Fun-Filled December Holiday Party at Phoenix Country Club and Phoenix Theatre

Kicking off the Holiday season with Happy Hour at Phoenix Country Club, then Phoenix Theatre's production of Million Dollar Quartet Christmas. The smiles and happy greetings show the organizers of this Historical League event that they did a wonderful job. Thanks to Anne Lupica, Bonnie Newhoff, Nancy Evans and Mary Parker for the excitement, energy and enthusiasm in this delightful evening. 

 New AHS Executive Director Dr. David Breeckner and wife Leslye joined us at Phoenix Country Club and Phoenix Theatre for a fun-filled evening of Million Dollar Quartet. 

Thirty-five years ago this December fundraiser was the Children's Holiday Party. It has evolved quite a bit and is just as delightful! We were creating memories with Historical League members at Million Dollar Quartet. Check out the lovely centerpieces!

Nancy Evans and Chile Fudge Pie

Nancy has worn many hats as a Historical League member with the most important being President, Children's Holiday Party chair several times and Historymaker Gala Co-Chair. Today she wore a birthday hat at Z Tejaz surrounded by family and enjoyed a delicious gooey pie that is described as an explosion of chocolate in a brownie.

She mentioned it was her 29th birthday!


 Tastes & Treasures cookbook has a delicious Chocolate Lover's Delight Pie on page 152. Wonder which pie Nancy likes the best?

Z Tejaz Chile Fudge Pie

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons pureed ancho chilies (*)
1/2 lb butter
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 9 in. unbaked pastry shell

Directions:
*Forancho puree: Ancho chiles are dried poblanos, dark brown peppers found in the produce section of the supermarket.
Remove the seeds and stem from one ancho chile pepper, place in a small saucepan with water to cover.
Bring to a boil and simmer until ancho is tender.
Purée in a food processor.
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Melt the butter and let cool to warm.
Toast the chopped nuts until lightly brown.
Beat eggs well and then add sugars and flour.
Beat until smooth.
Add warm butter to the batter and mix well (it is important for butter to be warm so chocolate chips will melt some).
Add chile puree.
Stir in nuts and chocolate chips.
Pour filling into pastry shell and bake for 45 to 60 minutes until done.

http://www.food.com/recipe/z-tejas-chile-fudge-pie-109783?oc=linkback

Auction Dinner a Success

A Private Dinner was auctioned off at the annual Children's Holiday Party in December. The winners, Stan and Nancy Evans, and Gary and Dianne Linthicum, Bill and Mary Parker, Sam and Linda Cathey were treated to a fabulous gourmet evening at the home of the Cathey's. This event raised money for the Arizona Historical Society Museum as well as created a memorable evening for everyone involved.

Some of the winners of the dinner Stan and Nancy Evans, Jim and Dianne Linthicum and Mary Parker.

Chef Leslie Christiansen created the delicious dinner with help from sous chefs Pam den Draak and  Bonnie Newhoff.

Chocolate Lover's Pie from Nancy Evans

The Children's Holiday Party always wraps up their event with a fabulous luncheon at a League member's home. Thanks to Gail Lucky for hosting such a lovely day.

Nancy Evans brought the most decadent, delicious chocolate pie from page 152 in Tastes & Treasures cookbook. Karen Swanson helps her serve it (or maybe she's waiting for her slice).

Chocolate Lover’s Delight Pie       

Ingredients:
2 cups (12 ounces) milk chocolate morsels
10 large marshmallows
1/4 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
1 baked (10 inch) graham cracker pie shell

Directions:
Combine the chocolate morsels, marshmallows, milk and salt in a double boiler over hot water. Cook until blended, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat and let stand until cool.

Stir the walnuts into the chocolate mixture and fold in the whipped cream. Spoon the chocolate filling into the pie shell and chill from 2 to 10 hours. Slice and garnish each serving with chocolate shavings.

Serves 8

Thank you to CHP chairs

Standing are CHP Chairs Nancy Evans, Bonnie Newhoff and Mary Parker with Nina Fillipi absent.

After reporting that the Children's Holiday Party brought in over $12,000, the chairs were presented with gifts from President Pam Ryan and Barbara Cardinal (seated). The 30th Annual event was as delightful as ever for children and adults. With amazing raffle prizes and silent auction items, Mr. and Mrs. Santa photos, games, crafts and amazing entertainment along with a delicious lunch at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, we look forward to the event in 2013.

Successful Children's Holiday Party

Karen Swanson has never seen a talking Christmas tree before! She likes his shoes.

Kassie Walters invited the Snowman, Elf, Christmas Tree and Gingerbread man to pose with Santa.

Co-Chair and Elf Bonnie Newhoff

The 30th Annual Children's Holiday Party was enjoyed by all. Held Saturday, December 15 at Arizona Biltmore Resort, adults and children were entertained before, during and after the fabulous luncheon. Thanks to the hard work of the chairs: Bonnie Newhoff, Nina Filippi, Nancy Evans and Mary Parker for continuing this Historical League tradition.

Lemon Bread takes the Cake

 Lemons are ready to pick in Arizona so Zona made this fabulous recipe from pg 198 of Tastes & Treasures cookbook. I think she added extra lemon zest because it really packed a punch.
It was a delicious bonus to the Annual Christmas League Meeting.


Luscious Lemon Loaf
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup grated lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 tsp lemon extract
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line a 5 X 8 " loaf pan with baking parchment paper. Sift the flour (who does this anymore??), baking powder, and salt together. Combine the sugar, butter and eggs in a mixing bowl. Beat using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until light and fluffy, scraping the bowl occasionally. Add the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, walnuts and flavoring.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 55-60 minutes or until the loaf tests done. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Note: you may drizzle with a mixture of 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, 1 tsp half and half and 1 tsp lemon juice. Makes 1 loaf.

Zona and Mary Parker discuss the Children's Holiday Party Saturday, Dec 15. 

Mary Parker is an Elf promoting the 30th Annual Children's Holiday Party at Arizona Biltmore Hotel on December 15. Ticket information www.HistoricalLeague.org

Old Ned Centerpieces

Nina Fillipi described the beautiful centerpieces,

"Oh My Gosh..look at what we have here.......An impressive Christmas Centerpiece with a replica of Old Ned, The Historical League's endearing logo. During the summer, Chairs of the CHP searched the Internet and had him shipped here to Arizona. Old Ned will take his place of "honor" in tribute to our 30th Annual Children's Holiday Party on Saturday, December 15, 2012.
           I am delighted to say, I will be one of the fortunate members to bring that old guy home with me. (Really??...another old guy in the house, hmm.....!)"

Co-chair of The Children's Holiday Party, Nina told us the centerpieces will be available for purchase during the event.

More information and tickets at www.HistoricalLeague.org

Children's Holiday Party Dec 15

Many volunteers work towards this hugely successful event and we are celebrating 30th Annual Children's Holiday Party, Saturday, December 15 at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel.

Festive workers plan every detail to make this a fun-filled day for children and adults.

Come join us from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, December 15 sponsored by the Historical League.

Judy Blackwell and Nina Fillipi work on the details.

Chairs Nancy Evans, Bonnie Newhoff, Mary Parker and Nina Fillipi make this a fun-filled day.

Tickets and information www.HistoricalLeague.org/chp.htm

Mud Hen Bars from Kay North

Originally found in a 1964 Good Housekeeping magazine article with Lady Bird Johnson, Kay has made these delicious treats many times. Renaming them Roadrunner Bars of Arizona, she brought them to the Children's Holiday Party meeting.

This 30th Annual Event will be held Saturday, Dec. 15 at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel. Tickets and info at www.HistoricalLeague.org

Base layer: Cream ½ cup shortening and 1 cup sugar in large bowl.  Beat in 1 whole egg and 2 egg yolks.
Combine 1½ cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt. Combine with first mixture. Grease or use cooking spray on 9 x 13 inch pan and spread batter. 

Sprinkle over batter: 1 cup chopped nuts, 1 cup mini marshmallows, ½ cup chocolate chips. 

Meringue: In clean mixing bowl, beat 2 egg whites until stiff. Fold  in 1 cup brown sugar. Spread over bars.
Bake at 350° for 30-40 minutes. Watch carefully.
Makes 24 bars