JAMI’S NAUGHTY BRANDY & ORANGE FRUIT SALAD
1 cup boiling water
3 tablespoons orange flavored brandy
1 box (6 ounces) orange gelatin ½ cup cold water
1 box (6 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 container (8 ounces) Cool Whip
1 can (15 ounces) pineapple tidbits, drained
1 can (15 ounces) Mandarin oranges, drained
½ cup maraschino cherries 1 cup sweet coconut flakes 1 ounce sliced almonds
Bring 1 cup water to boil. Stir in brandy. In large bowl, pour boiling mixture over orange gelatin and stir until dissolved. Add cold water and chill for 45 minutes. Whisk in vanilla pudding mix until smooth and chill for 15 minutes. Fold in Cool Whip. Reserve ¼-cup coconut and add remaining ¾-cup to mixture. Stir well and add pineapple tidbits. Reserve a few Mandarin orange slices for garnish, and gently stir remaining slices into mixture. Mix and pour into serving bowl. Garnish with maraschino cherries, almond slices, Mandarin orange slices and coconut. Cover and refrigerate for 2-to-3 hours before serving. Serves 4 to 6. — Melba
THINGS TO DO
DEAR MELBA: Please tell readers about our church craft fair and bake sale. It will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Southern Hills United Methodist Church, 8200 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Hope to see everyone there.
— Judy Domer DEAR MELBA: Please invite readers to come to the “Hippie at Heart — Quirky to Modern Art Quilts” exhibit at the OCCC Art Gallery, 7777 S May Ave., from 5 to 8 p.m. every day until Oct. 20. We’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the “Summer of Love.” All proceeds from book and quilt sales will go to Peppers Ranch Foster Care Community. Anyone wanting to learn more about it can check it out at www.PeppersRanch.com. — Judy Howard, Oklahoma City
SIGNS OF FAITH
DEAR MELBA: I saw this sign on a church in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, recently: Experience God’s worship. — Sandy Killian, Oklahoma City DEAR MELBA: I saw this sign on the back window of a vehicle recently: “Honk if You love Jesus. Text if you want to meet him.”
— Stephen Hall, Piedmont
If you have a problem other readers might help solve or an idea you’d like to share, e-mail mlovelace@oklahoman.com or write to Melba’s Swap Shop, Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Please include your name and address.