I hope this finds you enjoying the Christmas season and looking forward to celebrating with friends and family. I’ll be in London where folks wish each other “Happy Christmas” instead of “Merry Christmas” the way we do here in the USA. But “Happy” or “Merry” my wish for you is that you’ll have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and peace of God’s love this Christmas and always.
Here’s one of my favorite Christmas morning recipes AND a short and sweet romantic story for you to enjoy:
QUICK AND EASY CRUSTLESS SPINACH CHEESE QUICHE
Only takes 10 min. to prepare. Is warm and ready to serve in 45 min.
Pop it in the oven and enjoy the aroma of cooking quiche while you open your stocking.
Ingredients
Cooking spray
1 package steamable chopped spinach
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 cup small curd cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
- Spray an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Follow the directions for cooking the steamable chopped spinach in the microwave. Allow it to cool and remove it from the bag. Squeeze out all of the liquid and put it into a medium bowl.
- In another medium size bowl, combine the eggs, sour cream, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, flour, salt, and pepper. Stir together, or blend in food processor until the mixture is smooth, about 1 minute.
- Pour the mixture into the bowl with the spinach.
- Add the cheddar cheese and blend with a spoon until well mixed.
- Pour the entire spinach and cheese mixture into a baking dish and smooth out the top.
I use a round pie plate, but you can use any kind of baking dish. Just make sure it’s small enough for the quiche to have some depth.
- Bake at 325 ° until set, about 45 minutes. Remove the baking dish from the oven. It will be puffed up, but will fall slightly as it cools. Allow it to cool a bit, then cut and serve with fresh fruit, and a croissant. Sausage also goes well with this.
MY CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOU
HIS WAY
By Penny L. Hunt
Is it possible to write a romance in 275 words or less using only words of one syllable?
That was the challenge I faced at a writers conference, and it was no easy task! Later, the teacher of that class contacted me with an offer to write another story, with the same constraints, for inclusion in a book to be titled: Short and Sweet (http://amzn.to/2tMWL6z) (PS – For all you wannabe editors – ing, ed and proper names were also allowed.)
No!” Amanda said, and grabbed her purse. “Some blind dates may work, but they are not for me. I think if God’s plan is for me to meet a man, He’ll do it His way in His time. You don’t just fall in love. You fall in ditches—you plan your love life.
“Okay. We get it. No blind dates for you,” Chloe said. In her mind, she crossed off her list that great guy from church—the one who fights fires.
Amanda clipped a leash on her dog. “I may not have a date, but Trixie does—with her vet. Later!”
She saw the taxi, but too late. It ran the light and hit her jeep so hard that it flipped over. Amanda blacked out. As help came, Trixie jumped from the car and ran…
The next day, with two black eyes and a head still sore, Amanda was wrapping a gift when a knock at the door made her jump.
On her porch stood a man she thought she’d seen at church from afar. The sight of what squirmed in his arms made her heart leap: a happy ball of fur with a collar that read—Trixie.
“I’ve been hunting for you,” he said. When we were called to the scene the first thing I saw was this scamp at a full sprint away from your car. She sure led me on a merry chase!” Then with a smile that made her heart leap again he said, “And I’m sure glad she’s led me here today!”
“Please, come in,” she said as she reached for Trixie. “Do you like hot tea?”
Penny L. Hunt ©
