Lifestyle

Dear Neil: How can I avoid this on my tomatoes this year? It looks like anthracnose, a common disease of tomato fruit. Google “Aggie Horticulture tomato anthracnose photo” and you’ll see a photograph that is almost a match for yours.

In an intriguing novel I read, the women of every generation in a family receive a supernatural talent on their 13th birthday. One woman could find anything that was lost. Another was able to discern every dishonesty, no matter how slight. The main character of the story was given the powerful and sometimes frightening gift of foretelling the future of people she met.

Kids Need to Read will be arriving at the Essex Public Library in Mesa, Ariz., with Grow Your Library, an inspiring library donation program led by Board Members Gary and Tina Mlodzik. Inspired by the Mlodzik’s shared love of reading, family, and public libraries, this program delivers free books and story time to local libraries and children during the couple’s travels.

The 31st Annual Black-Eyed Pea Off was held on Jan. 1 at Terlingua Ghost Town where there was plenty of fun and music for everyone as contestants turned in their best peas to be judged. Proceeds for the fundraiser went to benefit a continuing education scholarship for Terlingua CSD seniors. Courtesy photo

The Fort Davis ISD Spanish classes learned about the Latin American tradition of Rosca de Reyes, or King’s Cake, during Three Kings Day on Jan. 6. Fort Davis eighth grade students show off the colorful King’s Cake. According to tradition, Three Kings visit homes, and leave gifts for children, just as they did when they visited Jesus in Bethlehem. Courtesy photo

Ingredients Lasagna noodles One jar of your favorite pasta sauce Ricotta or cottage cheese One egg Chopped onion Chopped garlic clove Sweet Italian sausage Lean ground beef Mozzarella cheese Italian spices Grated parmesan cheese Directions: I began by browning my meats, along with onions and garlic, in a cast iron skillet. Once well browned, I add in my sauce, Italian spices, and salt and pepper to taste.

Almost everyone has a favorite holiday sweet. Some like cake, some like cookies, others like candy, but me, I like pie. My favorite pie is not a holiday pie. My favorite pie is key lime, because I envision myself in my later years sitting on the veranda sipping a mint julep and enjoying a big slice of that tart and tasty goodness. Since those years are a bit in the future, I do have a favorite holiday pie, pumpkin pie.

Ingredients 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 2 large eggs 1 can (15 ounces) Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin 1 can (12 ounces) Nestle Carnation evaporated milk, or substitute with equal amount lactosefree or almond cooking milk 1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell Directions: Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl.

“A cucumber is just a pickle before it started drinking,” according to comedian Jim Gaffigan. Then again, sometimes it is just a cucumber.

My favorite all time dessert is bread pudding. To say I’ve had a lot of it is an understatement. If it is on a restaurant menu, I will order it. And while I thought I was lucky enough to have one of the best bread puddings I’ve ever tasted made by the late Lewis Gordon, I found a recipe that rivals his if not exceeds it.