One More Reason...

Muffs

by Lee Bennett Hopkins

When

winter winds

begin to

howl

began to blast

begin to growl

when

winter winds

become

too gruff

its time

to wear

a pair

of

muffs.

Well... we missed seeing the total lunar eclipse due to cloudy conditions in the early morning but lucky us we got another snowfall. And yes, those snow piles just keep piling higher and higher. It is hard to believe today is the REAL first day of winter. Seems like we have had it for a whole month already! But what better day than today, December 21, to wear your ear muffs to honor the man who 110 years got a patent for his ear warmers, Chester Greenwood. The state of Maine even sets this day aside to honor his achievement. How many of you remember wearing ear muffs growing up as a kid and getting them as a Christmas present. You will be proud of me but I manage to resist the urge to buy sock monkey ear muffs at a local department store recently. So far my hat is doing a great job keeping my ears warm.

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One more brunch recipe to add to your collection

Italian Brunch Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1- 80z. package of sweet Italian sausage ( cooked, drained, crumbled)
• 1 large loaf of Italian bread cut in 1 inch cubes-about 8-9 cups
• 1 cup green onions
• 1 cup sliced thinly zucchini
• 1 red and 1 green pepper chopped or 1 small jar roasted red peppers, drained
• 1 small package of mushrooms
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 cups half and half or whole milk
• 8 eggs
• 1-2 TB. dried Italian seasonings

Directions:

• Cut up bread and set aside
• In blender mix seasonings, eggs, half and half or milk
• Saute onions, peppers, mushrooms, zucchini and add sausage set aside
• Grease a large glass bowl or 13 x 9 pan
• Spread 4 cups of bread mixture on bottom
• Place on top 1/2 mushroom mixture/sausage and 1 cup of cheese
• Place rest of cubes over that mixture
• Top with remaining mushroom mixture/sausage and rest of cheese
• Pour milk mixture slowly over that
• Cover and chill at least 8 hours
• Bake covered @ 325 for 45 minutes uncover last 10 minutes

adapted from Southern Living January 2003