1 C uncooked elbow macaroni (I used more)
1 lb. lean ground beef (I used 1 1/2 lbs.)
1/2 lb. fresh mushroom, sliced
1 C chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
1 C ketchup
1 small bay leaf
1 t sugar
1/2 t pepper
1/4 t oregano
1/4 t basil
1 t Worcestershire Sauce

Cook macaroni as directed on pkg. (I probably used twice the macaroni as called for) and drain. Brown ground beef with mushrooms, onion and garlic & drain.

Add remaining ingredients along with the cooked macaroni & simmer gently about 15 to 20 minutes, covered, stirring a couple of times. Remove bay leaf before serving.

7 cups cubed peeled potatoes -- (7 to 7 1/2)
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
2 cups chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons dried dill weed
1 can evaporated milk -- (12 oz)

In a large crockpot, combine first ten ingredients. Cover and cook on high for 7 hours or until the vegetables are tender. Add milk. Stir to blend and heat. Use a hand mixer to blend some of the "chunks" to thicken soup. Fix to preference: to thicken further use potato flakes & to thin soup, add regular milk.

3 C flour
1 1/2 C sugar
5 t baking powder
1/2 C margarine
1 1/2 C milk
2 eggs

Filling:
1 cup brown sugar (packed)
4 T melted butter
4 t cinnamon

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 9x13 pan.

Blend all the cake ingredients and beat vigorously. Spread half the batter in the prepared pan.

Mix the filling ingredients together. Sprinkle half the mixture over batter in the pan (sometimes it's gooey and not "sprinkable").

Top with remaining batter, then the remaining brown sugar mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cake tests done.

1 C whole pecans
1 t vinegar
1 C sugar
3 egg whites
Ziploc baggie
Wooden Spoon
Tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

Place pecans in bag and let kids beat with spoon to break them to small pieces (Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the soldiers. John 19:13)

Let each child smell and taste the vinegar. Put 1 t into mixing bowl.

(Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. John 19:28-30)

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life.

(Explain that Jesus gave his life to give us life. John 10:10-11)

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest in the bowl.

(Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sins. Luke 23:27)

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing! Add 1 C sugar.

(Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because he loves us. He wants us to know and belong to him! Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16)

Beat with a mixer on high for 12 - 15 min. Until stiff peaks form.

(Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3)

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper-covered cookie sheets.

(Explain each mound represents the rock tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Matt. 27:57-60)

Put the cookie sheet in the oven and close the door. Turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door shut.

(Explain that the tomb was sealed. Matt 27:65-66)

GO TO BED!!!!!

(Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. John 16:20 and 22)

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite ... The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty! Matt 28:1-9. He has Risen~!!!