Josh's Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes

Forever these will be known as Josh's Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes.







I will elaborate on the story in the coming series of GMTN Goes NYC blog posts. For now enjoy the photos and recipe that is worthy of a Turkey dinner. For the record, this recipe was created today as I was making it...no internet tricks or inspiration other than Josh wanting them. Never made them before and my Aunt Toots says they're pretty darn good. I agree.

Tis the season! Yields 22- 24 mini cheesecakes

Josh's Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes

For the crust:
1 package graham crackers
2-3 T sugar
3-4 T butter melted

For the cheesecake:
2 (8oz) packages cream cheese, room temp
1/2 cup sour cream
2 whole eggs
1 egg yolk
1 1/4 cup pumpkin puree Click here for recipe or you can substitute canned pumpkin
1 cinnamon stick, grated
1 tsp good vanilla
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
2/3 cup sugar

For the crust, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a food processor place graham crackers and sugar and pulse until ground. Add butter and pulse until just combined. Place heaping tablespoon full into lined cupcake tins. press into bottom. Bake for 6 minutes then remove tins from oven and allow to cool while you make the filling.

Lower oven temperature to 275 degrees F.

Place the cream cheese in food processor and mix until smooth. Add sour cream and repeat. Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse until combined. Transfer mixture to a glass measuring cup to pour into cupcake molds. Fill almost to the top. They will not rise. Bake 25 minutes or until the center is just about set. Remove from oven allow to cool then transfer to fridge to chill 2-4 hours or overnight.

How to get attention in Tennessee

Today was surprising. I haven't ever had so many strangers stop me and strike up a conversation. I am a generally shy person in public. I'm social in comfortable situations with my friends and when I need to be. My family friend Bev, Uncle Bob's wife, came and picked me up. Her mission was a new refrigerator. Her's broke this morning and Uncle Bob is out of town so it seemed like the perfect time to get the one she wanted.

She called me this morning and was telling me the story of how she just had a ten minute phone conversation with a stranger about her fridge problems. The woman on the other line listened and agreed the whole time before she asked who it was that had called her. That's exactly how people are here. She thought she was speaking to a friend and was trying to figure out who it was. After they realized it was a mis-dail they continued the conversation and Bev thanked her and the woman replied, "Well, I'm just happy I helped you solve your problem." This would never happen in California.

We made our way down to the mall where Sears is located since Bev had decided she wanted a fridge like mine. Fancy French doors on top and a freezer drawer on the bottom. It's really awesome and great for me since I cook a lot. I picked it out for my father back when he needed a new fridge in his California house. I got a matching one for my apartment at the time.

After that adventure we made our way into the main mall for some real shopping. Williams-Sonoma, Sephora, The Body Shop etc. I got stopped four times in the mall by women in groups and all ages. The topic of conversation was my hair...? I learned how to braid my hair a bunch of ways as a kid by my now former stepmom who was a hair dresser. Since I didn't see her very often, I asked her to teach me how to braid my own hair as it can be harder than learning on someone else. It's my lazy girl hair-do. I had no idea it would be a conversation starter, and that these conversations would each last at least five minutes.

Monique used to call me to come over to braid her hair this way when she was going on dates with her babydaddy. It was then I learned that not every little girl knows how to do it. The four groups at the mall all had quite involved conversations with me about it. I was just lazy and didn't want to blow dry it today. I had no idea that it was something fashion forward to them. The girl at Sephora looked so sad as I walked away. Bev said that she was about to tell me just to braid her hair for her. I think she would have paid me to teach her. She said she has tried online videos etc and failed. Today, it was an inside out French braid crown that makes my hair look like it is longer than it is. Monique's favorite braid.

The women are so nice here and unafraid to approach people. It's a far cry from California where you're more likely to just get stares of envious girls. They would never say anything to a stranger to make them feel like they were being nice or complimentary to someone else. California girls are so competitive. I quite like talking to random people. I thought Bev was going to tell me to take my hair down after dinner where I was stopped by another two women who both told me long sweet stories about how they braided their daughters hair the same way. She can't take me anywhere!

My Beloved Sadie

My dog, like me, is special. Sadie is a Weimaraner. She turned 8 in June and has not grown up at all. She was trained as a hunting dog, though I do not hunt. She is Elmer Fudd in dog form. Not the brightest, but really nice. She spends all day hunting Wabbits.


She doesn't know how to pose for pictures. She looks like she just smoked a joint when you do get a photograph of her actually looking towards a camera lens. She won't fetch. She thinks she is still a lap dog. She has a mind of her own but knows how to mind. She responds to hand signals from the enormous amount of time I spent with her as a puppy. She is up at 6 am every day ready to eat. This is always long before I have any desire to move from my king size bed and 1000 thread count sheets. Then she goes right back to sleep. This is getting tiresome. She's worse than having a child to look after.

Of all of my favorite things about her, even her annoying habits make me laugh. She is nuts. She chewed through the kitchen wall as a puppy. She used to steal my shoes and bury them under her bed. She carries around a blanket like it's her puppy. She has no interest in water, getting her paws wet, or going out in the rain. I'm not sure why my dog is so odd.


I was sitting on the steps outside and she decided to come and sit on my lap and see what I was looking at while I read the news on my iPad. I took a couple of pictures. She is every bit the character. As soon as she realized I was trying to take a picture she lost interest and was off to play in the Hundred Acre Wood.

My dog is hilarious and a huge part of my daily life in Tennessee. I think the best part of the land here is that she can run. There are no fences and she always comes back. I can't imagine having a pet locked up in an apartment all day while the owner is away at work. Big dogs need to run and play. Mine especially considering she hasn't calmed down at all since I got her at 8 weeks old.

New Career Option?

A couple of interesting developments in Mandyland; I am without a job. I am stuck home alone with no car, in the pouring rain and with intermittent TV and internet service due to the weather. I have a lot of free time. I had a cupcake for dinner last night.

None of these things seem to pose a serious problem. I am however left with my thoughts again. This is where things get interesting. I need a new career. While writing is a passionate love of mine, it might be awhile before I can cash in on that offer. I am really enjoying this blog along with reading and inspiring my friends blogs.

My mother, bless her heart, sent me another email about a bake-off competition. The prize is 1 million dollars. I could use the money, and not to open a cupcake shop. That is not my dream, actually it would be my nightmare. I have had enough with the cupcake thing for one lifetime. I actually used to sell my Macarons to a Frenchman who would turn around and sell them under his fancy name and use them for his wine and champagne tastings. He said mine were better than he could find in LA and as close to the ones he had in Paris. A huge compliment, but once again, I got no glory for my work. His clients had no idea I existed.

It has me pondering the competitive baking circuit. I know a lot of the competitions are won by the same people. I have seen shows where a woman has won so many duplicate prizes of new kitchen appliances that she had ovens stacked in her garage. She is not a professional chef but somehow she figured out what the judges are looking for and pretty much everything she enters, wins. I had my hopes and dreams crushed in a County Fair cake competition when the judges all ate more of my cake than the others, questioned if I was a professional (which was allowed), heavily complimented my talents and then awarded ribbons to the ugly dry looking cakes made by the people who had been winning the ribbons for years. I was definitely an outcast and learned the hard way that competition is not about the product but the politics. I chose not to enter in the rest of the competitions that Summer. I let them defeat me.

There are all kinds of online entry recipe contests. My issue with them is they own the rights to the recipe you submit and can use it for their benefit. This is not a problem for housewives who enter for fun and aren't worried about reading the fine print. I wish I could have that attitude. I don't know if giving away my right to use the recipe in the future is worth the prize. I would be better off if I didn't think there was something bigger for me. I come up with new recipes all the time but love my classics. So, as I take another look into the contests, I think I will come up with something new. I have to get into the head of a housewife who's skills might not be at the professional level, and think about what a family in a small town would think is fancy and interesting but not beyond what they could wrap their head around. Out of professional mindset and into personal. I know I can win something. Just have to find the right competition where I fit and pray they don't judge me before they judge my food.

It's time to stop over-thinking, and start winning. Mama needs a new kitchen!

I am a Superhero!

Well, sort of...

I have two examples of why my mom rules:

First, she sent me a package. It included the sweater I really wanted from the Free People website, my leather jacket that I forgot to pack in the heat of Summer, a new journal for writing, and this book: Even God Is Single.

I know I'm a girl only her parents could love. This is proven. I am 21-ish years old and not married. My mother doesn't see anything wrong with it. In this fantastic and well written book, it gives 26 responses to tell people when they ask why you're not married. It is epic. I finally have a response to give the manicurist since the nail salon seems to be the place I am most often asked the question of why I am not married.


The reason I will use from now on is this; I am a Superhero in training. Catwoman, Wonder Woman, Superman, and God all have two things in common. They are all Superhero's, and all single. I don't plan on being single forever, but I'd rather wait, and wait, and pursue my Superhero potential rather than getting divorced from a starter marriage.




I have plenty of friends that are on marriage number two and I would have been, had I not been talked out of things by my mother and three best girl friends (Katie Stars, MoeMoe, & Gracie) over the years. I have saved my father infinite amounts of money by not having a lavish wedding. At this point, he'll be 100 years old when I walk down the aisle, and wether he's rolling down with me or smiling from above, I know it will only happen once. This is by no means an insult to them, I just got really lucky and out before the mess I was creating turned into something legal. I don't envy them and their experiences have actually guided me through the years.
Insert one of my mother's favorite sayings, "Some people learn the easy way, some learn the hard way, and some don't learn at all!"

Second, I got a series of emails from the Lexus dealer where I bought my car. I had asked her to take it in for an oil change when she had time. I was shocked to see that she actually scheduled an appointment and took it in. Good job mom! What impresses me more is that when I bought the car, I was given my first service free. If you haven't owned a Lexus before, please note that an oil change starts around $95. There are no hopes for a $19.99 twenty minute special at Jiffy Lube in my future. My mother informed me that the service guys instructed her to tell me that the next service was due at 10,000 miles. Not before, not after! Oh, and that it would also be free. Somehow, she continues her charm throughout the years and scored free service as long as I take it there.

The charm my mother has, cannot be taught. The damsel in distress role she can play is Oscar worthy. I admire her for this and hope that I might have inherited a bit of it. It's really quite amusing and not surprising that over the years she has dated some noteworthy people. She cracks me up and is strong in times of hardship. She drives me crazy but has managed to keep my fish alive. She allows me to dream big and want's to see me do more in the entertainment field. She was a model, then worked at Paramount Pictures, ABC, and KTLA. She took me around the world as a child, to the places I was studying that year in school so I could feel the history not just see it in a schoolbook.

I know I'm a Superhero in training but both of my parents are single and definitely Superhero's already.

P.S. I have no idea who the Gladiator man in the photo is. Taken in Newport Beach, CA, October 31st, 2007. The irony and even better part is in the Bat Girl picture I was in the wearing a ring on my left ring finger phase...WOW! I am a flawed Superhero.

Italian Lemon Fried Chicken & Green Tomatoes With Crispy Herbs

Sometimes when you're looking to cook something different and aren't quite sure what you are in the mood for it's best to turn on a food show. A couple of days ago, just as I was being dragged out the door, I flipped to the cooking channel. It was Tyler's Ultimate-Fried Chicken show. I caught the last 6 minute segment and low and behold the head of the Italian program at my culinary school in New York was on it! I haven't met him but had enrolled in the program after graduating with honors from my pastry program. I didn't attend because of life happening to me in California. While I wish I went back then, I know it's never too late and I know my time in Italy will come again.

I have spent enough time in Italy and growing up with an Italian Grandmother that I know the food is very diverse. I was not aware that fried chicken and green tomatoes was an Italian dish. I was entranced at the process that the chefs used on the show. I have made fried chicken so many different ways, but was intrigued when they used a lemon marinated chicken and dipped it in flour, then egg and it went straight into the oil. They did they same thing with thinly sliced green tomatoes and then piled in a bunch of herbs. The thing about a successful cooking show is that it makes you desire what they are making, eating and describing. It makes you want to travel and cook more, eat more interesting food, even if it is simple food.

There is nothing more simple and wonderful than this recipe. I think it's my favorite of all the things I have been cooking since I started this blog. I changed up some minor directions from what I saw on TV but only because of my personal experience and the fact that my frying pot is not the size used in a commercial kitchen. I can't imagine using several gallons of cooking oil since I can't recycle it here. You'll need to plan ahead to marinate the chicken but the rest of the process is pretty quick.

Italian Lemon Fried Chicken & Green Tomatoes With Crispy Herbs

For the marinade:
Zest of 2 lemons
Juice of 4 lemons
2 T olive oil
Salt & Pepper TT
2-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Mix the ingredients in a glass dish or plastic bag and marinate boneless skinless chicken breasts in it in the fridge for four hours. No more, no less. Turn the chicken at least once so it is evenly marinated.


Additional Ingredients:
2 Green tomatoes
1 head of garlic
Bunch of each, fresh sage, rosemary and thyme
Vegetable oil
AP Flour
Salt
Pepper
Onion powder
Paprika
Garlic powder
4-6 eggs, beaten

Put the oil in a heavy bottom pot filling it about half way, heat over medium-high heat. Break up the garlic cloves leaving the paper on the outside of them. Place the garlic and fresh herbs into the cool oil. As it heats it will flavor the oil and they will become crispy. When the garlic and herbs have become dark golden in color, remove them from the oil to drain on a paper bag. At this point your oil will be hot enough for frying.
Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl and beat the eggs in another. Dip the chicken in the flour mixture and then into the eggs. Immediately place in the oil and fry for 12 ish minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Turn the chicken if necessary while frying. Remove and allow to drain on a paper bag.
Repeat the process with the green tomatoes, sliced thin, about 1/8 inch. The tomatoes will float in the oil, turn them over after about 2 minutes, and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Drain them on a paper bag and serve the chicken and tomatoes with the crispy herbs and sprinkle with a little bit of good salt. The garlic should be cool enough by now to remove the outer paper for serving.

If you think you have ever tasted the Best Fried Chicken, I challenge you to make this recipe and see how it compares. The bright lemon flavors echo through the crispy chicken and the tart green tomatoes. It's worthy of my Grandmother's salut before a meal, Bon Appétit!

Boozy Cake

I was out running my daily errands and hit up the package store. There was a guy working who was clearly younger than me. He asked if I needed help with anything. He probably wasn't expecting my response, "Yes, actually I'm looking for a bottle of Chardonnay that doesn't cause me to send random Facebook messages to people I used to date." "Well," he said as he giggled "I'm not sure I can help you with that." I met my demise and have broken up with my beloved Chardonnay.

I left with a bottle of white Rioja. The Spanish would never put something in their bottles to cause such behaviors.



The sky was still blue, the chores still needed to be done, and I made up my mind to finally try that boozy from-a-box cake since it's football Saturday. I followed the instructions from the article in the paper and was pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Having spent a fortune on my Culinary Education, I don't find myself baking from a box. I understand the simplicity of it but honestly I can mise en place a cake faster than one can open the box and bag. That being said, I said I would try the Kahlua Cake recipe and it was interesting. I highly doubt you will see these ingredients in my house again.


This is a link to the post regarding the cake: Kahlua Cake


I mixed the ingredients and put most of the batter into a bundt pan, reserved some, and made a half dozen cupcakes. The cupcakes took 27 minutes to bake which is so much longer than any of my from scratch recipes. The texture looks funny to me because I am a perfectionist but all and all they are pretty tasty. The booze definitely comes through. Not being one to completely follow directions, I decided that a Kahlua Milk Chocolate Ganache was more interesting than the Kahlua and powdered sugar frosting from the recipe, and it's probably what made the cupcakes so good. I have to have some creative freedom to make sure I'm making something I would actually want to eat.

I think this recipe is worth you making. I normally wouldn't encourage behavior like baking from a box but I ate one of the cupcakes. It's possible it got me drunk ;)

Mrs. Dooley's Kahlua Cake

1 box of yellow cake mix (no pudding)
1 box of instant chocolate pudding mix 4 oz
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup of oil
4 eggs
1/8 cup of Kahlua
1/4 cup of Vodka
3/4 cup water

Mix all ingredients and pour into greased bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes to one hour. Do not over bake.
For the frosting mix 1 cup of powdered sugar with 1/4 cup of Kahlua.

Thank You, Stats, and Snail Mail

As a blogger you get to see things other people don't. I started and continue this blog as a means of selfish interests. How far reaching this completely self-absorbed project has become is surprising.

I consistently get feedback from my father, mother, the people mentioned in my writings, and dear friends. It is really nice that all of it has been positive. One of my friends is printing out recipes and text me a photo of the the file she keeps them in so she can try them. Another friend told me today she tried the Fried Chicken and it turned out awesome. This feedback means the world.

Prior to today my posts have been viewed over 1215 times! This to me is amazing since my father's clicks along with mine don't count. My other counter show the full blog, not individual pages is near 500 views in North and South America and all over the world. Mathematically speaking, it's far beyond the five people I know that read it multiplied by the 42 prior posts. Whether you googled something and found my page, were sent it by my parents via email, are a friend on Facebook, or came upon reading it somehow, I like that you stopped by. Share it with your friends. Email me ideas, stories, photos and feedback.

Without readers, there will still be a blog, but I'm curious to see what happens if it's more interactive. I love new ideas of what to make. My mother or a bottle of Chardonnay can only provide so much material.

I got some cool things in the mail this week. After mailing out the much desired Missoni For Target items that my girlfriends in California were unable to get their hands on, I got cards and letters! It's funny how much I missed getting mail that isn't a bill. The envelopes from my friends were entertainment enough, and the sweet messages were much needed. I also received a thank you card from my favorite Southern woman, Rosemary. It came in a package with the most fabulous apron I have ever seen! A thank you gift? For me??? Such a wonderful surprise! I have been using it and promise to post pictures. Also I would like to thank the people at Ducks Unlimited for the embroidered grey fleece sweatshirt sent to me. It will go great with my Missoni knee high socks and mini skirt.

I was wanting to beat that one guy with readers but I know I already do. Oh, and thanks to the other guy for the photo I got via text today.

xoxo Sunshine, Rainbows, Smiles!
~Miss Mandy

You Know You're In East Tennessee When..

I was at good ole' Wal-Mart today and was reprimanded by the gentleman at the check stand for lifting the case of water I had just purchased back into the cart. I advised him that I am more than capable of lifting it and thanked him for his concern. He went on about how I shouldn't have to do that. I wanted to respond with, "Are you coming home with me? Otherwise, I better not buy anything that I can't lift because it won't make it into my house." Instead I came to the realization that I have never once had an experience like that in California.

On the radio there are snippets they play between songs that make me laugh. My favorite is, "You know you're in East Tennessee when you get bit by ten mosquitos, just walking to the mailbox." It got me thinking about the other weird things I see here.
Hardee's is the California equivalent of Carl's Jr. The sign currently says, "BACK AGAIN, FRIED BOLOGNA". (Really?)
The restaurant called Harrison's across the street says, "HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY CAKE". (Enough to make me want to stop.)
The auto body/car sales lot next to Wallgreens sign says, "YOUR CAR KEYS ARE HERE". (Oh good, I was looking for them as I was DRIVING by.)
My all time favorite sign at Salem Baptist Church, "WALMART IS NOT THE ONLY SAVING PLACE", which ironically, a photo was posted on Facebook by a friend in Illinois at Baptist church by her home. Good find, Bea! It cracks me up. You can tell the difference between churches with money by the ones who actually have digital signs flashing their messages. I seem to pay more attention to the old fashion letters on the board. A church with bright red letters flashing at me is kind of scary.

I finally remember why as a child in Atlanta we would cross our fingers together, our wrists touching, pointers up and sides of our thumbs together saying, "Here's the church, here's the steeple, open the doors, and see all the people." Every other building and sometimes two in a row with another across the street, is a church. The Bible belt description is quite obvious. There are NO bars in this town.

The large sign on the side of the highway as you approach exit 122, yes they are numbered not named here, advertises the big draw that I pass by often and have yet to visit. Museum of the Appalachias: Museum of the Appalachias Website Click Here. They are currently advertising the Fall Homecoming event for Oct 7-9th and I think I might go then. The place actually looks like something I might enjoy.

I never thought I would be yelling at my dog to leave Bambi alone as she runs down the yard to chase the deer. I also never thought I would consider keeping seeds from the vegetables from my garden to plant again next year. I have watched more football in the past few weeks than my entire time in college. You can bet that everyone here owns at least three orange tee shirts. Not a single house around me has a paved driveway. Best of all, you know when you're in East Tennessee when the road sign showing curves ahead has bullet holes through it.

Walkabout

Yesterday was a nice day for a walk. A bit down the road from me there is a broken down barn. I am so in love with it. It has trees growing through it and the magic yellow flowers surround it. These flowers came up out of nowhere and have completely changed the landscape here. Further down the road there are Black-Eyed Susan’s. I don’t know who came up with that horrible name for such a pretty daisy. Wildflowers are so abundant and it makes me happy to see random patches of them growing. The miracle mud really continues to surprise me.

When Sarah saw the pictures of the cave her first response was, “Watch out for spiders!”
On my walk, I came across several Mammoth Spiders. They scare me. They were enough to keep me out of the Hundred Acre Wood.

The garden continues to produce pumpkins. There is a little one that has decided to ripen though it is less than six inches in diameter. I think that one will turn into Josh’s Pumpkin Cheesecake Cupcakes.

Tony posted a link to this article about Shel Silverstein. Click here: Shel Silverstein

"Although I cannot see your face
As you flip these poems awhile,
Somewhere from some far-off place
I hear you laughing--and I smile."

There is magic in his poems.

Italian Food
Oh, how I love Italian food.
I eat it all the time,
Not just 'cause how good it tastes
But 'cause how good it rhymes.
Minestrone, cannelloni,
Macaroni, rigatoni,
Spaghettini, scallopini,
Escarole, braciole,
Insalata, cremolata, manicotti,
Marinara, carbonara,
Shrimp francese, Bolognese,
Ravioli, mostaccioli,
Mozzarella, tagliatelle,
Fried zucchini, rollatini,
Fettuccine, green linguine,
Tortellini, Tetrazzini,
Oops—I think I split my jeani.





















Shel’s words should be read by every child. Even if it’s on their iPad, and you should take a walkabout. Who knows what you may find? Say hello to my little friend!

Garden Treasures: Red-Pepper Jelly

The joy of having a garden is that it can surprise you. Out of nowhere I had an abundance of spicy red-peppers. My dear college friend came to visit me in California about a year and a half ago. After visiting his mother for the day he returned with Red-Pepper Jelly she had made. During his visit we cooked together and had some friends over. We lived like we were entertaining a crowd even when it was just two of us. We had cheese plates and cocktails. Went in the spa and basically lived like we were on vacation though we were staying at my apartment or his friends house.








It was a wonderful time and the best part was I got his mother’s recipe. I was able to make it the original way once and when the peppers popped up in the garden, I decided it was time to make it again. This time I used the peppers from the garden as opposed to dried red-pepper flakes. It turned out beautiful. This is a great beginner jelly recipe and can be doubled. Once you make it it’s good for at least 6 months on the shelf. Plenty of time to plan a party worthy of a cheese plate to accompany this sweet and spicy jelly. The instructions come from an online version of the recipe here.

Red-Pepper Jelly

2 red bell peppers cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup hot red-peppers
3 tablespoons Sure-Jell less- or no-sugar-needed pectin (from a 1 3/4-oz box)
3 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3/4 teaspoon salt

Special equipment: 4 to 5 (1/2-pint) canning jars with screw bands and lids; an instant-read or candy thermometer; canning tongs

Sterilize jars and lids:
Wash jars, lids, and screw bands in hot, soapy water, then rinse well. Dry screw bands. Put empty jars on a rack in a boiling-water canner or a deep 8- to 10-quart pot and add enough hot water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, covered, then boil 10 minutes. Remove canner from heat, leaving jars in water, covered. Heat lids in water to cover by 2 inches in a small saucepan until thermometer registers 180°F (do not let boil). Remove from heat. Keep jars and lids submerged in hot water, covered, until ready to use.

Make jelly:
Pulse bell peppers with red-peppers in a food processor until finely chopped.
Whisk together pectin and 1/4 cup sugar in a small bowl.
Stir together pepper mixture, vinegar, butter, salt, and remaining 3 cups sugar in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot. Bring to a vigorous boil over high heat, then continue to boil vigorously, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Gradually add pectin mixture, whisking constantly. Return jelly to a vigorous boil, stirring constantly, and boil, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes (mixture will thicken slightly). Remove from heat.
Carefully remove jars and lids with canning tongs, then drain jars upside down on a clean kitchen towel and quickly dry lids. Invert jars and immediately ladle hot jelly into jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space at top. (Last jar may not be full.) Run a clean plastic spatula between jelly and sides of jars to eliminate air bubbles. Wipe off rims of filled jars with a damp clean kitchen towel, then firmly screw on lids with screw bands.

Seal and process jars:
Put sealed jars on rack in canner or pot and add enough hot water to cover by 2 inches. (If you have a jar that is partially full, do not process it. Cover it with a lid and screw band, then keep in refrigerator.) Bring to a full boil, covered, then boil jelly, covered, 15 minutes. Transfer jars with canning tongs to a towel-lined surface to cool. Jars will seal; if you hear a ping, that means that the vacuum formed above the cooling jelly has made the lid concave. Remember that you may or may not be around to hear the ping. The important thing is for the jars to eventually have concave lids. Jelly will thicken as it cools.
After jars have cooled, 12 to 24 hours, press center of each lid to check that it's concave, then remove screw band and try to lift lid with your fingertips. If you can't, the lid has a good seal. Replace screw band. Put any jars that haven't sealed properly in the refrigerator and use them first (along with jar that was only partially full).

Marlo Thomas Is My Idol

I was a child of the 80's. A product of divorce. I lived.

I grew up reading books far beyond my age and was reading long before anyone else at my age at the time. I don't know or care how this happened but know I was read to as a baby. My first kiss was an older boy who once escorted me from kindergarten to first grade for reading and he was in my combo class the next year when I got transferred to another school for being tested into GATE...Gifted And Talented Education.

I love Shel Silverstine books. I remember all of them. I am an avid reader and nerd. I am so happy that post high school it doesn't matter what your peers thought of you. I now know why there were so many jealous parents that themselves questioned me or had their children do it. The only difference between me and my peers was that I had a nanny (of American decent after the English girl quit). My nanny took me to the library. I read and read...I read the dictionary and entire set of encyclopedias as a kid. Most of the info stuck as I was blessed with a photographic memory. My parents told her where to take me and my brother daily. I mastered the art of claw games at the arcade and had ice cream sundaes often enough to have the entire baseball cap collection.

I am an odd bird.

My father gave me a copy of "Free To Be A Family". I am pretty certain I still have it in a box in storage somewhere. I refused to ever let go of it. Books and music molded me and still do so much more than technology and opinions do. I was raised with respect of the arts and love them more than anything.

I still see Marlo Thomas on commercials dedicated to saving children with cancer. I remember this as a child, being told to either give my time or money. I had time and did. I still give time and it's the best thing to give at this point to any cause.

I won the lottery of opportunity for being given the tools to be kind and enjoy life. I want a fainting couch, but before I need to use it I think I need to give back more, even though my bank account is empty; share what I can and smile. It's really that easy sometimes.

For The Record

I have not had to open a single door for myself since I have been here.

I know I was raised a certain way. I have midwestern parents. Not so long ago, I had both of my parents at church together for a sermon by one of the rare people in my life who has actually known my family, all of my siblings, and parents when they were married. The significance of the day was when in the church pew my father was closest to the aisle, then myself and my mother. When exiting my father stepped out and back to allow myself and my mother to walk out before him.

The fact that I noticed this and that it was so natural speaks wonders to how I was raised, and what has since happened to me. Just a hint to people, no matter what has happened there is still some form of something that exists to give a daughter a feeling of respect and love no matter how life has flipped turned upside down and given you the middle finger. You must know that the people that created you had something at some point and when you're lucky enough to get a glimpse, just smile and know you deserve the same thing, no matter what happens.

Our pastor was as surprised as I was to see the three of us together. It was one of the best days of my life second to when my mother was sick and I heard her on the phone laughing with my father. I had no idea what they were talking about at the time but I know it made me realize everything prior that I thought of their relationship was so naive. I missed most of it, and all of the good times, but know I came from something that was once beautiful, though now so tainted. It's never gone back to how it was that day but it's nice to know what I want so bad in my life, I had the ability to see it between my parents. It was simply a moment and will last my lifetime. Not everyone will open their eyes to see such beauty in a moment. I really liked that day. I still remember the color of the rose bushes outside the church that day. It was glorious...and they were the same color my mother grew in her garden.

Go ahead and call me ma'am . I got in trouble in California for calling my old boss Sir...here it's natural and I like that.

When I Grow Up

Truth be told, I don’t think I will ever grow up. I have managed to not do so thus far, and have quite enjoyed it. I do imagine what it would be like to be stuck in a job I hate. I have actually always enjoyed my work even when it was just staring out a window onto a golf course for eight plus hours a day. I have been extremely lucky. At this point I won’t be retuning to my last job. It’s a strange feeling, the unknown. I quite liked it there but I am in East Tennessee and the closest outpost of the company is across the state or in another.

I have long dreamed of sitting out by the pool of my mid-century modern home, sipping a bourbon on the rocks with my standard poodle FiFi guarding me from the pool boys. I am quite excited to live this life, problem being that I am as far from that dream as I am a natural blonde. It will happen though. Mark my words. I’ll say it again, I think I was born in the wrong era.

Monique sent me a link to this photo and I about died. Someone was able to capture me in the future! I have no idea who deserves the photo credit (sorry). It makes me happy to know I have so much to look forward to in my life. I am in search of so many things but I know that my eternal goal of utter happiness is achievable because there is nothing about whoever this woman is that I don’t want to be. She is fantastic! From the drink to the dress, to the pedicure on her toes, and jewelry, OMG! She rules! Let us not forget the dog. She, like me, is able to keep a potted plant alive. I am well on my way.














While I love children, Myles especially, I don’t feel a need to make that commitment just yet. I look forward to giving up my freedom and sanity at some point but today is not that day. I want a loving environment to bring them into and ability for them to have at least what I had growing up. I am not in the position to say no to a plane flight for a last minute trip to see a friend or meet them in a random city for an epic meal at a cool restaurant. I admire my friends for being loving parents but I admire myself for knowing that there are still adventures in life for me before parenting. Why would I need my own if I can just borrow this adorable one whenever I want? Myles turned three last week and I missed his birthday but I know the next time he sees me it will be the same thing, “Oh hello Mandy, you got cupcakes?” and I will. They will be Uncle Tony's favorite white on white with sprinkles that bleed through the batter, a homemade version of Funfetti. There will be smiles all around. I'm excited for that.

When making choices I always consult the future woman I want to be rather than the woman who is living in the present. Change is necessary for growth and difficult decisions have to be made. As long as you have your priorities straight, you will be guided down the path that is meant for you. I like to play hopscotch on my path. Being a bit unpredictable and never settling for less than my self determined worth has found me in a constantly happy state.

It’s possible that my path will lead me back but even I don’t know what’s in the plan for me now other than a photo of my future self exists and she looks divine!

Whole Wheat Pita Success!

The thing about living in California is that it is a cultural melting pot. Growing up I was exposed to so many friends from different backgrounds. It was awesome because I learned about food that I would otherwise never see in my humble home. Their parents made dishes with ingredients I had no idea existed. I think it helped fuel my love of travel and tasting the wonders around the earth.

In East Tennessee, I expected to be able to buy the same things in a grocery store. I was wrong. Case and point; Frog Legs are readily available, Pita Bread is not. How this is possible baffles me. While I can admit that I had Frog Legs once as a child in a fancy restaurant, I don't plan on making them myself. I'm actually concerned being a single woman that the massacre I witnessed in the grocery store has severely hurt my chances of finding Prince Charming. I'm a bit traumatized by it.

Not being able to locate pita bread was odd. They do have 5,000 varieties of ready to use biscuit mixes here. I was whining like a little girl to my mother which I can still do at my age because I am the baby of the family and refuse to grow up. Her response was , "Manda, just make it yourself." Why didn't I think of that? It seemed complicated in my head, I mean, how do you get the pouch in the middle? Don't you need a brick oven? Can I really do this?








I consulted my other BFF Google and he said yes! It's possible to make at home. I read through several recipes and they all ended up being the same. I'm not one for following what everyone else does, so of course I had to make mine with whole wheat flour because I prefer whole wheat pitas. King Arthur to the rescue. I have to mention that the variety of flours you can find in a store here is astounding. Every brand I have ever loved, and all the types. It overjoys me to not have to order it online. If you bake as much as I do, you learn that there actually is a difference in the flours and sugars you use. I have become a snob. Just like my salt, I prefer to use particular brands. White Lily makes an awesome AP flour, King Arthur has a killer organic white whole wheat flour.

I found the proportions in the recipes I found online to be a bit off so I will post what worked for me. If you like bread at all I want you to try this recipe. It turned out far better than I imagined and is pretty easy. It makes the pita that has been sitting on the shelf of your local super market for three weeks taste like cardboard. You can freeze it also.

Whole Wheat Pita Bread

1 package Rapid Rise yeast
1/2 cup very warm water (just hotter than a spa)
1 tsp sugar
2 1/4 cup AP flour
1 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour
1 1/4 tsp good salt
1 cup lukewarm water
Oil

Mix the yeast in the 1/2 cup of very warm water with the sugar. Allow to sit for 10 minutes or until it has become frothy. Place the flours and salt in a bowl and make a well in the center. Pour in the yeast water. Mix with a spatula and then pour in the 1 cup of warm water slowly while mixing. Turn it out onto a floured board and knead for 20-25 minutes, until shiny. This is kind of a sticky dough. Place dough in a bowl with some oil to coat it. Cover and place in a warm place for 90 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 550 degrees or as high as you can before the broil setting. Place a parchment lined sheet pan in the oven and allow it to heat up. Make sure your rack is as close to the heating element as possible, top or bottom.
Form the dough into 12-15 balls and flatten with your fingers using extra flour if necessary. You want the discs to be about 1/4 inch thick. Size is up to you. Place in batches on hot pan and bake 2-3 minutes then flip the pitas and bake for another 2-3 minutes. Remove and place in an air tight bag to store.
These are worth the work and can be enjoyed by filling them with whatever you like or cut up to serve with hummus. They also can be frozen for future use.




Bon Appetit!