In the after-glow of my supposedly "last Christmas" ( don't u believe it too) I am deciding to share a few things I have learned in my old age. As the e-mail influx of jokes says. " Life is like a roll of toilet paper; the closer to the end the faster it goes. For a
Christmas with no money I decided to focus on a fabulous feast. I made my first pumpkin cheesecake with a gingersnap crust, olive tapenade, a hot artichoke & spinach dip, white choc. chip covered assorted cereals--not exactly gourmet. However, the most surprising winner was a Healthy Macaroni & Cheese which I want to share.

1 lb. of Barilla Elbow Macaroni cooked
1 sm. pkg of frozen squash, thawed
4 oz of sharp cheddar, I used more, 2 oz of monterey cheese, 1/2 cp of ricotta part-skim, 2 Tbs. of parmesan, 1 tsp. dry mustard, pinch of cayenne. Since I am a fatty I could not resist adding some butter & I believe it needs a little evaporated milk, salt & pepper. Pour into a 9 by 13 casserole dish & heated through at 350. I sprinkle buttered bread crumbs with a little garlic powder & s
seasoned salt.

Thought of you all at Christmas & was really looking for a lot more dysfuntional stories; but, alas only LeeTee. Look forward to more tips coming because I am not taking what I know to the grave.


easoned salt for topping.