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Dear Lynn
I just wanted to say I love the fact that you restarted the storyline. When I was little I remember my dad cutting out FBoFW & placing them on the fridge. He always said that they paralleled our families lives. Now that I am grown, will small children of my own, I feel that the stories coming out now parallel my life. I always related to the kids, but now I am relating to the parents.
Thanks Lynn for keeping the series going!

Natalie, Maryland

SPeaking of "cheap" food with wierd names--- another "Classic"!

TOAD IN THE HOLE

1 lb. sm. link sausages
1 c. milk
2 eggs
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp. butter, melted

Fry the sausage until lightly browned and all the fat has rendered. Place sausage in a 9-inch square baking dish.
To prepare the batter, place milk, eggs, flour, salt, pepper in a blender. Blend 1 minute until smooth. Pour batter over sausages and bake uncovered in a 400 degree oven for 30 minutes. The batter will become puffed crisp and golden brown. Serve with green salad and vegetable.

Anna M, Winnipeg

From "The Starving Student's Fast and Frugal Feasts": --

"TOPSY-TURVEY" BEEF-TOMATO PIE

1 lb ground beef, browned and drained of fat
1 can stewed tomatoes, well-drained

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup milk

Grated cheddar cheese
Chopped green onions

Stir beef and tomatoes together and spread mixture over the bottom of a 9� square baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, cream of tartar and salt.

Stir in butter and milk just until moistened. Drop batter by the tablespoon over the tomato-beef moxture, so that mounds of batter "almost" touch.

Bake in preheated oven until golden on the edges, about 12 minutes.

Run a sharp knife around the inside edges of the pan. Using oven mitts, place a large flat plate over the pan and "invert" contents onto plate.

Sprinkle grated cheddar and chopped green onions over beef-tomato mixture. Cut into sqaures and serve warm.

Anna M, Winnipeg

Hi, I think you crawled into my husband's head for today's strip (March 18, 2009). We work opposite shifts, he daytime and myself 'til 1:30am, and he does the same until I get home, hugging my pillow. I'm sure if I asked him about it though, he would never admit to it.
Keep up the great work, I love reading your old/new strips. I never had the pleasure of reading these before. I only started reading FBorFW when the kids were a little bigger. My son is 12 yrs old now, but I can relate alot of Michael and Lizzie's antics to when my son were their ages.
On another note, let them eat "cheepie weenie casserole". At least once awhile or only on special Friday nights when everyone just wants to veg. What a great family night of games or dancing around listening to music, etc. At my house, my family loves listening to old albums, not cd's, but albums and playing games. Is it going to kill them? Just think of the memories and the laughs the family will have. Maybe it's a tradition your kids will pass along when they grow up. We only live once.
Thanx and stay well.

Lise C, Lakeville-West, NB

Fruit Smoothies

1 banana
1 handful frozen strawberries
1 handful frozen pineapple chunks
3/4 cup juice (I use Juicy Juice)

Peel the banana and break into four pieces. Throw that into the blender. Add the strawberries, pineapple and juice. Blend until smooth (I have a "liquify" on mine).

You can pour this into a glass immediately and have a cool smoothie, or you can freeze it and have it more slushy. You might be able to pour into popsicle cups as well, but I've not tried that.

Of course, you can use any fruit combinations you want. My recipe goes for one big glass (probably 12 oz).

Enjoy... and it's healthy, too!

Jim I, Bloomington, IN, USA