Where Were You?

Today is the day. You see it on Facebook. You hear it in conversation. At the park. On the street. At the office.  Where were you when the planes hit?

Over the last 12 years, we talk about it every year on September 11th.  Where were you?  We don't ask, "Do you remember?"  We just ask, "Where were you?"

I didn't know my husband at the time, but he was in the hospital, waking up from surgery, when he looked at the TV to see the second plane hit.  His mom was at the hospital with him and told him what was happening.  He was in a daze, from the meds and from reality.

I was at my home office, troubleshooting an issue that occurred that morning with an airline fare sale.  At that time I worked for a technology company that powered United Airlines website.  I handled the loading of the weekly fare specials.  It was a Tuesday morning, and it was my weekly responsibility to ensure the fares went in correctly.  That morning, they didn't, and due to the criticality of getting them corrected, I stayed home to work and did not turn on radio or TV.

The phone rang.  It was my boss. The first thing he said was, "Are you watching the news?" My response was, "No, we have an issue with the fares". He said, "Put the TV on."

I saw the second plane hit.

From that moment, my stomach went hollow and tears came, as they still do while writing this. The next thing I remember was driving to my office at United Airlines, where I was scheduled for meetings and such.  On that drive, I would pass through O'Hare airport on my way to the office.  There was a deafening silence that morning as planes had been grounded.  I was so used to watching the planes coming in and taking off while driving by the airport.  That morning there were none.

I arrived at the office.  All meetings were cancelled.  All promotions were cancelled. All ads were taken down from the website.  We were in mourning.  My stomach was still hollow.

After a half day of putting things in order for an airline in mourning, I was sent home.

I remember speaking on the phone with my brother that afternoon.  We both felt the same feeling. An emptiness and numbness we had only known one other time, when our own mom passed away. It is a sadness that never goes away, no matter how many years pass.

Where were you?

Favorite Fall Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Bread

As the days get shorter and the nights get cooler, I start thinking about fall holidays and the ever-versatile and festive pumpkin!  I just heard today that Starbucks has started serving my favorite pumpkin spice latte, and BHG.com is decorating with pumpkins! I think the pumpkin is definitely at the top of my list of favorite things about fall.

So I'm all ready to bake my first favorite pumpkin bread of the season.  And it will definitely be repeated over the next couple of months. 

Pumpkin Spice Bread

Ingredients

• 1-1/2  cups sugar
• 1/2 cup canola oil (makes for a very moist bread)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten 
• 8 ounces canned pumpkin (much easier and just as tasty as fresh)
• 1-3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt                   
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp. ground allspice
• 1/4 cup water

(All these spices add wonderful flavor.  Don't skip!)

 

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine sugar, oil, and eggs.
 

2. Add pumpkin and mix well.

3. Combine dry ingredients.  Add to the pumpkin mixture alternately with water.

4. Pour into greased loaf pan and bake at 350 for 60-65 minutes.

Enjoy and have a happy day!

Summer Sweet Treat: S'mores Recipes You'll Love

Today is National Toasted Marshmallow Day.  In a couple of weeks we'll be on our way to our last camping trip of the season, and I plan to be well-prepared with marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate!  As I was reading about the origin of National Toasted Marshmallow Day, I came up empty, but did manage to find a variety of S'mores recipes that piqued my interest.

S'mores are a staple for our camping menus, but I've always kept my recipe simple and traditional:  top a graham cracker with a mini Hershey chocolate bar and a freshly toasted marshmallow (I like mine charred).  Top with another graham cracker and smash.  Bon Appetit!

After reviewing quite a few variations, I'm convinced I must venture out into the great unknown of s'mores, and try one of these gourmet alternates:

• Use a Reese's peanut butter cup instead of Hershey's chocolate and add banana slices
• Replace the graham crackers with ginger snap cookies, and use a caramel filled chocolate instead of the Hershey's.
• Add coconut flavor by replacing the Hershey's chocolate with a mounds bar.
• Add sliced strawberries to the traditional chocolate and marshmallow mix. 
• Spread graham crackers with Nutella instead of a chocolate bar and add banana slices.

If you have other ideas or recipes you've made, let us know with a comment.

Have a happy day!

Top 5 Party Ideas For Your Labor Day Weekend

The weekend is almost here -yea! And it's the ever-welcome, yet sometimes melancholic, end-of-summer Labor Day Weekend!  Don't let it get you down if you're the summer-loving-can't-let-it-go-summer type! Think of this holiday weekend as yet another great reason to celebrate with family and friends!  Start planning some nature-loving outdoor fall activities and it's never too soon to start thinking about your Christmas gift list.  There, now that should keep you busy!

But before you get busy with fall and Christmas planning, celebrate this Labor Day weekend by hosting a BBQ and take advantage of these great ideas from a few of my favorite go-to websites for menu and party planning.  These are my top 5 BBQ ideas for your Labor Day weekend:

Fried pickles - Try this simple recipe from Food Network, and if you're not a fan of frying, you can bake them on a parchment lined baking sheet. Keep them lightly breaded and bake at 375 degrees until crisp.

Photo taken from Foodnetwork.com

 

 

Sangria! Depending on if you have a preference for red or white, you can find many versions simply by searching online for Sangria recipes.  This one from Allrecipes is exceptional!

Photo taken from Allrecipes.com

 

 

PB&J ice cream sandwiches - This can be as simple as buying store bought peanut butter cookies, stuffing them with vanilla ice cream and a smear of your favorite flavored jelly and freezing.  Or you can following the official BHG recipe and bake simple peanut butter cookies from a pre-made dough. 

Photo taken from BHG.com

 

For table décor, use a combination of orange, yellow, and green décor to celebrate both summer's end and the onset of autumn. 

For your centerpiece, use cut sunflowers in a glass vase filled with lemons and limes for the ultimate seasonal look! 

Have a happy day!

Healthy Recipe of the Week - Tomato Braised Tilapia

If you're trying to go healthier and want to add more fish to your diet, tilapia is a light, white fish that is easy-to-buy and easy on the wallet!  The one issue I have with tilapia is it tends to lack flavor on its own.  I've tried various rubs and seasoning combinations, but came across this dish in Taste of Home magazine, and we just loved it!

The flavor of seasonings with tomatoes and onions permeates the fish very well, and serving it in the sauce gives added flavor to each forkful.  Serve it with a rice dish or couscous, and a side of fresh seasoned veggies. Fabulous!

Savory Tomato Braised Tilapia

Ingredients

• 4 tilapia fillets
• 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt (I just used sea salt)
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 small red onion, chopped
• 1 can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained (I used chopped fresh tomatoes instead, which I highly recommend)                   
• 3/4 cup roasted sweet red peppers (these can be skipped if you're in a pinch and don't have them on hand)                   
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. dried oregano

Directions

1. Sprinkle fillet with salt; drizzle with lemon juice. 

2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion; cook and stir until tender. Add the next six ingredients; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes longer.

3. Place fillets over the tomato mixture; cook, covered, 6-8 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

 

Have a happy day!

 

The World Travel Gift Basket - A Unique Gift for Any Occasion

One of the core concepts that make our gift baskets different than most others is the idea of using functional and decorative products rather than food.  That idea goes into the container as well.  Our World Travel gift basket is a unique collection of travel themed gifts in a uniquely designed decorative box that is fashioned like an old suitcase or travel trunk.  These boxes come from Punch Studio which offers a wonderful collection of elegant decorative boxes and stationery products.  I was crazy for them as soon as I discovered them!

The World Travel gift basket is a great gift for the frequent or occasional traveler for any occasion.  Retirement, graduation, congratulations, bon voyage, birthday...you name it!  It works!

The World Travel Gift Basket includes a photo album to hold 200 photos, 1000 Places to See Before You Die journal, a soy scented travel candle, travel room spray, luggage tags and a Jimeale travel wallet! 



 

Love the box! Use it later to hold and display all of those travel keepsakes!



Finished product all wrapped and ready for delivery! 

 

 

Have a happy day!

10 Fun Healthy Snacks for Kids

With back-to-school in full swing, you may well be challenged with the planning and preparation of fun snacks for kids. Don't grab every box of cupcakes, cookies, Doritos and Cheetos you can find. Opt instead for delicious and healthy snacks that are so easy to prepare, the kids will have fun helping, or may even do it themselves!  Try this top 10 list of fun healthy snacks for kids of all ages!  Toddler, tween, teen, and young adults alike will enjoy preparing and indulging in these after school or anytime snacks.  In fact, even us middle-aged grown-ups enjoy all of these mouth-watering snacks!

Try these in late summer or early spring:

1. Pretzels and hummus - As simple as having a bag of pretzels and a container of hummus on hand.  Pull them out of the pantry and fridge and dip away!
2. Frozen juice pops - An extension of summer: either buy ready made all natural juice pops or pick up your own ice pop mold and plan to make these often in the future.  Simply pour in fresh juice and freeze. 
3. Smoothies - In a smoothie maker or blender, mix together yogurt, a small bit of milk, fresh fruit of your choice, half a banana, and a handful of ice cubes. Blend and serve.
4. Yogurt parfait - Mix together a cup of yogurt with chopped fresh fruit of choice and sprinkle with granola.
5. Flavored popcorn - Make fresh or microwave popcorn and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and an herb seasoning.  Mix in a handful of goldfish crackers if desired.

Save these for fall or winter:

1. Trail mix - Buy already prepared or mix your own: peanuts, raisins, sunflower seeds, dried apricots, and chocolate chips.  Feel free to substitute any of the above for an equally healthy option!
2. Sliced apples with peanut butter and honey - Mix a teaspoon of honey with a couple tablespoons of peanut butter in a cup.  Dip apple slices and enjoy.  Tastes just like a taffy apple!
3. Toasted English muffin topped with peanut butter, banana slices, honey, and chopped walnuts.
4. Berry oatmeal muffins - Okay, this one takes a recipe, but still simple to mix together.  Find my favorite recipe here.
5. Mini baked sandwiches - Start with a small dinner roll.  Spread both sides with margarine and Dijon mustard. Top with sliced turkey and cheddar cheese (or ham and Swiss cheese).  Wrap in foil and bake for 5-8 minutes at 350 degrees.

Okay, really, you can eat these anytime of year, but some do feel very seasonal, don't they? Enjoy!

Have a happy day!