AMISH FRIENDSHIP BREAD

1 c. starter 2/3 c. oil 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. baking soda 3 eggs 1 c. sugar 2 c. flour 1/2 tsp. cinnamon Dash of nutmeg Raisins, nuts, dried fruit & grated carrots (opt.) Combine ingredients. Pour batter into 2 greased loaf pans, 8 x 3 x 2 inches each. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until dry.

AMISH BREAD STARTER

2/3 c. sugar 2/3 c. milk 2/3 c. flour 2/3 c. oil 3 eggs 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1 to 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1 c. sugar 2 c. flour 1 1/4 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda Combine ingredients in large airtight container with lid. Store at room temperature, do not refrigerate. Stir every day for 17 days. The recipe makes more than the 1 cup needed. But allows for evaporation. Now the starter is ready. For the next 10 days handle starter according to the following instructions. Day 1, receive the starter Day 2, 3 & 4 - stir Day 5, Add 1 cup each flour, sugar and milk. Day 6 & 7, stir Day 8 & 9, stir Day 10, Add 1 cup flour, sugar and milk. Divide into 3 containers of 1 cup each for friends. After removing the 3 cups of batter, mix in the following ingredients: Using a fork, beat by hand until well blended. Add 1 cup raisins and 1 cup nuts (optional). Grease pans with butter, sprinkle with sugar instead of flour. Bake at 325 for 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes, remove from pans.

Canadian Coffee

1/4 c Maple syrup; pure 1/2 c Rye whiskey 3 c Coffee; hot, black, double strengthTopping: 3/4 c Whipping cream 4 ts Maple syrup; pure Topping: Whip cream with maple syrup just up until soft mounds; set aside. Divide maple syrup and whiskey among 4 warmed heatproof glass mugs or goblets. Pour in coffee to 1 inch of top; spoon topping over coffee.

Alexander Espresso

1 c Cold water 2 tb Ground espresso coffee 1/2 ea Cinnamon stick (3" long) 4 ts Creme de cacao 2 ts Brandy 2 tb Whipping cream, chilled 1 ea Grated semisweet chocolate Break out your espresso machine for this one or just make really strong coffee w/ a small amount of water. Break cinnamon stick into small pieces and add to hot espresso. Allow to cool for 1 minute. Add creme de cacao and brandy, and stir gently. Pour into cute demitasse cups. Whip the cream, and float some cream on top of each cup. For looks, garnish with grated chocolate or fancy chocolate curls. Multiply proportions by six and it's perfect for a party. Serves 2 your quest.

HAVING-SOAP FINGER PAINTS

Use 1 can non-mentholated shaving soap Powdered paint, sprinkled on will give delightful colors This can be played with on paper, the kitchen table or counter. Be sure to dress the kids in washable paint shirts or aprons. Keep soap out of eyes. Not recommend for little ones who put everything in their mouths.

NO COOK PASTE

A handful of flour Water (a little at a time) until gooey It should be quite thick, so it won't run all over the paper. Add a pinch of salt. Non-toxic. Great for pasting scraps of paper, old Christmas cards. Its not too sticky.

SOAP BUBBLES

1 c. soap flakes or 1/4 c. liquid dish soap 1 c. water 1/2 tsp. cooking oil Mix in cup or old juice can. Give kids a plastic drinking straw. This makes a good bathtub toy or outdoor play idea

PLAY DOUGH

1 c. salt 1 1/2 c. flour 1/2 c. water 2 tbsp. oil A few drops of food coloring (optional) Mix thoroughly and store in plastic bag or covered jar. Children can pull and pound it and cut out shapes with cookie cutters. If left to dry will harden and then it can be painted. Non-toxic. Hint: If kids dust their hands with a little flour before play, the dough won't stick to their hands.

A Bath To Help Varicose Veins

2 tb Dried ginger powder *OR* 4 tb Fresh gingerroot; chopped 4 tb Dried juniper 2 tb Dried rosemary 4 tb Dried lemon peel *OR* 1 Whole lemon; quartered Although most often associated with women, bulging, enlarged veins can be a problem for both sexes. The condition is largely hereditary, but a case of varicose veins can be made worse by had habits; standing for long periods of time, wearing tight clothing, and sitting with the legs crossed. Hormonal fluctuations also can contribute to varicosity. Herbal baths can help, although you should be careful not to take baths that are too hot (extreme temperatures can exacerbate the problem). Whole herbs that you can use in a bath to help boost circulation in the legs include geranium, ginger, juniper, lemon, peppermint and rosemary.

A Bath For Emotional Balance

1/2 c Dried orange peel *OR* 1/2 Whole fresh orange; sliced 3 tb Dried jasmine flowers 2 tb Dried sandalwood chips When everything seems just a bit too overwhelming, a bath can be extremely good medicine. This season, you might appreciate herbal remedies for feelings like nervousness, tension, anxiety or emotional fatigue. Try whole herbs like chamomile, jasmine, juniper, lavender, orange, rose, rosemary or sandalwood. For a bath that'll restore your sense of balance, make an infusion of the listed herbs; sit back and enjoy.

Air or Meringue Cookies

3 each Egg whites 1/4 teaspoon Cream of tartar 3/4 cup Sugar 3 tablespoons Cocoa 1. Beat egg whites with cream of tartar in large mixing bowl until foamy. 2. Add sugar, 1 T. at a time. Beat at hightest speed until stiff and glossy. Do NOT underbeat. Remove 3/4 c. meringue to small mixing bowl; set aside. 3. Stir cocoa into meringue in large mixing bowl until thoroughly combined. Drop cocoa flavored meringue by level measuring tablespoon, about 1 1/2 inches apart, onto aluminum foil lined baking sheets. Make small indentation in center of each with top of teaspoon. 4. Spoon 1/2 teaspoon reserved plain meringue into each indentation. Bake at 275 degrees for 25 minutes. Turn off oven; leave meringues in oven with door closed for 1 hour. Remove from oven. Cool completely. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

ADA FRENCH SPONGE COOKIES

1/2 cup CAKE FLOUR 3/4 teaspoon BAKING POWDER 1/4 teaspoon SALT 3 EGGS -- SEPARATED 1/2 teaspoon ALMOND EXTRACT 1/4 teaspoon VANILLA EXTRACT 6 tablespoons SUGAR Preheat OVEN TO 350 f. Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat egg yolks in a small bowl, rapidly, until very thick and lemon colored, adding almond and vanilla flavorings during the beating. With clean beaters, beat the egg whites until stiff and shiny; begin to add sugar, not more than 1 Tablespoon at a time, and beat constantly. Continue to beat rapidly until whites are very stiff and glossy. Gently fold in the beaten egg yolks. In the same manner fold in the dry ingredients until well mixed. Using a small spatula and a measuring tablespoon, measure and droop onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes until light and golden brown. Remove at once from sheet to cool.

7 LAYER COOKIES

1/2 stick butter 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 can Eagle Brand milk 6 ounces chocolate chips 6 ounces butterscotch chips 6 ounces coconut 6 ounces nuts -- chopped Melt butter in bottom of 9 x 13 inch cake pan. Press graham cracker crumbs into pan. Pour can of Eagle Brand milk over graham cracker crumbs. Sprinkle chocolate chips and butterscotch chips and nuts over mixture. Sprinkle coconut on top. Bake at 350 degrees until coconut browns, (approximately 15 minutes).

150Year Old Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup Sugar 3/4 cup Lard 3 each Egg yolks 2 cups Flour 2 cups Oatmeal -- old fashioned 1/2 cup Raisins -- chopped 1/2 cup Walnuts -- chopped -----DISOLVE IN 1/2 C. WATER----- 1 teaspoon Soda 1 teaspoon Cinnamon 3 each Egg whites -- well beaten Mix ingredients, add the egg whites last. This is a very stiff mixture - but do not moisten. Drop with tsp. 2 inches apart. Bake in moderate oven.---Barb