What a week with extra meetings, unpredictable weather, too much to eat and now that it is Friday I’m looking forward to a new week to begin and at least the calendar is not nearly so full. Occasionally it is okay to say at least that is over and we can start over again. If we wait long enough everything seems to work out and is probably better than we had anticipated.
Two of the meetings I attended this past week were for the A.C.E. program. One of the issues discussed was a cut in Federal funding to assist in the volunteer programs. As with any organization there are certain expenses that must be met to meet the needs. The volunteer program expense is about $1.85 per hour and where can you hire any one for that kind of a wage. Most of the funds for the program come from grants. Murray County has an active list of volunteers that do a variety of activities such as care giving, telephone reassurance, stuffing envelopes, meals on wheels, assisting at school, hospice, hospice rummage sale, museum help, quilting, etc. The list is quite long and enough variety than almost anyone can find a place to help. In a recent survey of volunteers in Murray County 156 responded. Other counties didn’t have quite the same results. We all agreed we need to be aware of opportunities to volunteer.
Spring sports have begun as I often see the track kids out running after school. A sweatshirt, sweat pants and even a stocking cap and gloves as the wind can be quite cold. Devin was supposed to have a track meet on Saturday but it was canceled early in the week on account of the expected rain, wind, and maybe snow. Difficult to have good times with the obstacles. One of these days it will be warm again.
Sausage, Egg & Chili Casserole
1 pound bulk pork sausage
2 stalks celery, chopped (about 1 cup)
1 small onion, chopped (1/4 cup)
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup red pepper, chopped
1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilies undrained
8 slices white sandwich bread cut into cubes, about 4 cups
4 eggs
3 cups milk
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3 cups shredded mild Cheddar cheese
Cook sausage until well browned, stirring often to separate the meat. Pour off any fat. Stir the celery, onion and peppers in the skillet and cook until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in the chiles. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Place half of the bread cubes into a lightly greased shallow baking dish. Layer with the sausage mixture and remaining bread cubes. Beat the eggs and milk together with a whisk. Pour the milk mixture over the bread cubes. Bake at 350º for 45 minutes. Spoon the soup over the casserole. Sprinkle with the cheese. Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Sunrise Smoothie
1 cup pineapple juice
1 cup vanilla low-fat yogurt or frozen yogurt
1 cup frozen strawberries, partially thawed
2 ripe, medium bananas, peeled
Combine pineapple juice, yogurt, strawberries and bananas in blender or food processor container. Cover; blend until smooth. Garnish with strawberries and bananas slices. Makes 4 servings.
Chocolate Bliss Brownies
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
4 eggs 1 1/2 cups sugar
1 can (16 ounces) chocolate syrup
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoons salt
Frosting:
6 tablespoons butter, cubed
1/3 cup milk
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Cream the butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add chocolate syrup. Beat in flour, nuts and salt until blended. Pour into a greased 9×13 inch pan. Bake at 350º for 25 -30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
In a small saucepan, melt butter. Add sugar and milk. Bring to a boil; boil for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat; stir in the chips until melted. Beat until frosting reaches spreading consistency. Frost cooled brownies. Yield: 4-1/2 dozen.
