Here is the recipe I’ve promised – dedicate to all those die hard spinach lovers out there.

As they say, you either LOVE SPINACH or you HATE IT.  This recipe is great any time of year, but especially as weather becomes colder, I love the “comfort food” way this feels in my mouth and my tummy. 

Spinach Casserole is a great take-to-a-pot-luck dish.  You can make ahead, store in the fridge and cook the day of an event, or cook it ahead and, like lasagna, it just gets better and better as it sits, IF it sits around that long.  And it freezes superbly.  Simple to make, and, for the growing family, (I raised 5 kids and my step-son for 10 years) this recipe doubles, triples (good luck finding a pan big enough!) or for the family that is down-sizing, it halves very nicely.   Who could ask for anything more!  But the best part is, it has plenty of protein and is practically a meal in itself, and the spinach in it makes it very healthy.  So here it is –

SPINACH CASSEROLE   —   Serves 6-8

4 10-ounce packages frozen spinach or 40 ounces in the big bags

1 quart cottage cheese

8 Tablespoons of flour (equals 1/2 cup)

Salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder to taste (I leave all of these out — what can I say, I’m a finicky eater. That or I’m lazy…)

1 stick of butter or margarine, CUT UP (I leave this out now, because there is plenty of oil from the cheese…You decide)

Mix in 6 well-beaten eggs (I use extra large or jumbo size)

1 pound or Monterey Jack Cheese or 1/2 Jack and 1/2 Cheddar  CUT INTO LITTLE CUBES (or shredded works in a pinch)

Mix together thoroughly

Dump into a lightly greased 9 x 13-inch casserole dish (oil spray works fine)

Bake uncovered 1 hour at 350 degrees (or 325 degrees if the dish is glass)

Done when golden and bubbly in the center

Note: Can be prepared the day before to blend flavors better.  Can be stored partly cooked or raw.  Add cooking time if coming from fridge (maybe 10 minutes — and never put a cold glass casserole dish in a hot oven).  

Freeze and reheat w/foil cover.  Or microwave (no foil).  Doubles nicely.  Halves nicely.

I’m sure you’ve all been holding your breath, just waiting for the news — WHAT could it BE?  A new Boeing model?  A peaceful resolution between those two dissenting nations?…(YOU know the ones!)  The unveiling of a new recipe for egg-less meringue or a creme-less brulee?  

 No, it’s even better than THAT!

 Many of you know that I am a parenting educator for two outstanding parenting programs.  The tools I found in Developing Capable Young People in 1993 enabled me to turn around “parenting from the hip” methods with five kids into parenting with connection and compassion, while maintaining authority by being firm AND kind.

 What a difference it has made for me and many others.

 I later trained in the Positive Discipline  program in 2002 and found additional ways to help learning to happen in some fun and meaningful ways.  Now you can turn challenges into opportunities to learn and grow, and get back to being a peaceful family again.

 Join us at our next presentation of classes.  Start now to complete in time for the holidays.

 Parenting classes will begin Sunday, September 26th and continue for ten weeks until November 28th, 6-8:30pm, at the Marysville location of New Hope Counseling and Services (you can find that information at the locations tab of this website.)

The cost will be $100 for one parent or a couple from the same family – plus the cost of books, about $50, advanced payment required.  I will order books as soon as I have  a clear number of committed (paid) participants.

If finances present a problem, please contact me and we can discuss possibilities.  Scholarships may be available.

There is no room for childcare at the facility and arrangement of childcare will be the parents’ responsibility.

Feel free to inquire  by email at skosh@skosh.org or text or call to (425) 330-3898.