Crispy Date Balls

When I made these tonight I almost cried because the smell and taste reminded me of my Mama and Daddy and the Christmas parties they used to throw when I was a child. I remember the friends and everyone laughing and having a great time with my friends. Mama always made tons of goodies and we ate and played games and sometimes had dumb skits and then we all went Christmas caroling in our neighborhood. It was the most fun! It was a tradition!

Here's the recipe:

1 stick of butter
1 c. of sugar
1 8oz. package of dates
1 c. chopped pecans
2 c. rice krispies
1 tsp. vanilla
powdered sugar

Put butter, sugar and dates in saucepan. Cook 10 min. until mixture begins to thicken. Remove from heat, add nuts, krispies and vanilla. Cool. Roll into small balls then roll in the powdered sugar. Enjoy!

Chocolate Chex Caramel Crunchies

8	cups Chocolate Chex® cereal
3/4	cup packed brown sugar
6	tablespoons butter or margarine
3	tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4	teaspoon baking soda
1/4	cup white vanilla baking chips

1.	Into large microwavable bowl, measure cereal; set aside. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper.
2.	In 2-cup microwavable measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter and corn syrup uncovered on High 1 to 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute, until melted and smooth. Stir in baking soda until dissolved. Pour over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Microwave on High 3 minutes, stirring every minute. Spread on cookie sheet. Cool 10 minutes. Break into bite-size pieces.
3.	In small microwavable bowl, microwave vanilla baking chips uncovered on High about 1 minute 30 seconds or until chips can be stirred smooth (bowl will be hot). Drizzle over snack. Refrigerate until set. Store in tightly covered container.