Missing Sodus
By Melissa White
mgoodcooke@yahoo.com  

Happy Cinco De Mayo! Next year, it falls on a Saturday so you can have a big party and serve Mexican foods. Many Americans believe that Cinco de Mayo ('May 5th' in Spanish) commemorates Mexico's independence from Spain. In fact, it began as a local holiday that celebrated Mexico's defeat of the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. America's fondness for ethnic traditions of all stripes, the overwhelming popularity of Mexican cuisine and the recent rebirth of Mexican pride on both sides of the Rio Grande, make Cinco de Mayo a larger and more widely celebrated festival each year.

Isn't it just gorgeous outside now?! Spring finally come. It is so nice to see the leaves coming out on the trees and the flowering trees are so pretty. All of the spring flowers are out. I have a set of mourning doves who have built a nest in my wooden plant box on the ledge of the deck. It looks so cute to see the top of her head and one eye keeping an eye on everything. She is not quite sure she likes Sarah, our Boxer, going out there from time to time, but she sits tight.

It's a big weekend for a lot of parents, especially if your kids go to Buffalo college. Time to move them back home. Doesn't it seem like we just took them and got them all situated?

The CROP Walk in Williamson starts at 9 a.m. tomorrow. The Sodus CROP Walk is Sunday. Call 483.4259.

Next Friday, May 12, there'll be a Trike-A-Thon by Williamson Cooperative Nursery School. The kids start to show off their skills at 9:30. The school is at 4080 Circle Drive.

You are cordially invited to attend an Overview of Alternative Energy for Economic Development and Quality of Life in Wayne County covering opportunities, basic processes, activities, etc. Presentations will be made by: Bob Bechtold of Harbec Plastics & Northern Biodiesel; Kevin Schulte of Sustainable Energy Developments; Jason Masters of Northern Biodiesel; as well as Greater Rochester Enterprise, the Wayne County IDA, the Wind Task Force and others prominent in their fields.

This will be held Tuesday, May 16, from 1 to 3:30 at the Historic Ohmann Theatre, William Street, Lyons.

Although there is no cost, reservations are required. Please RSVP your intent to attend by May 13 Marie Leisenring at 315.946.5917.

Classic Mexican Guacamole 
MAKES 1 1/2 CUPS

1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped white onion
1 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/4 teaspoons finely chopped seeded jalapeno
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, plus more for seasoning if desired
1 ripe Haas avocado, pitted, peeled, and coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons finely chopped seeded tomato

1. With a large mortar and pestle, mash onion, 1 tablespoon cilantro, jalapeno, and salt until smooth and juicy. Add avocado, and mash slightly (avocado should remain somewhat chunky). Stir in tomato and remaining 2 teaspoons cilantro. Season with salt, if desired. Use immediately.

Taco Salad Tostada
6 servings, 1 tostada each

1 pkg. (14.25 oz.) Taco Bell Home Originals Taco Dinner Cheesy Double Decker
1 lb. ground beef
1-1/2 cups shredded lettuce
1 tomato, chopped
1-1/2 cups Kraft Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup Taco Bell Home Originals Salsa

PREHEAT oven to 350F. Spray both sides of Tortillas with cooking spray, then place in a single layer on baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes or until crisp and lightly browned.

COOK and season meat with Taco Seasoning as directed on package.

SPREAD each tortilla with 1 Tbsp. of the Nacho Cheese Sauce; top with meat mixture and lettuce. Crumble 1 Taco Shell over each tostada; top with tomato, cheese and salsa.

Baked Flan 

2/3 cup white sugar
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
5 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. In a small nonstick saucepan, heat the sugar over medium heat. Shake and swirl occasionally to distribute sugar until it is dissolved and begins to brown. Lift the pan over the heat source (4 to 6 inches) and continue to brown the sugar until it becomes a dark golden brown. You may slightly stir while cooking, but continually stirring causes the sugar to crystallize. Pour caramelized sugar into a 1 1/2 quart casserole dish or a large loaf pan, and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan evenly.

3. In a blender, combine sweetened condensed milk, cream, milk, eggs and vanilla. Blend on high for one minute. Pour over the caramelized sugar.

4. Place the filled casserole dish into a larger pan and add 1 inch of HOT water to the outer pan. Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until set.

Spring Shopping Fling 2006 is this weekend. 20 businesses from Sodus, Ontario, Wolcott and Williamson are hosting and each store will be serving refreshments and a special surprise for each shopper. The businesses participating are: Past & Present Antiques, Kraft Shack, My Sisters Side Door, Grandpa's Nursery, Lagoner Farms, L.W. Emporium, Whistle Stop Antiques, Three Bears Olde Country Store, Heluva Good Cheese Country Store, School House Country Store, Sodus Point Trading Co., Blueberry Knoll Country Shop, Lukacs Pottery, Alton Antique Center, Alton Coffee Cup, Thorpe Vineyard, Orchard View Country Market, AKS Jewelry, Petal Pusher Florist and L&J Originals.

A lot of fun things to do, whether it's going to events or just taking a walk with your family. Have you noticed even your pets have a new perk in their steps? The birds are singing and the ducks are waiting for you to get down to the beach and feed them some bread crumbs.

Have a great week and enjoy each other's company.

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