the best dark chocolate, over at the French restaurant bistro chain, La Madeleine.  

But if you can't get ones as good as theirs locally, and the ones at the grocery store leave you yawning, well, make them yourself!  These lovely cookies are easy to make.

Yet another easy recipe from my local Louisiana newspaper, The Advocate.  They have an award-winning food section as Louisiana people love to cook and share our recipes for publication, especially when it comes to tail-gating season and the holidays...

Happy Holidays Poinsettia Greeting Cards (20 pack)

Christmas poinsettia vintage design updated in soft winter pales with Happy Holidays greeting suitable for the holiday season!

3 Tasty Persimmon Recipes: Bread, Cake, Pudding, Persimmon Facts

From Denny:  Persimmons.  Look forward to these every year when they are in season?  Just when you start to forget they exist, then, suddenly they show up in the grocery store.  Pretty much the story of our lives as there is so much abundance around us in the harvest time.  That sends you hurriedly searching yet again for a great persimmon recipe. So, you end up here at this food blog, right? :)

Seriously, these great recipes were recently featured in our local newspaper by an avid persimmon grower with a beautiful persimmon tree in her Louisiana yard, offering great advice on growing and cooking persimmons.  One tree yields a lot of yummy tasty treats to enjoy baking into awesome goodness!  This year her persimmon tree almost broke her record; it produced over 1,500 persimmons.

After a record amount one year, the persimmon tree will take a break next year and produce less.  After harvest, prune the house high tree because you will want it to branch out as much as possible.  Pruning is what keeps a tree producing a lot and prolongs its life for many years.  It's often difficult to reach the fruit at the top of tree so just leave it as food for your neighborhood birds.  They will be sure to thank you!...

Celebrate Chocolate iPhone 5 Case

Celebrate Chocolate every day as a holiday!

A Truth Journal: Funny Fathers Day Story: Happy Fathers Day Everyone!

A Truth Journal: Funny Fathers Day Story: Happy Fathers Day Everyone!: From Denny:  Well, it's Father's Day and a hearty congrats to all the Dads and just regular non-Dads out there around the globe.  There really are some cool men who are supportive of women every day in quiet ways and you deserve some serious kudos!...

World's Greatest DAD iPod Touch 5 Case

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Poems From A Spiritual Heart: Peace Upon The Land

Poems From A Spiritual Heart: Peace Upon The Land - A Memorial Day poem to honor ourselves. All of us need to work together to pressure world governments for Peace.  It's past due time for the violence to end in modern societies.

* * *  Support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  - see what's new!  

Comfort Food From Louisiana: 8 Roast Turkey Recipes: Thanksgiving and Christmas

Comfort Food From Louisiana: 8 Roast Turkey Recipes: Thanksgiving and Christmas: From Denny:  Looking for an interesting recipe twist to the holiday dinner?  Want a modern version of a classic turkey recipe?  Whether it's Thanksgiving or Christmas good cooks everywhere like to try a new recipe for the holidays every now and then.

Now matter how much we love tradition there are those times when a new recipe is the hit of the season and the family says, "This one is a winner; make it for next year too!"  And that's how many food traditions start.

I'm one of those cooks that likes to compare a pack of recipes against each other to determine which I like best.  Sometimes, I'm just searching for a good tweak on what I'm already making for the feast.  Other years I'm just so bored making the same ol' thing I have to have a change somewhere in the menu.

Funny Friday Weekend iPhone 5 Case

Tell the world how you really feel about coming back to work.  Proceeds go to helping homeless female military vets.  Check it out on the shopkeeper's bio at Denny Lyon Gifts.

Dennys World of Quotes: 73 Funny Halloween Quotes and Famous Poems

Dennys World of Quotes: 73 Funny Halloween Quotes and Famous Poems: From Denny:  Everyone have a fun Halloween night!  Attended our local symphony this week (awesome performance of complex Russian music) and didn't you know there was a middle-aged woman with the fun Halloween spirit.  (The kids in attendance sure enjoyed it.) She did her makeup like a zombie and quickly woke up the old guys snoring in the back row.  There is nothing more enjoyable than the unexpected just when you thought something would be oh, too predictable. :)

Halloween Spider Web Large Mug

Check out this glistening silver spider web for your Halloween and autumn entertaining!

* * *  Support Warriors Pearl Foundation - helping homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -   - see what's new!