11 you ate Recipes

old age, i decided , is a gift., i am now , probably for the first time in my life, the person i have always wanted to be., i would never trade my amazing friends , my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. as i ve aged, i ve become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. i ve become my own friend., i don tsp chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that i didn tsp need, but looks so avant garde on my patio. i am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant., whose business is it if i choose to read or play on the computer until 4 am and sleep until noon, i will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50 s, 60 s, & 70 s, and if i, wish i will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if i choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set., will get old ., i know i am sometimes forgetful. but there again , some of life is just as well forgotten. and i eventually remember the important things.., over the years my heart has been broken ..., but broken hearts are what give us strength andunderstanding and compassion. a heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect., i am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. so many have never laughed, and so may have died before their hair could turn silver., as you get older , it is easier to be positive. you care less about what other people think. i don tsp question myself anymore. i ve even earned the right to be wrong., answer your question , i like being old. it has set me free.. i like the person i have become., i am not going to live forever, but while i am still here, i will not waste time lamenting about what could have been, or worrying about what will be. and i shall eat dessert every single day. (if i feel like it), may our friendship never come apart especially when it s straight from the heart, may you always have a rainbow of smiles on your face and in your heart forever and ever

grated potatoes (for four people) or use a large bag of frozen hash browns or a package of dehydrated hash browns, soaked in hot water until soft., oil for frying (if you have a non-stick pan, use only a tbsp of oil. i prefer to use sunflower or vegetable oil.), green onions or scallions, finely chopped, sour cream or as much or little as you like, salt and pepper, i used 4 cups of dehydrated hash browns in my pictures. this amount would make three stacks of three layered stacks. remember , you can make as many stacks as you want in any size you like and with as many hash brown round as you like.

sugar, water, vodka, chocolate flavoring (you may have to go to a specialty store for this), whole coffee beans (optional but good )

milk chocolate (you can either use a premium chocolate or a confectionery coating), white confectionery coating, smooth peanut butter

elbow macaroni, cooked, butter or 2 tbsp margarine, if you prefer, flour, pepper, paprika, milk, grated cheese (i use colby or jack for a milder flavor or sharp cheddar for a stronger cheese flavor)

white sugar, all-purpose flour, butter, vegetable oil, water, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, buttermilk, eggs, salt, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, butter, unsweetened cocoa powder, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, chopped pecans

portabella mushrooms, lemon juice, olive oil, dried basil, chopped fresh spinach, garlic cloves, minced, lemon juice, olive oil, dried basil, eggs, grated lowfat mozzarella cheese (or a little more if you prefer), salt and pepper (to taste) (optional)

buttermilk, buffalo wing sauce, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, all-purpose flour, cornmeal, boneless chicken tenders, ranch dressing, oil (for deep frying)