OPERATION RECOVERY - December 29, 2009

OPERATION RECOVERY
Newsletter - December 29, 2009
Operation Recovery.

Happy New Year, everbody! Wow! What an adventure the past two weeks
have been. With eighteen people in my house, plus Cappuccino, my Shih
Tzu,
it has definetely been interesting. We have played countless games,
including Scrabble, Rummy, Chess, Christmas Trivia, Phase 10,
Mousetrap, timed laps around the couch, and Mother May I. We have
gone through five coloring books and three packs of crayons. We have
watched It's a Wonderful Life, The Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th
Street, Home Alone, and UP.

We have consumed at least 10 pounds of pasta, a Christmas ham, 29
pies, about 5 cakes, a gob of Christmas cookies, and sacks and sacks
of candy.
I must say there was no shortage of food, fun, or love.

Christmas morning at the Harpole's is always a highlight, but this
past Christmas found many reaching for tissues. As always, with our
custom, Scott, with his strong voice, reads the Christmas story. Then
we each go around the room, and one by one say what we are thankful
for. When it came time for the Patriarch of the family, my husband,
Bill, he immediately starting crying and looked at each child and
grandchild, telling them how much he appreciated and loved them. He
again reminded everyone in the room how blessed we were, not only to
be able to be together, but that in fact, how well we all get along
and genuinely love each other. I must say after six full days of
co-inhabiting with no major upset, he was right.

But, alas, here we are, that dreadful week in between Christmas and
New Years...Operation Recovery. It's a little like the post partum
blues that new mom's go through a few weeks after the baby arrives.
Like, what's next? The house is now quiet, the last of the Lego
villages are down, the crayons are permanently ground into the carpet,
and the cloth chairs are dyed with grape juice.

So, we can all cry and get depressed, or we can do it all over again.
WHAT? Yes, maybe not in five days, but we can always keep family
close. That random trip up to Terre Haute, Indiana, where my boys and
their families live, or to Naples, Florida, where my Dana and her
husband plus two grandchildren live, is only a thought away. There
are cell phones, cars, planes, trains, and as the old song
says..."there ain't no mountain high enough, to keep my love from
you."

Now, as I always say, "Celebrate Family." Love each other as though
it may be the last time you may see them. Forgive easily, and make
provision for miss understandings...don't let them accumlate.
Rember, the dearest things are not material, but rather the strongest
entity since God's creation of man and woman, is the FAMILY. Love
each other, hug, kiss, and enjoy!

Operation Recovery is just a few days to endure, then let's all jump
head long into the new year. Let's make a difference for the good, in
the lives of others, and by so doing, live our own lives to the
fullest satisfacion!

God Bless, and Happy New Year
Rosalie

Recipe - Eggplant Rollatini

Eggplant Rollatini - December 29, 2009

NOTE: This is the perfect dish to make for New Years Day, or for any
special occasion. Use is as an appetizer, side dish, or main dish
over your favorite pasta. It can't get better than this!

1 large eggplant, about 4-inches in diameter
1 tablespoon salt

1 cup Progresso Italian Style bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh curly Parsley, chopped

3 to 4 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper

1 (15-ounce) carton ricotta cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded thin
1/2 cup Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh curly Parsley, chopped
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/3 cup olive oil, more as needed

Marinara Sauce, recipe found on page 127 (Rosalie Serving Italian cookbook)

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded thin

1. Preheat oven to 375-degrees. Cut stem and end from eggplant.
Peel the eggplant partially in strips, leaving some of the peel
intact. Using a meat slicer or mandoline, slice eggplant into thin
lengthwise slices, about 1/8-inches thick. Let the eggplant slices
soak in cool salt water for about 20 minutes.

2. Place the bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, and parsley in a shallow
plate. Beat the eggs until fluffy.

3. Prepare the filling by placing the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan
cheese, parsley, egg, and pepper in a bowl. Mix well and set aside.

4. Rinse the eggplant in cool water and drain dry. Dip each slice in
the beaten eggs and then in the bread crumbs on both sides. Place the
olive oil in a large skillet and over medium heat; fry the eggplant
about 2 minutes on each side until golden. Salt and pepper lightly as
they fry. Drain slices on paper towels. Add olive oil to pan as
needed, and if necessary, start a clean pan midway of frying.

5. Place 1 cup marinara sauce to cover the bottom of a 13-inch by
9-inch baking dish. When all eggplant slices have been fried and
drained, place on a large cookie sheet. Place 2 tablespoons ricotta
filling on each slice and spread gently. Starting from short end of
slice, roll the eggplant up jelly-roll style. Place each roll,
seam-side down in baking dish. There will be about 15 rolls. Use an
additional smaller dish if needed.

6. Pour additional 1 to 2 cups marinara sauce over rolls. Top with
Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzerella. Cover loosely with aluminum
foil. Bake 25 to 30 minutes.

7. (Optional) Boil 1/2 pound vermicelli pasta, and place remainder
marinara sauce over pasta. Top with eggplant rolls. Serves 6.

Rosalie Serving Country Cookbook

MY LETTER TO SANTA!

My Letter to Santa!

Merry Christmas everyone! The season is upon us and with just a few
days to get "things" in order, our lives have now taken flight.
Like...buy the presents, wrap the presents, get the tree up, rearrange
the furniture, get the carpet cleaned, have the dog groomed, run the
kids to play practice, keep the cat out of the tree, keep the kids
from throwing up on the carpet and take extra vitamin C so you don't
get sick. Now, I'm sure I left out a ton of things that are only
pertinent to your situation, but you do get the drift...Christmas is
Coming! Oh, and don't forget the Christmas Cookies!

And did I mention that in just 7 short days, my entire immediate
family descends upon Bill and Rosalie's house in Troy, Missouri?
(That's me.) That's right! They take up residence in all their old
bedrooms for six long days. We start off with Scott, Jenn, Taylor,
Ross, Grant, Max, and their Wiener dog, Harley Grace.

Next, we have Jeff, Tami, Roman, Reagan, Alexandra, Niko, and
hopefully not their dogs, Bailey the Boxer, and Bianca the Bichon,
although I dearly love them both.

And, lastly, we have David, Dana, Elijah and Sebastian. One can only
hope they do not bring their jumping jack, Friedman, the Labradoodle,
but they may be tempted to bring Boston, the long loved family yellow
Lab.

Thinking about the three-hundred meals, forty dozen trays of cookies,
twenty-nine coats in the coat closet, lego villages in the hallway,
and cookie crumbs from here to Jefferson City, makes me want to sit
right down and write Santa a letter.

Dear Santa,
If you have any inkling of compassion, please send quickly... maids,
dishwashers, plumbers, referees, day-care workers, waste-management
trucks, a hotel manager, and above all, any loose change for the
grocery bill.
And while you're at it, send Security Guards to keep my sons, Scott
and Jeff, and mainly "vaccum cleaner," David, my son-in-law, from
eating up all the Christmas Cookies in the first three hours.

And don't tell me you're too busy, or too spread out. Get off you
duffs and quit watching It's A Wonderful Life. There are people just
like me who really WORK during the Hollidays! Allright, that's it!
Let's see what you can do.
Sleeples in Troy, Rosalie.

Now, you all know how I love to cook and bake, and since time is of
essence, I better get started on those forty-two dozen cookies..haha.
And don't forget to include one of my mother's classics, the Italian
Fig Cookie. You will love it!

Have fun Merry Christmas!
Rosalie

My Letter to Santa

December 15, 2000 - MY LETTER TO SANTA

Merry Christmas everyone! The season is upon us and with just a few
days to get "things" in order, our lives have now taken flight.
Like...buy the presents, wrap the presents, get the tree up, rearrange
the furniture, get the carpet cleaned, have the dog groomed, run the
kids to play practice, keep the cat out of the tree, keep the kids
from throwing up on the carpet and take extra vitamin C so you don't
get sick. Now, I'm sure I left out a ton of things that are only
pertinent to your situation, but you do get the drift...Christmas is
Coming! Oh, and don't forget the Christmas Cookies!

And did I mention that in just 7 short days, my entire immediate
family descends upon Bill and Rosalie's house in Troy, Missouri?
(That's me.) That's right! They take up residence in all their old
bedrooms for six long days. We start off with Scott, Jenn, Taylor,
Ross, Grant, Max, and their Wiener dog, Harley Grace.

Next, we have Jeff, Tami, Roman, Reagan, Alexandra, Niko, and
hopefully not their dogs, Bailey the Boxer, and Bianca the Bichon,
although I dearly love them both.

And, lastly, we have David, Dana, Elijah and Sebastian. One can only
hope they do not bring their jumping jack, Friedman, the Labradoodle,
but they may be tempted to bring Boston, the long loved family yellow
Lab.

Thinking about the three-hundred meals, forty dozen trays of cookies,
twenty-nine coats in the coat closet, lego villages in the hallway,
and cookie crumbs from here to Jefferson City, makes me want to sit
right down and write Santa a letter.

Dear Santa,
If you have any inkling of compassion, please send quickly... maids,
dishwashers, plumbers, referees, day-care workers, waste-management
trucks, a hotel manager, and above all, any loose change for the
grocery bill.
And while you're at it, send Security Guards to keep my sons, Scott
and Jeff, and mainly "vaccum cleaner," David, my son-in-law, from
eating up all the Christmas Cookies in the first three hours.

And don't tell me you're too busy, or too spread out. Get off you
duffs and quit watching It's A Wonderful Life. There are people just
like me who really WORK during the Hollidays! Allright, that's it!
Let's see what you can do.
Sleeples in Troy, Rosalie.

Now, you all know how I love to cook and bake, and since time is of
essence, I better get started on those forty-two dozen cookies..haha.
And don't forget to include one of my mother's classics, the Italian
Fig Cookie. You will love it!

Have fun Merry Christmas!
Rosalie

anta

Reciepe - December 15, 2009

Christmas Pie from Rosalie - Raspberry Cream Cheese Custard Pie

NOTE: This raspberry pie is a delightful mix between a cheese and
custard filling. It is delicious either warm or cooled. The sour
cream and whipped topping along with the fresh raspberries only add to
the goodness. You will definitely use this recipe often.

1 Melt-In-Your-Mouth Pie Crust recipe (single) found on page 162

2 cups fresh or frozen red raspberries
2 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ cup warm water
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind, divided
2 tablespoons butter
¼ teaspoon vanilla

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla

1 (8-ounce) carton sour cream
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice

pressurized canned whipped cream
¾ cup raspberries
coarse white sugar sprinkles

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare pie crust and roll dough to
fit a 9-inch pie pan; set aside. Combine raspberries, cornstarch,
sugar, lemon juice, water, ½ teaspoon lemon rind, butter, and vanilla
in medium saucepan. Over medium heat, stir constantly until thick and
bubbly, about 5 to 6 minutes. Pour into unbaked pie crust.

2. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer until
fluffy. Gradually beat in sweetened condensed milk, eggs, lemon
juice, and vanilla and remaining ½ teaspoon lemon rind. Pour cheese
mixture over raspberries. Bake 35 minutes, or until set. Cheese will
begin to split a little on top. Remove from oven and set aside to
cool..

3. Flute whipped cream over pie, beginning at outer edge and working
in. Leave a 4-inch circle in the center for raspberries. Makes 8
large or 16 small pieces.

alie

TURKEY LEG BLUES - December 8, 2009

Weekly Newsletter
December 4, 2009

Turkey Leg Blues

Greetings to all the wonderful fans that keep Rosalie Serving alive
and well. I thank you!

Well, the big feast is over with all the planning, baking, table
settings, and family coming and going. It's enough to give one the
TURKEY LEG BLUES!
Especially when you look in the refrigerator and see two lonely turkey legs.

It's like one turkey said to another, "I just don't have the stuffing
to do that again."

Sometimes, we loose our "stuffing," and we think, "with just 3 weeks
until Christmas, can I push again for another big finale?"

Well, I say, make your Christmas list as big and as elaborate as you
want. Then sit right down and cut out three-fourths of it.

In all honesty, do we really need the carpets cleaned? You and I know
that little Johnny will catch the demon virus and leave upchuck
deposits all over it the next day.

And what about buying a gift for every relative at home and abroad?
How many ties and lotions can one receive in their lifetime? How
about a personal thank-you note included in your Christmas Card and a
delicious little loaf of Poppy Seed Bread with Orange Glaze, baked
right out of my Rosalie Serving Country Cookbook?

The cost will be cut in half, and the thought of something homemade
will warm their heart.

Need some cookies for Christmas? Have a Cookie exchange party; invite
10 Ladies over, have them each make a different type cookie, and
bingo!...you have your cookies.

Worried about the in-laws coming for the perfect Christmas dinner? No Sweat!
Just praise you mother-in-law for her prize apple pie, and she will
bring three of them. As for the rest of the dinner? Call each one
coming and have them each bring their speciality. Works every time.

And, now to really ditch those Turkey Leg Blues, make up a delicious
Italian pasta dish to calm even the most stressful of situations. I
have included one of my favorites: Pasta with the Cauliflower &
Asparagus.

Remember, life happens but count your blessings, things could always
be worse....you may have fed your dog those turkey legs, and now he's
in surgery to remove throat bones...ha ha.

Love you all and Merry Christmas!
Rosalie

Dear Friends,