Twenty-three Years of Magic! 9/12/13

Magic Maxine

This week we reach another milestone. Thursday is the 23^rd birthday of Magic Moments!!   That makes 1150 columns.  I do not remember missing a single week.  I have enjoyed all of those years and your positive comments are what kept me trying each week to produce at least one more.  I have told you that when I started, I thought that if I did it for a whole year, I could count it as a successful venture!  Thanks again to all of you.

Last week I participated in a family excursion that turned out to be a great adventure.  Two of my kids called and asked me if I were interested in attending the rodeo at the Fulton County Fair in Wauseon!  My first response was that at my age, I could not navigate the seats in the grandstand without help.  The main factor in wanting my presence was the fact that one of my grandsons was to be one of the bull riders. There were about ten relatives who gathered late afternoon, participated in Fair food, and found our reserved seats in the grandstand.  I was hesitant about going because I need a railing for support to ascend steps and I did not want to hamper anyone else’s enjoyment of the festivities.  I finally gave in to their encouragement and found myself in the midst of people who needed help. My daughter’s father-in-law needs assistance. My daughter-in-law is recovering from a recent knee replacement, a son-in-law is on the edge of leg problems, so I fit in quite well with the group. To qualify for a second ride you have to stay on the bull for a full 8 seconds. When you are watching someone who is important in your life, 8 seconds is an eternity. Ryan’s bull was a nasty one and he was dismounted in 6 seconds  It was a disappointment to him, but to his grandmother it was great when he walked away uninjured. I was glad that I gave in to my family’s urging that I could do it.  The interaction among family for an evening is worth a whole bottle of medicine.

Saturday evening was another joy filled event as we helped another grandson celebrate with an open house at his (new to him) home in Ft. Wayne where he is an elementary teacher.  Many relatives and  friends were his guests at a Taco Bar.   It is so great when family members care about each other.

I am still a firm believer in the fact that you cannot spoil a potato recipe.  These are called Stottsdale Potatoes.   Perhaps from the area that the recipe came.  It will be just as good no matter what we call it.

                        
SCOTTSDALE POTATOES

1 (2 lb. package frozen hash browns, thawed

2 ½ cups grated cheddar cheese

2 cups sour cream

1 (10 3/4 oz.) can chicken soup

½ cup onions, chopped

½ cup butter, melted

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups corn flakes cereal, crushed

½ cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter 10 x 7 inch ovenproof glass baking dish. Combine hash browns, cheese, sour cream, soup, onions and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to baking dish. Mix corn flakes 1/2cup melted butter. Sprinkle over potato mixture. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

            
SWEET AND SOUR CHICKEN

1 pound boneless chicken breasts

¾ cup fat free chicken broth

1 can (15 ¼ oz.) pineapple chunks in juice

1 green pepper, cut in thin strips

1 red pepper, cut in thin strips

1 carrot, sliced diagonally

¼ cup vinegar

2 teaspoons vinegar

2 teaspoons sugar

1 tablespoon corn starch

2 tablespoons soy sauce

3 cups hot cooked rice

Cut chicken into 1 inch cubes. Heat chicken broth to boiling. Add chicken. Simmer 10 minutes. Add undrained pineapple chunks, green and red peppers, carrot, vinegar, and sugar. Bring to a boil. Stir corn starch into soy sauce until smooth. Bring to boiling, stirring constantly. Lower heat, cover, simmer for 10 minutes. Serve over cooked rice.

I like Banquet Sweet and Sour Chicken that is made with chicken tenders.  I am going to substitute them for chicken breasts.

It is difficult to think of anything but pleasant thoughts when eating  a homegrown tomato.