Caught Up in the Holidays

The 1997 Holiday Dinner will be on Saturday the 6th of December.
Tom, Trish, Kelly, Carole, Justin, Sydney, and Bob have confirmed. We are currently waiting for responses from Brett and Ann. I'm quite sure Brett will be here, and Ann had best have one hell of an excuse if she won't be. Tammy will be here if she doesn't have to work.
The menu hasn't been decided yet, but it's going to be the traditional holiday fare. Turkey, stuffing, dressing, that sort of thing. If last year is any indication, there won't be any leftovers.
After dinner, weather permitting (who am I kidding?), all are invited to the hot tub. Please bring appropriate swimwear. The out-of-towners (Ann and Bree) are invited to stay the night. Please bring appropriate sleepwear.
This year no smoking will be allowed inside due to the exceptional number of babies, though there will likely be cigars at the hot tub.

Dessert Recipes

Orange Slice Cake
(Please note that orange slices are a candy and not a fresh fruit.)

3 1/2 c. flour	1/2 c. buttermilk	1 lb. orange slices
1/2 t. salt	2 c. nuts	1/2 c. butter
4 eggs	1 t. soda	2 c. sugar
8 oz dates (opt)		1 can coconut (opt)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Generously grease and flour a bundt pan.
Chop nuts, orange slices and (opt) dates finely. Add (opt) coconut. Coat well with 1 1/2 c. flour.
Cream butter and sugar; add eggs one at a time. Beat well.
Combine soda and 1/2 c. buttermilk; add alternately with remaining flour.
Add candy mixture last. Mix well.
Bake in a slow oven (300 degrees) for 1 hour 45 minutes.
Let stand overnight in refrigerator before removing from pan.
Cake can be frozen.

Black Forest Cheat

1 chocolate cake, without frosting

1 or 2 cans cherry pie filling

1 large package instant vanilla pudding

1 package whipped topping

If you did not buy a ready-made cake at the store, make the cake. Allow the cake to cool thoroughly.
Make the pudding according to the package directions. This requires milk. Allow the pudding to set. Or, I suppose you could buy ready-made pudding, but that might get expensive.
Crumble the cake into bite-size or smaller pieces.
In a clear bowl with straight sides (not rounded like a mixing bowl), layer some cake, pudding, cherry pie filling, cake, pudding, cherry pie filling, and continue until you run out of ingredients or room. SAVE TWO OR THREE CHERRIES.
Top with whipped topping (cool whip, redi-whip). Garnish with remaining cherries.

Main Dish Recipes

Perfect Roasted Chicken
Mince equal amounts of garlic and onion.
Add 2 pinches rosemary. Salt and pepper to taste.
Insert between skin and meat of chicken.
Roast at 450 degrees for 10 minutes per pound.
Baste every 10 minutes.