Here it is - that time of year when everyone's thoughts turn to food! I'm thankful that at our house, we have plenty of food, but sometimes I am not so grateful that I am the one who usually gets to cook it!

So I am always on the lookout for simple, tasty recipes that are also easy on the budget. Here are a few of my family's favorites:

Corn-Rice Casserole

• 1 1/2 cups minute rice (uncooked)
• 2 cans cream-style corn
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 medium green pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 8 oz. jar Cheez Whiz

Melt butter in large saucepan and add onion and green pepper. Cook until tender. Add other ingredients and cook on low for about 5 minutes, stirring often.

Pour into greased 2-quart baking dish and bake at 350 degrees until bubbly.

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Sweet Potato Casserole

• 2 16-oz. cans sweet potatoes
• 1/4 cup butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Topping:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 cup flour

Drain sweet potatoes and mash. Add other ingredients and mix well. Pour into ungreased 9" square baking pan. Mix all topping ingredients till crumbly. Spread on yams then bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Tip: You can make this the day before. Just refrigerate till you are ready to bake.

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This one is perfect for supper the night before Thanksgiving.

Harvest Time Soup

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 cup cubed potatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 3/4 lb. process cheese spread, cubed
• 1 cup ham, cubed

Bring water, potatoes, carrots and celery to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer till vegetables are tender.

Add cheese and ham; cook, stirring till cheese is melted.

This makes about 4 servings, but it could easily be cut in half or doubled.

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Samuel Adams, father of the American Revolution:

"It is therefore recommended ... to set apart Thursday the eighteenth day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise, that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor ..."—November 1, 1777

(adopted by the 13 states as the first official Thanksgiving Proclamation)