Halloween, Tricks-or-Treats!

I started to draft this blog post the week I had to go out of town for work, so unfortunately it's a "Post-Halloween post". I'll be back on schedule with my two weekly posts starting Monday. My apologies!


As a true believer that Halloween is simply a fun evening for all ages, not a time to sacrifice black cats and worship Satan (let's face it, if that's what you're into, you can do that on any night), here are my general rules for making a successful Halloween, in no particular order:

1. You must eat candy on Halloween night, and for at least a week afterwards. Eat the chocolate first, it's without argument the best stuff in your bag. Throw those nasty Good 'n Plenty in the trash!

2. You have to carve at least one pumpkin. Painting one is NOT a reasonable alternative. Get your hands icky and scoop out all that glop. Toast the seeds in your oven, don't waste 'em!

3. Your costume must be original, designed and fashioned with your own hands, or with help from sensible adults. You don't have to know how to sew, just be clever with what's out there. TJ was once a white pillow case ghost. He had a piece of ratty muslin wrapped around him for added effect, and little rubber spiders hot glued around the fabric. The whole costume cost around $4.00, which sums up my next rule:

4. You don't have to spend a fortune on your costume, unless you REALLY want to. I never REALLY want to.

5. Your get-up should really remain a secret until the big night. You don't want to risk someone copying your idea!

6. TJ and I have our own little Halloween ritual, which is similar to he rule about leaving out cookies for Santa. We leave a handful of candy corn at our bedside on Halloween night. This ensures us that the vampires will not suck our blood. Didn't you know that vampires LOVE candy corn? If you leave it by your bed on October 31st, it's guaranteed that you will not wake up with holes in your neck. Wouldn't you know that when TJ woke up last November 1st, all but one piece of candy corn had been eaten- he was spared!

7. You have to watch It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, during the Halloween season. Period. TiVo it if you must. Does anyone remember the Garfield Halloween cartoon? You know, "can-dy, can-dy, can-dy!" Why isn't that on anymore?

8. If you don't get any trick-or-treaters where you live, consider moving. Which also goes hand-in-hand with my final rule of the season:

9. Hand out good candy, or you won't get any trick-or-treaters. I made this horrible mistake one year many Halloween's ago while living in Phoenix. I was rushed to get candy, and I picked up a bag of, well, whatever was leftover. Needless to say, it was mainly a mix of old-fashioned hard candies. While nostalgic and fun for adults, kids tend to favor candy bars and Nerds and the like. Well, a cute little Rhett Butler put me in my place, because he told me "Yuck, I don't like this kind of candy". His Dad who was standing behind him started to glow red, even without the help from make-up. Boy, did I learn my lesson.

Hope you all had a great Halloween!

Recipe of the Week; THE CREEPIEST COOKIES AROUND

My online research resulted in a slew of new cookie ideas for Halloween. It's no secret that I love to bake- my kitchen will become a laboratory for cranking out edible insects and bloody body parts all this upcoming week! Here are a few of my favorite ideas, I hope you try at least one!

LADY FINGERS

Every Christmas I make a recipe known in my family as Lady "Fingers", which essentially are petite and pretty "tubes" filled with fantastic homemade filling. This recipe is also called "Lady Fingers", which eerily do resemble fingers...

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 egg

2 tsp almond extract

2 tsp vanilla
2 2/3 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup whole blanched almonds

raspberry jelly

In bowl, beat together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla.

Stir dry ingredients together, then add to wet and stir thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.

Working with one quarter of the dough at a time and keeping remainder refrigerated, roll a scant tablespoon full of dough into a thin log shape about 4" long for each cookie. Squeeze close to center and close to one end to create knuckle shapes.

Press almond firmly into the end of the cookie for nail. Using paring knife, make slashes in several places to form knuckle. You want them a bit thin and gangly looking, since they'll puff a little when you bake them.

Place on lightly greased baking sheets (or use silicone sheets or parchment); bake in 325F oven for 20-25 minutes or until pale golden. Let cool for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, melt jelly over low heat in a small saucepan. Carefully lift almond off of each finger, spoon a tiny amount of jelly onto nail bed and press almond back in place so the jelly oozes out from underneath. You can also make slashes in the finger and fill them with jelly. You can slice the ends off, to get a good "severed" look, then dip them into the jelly.

Here's another version, with a little green food coloring worked into the green cookie dough.

NUTTER BUTTER GHOSTS

So easy, a five-year-old can do it! (Or a caveman!) And mine will, just as soon as I run out and pick up a bag of those Nutter Butters! This is a wonderful and simple cookie idea, especially for busy Moms who have to prepare treats for their kids' Kindergarten glass... ugh.

2 squares BAKER'S White Chocolate

6 Nutter Butter cookies

Decorations, such as decorating gels and mini chocolate chips

MICROWAVE chocolate in small microwavable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min., stirring after 45 seconds. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. COAT cookies with melted chocolate. Place on sheet of wax paper, then decorate as desired.

LET stand until chocolate is set.

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU... KIDDIES

I guess if you're going to be eating fingers, you might as well enjoy and eyeball as well. Take two, they're small! Shouldn't it be wrong to eat something that is staring back at you?

1-1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
12 ounces white candy coating, chopped
1 tablespoon shortening
brown, blue and green M&M's
Red Decorating gel

In a small mixing bowl, cream the peanut butter, butter and vanilla. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar. Shape into 1-in. balls. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt candy coating and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip peanut butter balls into coating; place on waxed paper. Place M&M’s, plain side up, on top. Let stand until set. Use red gel to create “bloodshot” eyes.

SPOOKY SPIDERS

What little witch or devil doesn't indulge in the occasional spider? Well, if you happen to be a vegetarian spook, I highly recommend this meatless alternative!

1 pouch Betty Crocker peanut butter cookie mix
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon water
1 egg
36 chewy caramels in milk chocolate
Black or red string licorice
1/3 cup (72) miniature candy-coated chocolate baking bits
black decorating gel (from 0.68-oz tube)


Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, oil, water and egg until dough forms. Shape dough into 36 (1-inch) balls. On ungreased cookie sheets, place 2 inches apart.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately press 1 chewy caramel in center of each cookie.

Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

Cut licorice into 8 (2-inch) pieces for each spider. Attach legs by sticking into chewy caramel. Use baking bits for eyes and black gel to make pupils in eyes.

And just in case you wish to enjoy something that isn't dripping with blood or going to bite you first, I'd like to close with a pretty Halloween cookie idea. The colors are great and this cookie is a little less scary. Simply whip up a batch of your favorite roll-out cookie dough recipe, and use a flower cookie cutter. Decorate using all the wonderful colors of fall, turn a cookie that looks great in springtime pastels into an autumn appropriate sweet treat!

'Tis the Season for A-Haunting

This time of year seems to bring out a little more local ghost activity. Is it because of the longer nights? Perhaps the colder weather helps to mask the smell of rotting flesh. Or, it just could be my overactive imagination, because subconsciously I like to be scared once in awhile.

I've always been intrigued with Ghost Stories, and good 'ol PA is full of them. Now, I can't honestly say I've ever been privy to any supernatural activity, but telling Ghost Stories in October is about as necessary as passing out cute little cards on Valentine's Day. To be perfectly honest, I'm a little skeptic when it comes to believing some of the following stories, but I find a certain nostalgia, even romanticism in sharing a creepy tale once in awhile. Here's a few of my favorites, some places I've been.

Because of its tragic history, it's only natural that the town of Gettysburg runs amok with Spirits. I've long been a Civil War buff, and I do believe there really is something quite haunting about the town.

The Jennie Wade House, Gettysburg, PA

"If there is anyone in this house that is to be killed today, I hope it is me, as Georgia has a little baby." -Jennie Wade

"The Jennie Wade House is a two story, modest red brick structure, sturdily made, and originally was a duplex done 1800s' style. It has the customary cellar and attic as well. A wall divided the brick structure from attic to first floor, creating two rental units. The house is now a museum and is open for tours.

This historic house looks very much like it did back in 1863. Authentically furnished from cellar to attic, The Jennie Wade House Museum is not only a shrine to a heroic martyr but has become a museum of life and living during the American Civil War.

Taking the tour will give the visitor a glimpse of life in the Civil War era, and perhaps a paranormal experience!

HISTORY:
Mary Virginia Wade was born in Gettysburg in 1843, and grew up in a house with her family that could be found also on Baltimore Street. She was called Jennie. In 1863, this local girl turned 20, and was living with her sister Georgia, her brother-in-law, Louis and her baby nephew in one unit of this red brick house, while Susan McClean, the owner of this structure, lived in the other unit. Jennie also had a love of her own, Johnston "Jack" H. Skelly. When the Civil War broke out, both Louis and Jack joined the Union forces. Jack became Corporal, and then Sergeant Johnston Skelly. Both went to fight the war a long way from home.

Jennie, Georgia and Susan McClean had kind hearts, and let the orphan children from the nearby orphanage escape their hard, abusive existence for awhile, and play at their house, enjoying a few happy times, a kind of oasis away from their sad reality of suffering at the hands of their abusive orphanage director with personal issues and temper problems. The orphanage was originally located at 785 Baltimore Street .

Then their situation took a turn for the worse, when Union and Confederate troops clashed in a bloody conflict on the fields and town of Gettysburg. Jennie, Georgia and Susan's house was smack dab in the middle of the fighting, in "NO MAN'S LAND." Not only was this a landlord's nightmare, but it goes without saying that it was incredibly dangerous for the occupants as well.

Jenny, Georgia and Susan were warned to leave because of their precarious situation. While Susan left, both the sisters baked bread and gave out water to passing Union troops, perhaps thinking about their own loved ones, far away and also probably fighting the confederate soldiers on some distant battlefield. Their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wade, also came to help, hoping to keep their daughters safe, as well as help Union soldiers.

During the first two days of the battle, a cannon ball landed in the dividing wall in the attic, but it didn't explode. While many bullets hit the outside of the house, none came inside. However, sometime during the third day of the battle, a stray bullet that was shot by a confederate soldier, holding his position in the Farnsworth House attic, came through two wooden doors of their home, striking poor Jennie in the back as she was baking bread in the kitchen. Jennie was the only civilian killed in this bloody 3 day battle, and she was remembered as a martyr to the cause, an example of courage and patriotism.

When soldiers came to take her body, her mother insisted in having Jennie put in the cellar, until it was safe to move her. Soldiers stayed with the body until she could be buried in a temporary burial spot. Finally, Jennie's remains were buried in Gettysburg National Cemetery with honor. Her grave is honored by a lovely statue and an American flag.

The Entity of Jennie Wade
Jennie was killed while in the middle of an urgent mission; Making bread for hungry soldiers. She didn't get to finish the batch she was working on. People who die in the middle of an important task or work goal, often try to continue what they were doing before they died unexpectedly.

She is perhaps still waiting to hear the fate of her beloved, Jack, who she knew was fighting in a battle. Jack was taken prisoner and died from his wounds at Winchester. Jennie never found out. Their mutual friend, Wesley Culp, who had joined the Confederacy, was supposed to bring her the news as he had been there when Jack died and had promised Jack he would tell her. Unfortunately, Wesley didn't have the chance because he died on July 3rd in the Gettysburg Battle, on Culp's Hill.

Unfinished business concerning loved ones has caused entities to hang onto this world.

The Children Entities
Perhaps these children didn't survive because of abuse they received, diseases, the hardship of war,or dumb kid accidents. They so enjoyed their time with the kind-hearted, loving souls who lived here, and all the fun they had in the house, that they have stayed here after they had passed.

The Two Male Entities
They perhaps are tied to the house due to emotional issues as neither act like they are too happy, and can't let go to the other side. Some entities mourn the loss of a loved one, perhaps blaming themselves, while others are just upset because they died before they were ready; A common occurrence during war.

MANIFESTATIONS:
a) Female Entity - Jennie Wade
An apparition of a young woman, presumed to be Jennie, has been seen around the house, who is apparently still baking bread, as the aroma of freshly baked bread delights the living.
Her favorite perfume which was rose-scented is noticed as well by visitors and museum caretakers.
b) An Unknown Male Entity
Thought by some to be her father, this male presence, felt and sometimes seen, has been noticed by the living to be hanging out in the cellar.
c) Another Unknown Male Entity
He is known to haunt the upstairs area. He smokes cigars and on occasion lets invisible ashes fall on visitors for chuckles. He needed another lesson or two in the social graces.
d) Unknown Entities of Friendly Children have made their presences known throughout the house. They have been known to yell a friendly greeting, "Hey!" If they take a liking to a person, they have been known to grab onto this favored person's ankles in an affectionate way and travel with this person during the tour. Other times, they have touched the person's hand.

On the second floor, the Entities of Children like to swing on the chains which are part of the roped off areas that have antique furniture, to prevent visitors sitting or touching the displays.
They like to play with the bed-skirts around the bottom of the beds in the upstairs bedrooms.

On the first floor, these Entities of Children like to play downstairs in the first floor bedroom, on the rug in from of the deacon's bench. As it is in this room that the downstairs stories are told, the little entities like to play with visitors' jewelry or tug on coats."

I like the story of Jennie Wade for several reasons. I believe she was a kindred soul who only wanted to serve her country in the best way she knew how. If only baking bread was considered an act patriotism today!

Heading just a bit further south into West Virginia, the tales about the ghost of abolitionist John Brown run wildly through out the town of Harper's Ferry.

When I was about 13 or so, we made a visit to this quaint town, and the history was not as fascinating to me then as the ghost stories that were shared by the locals. Like the story of [another] Jenny, whose billowing skirts caught fire while standing too close to the fireplace. Poor frightened Jenny ran outside screaming, only to be struck by the night train. Many conductors to this day swear they occasionally see a blazing ball of fire screaming towards the train, only to disappear into the dark night.

Many other tales of woe circulate within the town's history; but don't ever let that prevent you from visiting this most picturesque town!

Back in PA, I grew up hearing the tale of the Lady in White. It was an eerie tale indeed, and often we would travel the Buckhorn Road in which she haunts on our way to Altoona for a day-long shopping trip. The story of the the Buckhorn Ghost, as it is known to locals, is what initially inspired me to include a post of local ghost lore. Here is an excerpt from a website I'd found that explains the reason for the Lady in White. I'd also like to mention that during my many travels on these roads, I haven't been fortunate (or unfortunate!) enough to have run into her. Maybe someday I will!

"A popular legend throughout the Allegheny Mountains is the legend of The White Lady of Wopsy Mountain also known as Wopsononock Mountain. The local people refer to the popular mountain as Wopsy Mountain.

Some people believe there are two White Ladies, another White Lady that roams the Buckhorn Mountain road. Nobody really knows for sure. Although, John Hunter Orr of Altoona, PA, a collector of folk stories, thinks the story started with the Wopsy Mountain story and spread to the Buckhorn Mountain.

There are also several legends of The White Lady of Wopsy Mountain. One legend reports the White Lady is looking through Wopsy Mountain for her baby. The baby was thrown out of the horse carriage while rounding Devils Elbow, a dangerous curve that still exists on PA's Wospy Mountain. The legend says the baby was never found.

Although, of course, the road has been much improved since the horse and buggy days. Drivers are still cautious when approaching Devils Elbow. I'm not sure it's because of the dangerous curve or the legend of the White Lady of Wopsy Mountain, most likely it's both reasons. You actually have to travel the road yourself to understand the eerie feeling you suddenly get when you approach the area. It seems everybody breaths a sigh of relief once you're down the mountain.

There Are Two Legends Of The White Lady

Both legends are very similar. They always begin with newlyweds getting in deadly accidents on the mountain's treacherous roads. Wopsy Mountain and the Buckhorn Mountain have several dangerous curves. The most famous dangerous curve is known as Devils Elbow. This is where the legend of the accident of the White Lady of Wopsy Mountain takes place. There have been a lot of accidents in the area of Devils Elbow. The dangerous curve has caused many experienced drivers to lose control, especially when the mountain is snow-covered and the roads are slick.

The White Lady of Wopsy Mountain's story has the husband dying instantly. The wife regains consciousness only to find her beloved husband's decapitated body.

Mr. Orr says the woman disappears into the woods, wandering around Wopsononock Mountain. She heads west towards Buckhorn Mountain. Yet, she always disappears around the deadly curve at Devils Elbow. She's been seen there many times by people traveling down the steep mountain road. Most sightings only last a second when you suddenly see someone in white on the side of ther road ahead but once you approach the area there is no one in sight.

Sightings of the White Lady of Wopsy Mountain have been reported for many years by many people in the area. As the folk story goes, many people have seen a woman dressed in white, wearing a long flowing gown, standing along the side of the steep, winding Wopsy Mountain Road, near Devils Elbow. Some say she is holding a candle, others report she is holding a lantern.

Many testify to have stopped to offer her a ride down the steep mountain. Once inside the vehicle she seems grateful for the ride but quiet, she smiles a lot, and is extremely beautiful.

It has been reported many times that when they look in their rear view mirror they can't see her reflection, yet when they turn to face her, they see her sitting in their back seat. Before the vehicle reaches the bottom of the mountain, in the area of Devils Elbow, she always vanishes into thin air. "

Well, whether you are a believer or a skeptic with regards to ghost tales, you have to admit it's always a little fun to add some mystery and intrigue to your days during the month of October. I'd also like to mention that while looking up some ghost stories online, I came across this website: http://theshadowlands.net/places/pennsylvania/html It lists hundreds of haunts within the state! I never realized I shared a state with so many ghosts and goblins!

I'll close with one last thing- for those who check in from New Mexico, my husband has told me that the cemetery across from the post office in Gallup is haunted. When he was in high school, he and some friends where "hanging" out there (why?) and they all swear to this day that they saw and old man coming towards them, yelling.

Like a bunch of chickens, they took off running, but when they looked back the man was gone. I can't debate whether or not the sighting actually occurred since I wasn't there, but I tend to believe that the old man was perhaps a vision brought forth with a little help from their friend Bud (weiser!)

HAVE A HAPPY AND HAUNTING OCTOBER, my friends!

Recipe of the Week; SWEET APPLE AND PECAN BREAD

I just love to make sweet breads in the Autumn. Like most recipes I share, this one has a special memory attached to it. During my last fall in New Mexico, my wonderful friend Dyan gave me a barrel (literally) of apples that she and her husband Pat had picked while visiting Delores, Colorado. The little, tangy apples reminded me so much of the apples that I knew growing up in PA, they were uneven and lumpy and small, totally unlike the perfectly red, prissy apples you get at the supermarkets. (Some people just don't know that it's okay to look for worm holes before you bite into an apple!)

I had so many, and I needed to use them up. The added bonus is that I get to break out the medieval-looking apple corer/peeler!


So, I had Dyan and another friend of ours, Miss Lori, over for brunch one brisk fall morning. My brunch had an obvious apple theme- right down to the salt and pepper shakers. It was a good day, and my Apple-Pecan Bread was scrumptious! One thing especially nice about this if you want to serve it for a brunch, you make it a day ahead! It was the first time I made this, and it has become something that we'll enjoy at least two or three times during the fall and winter.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbs. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 tsp. double-acting baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup chopped apples
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl cream butter or margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, milk, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and stir just until well blended. Fold in apples and nuts. Pour into pan. Bake for 1 hour. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack. Once cool, wrap and let stand overnight before slicing.

You all know that I'm a working girl now, so unfortunately I just don't have time to throw together a brunch on a whim. Being time-strapped and less enthusiastic in the kitchen some days, I must say I'm a big fan of the genius who invented a bread machine! Mine is has a timer, so I can set it start at a certain time, like while I'm at work- and come home to a yummy, fresh-from-the oven bread! For those of us with all the intentions of offering homemade goodies but never enough time to actually make them, here is an equally tasty and easy substitute! Put THAT in your bread machine and bake it!, courtesy of Betty Crocker.

INGREDIENTS

Apple-Pecan Bread

1 cup water
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
3 cups bread machine-appropriate flour
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons bread machine or quick active dry yeast
1/2 cup chopped unpeeled apple
1/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted

Measure carefully, placing all ingredients except apple and pecans in bread machine pan in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Add apple and pecans at the Raisin/Nut signal or 5 to 10 minutes before last kneading cycle ends.

Select Sweet or Basic/White cycle. Use Light crust color. Do not use delay cycle. Remove baked bread from pan, and cool on wire rack.

The Witching Hour Cometh Soon

Now to the Brocken the witches hie,

The stubble is yellow, the corn is green;

thither the gathering legions fly,

And sitting aloft is Sir U'-ri-an seen;

O'er stick and o'er stone they go whirling along,

Witches and he-goats, a motley throng.

Alone old Baubo's coming now;

She rides upon a farrow sow;

A goodly sow and mother thereon,

The whole witch chorus follows anon.

The way is broad, the way is long.

What mad pursuit, what tumult wide!

The wind is hushed, the stars grow pale,

The pensive moon her light doth veil,

And whirling on, the magic choir

Sputter forth sparks of drizzling fire.

I don't know the author or origin of this poem, but I found it online and thought is suited the season. Hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did!

Postcard Worthy Pictures of My Pennsylvania

I love October in PA. You can't find a prettier place on the planet when the leaves start to burst with color. I spent a wonderful afternoon in the country yesterday, so hard to believe that this was literally my backyard growing up! Because I could look out my window and see it everyday, I guess I just took it's serenity and beauty for granted.

It's always nice to take a trip down Memory Road. Travel with me, I'd enjoy the company! You can click on the individual pictures to enlarge them to get a more detailed view.

The trips starts here. This is the driveway, leading to my childhood home. It's roughly a quarter mile, I'd say, maybe a little more. You know the old adage "I used to walk to school, uphill both ways?" Well, mine was "I used to trudge through the snow both ways to catch the bus!" It's a little bit of a walk!

At the end of the woods is a clearing, with this grand view, minus the telephone pole, of course. Just 'cause we was country folk, didn't mean we couldn't have one of them thar telephones!

Scenes from the back yard-

I loved running through the corn when I was small, it was truly a wonderland in there!

We hopped in Dad's Rhino and over the river and through the woods we went to Grandpa's house...

It was always a great time at my Grandparents' home. This is were my brother and I learned to swim. We would ice skate in the winter, and after my Pap decided to stock it with a bunch of fish, we would catch blue gill or run around the banks of the pond feeding the fish bread and looking for frogs and turtles.

I'm not certain the age of this barn, but I believe it was constructed when my Pap was young, possibly before he was even born. He turned 91 in September, so you know it's been around awhile! He's never lived anywhere but on the very farm in which he was born!

The barn was a giant fun house- we had ropes we would swing on and fall into the giant piles of straw. The barn cats would often have their litters in the cozy nests of straw, so often the furry friends would make their way up the hill to our house!

Of course, Pap's tractor was totally off-limits. Grandma would often send us up the hill to throw the pigs some scraps...

This was THE best hill for sledding in the winter. We could start at the top, where the trees are and end up all the way down to the house. This picture was taken from the back porch.

There are two Walls-of-Fame at Pap's house. On the first wall he has a small collection of some of this prized hunting trophies, he simply just does not have enough room to display everything he's hunted through the years. The bear especially was a little scary to me when I was little, but I like to pet his soft fur!

On the other Wall-of-Fame hangs the family pictures, starting with my Aunt Nan at the top of the stairs and pictures of her seven children(camera shot couldn't get all of the pictures), and ends at the bottom of the stairs with my Uncle Jim, the youngest, and three of his kids. (He still has two daughters yet to graduate, the rest of us Grandchildren and all grown up and gone!) Yours truly hangs directly below my Dad, the cool cat in the top row, second from the left. Don't knock the hair- it was the 90's, what can I say? My brothers hang directly below me- instead of age, my Grandma hung my brothers and me in the order of which Grandkid she like the most... teehee. (All of my other cousins are hung under their parent in age order.)

Before leaving to head back home, I stopped by my old church. Church was in walking distance, often on warm days we would walk. I can't think of church without remembering the annual picnic every August, and Vacation Bible School. I made my acting debut at the age of four in the Christmas play here. Later on, around the age of 12 or so. I stole the show when I vomited on stage while singing "O Little Town of Bethlehem" in the choir.

Across the street from the church is the cemetery, to which is the final resting place for many of my ancestors and relatives, including my beloved Grandma "Niece", who passed away 10 years ago this past September. This will likely be my place for burial, too.

My Grandma was the best- the quintessential country Grandma, who loved nothing more than to bake a pie and have us kids over on Sundays. My brother Dave actually had a designated "pie shirt" for this weekly occasion. I miss my chubby little white-haired Grandma so much, she passed after I had been living in New Mexico for three years. I always felt particularly special and close to her, as I was named after her.

The day in the country and the drive back couldn't have been more peaceful. I just love a short road trip, and it was the most beautiful fall day, capped off with a vibrant harvest moon glowing overhead and leading me home.

By the way, the date in my camera was obviously off- I don't know how to programme the crazy thing!

Recipe of the Week; A YOM KIPPUR FEAST BEFORE THE FAST

Being that Yom Kippur was this past week, I felt it was fitting to offer some great recipes before the fasting begins. Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, marks the end of the Jewish High Holy Days.

To focus more completely on prayer, Jews take part in a 24-hour fast so their minds, bodies, and souls may be free from the distraction of daily life and physical desires. This fast begins at sunset the day before Yom Kippur and ends at the next sunset.

Well before sunset on the day before Yom Kippur, families gather around a sustaining meal to prepare their bodies for the coming fast. Generally, salty or spicy foods, caffeine, and alcoholic drinks (except in my Gravlox!) are avoided because they can make fasting more difficult.

I think it's important to recognize the significance of all Jewish holidays, because Judaism is the root of Christianity. Whether or not you fast, consider making the recipes anyway. They're really simple, but tasty!

BAKED HONEY-MUSTARD CHICKEN

6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup prepared mustard
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper to taste, and place in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish

In a small bowl, combine the honey, mustard, basil, paprika, and parsley. Mix well. Pour 1/2 of this mixture over the chicken, and brush to cover.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn chicken pieces over and brush with the remaining 1/2 of the honey mustard mixture. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

GRAVLOX

(What's not to like? It's prepared with Vodka!)

2 pounds salmon fillet, bones removed
4 tablespoons coarse sea salt
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 tablespoon pepper
1 bunch fresh dill, chopped
3 tablespoons vodka

Drape plastic wrap over a glass baking dish. Cut salmon in half lengthwise, and place one half in dish, skin side down. Mix together salt, brown sugar and pepper. Sprinkle half of mixture over salmon in the dish, cover with the chopped dill, and pour the vodka over the whole mixture.

Sprinkle the remaining salt mixture over the remaining half of salmon.

Place over the salmon in the dish, skin side up. Fold the plastic wrap snugly over the entire salmon. Place a board over the fish and weigh it down with a heavy object.

Refrigerate fish for 24 to 36 hours, turning every 12 hours. To serve, separate the fillets, and carefully brush off the salt, sugar and dill. Cut into very thin slices with a sharp knife.

PECAN RICE

(goes wonderfully with the chicken!)

1 cup brown rice
2 tablespoons margarine
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
2 tablespoons minced parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a saucepan bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 40 minutes.

When rice is done, melt margarine in a small skillet over medium heat. Saute onions, pecans, parsley, basil, ginger, pepper and salt. When onions are tender stir mixture into rice and mix well.