What You Need:

8 bratwurst buns

1/2 C of creamy Italian dressing

8 slices of bologna

8 slices of American cheese

4 Roma tomatoes, sliced

1 C of shredded lettuce

How to Make It:

Open the buns and lay them on a flat surface.

Drizzle the dressing evenly over all 8 buns.

Slice each piece of bologna in half and place 2 halves on the bottom of each bun.

Cut each slice of cheese in half from corner to corner to make 2 triangles.

Place the 2 cheese triangle on top of the bologna on each sub.

Add 2 slices of tomatoes onto each sub.

Sprinkle with a handful of the shredded lettuce.

Close the buns and cut each bun in half.

Secure each half with a toothpick.

Makes 16 sub halves

The ingredients for making these subs are endless.  Use different types of meat, cheeses and toppings.  Mustard, brown or yellow, honey mustard dressing or mayonnaise can also be used in place of the Italian dressing.  The kids will love them no matter what ingredients you add.

Preparation Time:  approximately 20 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 20 minutes

Nutritional Information per sandwich: (approximate values)

Calories 360; fat 23 g; sodium 980 mg; carbohydrates 26 g; sugars 4 g;

protein 12 g

What You Need:

6 C of water

5 cinnamon apple spice tea bags

1 (6 oz.) can orange juice concentrate, thawed

1/2 C of honey

How to Make It:

Pour the water into a sauce pan placed over medium high heat.

Bring the water to a brisk steady boil.

Remove the saucepan from the stove and add the tea bags.

Allow the tea to stand for 5 minutes.

Remove the tea bags and throw them away.

Stir the orange juice concentrate into the tea.

Add the honey and whisk until the honey has completely dissolved.

Pour into tea cups and serve.

Makes 10 servings

This tea makes a wonderful drink for children on a cold New Years Eve night.  Add slices of oranges or a cinnamon stick to each cup for a special treat.

Preparation Time:  10 minutes

Steeping Time:  5 minutes

Total Time:  15 minutes

Nutritional Information per cup:  (approximate values)

Calories 80; fat 0 g; sodium 0 mg; carbohydrates 21 g; sugar 20 g; protein 0 g

If you live down south, think about taking in First Night in Austin Texas. Like the other locations, families can enjoy music, food and participate in various activities. Here, kids can join in the chalk drawing presentation. For the person who likes games, try your hand at chess or checkers.

Families who are not into chocolate can move over to the Penn State community for a First Night celebration. The streets are filled with ice that sculptors will turn into art as well as parades, music, interactive activities and food. 

Down in the southeast, Florida offers a First Night celebration in St. Petersburg. Feel the beat with bluegrass music, drum presentations, Caribbean music and other tunes. Families can visit local museums and other attractions set up for the event.

Why not create your own First Night in your city? Talk it over with the local legislature and the artistic community. Bring a new unity at the end of the year and also a new tradition.

Are you trying to decide what to do for New Year’s Eve? Support a community and have a good time at a First Night function.

What You Need:

1/2 C of pineapple cream cheese, softened

2 (8 oz.) containers of lemon yogurt

1/2 C of dried mixed fruit

How to Make It:

Place the cream cheese into a serving bowl.

Add the lemon yogurt and mix with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth.

Fold in the dried mixed fruit.

Cover the bowl tightly and chill for at least 1 hour.

Makes 8 servings

This dip tastes great all by its self but kids prefer to use it as a dip for other types of fruit.  Slice apples, pears and oranges and add some grapes on toothpicks for them to enjoy with their dip.

Preparation Time:  approximately 10 minutes

Chilling Time:  approximately 1 hour

Total Time:  approximately 1 hour 10 minutes

Nutritional Value per 1/3 C serving: (approximate values)

Calories 190; fat 6 g; sodium 80 mg; carbohydrates 33 g; sugar 28 g; protein 4 g

For family fun on New Year’s Eve it’s hard to pass up a First Night celebration. This event is geared towards family and community on the last night of the year.

The idea of First Night began in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston has been at the center of many historic activities including the Boston tea party. While celebrating the bicentennial in 1976, the inaugural First Night was an extension of that celebration. Since, then it has caught on as a way for communities to reach a common ground and have fun at the same time.

First Night is celebrated in cities all across the United States and three other countries. If you are looking for a way to celebrate try First Night in Boston. Here, you will see a celebration of the arts.

From painters to dancers, artists to sculptors, the night is filled with fun for the entire family. And, it wouldn’t be a celebration if the night didn’t end with fireworks. There are two fireworks displays for those who knock off early (the smaller kids) and those who can see the night through.

If you live out west, think about First Night in Spokane, Washington. Here the artistry of the cultures in that area is celebrated. Depending on your tastes, get into the rhythm of gospel, rock, Salsa and others. View ice sculptures and other artistic displays.

What You Need:

1 qt. fresh whole strawberries

1 C of vanilla ready to spread frosting

Miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Chopped nuts

Colored sugars

Candy sprinkles

Grated chocolate

Shredded coconut

How to Make It:

Rinse the strawberries under cold water and place on paper towel to dry.

Place the frosting into a microwave safe bowl.

Heat on high for 15 seconds or until the frosting is melted and smooth.

Place the chips, nuts, sugars, sprinkles, chocolate and coconut into separate shallow bowls.

Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper.

Dip the bottom of each strawberry about 1/3 up into the frosting.

Quickly dip the frosted strawberry into one of the toppings.

Place the strawberry on the wax paper.

Continue until all of the strawberries have been dipped.

Place the strawberries into the refrigerator for 5 minutes or until the frosting has hardened.

Makes 40 strawberries

Place these strawberries on your appetizer table for the kids to enjoy.  They will definitely feel special when they know these little goodies are just for them.  Any type of frosting can be used such as chocolate or strawberry.  Use your imagination when it comes to the toppings.

Preparation Time:  approximately 40 minutes

Chilling Time:  approximately 5 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 45 minutes

Nutritional Information per strawberry:  (approximate values)

Calories 50; fat 2 g; sodium 0 mg; carbohydrates 8 g; sugar 8 g; protein 0 g

The Kids

Don’t forget the younger set that is joining you for the party. They may not appreciate the 60s or the disco era, so give them the opportunity to have their own theme represented at the party. Your kids can come up with ideas for their generation. It doesn’t have to match the adults since they will be celebrating in a different space.

Contests

Everyone will be dressed in their best to try and become the belle and beau of the ball. Come up with contest categories: Best Dressed, Most Authentic, Funniest Costume, and etcetera. So everyone can participate, type out ballots with the contest categories and let the guests vote for their choices. And yes, they can vote for themselves. There is one stipulation: Kids vote for kids and adults for adults.

The prizes can also be themed. Choose something appropriate for each group like a lava lamp for a 60s or disco party and a pair of binoculars for a Dora and Diego kid’s party.

Who says that a New Year’s Eve party has to be just dresses and suits? A theme party adds a new dimension to the affair. Both kids and adults will want to get in on the fun that goes along with wearing costumes.

What You Need:

2 (8 oz.) cans refrigerated cornbread twists

2 T of butter, melted

4 t of cinnamon sugar

How to Make It:

Preset the oven temperature to 375 degrees.

Lightly spray a cookie sheet with a non stick cooking spray.

Unroll both cans of dough into 2 separate rectangular pieces. 

Seal any perforations in the dough with your fingertips.

Roll each rectangle to 12 in long and 7 in wide.

Brush each rectangle evenly with butter.

Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over both rectangles of dough.

Cut the dough crosswise into 12 strips each.

Cut each strip in half. 

Twist the strips and place them on the prepared cookie sheet.

Bake 10 minutes or until the dough is a dark golden brown.

Makes 12 servings

Kids will go crazy over these sweet little twists. Add pudding or yogurt on the side for dipping.

Preparation Time:  approximately 20 minutes

Baking Time:  approximately 10 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 30 minutes

Nutritional Value per 4 twists:  (approximate values)

Calories 150; fat 7 g; sodium 470 mg; carbohydrates 19 g; sugar 7 g; protein 3 g

It’s that time again. One year gone and another fast approaches. If you are used to being the party host, mix things up this year with a New Year’s Eve theme party.

What is a theme?

A theme party is one that is based around a certain idea. It can be something related to the holiday or something totally different. It is all up to you.

Theme parties are fun because everyone gets to participate. All of your guests can wear a costume and come ready to have fun.

Theme Ideas

Well, there are a million ideas that would be appropriate for a party. Now, some stick with a traditional theme for New Year. How about the Roaring Twenties? Your guests can dress as Dapper Dan or a sultry flapper.

What about a 60s party? You’d be surrounded by flower power and long hair all evening but to each his own. The idea is to make the party one that your guests won’t want to miss.

Theme Decorating

When you choose your theme, you will want the guests to feel like they have walked into that time. If your theme is “disco boogie,” be sure that there is at least one disco ball hanging from your ceiling. You can forgo the lit dance floor if you don’t have room, but it would be a conversation piece!

What You Need:

2 (9 oz.) pkg. southwestern cooked chicken breast strips

2 (11.5 oz.) cans refrigerated cornbread twists

1 (8 oz.) pkg. Mexican cheese blend, shredded

How to Make It:

Allow the oven to preheat to 375 degrees.

Cut the chicken strips into small chunks.

Unroll both cans of cornbread twists and separate into 4 rectangles each.

Place the rectangles of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Roll the each rectangle out to 5 1/2 in long and 4 1/2 in wide pieces.

Cut each rolled piece into 2 pieces longwise.

Spread the chicken over the top of each rectangle piece of dough.

Sprinkle each piece of dough evenly with the cheese.

Bake 18 minutes or until the dough is a golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Makes 16 mini pizzas

Serve these mini pizzas with salsa on the side.  To save time use left over chicken breast cut into bite size pieces.  If the chicken is frozen be sure to let it thaw before using.

Preparation Time:  approximately 25 minutes

Baking Time:  approximately 18 minutes

Total Time: approximately 43 minutes

Nutritional Information per mini pizza:  (approximate values)

Calories 480; fat 23 g; sodium 1,260 mg; carbohydrates 36 g; sugar 9 g;

protein 33 g