Hannah's Gingerbread House

This was a challenge. She did not follow the instructions and start with the sides first. Live and learn the hard way. It turned out very well which does not surprise me since she is an artist at heart.

October 4, 2013

I agree with Elizabeth Ann Seton when she said:
"O God, into whatever state of blindness or absurdity I many fall, in whatever ignorance of your ways I many chance to be, in whatever state of disorder my faith may be, if I seek You in the simplicity of my heart, I will surely find you. Amen - May it be so."

Oliver

This is my daughters beautiful baby boy!
Ain't he a peach?!

My Sicilian Uncle's Meatballs

Uncle Joe's Meatballs
1 pound ground round
1/4 cup grated romano cheese, heaping
4 eggs
1 cup stale shredded bread or 1/2 cup crushed saltines
1 garlic clove crushed 
1/2 t. salt
1/4 cup chopped parsley
Mix all ingredients together. Form into small meatballs. Fry in teflon pan coated with oil. Brown all over.
Drain on paper towels.

Sauce
1 small onion, chopped and sauted in meatball pan
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1-2 legs of celery
1/4 c. red wine
pinch of basil
bay leaf, large
Simmer for 20 minutes. Add meatballs and warm them up and finish cooking them.

Yogurt Cheese Pie

2 1/2 quarts yogurt
5 T. sugar or combo of sugar and Splenda (to taste)
1 1/4 t. vanilla
1 sweet crumb crust
Toppings: blueberries, lemon curd, strawberries, any fresh fruit you like. Blueberries were excellent when I tried this recipe. Any berry sauce.

Yogurt Cheese
Drain yogurt. Use cheesecloth, a large piece, doubled up, to hold the yogurt over a container that allows the juice to accumulate away from it. I sometimes use a fine mesh colander to drain away the fluids of the yogurt. The idea is too make yogurt cheese so that it holds up in the pie without running away.. Wrap the yogurt in the cheesecloth, secure top, place in colander. Place 3 to 4 lbs of weight on top. Let drain 8 hours or more. Voila! Yogurt cheese!

1. Make the crust.
2. Place the yogurt cheese in a bowl and add sugar, vanilla. Mix.
3. Turn into prepared crust. Optional: top with leftover crust mixture. Cover tightly and chill. Serve plain or with topping. I vote for topping!

Sweet Crumb Crust:
2 cups graham crackers, crushed
1/2 cup coconut, sweet or unsweetened
1/4 cup minced nuts
6 T. butter melted
Combine, spread, press, into a 9 inch pie plate.
Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Cool. Extra crumbs can be used as topping for pie.

HAPPY WEDDING DAY DEAR DAUGHTER

My wish for you both is that you always remember to protect the treasures that you give to one another with all your heart. Remember to be mindful, kind, loyal, and forgiving to one another. May God bless you with all his goodness. May he forge you into better people in union with one another.

Milnot Cheesecake

1 pkg, lemom flavored gelatin
1 cup boiling water
3 T. lemon juice
1 (8oz.) cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 can Milnot, whipped
1/2 lb. graham crackers
1/2 cup butter, melted

Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add lemon juice. Cool. Mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Add gelatin and whip to mix. Fold in whipped Milnot. Mix graham crackers and butter. Press into a 9x13 pan. Add cheesecake mixture on top. Refrigerate for several hours.

Notes: Milnot is a cholesterol free milk product. You can use any flavor gelatin that you want. You could skip the lemon juice. You can replace the sugar with 1/2 cup and two Splenda packets. You can use sugar free gelatin. You can make any kind of crust you want. Ilike the Moosewood crust which is 2 cups graham crackers, 6T. melted butter (you could use less), 1/4 cup chopped nuts, and 1/4-1/2 cup coconut. Press in and bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Cool and then add cheesecake mixture on top.