Cooking In Grandma's Kitchen: Joy Can Be Spread In So Many Ways!

This year we have had some fun festivities. From a Family dinner of had to be 35 people to playing Secret Santa, we filled our hearts with JOY!

As my Granddaughter explains, "Nana we need to do a Joy Project. It's something you do for someone from the love in your heart!" (Insert tears of pride and Joy)

So we set out on a mission of Shopping for a cute young man that wasn't going to have much of a Christmas. His mom being ill and his own personal struggles made it hard for that to happen. So, with nothing but Love in Our Hearts, Mariah and I bought a bunch of gifts. Because Santa is super busy this time of year, we enlisted Papa and suited him up for a Santa appearance for this young man.
I was never more proud than in that moment when I explained to Mariah that she would have to be quiet and let the kids believe that Papa is Santa, he is doing Santa's work for him tonight. The whole evening she was all smiles and enjoyed the innocence of others....she did AMAZING!!!

When we said our prayers that night, she Thanked God for his son Jesus and for being able to do the Joy Project! Again, proud beyond words of her selflessness and the JOY in her Heart!!!

A couple of days before we made a HUGE pan of stuffed shells for the Family Dinner...it was so much fun too.

I am going to put my recipe here for the Stuffed Shells (You won't believe what is in them!)

1 box of Jumbo Shells
1 32 oz container of whole milk Ricotta Cheese
2 eggs
Bunch of Kale or Spinach (fresh not frozen)
Basil to taste
Salt and Pepper
1 tsp Garlic Powder
12 oz pkg of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 small ball of fresh Mozzarella if you like it cheesy ( For topping)
Spaghetti or Marinara Sauce - 32 oz jar or homemade
1 Tbsp Dried or freshly cut chives or parsley

Cook the shells according to directions, taking out of the water when al dente and stopping the cooking process by rinsing in very cold water until all shells are cooled. Let dry, they are easier to work with when dry.

In the meantime, mix the Ricotta, eggs, Kale or Spinach, Basil, Salt and Pepper and 8 oz of the Mozzarella Cheese together in a bowl.

In the bottom of a casserole dish, pour spaghetti sauce or marinara. Coat the bottom of the pan heavily so the shells sit in the sauce, but not covered by it.

Start filling the shells and put them in the pan as tightly as you like. Top with remaining shredded Mozzarella and the Fresh Mozzarella cut into small pieces and distributed on top evenly. Add a sprinkling of Dried or fresh Chives or parsley.

Cover with foil and bake for about 50 minutes at 350. Remove the foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Do not let it get to brown or dried out. You want it cheesy.

Serve!

This is definitely something you can hide good veggies in, so be creative!

Now for some pics of our wonderful Joy Project! This is Noah. He is 8 yrs old and has medical issues. Noah's mom also suffers from medical issues. Noah's Dad works as a CNA and takes care of the family as best he can. It was wonderful to see such a good time being had with Santa!