FUN SNOWMAN FRUIT KEBOBS

Both kids had holiday parties at school so I volunteered to bring the fruit. Since neither of my kids will eat much fruit, I had to make a real display out of it. They both actually ate a kebob and the rest of their classmates were excited with the great big display. You'd have to see it live to appreciate the size but it makes quite a spectacle when you're walking down the halls carrying it. Believe it or not, it took just a little over a half hour to make this. I used a cut-up fruit tray (from Costco) and food coloring markers for the face (from Michaels or other comparable store). Use a pineapple or a half watermelon as the base. These are always a hit no matter how you decorate them.

BEEF BARLEY SOUP A LA PAM

As promised, here's the recipe for the soup I made last week. It really is the best beef barley soup I've ever had.

Prime Rib bones or beef chuck short ribs - about 2 lbs.

10 cups water

1 stalk celery chopped

3 slices onion - chopped fine

14 oz. can crushed tomatoes (I used one with basil)

6 beef bouillon cubes

3 t. dry mustard

2T worcestershire sauce

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup quick cooking barley

Combine all ingredients but barley. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer about 2 hours. Remove bones from soup. Cut up beef and return to soup. Discard bones. Bring to a boil again and add barley. Cook 10-12 more minutes. This is awesome on day one but even better the next day. This recipe made about 6 heaping adult sized bowls.