From Our Recipe Box to Yours...Buffalo Chicken Dip and a DIY update!

Friday Means Food Fun here at the Library so here's your latest recipe
From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

Buffalo Chicken Dip

1 pound skinless boneless chicken breasts

1 (8 ounce) bottle ranch dressing

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1 (12 ounce) bottle hot pepper sauce

1 (16 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese

Throw all together in a crock pot and melt. Dip with tortilla chips or crackers!! Yum!! I use Frank's Red Hot sauce for the hot pepper sauce and cut back on the amount depending on who I am serving it to. Some like it spicy, some do not. Either way, this is an easy and totally yummy dip to eat and share. Enjoy!!

Our next DIY night, Tuesday November 9th, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.,  will feature homemade photo ornaments. Bring your own 4x6 or 5x7 horizontal photograph to create this beautiful ornament. Registration is required so reserve your spot today. Call, 319-352-1223, e-mail, waverly@waverly.lib.ia.us, or facebook us!! We're looking forward to crafting with you!

What's in your library bag Wednesday???

Wednesdays come so quickly it seems. Some weeks I can read a book a week, and others not so much. I did finish a book this last week, but it was a re-read so you've heard about my romance fantasy love already. But, I do have some thoughts on books that I'd like to share with you today.

Inspirational Fiction. Do you read any? I have never really been a big fan. It just seems so "not real" to me. Ha, that's funny isn't it?? I read about vampires and werewolves and I'm saying that inspirational fiction seems not real. What I've come to realize is that all of us fiction readers have our own fantasy that we like to read. After all, it's all fiction and not true, right? So, some people want to read books that almost always have happy endings and the characters are never in any danger. They may even like a Bible quote or two thrown in every now and then. And that's okay. That's what they like. It's their "fantasy" so to speak. Whereas, mine usually involves romance and fantastical characters like vampires.  That's my "fantasy."

In an effort, however, to broaden my horizons and reading tastes I am taking some reader's advisory classes through the State Library of Iowa. The next one is on Inspirational Fiction. I am at a total loss. I need to pick a book and read it so that I can review it here on the blog before the middle of November. Since this has never really been my reading taste,  I don't know where to begin to choose an author or a book. I'm looking for any suggestions you might have and why you liked it. Please leave me a comment and tell me who I should read or what book I should try. I am hoping to enjoy dabbling in Inspirational Fiction.

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...A Friday Kid Recipe and an Invitation!

No Bake Cookies

3 C. rolled oats
4 T. cocoa

Mix these ingredients together in a separate dish.

Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute:

2 C. white sugar
1/2 C. milk
1 stick butter

Mix together with dry ingredients and drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper. Cool and Enjoy!


Invitation!

Come One, Come All to our annual Family Halloween Party!! Creatures of the Night!!
Saturday, October 30, 2-3 p.m.
Halloween stories, crafts and treats!
Costumes welcome and encouraged!!

What's In Your Library Bag Wednesday?

Here we are... it's Wednesday again and I am wondering what's in your library bag today? Are you reading something great that you can't wait to share with the rest of us? Or are you reading an old favorite? Maybe you aren't really reading anything at all...

I noticed today as I was checking some books out for a fellow paranormal romance reader that she was reading a series I dearly love and I thought that she had read them already, too. So, I asked her about it. Her response was, "Yeah, I've read those, but I am re-reading them right now because they are so good." I used to think this was such a funny thing to do. After all, with all of those authors out there writing all of those books, who has time to Re-Read anything? But, I've come to learn that there is a certain allure to curling up with a book you know is going to be good. You can be having a very stressful day and when you finally get to sit down and relax a little, (it might be 10 p.m. before you get this chance, but you take it whenever you can get it) it feels good to read familiar characters and a favorite story line. As I've been told by other re-readers, you usually catch something that you missed the first time around. Funny lines the protagonist says, making her more sarcastic than you remembered, for example.

This really makes sense because with my obsessiveness in reading a series from start to finish, I am usually so excited that I sit down and read a book cover to cover, barely taking a breath. When I do this, I am sure that I miss things, which only makes the books that much better when I take the time to read them again. And isn't it a real compliment to the author that you loved the book so much the first time that you are willing to re-read it?

To re-read or not to re-read, that is the question.

Pumpkin Creme Pies and a reminder!

Pumpkin Creme Pies (from http://www.tastykitchen.com/)


FOR CREME PIES:


1 cup Brown Sugar

1 cup Sugar

1 cup Vegetable Oil

1 can Pumpkin (15 Oz.)

2 whole Eggs

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

3 cups All-purpose Flour

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1 teaspoon Baking Powder

1 Tablespoon Cinnamon

1 teaspoon Ground Ginger

½ teaspoons Salt

½ teaspoons Ground Nutmeg

¼ teaspoons Ground Cloves

_____

FOR FILLING:

1 package Cream Cheese Softened (8 Oz.)

1 stick Unsalted Butter, Room Temperature

1 package Powdered Sugar (16 Oz.)

3 drops Vanilla Extract

2 dashes Cinnamon

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


Pumpkin Creme Pies: Beat together brown sugar, sugar, oil and pumpkin. Add eggs one at time, mixing well after each addition, followed by the vanilla.
In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.
Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined.
Cut 3 inch squares of parchment paper, about 24. Using a pastry bag with a round tip, or a big zip top plastic bag with one corner snipped, squeeze out concentric circles of batter, starting from the middle and working outward until the circles are about 2 inches in diameter. (Note that the squares allow the baker to move the square while keeping the bag in the same spot. Just squeeze for easy circle making!)
Transfer each square to a baking sheet. Bake for 11 minutes, or until firm, and cool on a rack.

Cream Cheese Filling: Beat together cream cheese and butter. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Frost flat side of half the pies and top with another piece.

Enjoy right away, or chill overnight. These keep very nicely in the fridge for at least a few days.


I found this recipe on a blog with the link to Tasty Kitchen one day and since I LOVE pumpkin I knew I just had to try them!Yummy yummy! I made mine a little big and not as pretty, but the taste....MMMM....mmmm...mmmm!

DON'T FORGET: If you missed our first Cake Balls class, we are offering a sequel! Tuesday, November 2, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. here at the library!!! Join Janette and learn how to create the most yummy treat and decorate it beautifully, just in time for the holidays. Your candy making will never be the same. There is a limit, though, so call and reserve your spot today!!! You can e-mail or facebook us too and we'll see that your name is added to the list!! 319-352-1223 or waverly@waverly.lib.ia.us Don't Delay!
This class is sponsored by Friends of the Waverly Public Library.

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday??

What's in Your library bag today? Me, I'm kinda in between books right now. I have a selection of paperbacks under my dresser for just such an occassion, so presently I am reading The Hellion and the Highlander by Lynsay Sands. It's your typical Scotland warrior English lass romance with the lady being very opinionated and strong willed. I think I must be somewhat this way because I can really relate to the women in these types of stories.

The historical romance genre seems to be making a comeback of sorts and it's always been a favorite of mine, so I was intrigued when I saw this one by Lynsay Sands. She is a popular paranormal romance author and I wanted to see what her historical romance would be like. So far, so good. But, I am a sucker for a strong Scottish Laird who loves his women smart and opinionated. Some other favorite historical romance authors of mine include Julie Garwood (her older stuff - he newer stuff tends to be more mystery/romance, good, but not the same), Jude Devereaux (she actually has written one of my all time favs, but I'll talk about that one another time) and Johanna Lindsey to name a few.

There are lots of historical romance out there. My favorites tend to always involve Scotland with real manly men and women who don't just always do what they are bid. Then again, no matter what genre I am reading, I like strong women characters and manly men. Huh.

What do you like about the books you are reading? Are they graphic mysteries? Maybe they are a totally new world that you like to imagine yourself being in...Maybe you aren't sure what you like and would like to explore that sometime.

Stop in and see me. I'd love to talk about it with you!!!

From Our Recipe Box to Yours....Chicken Tortilla Soup and a Few Pans!

Here's one for the winter months to come!!! It's one of my favorites!


Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:

3 cloves garlic,
minced 1 onion, chopped
3 tablespoons margarine
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 (14 ounce) cans chicken broth
4 cups half-and-half
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup fresh salsa
1 (15 ounce) can creamed corn
6 boneless, chicken breast halves - cooked, skinned
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 (1.27 ounce) packet dry fajita seasoning
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
16 ounces tortilla chips
8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:

In a large pot over medium heat, saute the garlic and onion in the butter or margarine for 5 minutes. Add flour and stir well, cooking for 1 minute more. Add the broth and half-and-half. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low.

Add the soup, salsa, corn, chicken, cumin, fajita seasoning and 2 tablespoons cilantro. Stir and continue to heat for 15 minutes. Crumble tortilla chips into individual bowls, add 1/2 ounce shredded cheese to each bowl and ladle in soup. Top each bowl with more crumbled chips, remaining 1/2 ounce cheese and remaining 1 tablespoon cilantro, and serve.


Speaking of recipes and food....did you know that the library now has cake pans for check out? We have over 50 different cake pans/candy molds that are available for your every party need. There is a colorful three ring binder at the circulation desk with pictures of the pans available. The check out period is 3 weeks. So, the next birthday party you are throwing...stop in and see if we have a pan that fits your needs!! Check Us Out!!!

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday??

     So, what's in your library bag this fine Wednesday in October? One thing in my bag is my IPod Touch. I went for a run today and listened to some of my favorite music: Van Zant and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Now typically I am either a country listener or I am also an 80s girl. I did start listening to music and really enjoying it in the 80s after all. I'd never even heard of the group Van Zant before I met my husband, Al. He has introduced me to all kinds of great music, including Southern Rock which is how I am going to classify Van Zant and it is my new fav. I listen to at least one of their songs every time I run. One of my favorites is "Goes Down Easy".
  As you probably know, there are all kinds of things you can have on an IPod Touch. I have games/apps for my kids to play, videos for them to watch, podcasts about running and podcasts about love. I have several folders of pictures I've taken. Kind of like a walking photo album.. I haven't actually tried to listen to a book on my Touch yet, but I am going to. Soon. What do you do with your media player? Do you only listen to music? Do you collect apps? (There's an app for that!!) Is it in your bag today like mine??


Speaking of music, part of the inspiration for the title of this blog was the song "Turn the Page." But, we here at the library are in disagreement as to which version is the best...Let's cast a vote. Do you like Bob Seger's version of Turn the Page...



or do you like Metallica's version?

From Our Recipe Box To Yours....Catch a Man Dip and More.

Speaking of recipes, have you ever stopped in and used our Cookbook section here at the library? It's located in the 641.5 section of the non-fiction stacks over by the Teen Area and it is chock full of great books! We have everything from cookbooks based on the Jan Karon Mitford Series, to Amish cooking and canning, to all the super stars from the Food Network. We have books dedicated to cooking while you are camping, to cookies, to after school snacks to wild game. Want to throw a party? We've got books full of party recipes. Want to bake a new kind of cake? We've got that, too. Maybe you are just bored with the same old same old. We've got something of interest for you, too. Make a quick stop after work, pick out a book and start creating!!!

To get you started, here's a recipe from our recipe box to yours!!

Catch a Man Dip

1 - 12 oz. pkg. of shredded Cheddar cheese
1 C. of sliced almonds
1 - 4 oz. bag of real crumbled bacon
4 green onions, chopped
2 C. Helmann's Mayonnaise

Mix, chill and serve!!
Goes great with Keebler's sticks, but any cracker you love is a good compliment.