Holiday
Defending Christmas
Christmas oh how I love thee. The sounds of beautiful music that flows like a river through my excited soul and fills my senses with smells of evergreen, fireplaces burning oak and cinnamon wafting from the kitchen. So many Christmases have I experienced through my long journey. Some I was poor, some rich, some in stressful times, some in celebrating times. But, Christmas is above all that. It is a concept and although personal it is also universal in its message. All the things it is, the gifts, the family joining, the food, the decorations remind me what that message is. It lifts me and makes me a better person because everything connected with it serves to make me remember the child within and the child who changed the world.
Yes, it’s marketing and yes for that reason it’s promoted early but you don’t have to buy gifts early or buy gifts at all. I like to wait until December but as a single mom there were years I so appreciated those early layaway options in early November. Not everyone can save early or have credit cards available. My little family sang Christmas songs earlier than anyone we knew and the gift discussions and anticipation was magical compared to the rest of the year of focusing on survival. They knew this holiday was a celebration of the birth of a savior and his message was to honor and love one another, to count your blessings and live with joy. He did not intend for us to just speak it but to do it. Gifts, even tiny ones, tells that person “you are loved, you are valued”.
Sometimes the only gift you have is a comforting hug and that could be the best gift of all. So I say to all the complainers out there that believe it’s too commercial that really, it’s all in the focus of what you want from it. And the answer to that lies within you.
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale
Very Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup
Easy Crockpot Broccoli Cheese Soup
This is so fast and delicious! Just throw ingredients in the Crockpot and go about your day. When you come home the aroma is wonderful. I serve with some crusty bread.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 jar (8 ounces) of Cheez Whiz
- 1 can (10 1/2 ounces) condensed of cream of celery soup
- 16 ounces frozen broccoli
- 2 cups half-and-half
PREPARATION:
Mix all ingredients in slow cooker. If you don’t have a crock pot just simmer covered in sauce pan for about 45-60 minutes.
TIP – Helps to spray the Crock lightly for easy clean up.
Heat for about 2 to 3 hours on LOW, or until broccoli is tender. Serves 6.
BROCCOLI IS A HEALING FOOD!
- Abundant in antioxidants, rich in anticancer agents like vitamin c
- Effective in preventing lung, colon and breast cancers
- Speeds up removal of estrogen from the body that can cause cancer
- Helps prevent ulcers
- Saves eyesight, strengthens bones and controls blood pressure
Ratatouille My Way
When I was a single mom still raising my four kids I took a job managing a 150 site KOA campground. It was on the Gulf Coast and hundreds of snowbirds would come down during winter months passing through to Florida. There were also campers from other countries touring America with their rental cars and tents. Once a week I would put on a potluck event which was a great opportunity to taste food prepared from different areas of the America as well as other countries.
One of my kid’s favorite was a ratatouille casserole brought by a couple from the eastern seaboard. I learned to make it and served it often. I have not made it for years and when I tried to look up a similar recipe on the web there was none so I dug out my old notebook and decided to share with everyone. This recipe was always popular when I brought it at holiday time and it is a great way to use up any leftover cheeses you have in the refrigerator. When this starts baking the aroma is delicious.
- 1 large bottle Italian Dressing in the bottle
- 2 cups small diced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 medium or 2 small diced eggplant, peeled
- 2 green peppers, cut in big chunks
- 1 red bell pepper, cut in big chunks
- 1 large or 2 medium zucchini squash, diced
- 1 large diced yellow squash
- 1 large can diced or whole tomatoes, no need to drain
- 1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
- 1 8oz box mushrooms (optional)
- Bread crumbs
- Any and all left over and new cheeses like Swiss, cheddar, parmesan, Monterey jack, asiago (literally any cheeses, the more diverse the better).
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
In a large skillet with high sides or a deep Dutch oven place all the vegetables and seasonings together including the bottle of Italian Dressing. Bring to a boil then turn down to simmer and cover. Continue simmering until vegetables are caramelized and in a thick sauce. This takes an hour or so.
When done turn off and set aside. Prepare a large enough baking dish with spray oil then start layering starting with the vegetable mixture just covering the bottom, then any of the cheeses mixed together, then a sprinkle of bread crumbs. Repeat the layers and finish with a light cover of the cheeses.
Bake at 350 until cheese is golden brown on top. Let set for 15 mins before serving.
After Holiday Shopping Comfort Food
Sometimes you just have to feed yourself some comfort food. I try to eat light but dragging home worn out and drained from elbowing crowds and fighting for a disabled parking space this easy and cheap casserole has my name on it. The savory, warm, gooey cheese and potatoes is so relaxing it can take you from exhaustion to serenity. As it bakes for an hour you can take a warm bubble bath while smelling that wonderful aroma from the oven.
Here’s what you are going to need: Preheat to 375 degrees
1 bag (2 pounds) frozen hash browns, thawed 1 can cream of chicken soup 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1/4 cup butter, melted 1/2 cup of sour cream 1/2 cup of milk 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 3 cups of shredded Colby jack cheese
Here’s what you need t0 do:
Blend all ingredients. Put half the amount in greased baking dish, sprinkle additional cheese. Add remaining mixture.
Bake in the preheated 375° F oven for 1 hour until hot and bubbly and it begins to brown on top. Allow to sit for about 10 minutes before serving.
Anyoneteachone 