My dd and I made the filling for some of the mini-pies in a jar. Only I added too much cornstarch to thicken the filling. It tastes good except for a floury taste. Can I do anything to make this better? Or just start over?

I'm sorry; I wish I had a Daisy Scout for your daughter to write. Both of my girls used to be Girl Scouts though (only one was a Daisy) Maybe someone else has a Daisy?

so maybe Julie would post her mushroom recipe:)

Please help my16 yo dd. She is in a Christmas play, and they are doing "Secret Santa" Her SS is an adult woman whose fav hobby is Farmville. My dd wants to get her something (around $10) Farmville-ish for the final gift on this Sat. So not much time? Anybody have any ideas?

I would LOVE the mushroom recipe. Even if I don't use it at this gathering, I'd love it for my family. And yes, I do have a crock pot. I hadn't even thought about that. And my kids love meatball subs. Maybe I could get some of the mini-sub rolls. And the beef would be filling (all those teenagers) and easy. Great ideas, ladies. Keep 'em coming!

by helping me decide what to take to Christmas event. It's at my mom's house--usually around 25 or so people--prob 10 of those are hungry teens- an all day eating and snacking event. I'll be traveling over 3 hours to get there. Rarely is there an available oven to heat up things at last minute so that also needs to be taken into consideration.. Because of allergies, no pork, bacon, ham. My mom always does the deserts and anyone else bringing desert-type items is highly frowned upon. (silly, I know, but if it helps keep holiday peace......) Right now I'm planning a fruit salsa and cinnamon pita chips to snack on but I'll need to bring more than that. I have a Sam's warehouse nearby but unfortunately, no Costco or Trader Joes. Absolutely open to buying already prepared items so long as they come recommend as tasty. Suggestions pretty please?

Plan International sponsor here. Haven't heard about the others.

I'm sad this year as we found out my ds can't have wheat or any nuts. I haven't even begun to hunt for new cookie recipes. Someone on this board has an absolutely awesome gluten- free sugar cookie recipe. A few years ago we made it for one of my dd's friends that is on a gluten free diet. My dd's friend--and her family--loved it. We liked it too. Does anybody remember who it is ? I was thinking it was Jean from blog Shades of White (awesome blog by the way--breathtaking pictures) but I couldn't find the recipe. Anybody remember these cookies besides me? Nandell

looks like a conservative suit, hose with low heels is the favored choice. My sister is unlikely to get a lot of use out of this -she is so not a dress up gal and we hope so much to not be in court anymore over this-- So I'm looking conservative & classic so she can use it hopefully in years to come. Her spending range is around 150--200. We'd like it to be a good quality but not spend more than she needs to. Suggestions for suit styles--best place to buy suits? (My little sister thinks I am so smart about all of this but honest, I do give the hive credit!) nandell

My sister is attending an emergency court date regarding the care of my 16 year old nephew Dec 14th. (Some of you might remember that my nephew ran away from a drug treatment center . He was found safe, returned to Teen Challenge, and then Dad removed him because he felt he(son) had "had enough") My sister is not the type to dress up; her ex-husband comes to court in a high-power type suit and, frankly, looks fairly impressive . This is going to be a tense situation and my sister wants to be sure she projects the right image. For her, that would be competent, caring and confident. She is around a size 16 and is about 5'5 . She prob has a clothes budget of -maybe $150. Possibly a little over that. I'm going clothes shopping with her on Friday . Not looking to buy anything online as we want to see it on her--but would appreciate pictures to look at. All help appreciated Nandell

considering a personal shopper from one of those stores? Or both of those stores and chose? You could always take pic of your favorites and then post for us to vote on-----

My oven of years and years and years died. I'm biting the bullet price-wise and tomorrow I am having a Kenmore Elite Convection Oven installed. (based on recs from oven threads, thank you ladies) I've never cooked with a convection oven. What do I need to know? Are there guides to this? Or did you ladies learn to adjust temps hit and miss? Thanks for any input

use to work for Tuesday Morning (corporate office)years ago when her kids were little. Employees received $300 per child as a bonus. The only catch was that the money had to be spent at Tuesday Morning but she never found that to be a problem. I can't imagine being given that much money per child. I think the amount of money given per child was reduced significantly by the time she left the company.

a really clever and meaningful tradition I've seen done and wished I had done it. Each Christmas the G'ma spent a few minutes videoing the the child playing or asked questions, getting the child to say Merry Christmas or sing a little song--didn't use the tape for anything else. At same grandchild's graduation they showed a 15-20 minute video progression of this child from birth to present date. It was awesome.

but I reserve the right to be bitter about it, lol. Thanks for all the input

How un-done is it?

cold. I'm sure it needs to go but I just wanted someone to show me research, a report , anything so I don't have to just toss this roast. All I can think is how much money that is tossing. (But I don't want us to get sick)

I used the crockpot to start cooking a large roast during the night so it'd be done by lunch. The crockpot went off during the night. Roast isn't done and I'm not sure how long the crockpot was off. Would you finish cooking it (not knowing how long it was in crockpot without cooking) or throw it out? I'm pretty sure it needs to go but interested in what the hive might say.

**IF it turns out that this animal is beyond help & has aggression issues which make her dangerous, then do the responsible thing: give her a last day of fun, go to the drive through & get her a burger AND an ice cream cone & take her yourself to the vet and hold her and whisper in her ear & stroke her while she is put to sleep. Let her last moments on this earth be with people she loves and trusts to do the right thing. ** I got teary reading this.

A woman at a local Bible study saw someone matching my nephew's description---she called Teen Challenge and it was indeed him. He was not happy to go back but he did willingly go back without resisting. So tonight we know he is safely at the treatment center. Thank you everyone for all the prayers. We are so thankful that he is where he needs to be. Nandell

this is good news. He has called my sister 3 times since being on his own.(the other 2 boys have returned to Teen Challenge) He is cold, wet, and hungry--all motivation to stay in touch with his mom and begin to find his way back. He is angry at my sister but he has continued to call her. And he has told her that he "still" loves her. He doesn't want to go back to treatment but- Thank God!-my sister can see that treatment is exactly where he needs to be right now. She's steadfast about the need for him to return to treatment. I appreciate all good thoughts/prayers/good wishes being sent his way. This is so so hard but maybe--hopefully-- if he hits bottom with this now--he'll be ready to actively participate in his recovery--and come out on the other side of this Nandell

or else he was hiding very well. The Teen Challenge people (who have been awesome) passed our fliers in the area so maybe someone will see him and call. Hopefully, a night by himself will help him reconsider his stance. I hope he finds somewhere safe and warm to be tonight.

for the caring. No news yet. Updates are very slow. Nandell

will be Logan's 16th birthday. He is now out there alone(the other 2 boys are already back at Teen Challenge). I think being alone might be starting to bother him. He called my sister for the first time today since he ran on Sunday night. He said that because she will not let him come back home (instead of treatment) she is making him homeless and hungry. He also said she must not love him since she won't do what he wants. I am so proud of her for staying strong. She told him that she loves him enough to give him what he needs, not what he wants. He hung up on her. :sad: Strider, thank you for your friend's encouraging story. Logan is a very mixed-up, good-hearted , struggling kid. I know that if he weren't in this program, we'd be facing even more desperate struggles. We love him very much and want him safe. Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers. Meantime we have another email saying that he has been sighted hanging out at the area car wash and the police are on their way.... Nandell

for those following the story/praying for my missing nephew, please don't stop. The tip that the boys were in a mall last night was correct. A security guard yelled at the boys to stop as they were running out of the mall into some woods after the boys got suspicious when a police car pulled up. Two of the boys stopped; my nephew did not. The police declined to go into the woods after him because of both the late hour and not enough manpower. A search this morning by both the police and Teen Challenge staff came up empty. Please pray for my nephew Logan's continued saftey. And for his mother's well being and peace of mind. And that somehow this situation works for a good outcome for him. Thank you Nandell.