There was a program on TV I found interesting. It was called "How Its Made." One evening when no baseball game was on, I checked it out. The topic hit a familiar cord with me. It explained how beet sugar was made.

I am familiar with sugar beets. They are a major crop in the Saginaw Valley of Michigan. My maternal grandparents had a twenty acre farm about a mile from the Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron. The soil was fertile. It had been part of an ancient flood plain formed when the glacier melted long ago. That soil would grow anything.

This is a good hearty salad any time of the year. The ingredients are available anytime you can get to the grocery store. In mixing bowl combine shells, tomatoes and crumbled bacon. Set aside. In a small bowl combine dressing ingredients. Spoon dressing mixture over pasta mixture. Stir lightly to combine. To be the most flavorful, chill at least 2 hours before serving. On individual salad plates, on a small pile of shredded lettuce, divide salad into 6 portions and serve.

I have always been a volunteer. For instance, it pains me to see others go without. The Great Depression marks a person. It was only natural that I would become involved in the United Way.

I do not remember how it came about, but l found myself on the United Way's Speakers Bureau in Jackson, Michigan under the direction of Charlotte Minnette. She trained me in the art of public speaking. Armed with campaign literature, l was sent out to various working class job sites"

In a large bowl, combine vegetables. Add salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, mix the corn oil, wine vinegar and sugar. Pour over vegetables and marinate 1 hour or more

Dad was mechanically minded, that included electricity. It seemed he could do anything he put his mind to. I am like that as well. If I need a project done and I don't know how to do it - no problem. I research a book on the subject. If that doesn't help, I ask someone who might know the answer. Ace Hardware in Maynardville has been the source of many of my needed answers. Back to Dad and his electrical expertise.

In a blender, puree the drained cashews and next 7 ingredients until smooth. Set aside. In Dutch oven or large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion. Cook and stir until browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, cook 1 minute longer.
Add asparagus, broccoli and carrots. Cook until tender, 10 to 12 minutes.

Being drafted during World War II was a public affair. There would be a notice in the local newspaper listing the names of those called up during the previous week. I didn't know my husband before the war, so I don't have that notice from the newspaper. But I do have my cousin Grove's notice. Answering our country's call was locally a public affair. I remember when Grove's turn came. In our small cross-roads town (four corners and one side street); it was a celebrated event.

This hearty salad has Greek yogurt to accompany the mayonnaise. Sparks the flavor. Try it, In mixing bowl, combine cooked macaroni, onion, celery, green pepper and diced cheese. In small bowl combine Greek yogurt and mayonnaise. Toss to coat macaroni. Salt to taste. Transfer to serving bowl. Sprinkle with paprika. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.

Ask almost anybody if they like Spam, and they will turn up their nose. Too bad. Spam is a good pork product. It got a bad rap during WWl!. Spam was probably on the menu far too often and probably prepared only one way-plain out of the can. If you receive commodity foods at a food bank, Spam or Treet (same thing) will be given under its generic name of luncheon meat. There are several ways to fix it. I will offer you a couple. These recipe work with cooked ham, too.

This is a great way to prepare fresh mushrooms for a relish tray. Use the small button mushrooms from the produce department at Food City. You wouldn't think that fresh mushrooms would have much flavor, but they do. If you never have tried them this way, it will be a treat for you, plus another recipe to add to your holiday collection.