Aunt Carol's Lasagna

Boil water and add 6 lasagna noodles. Boil about 20 minutes or until done.
1 large pkg. cream cheese
1 c cottage cheese
1/4 c onions, chopped
1/3 c green pepper, chopped
1/4 c sour cream
Mix: 1 lb ground beef, cooked, 1 can tomato sauce, 1 can tomato paste, salt, pepper and oregano
Brown ground beef-add sauce, paste and seasonings and simmer.

Put in 9x13 casserole pan in layers:
1. Meat sauce 2. cheese mixture 3. noodles 4. meat sauce 5. cheese mixture 6. noodles 7. meat sauce
Top with Parmesan cheese.
Bake 1 hour at 375 degrees.

I love lasagna and have had it so many different ways. I wanted to showcase my aunt Carol Brown's recipe, because she has always been a gourmet cook. I remember as a young child all the different recipes she would make and how amazed I was watching her. She would teach me how to decorate cakes and make those beautiful little roses to go on top of the cake. I remember being in love with her curried beef...with the little flame glowing underneath the silver carrif dish holding the curry. So many memories...crab dip, white salad, cherry soup, tetrozzine, soups, cakes, etc.. you name it...she could cook it and make it look like a million bucks. My brother and I use to always say...."Lifestyles of the rich and famous"....talking about her cooking and table settings! Oh....and don't forget the ever famous Carbonado....a Fall stew served inside a pumpkin. I will be making that soon and posting the recipe, because it is simply beautiful. Well...I think you should all have a glimpse of what my aunt Carol's cooking was and is like. Enjoy!

1, 2, 3...Quick As Can Be

1 Angel Food Cake or Butter Pound Cake
1 can pie filling, cherry, blueberry, lemon, strawberry...your choice
1 container Cool Whip

1. Cut cake into cubes
2. Layer cake, pie filling, cool whip, cake, pie filling and cool whip
3. Chill and you're done

Your phone rings and you're invited to a last minute get together. Aaahhh...what are you going to make. This dessert is as simple as it gets and very good. It takes under 5 minutes and you're ready to walk out the door. Enjoy!

Sun Tea

1 gallon cold water
6 tea bags
Mint leaves, optional

Combine the water and tea bags in a gallon clear glass or plastic container. Cover, and place in the sun for 30 minutes to 1 hour (depending on the strength of tea that you like).

If desired, add sugar or flavorings, then chill.
Garnish with a fresh slice of lemon or lime.

Cost per serving (1 cup): 1 cent

I just love iced tea...probably my favorite drink ever! When I was growing up, I always looked forward to having iced tea at both of my grandma's homes. The teas were very different, but yummy! My grandma Yount made the best good old-fashioned sweet tea (yes with the real sugar)! She would brew it on the stove, then add sugar, then let it sit a bit and add the water and ice. My grandma Hooker would make unsweetened iced tea, but then have freshly sliced limes and the "pink" packets of sweetener on her table. I still prefer lime to lemon in my iced tea...probably from the memories of that Florida iced tea.

Instant Oatmeal Packets

3 c quick cooking oats
salt
snack sized zip bags

Put 1 c oats in blender and blend until powdery.

Put in bag:
1/4 c oats
2 TBL powdered oats
1/8 tsp salt, optional

To make...add 1/2 c water and microwave 1 1/2 minutes.

Apple Cinnamon-Add 1 TBL sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 2 TBL chopped dried apples
Sweetened oatmeal-Add 1 TBL sugar or Splenda
Brown Sugar Cinnamon-Add 1 TBL brown sugar, 1/4 tsp cinnamon
S'more-Add 6 mini marshmallows, 1 TBL milk chocolate chips
Oreo-1 crushed oreo, 1 TBL non-dairy creamer
Fruit & Cream-Add 1 TBL non-dairy creamer, 2 TBL chopped dried fruit

I got this recipe from a friend. I thought this is a healthy and $ smart way to make oatmeal, instead of buying instant oatmeal packets at the store. I love making things homemade whenever I can. It's nice to save money and feel good about what my family is and isn't eating...like additives and chemicals you can't pronounce. :)