Easy Manicotti
All the cottages had a name on Nickels Point and had signs with their respective names. Grandmas house had the name “Happy Days.” Other cottages had names like “Pioneer”, “Early Days”, and “Tamarack.” There used to be a red boathouse that butted up to the water which I remember from when I was a child that had the words HAPPY DAYS written in white in the biggest letters possible, so folks boating by could see. I’ve included a picture of my brother and I on the front lawn checking out a blue heron as quietly as we could with the boathouse in the background. To this day, anytime a toast is made by my family in Wisconsin you’ll hear it. HAPPY DAYS!!!
Since the lakehouse was a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and every day life, retreating there was special. The days our family spent on the lake were happy days. And naming the cottage this was an ode to that joy. It was very rustic until Grandma Lorraine winterized it in 1958 and added the "addition". The cottage was a structure, but you were pretty much still camping. And so these rustic days were happy days too.
My own happiest days of childhood were spent at Happy Days.
Jack Yellen wrote "Happy Days Are Here Again" in 1929, with Milton Ager, and it became a campaign song for the Democratic Party, although Mr. Yellen considered himself a Republican. So if the song wasn’t written until 1929, did that mean the cottage didn’t have a name until then, or was it named Happy Days anyway before then? I don’t know. As staunch republicans, the family couldn’t have taken the slogan from the campaign. And it definitely wasn’t inspired by Babs! Though it was the Barbara Streisand record that was played every now and then at the lake house for everyone to sing along to. Whatever reason the name of the cottage was chosen, it embodies the feelings for those who visit and live there.
Tonight we made manicotti. It was made by Grandma and marked VG in October of 1970. I didn’t want to buy a packet of “spaghetti sauce seasoning” so I did a little DIY with dried herbs. Also doubled the garlic because there’s never enough for our family. And for once, I finished the Monday meal in time to feed it to Teddy! He loved it too. Derek had seconds and finished off Teddy and my plates. So I think that makes this meal a VFG!
Happy days are here again!
The skies above are clear again,
Let us sing a song of cheer again,
Happy days are here again!
Altogether shout it now,
There's no one who can doubt it now,
Let us tell the world about it now,
Happy days are here again!
Your cares and troubles are gone
There'll be no more from now on!
Happy days are here again!
The skies above are clear again
Let us sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again!
So long sad times, go long bad times,
We are rid of you at last;
Howdy gay times, cloudy gray times
You are now a thing of the past.
Happy days are here again!
The skies above are clear again
Let us sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again!
Your cares and troubles are gone
There'll be no more from now on!
Happy days are here again!
The skies above are clear again
Let us sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again!
Easy Manicotti
1 package Manicotti shells
1 lb. ground beef
1 cup small curd cottage cheese
2 garlic cloves
1 tsp. salt
Chopped parsley
1 envelope 1 ½ oz spaghetti sauce mix (see diy below)
1 can 1 lb. tomatos
½ cup water
2 slices Mozzerella cut in fourths
Directions:
Cook noodles in boiling salted water about 20 minutes until almost tender. Brown meat in skillet. Pour off excess fat. Add cottage cheese, garlic, and salt. Fill each noodle loosely. Arrange on 3 quart baking dish, greased. Combine contents of spaghetti sauce mix, tomato, and water. Pour over mannicoti. Top with cheese, bake 350° for 25 to 30 minutes.
DIY Spagetti Sauce Mix:
1 beef boullion cube, crushed (or 1 teaspoon beef boullion granules)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
dash of black pepper
