Spring Has Almost Sprung!

"It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade." ~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

     I think this Easter quilt is adorable.  My friend, MaryAnn made it.  I love the bright, cheerful colors.  It almost makes you feel like Spring will eventually get here. The pattern comes from Pie Plate Patterns-Seasons Gone Pie- the Spring edition.

     Are you ready for Easter?  Here are a few recipes that I think are perfect for the holiday.

Asparagus Ham Roll-Ups

24 fresh asparagus spears                             ½ tsp. onion powder

8 thin slices fully cooked ham                                    ¼ tsp. basil

3 Tbsp. butter                                                  ¾ tsp. dry mustard                             

¼ cup flour                                                      1 ½ cups milk

½ tsp. salt                                                       ½ cup shredded cheese

¼ tsp. pepper

Roll up three asparagus spears in each slice of ham.  Place in a 9x13 inch baking dish. 

Melt butter in a medium saucepan.  Stir in flour until smooth.  Add salt, pepper, onion powder, basil and dry mustard.  Gradually whisk in milk and stir until mixture comes to a boil.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Pour sauce over ham and asparagus in baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

Funeral Potatoes

2 cups sour cream                                        2 cups cheese, shredded

1-10 oz. can cream of chicken soup          1-28 oz. package frozen hash brown potatoes

2 Tbsp. green onions, sliced                        1 cup cornflakes, crushed

¾ tsp. salt                                                        2 Tbsp. butter, melted

¼ tsp. pepper

In a large bowl, mix sour cream and cream of chicken soup.  Add green onions, salt, pepper and cheese.  Gently fold in frozen potatoes.  Put in a 9x13 inch baking dish.  Combine melted butter and corn flake crumbs.  Sprinkle on potato mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, covered.  Uncover and bake 15 minutes more.  (Sometimes I add an extra can of cream of chicken soup and less sour cream.) (To make this a main dish instead of a side dish, I sometimes add cubed ham.)

 

                                              This recipe comes from The Lion House Cookbook.

Sarah’s Salad

1 head iceberg lettuce                                       ½ cup shredded Swiss cheese, or
 3 strips bacon                                                         2 ½ oz. cut in strips

½ 10-ounce pkg. frozen peas                            2/3 cup chopped green onion

¼ tsp. sugar                                                      ¼ cup mayonnaise

½ tsp. salt                                                         ¼ cup salad dressing

¼ tsp. pepper                                                  

            Wash and drain lettuce.  Dry thoroughly.  Dice bacon and saute until crisp; drain on paper towels.  Run hot water over frozen peas and drain.  Tear lettuce into bite-size pieces into salad bowl.  Sprinkle with sugar, salt and pepper.  Add peas, cheese, onion, mayonnaise and salad dressing.  (These ingredients may be layered, if desired, with the mayonnaise spread on last.  Cover tightly and refrigerate over night.)  Chill.  Toss when ready to serve and garnish with bacon.  Makes 8 servings.

 

     Last in this list of recipes is a recipe from my neighbor, Pam.  I fondly remember eating these with her as a teenager.  Her mom made the best Hello Dollys.

Hello Dolly Cookie Bars

½ cup butter                                                      1 cup coconut

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs                  1 cup chopped nuts

1 cup chocolate chips                                      1 (15 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter and mix with graham cracker crumbs.  Place in a 9x13 baking pan and pat down.  Sprinkle chocolate chips on followed by coconut and chopped nuts.  Drizzle sweetened condensed milk over the top.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until slightly browned.  Cool and cut into bars.

 

 

     Last weekend, My husband and I went to Logan for our nephew's wedding and our son's birthday.  I love Logan.  We took a little jaunt over to Gossner Foods while we were there.  Had to get some cheese curds--my son likes the smokey flavor,  I like the jerky flavor and my husband likes the regular the best.  We also picked up a case of boxed milk.  These are wonderful to put in 72 hour emergency kits or to take on trips in the car.  They come in lots of different flavors-chocolate, root beer, strawberry, mango, orange cream and vanilla.  They let you mix and match when you buy a case.

 

 

    While I was in Logan, My husband was good enough to take me to My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe.  Here are a couple of cheerful, springy quilts they had hanging in their shop.

     There was also a quilt display upstairs showing some beautiful traditonal quilts.  There is a story behind each quilt.  I loved seeing the quilts and hearing the stories.

 I am reading The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare again after many years.  I forgot how good it was.  I find the reoccuring theme of love being more powerful than hate very moving. Love has a greater capacity for change in people than hate does.