Last night I baked cookies to be included in a Mother's Day goody basket raffled to raise money for breast cancer research. My friend Carolynn asked if I would be willing to donate some HeartSong Cookies. Of course! I was honored. I baked Dark Chocolate with Sour Cherries Cookies and Mixed Nut Chocolate Chunk Cookies and dropped them off this morning. This afternoon I learned that the basket raised over $2,300. The basket was filled with lots of gift cards and goodies. My cookies seemed like such an insignificant contribution, but Carolynn made me feel much better. She said my cookies were like the cherry on top.
Many hugs,
Kathy
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
A Reminder of Why...
I copied this post from my daily blog - diaryofcashstarvedfoodie.blogspot.com because I thought it was a story worth sharing twice.
Today was angst and stress filled. And then once again...magic happened. I received an unexpected voice mail message from Nancy, a woman I have never met, but certainly hope to one day. Her message explained she was the wife of NC State coach Dana Bible who HAD leukemia. She stressed the word HAD. He is currently in remission.
Let me explain the magic behind the call. Last month while visiting my son Ryan, an intern at NC State, I was lucky enough to attend a Spring football practice. I knew about the health challenges Coach Bible was enduring and made eye contact with him as he walked by at the end of practice. This was his first time back on the field in months. I asked a simple question as he walked by - "How are you feeling?" I got back a genuine response filled with the joy of being back doing what he loved and the pain of all the chemo treatments. We talked for several minutes. He didn't have to talk to me. I was a perfect stranger. But, he did and I made a connection, however brief.
I wanted him to know that people he didn't even know were thinking of him and sending good thoughts his way. He talked some more and shared several stories of the people that had reached out to him during his time of crisis. I asked if the chemo affected his taste buds. Could he eat cookies if I made him some? His face lit up and he said he would be all over homemade cookies. I told him I was a baker and I would bake some for my son to drop off the following week. He said he looked forward to them, gave me a fist bump and went on his way.
As promised over the weekend I baked a couple of batches of cookies...not my best work and assembled a basket for Ryan to drop off at the office. Coach Bible was not in, but his assistant said she would save them for him. I didn't hear anything else about the gift, but was very glad I fulfilled my promise.
I didn't hear anything else about those less than perfect cookies, until today. Today I received a huge reminder of why I bake for others. I received an awesome, perfectly timed message from Nancy Bible, the wife of Dana Bible, the NC State coach that HAD leukemia. She gushed over those silly cookies. Telling me they were the best cookies she had ever had. She shared the good news that Dana was in remission and thanked me for my thoughtfulness. Evidently Nancy LOVES cookies and is keeping my card for future visits to my website. She took the time to reach out to this perfect stranger and I am very glad she did. I sent hugs to her family and they sent the hugs back tenfold.
I have never met Nancy Bible, but I hope to one day real soon!
This is why I stay up until 1:00 a.m. night after night, spend money I don't have on ingredients and search for cookie perfection. I wouldn't change a thing!
Many hugs,
Kathy
Today was angst and stress filled. And then once again...magic happened. I received an unexpected voice mail message from Nancy, a woman I have never met, but certainly hope to one day. Her message explained she was the wife of NC State coach Dana Bible who HAD leukemia. She stressed the word HAD. He is currently in remission.
Let me explain the magic behind the call. Last month while visiting my son Ryan, an intern at NC State, I was lucky enough to attend a Spring football practice. I knew about the health challenges Coach Bible was enduring and made eye contact with him as he walked by at the end of practice. This was his first time back on the field in months. I asked a simple question as he walked by - "How are you feeling?" I got back a genuine response filled with the joy of being back doing what he loved and the pain of all the chemo treatments. We talked for several minutes. He didn't have to talk to me. I was a perfect stranger. But, he did and I made a connection, however brief.
I wanted him to know that people he didn't even know were thinking of him and sending good thoughts his way. He talked some more and shared several stories of the people that had reached out to him during his time of crisis. I asked if the chemo affected his taste buds. Could he eat cookies if I made him some? His face lit up and he said he would be all over homemade cookies. I told him I was a baker and I would bake some for my son to drop off the following week. He said he looked forward to them, gave me a fist bump and went on his way.
As promised over the weekend I baked a couple of batches of cookies...not my best work and assembled a basket for Ryan to drop off at the office. Coach Bible was not in, but his assistant said she would save them for him. I didn't hear anything else about the gift, but was very glad I fulfilled my promise.
I didn't hear anything else about those less than perfect cookies, until today. Today I received a huge reminder of why I bake for others. I received an awesome, perfectly timed message from Nancy Bible, the wife of Dana Bible, the NC State coach that HAD leukemia. She gushed over those silly cookies. Telling me they were the best cookies she had ever had. She shared the good news that Dana was in remission and thanked me for my thoughtfulness. Evidently Nancy LOVES cookies and is keeping my card for future visits to my website. She took the time to reach out to this perfect stranger and I am very glad she did. I sent hugs to her family and they sent the hugs back tenfold.
I have never met Nancy Bible, but I hope to one day real soon!
This is why I stay up until 1:00 a.m. night after night, spend money I don't have on ingredients and search for cookie perfection. I wouldn't change a thing!
Many hugs,
Kathy
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A Life Well Lived - Day 246
This morning was a celebration of the life of Lula Frances Jones...a life well lived. Lula (Frances) was a woman I never met. Yet somehow as I watched the people that filled the church for her service, I felt like I had known her all my life. She was a woman who took care of those around her. A woman who loved her children with all her heart. A woman who loved to cook good Southern food...and share it with anyone that happened to stop by. She was a woman who loved to eat. A woman after my own heart. My eyes teared up as I watched my friend Dennis mourn her loss. The loss of his mother. I was sad I never met this woman who was so important to so many. Once again I was moved by just how many people are touched by the well lived life of just one.
Tonight after wolfing down a Salmon Cobb Salad assembled from Easter leftovers, I began to make Sugar Cookie dough for a First Communion Cookie Basket for my friend Rose. She is leaving for North Carolina to attend the First Communion service for her granddaughter and asked me to make something special for her to take. As I cut the dough with the cross cookie cutters, I thought this was a perfect way to end this special day.
Many hugs,
Kathy
Tonight after wolfing down a Salmon Cobb Salad assembled from Easter leftovers, I began to make Sugar Cookie dough for a First Communion Cookie Basket for my friend Rose. She is leaving for North Carolina to attend the First Communion service for her granddaughter and asked me to make something special for her to take. As I cut the dough with the cross cookie cutters, I thought this was a perfect way to end this special day.
Many hugs,
Kathy
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Power of a Cookie
Yesterday morning my brother picked up the basket of White Chocolate Blueberry Pecan Cookies I baked the night before. This was not an ordinary basket of cookies. This was a basket with a purpose. This was a basket destined to be a part of his office bake sale to raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank. His face lit up when I presented it to him. I was proud of the results and anxious to hear how his office would respond. Shortly after Michael got to work I got my answer with text messages and photos proclaiming the delight of his co-workers. The really cool thing about the cookies I made is for every one sold for $1.00, it yields $9.00 worth of food to go to a needy family. That means the 25 cookies I made will net $225.00 worth of food for Second Harvest. As I always say...never underestimate the power of a cookie.
Many hugs and more cookies with a purpose,
Kathy
Many hugs and more cookies with a purpose,
Kathy
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Promise Of Heart Healthy Cookie
It bugs me to no end that I have neglected my HeartSong Cookies blog for over 4 weeks. Every time I log into my Diary of Cash Starved Foodie daily blog, the HeartSong listing moves further and further down my blog list. I have grand plans for a heart healthy cookie with whole grain flour, oats, less fat and lots of dried fruit and nuts. Unfortunately I have to work all weekend, but sometime in the next week I promise to bake again, share the hugs and post the recipe. After that, I am going back on the mission to find a gluten free cookie for Victoria. Her birthday is coming up in February and I have to find something I can send her that she can actually eat.
Many hugs,
Kathy
Many hugs,
Kathy
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Best Friends In The Universe
I don't know if I ever mentioned it, but I have the best friends in the entire universe. Yesterday I dropped off a basket of cookies and when I returned to the office less than an hour later, the coolest e-card was waiting for me. My goofy friends sent the hugs I dropped off right back to me.
The cool friend stories don't end there. Kenda, Vicky and my mom all pitched in to help me cater Bree's rehearsal dinner when I broke down from the loss of my good friend, Mary Helen. They endured hours on their feet with nothing more in return from me than a great big hug and thank you. Vicky even stayed behind and cleaned my kitchen.
A couple of weeks ago when I was having a major panic attack about the annual Christmas party, Vicky dropped everything to help me pull it off. She organized things, cut veggies, basically did anything I needed, but most of all she calmed me down and made everything OK.
I have always been one that had a very difficult time accepting the help of others. I wanted to be the one giving the help. The last few weeks have taught me an important lesson...that it is OK to accept help. I also was reminded of something I always knew. I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE!
Many Hugs,
Kathy
The cool friend stories don't end there. Kenda, Vicky and my mom all pitched in to help me cater Bree's rehearsal dinner when I broke down from the loss of my good friend, Mary Helen. They endured hours on their feet with nothing more in return from me than a great big hug and thank you. Vicky even stayed behind and cleaned my kitchen.
A couple of weeks ago when I was having a major panic attack about the annual Christmas party, Vicky dropped everything to help me pull it off. She organized things, cut veggies, basically did anything I needed, but most of all she calmed me down and made everything OK.
I have always been one that had a very difficult time accepting the help of others. I wanted to be the one giving the help. The last few weeks have taught me an important lesson...that it is OK to accept help. I also was reminded of something I always knew. I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE!
Many Hugs,
Kathy
Monday, December 7, 2009
Chocolate Crackles Cookies
Another one of my favorite cookies to make during the holidays is from a recipe I found in a holiday Martha Stewart magazine years ago. It also appears in the Martha Stewart's Cookies cookbook.
Chocolate Crackles Cookies
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. coarse salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup whole milk
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
1. Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring. Set aside to cool. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
2. With an electric mixer mix together butter and brown sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Mix in eggs and vanilla, and then the melted chocolate. Reduce speed to low; mix in flour mixture in two batches alternating with the milk. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Wrap each in plastic; refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 350 F. Divide each piece into (16) 1 inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar to coat, then in confectioners' sugar to coat. Space 2 inches apart on cookie sheet lined with parchment.
4. Bake until surfaces crack, about 14 minutes, rotating cookie sheets halfway through. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.
This cookie is very striking to look at. It has an intense chocolate taste, but is light at the same time. Enjoy!
Many hugs,
Kathy
Chocolate Crackles Cookies
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. coarse salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup whole milk
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
1. Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring. Set aside to cool. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
2. With an electric mixer mix together butter and brown sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Mix in eggs and vanilla, and then the melted chocolate. Reduce speed to low; mix in flour mixture in two batches alternating with the milk. Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Wrap each in plastic; refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 350 F. Divide each piece into (16) 1 inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar to coat, then in confectioners' sugar to coat. Space 2 inches apart on cookie sheet lined with parchment.
4. Bake until surfaces crack, about 14 minutes, rotating cookie sheets halfway through. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.
This cookie is very striking to look at. It has an intense chocolate taste, but is light at the same time. Enjoy!
Many hugs,
Kathy
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