Athena's Perfect Greek Pastitsio

Athena's Perfect Greek Pastitsio

Saute a medium to large onion in 1 T. real salted butter. Add 1 lb. chuck hamburger and stir while browning. Drain fat well. Add 1- 16 oz. can tomatoes drained, and 1/2 6 oz. can. tomato paste, salt and pepper to taste, breaking tomatoes up with a spoon. Add a broken bayleaf, 1 tsp. cinnomin and 1 tsp. dried or 1 T. fresh basil and about 1/4 C. Parmesan cheese. Cook slowly 15 min. Taste and adjust. Should be savory and sweet.

Meanwhile make Rigatoni. Boil 9 minutes (al dente) in salted water. Drain well. Season and stir with 1 1/2 T. butter, lightly salt and pepper (white pepper preferred), 1 tsp. dried or 1 T. fresh chopped parsley, 5 dashes garlic powder or 3 dashes garlic salt, 1 T. extra virgin olive oil (preferably Pompeii) and 3 T. parmesan. Taste. Should be delicious even served by itself.

Layer 13 x 9 inch glass casserole with buttered rigatoni. Pour meat sauce over and spread evenly.

Make Bechamel sauce. In a large saucepan, melt 2 T. butter and 2 T. flour and stir for one minute. Add 1 qt. (4 C) whole milk and heat stirring. (If using fat free or skim milk, I have also used part fat free evaporated milk to add creaminess). In a small bowl, whisk 2 medium or 3 large eggs beaten with 2/3 c. of the hot milk mixture in a small bowl and then add back into pan and whisk. Let almost boil. Do not curdle by boiling. Remove from heat and season with 1/4 t. nutmeg, 1 t. salt and 1/4 t. pepper. Pour evenly over meat sauce from edge to edge of 13 x 9 in. pyrex casserole dish. Top evenly with bread crumbs (roll a dried piece of crusted white or whole wheat bread between your palms over the dish)whimsically arranged 4 long sprigs of fresh parsley with stems, and parmesan cheese. This makes an attractive topping as the crumbs brown. If you do not have bread crumbs you may use paprika.
Cover tightly with foil. Bake 350 oven covered 30 minutes, then uncovered another 15 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving in party rectangles. Makes about 8 servings.

Serve with Athena's Greek Salad (recipe to follow later), Greek bread and butter, and tall glasses of iced tea with lemon.//

Spring Break Internet Special Rates at Bayview RV Campground in Destin, Florida

MOMS & DADS, Spring break excitement starts at Bayview RV Campground on March 1, 2010in Destin. How I remember those days around my birthday when the only Tastee Freeze in Destin opened after winter and I could savor a dipped chocolate cone, root beer frosty or orange sherbet push up! Now, Destin has dozens of ice cream outlets, but the beach is still the same wonderful playground. Customers who book and pay using Paypal in advance (by February 14, 2020) will receive an exclusive internet special of $10 off per night on already reduced rates. (Regular rates are $50 per night or $60 for BIG RIGS and RVs 36 ft. and up. Published rates will increase on March 1, 2010. Make some memories of your own. Book online at www.bayviewdestin.com or call 850-837-5085.

TANGO! It's All About the Shoes

The Timid 2000's

When I wrote my book in 2002, I'd built up the excessive 80's, dreamed through the nostalgic 90's and now I am ending what I say was the Timid 2000's. This was the decade that started with the World Trade Center disaster on 9/11/2001. I'm ten years older now, and wiser. I worry that my book does not strike the same note that it did ten years ago. But, it is filled with wisdom and inspiration from my grandparents day, so it isn't exactly focused on my lifetime. Right now, I no longer want to "be rich." I want to "be secure." The present economy is weak and we are in the second year of a major recession. "The tide floats all boats," and not one person has not been affected by it. However, money does not buy happiness, and as a matter of fact, cannot even buy us security. So let us store your treasure in heaven by helping others. Strangely, that alone brings me happiness. Living within a budget brings me a sense of contentment. Facing lack drives me to my infinite source in God. Having anything at all makes me feel thankful, and well, rich- richly blessed, that is. I wonder what the 2010's will bring.
I've discovered some impressive links I'd like to share.
Simply Savings from Australia. www.simplesavings.com.au/ (Look what you can do with $21!)
ING Direct for savings and banking www.ingdirect.com (If you can't bank in Switzerland, how about Amsterdam? It's an International bank and fully a U. S. one, too, and tailored to we customers.)
And for buying and holding stocks and mutual funds, www.Sharebuilder.com.
Check out my Dad's blog as well. It's called, I Am Not Ashamed of Jesus. http://captben61.blogspot.com/ I'd like you to join me in putting some "treasure" in our heavenly bank account. And in so doing, enrich our life.//
Sometimes an example of what I am trying to say comes to my inbox. Please take few minutes to view this clip of a blind motivator has to say. It will bless your life and I believe possibly change it as well.
http://mymentorsnetwork.com/30DayBootCamp/MMN_Day11_Life_Mastery_30-Day_Boot_Camp20jj7o8hgfdhjyewktyf0y078y98__8_8JJ.html