April First - April Fool's Day

April Fool’s Day, is not officially considered a holiday, is most definitely a notable day that is celebrated in many countries on April 1. The thing that is so special about April 1 (April Fools) is that it is the day for playing hoaxes and practical jokes of varied sophistication on others. The aim of these jokes is to bring embarrassment to the gullible.

Superstitions have it that the practical jokes are meant to be played before noon, and that those that are performed afterwards will bring bad luck to the perpetrator. This limitation is widely losing it’s value as a superstition as it is believed to have been conspired up by annoyed parents and school teachers who were wanting a respite from the day of pranks, as well due to the fact that many major hoaxes throughout history have appeared after noon. Another superstition is that anyone who fails to respond in the proper spirit of tolerance and amusement to the jokes played on them is also said to be liable to suffer from bad luck. Weaker sources indicated that being fooled by a pretty girl will be accompanied by marriage, or at bare minimum a friendship with her. That sounds like a good deal if she is truely pretty and it’s not just April Fools. Along the lines of relationships some people believe that being married onApril Fools’ Day is not a good idea for a man, and that forever in the future he will be ruled by his wife.

The origin of April Fool’s day is not clearly known, but it is generally accepted to have come about as a result to the changes in the calendar system. The New Year celebrations used to begin on 25 March and last for a week, ending on 1 April. In 1582, King Charles IX of France brought in the new Gregorian calendar, in which the new year began on 1 January. Unfortunately, some people did not hear about the change, and many others simply refused to break the tradition. These people became the object of so-called ‘fool’s errands’ and tests of gullibility.

Copied with permission from: http://plrplr.com/44571/april-fools-day/

Fast Perfect Easy Lasagna No-Boil (Non-Ricotta, Venison or Beef)

Here is my personal recipe I have devised because I cannot stand ricotta cheese lasagna.  Now, Ricotta cheese has it's uses and can be very tasty but not in lasagna in my opinion - too gritty.

  Here is what you will need.

• 2 lbs Lean Ground Beef (or venison)
• Two Jars of your favorite Spaghetti Sauce
• 1 box of lasagna noodles regular or gluten free (no need for no boil noodles)
• 1 large carton of small curd cottage cheese
• 2 cartons of sour cream
• one small package of frozen spinach (optional)
• 2 lbs of mozzarella cheese
• 1 large onion chopped (optional)
• 1 can mushrooms (optional)
• 2 Tbs dried oregano
• 1 Tbs Italian seasoning
• 2 cloves finely chopped garlic (more or less to taste)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (more or less to taste)
• Parmesan cheese 
• parsley flakes for the top for garnish (optional for looks only)
• aluminum foil

First

DO NOT BOIL THE NOODLES - The noodles will cook with the moisture in the mix!!


In a large mixing bowl combine the cottage cheese, sour cream, and 1/4 of the mozzarella, mix well.
Set aside.

Cook the meat, the onions, garlic, oregano, and all dry ingredients(spices) thoroughly.
If you are adding the mushrooms and the spinach, add them now.
Add the spaghetti sauce to the meat mixture.

In a large 9 x 13 baking pan layer the mixtures starting with the meat mixture first, then a layer of noodles - arrange them so they completely cover the meat mixture but only one layer, then a layer of the cheese mixture about 3/8 of an inch thick or less, then another layer of noodles, then meat mixture, then noodles, then cheese mixture, then noodles, then the rest of the meat mixture and finally the rest of the mozzarella cheese over the top.  Bake at 350 for one hour tented with aluminum foil to keep the cheese from browning prematurely then another 15 to 30 more minutes to brown the cheese.

Take out of the oven and let stand for at least 30 minutes before cutting sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese, and parsley flakes.


Your family will love this recipe guaranteed - and so will you - it is soo fast and soo easy!!

Be sure to share this post and comment below....

OLOE