Homemade Citronella Candles for Backyard Parties

Kimberly Kenyon Newsome

GREAT IDEA!! FOR BACKYARD FUN, NO BUGS!!

There was some discussion a while back on getting rid of mosquitoes. While there's lots of products out there, here's one way to do it, have a stylish yard and keep the costs down too.

All you need is a package of Mason jars, some cotton string and some liquid citronella (find it in big jugs at any home-improvement store and even some grocery stores). Use a hammer and nail to poke a hole in the top of the lid, then pour in the citronella, put the top on and drop in the wick. Allow the string about 10 minutes to soak up some oil, then place them around your backyard and light them!

Pull-Apart Party Loaf

What's Cooking?

Pull-apart-party-loaf

1 (16- to 18-ounce) round loaf Italian or sourdough bread
1/4 cup Butter, melted
1 teaspoon dry ranch dressing mix
1/2 cup (about 5 slices) cooked chopped thick-cut bacon
1/4 cup jarred jalapeño peppers, chopped
10 (3/4-ounce) American Cheese, chopped
2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley, if desired

Heat oven to 350°F. Place two (24-inch) pieces aluminum foil, crossing one over the other, on flat surface.

Cut bread, using serrated knife, in grid pattern, spacing about 1-inch between rows. Do not cut through bottom crust. Set aside.

Combine melted butter and ranch dressing in medium bowl. Add all remaining ingredients except parsley; mix well.

Place loaf in center of aluminum foil pieces. Spoon cheese mixture into cut areas of bread. Wrap foil loosely around bread. Place onto ungreased baking sheet.

Bake 30 minutes. Pull back foil; continue baking 5-10 minutes or until loaf is golden brown and cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.

Serve immediately. Pull out individual bread pieces, using tongs or 2 forks and reaching down into loaf to include filling and bread.