Well as you probably can guess by this pic I am definitely a squash lover. In fact, I would prefer to eat squash rather than eat a steak.....As a child, the first things gone on my plate would be the veggies, then the meat or poultry would sit there being tossed from side to side in my plate while I'd contemplate whether or not I would attempt to eat it....Most other children would eat their meats then toss their veggies side to side. I was different and that's okay! It takes all kinds to make the world go round....

I love squash all year round, but most would think about it more when the Fall season arrives, especially during the Thanksgiving holiday. Having come from the New England area, maybe it was just a New England thing? Just seems like I saw more then, than any other time of the year.

With my typical New Englander sense of thinking, children are heading back to school so our Fall Harvest will be right around the corner sporting all the colors and species of pumpkins and squash at the local produce stands and orchards. All this plus, Mother Nature in all her glory and splendor makes her scenic spectacular color debut with her crimsons, gold, burgundy and whatever other colors she chooses to throw into the fold. What a truly fabulous present for us to enjoy!

 So with this being said I now hope your in the mood to enjoy a great Fall Squash Casserole! For you meat lovers, try adding some chicken or turkey to this recipe. You can even add crumbled bacon to make it even more palette pleasing.

SQUASH CASSEROLE

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs. yellow squash, sliced
• 1 lb. zucchini, sliced
• 3 medium onions, sliced
• 4 large carrots, grated
• 4-8 oz. pimentos (jar)
• 1 or 2 cans sliced water chestnuts
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 cups crushed reduced fat Ritz or Townhouse crackers
• 6-8 oz box of seasoned stuffing
• Pam spray
• 1/4 cup melted margarine
• 1 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1-2 cups grated sharp cheddar or cheddar/jack cheese

Directions:

Preheat over to 350 degrees F.

Slice the squash, zucchini, and onions and place in a large pot with enough water to fill the post halfway. Add one teaspoon salt. Bring to boil for about 5 minutes. You can cook them more or less depending upon desired consistency. I like mine a bit firmer since they will finish cooking in the oven later. Drain all liquids. (I keep mine and use it for a vegetable soup base)

Spray 9 by 13 inch baking dish with Pam. Line pan with about one inch of stuffing mix. Melt margarine and drizzle over stuffing mix. I like to take about a full handful of the stuffing and add it directly to the squash mix for added texture. I also omit the margarine to cut down on calories and fat.

In a mixing bowl add the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, pimentos, carrots, handful of stuffing mix, black pepper, and water chestnuts. Mix together. Add squash, zucchini and onions, blend gently.

Pour entire mixture over stuffing in the pan. Spread evenly, Top with shredded cheese and remaining crushed crackers.

Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

You can make this healthier by omitting the margarine, using reduced fat crackers, sour cream, and mayonnaise, and using fat free/sodium reduced cream of chicken soup.

Servings:	12
Time:	30 Minutes Preparation Time 45 Minutes Cooking Time

This recipe has been around for a while but some of you younger gals might not be familiar with it. At first glance the directions look difficult, but are not at all. It just involves 3 steps. The first layer is almost like a pie crust, the second is like cream puffs and the rest is just jam you add. I have made this both with apricot and strawberry jam and they are equally as good but being a chocoholic I have a tendency to use melted chocolate instead of jams and place light layer of melted chocolate between the first and second layer and dribble chocolate lightly on the top after it cools. Similar to the chocolate almond croissants Dunkin use to make. YUmmmmmy!

Almond Puff Pastry

Ingredients:

First layer:

* 1/2 cup butter, cut into pats or 1/2 inch cubes
* 1 cup flour
* 1/4 cup water

Second layer:

* 1 cup water
* 1/2 stick butter
* 1 cup flour
* 3 large eggs, room temperature
* 1 tsp. almond extract

Third layer:

* 2/3 cup jam or preserves
* 1/2 to 2/3 cup slivered or sliced almonds

Icing:

* 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 4 tsp. milk or water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.

Toast Almonds at 350 degree F oven for about 5 minutes or until golden brown.

First layer: In a medium sized bowl, combine the butter, flour, and salt (if using unsalted butter). Work the butter into the flour as you would for pie crust. Add the 1/4 cup water. The dough will form into a ball. Divide in half. Shape the piece into a 11 by 3 inch rectangle on the baking sheet, leaving plenty of room between each one. (I did mine on two separate sheets). Set aside

Second layer: In medium sized saucepan, bring water and butter to boil. Stir until butter melts and add flour (and salt if using unsalted butter) all at once. Stir until the mixture thickens and begins to steam and leaves sides of pan. Remove from heat and beat at med speed with mixture for about a minute or beat by hand vigorously for the same amount of time. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, beat until the dough loses it's shiny look and each egg is totally absorbed. Mix in the almond extract. With a spatula or your wet fingers) spread the batter over the strips, dividing it evenly for each puff.

Bake pastry for 50 to 60 minutes, or until it's a deep golden brown.. Remove from oven. Transfer to cooling rack. Spread jam over the top and string some icing over. Then add almonds.

Servings: 12
Time: 30 Minutes Preparation Time
50 to 60 Minutes Cooking Time

ADRIANA's August 18 Online Party

Hi : You are cordially invited to my Tupperware Online Party! I am hosting this Online Party to tell you about all of the great products Tupperware has to offer to simplify your kitchen, home, and life! Please click any of the shopping links to begin browsing through products and special offers available through my Online Party. Be sure to click on any shopping link to ensure that you're participating in my Tupperware Online Party. My Tupperware Online Party will last until Sep. 01, 2010 (EST). If you have any questions, please let me know. Hello Everyone, I wanted to personally invite you to this catalog show that I am Hosting for the Pets in Need Program. No ones pet should have to die because someone can not afford a vet bill. So won't you please help a sick, injured or abused pet by making a purchase today. I am donating 10% of all my sales from this show to this wonderful program. You can learn more about this wonderful program at http://www.IMOm.org Thank you, Thanks for participating in my Tupperware Online Party, ADRIANA BROWN

If your email client doesn't support links, copy the following link and paste it in your browser to start shopping at my Tupperware Online Party: http://order.tupperware.com/pls/htprod_www/%21twx$eparty_ctl.p_guest_welcome?pv_eparty=6665afb133a9e2b227edebf603ee2a0d&pn_guest=3083998

The risks to your pets...and you

 Beyond causing serious discomfort, fleas and ticks can carry diseases dangerous to both you and your pets.
 Fleas can carry tapeworm larvae, which your pet can ingest. In cats, in particular, fleas can carry an organism called Bartonella henselae, which is one of the causes of cat scratch disease in humans.

Ticks can transmit such serious diseases as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever for both you and your pets. Many pets are also allergic to flea bites. A single flea bite can cause an intense allergic reaction in both humans and pets. When the skin is irritated or inflamed it can also become infected with bacteria or others pathogens making the problem worse. Severe infestations will cause anemia, lowering your pets immune system and making them vulnerable to various illnesses.

Ticks can be a particular problem when present in large numbers or when they attach themselves to sensitive areas like inside the ears or near an eye.

Thankfully we have the availability of many tools in our arsenal to keep us all safe from fleas and ticks. They are applied topically or in pill form on a monthly basis. Many vets recommend year round treatment for best results. A single female flea can lay as many as 30 eggs a day. The eggs then fall and land on furniture and carpets and can lay dormant for up to 8 months before hatching, even during the winter months. Treatments are normally based on the area in which you live, daily routines and any pre-existing medical conditions.

 FACTS FLEAS and TICKS on CATS verses DOGS

Ticks are more often found on dogs than cats.
 Dogs are more prone to flea allergies.
Owners often miss signs of fleas in cats because they mistake the cats discomfort for normal grooming behavior.
 Fleas typically bug dogs on the rump, thighs and stomach. Cats are often more affected on the face, neck and back.

 Let's face it, fleas and ticks are virtually everywhere! Although certain parts of the country and at specific times during the year, no cat or dog is completely safe from them. Today there is no reason for any pet or owner to be bothered by these nasty biting little pests.

 Along with keeping up with flea meds, bombing and spraying the house and spraying or spreading insect granules to your yard, vacuum carpets, floors and furniture regularly always throwing out the vacuum bags after any signs, as fleas can survive in the bag for weeks and months.
 Block off damp and shady areas around your home such as; under your deck and outside stairway as fleas love these areas. Wash your pets bedding, toys and towels once a week and regularly groom your pet.

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Help your child learn to love reading

Learning to read is the cornerstone of every child's education. By reading aloud to your child, you will be sharing one of life's most valuable gifts and opening all kinds of doors for the future.


Here are some tips on making the most of reading with your child.

1. Choose a time and a place where you can be quiet and give your child lots of attention. Make the occasion a special one.
2. Turn off any distractions such as the TV, music or the computer.
3. When you are reading aloud, show your child that you are having fun!
4. Involve your child. Let yourself be interrupted with questions; talk about what you think of the story and the pictures.
5. When your child has started learning to read, follow the text and encourage him or her to point to the words as you go along.
6. Establish a routine. Try to devote some time every day to reading.
7. Take your child to your local library and involve him or her in choosing books.
8. Notice what kinds of stories your child enjoys and look out for ones with similar themes.
9. When you are reading aloud, praise your child for listening well and sitting still. When your child is learning to read to you, give praise and encouragement too, but be sure to gently correct your child when he or she makes mistakes.
10. Help build your child's vocabulary and memory skills by supplementing reading sessions with audio books on car journeys and after meals or at bedtime. Audio books are especially helpful in building memory skills and supporting the learning of dyslexic and autistic children.

Sharing your child's journey into reading can be one of the most rewarding experiences of parenthood. You owe it to your child, and to yourself, to make it a priority in your daily life.

Experience a Barefoot Book now with your child by clicking on the link below.

http://www.barefootbooks.com/story/childrens-crafts-activities/journey_home_from_grandpas_video/

	Join in the fun - from the comfort of your own home! It's easy. Just visit my Consultant's Web site to browse the Pampered Chef® catalog and place your order. You can check out the high-quality products that make cooking and entertaining so much easier. See our fabulous Fathers Day Special for that special Grill Master in your life! This special is only available until midnight June 10th. Then visit us at 7 PM June 10th, in our A lil Country Store Chat... http://xat.com/alilcountrystore.com BYOB and snacks.... The actual closing date for this show is June 10th before midnight. NOTE: Please place your order prior to my Show closing date: Thu, Jun 10, 2010 Your Pampered Chef® Consultant Adriana Brown http://www.pamperedchef.biz/lilcountrypaws Orders Due: Thu, Jun 10, 2010 Host: Fathers Day Phone: (321) 725-6172 E-mail: pamperedchef@lilcountrypa ws.com

Mock Boston
Cream Pie

My house was always filled with kids especially during the summer. These taste wonderful and are super easy. You can substitute with ice cream and fresh fruit.You can even freeze the pudding and use as ice cream.Use your own creative skills. The kids will love you for making them feel so special!

Ingredients:

• toaster waffles
• instant vanilla pudding
• chocolate syrup
• whip topping such as cool whip

Directions:

Toast and butter two waffles and let cool. Add a serving of vanilla pudding on to one of the waffles. Top with remaining waffle, chocolate syrup, and whip topping.

Servings:	1
Time:	10 Minutes Preparation Time 5 Minutes Cooking Time