Spring has sprung.....almost 4/11/13

Here we are with another month nearly half over.  Where can spring be hiding?  I wore a suit to church this morning thinking that it was after Easter and that would be sufficient.  When the wind hit me full blast, I wished I had had enough good sense to wear a coat, also.  Oh, well before long we will probably be complaining that it is too hot. That is the way we human beings react to most things. Nothing is ever really just the way we ordered it.

Had an extremely busy day on Saturday. Had four places I needed, or wanted, to be. Got them all accomplished, but if you were to stop in unexpected at my home you would wonder why I didn’t just stay home and put things in order.  I just plead innocent like an aunt of mine did, after she got to the point that housework was not necessary and say, “It is just the way I like it!” Due to unforeseen circumstances this week will be a short visit with you, but  I do not want my spot to be cast lots for.

One thing I wanted to mention last week was a new idea I found for keeping celery fresh longer.  I was really proud of myself when I heard it would keep longer  if you wrap it in aluminum foil before putting it in the crisper.  A few weeks ago in the “extras” in the weekend paper I noticed an embellishment of the idea that is really fascinating.  Before wrapping it in aluminum foil wrap it in a wet paper towel.  I usually let mine get so tired that I put it in the weekly garbage. With two pluses---this idea and the resurfacing of a recipe for a celery casserole that I gave you years ago, I hope to banish the need to send any more celery to the curb on Friday.

In a 1968 cook book, the gift of a new friend, of hundreds if casserole recipes, I found a new idea which interested me.  Why don’t you try it for company. Then if you do not like it you will have help to eat it.  That was a precept I used when I was cooking for my family.  If it was not the best, by the time eleven of us sampled it, it was nearly gone!  I do think you will like this.  I say if you put good things into a food item, it should turn out well.

SCALLOPED CHICKEN with POTATOES

4 medium potatoes, sliced

1 cup cooked chicken, diced

Salt and pepper  to taste

1 can cream of mushroom soup

Buttered cracker crumbs

Paprika, optional

Arrange layers of potatoes and chicken in a casserole dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pour soup over the top. Sprinkle with buttered crumbs and paprika. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Serves 6.

Years ago I received the following  in an email that impressed me.  I saved it and will pass on to you the statement that was the most impressive to me.

Today I will delete from my diary two days: YESTERDAY and TOMORROW.  YESTERDAY was to learn and TOMORROW will be the consequence of what I can do today.

May many magic moments fill your days this week.

Easter Sunday 4/4/13

Easter Sunday! One of my favorite days. Church services on Easter are so special. The choir music has a special tone, the whole experience a joyful one.  Hope your day was uplifting, too.

Easter is one of the holidays that I can accommodate my family in my home.  All nine kids and their spouses were here, but only about half of the grandkids and greats.  There were over forty here throughout the day, with an abundance of food to match. At the end of the day I was one tired, but equally happy little old lady. An extra blessing was the celebration of a “big birthday” of one of my older daughters.

Hope the weather man notices that it is now April and brings us some more spring like weather. I am just avoiding the things that I mentally planned to do during the winter months.  Another year won’t hurt anything, will it?

Since the day was a very special one, as I sat down to my computer at the end of it no thoughts were forthcoming, so I just went to bed. Now this morning my deadline is past. Perhaps they will be short of news and this will slip into its usual place. One reader told me that she always looks at the front page to see what is happening in Edgerton then she goes to page three!  Hope I do not disappoint her this week. After yesterday the thought of food is not really inspiring, but we will see what can be forthcoming for any of you who did not have the abundance that we had yesterday.

My daughter-in-law who likes my scalloped potatoes told me that yesterday’s were especially good.  Perhaps there are some new cooks out there who want some guidance, so I will tell you how I do mine. Since I wanted to go to church at 8:30 for one of the very few times in my life I peeled the potatoes Saturday night.  I covered them with cold water in a very large stainless steel bowl. When I came home from church  they were in fine shape and that saved me a half hour.

                        

MY SCALLOPED POTATOES

7 pounds potatoes, peeled and sliced

8 cups of milk

1 stick of butter

1/2 pound Velveeta cheese

1 cup flour

2 teaspoons salt

2 cups finely chopped ham

Prepare potatoes. Place in a large bowl. Toss the potatoes with the flour and salt. Add the chopped ham. (I use my hands.) Place in a 12 x 18 inch roast pan. Yesterday I used a smaller Pyrex baking dish and an 8 x 8 baking dish.  In the microwave heat milk in a 2 quart measuring cup with the butter and cheese until the cheese and butter melts.  Pour over the potatoes until they are covered.  Bake at 350 degrees for over 1 ½  hours until potatoes are very tender.

Here beside my computer is a small piece of paper. On closer examination, I find it is a recipe for a very simple dessert that would be O.K. if you purchase an already baked Angel Food cake. Would be better if you baked your own, especially with the Hospitality brand mix found at our local grocery store.

                                    

ANGEL DELIGHT

1 angel food cake

1 large container whipped topping  (12 oz.)

1 can cherry pie filling  (or fruit of your choice)

Break cake into small pieces, Fold in whipped topping.

Spread into 9 x 13 inch dish, cover with pie filling and chill 1 hour.

Examine your day. Chisel out the bad, build on the good and form a great future.

A Happy and Holy Easter to All 3/28/13

Since this is Holy Week, let’s just keep things on a spiritual level.  I hope this pre-Easter season has been a spiritual renewal time for each of you. If you have put your spiritual needs on the back burner, or ignored them completely, now is a good time to get back on track. Even though we have tried to do our best, most of us are less Christlike than is expected of us. I recently read a statement with a deep message. It is not an original thought but  I do not know to whom the credit  should go.  “A life without God and Christ is like an unsharpened pencil.  It has no point.”  Let’s all sharpen our pencils.

I have one recipe which is related a bit to this concept because it is called “Church Windows” and I intend to make it for my family Easter dinner. The recipe comes from an almost lifetime friend, I rode on the school bus with her husband, so our friendship goes back a few years! Thanks for your efforts, Dortha, for getting it to me in time for the Easter issue which will give you readers time to make it for your family Easter celebration.

                

CHURCH WINDOWS

½ stick butter

1 package (12 oz.) butterscotch chips

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 package colored miniature marshmallows

Melt butter and chips in a heavy sauce pan.

Add peanut butter. Stir to keep from sticking.

Add marshmallows and stir until coated. Press

down into buttered pan.  Refrigerate to set. Cut

into squares of a desired size. Store in refrigerator.

I have on my wall beside my big family picture a plaque with the following poem written my Amanda Bradley.  It contains almost a recipe for improving our daily habits. Hope it inspires each of you.

If I have said one cheering word

Or done a helpful deed,

If I have smoothed one rocky path

Or filled a special need,

If I have eased one doubt or fear

Or chased one cloud away,

If I have brought one person joy…….

Then I’ve lived well today.

Sincere wishes for a Holy and Happy Easter season to each of you and your families.