Ham and Cheese Macaroni Salad

 A COLLISION COURSE: HEAT WAVE EXPECTED  WITH RECORD-BREAKING TEMPS INTO THE 100'S STARTING TODAY, A DAY EARLIER THAN EXPECTED    

  
     AND BEGINNING OF SPRING ON MARCH 20TH  

Flowers, bushes, and cacti are just beginning to emerge 

I do declare it's time for a light meal with no oven needed. 

Ham and Cheese Macaroni Salad

Cook's Notes: An easy, simple salad to put together that's quite tasty and perfect for dinners and potlucks. You can easily double the ingredients and dressing for more servings. This recipe serves 6. It's an Ever Ready Special. Another suggested add in option: 1/2 cup diced red peppers. The dressing is the star of the salad.  For a vegetarian option, omit the ham. 

Salad Ingredients: 

• 2-1/2 cups dry small elbow macaroni
• 1 cup each of diced celery and mini yellow/orange peppers
• 1 ham steak (8 oz.) diced 
•  8 oz. of sharp cheddar cheese, cubed 
• 1/2 cup diced sweet onions
• 1 teaspoon each dill and parsley flakes
• 4 hard-boiled eggs, roughly chopped 
• 3/4 cup sweet frozen peas (no need to thaw) 

Directions:

• Prepare dressing and set aside.  
• Cook pasta al dente according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Rinse and drain and set aside. 
• Dice ham and lightly brown in a fry pan. 
• To a large bowl, add ham and other ingredients, mix well.
• Toss with dressing (recipe below) and refrigerate for a few hours.

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
• 1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt
•  2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
• 1/4 cup honey
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Dressing Directions:

Mix well with a whisk.

 SPRING TREAT: Pastel M&M Cookies 

Note: this recipe does require an oven😀even if it's too hot in your area just hoping your AC works.

Cook's Notes: A kid-friendly crisp cookie, easy to bake and decorate. The recipe makes about 22 cookies.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1-1/2 cups M &M's holiday colors (pastel), divided

Directions:

• In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• Cream butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla in another bowl.
• Beat butter mixture into flour mixture.
• Fold in 1 cup M & M's.
• Refrigerate dough in freezer for 20 minutes for easier handling.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Line 2 baking sheets with silicone pads or parchment paper.
• Roll dough into 2-inch balls for each cookie, and add a few M &M's to the top of the dough ball.
• Place on a baking sheet and bake 9 minutes. Let cool 3-5 minutes and transfer to a wire cookie rack to cool.
  
  
  
  
  
  

Recap Tucson Book Festival March 14-15, 2026

 

Where Words And Imagination Come To Life

The Tucson Festival of Books Foundation is a non-profit organization. It made its debut March 14-15, 2009, on the campus of The University of Arizona. It's more than a book festival: Tucson celebrates books and literacy at one of the largest in the U.S. There was quite a crowd this year, even more than last year. It's like being at the Minnesota State Fair. I read that over 130,000 attended last year, and this year looks like numbers will exceed that. It was a toasty two days with temperatures reaching 90 in the afternoons. All the organizational pieces that go into planning and orchestrating this event were quite impressive. There were plenty of volunteers in bright orange shirts to assist you, and your safety was top priority as the clear plastic bag policy was implemented this year. 

Since 2009, the Tucson Festival of Books has introduced a unique desert animal design to represent the festival. All designs were created by illustrator and graphic designer Chiara Bautista. The jaguar was the 2026 choice.

This two-day event, in its 25th year, featured over 500 authors and presenters, with over 200 presentations and countless opportunities to meet authors, poets, screenwriters, and journalists. There were book signings, panel discussions, staged entertainment. Additionally, the festival features hundreds of local and national exhibitors with literacy-focused booths and activities. Attendees can meet their favorite authors, purchase books and book-themed merch, learn about local nonprofits, interact with indie authors and publishers, and more. I was fortunate to stop by the WWA (Western Writers of America) tent to visit briefly with Johnny Boggs and author Ashley Sweeney, author of "The Irish Girl." 

Diverse voices were highlighted with Indigenous storytellers, Latinx authors, and writers representing cultures from across the Americas. Below are three women  who spoke on a panel sharing their stories on girlhood, memory, and myths.

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Rachel Eliza Griffiths is a multi-media artist, poet, and novelist. She is married to novelist Salman Rushdie

Joy Harjo is an American poet, musician, playwright, and author. She served as the 23rd United States Poet Laureate from 2019 to 2022, and is the first Native Poet Laureate

Susan Orelan, is an American journalist, television writer, and bestselling author of The Orchid Thief and The Library Book. She has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1999.  

Another highlight for my husband and I was getting into a presentation where 600 people filled the room to hear Erik Larson, an American journalist and author of mostly historical nonfiction books.   

Panels at the “Nuestras Raíces” stage explored food, heritage, storytelling traditions, and the role of literature in preserving cultural identity. Authors, including culinary writers and poets, shared insights into how food, family, and language intersect within storytelling traditions, drawing enthusiastic crowds interested in cultural narratives as much as literary craft.

Science and exploration also had a strong presence at the festival. Science City, a signature component of the event, combined literature with hands-on learning experiences. Families gathered for interactive STEM exhibits, demonstrations, and educational displays designed to connect science with storytelling. Nearby, the National Park Experience Pavilion offered presentations from award-winning authors The festival also includes Science City, a large area dedicated to hands-on public science literacy activities for all ages.

Navigating the festival requires stamina, as presentations are spread across the campus in classrooms, ballrooms, and tents. In my estimation, it's a requirement to have Plan A and Plan B in place in case you don't get into your preferred session.

The festival’s community atmosphere remains one of its defining qualities. Volunteers, educators, students, and local organizations worked side by side to welcome visitors from across Arizona and beyond. Food vendors (best tamales can be found there).

Street performers and live entertainment added to the celebratory atmosphere, creating a weekend that felt as much like a cultural festival as a literary gathering. For many attendees, the experience is as much about discovering new authors as it is about celebrating the shared joy of reading. With attendance exceeding 130,000 in recent years, the event continues to demonstrate the enduring power of books to bring communities together. 

Mark your calendar for next year's event, usually the second weekend of March. 

Irish Stew

You might want to break out in a jig after a spoonful of Irish Stew!

Irish stew is a filling, flavorful peasant dish. It was originally made with the cheapest, most readily available ingredients. Potatoes were the main food crop prior to the potato famine. Irish stew, "ballymaloe" or "stobhach gaelach" as it is called in Gaelic, is traditionally made of lamb or mutton, potatoes, onions, and parsley. The root vegetables added further flavor and thickening power, as well as filling sustenance. Some cooks added turnips or parsnips, carrots, and barley.

The stew ingredients have evolved over the years, adapting to include local offerings. Since sheep were not as plentiful in America, other types of meat were often substituted. Some recipes include Guinness Stout and other variations, exalting this original peasant dish to near-gourmet status.

Irish Stew

Cook's Notes: 

Whether you make this Irish Beef Stew with Guinness Beer for your St. Patrick's Day celebration or just an everyday meal, it’s definitely a must-try recipe! The addition of Guinness Beer, a dark beer, adds a robust malty flavor to the stew. This is one of those dishes where the stew's flavor continues to improve the next day. You can prep a lot of the ingredients the day before and store them in a plastic bag. I found Guinness Draught Beer a better choice for the stew. Guinness Extra Stout is a stronger beer, and its taste can overpower the stew's flavor. The stew was paired with Irish Soda Bread.

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Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 lb. beef stew meat or sirloin cut into small cubes
• 1/2 cup flour to use in a Ziploc bag
• 1 small onion diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 small box of white mushrooms, rinsed and sliced
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 bottle of Guinness Draught beer
• 1 cup each diced carrots or sweet potatoes, and celery
• 4 small red potatoes, quartered
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon each allspice and celery seeds
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon each marjoram, thyme, and Rosemary
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cups beef broth or chicken broth (use low-sodium )
• 1-1/2 cups V-8 juice
• 1/3 cup water mixed with 3 tablespoons flour

Directions:

• In a Ziploc bag add ½ cup flour and shake beef cubes
• In a fry pan, brown beef cubes in 2 TB. hot olive oil and set aside
• In the same frying pan, sauté mushrooms, minced garlic, and onions until caramelized, about 3-4 minutes.
• In a soup pot, add browned beef cubes, beef or chicken broth, V-8 juice, flour mixture, carrots, potatoes, celery, mushroom mixture, spices, bay leaves, tomato paste,  brown sugar, and yes, don't forget the beer!!
• Cook on low heat, covered, about 1-1/2 -2 hours till carrots, parsnips, and potatoes are done, or in a crockpot on low for 2-3 hours. Discard bay leaves before serving.

    Enjoy your week

National Pi Day March 14th

Just in case you were wondering ...Pi is a mathematical constant whose value is approximately 3.14159. Hence, Pi Day is celebrated on March 14th. The reason being 3, 1, 4 are the digits in Pi, March is the third month of the year, and 14 is the day. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of mathematics and its role in shaping our world and promote the relevance of mathematics to a broader audience.The term Pi is a Greek word and is denoted by the symbol “π” which is used to represent a constant. It is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, which is approximately 3.14159.

Enjoy PI Day with some Ever Ready Pie Selections 

Grasshopper Pie

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2019/03/weekend-round-up.html

Ham and Swiss Cheese Savory Hand Pie 

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2019/01/national-pie-day.html

Asparagus and Bacon Pie with Dill Havarati

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/03/asparagus-round-up.html

Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse Pie

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2019/03/chocolate-mousse-pie.html

Mini Pecan Pies 

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/11/mini-chocolate-pecan-pies.html

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie 

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-grand-finale.html

Black Cherry Chunk Ice Cream Pie

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2018/06/black-cherry-chunk-ice-cream-pie.html

GO IRISH

 

Colcannon is an Irish version of mashed potatoes made with sauteed cabbage or kale, green onions, and bacon. Pair this hearty side dish with corned beef slices and Irish Soda Bread, adding a wee bit of Irish to your March cooking.

Colcannon with Kale and Cheddar 

Cook's notes: Use a food processor to shred cabbage or kale. A cheese grater also works to shred cabbage. Recipe serves 4-6.
Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 lbs. red potatoes, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes
• 8 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
• 1 small onion, diced
• 4 cups finely shredded cabbage or kale
• 2 green onions, diced
• 3/4-1 cup half and half (warmed)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt e.g.Lawry's
• 1-1/2 cups grated white cheddar
• Freshly ground pepper

Directions:

• Bring water to a boil, add in potatoes and simmer until fork tender, about 20-30 minutes. Drain potatoes.
• Fry bacon until crispy. Drain on a paper towel and reserve 1 TB. bacon drippings.
• Saute onions on medium high heat for 2 minutes in bacon dripping. Add in shredded cabbage/kale and green onions, cook until cabbage is tender about 5-8 minutes.
• Stir in cheddar and mix well.
• In a large bowl, add potatoes, onions/cabbage mixture, cream, bacon bits, parsley, butter, salt, and pepper. With a hand mixer, beat the potato mixture until well mixed. Serve immediately or keep warm in an ovenproof pan or bowl. 

Irish Coffee

Perhaps the most famous Irish drink is the Irish coffee. Over 100 versions of this popular drink exist, including non-alcoholic Irish drink recipes.
Irish coffee was invented by Limerick chef Joseph Sheridan in 1942 to welcome Americans visiting Ireland. The travelers arrived in the west of Ireland on a cold winter night, so Sheridan added whiskey to their coffee to warm them up, telling the Americans it was Irish coffee.
A San Francisco Chronicle travel writer, Stanton Delaplane, brought the recipe back to the U.S. after drinking Irish coffee at Shannon Airport.
It was first served at the Buena Vista Café in San Francisco on November 10, 1952.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz. of Irish whiskey e.g. Jameson
• 5-7 oz. hot coffee or 2 shots of espresso
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• Fresh whipped cream

Directions:

• Run hot water slowly over a glass mug until it’s at room temperature or hotter, and then dry it (pouring hot coffee into a cold glass could cause it to crack) or use a regular coffee mug.
• Add brown sugar to the mug
• Pour in whiskey
• Add coffee or espresso, leaving room at the top for whipped cream
• Stir until sugar is completely dissolved
• Top the drink with whipped cream. 
• Do not stir (drink stays warmer longer with the cream sitting on top)
• To make cold Irish coffee, chill the sweetened coffee before adding the whiskey.

UP NEXT 

SUNDAY'S DINNER: IRISH BEEF STEW

Did you know Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish author, poet, and playwright? After writing in different literary styles throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular and influential dramatists in London in the early 1890s.

Chocolate Mint Oreo Cookie Pie

March 11 is my mother, Pat Lentsch's s birthday. She would have been 104 today. And actually it is also my mother-in-law's birthday who would have been 120. 

There was hardly a dessert mom didn't like and she still managed to be of a slight weight. She would have loved this dessert and always kept a stash of Dove bars in her freezer. 

If you’ve got people in your tribe that love chocolate, then this is the pie for them.  Since I’m into anything chocolate, I was swooning over every single bite! It’s sweet, refreshing with a minty flavor. To sum it up, it’s basically pie perfection!! 

Get a jump start on National Pi Day, March 14, with Chocolate Mint Oreo Cookie Pie.


Chocolate Mint Oreo Cookie Pie

Cook's notes: The perfect pie for celebrating St. Patrick's Day. The recipe can be made in a springform pan, 9-inch glass square pan, or a glass pie pan as shown in the picture. It freezes well covered with foil for up to two weeks. Other ice cream flavors could be substituted, such as vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate.
This recipe originally came from Nestle Toll House and is sure to be a hit with any age group.
Ingredients:

• 1-quart mint chocolate chip ice cream
• 1 regular package of Oreo cookies (Not Double Stuff brand). You will need a total of 2-1/2 cups of cookie crumbs for this recipe. Another option is using Mint Oreo cookies. 
• 5 tablespoons melted butter
• 2/3 cup evaporated milk
• 10 oz. Dark Chocolate Toll House Morsels (other options include: semi-sweet or bittersweet chips)

Directions:

• Remove ice cream from the freezer to soften.
• In a Cuisinart, crush cookies using about 2 and 1/2 rows of Oreos that have been broken up.
• Add in 5 tablespoons of melted butter and mix well. 
• Use 2 cups of cookie crumbs for the cookie pie crust, and reserve 1/2 cup of cookie crumbs and set aside.
• Place the pie pan in the freezer for 15 minutes.
• Remove pie pan and add 1/2 of the softened carton of ice cream, smooth out ice cream, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup cookie crumbs over it.
• Return the pie pan to the freezer for an hour or until ice cream is fairly firm.
• In a glass measuring cup, microwave on high for 45 seconds the evaporated milk.
• Remove and whisk in chocolate chips until smooth.
• Pour chocolate into a small bowl and place in the freezer for 15 minutes to cool it down.
• Remove the pie pan from the freezer, make sure the ice cream layer is firm, and the chocolate is cooled.
• Pour the chocolate mixture over the ice cream and sprinkle with cookie crumbs. Freeze for an hour until firm.
• Add the last layer of ice cream and the rest of the cookie crumbs and return to the freezer for a few hours, lightly covered with wax paper.
• Then cover the pie with foil until serving.
  
  
  

Glazed Lemon Bread

 

to a slice of moist Lemon Glazed Bread 

Cook's Notes: An old-fashioned quick bread made with fresh lemons and a simple tart glaze that soaks into the crust, creating an irresistible treat. The recipe was adapted from amindfulmom.com  . One tablespoon of poppy seeds could be added to the batter, creating a poppy seed lemon quick bread.  

Lemon Bread Batter Ingredients:

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon table salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup buttermilk 
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest ~2 large lemons
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• Toasted coconut and almonds to equal 1/3 cup 

Lemon Glaze Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice=2 large lemons
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar 
• 1 teaspoon butter
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 

Directions: 

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃). Generously grease a 8.5 by 4.5-inch loaf pan on the bottom and sides of the loaf pan. 
• In a medium bowl, sift together 1½ cups all-purpose flour, ¼ teaspoon table salt, and 1 teaspoon baking powder, and whisk to evenly distribute salt and baking powder.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat ½ cup unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Once pale and fluffy, mix in 2 large eggs until combined.
• Add the sifted dry ingredients, ½ cup buttermilk, the almond/coconut mixture, and 2 tablespoons lemon zest to the creamed butter and sugar. Gently fold together until the ingredients are just combined, taking care not to overmix.
• Transfer the prepared batter to the prepared loaf pan, spreading it into an even layer.
• Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly dry or with a few crumbs. If you are using a metal baking pan begin checking on the bread after 40 minutes.
• While lemon bread is baking, whisk together the lemon glaze until smooth.
• After the bread is baked, place the pan on a cooling rack. Use a skewer to poke holes halfway down into the loaf. 

• Pour the glaze over the lemon bread. Let the bread sit in the loaf pan for 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, loosen the sides of the bread from the edges of the pan with a butter knife, then remove the bread from the pan and transfer it to a cooling rack to finish cooling completely before slicing and serving.

Notes:
Room-temperature eggs and butter are recommended for the best results.
Lemons: Be sure to use only FRESH lemon juice for this recipe. This recipe will require about 2 fresh lemons (their zest and juice).

SPREAD JOY-SHARE A SLICE OF LEMON BREAD WITH A FRIEND