Hello everyone.

Hello everyone.

It's been a while since I've been able to concentrate enough to enjoy my blogs.

Please bear with me - it's truly been a struggle.

Life has changed - and I know I must go on and I want to thank all of you who have stood my me with all this that I have gone through.

Previous to this I thought my computer problems were the worst thing that could happen. Sure it screwed me up - but things happen in life that need your attention more than your computer. Before everything happened I was consolidating my blogs into one - because there was so much more that I wanted to do and to offer to everyone.
Yes - I finally got a REAL computer and it works just fine.

And like I have mentioned - I am consolidating my blogs into one - there is so much more that I have up my sleeve - so my blogs as you see them will soon be disappearing - the posts are being moved (which I am finally back to doing)

http://mamassecretrecipes.com/

That will be our new home. It's got a different look - posting takes a bit longer - but I do like it.

Not only am I moving my posts - but - I have new posts (or posts you have not seen yet) that are there.

I really hope you will stop by my new site - take a look - leave a comment - and join in.

As far as my newsletters go - like I said - trying to return to normalcy has been hard. I will resume them shortly.

Thank you for standing by me - and a big hug and thank you to those who helped me through this.

Old Fashioned Home Cooking, The Familia Kitchen, Treasusres from My Kitchen - will all be moving - I've started and I am going to finish it.

Recipes by Ingredient will stay as is - and I've got thousands more recipes to post there for everyone.

Once again - I thank you for being there for me. Each day is a struggle - but I know I have to move on.

http://mamassecretrecipes.com/

Thank you all -

Hello dear friends -

As many of you already know - I have been "absent" for the past 2 months. When someone you love needs total care - it comes first - above everything else.

I've lost this very special person and it has been quite devastating to me. I will admit that I am having a very hard time with this. They say time will heal - but that I doubt. In time I may adjust - but I don't think I will ever heal from this.
I have missed everyone and I have missed my blogs.

It's now time for me to pull myself together and start again. I will be posting to my blogs, and I will be sharing much with you.

I would like to thank everyone for their prayers and well wishes - you have been there for me when I was so lost and had no where to turn. Bless you all.

And yes, I will be back to sending out my newsletters and completing more cookbooks to share with you.

Blessing to you all -

Making a quick sauce in 10 minutes or less -

http://mamassecretrecipes.com/comfort-foods/making-a-quick-sauce-in-10-minutes-or-less/

One of gramma's favorites -

Baking cookies

As I sit here going through old recipes that have been handed down - I thought it would be nice to share one of my family's recipes that is well over 85 years old. I do not know where it came from originally - why? Because it has accurate measurements - and that is something you don't find in my family. I come from a long line of "eye ballers" - always cooking and baking by look, feel, touch, etc.

Old-Fashioned Soft Molasses Cookies

Original recipe:

Cream until light and fluffy:
1 c. sugar
1 c. lard (yes - lard! But you can use shortening)

Add: 1 c. molasses - mix well

In separate bowl, combine:
2 c. flour sifted with
1 t. ginger
2 t. soda
½ t. cloves
¼ t. salt

Add dry ingredients alternately with 1 c. cold water to creamed mixture; blend well.  Add up to 1 - 1 ½ c. additional flour to make a dough stiff enough to handle.  Roll in walnut-sized pieces; dip in sugar; bake in moderate oven for 8 to 10  minutes.


And how about if I share one from one of my Canadian relatives -

not everyone likes molasses cookies - but I have never found anyone who doesn't like a good sugar cookie -


Sugar Cookies

In large bowl, whisk:
2  1/4 cups sifted, enriched   flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon salt

In separate bowl, cream until light and fluffy:
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup shortening

Add:
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons grated orange or   lemon rind

Gradually add dry ingredients. 

Chill 2 - 3 hours.

Preheat oven to 375* F.  Roll and cut.  Use ungreased baking sheets.  Place 2-inches apart on sheet - bake 10 to 12 minutes or until done.

Decorate as desired.



A hot cup of tea and a few homemade cookies will satisfy anyone's sweet tooth!

Chicken Tortellini Soup

I realize that today the little "rat" (groundhog) was coaxed out of his hole and he didn't see his shadow - but with this monstrous winter storm that is hitting everyone, I find it very hard to believe that we are in for an early spring.

Shoveling is a favorite pasttime these days. And the nagging snow that just doesn't stop really gets to you after a while.

Right now we have ice pellets hitting the windows. I would prefer to shovel two feet of snow instead of having an ice storm. I really do not like power outages.

Tummy warming meals have been a favorite and I made a soup the other day that was really good!

And I can honestly say that I am turning into my mother (and grandmother) for sure.

Unfortunately - my pics did not turn out but my soup sure did.

Grabbing a large stock pot, I placed my cleaned chicken with onion quarters, whole carrots, whole celery stalks with leaves, Kosher salt, fresh cracked black pepper, parsley and a bit of chicken bouillon.

While that was cooking and I was skimming off the "yuck", I started my homemade tortellini. Okay - they were a bit big. But that was more to enjoy.

I made my basic pasta dough and filled with homemade ricotta cheese.

When the soup broth was ready, I removed the chicken from the pot and placed it in on a large plate and strained the broth into another soup pot. To that I added carrot chunks, diced celery, and potato chunks. Adjust seasonings.

I cooked my tortellini separately to save time - added to my soup pot with frozen peas. While the tortellini were cooking, I pulled my chicken apart and tossed the skin and bones, dicing the chicken and adding to the broth.

Homemade bread for soppin' and we had a great soup.

A day to spend in the kitchen -

http://mamassecretrecipes.com/cheeses/a-day-to-spend-in-the-kitchen/