My Memorable Mother's Day!

I had a crazy busy and unconventional Mother's Day this year but it was truly memorable.  Normally, my husband and I spend the day getting our deck ready with a phenomenal container garden for the summer.  We also pot decorative hanging plants and a container full of beautiful plants and decorative grasses for our front steps.  You see...we live in a townhouse.  Space is limited but we do own the end unit that abuts a small hillside and a  backyard grass covered hill that provides a perfect place for perennials and flowering bushes.  I've made sure that bird feeders are placed in the pines behind our unit to lure finches and robins to our city home!  I've always loved my home.  I'm a city girl but still believe I can enjoy flowers, birds and the same joys that homeowners with land are privy to.  After all...it's not where you live but how you live!  

Two years ago I wrote about the history of Mother's Day.  If you want to read about how important carnations really are to this day that was never intended to go commercial then click on this link!  The weekend for us really started on Saturday when we went to New Milford to visit my husband's mother.  Her birthday was on Friday and with Mother's Day on Sunday (and our busy schedule) we were able to have a quick lunch with her and her sister (my husband's aunt...the nun).  It was a nice lunch and she enjoyed the two Pandora beads we got her for her bracelet!  After lunch, she and Aunt Nancy had to head to Ridgefield for dinner with her daughter and son-in-law and family.  Mark and I headed to the large theater in Danbury to meet our oldest son who actually wanted to go to the movies with us!  That's a first.  Well...with him as a grown up!  Anyway, we saw 'The Great Gatsby' that was just released in 3D.  All of us had it on our required reading list when we were in school and I had seen the movie starring Mia Farrow and Robert Redford but we were not prepared for this amazing version!  Definitely try and see this movie if you can.  The cinematography was amazing and the musical score, while not what you would expect for the 1920's, was worth the price of admission and more!  Here's a trailer of this new film!

The next day found us enjoying a leisurely morning after which I found a wonderful gift waiting for me on our dining room table.  My husband has never been good about figuring out gift buying.  He's an engineer.  Enough said.  So...when Pandora came out with a charm bracelet that any husband could figure out, well, it saved him.  He's now able to walk into any jewelry store and with minimal thinking ask to be shown the 'new beads'.  We're both happy - now.  I had filled up one bracelet and so he purchased some beads with a new bracelet and a jewelry box for Pandora jewelry for my Mother's Day gift.  What a great way to start the day!

The next part of our day involved a trip into Hartford to The Bushnell Auditorium to see 'Looped' starring Stefanie Powers.  We had originally been scheduled to see this production in January starring Valerie Harper but then of course she was diagnosed with a terminal brain disease.  So our tickets were reissued for Mother's Day.  Stefanie Powers did an amazing job.  The play is about a recording session for the movie, 'Die, Die my Darling!!'.  Stefanie Powers actually acted in the movie with Tallulah Bankhead who the play is about.  To read more about Tallulah click on this Wikipedia link.  We loved the play and were pleasantly surprised that it was so funny!  We had no idea how a 2 hour play with only 3 actors was going to be but it was funny, light and just perfect for Mother's Day...but no children please.  Apparently, Tallulah had the mouth of a 'sailor'.  

After the play we were off to The University of Hartford to pick up our son who had just completed his Freshman year and needed some help moving his stuff back home for the summer.  And by stuff I really mean crap.  But he was well prepared and had his things all packed and his car was packed already.  All we had to do was take the few remaining boxes and put them in our car.  And by 'we' I mean not me!  After all, it was Mother's Day!  Below are pictures of the 'cell' (also known as Freshman housing) that he lived in for the year and the new dorms he will be living in next year.  Quite an improvement!  I didn't mind doing this at all.  It was such a joy to help him move back home and literally 'close the door' on this chapter of his life.  And the super good news is that he starts his full-time summer job tomorrow.  Life is good and he's one happy guy - at last.  

The Freshman 'Cell'

Sophomore Housing

After we returned home and our boys emptied out the cars and deposited the junk in our living room we called my mother to wish her a happy Mother's Day.  She, like I, believe it's not the created holiday but an attitude.  That's a true gift because her day involved unwanted water flooding in the house, some unwelcome mice and an escaped and expensive Maine Coon cat!  Life is grand!! Adventures await around every corner, you just have to define them as that and not as anything else.  Life is good...really.

I have one final word about gifts and expectations.  I never want nor 'expect' my sons to spend tons of money on me for birthdays, Christmas or 'Hallmark Holidays'.  What I want is their presence - just for a short while and maybe a kindness or two.  That's it.  I am blessed and have everything I could ever possibly need or want.  They've been good kids.  Besides...they need to start paying student loans!  And if anyone in my family really wants to gift me with flowers...find some carnations.

1970 Cocktails...Add Vodka!

I found these two interesting recipes from the early 70's in my collection this afternoon and thought that it would be fun to share.  These involve a little bit of work and on a Friday afternoon after a long work week I don't believe anyone would want to attempt these cocktail concoctions but they offer some good 'entertainment' value!  It was an exciting day on Wall Street today with the Dow and S and P index numbers skyrocketing and breaking all records.  When the closing bell rang there was applause.  Those Wall Street guys get super excited about money.  Too bad they'll be singing the blues in the near future.  It's the nature of the biz.  Ups and downs.  Today is a Friday and I'm sure there will be plenty of celebrating for those that work and invest in the financial markets this weekend.  

I found these two early 1970's recipes for mixed drinks that involve vodka and I thought they were fun to look at.  Especially the one that calls for 'canned vodka'.  I can't ever remember seeing that!  Hopefully, if you share a cocktail with someone this Friday evening you won't have to go to all this trouble but this does remind us of the cocktail parties that were given in the sixties and seventies.  Lots of work but classy events given at the drop of a hat to celebrate just about anything.  Remember there was no Internet and socializing was done face to face and neighbor to neighbor.  Read this link from foodtimeline.org about 1970 cocktail parties if you want to be reminded of this fun social gathering for adults.  The kids were usually confined to a family room...out of sight.

Frozen Daiquiri

1 (6 oz.) can frozen limeade
2 (6 oz.) cans frozen lemonade
4 and 1/2 cans (6 oz. size) water
1 and 1/2 cans (6 oz. size) vodka

Kahlua

Bring to a boil: 

1 quart water
2 and 1/2 cups sugar
9 tsps. instant coffee (10 tsps. if freeze dried)
Simmer very slowly for 3 hours.  It will be dark and syrupy.  
Cool, add 3 tsps. vanilla and 2 and 1/2 cups vodka.  Mix
Refrigerate in your favorite decanter and serve at room temperature.

Freeze dried coffee preferred.
Expensive vodka not needed.

If these beverage 'recipes' have you interested in learning a bit more about vodka then check out this wikipedia link.  And if you would like a laugh, here's a clip from You Tube with Betty White and David Letterman and a little vodka!

The 'Dainty of the West' Mystery!

My heirloom recipe collection contains some amazing finds and I usually can do some research with my food reference books or the sites I've shared with you that are available online, however, this time I'm stumped.  This recipe appears not once but twice in my collection and it is included with the recipes that are over 100 years old.  I thought that with such an intriguing name as 'Dainty of the West' that an answer would be only a 'click' away.  When my computer research turned up nothing and my old cook books yielded no results I knew that this would remain a mystery.  Or would it?

One of my favorite recipe websites is www.Allrecipes.com because it has an incredible feature in it's search section.  Here's how it works, there's an ingredient tab that you click on and a screen appears with several spots to insert ingredients that you want to include in your dish.  Next to that there's a spot where you can specifically exclude certain ingredients.  I thought I could use this tool to uncover what this recipe was originally intended to be.  I had inklings and ideas but needed to know what this 'dessert' originally titled 'Dainty of the West' ended up becoming in our current vocabulary.  It turns out that this recipe is actually what we currently refer to as 'Rocky Road Fudge'!  Read what foodtimeline.org has to say about fudge and why food historians are puzzled about this 'dainty' confection. Just click on the link. Wait a minute...did you see the word dainty?  I did find out that 'dainty' was often used in titles of foods that were meant to be used as 'finger foods' served with tea.  Go figure.

Without further ado...here's the recipe.  I have to hand it over to you because I've been staring at these recipes on my table for months.  I'm sick of them.  I don't make desserts and don't eat them.  I know.  Whatever.

Dainty of the West


1 cup marshmallows cut fine*
1 cup English walnuts broken
1 pint cream, whipped
4 Tablespoons confectioners sugar
2 squares chocolate, melted (or cocoa as dark as wanted)
vanilla to flavor

*You do know without me telling you that over 100 years ago you would be making your own marshmallows, right?  You couldn't buy marshmallows in the store until the late 1950's.

And the how to?  Sorry that's all the recipe states.  Most cooks learned at the side of the women in their families. All they needed were the ingredients.  They knew what to do after that.  From what I can gather, this recipe was originally made as a Christmas treat.  Refrigeration was not an option like it is today.  People had it available but it was dear.  Made in winter this dish could be set outside to chill and be ready for dessert in no time!  


Think about how expensive this recipe was to make 100 years ago.  All of the ingredients were precious - very.  This had to have been a Christmas treat.  But I needed to get it off my back.  Like I said, I've been staring at it.  If you know anything...enlighten us all. Please.

Earth Day 1970's Style!

Today is Earth Day.  It was first celebrated 43 years ago in 1970.  I can remember participating in Earth Day throughout my youth and can tell you that the focus has changed over the years as our awareness and knowledge has grown.  In 1970 our focus was on energy conservation and pollution.  This year's theme surrounds climate control.  Read about Earth Day 2013  by clicking on the link. Back in 1970 climate control and global warming wasn't a concept we were thinking about or even imagining.  Our focus then was centered around pollution, air quality and trying to introduce recycling.  We were still watching cigarette commercials on television and seeing them in all our magazines!

In fact, in 1970 we were falling in love with convenience foods.  Hamburger Helper had just appeared along with all sorts of fast, ready to eat mixes.  And we loved them!  Women were entering the workforce at a fast pace and didn't have the time they once had in the kitchen.  And the new foods were fun and a novelty!  Our kitchen appliances were evolving in the beginning of the 70's and we couldn't have been happier.  But then again...anything that distracted us from the reality of the Vietnam War and inflation was a good thing.  If you would like to read more about the food of the 1970's please click on this foodtimeline.org link!  I really believe this site is one of the best resources for food history.  If you're not a fan yet, become one today! 

I thought today would be a good day to visit some recipes from the 1970's from my collection.  They're funky and very 'different'.  I don't advocate actually making these - they're involved, not so healthy and these 2 are quite definitely designed to 'stretch' ground beef.  Inflation was a reality in our lives then and every kid (and I was one) was keenly aware of the cost of oil, the rising cost of food and the need to make the dollar stretch.  Remember the lines of cars waiting to buy gas?  It became very vogue to make your own bread.  I can remember my mother canning all sorts of things to store up.  There was worry about the availability of sugar and basic staples.  So when new appliances were introduced everyone was thrilled at the prospect of life becoming just a little bit easier.  I remember the move in our home from using a percolator for coffee to our first 'Mr. Coffee' machine.  That was heaven!  And we were so impressed with the introduction of the 'Toaster Oven'.  We made room for that on the counter top!  Below is a picture of some typical kitchen appliances from the 1970's.  Just a little trip back in time.

And here's a photo of a typical kitchen from 1970!  We thought it was so perfect at the time!

So.  Here are some recipes from the 70's designed to 'stretch' that ground beef!  No horse meat involved.

Chinese Hamburgers

1 lb. ground beef

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 cup sliced mushrooms

1/2 cup raw rice

1 small can water chestnuts, sliced

1 cup water

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup Chinese noodles

Brown meat.  Add and mix all ingredients except noodles.  Pour into 2 quart casserole and bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees, covered.

Uncover and bake 30 minutes more. 

Sprinkle with noodles and bake uncovered for 15 minutes.

* So.  This is a ground beef casserole but it serves many and can be prepared ahead of time.  Perfect for the woman who doesn't have tons of time to cook anymore.

California Style Hamburgs

1 and 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 and 1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

3 Tbsp. finely chopped green pepper

1 Tbsp. chopped parsley

3 Tbsp. chopped onion

1/2 clove garlic - mashed

Filling:  1/3 cup chopped ripe olives, 2 Tbsp. blue cheese

Sauce:

1 and 1/2 Tbsp. fat

1 cup ketchup

3 Tbsp. prepared mustard 

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

Dash Tabasco

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1/4 tsp. salt

1 and 1/2 cups water

Preheat skillet to 380 degrees.

Combine first seven ingredients; mix well.  Shape into 12 thin patties.  Combine olives and cheese.  Put about 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture in center of 6 patties.  Top with remaining patties; press edges to seal.

Heat fat in skillet; brown patties on both sides.  Turn down heat to 'simmer'.  Remove out excess fat.  Combine remaining ingredients to make a sauce.  Pour over patties.  Cook 20 minutes or until done, turning patties once.  Makes 6 servings.

These recipes are heavy on the prep work and this last one even includes the addition of fat.  Wouldn't happen now.

I'll say it again, these recipes are provided for a 'look back' and not as dinner suggestions.  Things are much better now.  We know better and we can do better.  But...at the time these were awesome.  Then again...at the time, we thought bell bottoms, platform shoes, halter tops and mu mus were awesome.  What was wrong with us?  Watch these commercials.

For Boston

No words can adequately express the grief that is sincerely felt for the horrific event that occurred in Boston yesterday at the marathon that has helped define that glorious city.  Patriot's Day is special to all residents of Massachusetts.  It's a day off from school, the Boston Marathon is run on this day and it commemorates the opening battle of the revolutionary war on April 19, 1775.  Click on this link to learn more about Patriot's Day and it's significance to all Americans.  It's not an official celebration here in Connecticut but being a proud New Englander I certainly wish it was part of our shared heritage.  The news is on now and I'm listening to stories of courage and survival and trying to focus on the heroism displayed yesterday afternoon 4 hours and 9 minutes into what will be forever now known as the 'unfinished marathon'.  Perhaps some didn't technically finish the race but the race has been won by all participants, bystanders and public servants (police, fire, national guard, EMS) that immediately jumped into the fray.  I heard someone quote Fred Rogers (the Children's PBS show host of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood) yesterday.  They said he always told children in times of trauma to look for the helpers.  They were the true heroes yesterday.

So.  In order to somehow pay tribute to this city that has given this country so much, I thought it would be appropriate here to highlight some very old recipes that Boston has become famous for.  For many, you can't say the word 'Boston' without conjuring up images of these truly New England dishes.  Enjoy.  And be brave and try some...after all - you have a crock pot and microwave at your disposal!

Boston Baked Beans   

1 quart beans soaked in cold water for an hour or two, then add salt and pepper together with 1/2 teaspoon mustard and 1/2 cup molasses, 1/2 or 3/4 pound pork placed on top, enough water to just cover the beans.  Put in oven and bake slowly for 12 hours* adding more water as it evaporates.  Keep covered all the time while cooking.

* This is why your crock pot might come in handy!




Boston Brown Bread

Mix and sift together:

1 cup sifted rye flour
1 cup corn meal
1 and 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Stir in 1 cup graham flour.
Mix together 3/4 cup molasses and 2 cups thick sour milk*.  Add to dry ingredients and mix well.  If raisins are desired, flour 1 cup of them and stir into mixture.  Fill well-greased molds 2/3 full, cover with greased covers and steam 2-3 hours, depending on size of molds.  Remove covers and bake 15 minutes at 350 to dry tops.  Cut with a string.

From, 'America's Cook Book'

*Sour milk would translate to 'Buttermilk' today.
Yankee magazine did a piece about step by step instructions for Boston Brown Bread almost 2 years ago.  I love Yankee Magazine!  Take a look.

Parker House Rolls

Take 2 quarts of flour and rub into it a tablespoon of lard and a little salt.  Mix in a deep bread pan, and make a hole in the flour into which pour 1 pint of cold boiled milk and half a cup of yeast.*  Cover the pan and let it stand all night, and in the morning stir it up and knead well and then set it in a warm place to rise and let it rise to a light sponge.  Then roll it out on the board about half an inch thick.  Cut in center.  Half of roll should be buttered - the other side lapped over it.  Put them in the pan 1 inch apart and let them rise 1 hour.  Bake in a quick oven fifteen minutes.

*This is yeast before packets of 'active dry yeast' were available.  I actually have an old recipe for yeast involving potatoes...another time.  This recipe involves many hours of work for a quick bake!  The Parker House Hotel still stands today but now is known as the Omni Hotel.  The interior is still intact and reflects the beautiful architecture of the 1870's.  For more history on this uniquely Boston Bread click on the Cook's Info link here! 

Finally, how can we leave a discussion of incredible Boston recipes without this one...

Clam Chowder

1/2 peck clams, boiled, picked out, and chopped
4 large potatoes
1 onion chopped
Boil in the liquor

Fry 3 or 4 slices of pork* till quite brown.  Cut up fine, put in 1 tablespoon flour and brown.  Then put all in the kettle and also the clam water to make fresh enough, and a little pepper.

That's it.  That's what is a traditional no fuss 'clear broth' chowder.  We currently refer to all clear broth chowders as 'Rhode Island style'.  Nonsense.  I grew up on it in a little fishing village in south eastern Connecticut called Noank.  It's good stuff.  But I don't see the harm in adding a little celery! 

*That would be salt pork which you can buy in your meat case by all the pork products.

I can't end this post without invoking the words of Elizabeth Zimmerman.  She's well known in the knitting world and has this quote attributed to her.
"Knit on with confidence and hope, through all crises".  You can read more about Elizabeth on this Wikipedia link.  I'll be writing again soon.  Right now...I feel the need to attack some knitting.

Thomas Jefferson's Birthday!

I'm behind on my writing this month...and I have no good reason other than life and that misery that accompanies me every March called the CMT's!  But now that it is over I can devote myself to this blog in a much more whole hearted manner and I intend to do so!!  So today...I was thinking and then I heard a news report and followed it up on google and through some of my food reference books and lo and behold - this weekend is the anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's birthday!  Jackpot.  You must know that for me to write and write well I have to have some sort of an angle - a grab.  If I don't have it, I don't write.  But, Thomas Jefferson?!  No problem.  So, here we go.  The photo to the left is Thomas Jefferson's vegetable and herb garden.  It has been maintained at Monticello all these years.  Wouldn't it be amazing if our own descendants felt enough of us to maintain our vegetable gardens!?  Just stuff I think about.


Thomas Jefferson's birthday is April 13th.  His ancestors still gather to observe the date with an incredible dinner celebration.  Why?  Because he loved food before it was the cool thing to do.  Because he spent so many years in France as a diplomat before he became President, he developed a fondness for French food and customs.  Although while in France he grew many varieties of his Virginia sweet corn.  Back in Virginia he grew more than thirty varieties of peas.

According to the cook book, 'The First Ladies Cook Book' published in 1982 by GMG Publishing,  "He also liked salads and often attributed his long life to the many vegetables and greens included in his diet and his preference for wine instead of liquor.  Jefferson was the greatest connoisseur of wine to live in the White House, and regarded fine wines as one of the necessities of life."

Jefferson loved to entertain at the White House and while he didn't have a first lady (he had been widowed for almost 20 years when he became President) he frequently sought the services of Dolly Madison to assist him as hostess for White House events.  Because he loved vegetables and greens, I decided to include a few recipes from my reference book, 'A Treasury of White House Cooking' by Francois Rysavy.  

Jefferson's Corn Pudding

6 to 8 ears green corn (for 2 cups) or 2 cups canned cream-styled corn
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
4 tablespoons butter

Shuck the corn and remove all silk.  With sharp vegetable knife score each row of kernels down the middle; then cut corn from cob.  Scrape the ear lightly to get the remaining kernels and corn 'milk'.

Scald milk, and pour over corn.  Add salt.  Beat eggs, and add to mixture.  Melt butter in a casserole, being sure to cover sides of casserole.  Pour mixture into casserole, and bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.  Serves 6.  

* Just a note.  Adding sugar to this recipe as some are want to do renders it not a vegetable dish but a dessert.  Just sayin'.  

Jefferson's Asparagus Vinaigrette

2 pounds Asparagus
1 and 1/2 quarts water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt

Place asparagus in a sinkful of cold water until crisp and drained of possible sand.  Pick up each stalk at stem end and snap.  With a little practice this trick is easily learned, and asparagus will break at point where tough portion ends and remaining portion is tender and edible.  Scrape lightly with a paring knife.  Tie in a bundle with string.  

In the bottom section of a double boiler boil water with lemon juice and salt.  Place asparagus in water; invert top of double boiler to serve as lid.  Water should come within an inch of tips of asparagus.  The steam will cook the tips.  Boil about 15 minutes, depending on freshness and tenderness of asparagus.  Drain and cool.  Serves 6.    

Vinaigrette Sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon prepared English Mustard
1/2 cup olive or salad oil
1/3 cup tarragon wine vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped chives or mild scallions (using part of tops)
2 tablespoons pickle relish
2 hard-cooked eggs, pressed through colander with wooden spoon

Mix dry ingredients; stir in oil and vinegar, alternately.  Blend well.  Add chives, relish, and eggs.  Stir.  Serve over asparagus on Bibb lettuce.  Makes 1 and 2/3 cups sauce; serves 6 to 8.

Eat your veggies this week!

Celebrating A Modern Nun!

Aunt Nancy and Me!

Have you ever had the opportunity to meet a nun?  I probably never would have had I not married my husband.  I was not raised Catholic and didn't live in an area of Connecticut that had a high Catholic population.  My true introduction to all things Catholic didn't happen until 1984 when I met my husband.  That was also my first real experience with Italian and Polish families as well.  Sheltered life.  I'm still in shock.  Culture shock.  Everything about my husband's family seemed different and strange to me.  I must have been their worst nightmare...a WASP among them.  They didn't know how to relate to me and I certainly had no idea how to behave in their world.  And it was just like that - I felt like I had entered some alternate universe and I didn't speak the language.  I'm still learning.  I think that at this point we're accepting our differences.  It's only been 28 years!  

When I heard one of my husband's aunts was a nun I was amazed.  And curious, very curious.  In the world I grew up in women were professionals.  They worked long hours, became active in the community and sacrificed all sorts of things to grow as a professional.  When I met Aunt Nancy (or Sister Marietta) I realized how close her outlook on life is to the women I was raised to admire.  She accepted me and treated me with kindness from the very beginning.  We even took a trip to Kentucky to visit her at the convent she lived at in Nazareth, KY in 1988. Click on this link to see the Kentucky campus.  It was a wonderful visit and is still a highlight of our memories.  When we got word that this year was her 'jubilee' year as a 'Sister of Charity of Nazareth' (SCN) we were thrilled to go to her family celebration of this monumental achievement.  Just think of the sacrifice and service!  She's had an incredible career and currently lives in the Boston area where she works as a visiting home health aide.  She has had the amazing opportunity to travel all over the world.  She even spent several months in India living, working and worshiping with the sisters from her order in India.  She describes herself as a 'modern' nun and is anxious for change to come to the Catholic church.  She is thrilled with the addition of Pope Francis and hopes he will break down some of the barriers to women in the church regarding leadership.  Like I said, progressive.

Deviled Eggs!

There were about 45 family members at this celebration.  I brought her a scarf I made for her in the colors of her order.  She has not worn a habit in many, many years and as long as I've known her she's always dressed professionally and has loved color! The only way you would know she was a nun is by the wedding band she wears marked with a cross.  It was a loud, crowded event with lots of children running about.  The amount of food was...well, there was an awful lot.  I brought 4 appetizer dishes and a Mediterranean chick pea salad to go with the main dishes.  Nobody went hungry.  I'm still full.  Here are some pics of a few of the appetizers I brought.  Every family member has a 'standard' dish they get assigned to bring and mine has become the deviled eggs!  The skewers with tortellini was a new idea of mine.  It looked beautiful but was an awful lot of work!  The turkey roll ups with cream cheese, cranberries and pickles was a big hit and got high marks for looking so colorful.  I wish I had a picture to show you of the most favorite appetizer that I brought to this celebration but they disappeared so quickly that there was no time to snap a pic!  I'll just describe it to you.  I purchased endive and carefully separated each leaf.  After they were washed and had dried I spread whipped cream cheese in the center (like you would fill celery stalks) and sprinkled dried cranberries and candied pecans on top.  It was colorful, easy to handle and light.  Perfect for an appetizer.

Tortellini skewers!

Turkey Roll Ups!

Towards the end of the festivities, Aunt Nancy acknowledged her vows by reading her original vows that she took 50 years ago when she first entered her order.  She's there in the middle.  My mother in law is in the blue and on the far right is the youngest sister, Jo-Ann.  It was a sweet moment.  I'm glad that I was a part of this special, special day.