Missing Sodus
By Melissa White
mgoodcooke@yahoo.com

Happy New Year! By the time we had gotten done, we enjoyed ourselves, and there was confetti and streams all over the floor. There were plastic gun things that had capsules which would shoot beautiful confetti. I did have second thoughts about the mess, but now the inside of the vacuum cleaner is pretty. Oscar was not impressed by the noise and, even though I cleaned, I caught him with confetti hanging off his beard for days. Some really good movies we watched I think you would enjoy:

Raising Helen with Kate Hudson
Stepford Wives with Nicole Kidman and Mathew Brodderick
The Anchorman was funny but not one to see with little kids

My son planned them all out, so by 6 p.m., we were watching movies and getting ready for the ball to drop. What things did your families do for the festivities? Write to me mgoodcooke@yahoo.com and we can share notes, give others ideas for next year.

While everyone was home, I tried new recipes. Two meals a day, you have to be creative. And lunches should be fun and fast to clean up. The Taste of Homes Favorite Brand Name Recipes for 2004 had a good one for Bite Size Tacos.

1 pound of ground beef
1 package taco seasoning ( I didn't use it, so lets say its optional)
2 cups French Fried Onions ( I didn't use those either... I have fussy kids)
l/4 cups chopped fresh cilantro ( didn't use)
32 bite size round tortilla chips
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.

(With the shredded cheese, I didn't pay attention to the cup size. I just added it liberally and I added the sour cream to each chip after they came out of the oven and it worked out great. Now, for the recipe instructions.)

Cook beef in a skilled over med. High heat 5 minutes or until browned. Drain. Stir in taco seasoning, a cup of water, l cup French fried onions, and cilantro. Simmer 5 minutes or until flavors are blended, stirring often. Preheat oven to 350. Arrange tortilla chips on foil- lined cookie sheets. (I used Pam spray, as well, to keep them from sticking). Top with beef mixture, sour cream and remaining onions and cheese. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and onions are golden. Note: if your family doesn't like warm sour cream you can add it afterwards. Makes 8 servings. They are easy to make and cleanup is a breeze - you just throw away the foil.

The Kraft Shack is busy making great things as usual:

• WILTON CAKE DECORATING COURSE II Four Nights - Mon., Jan. 10, Thurs., Jan. 13, Mon., Jan. 17 and Thurs., Jan. 20 - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. $25 plus supplies.
• ONE STROKE PAINTING Mon., Jan 24 - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. You will learn how to paint the One Stroke rose and leaves on a wooden box. $30 includes all... if you have brushes, $20.

In Sodus: Captain Jack's SnowFire 500 is January 15. Registration: 7 to 9 a.m., Race starts at 11. For more information, call Dave Meneely 315.483.4657

There doesn't seem to be a lot of activity going on in Wayne County this week. Everyone must be recuperating from all the fun things before and during Christmas Holidays. If you know of something that is going on and would like to share, please write to me and let me know.

It's fun to make plans for the garden as early as January and February. You can keep a notebook on ideas you have. Think of different flower and plant ideas for every different garden in your yard. Maybe go do some research at the library. There are many books that can show you the plants, what flowers they will get and how they will do in your area. Preparing for the coming of Spring can be fun and will hopefully make the bleakness of winter seem to go by faster.

Enjoy your week and your families and however you get through the New York winter. Spring is coming.

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