*Grandma's Fruitcake (*Grandma Cula Magnusson)

1 box 15oz. raisins             1 t ground cloves
2 ½ C water                        2 t heaping fresh soda
2 t cinnamon                       2 cubes margarine (I would use butter)
1 t allspice                           2 eggs   
1 t nutmeg                           2 C sugar
1 lb. sliced gumdrops (not black)
3 ¾ C sifted flour                1 8oz. cherries
1 8 oz. candied pineapple   1 C chopped nuts (walnuts) 

Simmer water and raisins together for 10 min. Add spices, soda, margarine—let stand 10 min. Slice fruit and add 3/4C flour to fruit. Add 1 C sugar to wet mixture.  Add 1 C sugar and 2 beaten eggs, then add to wet mixture. Mix everything.  Add 3 C flour, nuts, fruit.

Load 3 greased, floured big bread pans about ½ full. Cook at 300 for 35 min.—then reduce heat to 250 and cook for 45 min.   {watch them—may need to adjust}

Smaller pans: 18 min at 300, then 35 min at 250.

Cool in pans, 5-10 min, then on cookie sheet.

I was introduced to this fruitcake when I married Scott 36 years ago.  It's not your usual fruitcake recipe that everyone jokes about.  Maybe it's the gumdrops.  You'll really enjoy this holiday fruitcake.  If any Magnusson cousin makes this recipe, email me a picture and I'll post it with the recipe.   

Cucumber Salsa

2 cups finely chopped seeded peeled cucumber
1/2 cup finely chopped seeded tomato
1/4 cup chopped red onion
2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley
1 jalepeno pepper, seeded and chopped
4-1/2 tsp minced fresh cilantro
1 garlic clove, minced or pressed

1/4 c reduced-fat sour cream (try plain Greek yogurt as a substitute!)
1-1/2 tsp lemon juice
1-1/2 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp seasoned salt

Tortilla chips

In a small bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. In another bowl, combine the sour cream (yogurt), lemon juice, lime juice, cumin and seasoned salt. Pour over cucumber mixture and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately with chips.

This is also a recipe found on Facebook.  Others commented that it would be good with dill and/or avocado, or as the filling to a wrap (with chicken added).  I haven't tried it yet, but it looks delish!

Halloween snacks

Cut bananas in half.  Press in mini chocolate chips for eyes and a regular chocolate chip for the mouth.

Peel tangerines.  Add sliced celery for the stems.

Fun!  My friend had this posted on her Facebook page.