March 2!!

Today is March 2!!
Happy Birthday to You,
Dr. Seuss!!

Springfield, MA native Theodor Seuss Geisel wrote and illustrated so many books for children.  Around the world on March 2 we celebrate this children's author's/ illustrator's birthday. We know him as Dr. Seuss!    

At the Springfield Museums in Springfield, MA there is a great museum for kids of all ages, The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss!  Walking on the grounds we can view the gigantic beautiful bronze statues of characters from the Dr. Seuss books.

Horton is gigantic!

The Lorax reminds us...

Then, stepping inside the "Seuss" Museum there are many cool things to see and to do!  This is a wonderful venue to visit!  A cool chandelier greets visitors when you look up!

In another area there are so many Turtles- on their balancing act!

Local History is mixed in with activities for children of all ages!  When we visit I no longer remember to take photos.  There are so many FuN things to see and do!!

Enjoy!

 Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!!

History of American Valentine's Day Cards

 

Especially during trying times it's FuN to celebrate the little special occasions!  Learning some History along the way is an added plus.  Today is Valentine's Day!  Some of us may have purchased cards and others may have crafted their own cards to share on this day.  Many people will be enjoying a special dinner. 

I always enjoy reading about February 14 and Esther Howland.  Her father owned a stationery store in Worcester, Massachusetts.  She was a Mount Holyoke College graduate and also created a business centering around Valentine's Day!   

It's a very interesting story!  Click here to read my Valentine's Day Post from 2016.   

Enjoy!
Happy Valentine's Day!!       

~Baked Taco Pie~

~Baked Taco Pie~
cut into slices

One afternoon last week I was deciding what to prepare for dinner.  "What am I going to make?" is a question that seems to be on my mind a lot.  We had tortillas and ground beef in the fridge, so that was a start.  Then, I remembered a dinner that I had not prepared in quite some time.  It was Baked Taco Pie!  Some of the ingredients are browned ground beef, corn, tomato sauce and tortillas.  Suddenly, I knew it would be served at dinner.

The recipe is so easy to prepare and then it is baked.  I've changed it up a bit from the original recipe and I like it even better.  Add a little Sour Cream on top when serving!

***I use a baking dish that the Tortillas will fit in easily.  We do not always purchase the same size Tortillas, so I use whatever size in in our fridge.

This is a very tasty dinner!!     

Baked Taco Pie      

        Oven Temperature:  375°    Time:  30- 35 Minutes   

Ingredients: 

1 lb. Ground Beef
2 teaspoons Chopped Onion (dehydrated)
1 teaspoon Chili Powder
Sprinkle of Dried Basil
Sprinkle of Dried Oregano
1 can (14.5 ounces) Diced Tomatoes (drained)
1 pkg. Frozen Corn (10 ounces) thawed/ defrosted
(6) 7" or 8" or 9" ***Tortillas
1 Cup shredded Cheese- can be low fat
1 can (15 ounce) Tomato Sauce
Sour Cream

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven to 375° F.
2. Brown Ground Beef in skillet, drain any fat.
3. Add Chopped Onions, Chili Powder, Basil & Oregano. Stir.
4. Add drained Diced Tomatoes & Corn. 
5. Stir in 1 Cup Tomato Sauce.
6. Cook for 5 Minutes in skillet.
7. Spray casserole baking dish with PAM.
8. Place 1/4 Cup Tomato Sauce on bottom of baking dish, spread.
9. Place 2 Tortillas on Sauce.
10. Add 1/3 filling mixture on top.  Spread evenly.
11. Place 2 Tortillas on filling.
12. Add 1/3 filling on Tortillas.  Spread evenly.
13. Sprinkle on 1/2 Cup Shredded Cheese.
    
14. Then, add 2 Tortillas on Filling mixture.
15. Add remaining filling mixture on top, spreading evenly.
16. Pour remaining Tomato Sauce on top, spread evenly.
    
17. Then, sprinkle on remaining Shredded Cheese.
18. Bake 30- 35 Minutes in 375° Oven.
19. Cut into slices and serve.
20. Top with sour cream.

This is a very easy dish to prepare!  Before you know it, the oven timer will buzz it's done.  It is a hearty dish for this time of year.  If you have any slices left after dinner, they may be frozen to enjoy for another dinner.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Blueberry Torte

Blueberry Torte cooling!

Blueberries always taste so good!  During the local growing season here in Massachusetts we enjoy them in cereal.  That is also the time when I prep/ freeze them to use in baking desserts during the colder months.  A bag of frozen blueberries was taken out of the freezer 2 days ago, so they could defrost in the fridge.  On New Year's Eve and New Year's Day it's great to enjoy a special dessert.  One that does not require every utensil in my kitchen to prepare and also one that is easy to make.  I'm talking Blueberry Torte!  This was a great choice!  It is so good. 

Click here for the recipe!

This would be a great dessert to bake for any special occasion.  Fresh or frozen/ defrosted blueberries are used.

When serving a slice of this delicious dessert add a little vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

and...
Happy New Year!!!

Merry Christmas!!

"Santa Consulting Globe"
by Norman Rockwell

The Saturday Evening Post Cover
December 4, 1926
courtesy of
Norman Rockwell Museum

 

Merry Christmas
to all who celebrate!!

Enjoy!
Stay safe!

 

~Hermits~

Hermits
just waiting for a "taste test"
(File Photo)

It's time to bake a batch of Hermits!  That yummy bar cookie that has Molasses, Cinnamon, Ginger, Ground Cloves and Raisins as ingredients!  Hermits are baked in three rows in a cookie baking pan.  Especially in the winter months I see these cookies in grocery stores.  They usually do not have many or any Raisins.  Hermits with Raisins are just the best!

This bar cookie is easy to prepare!  They taste so good!  After they have baked and come out of the oven and cool a bit, each row is cut into diagonal pieces.  Usually after cutting them into the diagonal bars, there is a "taste test".  I mean, who can resist biting into a warm cookie with Molasses and Raisins?  I never can.

Bake a batch of Hermits to enjoy over the holidays!  Click here for the recipe!

These cookies also freeze well.  It's always a great surprise in January or February to look into our freezer and find a small package just waiting to be defrosted and enjoyed.

Enjoy!
Yummy!

Best Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Best Sour Cream Sugar Cookies
(File Photo)

It's the time of year to find your cookie cutters and rolling pin!  Colored sugar sprinkles are needed, too!  Add unsalted  Butter and Sour Cream to your grocery list.  It's time to bake a batch of the Best Sour Cream Sugar Cookies!  I'm talking about cookies that are usually baked for special occasions.  It's not that they cannot be enjoyed at other times of the year, but they are so good that we always enjoy them at Christmas.

After taking a bite of this cookie, suddenly a hint of Nutmeg is recognized.  That spice gives these cookies a special flavor along with Sour Cream and unsalted Butter. 

***I always use (unsalted) Butter in this cookie batter.  If you use Margarine, the dough is difficult to roll out.***          
These cookies are made in 2 steps: 
    On Day 1 the dough is made, wrapped and refrigerated.

    On Day 2 it's time to use your rolling pin, cookie cutters and colored sprinkles.

The weekend is a great time to bake these, because we all know that when you roll out dough and you also use cookie cutters it takes a little more time than just dropping a spoonful of dough on a baking pan/ sheet.  But, it is a special occasion and these cookies are really good!  They are the best Sugar Cookie I've ever tasted!

Making the Cookies!
(File Photo)

After baking the cookies and they have cooled, I freeze them in Ziploc Freezer Bags.  Oh, that is not to say that there is not sampling going on.  Of course there has to be a taste test! 

The only time I can remember being limited on the amount of cookies used in the taste test was when I baked them for our younger son's and DIL's Welcome Bags for their wedding guests.  Four batches of hearts and bells were prepared and baked.  We needed 250 cookies.  They were packaged and frozen.  Two days before they were needed, they were defrosted and packaged to be included in their guests' Welcome Bags.

This year I have not been in a rush to bake them, because we will be celebrating a "Zoom" Christmas.  It has been challenging enough sending/ mailing gifts.  I'll wait on mailing special cookies to our family.  The cookies will be waiting in our freezer for a future time.  Did you notice the (File Photo)?  :)  However, this weekend I will be baking them! 

Plan on baking a batch, too!  Click here for the complete recipe and directions!  It is worth the click.  Best Sour Cream Sugar Cookies are so delicious!  Remember to add Sour Cream and unsalted Butter to your grocery list this week!  Colored sprinkles, too, if you do not have any in your pantry.

Enjoy!
Yummy!