4 cups trimmed, washed, and diced rhubarb 2 cups granulated sugar 1 (3 oz.) box raspberry jello (Do not make jello - just use powder)

In pan, combine all ingredients above. Simmer over a gentle, low heat until well cooked. Pour into fancy glass jars. When jam has cooled, cover with plastic wrap and store in your refrigerator.

Easy and tastes great!

There is nothing nicer than combining two seasonal favorites and discovering that two good things make one great pie!

RHUBARB/STRAWBERRY PIE

1-1/2 cups rhubarb, trimmed, washed and cut into small pieces 1 cup fresh washed, trimmed, and sliced strawberries 1 cup granulated sugar 2 tbs. flour 2 tbs. sweet cream butter 1 tbs. cold milk 1 9” unbaked pie shell, ready-made or made from scratch

Combine rhubarb, strawberries, sugar, flour, butter and milk. Gently blend and then pour into unbaked pie shell. Dot mixture with remaining 1 tbs. butter. Cover pie with additional pie crust, or use strips of pie crust for a lattice design. Also, if using an additional pie crust, combine equal amounts of flour (about 1/2 cup), sugar (about 1/2 cup), and about 3 tbs. softened sweet-cream butter. Cut with pastry blender or two knives. You will get very tasty crunchies to sprinkle on top of your pie crust. Flute edges of two crusts together before using sprinkles. Bake in a 450 degree oven for 10 mins. Reduce oven to 350 and bake for 30 mins. or until crust/or crunchies are lightly browned. Remove from oven and cool on rack. Serve with vanilla ice cream for a very special pie ala mode.

Hope these recipes make a rhubarb lover out of you and your family. ©Arleen M. Kaptur

PRE MEMORIAL DAY END OF YEAR DINNER for School Officials/Employees Creamed lobster and mushrooms on toast points, stuffed cucumbers with chicken or tuna salad, Condiment tray (olives, pickles, cocktail onions, tomato slices w/mozzarella cheese), strawberry parfaits Table Decor: Plain china plates w/rich green napkins/gold rings/and Crystal Goblets, sprigs of fragrant lilac blooms in gold-edged vases, and gold/white confetti around vase bases

May is an inspiration in itself and it lends itself to very elegant and formal affairs. It is not too hot outside (for comfort of your guests) and yet gentle breezes carry a vision of June, which bursts into all those Summertime activities we all love.

Let’s make most of May and truly enjoy what it has to offer. ©Arleen M. Kaptur 2002

Arleen Kaptur is the author of numerous articles for newspapers/magazines.

Author: SEARCHING FOR AUSTIN JAMES and author of e-cookbooks, on-line workshops