Home at Last Farm...: What is Christmas for?

Friday, December 15, 2006

What is Christmas for?

What is Christmas for, if not imitating God and giving gifts?

On the way home today I was listening to NPR (yeah, I'm one of those geeky people!) and I heard about Kiva.org. The idea behind it is for private people to loan money to people in disadvantaged countries in order for them to build or start their own business. The average investment is $70, though you may contribute less.

We have so much, in this country. And here is an opportunity to have more!!! We can not only help someone to support themselves and their families, but we can become investment bankers!!! Think of that!

I will talk to Joe tonight and together we will go and see the portfolios of prospective business persons and see if we can help make a dream come true!!!! I feel tingly just thinking about it!

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mac and cheese

Ingredients
Butter, for greasing dish
12 ounces wide egg noodles
2 cups heavy cream
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups (packed) grated Fontina
3/4 cup (packed) finely grated Parmesan
3/4 cup (packed) grated mozzarella
4 ounces cooked ham, diced, optional
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Butter a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish and set aside. Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Drain well, but do not rinse.

Whisk the cream, milk, flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper in large bowl to blend. Stir in 1 cup Fontina, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup mozzarella, ham, if using, and parsley. Add the noodles and toss to coat. Transfer the noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish. Toss the remaining 1 cup Fontina, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup mozzarella in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the noodle mixture. Bake until the sauce bubbles and the cheese melts and begins to brown on top, about 20 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.