North of Fort Collins, Colorado

1937 to 1950’S

My Grandpa Ernest Cogswell was born in 1886 in Friend, Nebraska and moved to Northern Colorado in 1904. He later lived with Grandma Freda in a basement house in the middle of a cherry and apple orchard, one mile north of where I was born and Dad and Mom had their farm. He died in 1958 when my oldest daughter Gail, was one year old. He got to enjoy her and looked forward to our visits even though he was ill.

RECIPES

CHICKEN NOODLE CASSEROLE

A take off on Tuna Noodle Casserole

3 cups of cooked good quality noodles

1 can 12.5 oz chunk chicken 98 % fat free or 2 cups cooked chicken

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup red or green bell pepper

1/2 cup diced onion

1 10 oz can cream of chicken soup

1 cup of crushed potato chips

A sprinkle of pepper

Combine sour cream, soup, bell pepper, onion and chicken in bowl

Stir in noodles and transfer to a 1 /12 to 2 quart baking dish.

Thanksgiving is all about feasting. And though tradition plays a big role in setting the menu, there are a lot of people who like to mix it up and add something new. One of my friends smokes racks and racks of ribs to serve alongside the turkey, while many Italian families also serve lasagna. And baked ham has long played a starring role on Southern Thanksgiving tables.

Bob and I have had a hard time hearing each other for the past ten years and as the years go by it gets more interesting and funny. The topper about two years ago when we were traveling to Kenai in the fall of the year. I said to him - “Sure is pretty out” He whipped his head around and retorted with a surprised look on his face- “Why do you want to go there?” When I told him what I said - we both had a great laugh all the way to Kenai.