How Hard Work Is Rewarded

Dreams do come true! Mike graduated from dental school and we wanted to find a quiet place to build our home. We were blessed to find a large building lot in Salem. It was in a cul de sac by wonderful neighbors, the perfect place to raise our family of three children with another on the way.

After the home was built, we had to decide what to do with our enormous back yard. We decided to put in a full size tennis court with basketball standards and a high chain link fence. It would be a great place for the children to play. We were glad it took up space that wouldn't need to be weeded, mowed or watered. Around the tennis court we planted grass and fruit trees: apple, pear, peach, apricot and cherry.

We still had a large area for a vegetable garden and water rights to irrigate it. I turned to my family members living close by for help. My sister Patricia, an amazing mother of seven, had a beautiful garden and was willing to share her red raspberry starts. Jackie, my sister-in-law and one of the best cooks around, had black raspberry starts that she contributed. Someone else gave me strawberry plants. I was on my way to my first successful garden.

I soon found that every where the water flowed would grow hundreds of weeds. I called it my garden of weedin'. I found a book, How to Have a Green Thumb without an Aching Back. I learned a lot from that book but even more from the helpful advice of my sisters and a good neighbor, Kendall Taylor. He would stop by and give me encouragement. It soon became my favorite summer past time.

I looked forward to getting up early and escaping to the garden. While the children slept I spent time enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. My husband didn't understand my love for gardening. He loved the sunny summer days but would rather spend them on the back of a horse exploring the mountain trails or at a lake fishing. For me it was much needed therapy, a release from the stress of a busy life as mother and the many household chores inside the home.

I soon liked every thing about growing a garden, even weeding. It was like rescuing the plants from something evil as I removed the weeds that would choke them. I loved the challenge of irrigating, getting water to every thirsty plant. Harvest time supplied an abundance of fruits and vegetables to serve my family healthy meals.

As my children grew older, I couldn't convince them of how much fun it was. They viewed yard work as an unpleasant chore that had to be done. I turned to Patricia for advice. She shared a secret with me called “weeding parties”. Get the children up early and work together to get the weeding done. Afterwards have a delicious breakfast together.

I tried this technique with my own children but we had “picking parties” instead. When they heard that all the workers would get a special breakfast treat, they willingly picked baskets of raspberries and strawberries. I rewarded them for their efforts with what would soon become a family favorite, Dessert Crepes filled with fresh berries, whipped cream and homemade raspberry jam.

It was a sad day for me when my husband tilled under my raspberry patch. My garden, especially the raspberries, reminded me of the love and support of Patricia and Jackie, two of my best friends who both died of cancer. In a two year period from 1994 to 1996 I lost them along with my mother. All three remarkable women seemed to enjoy their work as homemakers. My mother always said, “Happiness in not in doing what you like, but liking what you have to do.”

Dessert Crepes

4 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray. Pour about 1/4 cup batter into the pan, tilting the pan so that the bottom surface is evenly coated. Cook over medium heat, 1 or 2 minutes on each side, or until lightly brown. Fill with your favorite fillings such as jam, fresh fruit and whipped cream. Fruit flavored yogurt mixed with whipping cream is delicious. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Make them more healthy by using whole wheat flour.

A Lifetime of Learning

One of the happiest days of my life was graduation day from BYU! I loved school, and had so much fun attending high school, but attending college was a hard for me. I felt overwhelmed with lectures, homework and exams. I had fantastic roommates and was easily distracted from studying. Because of procrastination, there were many stressful nights losing sleep studying for exams. What a great feeling it was to think of never having to take another test or write another research paper again.

I followed my mother’s example and got my degree in Elementary Education. I was fortunate to get a job teaching 6th and 7th grade but it would be another challenge in my life. I was not prepared to teach teenagers! My experience student teaching was with third or fourth graders. Then I became extremely sick with morning sickness in November and wondered if I could carry on with my job.

I made it through that difficult year with the help of an understanding principal and the encouragement of my husband and parents. My mother, Virginia, became my mentor and role model. She taught school in Oak City, a class that combined students of different ages and levels of learning. It must have been hard for her, but she had the qualities of a great teacher that truly cared for her students. I’m sure she was a kind and patient teacher because that is how she was as a mother.

Back in those days you only needed a two year college degree to teach grade school. My mom had the desire to continue her education and earn a four year degree, so along with raising her seven children, she also took classes at BYU when she could. One summer, she carpooled with my brother, Michael, so she could attend school and take a heavier load. With great determination, she reached her goal and graduated with her oldest son, Lyman, in 1961.

My father, Milo, was also an inspiration to me. His father was a farmer and unable to help him financially with school. He managed his time and showed great discipline as he worked his way through college and medical school. One of his jobs as a night janitor required him to work at 3:00 AM. He lost a lot of sleep to work and study, but another difficulty came when his father, Milton Moody, died at age 66. His life was cut short in a farming accident and my father didn’t have the money to return home for the funeral. Dad sacrificed a lot to get his education.

I have been thinking about my parents this past week as we would have celebrated their birthdays: Dad April 5th and Mom April 7th. They never quit learning! I remember early in the morning, I could find my dad reading his medical magazines and other books to increase his knowledge and provide his patients with great medical care. At night he would come home to read the newspaper and keep up on current events. He wrote many letters to political leaders and articles in the paper to express his concerns on health issues.

My mother loved art and continued to learn by taking oil painting lessons from noted artists in the area such as Glen Turner and Paul Salisbury. She became a wonderful artist herself but didn’t sell many of her paintings. Instead she blessed the lives of her children and others. Copies of some of her best paintings can be seen in temples around the world.

Graduation day should not be the end of our education but just the beginning. There are tremendous opportunities for us to learn and improve ourselves and it’s never too late to learn! I have seen the example of my oldest daughter, Melinda, who decided to take violin lessons at age 30 with her daughter, Elisabeth. A few years later, she started playing the organ. Organ lessons have helped her use her talents for service as she plays the organ for many church meetings.

I would encourage every one to find an area that you love and continue to learn. Help yourself and your family by learning how to grow vegetables. Plant a garden to save money and provide better nutrition for your family. Certify to become an E.M.T. and serve your community as a first responder. Attend Education Week at BYU and take classes in areas of interest. There are many ways you can become better and bless the lives of your family by continuing a lifetime of learning.

Help for a Better Night's Sleep

An email I received in June 2007 caused me great concern. My son, Andrew, fell asleep while driving home from his dental office in Bellevue, Washington. He drove off the road crashing into some trees. People who witnessed the accident said the car rolled, although Andy didn't remember that part. A friend arrived at the scene shortly after the accident and took pictures of Andy and his mangled car. After seeing the damages, it was a miracle to me that he walked away from the accident without major injuries. He suffered bruises on his knee and chest and a sore sternum and clavicle from the seat belt. I counted my blessings that he was alive and so did his wife and four children.

Drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents and fatalities. Sleep deprivation not only affects adults and teenagers, but is also a problem for children. In studies of elementary aged children, nearly 40% had some type of sleep problem, 15% exhibited bedtime resistance and 10% had daytime sleepiness. Not getting enough sleep can also affect your mood, appetite, memory and concentration. People feeling sleepy during the day may consume more calories or drink caffeinated beverages to boost their energy so they can make it through the day. Research shows that sleep deprivation interferes with the hormones that control appetite, cravings and the metabolism of fat.

Last month I read about a new “Sleep Diet” that requires a minimum of seven and a half hours of sleep every night. An important rule of the diet includes not consuming any caffeine after 2:30 p.m. Research studies have shown that caffeine makes it harder to fall asleep, decreases the total amount of sleep during the night and decreases the amount of slow-wave sleep or “deep sleep”, a definite need for sleep deprived people. The final guideline for this diet and the most difficult for me to follow is going to sleep at the same time every night and waking up at the same time every morning.

This month we all lost an hour of sleep as we changed to daylight saving time. “Springing forward” is really hard for those of us who like to exercise in the early morning hours. Circadian rhythms, or the sleep-wake cycle, are regulated by light and dark. Now because of the time change, getting up at 5:00 a.m. well before sunrise, requires a major adjustment. Once I get inside the “Stars Building” with the bright lights, mirrors and upbeat music, it's worth the sacrifice. Exercising with my “fitness” friends is really a great way to start the day!

Why is exercise one of the best ways to ensure a good night's sleep? Regular exercise raises the core body temperature and release endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are responsible for positive moods and an overall feeling of well-being. Endorphins are also the body’s own natural painkillers. This may be why so many doctors recommend daily exercise as a way to help people handle depression and anxiety problems. Studies have also shown that people who exercise are more efficient at work and handle stress better. At the end of the day they fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. It's best to plan your workouts in the morning or early afternoon. Vigorous exercise too late in the day can actually interfere with sleep. Exercise like yoga, deep breathing and stretching exercises can be done before bedtime to help your body relax and calm down an overactive mind.

One of the things that prevents a good night sleep is watching TV close to bedtime. If your child has a TV set in their bedroom, remove it. Research shows watching TV and the presence of other media, such as a computer, video games or Internet in a child's bedroom is also associated with problems such as bedtime resistance and difficulty falling asleep. Children can develop sleep disorders like nightmares or night terrors that will disrupt the sleep of other members of the family.

Parents can help their children develop good sleep habits by turning off the computer, television and cell phones and hour before bedtime. Establish a quiet time with activities like reading books, knitting or listening to quiet music. A regular bedtime routine that includes brushing their teeth and saying their prayers prepares them mentally. Reading a bedtime story or singing quiet songs were always part of our family bedtime routine. Parents can make bedtime a special time together. Children will sleep better after being lovingly tucked into bed.

A large meal before bedtime is not healthy, but sometimes a light bedtime snack may help your fall asleep faster. The best bedtime snacks are high in protein, fiber, complex carbohydrates and the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan has the ability to increase brain levels of serotonin that produces a calming effect and regulates sleep. Cottage cheese and fruit, yogurt and granola and vanilla pudding are my favorites. Eat your snack about an hour before your anticipated bedtime. The bedtime snack should be low or NO fat, should not exceed 200 calories and be part of your total daily caloric intake. Cut out your dessert at dinner if you have a sweet snack like the easy pudding recipe that follows. Here's hoping you have a happy bedtime and sweet dreams!

Microwave Vanilla Pudding

2 cups low fat milk
1/2 cup sugar

4 Tbsp. cornstarch

1/4 tsp. salt

2 egg yolks, beaten

1 Tbsp. butter

1 tsp. vanilla

In a 2 quart glass bowl, heat milk for 2 or 3 minutes until hot and steamy. In a small bowl, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt with a whisk and stir into the hot milk. Cook on high power 4 or 5 minutes stirring every 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is thick. Beat half of the hot mixture into the egg yolks. Blend egg mixture back into remaining hot mixture. Microwave on high for 2 more minutes or until thickened. With a whisk, stir in butter and vanilla. Pour into dessert dishes, cover and refrigerate. Add vanilla wafers, bananas and whipped cream to make an easy dessert.

Teaching Children About Dental Health

Happiness is visiting your dentist and getting the good news: NO CAVITIES! Unfortunately for me, this didn't happen. My youngest son, Dr. Richard, gave me an exam and informed me that there was decay under two of my old gold crowns. My gold fillings are special to me and have lasted a long time. I was sad at the thought of replacing them. My husband, Dr. Mike, talked me into trying a new technique where he makes a porcelain crown in his office and in one visit the tooth is restored. He replaced the old crown with a “Cerec” crown and it has been wonderful!

Visiting the dentist regularly can be a positive experience for your children. Regular cleanings, fluoride treatments and exams are the best way to prevent decay and and help your children realize that the dentist is their friend. If they do have cavities, he can fix them using painless techniques so the children don't experience a lot of pain. The dental hygienist can teach them proper techniques for brushing and flossing so they can keep their teeth clean and free from plaque.

The dentist and hygienist are important, however parents are primarily responsible to help their children establish good dental health habits. Young children need supervision with brushing their teeth until they are old enough to dress themselves and tie their own shoes. They need supervision with flossing until 10 years of age. I let my young children brush their teeth the best they could and then I would look for any “sugar bugs” that they missed, actually brushing their teeth one more time. If a child is not brushing well, sealants on the chewing surface of the molars can help prevent cavities in the hard to reach places. Parents who brush and floss regularly teach their children by example.

Parents should help their children choose healthy snacks to eat in between meals. Candy use to be the biggest problem when I was growing up. Today soda, sometimes called “liquid candy”, is creating a bigger health risk, especially with teenagers. Teens currently drink twice as much soda as milk when compared to twenty years ago. Studies have shown that teenage girls are not getting enough calcium which is so important for bone development. The health risk here is osteoporosis and broken bones.

Some teens think that drinking diet drinks will eliminate the sugar that causes decay. How wrong they are! It is the acid in soda that weakens the enamel leaving the tooth vulnerable to decay. Some people use cola drinks to clean the engines in their cars. If the acid in soda can remove rust off engines, imagine what it can do to the enamel on your teeth. Have your teenagers watch a video and read an article at www.dental--health.com. Look for the link “tooth enamel issues”. It may have a lasting impression when they see what can happen if they continue to sip on soda throughout the day.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month sponsored by the American Dental Association. During this month, dental spouses volunteer to help teach children about dental health. For the last four years, I have been helping to present a fun and educational puppet show that is a great way to entertain children and at the same time teach them about the importance of taking care of their teeth. Teachers and parents, let's do what we can to get the message to our kids. A beautiful smile will improve their appearance and self image. It will give them confidence to share their smile, bringing happiness to everyone around them.

Fruit Salsa

1 or 2 apples, peeled, cored and diced
2 cups diced fresh strawberries
3 kiwis, peeled and diced
2 tsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
3 Tbsp. freezer strawberry jam
1 /2 tsp. cinnamon (optional)
1 cup cooking oil
6 (10 inch) flour tortillas
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

In a medium bowl, mix together apples, strawberries, kiwis, lemon juice, brown sugar, jam and cinnamon if desired. Cover and chill in the refrigerator approximately 20 minutes. Heat oil to 375 degrees. Slice flour tortillas into triangles. Carefully place tortilla triangles into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Place white sugar and cinnamon in a large ziplock plastic bag. Drop fried tortilla triangles into the bag and shake to coat. Serve the cinnamon chips warm with the chilled fruit salsa. To lower the fat content, brush the tortillas with oil on both sides, sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture, cut into triangles and bake at 400 degrees for about 8 minutes or until done.

Pictured above are Allison, Paula, Cathy, Darlene and Mary (wives of dentists in the area) and the puppets in the show called "Billy the Cavity". A baby dinosaur named Deedee has a bad dream about Billy causing cavities in three little baby teeth. This fun puppet show uses music to put across the message that we all need to brush and floss every day. It also shows that visiting your dentist regularly can help to keep your smile bright and beautiful. February 2009 the show was presented to 31 elementary schools in Utah County.

Sharon Wiest from Provo helped make this project come together. The scripts for this show and another called "Rocky's Smile” were written by Lisa Arrington. The marionettes were designed and hand made by Ree Roper. Replicas of the marionettes have been made into less expensive hand puppets so that these educational presentations can be enjoyed by many more children outside of Utah Valley. The puppet show has been used in Mongolia and Madagascar to bring the message of dental health to the children there.

Healthy Breakfast of Champions

Saturday was pancake day at the Moody home. It was a tradition that my parents established to keep us from consuming too much sugar. Monday through Friday we ate the healthy, high fiber cereals like oatmeal and cracked wheat. Sometimes we had boiled eggs, toast and orange juice. I can't remember having sausage, bacon and fried eggs. My dad, being a medical doctor, wanted us to avoid saturated fats and foods cooked in butter and eat more "heart healthy" foods.

On Sunday, the day of rest, we loved having cold cereal. Like most children when I went shopping with my mother, I tried to get her to buy sweet cereals like Frosted Flakes or Sugar Pops. She always persuaded me to choose something else because she knew that healthy breakfasts were an important way to start the day. She had us eating cereals like shredded wheat (high fiber) or corn flakes (low sugar). My favorite was Wheaties, the “Breakfast of Champions”. With raisins or sliced bananas and a little bit of sugar, it was a real treat for me.

My parents were definitely right about limiting high fat and high sugar foods for breakfast. Parents need to look at the nutrition content on the side of the box. Each teaspoon of sugar has 16 calories or 4 grams of sugar. Some cereals like Kellogg's Fruit Loops or Apple Jacks have as much as 15 grams of sugar in one serving. Do the math: that's like putting more that three spoonfuls of sugar on your cereal! Instead of buying a pre-sweetened breakfast cereal, a better choice would be to buy a whole grain cereal and add some fruit. Even if you sprinkle a little sugar on top, you'll get a sweet flavor and you'll eat a lot less sugar.

The Atwoods of Salem also carried on the tradition of pancakes on Saturday. I tried to make them more healthy by adding ingredients like applesauce, grated apples and mashed bananas. Back in November when I was searching for ways to use pureed pumpkin, I found a great pancake recipe. If you substitute whole wheat flour instead of white flour and top it with a low sugar fruit syrup, it is delicious and could soon become a family favorite. For those marathon runners who need to carbohydrate load, it can also be a healthy breakfast for champions!

Pumpkin Pancakes

2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vinegar

In a bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, allspice, cinnamon, ginger and salt. In a large bowl, mix together the milk, pumpkin, egg, oil and vinegar. Stir in the dry ingredients just enough to combine. Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Spray with a cooking spray. Scoop the batter onto the griddle, using about 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Apple Syrup

1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
2 cups apple juice
2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Mix sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in a saucepan. Add juice and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Serve over apple cinnamon french toast, pancakes or waffles.

A Happy Healthy New Year

What is the number one New Year's resolution? At the top of the list for most people is losing weight. Obesity has become such a problem in this country that over sixty percent of adult Americans are either overweight or obese. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over the past three decades the childhood obesity rate has more than doubled for preschool children and for ages 6 to19 years, it has almost tripled!

I became very concerned about health and fitness for children when my three oldest children attended Salem Elementary School. I was teaching aerobics to adults three times a week. Then Rhythmic Aerobics came out with program called “Huff and Puff” aerobics designed especially for children. I volunteered to teach each grade level for 30 minutes once a week. My goal was to teach them ways to get aerobic exercise every day at home by jogging, walking, riding bikes, jumping the rope and other fitness activities. I wanted the children to spend after school hours getting exercise instead of watching TV and playing video games.

Exercise is essential in losing weight but you also need a healthy eating plan. Another statistic that is troubling to me is nearly one-third of children age 4 to19 eat fast food every day. The results are approximately six extra pounds gained per year, per child. This is a bad habit that must be broken. I believe the key to helping them have better nutrition is for parents to make a permanent change in their family's lifestyle. We need to spend more time with our children eating meals together that are well-balanced and include plenty of fruits and vegetables, a wonderful source for fiber.

The most important meal of the day is breakfast, but too often it is a meal that is easy to skip. When you skip breakfast, your metabolic rate slows down and your blood sugar level drops. The result is you feel hungry and have less energy. Often you end up having a high fat, sweet snack to carry you over until lunch. At lunch and dinner you might eat extra servings or bigger portions. Your total calories will be higher than if you would have taken time to eat a good breakfast.

Start the day with a breakfast that includes protien, carbohydrates and fruit. A good choice would be protein fiber cereal like oatmeal, granola or bran flakes with milk or yogurt. Add in fruit like grated apples, bananas or raisins. Your body will feel nourished and satisfied. When children eat a good breakfast they will do better in school, being able to focus and concentrate on learning. Teachers will notice fewer behavioral problems because their nutritional needs are being met. They will have more energy for exercise and fitness activities. It can also help them lose weight because they will be less likely to overeat the rest of the day.

A good resolution for the New Year is to help your family avoid obesity and the health risks that can result such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. Here are some ways parents can help:

• Have the whole family change their lifestyle to promote good health habits.
• Eat meals as a family instead of while watching television or at the computer.
• Plan meals that are lower in fat and higher in fiber, including 5 fruits and vegetables a day.
• Teach them to control portions and consume less calories.
• Be aware of what your children are eating at school and between meals.
• Provide healthy snacks for between meals, avoiding soda and junk food.
• Do not use food as a bribe or a reward.
• Start exercising with them daily and have a more active lifestyle.
• Try to limit the time children spend watching TV and playing video games.
• Teach them by example that exercise and healthy eating are important.

Have a happy and healthy New Year!

Low Fat Granola

2 cups rolled oats
2 cups rolled six grain mix*
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup sliced almonds
5 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup water
5 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. vanilla
dried fruit

Mix together rolled oats, six grain mix, wheat germ, coconut, almonds, brown sugar and salt. In a sauce pan combine oil, water and honey and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Toss both mixtures together and spread on a large sheet cake pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in a preheated oven at 300 degrees for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven, stir and bake another 15 minutes. Let cool. Add dried fruits like raisins or dates if desired. Store in an airtight container. *Note: you can use rolled wheat instead of six grain mix or all 4 cups oats.

Christmas Traditions That Last

Mike and I were celebrating our first Christmas together. We were so excited because of the happy news that we would be having our first baby in July. All I really wanted for Christmas was yarn to knit a baby afghan. Mike wanted to carry on the tradition of a Christmas tree and presents. We both wanted a memorable Christmas but were discouraged about our money situation. Mike had just been cut from the BYU basketball team. We were devastated to think he might lose his athletic scholarship that paid for his education. I was teaching school to support my husband. It was my first year of teaching so my salary was small. How do you have a Merry Christmas with out money?

We decided we had to have a tree. Some or our friends were buying a permit and cutting their own tree. What a great idea! We could save money and it could be something we do every year as a family tradition. It sounded fun to me, so we headed for the mountains to find the perfect tree.

It turned out to be more like “Mission Impossible” than a fun family outing. After trudging through the deep snow and enduring the frigid cold that we were unprepared for, we found nothing that would fit into our little one bedroom apartment. Every tree that looked nice was way too big. We finally settled on cutting off the top half of tree (the bottom half was buried in the snow). It barely fit into the trunk of our car but I was glad to be heading home after freezing my nose, feet and fingers during our search.

When we arrived home, we found a surprise. We took our tree out of the trunk only to find that most of the needles had fallen off of one side. Whether it was the severe cold or the ride home on the freeway, our tree looked horrible and I wanted to cry. Mike reassured me that we could put it in the corner and nobody would see the ugly side. Once I put things into perspective and realized everything didn’t have to be perfect, I felt a lot better. Our Christmas was definitely one to remember and even a happy memory we can look back on and laugh about.

Cutting down our own tree never became a family tradition, but one tradition that has lasted through the years is Grandma’s Christmas brunch. Mike’s parents, Dick and Darlene Atwood, have lived in Spanish Fork most of their married life. They loved having the family over on Christmas morning. Grandma Darlene planned and prepared a brunch for the whole family. On Christmas Eve she would make delicious breakfast casseroles with the leftover ham from our Christmas Eve dinner. She ordered giant cinnamon rolls from the bakery and made Orange Julius to drink. Christmas morning the whole family looked forward to the delicious food and spending that time together.

Things have changed now that Grandma and Grandpa Atwood are in their 80’s. They have 18 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Getting everyone together at the same time is hard. Now many family members have their own brunch before coming to visit Grandpa and Grandma, but Christmas Brunch has become a favorite family tradition that has lasted through the years.

Grandma’s Christmas Soufflé
Darlene Atwood

12 slices bread, no crusts
1 cup cooked ham or sausage
1/2 cup chopped green peppers, optional
1 cup grated cheese
4 eggs
3 cups milk
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. ground mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

Butter one side of the bread slices. Put six slices buttered side down in a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with green peppers and cheese. Put six slices with buttered side up on top. Whisk eggs, milk, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt and pepper. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until set in the center.

Sausage Soufflé

12 slices bread, no crusts
2 cups eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp. ground mustard
2 cups grated cheese
1 lb sausage, browned
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms, sautéed in butter
3 green onions, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
¼ cup milk

Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray. Arrange two layers of bread in the pan. In a bowl, combine eggs, milk and mustard. Pour over the bread. Sprinkle with cheese, meat, mushrooms and green onions. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Bake covered for 30 minutes then uncover and bake an additional 30 to 40 minutes or until the center is set.

Christmas Cinnamon Wreaths
Marilyn Atwood

2 cups boiling water
½ cup sugar
½ cup oil
1 Tbsp. salt
Cold water and instant powdered milk
2 Tbsp. instant yeast
3 eggs, beaten
Flour

Combine boiling water, sugar, oil and salt in a bread mixer or large bowl. Dissolve powdered milk (enough to make a quart of milk) in enough cold water to make 2 cups of liquid; add to hot water mixture. Add enough flour to make a batter consistency. Sprinkle in the yeast, mixing well. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Add eggs and gradually enough flour to make a nice soft dough but not too sticky. If using a bread mixer, the dough will start to clean the sides of the bowl. Knead with a bread mixer for 5 minutes or by hand for 10 minutes. Let it rise until double in bulk. Punch down and divide into four balls of dough. Roll each into a rectangle about 9”x18”and spread with 2 tablespoons soft butter and a mixture of ¼ cup white sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Roll sugar mixture into dough with a rolling pin. Roll up as you would for cinnamon rolls and seal the edge by pinching it together. Put the seam down and shape into a wreath on a greased pizza pan. Use clean scissors, cut 1 inch slices to within 1/2 inch of the center. Turn each slice in the same direction. Let it rise until double. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for about 12 minutes or until bread is light brown. Frost each wreath with frosting made with 2 tablespoons soft butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 or 3 tablespoons milk and ½ teaspoon vanilla. Sprinkle with red and green crystal decors and add red and green cherries if desired.

Orange Julius
6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
8 to 10 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients, except ice, in a blender. Blend for about 30 seconds, adding ice cubes one at a time until smooth. Serve immediately. For Peach or Strawberry Julius, substitute 2 cups fresh or frozen fruit slices for the orange juice concentrate. With strawberries you can decrease the sugar to 2 tablespoons.