http://mariannem.gather.com Recent Articles on Gather by Marianne M. en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:01:16 GMT 2010-01-05T07:01:16Z en-us Copyright Gather Inc 2009 http://www.gather.com/images/header/logo_gather.gif http://www.gather.com/ http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977974707 Anyone who reads my blog knows I love to make soup. It's a satisfying and cozy way to spend time in the kitchen. This hearty, filling soup was no exception. I made it by combining several recipes and . . . Sun, 03 Jan 2010 23:52:04 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977974707 Marianne M. 2010-01-03T23:52:04Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977971629 2010 Postage Stamp Program Unveiled WASHINGTON — Nobel Peace Prize honoree Mother Teresa, legendary actress Katharine Hepburn, Negro Leagues Baseball and Cowboys of the Silver Screen are . . . Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:00:22 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977971629 Marianne M. 2010-01-01T19:00:22Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977967461         It wouldn’t be New Year’s in some parts of the country without black-eyed peas. Many families eat them on New Year’s Day for good luck. My husband's . . . Fri, 01 Jan 2010 03:49:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977967461 Marianne M. 2010-01-01T03:49:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977969465 May 2010 be the best year of your life, a year filled with peace, joy and prosperity! Thu, 31 Dec 2009 01:24:39 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977969465 Marianne M. 2009-12-31T01:24:39Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977967919 These cookies are one of my mom's specialties. She makes dozens of them every Christmas and they always turn out perfect. She tints half the cookies red and the other half green so they're very festive . . . Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:21:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977967919 Marianne M. 2009-12-30T22:21:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977967645 RED ROOSTER Here's a yummy sounding drink recipe that just arrived in my in-box. I think it sounds perfect for a New Year's Day brunch! We called this drink a Madras, back in the day. A Red . . . Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:40:50 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977967645 Marianne M. 2009-12-29T20:40:50Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977965640 My daughter served this pretty salad as the first course on Christmas Eve. It was really festive and it tasted wonderful. Salad of Winter Greens, Walnuts, Roasted Beets and Goat Cheese Dressing: . . . Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:25:18 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977965640 Marianne M. 2009-12-29T16:25:18Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977964895 This is my mom's soup recipe. She found it in the St. Paul paper years ago. My daughter served it for dinner on Christmas Eve. It was wonderful, creamy and full of flavor! It also freezes well. Serves . . . Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:02:30 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977964895 Marianne M. 2009-12-28T15:02:30Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977963989 I got this recipe from my good friends Katy and Mary Ellen. Then I saw it on the Pillsbury cake mix box! It's probably my favorite cake. I think it's the addition of the almond extract that makes the . . . Sun, 27 Dec 2009 11:32:42 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977963989 Marianne M. 2009-12-27T11:32:42Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977963514 These tasty little ham and Swiss sandwiches are awesome! I served them on Christmas Day and they were a huge hit. Plan on making a double batch because they'll disappear in a flash! Even the guys will . . . Sat, 26 Dec 2009 14:43:40 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977963514 Marianne M. 2009-12-26T14:43:40Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977961609 I got this recipe a few years ago. It's a fun gift for someone special, young or old! Put everything in a holiday mug and add the poem. Place the mug in a cellophane gift bag tied at the top with a ribbon, . . . Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:31:10 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977961609 Marianne M. 2009-12-24T12:31:10Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977957659 I made this recipe today for the first time. I got the it from my daughter's friend, Christine. Katie puts finely chopped nuts in hers ... I prefer just the cranberry flavor. Christine's Cranberry . . . Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:41:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977957659 Marianne M. 2009-12-21T22:41:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977956993 Grab your candles and turn on all the lights! Today is the Winter Solstice here in the Northern hemisphere, the shortest day or longest night of the year! I checked out a few facts: "Winter solstice is . . . Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:52:17 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977956993 Marianne M. 2009-12-21T14:52:17Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977956133 Every Christmas cookie plate needs something really ooey-gooey rich and decadent. These bars are perfect! Cut them fairly small. I've also heard them called 7 Layer Bars and Hello Dollies. . . . Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:51:31 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977956133 Marianne M. 2009-12-21T00:51:31Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977954539 PS22  Chorus sings White Christmas (a capella) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQFbotoDeYY I love these kids. I love their enthusiasm and the wonderful spirit they project. The PS22 . . . Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:05:03 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977954539 Marianne M. 2009-12-20T18:05:03Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977954308 One of my favorite Christmas songs is "(There's No Place Like) Home for the Holidays ." The music was written by Robert Allen, the lyrics by Al Stillman. The song was published in 1954. I always associate . . . Sat, 19 Dec 2009 09:59:33 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977954308 Marianne M. 2009-12-19T09:59:33Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977949071           A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away; While quite unselfish, it grows small. ~Eva . . . Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:39:09 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977949071 Marianne M. 2009-12-19T03:39:09Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977953812 This recipe for Mashed Potatoes sounds awesome! COOK’S COUNTRY FEATURED RECIPE: Mashed Potato Casserole "Everyone wants mashed potatoes at a holiday meal, but no one wants to deal with the . . . Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:38:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977953812 Marianne M. 2009-12-18T23:38:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977952189 The day my granddaughter came home from the hospital, my husband and I went over to help the new little family get settled. I was in the kitchen doing the dishes when I heard a commotion coming from inside . . . Fri, 18 Dec 2009 02:05:36 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977952189 Marianne M. 2009-12-18T02:05:36Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977950656 There's a great little bakery next to the shop where I get my pedicures done (okay, so now you know one of my guilty pleasures). It's called Sweets Bakeshop on Marshall Avenue in St. Paul, and it's . . . Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:55:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977950656 Marianne M. 2009-12-16T23:55:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977947196 A dear and thoughtful friend gave me this amazing gift basket chock full of good things. She called it a "Grandma Basket" and it's one of the most remarkable presents I've ever received. She filled it . . . Tue, 15 Dec 2009 00:21:12 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977947196 Marianne M. 2009-12-15T00:21:12Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977945531 An Easy Dessert As most of you already know, I'm not above taking a short cut in the kitchen from time to time (read always), especially when it comes to baking. One of my favorite easy desserts is . . . Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:09:52 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977945531 Marianne M. 2009-12-14T01:09:52Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977945146 I just came across this delicious sounding recipe ... let me know if you try it! CATALINA Cranberry Chicken Prep Time: 10 min Total Time: 1 hr Makes: 8 servings What You Need! 4 lb. bone-in chicken . . . Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:50:46 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977945146 Marianne M. 2009-12-13T18:50:46Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977944164 The Grinch One of my favorite cartoon Christmas characters, created by Dr. Seuss, is the Grinch . He first appeared in the 1957 children's book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! This was . . . Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:42:54 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977944164 Marianne M. 2009-12-12T19:42:54Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977943836 Decorating your home can be one of the best parts of the Christmas holiday. Trimming the tree and putting up lights adds warmth and sparkle. My daughter trimmed her new baby daughter's nursery with a . . . Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:00:53 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977943836 Marianne M. 2009-12-12T15:00:53Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977942460 When The Snow Falls I tune the radio to a good jazz station. The sky is low and gray and snow begins to fall with a faint ticking sound as it hits the dry leaves. I hold my breath and listen. . . . Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:51:41 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977942460 Marianne M. 2009-12-11T13:51:41Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977940721 I came across this great vintage photo of yours truly visiting Santa with one of my little brothers, back in about 1952. That Santa sure is a handsome fellow.   Some of my happiest Christmas . . . Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:46:38 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977940721 Marianne M. 2009-12-10T13:46:38Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977939592 One of the reasons I love the holidays is because I get to bring out my collection of nutcrackers. As collections go, mine is small but it's just the right size for me to display at Christmas. (NOTE . . . Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:09:43 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977939592 Marianne M. 2009-12-09T22:09:43Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977934091 Make Christmas merry with a handmade Christmas ornament! Years ago, my daughter and I made ornaments at Christmas and gave them to family and friends as little gifts or package decorations. I . . . Mon, 07 Dec 2009 01:51:21 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977934091 Marianne M. 2009-12-07T01:51:21Z http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977933162 Seems like everyone in these parts makes this dip but this golden-crusted recipe is my personal favorite. It's perfect in every way! SUPER YUMMY HOT ARTICHOKE DIP 2-8 oz. cans artichokes, well drained . . . Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:23:45 GMT http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977933162 Marianne M. 2009-12-06T14:23:45Z