By ARLENE BURNETT, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Go ahead and indulge yourself -- it's only one bite. But be forewarned: Cake pops are addictive.

I first learned of cake pops about a year ago, and now it seems these cakes-on-a-stick are everywhere, including Starbucks. (But remember cake balls? The same thing, without the stick, has been around for years.)

When I was a girl, my mom made turkey or ham every Easter. My sister, Louise, loved turkey, my dad preferred ham and I was satisfied with either.

A few weeks before Easter when I was about 12, my father declared, "I'm tired of ham and turkey. This Easter we're going to have fresh ham."

His announcement wasn't such a shock to my mom as it was to me.

When I was a girl, my mom made turkey or ham every Easter. My sister, Louise, loved turkey, my dad preferred ham and I was satisfied with either.

A few weeks before Easter when I was about 12, my father declared, "I'm tired of ham and turkey. This Easter we're going to have fresh ham."

His announcement wasn't such a shock to my mom as it was to me.

I'd been avoiding it for years. Finally, this summer I did it: I cleaned out my spice cupboard.What a shock. I removed at least 50 spices and 35 of them had expired. I found a jar of rosemary leaves that expired in 1990!

Most of these Halloween recipes are geared for children -- a little gross and scary -- but could be fun for an adult party, too. It's not hard to make gross food on purpose -- and it can be lots of fun this time of year. (Some of these recipes are for adults only!)PECAN CARAMEL SPIDERS(Tested by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

It's shredded beef week.Here are three recipes for fabulous beef sandwiches.The recipe for Shredded Roast Beef Sandwiches was sent by Jo Murray of Pittsburgh: "My family and friends love this crowd-pleaser."

The name, Marvelous Mushroom Soup, says it all. Tuck this tasty recipe away for safekeeping as you don't want to lose it. Thanks to Joanne Sujansky of Whitehall, Pa., for sharing.MARVELOUS MUSHROOM SOUP(Tested by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)6 tablespoons butter, divided1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, finely sliced1 small onion, chopped

One of our family traditions is that all holiday dinners are at my house.But planning this year's Easter dinner has been a bit of a challenge.My husband, Ray, has been in the hospital and a nursing facility since he fell while walking the dog on Jan. 24.