MELBA’S SWAP SHOP

Sweets suite

DEAR MELBA:

I think readers would like to try these cookies. Please remember that you will need to have your cream cheese at room temperature before starting. Use the chocolate cookies that are two cookies pressed together with icing.

CHOCOLATE COOKIE BALLS

1 package (15 ounces) vanilla-filled chocolate-wafer cookies

1 package (12 ounces) cream cheese 1 package (16 ounces) vanilla or chocolate candy coating

In food processor, thoroughly crush cookies. Add cream cheese and blend. Form into 2-inch balls and set in freezer for 10 minutes. Melt candy coating and dip cookie balls into it. A toothpick makes it easier. Let stand until melted candy coating hardens. Wow! They’re ready.

— Traci Loyd, Harrah

I was talking to a friend, Crystal, about these, and she suggested we call them Chocolate Cream Minis. Call them what you like, they’re good.

— Melba DEAR MELBA: Do you prefer sweet and easy biscuits for breakfast? Try these. And, isn’t it getting close to time for the county and state fairs? Will you be judging this year?

JELLY FILLED BISCUITS

2 cans biscuits

1 stick butter or margarine

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Jelly, your choice of flavor

Arrange biscuits in pan. Melt butter and spread over biscuits. Mix together sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over biscuits. With thumb, make indentation in center of each biscuit and fill each with a small amount of jelly. Bake by directions on biscuit container. — Dave Farrington, Midwest City

Outlook, fair

Thanks, Dave. Yes, it is almost time for the Oklahoma County Fair and Oklahoma State Fair. I plan to be judging the Homemade Ice Cream Contest at the Oklahoma County Fair starting at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 25 in the Centennial Building at State Fair Park. I also will be judging some contests at the state fair. I’ll tell you more about that soon. It’s always fun. Hope to see you there. — Melba

Coming up

DEAR MELBA: Please let your readers know that I plan to be at the Ardmore Convention Center, 2401 N Rockford Road in Ardmore, starting at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. I’ll be there signing “Quirky to Modern Art Quilts” and “1905 Cookbooks.” I also plan to give away quilts in exchange for donations to the OK Baptist Children’s Home.

— Judy Howard, Oklahoma City DEAR MELBA: Please ask readers to send cards to my aunt Eleanor Thomas to celebrate her birthday. She will be 99 years Friday. Her address is Memorial Heights, 1305 SE Adams, Room 15, Idabel, OK, 74745. — Ruth Thomas, Oklahoma City

Word play

DEAR MELBA: The following is called a raprosdokian, which means a figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence is unexpected. For instance: Where there’s a will ... I want to be in it.

— J.S., Kansas City I had never heard of the word “raprosdokian,” but found it on the internet. And, J.S. shared several other sayings that are fun to read: Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak. If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong. War does not determine who is right — only who is left. Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

— Melba DEAR MELBA: Here’s another sign from Bethany First Assembly Of God Church: Blessed are the flexible, they shall not be bent out of shape. — Stephen Hall, Piedmont

If you have a problem other readers might help solve or an idea you’d like to share, email mlovelace@oklahoman.com or write to Melba’s Swap Shop, Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. Please include your name and address.