Cooking with Amy

     Twenty-three year-old psychology student Amy is getting married in December. She's beautiful, bright, and articulate, but she doesn't know the difference between a tablespoon and a teaspoon. My wedding gift to the groom is to teach her how to cook. We aren't attempting anything complicated, just meals you can throw together after work, but tasty enough to invite another couple over for dinner. Our first Menu:

• Bruschetta with sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil
• Baked Ravioli with Italian meatballs
• Sauteed zucchini and yellow squash
• Field greens with sliced strawberries, goat cheese and candied pecans, drizzled with Paul Newman's Vinegar & Oil
• Fresh fruit pizza with lemon curd

We gathered all our ingredients.

Layer frozen ravioli in bottom of sprayed 9 x 13" pan.

Place half of the meatballs on top.

Covered with half a jar of pasta sauce.

Top with cheese of your choice, sliced or shredded. I needed
to use up these slices of colby-jack, but any cheese will do.

Repeat the first three layers (leave the cheese off the top).

Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

While ravioli is baking, saute onions, celery and red peppers.

Slice two yellow squash and two zucchini,

Add squash to pan when onion is translucent. 
Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

For a quick, hot, appetizer, slice
 ciabatta rolls in half lengthwise.

Spread a tablespoon of sun-dried tomato spread on each half.

Top with shredded cheese

I used Sargento's six cheese mix, and 
California sun-dry tomato spread.

Broil for 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted.
Set a timer or stand close by cause time flies when you are broiling.

Our salad was an easy mix of romaine lettuce with sliced
strawberries, crumbled goat cheese and candied pecans.
Use your favorite dressing. I used Paul Newman's
Vinegar and Olive Oil because it has no sugar.

While we were enjoying our appetizer and salad the
timer went off for the ravioli. I took off the foil, topped
it with cheese, and put it back in the oven until we
finished our salads.

After eating squash and ravioli we were too full for dessert.

But I'll share my Fresh Fruit Pizza with Lemon Curd next week. Enjoy!

The Music Saved Her Life

Human Nature

Las Vegas is not my favorite place, but free time with my sweetheart is rare, so when he asked me to accompany him on a business trip, I agreed. My only stipulation was that we see some shows. We picked two, a Motown show and Penn & Teller.

I love Motown music. I love to sing it. I love to dance to it. Sweetheart loves it just as much as I do. We were thrilled to discover our online tickets put us in the front row.
I settled into my seat and began to read about four skinny white boys from Australia named “HumanNature” who sing Motown. Seriously? And Smokey Robinson endorses them? This I’d have to see to believe.

A lovely lady sat in the seat beside me. Her face was radiant with excitement. We exchanged smiles and she asked,

“Hi, I’m Alicia. Have you ever seen this show?”

“I’m, Lace. No, I haven’t, but I love Motown. Have you seen it before?”

“This is my 61^st show,” she beamed. “You are going to love this. It is the best show.”

Alicia

“Really? Sixty-one? As in six one?” I closed my mouth. “Do you live close by?"

“No, I live in Maryland and work in Washington, D.C.,” Her smile broadened as my mouth dropped open again. “I came in early to surprise Andrew. It’s his birthday.”

“Well, did you surprise him?”

“Yes, I did. We had so much fun. I know all the boys and their families. I know all the band members too.”

I couldn’t comprehend anyone being that big a fan so I asked, “What makes you come so often?”

“Oh, it’s a long story,” she shrugged.

“Well, I’ve got time.”

“I spent six weeks in the hospital before I finally got a diagnosis. It was cancer.

When I got home from the hospital I found my husband of seventeen years had packed up and moved out. To this day I have not heard from him.

I have six siblings who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. I stopped going to their meetings. Even when I was in the hospital needing information from them, they would not return my calls.

I went through chemotherapy. I took the medication and made the appearance of trying to get well, but entered into a dark depression that you cannot even imagine.

My children were afraid for me. They said, ‘Mama, get up and go somewhere, anywhere, just do something.’ So I came to Las Vegas. I intended to take a handful of pills and end my life.

I saw an ad for this Motown show. I wanted to hear the songs I grew up with one more time. Human Nature sang the songs just as I remembered them. The whole audience sang and danced. The words spoke to me. Then they pulled me on stage and sang, “My Girl” to me. They held my hands, looked into my eyes and told me I was beautiful.

 After the show I threw out the pills. The doctor took me off chemo and told me to go hear the music. I have been doing that for the last four years. Other than my children, Human Nature is my family.”

“I do understand depression.” I patted her hand. “I struggle with it myself. You gave your family a gift by not committing suicide. My sister took her own life eight years ago. I don’t think my parents will ever get over it, not to mention her children. It was the most horrible thing we have ever lived through.”

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” she said. “But you are right. They,” she nodded toward the stage, “are my angels.”

“Isn’t God good to use the most unexpected things to reach us? You came to say goodbye, but the music and lyrics spoke hope to your spirit.
I'm sorry, I know you didn’t come for a sermon. I don’t mean to preach.”

“No," she assured me. "It is the affirmation I get every time I come.”

The lights dimmed. “You are in for a treat,” she squeezed my hand, “It’s the best show you have ever seen.”

I watched from a different perspective. Not just to be entertained, but as if I were Alicia in the depths of depression at her very first show. 

The lyrics to “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” encouraged and uplifted me. But when they sang Curtis Mayfield’s, “People Get Ready,” we went to church.

“People get ready, there’s a train a-comin’

You don’t need no baggage, you just get on board

All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin’

Don’t need no ticket, you just thank the Lord.

People get ready, there’s a train to Jordan

Picking up passengers coast to coast

Faith is the key, open the doors and board them

There’s hope for all among those loved the most

There ain’t no room for the hopeless sinner whom would hurt all mankind

Just to save his own

Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner

For there is no hiding place against the kingdoms throne.”

My hands lifted and tears ran down my face. I thanked God for redemption and second chances.

When they sang “My Girl” to a woman from the audience, my Sweetheart sang it to me.

“I don’t need no money, fortune, or fame.

I’ve got all the riches baby one man can claim.

I guess you’d say

What can make me feel this way?

My girl

Talkin’ ‘bout my girl

I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day

With my girl.

I’ve even got the month of May

With my girl.”

Lace and Human Nature

Alicia was right. It was the best show I’ve ever seen. Human Nature exhibited tight harmonies, crisp dance moves, and a warm, generous spirit to the audience. Most importantly, God used them to reach out and touch a despondent woman through Motown’s music.

Motown music may not be your thing. I get it, but I pray the music you listen to speaks life into your spirit.

Uptown Oreos! Cream-filled Chocolate Wafers

After last week's post, I began to think of special treats I would prepare for Megan's visits from college. She loves dark chocolate, so I made Cream-filled Chocolate Wafers ahead of time and kept them in the freezer. This cookie can be eaten right out of the freezer or served at a high-class tea. It looks complicated, but couldn't be any easier. Only takes twenty minutes to prepare, but allow two hours for them to chill.

Probably the hardest thing about the recipe is finding the chocolate wafers. Strangely, they are kept by the ice cream toppings. In our store they are kept on the top shelf and you will never find them if you don't know where to look. Most stock clerks will take you to the cookie aisle if you ask for chocolate wafers, so take this picture along.
This is the original recipe I found in Southern Living years ago.

Cream-Filled Chocolate Chip Wafers

Southern Living JULY 2006

• Yield: Makes about 3 1/2 dozen
• Prep time:20 Minutes
• Chill time:2 Hours

Ingredients

• 1 (8-oz.) package 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate mini-morsels
• 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted
• 2 (9-oz.) boxes chocolate wafers

Preparation

1. Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugars, beating until blended. Stir in chocolate morsels and pecans.

2. Spread about 1 Tbsp. cream cheese mixture evenly on 1 side of a chocolate wafer; top with another wafer. Repeat procedure with remaining wafers and cream cheese mixture. Cover cookies, and chill 2 hours. Store in refrigerator.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers for chocolate wafers.

Gather your ingredients

Break up your pecans. Place them on a paper towel and
toast in the microwave for about two minutes.

Beat together softened butter, cream cheese, and vanilla.

Beat in brown sugar and powdered sugar.

Cream until smooth.

Stir in chocolate chips and pecans.

Spread a tablespoon of cream mixture between wafers.

This makes enough filling for two boxes of wafers.

I like to package them and give them as gifts to new neighbors. Enjoy!

Stock Your Dorm Pantry and Avoid the Freshman Fifteen!

So you are headed to college in the fall. How exciting. And terrifying. You may be asking yourself: Where are my classes? Where are the buildings my classes are in? What will my professors be like? Will I like my roommate? Will she like me? Will I make friends? Is the Freshman Fifteen real? 
I can't answer the other questions, but I might be able to help you with the last one.  At your high school homecoming you may have observed a returning college student who gives validity to the myth. However, a study conducted at Ohio State University showed that the average college student gains only two to three pounds in their first year. Additionally, it showed that college students did not gain any more weight than non-college students of the same age, and the only factor that did increase weight gain was heavy drinking. * 
My daughter actually lost about fifteen pounds from walking to class and biking everywhere else.
For the first time in your life you are responsible for your meals. This is an important time to create healthy habits. Your parents have probably bought a plan that includes meals in the cafeteria as well as snacks in various campus restaurants and stores. So checkout the cafeteria first. You can make wise choices, but it may be a challenge.

In visiting the school cafeteria with my daughter, I observed vegetables cooked to mush. Evidently the cook thought added fat would make up for the lack of nutrition. The majority of the entrees were either fried or loaded with carbs. On a positively scary note, the cookies and ice cream were good. 

Your best bet is to choose  a grilled entree  and make a trip to the salad bar. Cool it on the mayo-laden salads and grated cheese. Choose fruit for dessert. Stick an extra apple in your backpack for later. Save the cookies and ice cream for an occasional treat. 

Another way to control your calories takes a little preparation and organization. All you need is this shopping list, a mini-refrig, and a microwave to make meals in your room. 

Shopping List

PANTRY SUPPLIES	MINI-REFRIG SUPPLIES
Boxed or Canned Soups	2% Cheese, shredded, sliced & cheese sticks
Whole Wheat Crackers	Low-fat lunch meat
Canned Chicken and Tuna	Whole wheat tortillas
Turkey Chili/no beans	Yogurt
Peanut Butter (Nutella for a special treat)	Baby Carrots
Simply Fruit Jam &/or Honey	Milk
Whole Grain Cereal, instant oatmeal, granola bars	Mustard & Light Mayo
Fresh and/or dried fruit	Eggs
Dry pasta and pasta Sauce	Frozen meals and waffles (if you have a tiny freezer in your frig)
Salsa	Bagged salad
English Muffin, whole grain
Microwave Popcorn, light
Boxes of juice and a case of water

Breakfast:

Your mother always said breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You will learn she is right about that and so many other things. The odds of getting to the cafeteria before class are nil-to-none. (My experience on campus left me wondering how many pajama-clad-students actually brush their teeth before dashing across campus.) You need fuel in much the same way your car does. Try these quick and easy ideas to keep your body running. 

• Monday:    Breakfast Burrito w/scrambled eggs, cheese & salsa on a whole wheat tortilla and a juice box.
• Tuesday:  Dry cereal & dried fruit in a baggie. Juice box.
• Wednesday: Granola Bar, fresh fruit & milk.
• Thursday:  PBJ on English Muffin w/yogurt & juice.
• Friday:   Oatmeal w/honey, a banana and milk.
• Saturday: Frozen waffles with PBJ, milk, fruit
• Sunday: Doughnuts and coffee at church! (What? It's Sunday. Have a treat!)

 Lunch:

         Lunch is probably going to be on campus and between classes.  Pack a sandwich, fruit and a bottle of water. Stock your backpack with  a cheese stick, a granola bar, packaged peanut butter crackers, or cheese crackers for snacks. Stay hydrated and fueled.  Passing out in class is not pretty! Been there! Done that! Don't want the t-shirt!

If pizza is in your budget, choose a thin-crust cheese pizza or one with lots of veggies.  Try to work in a salad made primarily of dark greens and chopped vegetables. Go easy on the cheese, bacon bits, croutons and high fat dressing. It defeats the purpose of eating a salad, but still better than a bucket of fried chicken or a pizza supreme.  

A grilled chicken sandwich is a better choice than a quarter-pounder with cheese.  Try a side of fruit instead of fries. Chic-Fil-A’s carrot raisin salad contains two servings of vegetables and a serving of fruit making it a smart, satisfying choice.  

Snacks and/or Dinner (just add bagged salad or carrot sticks, and fresh fruit to make it dinner):

• Monday: Whole Wheat Tortilla Roll-ups w/low-fat lunch meat or chicken, cheese & salsa.
• Tuesday: Soup w/crackers and cheese.
• Wednesday: Turkey Chili Quesadilla w/baby carrots and fruit.
• Thursday: English Muffins,topped with pasta sauce & cheese.
• Friday: Chicken or tuna salad made w/light mayo on crackers or an English muffins.
• Saturday: Snag a bag of Fritos, and make a Frito Pie w/Turkey chili. 
• Sunday: Go to Mom's!

For my daughter, I put all the pantry items, plus a few leftover containers, plastic baggies, plates, and plastic ware into a Rubbermaid tub. The tub's primary purpose is to keep everything together and out of reach of small woodland creatures (not to mention roommates with questionable boundaries). It can be stored under the bed or used for extra seating. (No doubt it will be used as a step-stool at some point. Keep your health insurance in effect.)

Girls, if your room is this well-stocked you won't have any trouble making friends. FYI--You'll need twice as much if you start feeding boys.

Boys, if your room is this well-stocked your parents will be in awe and offer to increase your allowance. Okay, maybe not, but they sure will be proud.

If you have or know a student going off to college in the fall, put these items together in a tub, stick a bow on it and you'll have a great gift. It wouldn't hurt to attach this post.

With these ingredients you have the makings of many meals. Holler if you need any more ideas.
PS. On the issue of calories from alcohol--YOU ARE UNDERAGE! IT'S NOT AN OPTION!!! Your mother thanks me.
*Kim Palmer (November 1, 2011), "'Freshman 15', weight gain is a myth: study" Rueters. 

A Perfect Wedding

"What is the most important part of this wedding?" I asked the bride at our first meeting.
"Um, the dress...no, the cake...no, the venue..." her voice trailed off. "I don't know what you mean."
"Well, let me make it easy for you. If you are married at the end of the day it will have been a success.  I promise you things will go wrong. They always do. No amount of money, planning, preparation, anxiety, or stress will guarantee a perfect day. If your groom, the preacher and two witnesses show up, nothing else matters.
At my first wedding, my soon-to-be mother-in-law, a cafeteria cook, served leftover cafeteria turkey and dressing at the rehearsal dinner. After the wedding she argued with my mother over who was to takehome the leftover cake. Ridiculous! No planning could have foreseen the conflicts.

At my second wedding, a small-DIY-affair, the groom started laughing during the wedding vows. It horrified me to think the vows were laughable to him. In reality he was watching the cake melt and slide behind the buffet.

Realize that the ideas you've pinned on Pinterest are wonderful, but many of them came from weddings where thousands of dollars were spent. The average Dallas wedding costs $27,000.00. We have a budget of less than a thousand dollars for a reception for 160 people. With that in mind, let's do what we can to make it a memorable day."

She had decided on an outdoor wedding at the Ft. Worth Botanical Gardens. It rained. It was beautiful. She was married.

For her whimsical country reception, we planned to arrange fabric covered hay bales in a horseshoe configuration under huge trees festooned with garlands of twinkle lights and Chinese lanterns. The dancing would take place in the middle. It would be Pinterest perfect. Except it rained and all our ideas had to be scrapped and the party moved indoors at the last minute.

It would have been beautiful. The trees were gorgeous.

The Fellowship hall-- before

We added lights on the walkway, lanterns, mesh ribbon, tulle and
balloons to create a festive air.

Cook's Merchantile loaned us the lattice work for the backdrop. Garden
lights and tulle were strung for an ethereal feel.

She wanted a cupcake tower and a cake he could cut with his Spanish sword.

I used garden pedestals and plywood covered with foil and bling to create a cake tower. The lovely cake topper was a family heirloom from her great-grandmother's 1937 wedding. I made a three-layer carrot cake for them to cut. We didn't have a groom's cake, so I used pinstriped cupcake holders for the groom and lace filigree holders for the bride.

Three tables made up the dessert buffet. We had the traditional nuts and mints
as well as a huge rose bowl of jelly beans (which were all gone by the end of the evening)

I made red velvet, German chocolate, strawberry, and pecan pie cupcakes.
We also had brownies and five kinds of cookies. My personal favorite was
the tart Key Lime cookie.

The strawberry cupcakes were frosted with a-to-die-for
buttercream frosting made with pureed strawberries. 

Personalized bottles of water in a galvanized tub lit
with submersible lights 

sat below childhood pictures of the couple. The screen blocked
the view of the kitchen & trash cans.

The guest signed the matting as a keepsake for the couple.

Banners made with a free printable were attached by tiny clothespins to twine.
One of my inexpensive ideas to cover bare white walls.

 I made a wreath with the couples initials for the front door of the reception hall. The
tables were covered with the shiny side of white craft paper and place around the outside
perimeter of the room. Additional chairs were brought in around the dance floor.
I added a touch of color to the room with flowers in mason jars banded
with silver burlap and coral ribbon. Candles in smaller mason jars were placed
 on either side of the flowers. I stuck flowers every place I could including the bathrooms

There was dancing by the young,

Fathers and daughters

Newlyweds and parents.

Girls talked and

boys watched.
(Note the silver mesh ribbon bows and flowers in each window)

This picture frame was to have been hung in the trees

and would have made beautiful pictures, but we had fun!

Photography courtesy of this kind gentleman, Dan Gill . Thank you
for sharing your talents.

The hostesses called it a success!

They left in a shower of glitter

And they lived happily ever after.

I learned one of the most valuable lessons of my life in the last week of May, 2013. Without the expectation of perfection you encounter less anxiety and stress. Life is much more satisfying if your self-worth is not tied up in perfectionism.