~Creamy Cheesy Pie~

 It's very peaceful...listening to the water trickle down into the gutters as the snow on our roof melts.  Today it was 40°F and the bright sunshine filled my Computer/ Sewing room as I was typing.  Yesterday, my hubby used our Snow Rake to remove snow from the edges of our roof.  We are not looking for a repeat of the winter of 2011!  The water moving downward is a welcoming sound today.

Hubby Working!

Tomorrow is a day of FuN!  It's always great to make a fave dessert for Valentine's Day!  So many to choose from.  Suddenly, the vision of a Creamy Cheesy Pie appeared!  It's an easy dessert that my mother-in-law tempted me with so many years ago.

Ingredients

We were visiting in the sunny state of FL during the winter.  The week before I had baked a delicious creamy Cheesecake.  Much Cream Cheese, Sugar, a homemade crust, and much prep time in my creation.  After sampling the first bite of her treat, I knew I'd never spend that much time again using my recipe.  Hers was so easy...hers was so tasty...hers was a lot less effort!  It was delicious!  From that time on I make it for a special occasion.  Valentine's Day is definitely a special occasion this month!

Creamy Cheesy Pie 

Ingredients:

(1) small pkg. Cook & Serve Vanilla Pudding Mix
(1) pkg. 8 oz. Cream Cheese
(2) Cups Milk
(1) Pre-made Graham Cracker Pie Shell

Method:

1. Prepare Pudding according to package directions.
2. Place Cream Cheese in a medium bowl.
3. Pour hot Pudding over Cream Cheese and whisk until smooth.
4. Pour mixture into Graham Cracker crust.  Smooth mixture to crust edges.
5. Cool - maybe 30 minutes and cover with plastic wrap.  I leave small amount unwrapped on edge.
6. Refrigerate overnight.
7. Cut into slices.  Add whipped cream on top.
8. Place berries on the side.
9. Refrigerate remaining pie to enjoy again.  Yum!

• My family uses 1% Milk, so I add 1 Tablespoon powdered milk into pot before making pudding.
• Sometimes I substitute Neufchatel Cheese for Cream Cheese. 
• I use Jell-O brand pudding mix, because when using the Jell-O brand I do not burn the bottom of the pot.  :)

My older son has made a Chocolate Creamy Cheesy Pie - using Chocolate Cook & Serve Pudding. 

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Enjoy!
Yummy!

    

'Tis the season for a Snow Rake?

This morning when I took a quick glance at our outdoor grill, very little of the black fixture was visible.  Several mounds of snow totally covered our sturdy deck as if teasing me that I would not be enjoying Grilled Haddock any time soon.  

'Tis the season for a Snow Rake??  It sure is!!  Back in the winter of '95/'96 my creative hubby crafted a makeshift Snow Rake.  It was the winter that we have never forgotten - the snowflakes fell weekly.  There was no melting action going on - at all.  Homes had roofs that were overly burdened by the weight of heavy snow.  By using this tool, snow could be removed on a roof's edges (without climbing up) to lessen the burden and perhaps also negate any water damage that might occur.  That handy makeshift Snow Rake was tucked away in a corner of our shed (visible just beyond our deck).  In the past three days it has come to our rescue!

While I may daydream about enjoying a dinner of Grilled Sockeye Salmon, my Slow Cooker is bubbling away in my toasty kitchen.  Beef Stew was so easy to prep this afternoon.  It is a reminder of my mom's stew that bubbled away on the heater side of our old-fashioned gas stove.  She placed everything into a covered Dutch Oven and simmered it for 8 - 10 hours.  Occasionally, a large spoon mixed the contents.

I use my West Bend Slow Cooker and I set it on High for 4 Hours.   Always keeping that wonderful memory whenever I make Beef Stew, I add the ingredients into my Slow Cooker's pot (that has been sprayed with PAM). Because of the experience of scorching meat if I place it on the bottom of the pot, I place 1 lb. Baby Carrots on the bottom, then the meat.  A 1 lb. Beef Round is cut into small chunks and placed on top.  Then, (1) 16 oz. bag defrosted Mixed Vegetables, 2 Potatoes (cut into small chunks) and (2) cans Tomatoes (about 15 oz. each, in juice) are added. 

3 Bay Leaves along with Parsley, chopped Onions, Oregano, Garlic Powder & Sweet Basil are sprinkled on top.  Before placing the lid on the Slow Cooker I add in (2) cans Tomato Sauce (about 15 oz. each).  Sometimes I sprinkle a little Pepper on top. 

After all ingredients are placed in the pot, they simmer away.  A no fuss dinner on a very cold night!  I may daydream of using our outdoor grill while my DH is using the Snow Rake, but Beef Stew in the winter is the best! 

Enjoy!
Yummy!