We nurses searched for every recipe we could make ahead of time always,  and the above is one of my favorite.  I actually toasted my own almonds, and I must look; for you may have too.  Variations of it include using some peanuts just for we nut freaks. Sometimes people chop some Chinese cabbage, but it is stronger flavored than the regular cabbage; so I would go easy on that one if at all, and thanks for reminding me of the recipe, for struggling with weight; It is not horribly high calorie, especially if you like it less sweet which I happen to.  For all of us on Coumadin, it is also a nice treat.

Another message for we Coumadin for life folks is to make a cole slaw using about a third apples, but you know you have to deacidify immediately after cutting by tossing the apples in lemon juice, and your cutting them in small cubes, not grating them, but if a recipe of southern cole slaw tells you to use vinegar; scrap it, for you either use total salad dressing or Mayo, and yes, Mama threw in sugar.  Why no vinegar, I know you are dying the answer! It is because the vinegar will make your creamy dressing separate, and then you have water inside the bowl after it sits. 

The Ramen is fun to make just as you have written it and most people enjoy it for any family meal or covered dish.  Thanks.  Happy Easter! Love, Barb

Oh Dear One,

You are brilliant. Because of the Coumadin, a lot of us are not supposed to have the dark greens, because they up our clotting factors, so red cabbage would be brilliant, and not only that, I could use apples of different colors.  Radicchio adds a little bitter, little peppery tast to all of this as wel, sweet red peppers, even blue berries for july 4th; I do like the chopped and unseeded cucumbers as well.  I even think they are my favorite raw vegetable. Recipes are fun, and I have a million of them, the easiest pumpkin cheesecake on earth at Christmas and Thanksgiving.

If you do not have the raw to blanched green pea salad, that is another easy, super good, healthy, and with that one you can cube some of the Wisconsin cheese which makes you happy.  I also have a 7 layer salad which looks so pretty in a glass bowl, and every body likes it and it is another one where you can up the protein with a walnut layer, and just let me know any of these you would like, and I can type them out. Let us put it this way two cooked chicken breast and a layer of cheese shredded along with two packages of birds eye peas or a large bag of other brands will easily feed 8 people throwing out some nice hard or soft rolls, and just some whole cranberry relish or some mixed canned fruit, and that is absolutely a full meal, and you hope there are left overs. I remind people that when the peas are thawing, you have to empty them out of the package and on to a towel to absorb natural water vapor as they thaw..

During the raising of five children and having had to cook early back home, not to mention all of the darned symphony parties we would give,for that was the entertainment — Parties and way too much alcohol which I still one share in but minimally so, but heaven help us, for somehow through the years people got home safely.  It is so frightening when we think back before designated drivers, so bless the Lord that better minds prevailed.  This is fun, for it is one thing I can help people out with and make them feel happy with the result.  Another recipe which I wonder if you all made with the kids are the chocolate no bake oatmeal and peanut butter cookies?  Every family needs that recipe, for it is so easy and good for kids though the sugar plice might catch us making such nice things for everyone.  I am so glad you reminded me of the red cabbage — It’s perfect! Off to sleep; Happy Easter!

Wishing you a glorious Easter in The Land of The Lakes.  In Cincinnati, it is cold at this hour, but I have the door cracked just for fresh air — A little too fresh and crisp as the wind crosses over the water.  Our wonderful daughter in law married to son number two is having us over in the evening tomorrow which will be very nice, for at their place, the boys can play outside, the grandsons, and she is a magnificent chef having learned from a Georgia Mama.  The condo is just no place for the boys — three grandsons here all under six, for any shared living quarters has a noise component.  We have had this place for about three full years, and already the crisp walls in the dining area and family room need a coat of fresh paint.  That is why we used to wallpaper back in the 79s and 80s, for you could just wash the kid marks off, but we know the decades will change it all back at some point.  It gets a little scary when one can see our life in a full circle and know that what is old will be new again.

Oh yes!  Now I recall that such was the promise of Easter!  My husband can no longer get through the Easter Vigil, and I cannot wake up for the morning service, so we may just have to sit this one out.  It is so joyful though to be back in a part of the country where people actually celebrate the occasion, and there are so many bright colors, and hope of spring everywhere.  It is very late here, so I fear we may have some super storm cells come through the midwest, for when the Gulf warmth and the Canadian cold mix; then someone, usually not Wisconsin — We get slammed with stormy weather.  Heat was coming on early in the West as well, another sign.

Happy Easter, and Joy to All of You.  Bless you, Perry,

Barbara