Recipe for Mother's Day

“I don't know what it is about food your mother makes for you, especially when it's something that anyone can make - pancakes, meat loaf, tuna salad - but it carries a certain taste of memory.”
― Mitch Albom



I love this picture of my mom!

I love this quote because of the truth that lies in it. My mom was a great cook. She had signature dishes that no matter how closely I follow the recipe, I just can't replicate. But just the thought of them brings back memories of our family seated around the table. I grew up in the sixties and seventies and so casseroles were a staple. Gold and Green Casserole was probably the only way I enjoyed green vegetables. Whenever I see a box of Kellogg's Corn Flakes I am reminded of the crunchy topping on her Connecticut Supper. And my birthday was never complete without my mom's signature Pineapple Upside Down Cake. There are so many other recipes whose names make my mouth water . . . Pepper Steak, Liver in Mushroom Wine Sauce, Porcupines (meatballs with rice).

It scares me a little to think what kind of memories my cooking brings forth for my children. I did not inherit either of my parents' cooking talents. Maybe they will have fond recollections when they see a box of Hamburger Helper or a tender moment will cross their minds when they pass a can of Spaghetti Os. I knew I was in serious trouble when my youngest told me the other day to make sure I use my "secret recipe" for hot dogs (Secret recipe = boiled in water).

Rereading the quote, however, I realize that it's not the food itself that is the substance of the memory... it's that special, not so secret, ingredient that is the thing that memories are made of. That something-something is love. It's what makes "mom's home cooking" Mom's.

And so, my Hamburger Helper should be able to stand the test of time ... 'cuz there's a whole lotta love in every pan.

Mom's Recipe for Porcupines

1-1/2 lbs. ground beef                                                        2/3 cups rice, uncooked
2 cups water                                                                       salt & pepper to taste
1 (10 oz.) can tomato sauce                                               1 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 deg. In a large bowl, mix ground beef, rice, salt and pepper, green pepper, onion and 1/2 cup water.
Form 1-1/2" balls and place in an ungreased rectangular baking dish.  Mix 1-1/2 cups water and soup in another bowl and pour over meatballs.
Cover dish and bake at 350 deg. for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake another 15-20 minutes.
Serves 6.

Movie Review

I LOVE everything about Les Miserables. I have seen almost every version (Did you know Claire Danes played Cossette in one movie version?), including a high school rendition. My boys can attest the the fact that I adore the music and have made them sit through countless hours in the car listening to the recording of the 10th Anniversary Dream Cast. I have to admit, though, the 25th Anniversary Concert is my all time favorite. The encore with Colm Wilkinson is amazing
So it was a great deal of anticipation that I looked forward to the new movie version of this Victor Hugo classic about forgiveness, redemption, love and duty and a little social injustice thrown in to spice it up. It seemed like a dream cast .... Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway and I could hardly wait.
Of course, I am the only one in my household who relished the thought of sitting through 2-1/2 hours and I did not want the movie spoiled by the snores of my usual movie partner. So, New Years Day I went by myself to see this latest version.
Even though it had been released a week ago, the theater was packed. I thought it was interesting that there were quite a few younger children in the audience. There is a PG13 rating and it is more than appropriate. If you are familiar with the story, you know that there is an important part of the movie that takes place in a seedier part of France with some "ladies" of questionable employment plying their trade. Not a discussion I want to get into with my 10 year old. But hey, it's a judgement call.
Now to the movie review.... Like I said, I'm a Les Miz snob. The movie is very true to the play and the producer was smart enough to not try to change the lyrics. There are a couple of new songs that fit in nicely and helped move the story along. The acting is quite good. You would expect nothing less from the caliber of actors involved. Anne Hathaway is particularly moving as Fantine, who hits the very bottom of despair in an effort to save her child. Hugh Jackman is equally emotional in his performance of the penitent Valjean. I've never been a Russell Crowe fan so it was easy to dislike him as Javert, the villian of the film.
That said, I have to comment on the singing. When you deal with something that so many hold in such high esteem you run the risk of not making the bar. That is how I feel about Jackman and Crowe. Their vocals just don't hold a candle to the many who have played these parts so well before. One of my favorite numbers is "Bring Him Home". It always brings tears to my eyes. Jackman's version, although tortured, just didn't touch me in the same way. And Crowe's final number leading to his suicide didn't have the total sense of loss I have felt in other's.
The ending is the ending... Let's face it, I cried and, unless there was a mass sinus infection afflicting the audience, I wasn't the only one reaching for my Kleenix.
So would I recommend seeing this new Les Miserables? Why of course! If you're like me and love the story you can't miss it. Just don't expect it to be the best you've ever seen. And if you don't know the story this is a perfect place to start.
And then go and find a copy of the 25th Anniversary Concert and watch that.

p.s. I have to share my favorite quote from the movie, play: "To love another person is to see the face of God." Doesn't that say it all!

A Day Of Sadness

Newtown, Connecticut ... most of us had never heard of it before the tragedy today. By all accounts it is a quiet little community filled with people who know their neighbors, work hard and love their children. A town like thousands of others. But because of the heinous actions of one young man, the lives of the people of this small town will never be the same. And all over our country Americans stopped in their tracks and felt a universal shock. We probably asked ourselves the same question, "Why?" knowing perfectly well that there will not be an answer that any of us will be able to accept or understand.
Already, I've watched the interviews with experts who have offered possible explanations but there really is no good reason for something like deliberate massacre of innocents. How can you explain evil?
But out of stories like this always arise the stories of heroism. There are those, who in the face of terror and madness, exhibit such bravery. They are the men and women and children who cared for those around them.
I saw one picture in the news today of a young boy and girl, slightly older standing outside. The little girl had her arm around the visibly frightened boy's shoulder, obviously offering him comfort. It made me wonder, was this an older sister looking after her little brother? Another picture showed a police officer walking hand in hand with a little child who had the officer's coat draped around his shoulders and I thought, this is Connecticut in December. These little ones were not only scared but they were cold. Picture after picture showed these young children wearing over sized coats. Grown ups were doing the one tangible thing they could immediately do to comfort these children ... they were offering them warmth.
But the thing that touched me the most in the aftermath of photos and interviews was one interview given by young teacher who talked about moving her class into a small bathroom at the back of the classroom and waiting for help. She talked about how she tried to keep the children calm even though she was sure that, since her class was so close to where the gunfire was, they would be killed. She assured the children in her care that they would be okay. She said that she wanted these children's last memory to be hearing that they were loved and that is what she said to them.
Working at an elementary school I thought of the children that I associate with each day and the teachers whose care they are in. There is no doubt in my mind that, faced with the same awful circumstance, they too would do everything in their power to protect them. It is an honor to work beside them.
In the midst of all this news today, a kindergarten class visited the library. In that class was my own sweet grandson. I was reading a pop-up book version of The Night Before Christmas to them. It is a magical book and their faces were so intent on the story. I don't think they noticed when I got a little choked up and my voice caught. They were just so sweet and excited about Christmas and Santa and all of the magic. And I thought that must have been how the day had started in Newton.
Which brings us back to that question of "Why?" We ask it every time there is a tragedy like this. Maybe the question we need to ask is not why but what? What can we do, as a nation, to prevent these type of things? and how? How can we protect our children when they are at the movies, or the mall or the classroom?
And in the meantime, we need to remember how precious each day is. We need to be kind to one another. We need to make sure our children know of our love for them. We need our friends to know that we care.
And we can remember.

My Favorite Christmas Picture Books Books

Because my friends and family know I am an elementary school "liberryanne" I am often asked for book recommendations. The holidays are usually when I get the most requests. So I sat down and compiled a list of my favorite go to books for the season. 

There are a couple of glaring omissions like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Twas the Night Before Christmas but those are probably already on your top ten list. I know, I know. . . The Polar Express falls into that as well but I just couldn't compile a list and leave that one off.

 

 

1.    A Wish To Be A Christmas Tree by Colleen Monroe

2.   The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

3.   How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky

4.   Santa’s Favorite Story by Hisako Aoki

5. Santa Clause the World's Number One Toy Expert by Marla Frazee

6. The Bird In Santa's Beard by Jeffery L. Shatzer

7.   Cookie Count by Robert Sabuda

8.   Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson

9.   The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston   

10. Mouse’s First Christmas by Lauren Thompson