Monkey Bread

I have made this recipe for years now. Usually it is for Christmas or Easter morning. My children love it and my daughter Natalie has asked for the recipe. I first tasted this delicious treat when a friend in Virginia made it for us. Thank you Vickie Hilsinger for the years of wonderful comfort food! It has even gone from my regular recipe book to my holiday recipe book, where only the very special recipes reside! 25 oz. package of frozen rolls; put them in a greased tube pan. Melt 1 stick of butter (1/2c) and pour over the rolls; Mix 1/2c sugar and 3t cinnamon and sprinkle on top of buttered rolls; Sprinkle 1 small box of butterscotch instant pudding over all of it. I will sometimes add chopped pecans to this also. Put pan on a cookie sheet and into a cold oven. Let it raise overnight or 8 hours. Bake 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes and then invert onto the cookie sheet. All the gooey goodness will run over the rolls, and they will be devoured before it hits the breakfast table!

Robin Williams and Suicide Prevention

I usually write this type of article in September for National Suicide Prevention and in honor of my husband, but in light of recent events, I have decided to write it earlier than usual. There have been many articles and much controversy over the recent death of Robin Williams. Please be kind in your words and keep your negative thoughts in your mind. Words that are spoken can never be taken back. Having walked in the shoes of Robin Williams's family, there are several things that need to be remembered. He was and always will be a bright light for us to follow. He brought so much joy and laughter to people around the world. His laugh was infectious and genuine. From his Mork and Mindy days to The Crazy Ones, he strove to give us his best. His choice to end his life was just that-HIS CHOICE. Depression and it's cohorts are not to be misjudged. The best way to describe it is to close your eyes and think of yourself in a dark tunnel. There is no light, not even at the end. You cannot feel the walls, just the damp nothingness. There may be voices, but then again, silence will be there also. There is no end and no beginning. I have told countless people that those who chose to end their lives are not the real "victims" of suicide. The real victims are those that are left behind to deal with their pain and loss. As a family, we talk about my husband,, the father of my children. We talk of his life, his depression, his choices, and his suicide. There have been many tears and laughter. Sometimes, people are horrified when they learn of his death and others ask questions worthy of answers. Everyone deals with loss differently and in their own way. We choose to celebrate his life and teach others of his death. It is only by education and honest discussion, we are able to teach others and help others. Each one of my children have dealt with their father's choice. They are still dealing with it even after eleven years. I pray that those close to the Williams family will talk about him and help the family process his death in a loving and healthy way. Don't avoid words because you feel they are not right. Suicide, death, and choice are all appropriate and will be much appreciated. Remember that there are sorrows we cannot see in other people. There are dark corners of their hearts and love is not always enough to dispel the awful gloom. We can have the brightest light possible and still stand next to a person with mental illness; they may not see our light or know we are with them, but we can be that light for others. 1-800-273-TALK is a Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Grandma Wicke's Banana Bread

This is my grandmother's banana bread recipe. I have altered it to make it "healthier." My granddaughter asks for this instead of birthday cake! I took it to a family reunion and my father actually loved it and stole a whole loaf! (He won't eat the stuff others make.) 6 or 7 mashed bananas (I freeze them when they have spots because my children wouldn't eat them. Thaw; rip the top off and squeeze like a toothpaste tube!); 4 eggs; 1t vanilla' 1c vegetable oil; 1/4c water; 1 1/2c sugar ( I use honey); mix well then add: 4c flour (I use whole wheat); 2t baking soda; mix until the flour is mixed in , but don't beat too much it will get tough. I use 5 small greased loaf pans or 2 large ones. Bake 350 for 1hr (large pans) or 35-40 min for small ones. The bread freezes well also. I have also used a caked pan and put fudge frosting on it. My personal favorite is to slice it and spread with Nutella!

Memorial Day

I have been contemplating what to write for the past week or so. I have made some observations concerning Memorial Day weekend. One: Family time is important and we should make the time to get together whether it's a barbeque or dinner or just breakfast. What we need to remember is to set the tone and the conversation to what the holiday really means to each of us. Memorial Day for me is a time to reflect on those who have gone on before me and the legacy I want to leave for my children and grandchildren. I have stated in previous posts that I am from a multi-generational family of servicemen. My son completed the full circle when he joined the United States Marine Corps. All branches of the service are accounted for with his enlistment. I am thankful to have such a rich heritage. It has given me the opportunity to teach others what it means to serve and protect. The returning servicemen and women coming home from World War I and II were given parades when they returned. It was the same with Korea, but those returning from Vietnam were reviled and cursed. They fought for the freedom of others and were shunned for it. Some were drafted and some joined for "God and Country." We as an American people have helped numerous countries obtain their freedom from oppression and tyranny. What I have learned from the Police Action in Vietnam is this: returning soldiers are helping "their own" return to their lives and families when they return from The War on Terrorism. Veterans are the ones who are there to talk, encourage, and sometimes "bully" those warriors who return to us battered and broken. I have found that there are organizations of these men and women; some ride motorcycles and have a not so nice reputation. Personally I have met several of these groups and found them to be extremely generous with their time and money. They are the ones that drive in groups past my home with teddy bears and other stuffed animals on a day trip to "ride for a cause." They wear their insignia from the war and they have the American flag on the back of their bikes. They consider themselves a social club and do what others have no courage to do. The popular TV series NCIS has Gibbs saying to a fellow Marine something similar to this statement, "Courage is running towards the fight, not away from it. It doesn't matter what anyone else does. It's what you do." The local cemetery has many heroes interred there. One is our hero. He joined the Navy and received the best education he could. He enlisted in the regular Navy; received an ROTC scholarship; and was given an honorable discharge as a Lieutenant. He didn't fight in a war; he didn't lead a group of sailors; he quietly did his job at Naval Reactors. He wrote manuals, fielded calls from people with much higher ranks and clearance than he had. He gave what he could to better serve his country. We are a better family and nation for having had him with us. Next time a child asks why we have Memorial Day, remind yourself and other of the men and women who have died serving their country; those who are buried at home and abroad; this is the legacy our fore fathers have given to us.

Grandma Corbridge's Wonder Marshmallows

Happy Easter to all the PEEPS! I know I promised this recipe a while ago and now here it is in all it's glory! This recipe is courtesy of my husband's grandmother Millie Corbridge Smith. I was told that she loved to make candy and other sweets. This is a marshmallow recipe that I have tried only once, but it was really good and very gooey. Wonder Marshmallows Mix in a small pan 1/2c sugar and 1 package Knox gelatin, then add 1/3c cold water; place on stove over low heat and stir until gelatin dissolves. Put 1t vanilla and 2/3c white corn syrup in a large bowl and add gelatin mixture; beating on high speed for 15 minutes or until mixture looks like marshmallows. Pour into a shallow buttered pan and let stand 1 hour. Loosen from edges and turn out on crushed graham cracker crumbs; you can sprinkle more on top if you like. Cut into squares. I remember putting the final pan in the fridge to help the cooling process. Imagine what this would taste like with toasted coconut flakes or your favorite cookie crumbs instead of the graham crackers! I tried to keep the recipe just as Grandma Corbridge wrote it so I'm sorry if it's not as a regular recipe is written. That's half the fun of trying old family recipes!

Buffalo Chicken Adult Mac and Cheese

I am always trying new recipes and making up new recipes! My latest creation is Buffalo Chicken Adult Mac and Cheese. Some of the ingredients may seem off putting to some people, but trust me, you will be surprised at the taste sensations! 1lb cooked shells; 1lb Velveta queso blanco; 1 can cream of mushroom soup; 5oz blue cheese crumbles; 8ox chopped mushrooms; and 1lb Buffalo chicken. Mix the soup and the Velveta on low heat to melt together. Mix cooked shells, and all other ingredients. Bake in a 350 oven for half an hour. You can put thin slices of Velveta on top to garnish if desired.