As I sit down at the computer to do this , it is with a heavy heart for I lost my soulmate, my best friend, my beloved husband of 38 years, to cancer on July 30.  I traveled a long, hard road the past months and the last couple have been extremely rough.  However, I have no regrets about anything as we were together through it all. Thanks to everyone who have contacted me in any form it all was greatly appreciated.

            A dear friend of mine through I should start socializing again so off we went to the Pioneer Priest-Musical Vignettes from the Life of Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, OP. held at St. Rose Church last Wednesday evening. Singers was from Shullsburg, Benton, Hazel Green and Cuba City. Believe me it was most enjoyable and if you get a chance go to see it.

            School will be starting soon and that means Teachers take over responsibility for the church for several hours a day.  This group sang the following song.

A Teacher's Guide

A teacher's job is hard to do and it takes a lot of time.

It also takes a teacher who is in her prime.

One big requirement, she has to know her stuff!

She can't fool the children, they'll call her bluff!

So teachers have to study and burn the midnight oil,

For many years her papers will give her hours of toil.

She really isn't ready to  take her place in school,

She must be a model and live the Golden Rule!

No matter what the subject is the teacher can expand

And show the way God enters in to help at ev'ry hand.

And virtue can be put into a form that is no near,

And patience can be taught to the one who leaves her seat.

The laws of God abound in many subject if she looks,

And life itself can be a way of learning without books.

A teacher's good example is her greatest role

And showing God loves them is a worthy goal.

Take courage my teachers, and keep your records straight,

And smile at your pupils and don't be late!

When the day is over and you're going out the door

You'll know why God has called you to give and give some more.

The future generation will get an education, with values tried and true

In all their lives through because of you!

Chocolate Bar Croissants

1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls

1 tablespoon butter or oleo, softened

2 plain milk chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounces each),

broken into small pieces

1 egg beaten

2 tablespoons sliced almonds.

            Unroll crescent roll dough; separate in to triangles. Brush with butter. Arrange candy bar pieces evenly over triangles; roll up from the wide end. Place point side down on a greased baking sheet; curve ends slightly. Brush with egg and sprinkle with almonds. Bake at 375 degrees for 11-13 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Makes 8 servings.

Frosty Mocha Drink

1 cup milk

3 tablespoons instant chocolate drink mix

2 tablespoons instant coffee granules

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

14-16 ice cubes

            In a blender, combine all ingredients; cover and process

until smooth. Pour in to chilled glasses; serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings.

            Here's a stain remover that's easy to make and costs a lot less than commercial brands. In a 1 -quart spray bottle, mix

1 cup of liquid dish detergent with 1 cup of ammonia. Fill the

bottle with water, cover and shake gently. Spray on stain.

 Maple Apple Topping

1/2 cup butter

3 large tart apples, peeled and sliced

1 1/2 cups maple syrup

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped nuts

            In a large skillet, melt butter. Add the apples, syrup and

cinnamon. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until apples are

tender. Stir in nuts. Serve over waffloes or pancakes. Makes 8

servings.

Old Fashioned Sugar Pie

Pastry for two single-crust pies (9 inches)

1 1/2 cups raisins

1 cup butter or oleo, softened

1 cup sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

6 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 to 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 cup chopped nuts

1 cup flaked coconut

Whipped topping and additional chopped nuts, optional

            Line two 9 inch pie plates with pastry. Trim pastry to 1/2 inch beyond edge of plate; flute edges. Line crust with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake for 10 minutes. Discard foil.

Cool on wire racks. Place raisins in a saucepan and cover with water; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat; set aside. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Beat in eggs, vanilla and cinnamon until smooth. Frain raisins. Stir raisins, nuts and coconut into creamed mixture (mixture will appear curdled.) Pour into the crusts. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until set. Cool on wire racks. Garnish with whopped topping and nuts if desired.

            When reheating a rice dish in the microwave, cover with a damp microwave-safe paper towel and plastic wrap. The rice turns out so moist. You can even prepare the rice the night before and guests will never know you rewarmed it that day.

Tomato Crouton Casserole

8 medium tomatoes, peeled and cut into wedges

8 slices bread crusts removed and cubed

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter or oleo melted

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried thyme

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

            Arrange tomatoes in a grease 13X9 inch baking dish. Top with bread cubes. Combine butter, salt, basil, and thyme, drizzle over bread and tomatoes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until tomatoes are tender. Makes 8-10 servings.

Old Fashioned Raisin Pie

2 eggs

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

2 cups raisins

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pastry for double-crust pie-9 inches

Additional nutmeg

            In a bowl, beat eggs. Add sour cream. Stir in raisins, brown sugar, cinnamon nutmeg and salt. Place bottom pastry in a pie plate, pour in filling. Top with a lattice crust. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees and bake for 25 additional minutes or until filling is set. If desired, sprinkle with nutmeg. Serves 8.

            If your child doesn't like one group of foods, try offering a nutritional substitute. For example, if the child won't eat vegetables, try serving fruit instead. Substitute cheese or yogurt for milk.

            Cut food into interesting shapes. Draw a smiling face on top of a casserole with cheese, vegetables or fruit strips.

            To make peeling potatoes easier, soak the potatoes in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes. The skins will come off with less effort.

  Don't discard hardened marshmallows. Instead, add a handful to gelatin powder. When the boiling water is added the marshmallows dissolve, and the gelatin taste better.

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."