Lasting Story: The Person I Would Most Like to Meet (Living or Deceased)

Suggestions: If given the opportunity, which person would you like to meet more than anyone else in the world? Would you like to go back in time and talk to an historical figure? Would you like to meet a present-day individual whom you admire? Talk about meeting this person . . . what you would say to him/her, and why he/she stands above the rest in your eyes. Share your thoughts with your loved ones.

You may develop your own format for writing about this subject, or you may use the handy MS Word Lasting Story Template that lives within the Heaven's Wait website at http://www.heavenswait.com/WriteHW.html. It includes guidelines to help you write your stories in a consistent format and file them in an efficient manner.

Visit the Heaven's Wait website for the accumulated Lasting Story Write Guide at: http://www.heavenswait.com/WriteHW.html

To receive Lasting Story Writing Alerts, join the Heaven's Wait Email Alert List at: http://www.heavenswait.com/FormEmailList.aspx

Has this subject prompted a discussion between you and your family or friends? You are welcome to share your thoughts or conversations by commenting in one of two places:

1. Click on "Post a Comment" below this Lasting Story blog post. Note: If you would like to go back and comment on a previous post, click on Lasting Story under Subject Blogs in the upper right hand corner of this page. Then scroll down to the subject on which you wish to comment.

2. Facebook users, see Heaven's Wait's Page, http://www.facebook.com/heavenswait. Comment under the Status entry for this Lasting Story subject in the timeline. Scroll down to comment on previous subjects.

Potpourri: Easy, Addicting Guacamole

When I was formulating the menu for the engagement party we recently hosted, I had to include the one dish that always seems to please a crowd: a creamy mountain of guacamole surrounded by plenty of fresh corn chips. In years past, I was always one to overload my guacamole with way too many ingredients, thinking it would be that much better if I added tomatoes, onions, garlic, cheese, peppers, and who knows what else. But a few years ago, we vacationed in Puerto Vallarta. A couple of lovable local cooks gave me a lesson in guacamole making, and I've been keeping it simple since then.

Avocados, lime juice and salt! That's all they used. I couldn't believe how delicious it was that way. The taste of the avocados really shined. But since I'm a cilantro addict, I do have to sneak some into the recipe if I have it around, and I usually throw in either a little garlic powder or chopped garlic chives. Garlic is good for you, right? So here's how guacamole comes out of my kitchen these days.

Ingredients:
2 avocados
Juice of 1/2-1 lime
1 tsp kosher salt
1 Tbs fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 1/2 tsp garlic chives, finely chopped or 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions:
Halve and pit the avocados. Scoop out the avocado meat with a spoon. In a shallow bowl, mash avocados with a fork or potato masher to desired texture. Add limejuice, salt, cilantro and garlic. Mix thoroughly. Allow to sit for at least 1/2 hour to blend flavors.
Serve this yummy appetizer with some of the great organic chips that are out there these days.

Gifts: How I'm Most Like My Parents

Suggestions: Which of your parent(s') traits have you absorbed in unmistakable ways? Have you picked up their humor or sarcasm? Have you followed their spiritual or charitable paths? Do you carry any of their bad habits with you? Do you relate to people in ways similar to your parents?

Good or bad, talk about your behaviors as compared to those of your parent(s) and how much their examples have influenced your life, especially if you've never before considered the subject.

You may develop your own format for writing about this subject, or you may use the handy MS Word Lasting Story Template that lives within the Heaven's Wait website at http://www.heavenswait.com/WriteHW.html. It includes guidelines to help you write your stories in a consistent format and file them in an efficient manner.

Visit the Heaven's Wait website for the accumulated Lasting Story Write Guide at: http://www.heavenswait.com/WriteHW.html

To receive Lasting Story Writing Alerts, join the Heaven's Wait Email Alert List at: http://www.heavenswait.com/FormEmailList.aspx

Has this subject prompted a discussion between you and your family or friends? You are welcome to share your thoughts or conversations by commenting in one of two places:

1. Click on "Post a Comment" below this Lasting Story blog post. Note: If you would like to go back and comment on a previous post, click on Lasting Story under Subject Blogs in the upper right hand corner of this page. Then scroll down to the subject on which you wish to comment.

2. Facebook users, see Heaven's Wait's Page, http://www.facebook.com/heavenswait. Comment under the Status entry for this Lasting Story subject in the timeline. Scroll down to comment on previous subjects.

Potpourri: Ultimate Vanilla Cupcakes

Our son's Engagement Party happened Saturday. It was a fun and emotional day, and a successful "meet the families" weekend. Our son and his fiancée were radiant. It turned out that the shining star of the culinary offerings was the cupcake tower. Everyone went nuts over the yummy, delicate delights. We did a lot of experimenting months ahead to find the right recipe. We scrapped a couple of recipes that were too dense and dry. In the meantime, I also considered the food sensitivities of guests, especially those who were lactose-intolerant. In the end, we found the magic recipe; one that proved to be worth the extra time and effort it took to make them.

For the lactose-sensitive folks, I made the following substitutions: Almond milk instead of whole milk, IMO instead of sour cream, and Earth Balance Buttery Sticks instead of butter. That batch actually came out fluffier than the regular recipe.

The cake was over-the-top rich in vanilla flavor because it included vanilla from real vanilla beans, as well as 100% pure vanilla extract. The most time-consuming part of the process was scraping the seeds from the vanilla beans and working them into the sugar that would be used in the recipe. I completed that task two weeks ahead of time, so I wouldn't have to waste precious time right before the party, time that was at a premium. It turned out that the advance step allowed the vanilla to mellow into the sugar, making it that much more pungent when time came to make the cupcakes (our houseguest for the weekend, the soon-to-be maid of honor, managed to steal a few spoonfuls of the vanilla sugar for her coffee, and almost swooned over the added flavor.)

I'm including the links to the actual online recipes for both the cupcakes and the frosting. I must give credit where due to the bakers who developed these recipes. Give the cupcakes a try for a truly special treat!!

The Ultimate Vanilla Cupcake!

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Enjoy!

Note: Just for fun, the cupcakes were topped with toothpicks that bore a picture of the happy couple on one side and well wishes on the flip side.

Books That Have Influenced Me

Suggestions: What are the books that have impacted your life? Are they biographies, books of a spiritual or inspirational nature, those that have introduced you to factual subjects about which you would never have otherwise known, or those that have taught you some valuable lessons? Are they whimsical in nature, those that have made you laugh or cry, or those that have sparked your inner creativity? Are they classics that have touched your heart in a special way?

When Jacqueline Onassis Kennedy passed on, her son announced to the press that, "My mother died surrounded by her friends and her family and her books, and the people and the things that she loved." Wouldn't it be nice if each of us had a collection of books that impacted us so much that they deserved to bear witness to such an important event in our lives?

Write about those books. Make record of your feelings about them. Your loved ones may someday appreciate knowing about them.

You may develop your own format for writing about this subject, or you may use the handy MS Word Lasting Story Template that lives within the Heaven's Wait website at http://www.heavenswait.com/WriteHW.html. It includes guidelines to help you write your stories in a consistent format and file them in an efficient manner.

Visit the Heaven's Wait website for the accumulated Lasting Story Write Guide at: http://www.heavenswait.com/WriteHW.html

To receive Lasting Story Writing Alerts, join the Heaven's Wait Email Alert List at: http://www.heavenswait.com/FormEmailList.aspx

Has this subject prompted a discussion between you and your family or friends? You are welcome to share your thoughts or conversations by commenting in one of two places:

1. Click on "Post a Comment" below this Lasting Story blog post. Note: If you would like to go back and comment on a previous post, click on Lasting Story under Subject Blogs in the upper right hand corner of this page. Then scroll down to the subject on which you wish to comment.

2. Facebook users, see Heaven's Wait's Page, http://www.facebook.com/heavenswait. Comment under the Status entry for this Lasting Story subject in the timeline. Scroll down to comment on previous subjects.

Potpourri: Lemon/Rosemary Chicken Tenders

For my son's engagement party this coming weekend, I plan to lay out a sandwich bar, where guests may choose from yummy ingredients and build the sandwich of their liking on either the fresh focaccia I detailed last week or freshly baked sandwich rolls. I will butterfly and marinate the chicken tenders the previous day, then on party day, I'll broil them just until they are tender and succulent. Aside from the standard lettuce, tomatoes, cheeses, and condiments, I will offer a basil pesto sauce, a Thai peanut sauce, guacamole, and some roasted sweet peppers. That way, guests may build their sandwiches as simply or exotically as they please.

I did something similar for my mom's 85th birthday party, and the sandwiches were a big hit. To my surprise, the focaccia shone as the star sandwich component (see my Focaccia blog post). The chicken ran a close second.

Lemon/Rosemary Chicken Tenders

Marinade - per 12 pieces:

Fresh or frozen chicken tenders (allow 2-3 per serving)
3/4 C Olive oil
Juice from 1-2 lemons (throw chopped rinds in with marinade)
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh garlic, chopped
1/4 C onion, coarsely chopped
2 sprigs fresh or 1.5 tsp dried rosemary

Instructions:

Defrost tenders. Carefully butterfly them by giving them a sideways cut 3/4 of the way through. Then open them up and flatten them out so the pieces are double-wide and half as thin. Place all ingredients in a gallon size ziplock bag. Push out excess air and seal. Massage ingredients in the bag until marinade is well mixed and all chicken pieces are coated. Place on a large plate or pan and refrigerate overnight, turning bag over once in a while.

Remove bag from fridge at least an hour before cooking. Remove tenders from bag and allow excess marinade to run off of the tenders before placing them on a broiling pan. Broil the tenders 3-4 minutes on each side, just until they start to brown and the juices run clear when you cut into them. Keep in a foil-covered pan until ready to serve.

Mentors: The Best Teacher I've Ever Had

Suggestions: Write about the teacher/mentor who stands above the rest as a positive influence in your life. Is he/she a person you actually know . . . a schoolteacher, a family member, or someone in your community? Is she someone you've never met . . . the author of a book you love, a public figure, or someone from history?

What is it about this person that has touched your life in a meaningful way . . . the wisdom of her words, or perhaps the example of how she has lived her life? Is it the personal connection you feel with this person, or the kind of energy she exudes?

If at all possible, give your best teacher the accolades he/she deserves for the influence she has had on your life. Send her a thank you note or a copy of the story you will write about this subject. Express your gratitude to this person now, while opportunity is alive for both of you. If that's not possible, think of your own unique way to pay tribute to this person. After all, he/she has helped make you the unique individual you are today.


You may develop your own format for writing about this subject, or you may use the handy MS Word Lasting Story Template that lives within the Heaven's Wait website at http://www.heavenswait.com/WriteHW.html. It includes guidelines to help you write your stories in a consistent format and file them in an efficient manner.

Visit the Heaven's Wait website for the accumulated Lasting Story Write Guide at: http://www.heavenswait.com/WriteHW.html

To receive Lasting Story Writing Alerts, join the Heaven's Wait Email Alert List at: http://www.heavenswait.com/FormEmailList.aspx

Has this subject prompted a discussion between you and your family or friends? You are welcome to share your thoughts or conversations by commenting in one of two places:

1. Click on "Post a Comment" below this Lasting Story blog post. Note: If you would like to go back and comment on a previous post, click on Lasting Story under Subject Blogs in the upper right hand corner of this page. Then scroll down to the subject on which you wish to comment.

2. Facebook users, see Heaven's Wait's Page, http://www.facebook.com/heavenswait. Comment under the Status entry for this Lasting Story subject in the timeline. Scroll down to comment on previous subjects.

From Mama Galuchi's Kitchen: Homemade Focaccia

Heaven's Wait will be sitting on the back burner for the next few weeks because I have some fun family and vacation events coming up. I'm gearing up for the engagement party we're throwing for my son, Shaun, and his fiancée Kimberly. Kimberly's college graduation is the day before the party, and our trip to the east coast begins a few days after the party.

So, in the meantime, I'll use my blog days to share some of the recipes I'm using for party food, tried and true choices from "Mama Galuchi's" kitchen. Mama Galuchi is how my family fondly refers to me when I'm in the kitchen whipping up yummy concoctions. Today's recipe seems to win the prize as everyone's favorite. It just kind of evolved from many trials and errors over the years, but always seems to win rave reviews. For the engagement party, it will serve as our sandwich bread for the sandwich bar I plan to assemble. Try it - you'll like it!!

Mama Galuchi's Focaccia
7/8 cup water
1 Tbs milk
1 tsp margarine
2.5 cups bread flour
1 tsp salt
2 Tbs sugar
2.5 tsp dry yeast
1 Tbs wheat germ
1 Tbs wheat bran

Olive oil
Kosher salt
Garlic powder
Thyme leaves, fresh or dried

Instructions:
Place ingredients from water to wheat bran into bread machine bowl in the order listed (wet ingredients first). Process in machine on dough setting (approx. 1.5 hrs). Remove dough and roll out onto well floured board into a 1/2" thick rectangle. An uneven shape works fine.Transfer dough to a parchment paper lined flat baking sheet. With a spiral motion starting at an outer corner, poke your finger into the dough about every inch until you reach the center. Slowly drizzle a small trail of olive oil over the dough and use a pastry brush to work the oil over the dough and into the indentations. Sprinkle with kosher salt, garlic powder and thyme to your taste. Slide dough on parchment paper off of the baking sheet and onto the center rack of a preheated 360 oven. Bake for about 20 minutes. Remove to baking sheet. Cool on a baking rack. Cut into 8-12 generous pieces.

Other Info, Hints:
Serve with various main dishes; slice with sideways cut for sandwiches; fill with your favorite panini ingredients and grill. Yummy!

Lasting Story: Favorite Time of Day

Have you been good about continuing your Lasting Story? Below, you will find suggestions for writing about the above subject.

Suggestions: If you haven't already done so, examine your routine day and select the time of day that stands out above the rest as your favorite. Is it early morning before the day's activities begin, when your mind is fresh? Is it late at night when the chores are done, everyone's tucked in, and you finally have a moment to yourself? Is it at the height of your busy schedule, when you feel you are most accomplished or productive? Is it during a meal when your family is actually gathered in the same place at the same time?

Write about it. Describe its importance to you. Make it an element of your Lasting Story, a small tidbit that adds to the total picture of who you are.

Share the information with your loved ones so they are aware of its importance to you. Remember to ask them about their favorite time of day as well. It will help you gain a greater understanding of who they are.


You may develop your own format for writing about this subject, or you may use the handy MS Word Lasting Story Template that lives within the Heaven's Wait website at http://www.heavenswait.com/WriteHW.html. It includes guidelines to help you write your stories in a consistent format and file them in an efficient manner.

Visit the Heaven's Wait website for the accumulated Lasting Story Write Guide at: http://www.heavenswait.com/WriteHW.html

To receive Lasting Story Writing Alerts, join the Heaven's Wait Email Alert List at: http://www.heavenswait.com/FormEmailList.aspx

Has this subject prompted a discussion between you and your family or friends? You are welcome to share your thoughts or conversations by commenting in one of two places:

1. Click on "Post a Comment" below this Lasting Story blog post. Note: If you would like to go back and comment on a previous post, click on Lasting Story under Subject Blogs in the upper right hand corner of this page. Then scroll down to the subject on which you wish to comment.

2. Facebook users, see Heaven's Wait's Page, http://www.facebook.com/heavenswait. Comment under the Status entry for this Lasting Story subject in the timeline. Scroll down to comment on previous subjects.