What Do Angels Look Like?

Like the little old lady who returned your wallet yesterday.

Like the taxi driver who told you that your eyes light up the

World when you smile.

Like the small child who showed you the wonder in simple things.

Like the poor man who offered to share his lunch with you.

Like the rich man who showed you that it really is all possible,

If only you believe.

Like the stranger who just happened to come along, when you

Had lost your way.

Like the friend who touched your heart,

When you didn’t think you had one to touch.

Angels come in all sizes and shapes, all ages and skin types.

Some with freckles, some with dimples, some with wrinkles,

Some without.

They come disguised as friends, enemies, teachers, students,

Lovers and fools.

They don’t take life too seriously, they travel light.

They leave no forwarding address, they ask n0othing in return.

They wear sneakers with gossamer wings, they get a deal on

Dry cleaning.

They are hard to find when your eyes are closed

But they are everywhere you look, when you choose to see.

                        Author Unknown

                        This Is Maturity

To be able to stick with a job until it is finished

To be ale to bear an injustice without wanting to get even;

To be able to carry money without spending it;

And to do one’s duty without being supervised.

                        Candy Apple Pie

1-1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

3 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup melted butter

3/4 cup caramel ice cream topping

1 cup chopped pecans

5 Granny Smith apples

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup brown sugar

5 tablespoons butter

8 oz. cream cheese

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

            Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and butter and press in aluminum pie pan. Bake at 375 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Drizzle ice cream topping and pecans over graham cracker crust then refrigerate until set. Then take Granny Smith apples, salt, brown sugar and butter; cook 10-15 minutes until fork-tender. Refrigerate until cool. Spoon over caramel layer. Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg , lemon juice and vanilla until smooth. Spoon over apple layer. Bake 30 minutes until knife comes clean; cool. Top with cream; drizzle caramel sauce on top. Sprinkle with more pecans.

Rhubarb Dessert

3 cups chopped rhubarb

1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon butter

3 oz. package strawberry Jell-O

3 oz. package instant vanilla pudding

1-1/2 cups milk

6 oz. whipped topping, thawed

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

            Cook rhubarb, sugar and butter until rhubarb is tender (about 10 minutes). Add strawberry Jell-O. Mix well and let cool completely. Mix pudding and milk until thickened. Add whipped topping and vanilla. Put in large bowl with cooled mixture and swirl. Put into 2 graham cracker lined pie crusts. Chill well. Can be put in graham cracker lined 9X13 inch pan.

Simple Pleasures

• Enjoy a good book.
   

• Take short day trips in your area and visit the various sights that are offered to you or take a hike or a bicycle trip.
   

• Host a dinner party on your patio. Have everyone bring something and just enjoy the company of others.
   

• Attend outdoor concerts or events in your area.
   

• Visit a farmer's market.
   

• Treasurer Hunt with your children at garage sales. This way they can re-decorate their bedrooms without spending a lot of money.

Taco Style Lasagna

1-1/2 pound ground beef

1 can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 envelope taco seasoning

1 package 6 inch flour tortillas

2-3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese,

 Taco toppings (lettuce, sour cream, black olives)

            Brown ground beef; drain. Mix in tomatoes and taco seasoning. In two pie plates layer tortilla, meat mixtures and cheese, in that order , ending with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees oven for 10-12 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted. Cut into pieces and top as you would a taco.

                        Simple Salad

2 large apples, diced

1 cup crushed pineapple

1/3 cup celery

2 tablespoons raisins

Dressing:

3 tablespoons low-fat yogurt

2 teaspoon mayonnaise

1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

            In a medium bowl, combine the salad ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the dressing. Blend the dressing with the fruit mixture.

            Plants in the bathroom. Most people don’t think of the bathroom as a place for plants-especially if it’s an interior room. However, plants love the humidity and a plant light can provide the “sunlight”. Or, treat a plant to the humidity and keep it in the bathroom for a week. It will love all that moisture.

            An easy way to babysit your plants. If you’re going away for 14 days or less, try this. Put your plants in the tub with just enough water so that the pot does NOT get soaked in water. Cover the tub with a plastic sheet or dry cleaning bags. (Be sure to water the plants just before you leave.)

                        It’s Grilling Time!

            Spice Rub for Pork or Beef

A lively mix of herbs and spices is the secret to great barbecue. This recipe makes about one cup and can be stored in a sealed jar for a couple of months. Sprinkle on your meat the very next time you grill steaks or pork chops. For best results, let the meat marinate in the rub for two hours at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.

2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons chili powder

1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons granulated garlic or garlic powder

2 tablespoons light or dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon ground sage

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 cup salt

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

            Old BBQ tongs are really good around the fire pit for picking up stray pieces of wood and embers that fall out of the fire.

 Easy Wrap

Meat of your choice

Tortillas

Shredded Lettuce

Ranch Dressing

            Place the meat on a tortilla and top with shredded lettuce and ranch dressing. Roll up and enjoy.

            The camping menu. Before you leave on your trip, it’s wise to make up a complete menu of what you’ll eat at each meal while you’re away. Not only will this list help you to shop wisely before you go, but if you post it at the campsite, family will know what’s for dinner, and the chef will know what to look for in the supply area.

            Bring along stackable plastic containers, but whenever possible, pack foods in your cooler in plastic bags. Those that zipper lock are best, but use double twist baggies if you need to. You’ll find that you can get almost twice as much in your ice chest, when you pack this way. And remember, those things that crush be packed on top.

                        Chicken Salad

8 oz. package rotini pasta

1-1/2 cups cooked chicken, cut –up

1/4 cup chopped red onion

1/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

16 oz. ranch dressing

            Cook pasta; drain and cool. Mix remaining ingredients with a 16 oz. bottle ranch dressing. Chill.

            When freezing buns or bread, place a paper towel in each bag to prevent soggy crusts when thawing.

            Smart is when you believe only half of what you hear. Brilliant is when you know which half to believe.

Mary Hoff worked at the Platteville Journal  before she got married.  After a few years, she started a column at the Tri-County Press and also covered Cole Acres Notes. When the Tri-County Press was sold to Bill Hale in Lancaster,  he asked to carry the column in the Grant County Independent.  Mary says she writes, "just to keep my mind from getting rusty." 

mjandmjh@pcii.net

"Be sure to send me your comments, recipes, or helpful tips."