I started my winter project yesterday. The one I mentioned in my column about the photo albums which had been in our cellar and the cellar had gotten flooded.

I can't even describe the feelings I've had going through all those pictures.

There were pictures from both our families and of course most of the relatives have already passed on. The pictures were mostly from the '50s.

There were baby pictures of my children and children of several family members.

Of course they are already grown up.

There were several of some relatives from Greece who I didn't know then so now I can't even recognize them.

A lot of the pictures were damaged very badly, but a surprising amount I could save. I managed to put together three albums.

Memories, memories, and many surprises reminding me what we all looked like then.

I must say that was an interesting project. Of course I haven't finished with all the other pictures.

I have bags of them I have to put in albums and I'm taking the time to sort and arrange them.

After I have them in albums I will make sure I label the albums so I'll know which one to pick up when I want to relive the good times we had when we were taking the pictures.

I think this project is going to last a while longer than I thought so for now I'll label it my winter and spring project.

At least my pictures that survived the flood are now able to be reviewed.

I saw the eclipse of the moon when it happened. I was driving home, and when I got here, I stayed outside and watched it for a while.

The pictures were very good of such an amazing act of nature. I think I saw one years ago.

I read about the chili cook- off the hospital had at its party. There were 14 contestants cooking chili. Each had a special recipe. The winning prize was $100. When I worked at the community college, we had a chili cook-off. It was a lot of fun.

There wasn't a $100 prize but that didn't matter. It was our winterfest and the cooking was done outdoors. It was a very cold day but nobody cared.

The article said the employees at the hospital had formed an events committee and every other month the employees get together and do something different.

This is a good idea for employees to have social events together. A good way to make friends and encourage teamwork.

It's March already even though we got nice snowstorms at the end of February. Let's all concentrate on good weather from here on.

I hope everyone enjoys St. Patrick's Day.

My ethnic recipe this month is Irish (of course). It is Finnegan's Flounder.

My other recipe is for Hamburger Onion Pie.

Today's blooper

This gentleman has a friend whose daughter made a pie of dry instant vanilla pudding mixed with sour cream, drained pineapple and mandarin oranges in a graham cracker crumb crust.

She gave him a piece which he complemented her on - so she gave him the recipe.

He decided to make it for one of the Christmas desserts, which he did.

Of course he didn't mix the pudding and the sour cream to a smooth consistency as he was in a hurry.

His friends decided to keep their mouths shut about it. When it found its way to the guest, it looked like scrambled eggs. Everyone said they liked it, and it tasted real good. It looked awful.

He probably will use that as an excuse never to make it again.

Diana Sobus, of Auburn, specializes in making ethnic foods.

Finnegan's Flounder

Makes 4 to 6 servings

2 pounds flounder fillets

1 small onion, chopped

1 teaspoon salt

Pepper to taste

3/4 cup apple juice

1/4 cup Irish Mist

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tablespoons butter or margarine

2 tablespoons flour

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Parsley, finely minced

New potatoes, boiled

Arrange fish in large baking dish.

Sprinkle with onion, salt pepper..

Combine apple juice, Irish Mist and lemon juice. Pour over fish.

Cover and bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.

Strain liquid, reserve.

Keep fish warm.

In small sauce pan, mix in flour, cook two minutes.

Stir in fish liquid and cream, cook until thickened.

Pour over fish, sprinkle with cheese.

Place under broiler and brown.

Sprinkle with parsley, serve with boiled potatoes.

Hamburger Onion Pie

Makes 6 slices

1 uncooked pie shell

Filling:

1 pound hamburger

8 medium onions, cut in 1/4 inch slices

8 strips anchovies

10 black olives, pitted and sliced

1 cup canned tomatoes

2 tablespoons olive oil

Saute hamburger in 1 tablespoon olive oil in skillet until slightly browned.

Add onion and cook until onions are translucent..

Remove from heat and let cool.

Cut anchovy into 1/4 inch slices.

Combine anchovies, tomatoes and half of the olives, stir into hamburger mixture.

Brush bottom of pie tin with 1 tablespoon olive oil and place unbaked pie crust, making sure edges are well up sides.

Add hamburger mixture and decorate top with remaining olives..

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes until crust is browned.

Serve piping hot