Josephine December 2011

Josephine December 2011

St. Joseph’s women’s magazine

Alternative health runs in her family

Amy Barron is just following in her grandmother’s footsteps

Dress warm, stay cool Fashions this winter allow you to do both at the same time

MORE INSIDE: Mind your manners this holiday season Living with lupus Gift ideas that won’t break the bank

|12/11

Josephine

St. Joseph News-Press P.O. BOX 29 St. Joseph, MO 64502

editorial: (816) 271-8594 toll-free: (800) 779-6397 advertising: (816) 271-8527 fax: (816) 271-8686

the regulars

josephine@ newspressnow.com

Our staff

Presentation editor Paul Branson paul.branson@newspressnow.com

Photo editor Todd Weddle todd.weddle@newspressnow.com Writers

Sylvia Anderson Shea Conner Jennifer Gordon

Jennifer Hall Kristen Hare

Christina Hazelwood Heckman Kevin Krauskopf Betsy Lee

Stacey Mollus Kim Norvell Alonzo Weston Crystal Wiebe Erin Wisdom Cathy Woolridge Photography Eric Keith Jessica Stewart Matt Reid

4

events calendar

6

the 5

8

average joe

28

getting real

29

meal time

30

inside

Editor Jess DeHaven jess.dehaven@newspressnow.com

Lisa Horn

editor’s note

Cover photography by Matt Reid/Josephine magazine

cover girls Meagan Mazurkewycz and Samantha Henry demonstrated

that staying warm and staying fashionable are not mutually exclusive. For the shoot, they modeled winter apparel from Fashion Bug. Ms. Mazurkewycz, a cake decorator at Apple Market, modeled a gray tunic ($32.99), black knit leggings ($34.99), boots, ($49.99), red knit beret ($12.99) and matching scarf ($12.99).

She completed her look with a jeweled bracelet, ($20). Though the coldest weather’s yet to come, Ms. Mazurkewycz feels the season’s in full swing. “I’m freezing already,” she says. “I was raised in California!”

Ms. Henry, an Elwood, Kan., native, bested the dropping temperature in a red shirt ($32.99), plaid jacket ($54.99), sleek jegging ($36.99) and boots ($44.99). She completed her outfit with a cream knit beret ($12.99) and red and black necklace ($18).

Gloves and coat are crucial, but the Missouri Western student and Fashion Bug employee also can’t do without her annual tradition in the wintertime: “I always take my son through Krug Park the day after Thanksgiving to see the light display,” she says.

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| Josephine magazine |

December 2011

An unlikely legacy A St. Joseph woman continues the alternative health approaches her grandmother used before they were popular

10

Living with lupus Autoimmune disorder causes swelling, host of other symptoms

12

All I want for Christmas...

Have some money left come January with these tips

14

Stay cool this winter Electric blankets don’t have to be your biggest fashion accessory

16

Be my guest At that holiday gathering or special occasion, make sure to be on your best behavior

20

Happy holidays Entertaining is easy with make-ahead appetizers

22

Cubicle conflict You can play well with others at work

24

Don’t be a Scrooge Movies, music and apps to get you in the holiday spirit

26

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editor’s note The holidays are upon us, and like many of you, I’m beginning to feel the stress of what we’re always being told is the most wonderful time of the year. That’s why we’ve put together an issue of Josephine that we hope will give you some ideas to make this month a bit more enjoyable.

We have two stories for those throwing or attending holiday parties. If you’re the type of person who likes to entertain, check out our feature on make-ahead appetizers on page 22. We rounded up several tasty recipes that you can make when you have time then thaw and heat when you need them.

So whether you’re planning a party and want to cut down on the stress that comes in the hours leading up to the celebration or would like to have things on hand to feed hungry guests who drop by for an unannounced holiday visit, these recipes will have you covered. We here at Josephine value accuracy, so for journalistic reasons we tasted some of these appetizers ourselves, and I can report that they should indeed leave your guests asking when your next party is so they can come back for more.

If you’ll be on the receiving end of hospitality this holiday season, turn to page 20 for advice on how to be the best guest. Lisa Horn consulted the experts for tips on how to make sure you’ll be on the receiving end of future invitations from your host.

In addition to parties, a lot of your holiday time is sure to be taken up with making a list and checking it twice. But if your budget is a little tight (and these days, so many of ours are), read Kristen Hare’s feature on gift ideas that don’t cost much on page 14.

Not only will these ideas save you money, they’ll also save you time,

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By JESS DEHAVEN something everyone can use a little more of at this time of year.

If you do have a little money left over, you might want to treat yourself to something to keep you warm this winter. The problem with cold-weather clothing can be that it, combined with all that holiday eating, can leave you looking a little more bulky than you would like.

We sent Jennifer Gordon out to talk with local fashion experts about how to stay warm but look cool this winter. You’ll find her story on page 16.

And if all the shopping, parties, planning and cool temperatures are making you feel a bit like Scrooge, maybe you just need a little downtime with something to get you into the holiday spirit. On page 26, we have some great movies, music and apps to make your spirits bright.

Whatever your plans this season, please keep in mind the true meaning of the holidays. Reach out to someone, either through one of the programs that help those in need or to that person who may be lonely and just desiring a little company.

It won’t cost you much, and the warmth you feel will be a gift you can give yourself this holiday.

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2011 december area events

SUN

MON

Every Monday 9:45 a.m. (weigh-in at 8:30), TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) a non-profit, weight-loss support and education group, East Hills Church of Christ, 3912 Penn, 238-7245.

Dec. 5 7 to 9 p.m., St. Joseph Camera Club, Rolling Hills Consolidated Library.

TUE

Dec. 6 6:30 p.m., Pony Express Chapter of Cowboys for Christ, Pony Express Saddle and Bridle Club, north of K Highway on County Road 371.

Call 238-7503.

Dec. 20 6:30 p.m., Pony Express Chapter of ABWA meeting. Call 232-7462.

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

Every Wednesday 7 a.m., indoor farmer’s market, 3821 Eastridge Village.

7:30 a.m., St. Joseph BNI weekly meeting, Pony Express Museum.

Call 262-9684.

Dec. 15 10 a.m., Hyde Forge Questers, Robidoux Row. Dottie Perks will be the hostess, and Mary Smith will give a program on Santa Claus legends.

Every Friday Friday Night Wine Tastings, 5 to 8 p.m., Smooth Endings Fine Wines, Spirits and Cigars, corner of Belt and Beck, (816) 749-4WINE, $5 per person.

Every Saturday 7 a.m. indoor farmer’s market, 3821 Eastridge Village

5:30 p.m., Third Thursday Wine Tasting, Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art. Cost is $10 per person.

Call 232-9750.

6:30 p.m., St. Joseph Aglow Community Lighthouse, St. Joseph Library at East Hills. Call 351-2139.

Dec. 22 10 a.m., Welcome Wagon Social Club of St. Joseph, monthly meeting, Rolling Hills Library, 1904 N. Belt Highway. Call 279-1947.

6

December 2011

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The

5 Change in semantics

Money. Ready to tear out your own hair because your man’s an impulsive spender and you’re a meticulous saver? Stop trying to force a “budget” on him and create a “spending plan” instead. Surely, you’re thinking, those are the same thing. Except, to a spender, a budget’s strict rules are just asking to be broken, according to parenting.com. A spending plan, though, that’s a little more palatable.

tips for life

Clean-up together Relate. The heater’s on full force.

The dust is flying. And there’s holiday shopping and impending visits from relatives. With all of the time constraints and need, the amount of housework can be overwhelming for one person. Take a deep breath, Glamour.com blogger Rosemary Brennan has some tips to sharing the clean-up process:

O Be up front about what you hate: Grossed out by the toilet? You probably won’t do the job you need to do on it. Ask your partner or roommate to do it, and in exchange do a chore the other person can’t stand.

O Unleash your type A: Are you more of a dish washer than a bed maker? Make your knit-picky habits your responsibility.

Everyone will win.

O Accept imperfection: Chances are, even with a divide and conqueror strategy, you’ll miss a cobweb or dust spot. It’s OK.

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Take a tech break

‘Future’ thinking

Health. Feeling more “bah, humbug” than jolly this season? Take a tech break. Your phone and your computer may be the culprit. According to a Carnegie Mellon study, too much computer use can be depressing, possibly because it’s taking the place of face-to-face encounters. And it will make you feel sluggish and scattered, says Jon Gordon, author of “The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel your Life, Work and Team with Positive Energy.”

So bundle up and go for a walk, bake some cookies or visit some friends in person. You will soon feel cheery and bright.

What is he thinking? We don’t always know what’s on a man’s mind, so our Shea Conner is here to enlighten us with this thought: I enjoy an episode of “Futurama” from time to time, but I rarely go into deep thought afterward. Recently, however, I heard Dr. Farnsworth say something very wise: “All civilization is just an effort to impress the opposite sex.” He’s right. Caesar, Shakespeare, Edison — all of them accomplished great feats before they settled down. If it weren’t for women I was trying to impress, I’d probably never shave or put on anything other than my Iowa Hawkeyes sweatshirt. I’d probably never leave the glow of my television to go socialize with anyone. I bet I wouldn’t even own a bottle of cologne. It applies on the grand scale, too. I went to college to get a degree so I could get a steady job so I could eventually support my wife and kids. So, ladies, thanks for making me a better — and cleaner — man.

‘Shop’ your closet to make space Organize. Looking to free up some closet space? Real Simple recommends going about this by “shopping” your closet: Pull out a bunch of clothes and try them on in front of a full-length mirror, then put the ones that you would actually buy again back in and donate the rest.

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Amy Barron’s grandmother was a woman ahead of her time when it comes to nutrition. Barron carries on a healthful tradition with her own family.

MATT REID/Josephine magazine

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December 2011

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An unlikely legacy A St. Joseph woman continues the alternative health approaches her grandmother used before they were popular

By ERIN WISDOM

“We had our handful of vitamins every day,” says Maureen Dudley of St. Joseph, Amy’s aunt. “We had no idea what antibiotics were, or even Tylenol or Ibuprofen.” my Barron is without a doubt her grandThey went to a chiropractor rather than a traditional docmother’s granddaughter. tor, Maureen adds, and were exposed to cookies and other And in terms of her approach to health, foods formed with white flour and sugar only at friends’ her grandmother, Christine O’Konski, houses. Adopting such a lifestyle was even rarer then — in was without a doubt ahead of her time the 1960s — than it is now, but for her mother, it seemed to — cutting white flour and sugar out of her be an answer to prayer. family’s diet, shunning vaccines and em“Her first three kids were always sick,” Maureen notes bracing supplements long before any of this became trendy. of her mother, “and one day she was crying, saying ‘God, This lifestyle became a sort of legacy many of her nine please help me — why are my babies so sick all the time?’” children have continued but that is perhaps most evident in Christine began noticing signs then for a health food Amy, a 32-year-old St. Joseph wife and mother of three. store, which ended up being her resource for the lifestyle “My mom calls me Christine,” she notes, “ ... Christine transformation that has since traveled three generations Jr.” to the home where Amy’s 8-year-old son is religious about Her grandmother’s footsteps have proven good ones to taking his Vitamin C supplement each day. follow in, given that Christine — a retired Realtor who now Also a parallel between Amy and her grandmother is the lives in Kansas City — has remained healthy into her 70s. fact that a health food store has played an important role And although Amy hasn’t always embraced alternative in Amy’s life, too: She worked part time at A to Z Freshair approaches to health as much as she does now, the birth of Fare Natural Market in Downtown St. Joseph until the fire her first child 10 years ago proved the impetus she needed earlier this year that forced the store to close temporarily. to fully make her grandmother’s health philosophies her Until it reopens, she’s focusing on a business opportunity own. through Usana, a provider of nutritional supplements and “With your own kids, you start thinking about when vitamins that operates by direct marketing. they’re sick and what to do to make them better,” she She also operates a day care in her home part time, and says. if anything can testify to her health, it may be the fact that For her, this means going to a homeopath rather than a she spends much of her life surrounded by small children traditional doctor. In lieu of prescription or over-the-counyet rarely feels tired or sick. ter medicines, she uses natural remedies. And her kids And then, too, there’s evidence in the form of an entire have been on supplements such as cod liver oil and elderfamily her grandmother raised. berry concentrate since they were babies.

“There’s no cancer in our family, and I think that’s kind “If you begin when they’re newborns, they don’t comof on purpose,” Amy notes, adding that her grandmother plain,” Amy notes. “It’s just normal to them.” is pleased she’s followed in her ways. “It makes her happy.

Her grandmother’s children experienced this same kind Hopefully, I can carry it on to my kids, and they can pass it of “normal” for much of their growing-up years. on to theirs.”

Josephine magazine

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Living with lupus Autoimmune disorder causes swelling, host of other symptoms

By Betsy Lee Josephine magazine

Ann Fisher-Jackson’s road to a lupus diagnosis began at age 11. At first, she just had a bit of trouble breathing. Then, at 16, she began to have generalized pain throughout her entire body. The pains came and went throughout high school.

It wasn’t until she was in college, when half of her face went completely numb while she sat in one her classes, that she sought a doctor’s advice.

“After that, my diagnosis came quickly,” FisherJackson says.

Lupus is a complex autoimmune disorder that can impact almost every part of the body. The term autoimmune can be confusing. Basically, it is used whenever a condition impacts the immune system.

In the case of lupus, the disease causes the immune system to attack healthy tissue.

This can cause swelling in the hands, wrists, fingers and knees. Some other common symptoms include difficulty or painful breathing, hair loss, mouth sores, swollen lymph nodes, skin rashes, fatigue and even, as Fisher-Jackson experienced, numbness.

In more aggressive forms of lupus, people can experience tingling, seizures, vision problems, personality changes, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, abnormal heart rhythms, coughing up blood or skin color changes.

Lupus is not contagious. At this point, experts aren’t sure what causes lupus. Fisher-Jackson says it seems to be a combination of genetics and environment.

“This means that some of us are genetically predisposed to have lupus, but something in our environment, it could be any number of things such as stress or hormones, makes the disease active.”

One of the challenges, for patients and physicians alike, is that lupus symptoms can come and go. They can present as basic or severe, depending upon the patient.

“You can spot lupus in some of the manifestations; the serious, angry, aggressive lupus you can

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December 2011

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spot that right away,� says Dr. Wendell Bronson, rheumatologist and director of the Heartland Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center. “But sometimes lupus can be smoldering and subtle. I’ve followed some people for years before finally discovering that they have lupus.�

Bronson says a lupus diagnosis stems from a series of symptoms, the hypothesis of the doctor and a series of diagnostic tests used rule out other conditions. “There is no one single diagnostic test for lupus,� Dr. Bronson says. “There is a constellation of symptoms.�

And it is difficult for the doctor to predict how lupus will continue to impact a patient. Fisher-Jackson, for example, suffered a stroke at 24 and also avoided a heart attack in her 20s. “But don’t get me wrong, I’m not on the verge of death,� she says. “A month after my stroke, I am back at work and functioning fully.�

But not knowing how or when lupus symptoms will return can be very difficult on the people coping with the illness. “The hardest part for me, when it comes to lupus, is the emotional toll that having a chronic illness has on me,�

Fisher-Jackson says. “It is emotionally

draining to always be in pain, but it is also emotional to face your own mortality.�

Bronson says new treatment advancements have helped people with lupus live longer, healthier lives. According to John’s Hopkins University, the five-year survival rate for someone with lupus is 90 percent. The 20-year survival rate is 80 percent. But just 50 years ago, patients with lupus faced a 50 percent five-year survival rate.

Today one in every 185 people has lupus. “This means that it is likely that we all know someone with lupus,� says FisherJackson, who also serves as community resource coordinator for the Lupus Foundation of America-Heartland Chapter. “Every time I go speak to a new group of people, I find people who are very connected to the disease, whether it be through themselves or a loved one.�

It is likely new treatments and medications are helping people with lupus live healthier lives. Though there is no cure, Fisher-Jackson says 2011 has been a historic year in the treatment of lupus. “The FDA approved the first drug ever specifically designed to treat lupus in March,� she says. “By no means is

this drug a cure. However, it opened the doors to lupus treatments. Pharmaceutical companies are much less hesitant to spend funds on researching treatments for lupus because it has been proven that it is possible to get through the rigorous FDA approval process. Additionally, a lot of great companies are doing promising studies.�

Bronson agrees. “People’s knowledge of the immune system has just exploded recently,�

Bronson says. “Understanding lupus is the key to understanding so many other conditions.�

Fisher-Jackson hopes that understanding continues outside of the lab.

She says the general public lacks knowledge about the disease. “Lupus patients are the strongest set of people I have ever met, both physically and emotionally,� she says. “I have gained so much insight by working with them every day.�

The Lupus Foundation of America can provide information, support and assistance to lupus patients and caregivers. The Lupus Foundation of America-Heartland Chapter can be reached at (800) 9-LUPUS-6 or via e-mail at info@LFAheartland.org.

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All I want for Christmas...

Have some money left come January with these tips

By KRISTEN HARE Josephine magazine

F

or Christmas this year, the best gift you could give yourself and those you love just might be a budget.

You thought we were going to say massage, didn’t you?

But with the peace of mind creating and sticking to a budget can offer, both during and after the holidays, it might be even better.

When we called Laura Price, an investment advisor at the Family Investment Center, she had just finished writing a blog posting about Christmas budgeting and shared her seven tips with us.

MAKE A GIFT LIST Sit down and think about everyone you’d like to give a gift to this year, write down their names, and then assign them a dollar amount. “It’s really easy to get carried away,�

Price says. “Everyone gets caught up in the holidays, and everyone wants to be generous.�

But when you have a list, it allows you to think out what you’re spending before you spend it. “If you don’t set an amount, chances are you’re going to spend a lot more than you need to,� she says.

Jana Root, the community outreach director for Apprisen Financial Advocates in Kansas City, says you also should consider a few other things in your budget, like entertainment costs, grocery bills, even greeting cards. They all add up. “One thing a lot of people don’t think about is the small stuff,� she says.

TAKE AN INVENTORY OF YOUR SKILLS AND TALENTS Got an awesome fruitcake recipe, can you knit or take one-of-a-kind photos?

Anything you can make might make a great present, Price says. “People who appreciate sentimental gifts or personal gifts will be thrilled.�

CONSIDER A FAMILY GIFT EXCHANGE Instead of buying presents for everyone in your extended family, you could draw names and get one nice thing rather than a bunch of cheap stuff.

KEEP AN EYE ON THE ADS There are lots of deals out there, and coupons and early-bird specials can really cut down on costs.

Root agrees.

She recommends social media sites and sites that can offer deep discounts.

SHOP EARLY All those men shopping for their wives on Christmas Eve are probably paying way more because they waited until the last minute.

SEARCH THE INTERNET The same thing can vary in price from one place to the next, and if you can get free shipping instead of driving 20 miles, then you’ve got yourself a good deal.

Pre-shopping on the Internet is also a great way to know exactly what you want to buy for people so you’re not just stepping into stores to see what you can find, Root says.

START PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR Lots of people put a little aside each month, Price says, and when Christmas comes, they don’t have to struggle to make it work.

If you are up against a tight budget, Root has a few other ideas. Look at your weekly budget and see where your money is going. Could you make coffee at home instead of getting the $4 lattes? It adds up.

And if you can’t make ends meet this year, remember that Christmas isn’t about the gifts. Let’s say that together. It’s not about the gifts. “It’s not all about what you buy,� Root says. “Create family traditions that doesn’t necessarily have to deal with buying that latest gadget.�

For more, check out Price’s blog at www.familyinvestmentcenter.blogspot. com. There also are helpful tips on budgeting at www.apprisen.com.

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Stay cool

Meagan Mazurkewycz is wearing a turquoise burn-out shirt, $29.99, vest, $49.99, black and silver ball necklace, $16, silver necklace and earrings, $16, jeans, $33.74 and cuff, $18.

MATT REID/Josephine magazine

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winter this

Samantha Henry is wearing a knit hat, $12.99, bag, $29.99, heels, $29.99, coat, $89.99, wide leg, $39.99, cream turtleneck, $17.99 MATT REID/Josephine magazine

Electric blankets don’t have to be your biggest fashion accessory

By JENNIFER GORDON Josephine magazine

Fall weight gain plus heavier wintertime fabrics left many of Dawn Piper’s customers feeling frumpy.

Petite or plus-sized, women would come into Fashion Bug in St. Joseph, try on a sweater and frown, Ms. Piper says. They would pull at the fabric and comment that their cold-weather garment accentuated additional poundage.

The balance between the silhouette and staying warm can be hard to find amid the down-lined vests and wool-blend pants. But with the right accessories, your style doesn’t have to go into hibernation in cooler months.

STREAMLINE SWEATERS Ms. Piper suggests belts as the solution to the formless sweater Please see Page 18

Samantha is wearing a business jacket, $54.99, purple top, $29.99, wide leg pants, $39.99 and heels, $29.99.

MATT REID/Josephine magazine

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December 2011

17

Meagan is wearing a Zebra print dress, $59.99, black and silver necklace, $18 and boots, $49.99.

MATT REID/ Josephine Magazine

CONTINUED FROM Page 17 conundrum. Longer torsos fare better with thicker elastic belts, shorter torsos will appreciate a small chain belt to accent the natural waist.

With its late fall-early winter line, Dress Barn sells marbled sweaters with belts pre-attached. Basic though they may be, the multitude of V-necks and cowl necks in the collection are the store’s best sellers winter season after winter season, says co-manager Dana Davis. Sweater dresses also are popular this year, she adds.

What you put underneath a sweater also will cut down on heft. Try a mock turtleneck, one with a thinner material or that’s sleeveless, versus a full-blown cotton turtleneck underneath a sweater.

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December 2011

COLOR ME IMPRESSED

MIX AND MATCH

Vegetation might be gray and brown, but winter fabrics are not.

“A lot of people think they’re dark colors, but they’re vibrant, too,” Ms. Davis says of the winter wear.

Fall colors resemble the leaves, reds and burnt oranges and earth tones, but come mid-winter, expect to see deep purples, burgundies and jewel tones, and the hint of heavierfabric pastel pieces.

Animal prints also are popular, making appearances in footwear to scarves, dresses and shirts.

Texture, too, has a large presence in both Dress Barn and Fashion Bug’s winter lines. Both offer fauxleather jackets and faux-fur vests to go along with their more standard sweaters and jackets. Fashion Bug’s winter line promises to be a little whimsical, with soft pastels and lace accents.

Accessories also can liven up the go-to turtlenecks and sweaters. The key is to build from one item, says Lorie Brunner, assistant manager of CJ Banks in St. Joseph, and layer from there.

“As long as they can coordinate pieces that go together with more than one outfit, they’re definitely getting their dollar’s worth. You can do that with your layering. If you have a basic turtleneck or mock turtleneck or cami, then that could be your center. You could make a couple of outfits out of that focal point,” Ms. Brunner says.

Ms. Piper also recommends the layering strategy for a nighttime look. She recommends building from a little black dress. Add a cover-up, colorful jewelry and a belt, and the outfit’s holiday-party ready.

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Be my guest

At that holiday gathering or special occasion, make sure to be on your best behavior Josephine magazine

P

arty foul or faux pas? Whether it’s a holiday gettogether or a classy wedding, there are a few tried and true rules to being a good party guest before, during and after an event.

BEFORE

Chantay Thomas, owner of An Affordable Affair in Liberty, Mo., says that her biggest pet peeve is when guests who fail to RSVP still show up at an event.

“If you’re going to come, all you have to do is say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and send it back,” Thomas says. “The RSVP could be a head count on a meal, spacing or seating. You can’t assume (the hosts) think you’re going to come.”

Alyson Thompson, St. Joseph Country Club clubhouse director, agrees.

“Showing up without RSVPing makes it a difficult situation for the host of the event and for the venue as well,” she says.

At most events, a hostess gift is a nice gesture, Thomas says.

“Wine, dessert, flowers are nice,” she says. “I still believe in that.”

Janice Keith, a St. Joseph resident and an avid party thrower and goer, says she tries to give a gift that matches the theme of the event she’s attending, such as a trio of different barbecue sauces for a barbecue or a basket of assorted teas for an afternoon tea.

Some events, such as anniversary parties, may specifically spell out “no gifts.” In that case, honor the couple’s wishes just as you would other invitation requests such as “no children.”

“People ignore that sometimes,” Thompson says. “Be respectful of what the invitation calls for. Also, pay attention to whether (the invitation) says ‘plus one’ or ‘plus two.’”

DURING Another party faux pas, especially at weddings, is when guests arrive late, Thomas says.

“To be a good guest is to be on time,” she says. “I guess it sounds silly because people don’t expect weddings, especially,

to start on time. However, if I’m in charge and that’s what the bride and groom want, it starts on time.”

“It’s amazing to me how many people are 15 to 20 minutes late,” Thompson says.

A bit of advice? If a wedding ceremony begins at 6 p.m., take your seat 10 minutes before to ensure that you’re not walking in during some of the early processionals.

“If you arrive in the middle of the bridesmaids walking down the aisle, that’s awkward for everyone,” Thompson says.

It may go without saying, but watch your alcohol consumption during the party. Also, simply paying attention and complying with the emcee’s requests is the sign of a good guest, particularly at a wedding reception, Thompson says.

“It’s a pretty big deal,” she adds. “You have a first dance and I look around the room and people aren’t watching. The focus should be on the bride and groom.”

Keith also suggests taking the time to mix with the other guests even if it’s your first meeting.

“It’s important to mingle with the host’s other friends,” she says. “That way, you avoid cliques and take some of the introducing off the shoulders of the hostess.”

Also, offering to help may be appreciated more than you realize. Keith and her friends refer to refilling certain items, such as ice, dip or crackers, as “refrigerator rights.” Such simple tasks can provide much relief to your host.

AFTER So, hopefully you had a great time. Express that sentiment with a thank-you note.

Thompson suggests that even wedding guests can send a card to the hosts thanking them for the invitation and any favors received.

And a final post-party reminder — be wary of when and what you post on Facebook or other social media sites, Keith says.

She recommends letting the hostess take the lead in posting any party pictures or comments. After all, a well-intentioned guest posting could be seen by someone not on the invite list and lead to hurt feelings.

Ugh ... party foul.

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By LISA HORN

Happy holidays Entertaining is easy with makeahead appetizers

By SYLVIA ANDERSON Josephine magazine

Yes, you can be that woman who loves to entertain, whether it’s having friends over at the last minute or fixing Christmas dinner for all the relatives. The secret to not pulling your hair out is having a stash of make-ahead appetizers. With a couple of them ready to go in your freezer or fridge, they become like money in the bank, saving you time and stress. Once your guests have a drink in hand and a tasty appetizer to nibble on, everyone is happy. But you need some great recipes. We share a few “tried and true” from people who know what’s good.

“This seems to be a favorite and everyone seems to like them,” says Bea Dobyan of St. Joseph, who is a master at cooking and entertaining. “They freeze well and are good for anytime you might have unexpected company.”

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Sausage twirls 1 package any flavor Jimmy Dean pork sausage 2 cups biscuit mix 1/2 cup milk 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely chopped, optional 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped, optional Combine biscuit mix, milk and butter in large bowl until blended and refrigerate dough for 30 minutes.

Divide refrigerated dough into two portions and roll out each portion on wax paper to 1/8-inch thick rectangles, each about 10-by-7 inches. Spread half the uncooked sausage over dough, top with remaining ingredients and roll up. Place both logs, wrapped, in freezer until hard enough to cut easily, about one hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut each log into 24 thin slices and place on non-stick baking sheets.

Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove twirls from oven. Reheat to serve. Makes 48 slices.

This is another of Bea’s favorites. It gives the standard meatball appetizers a holiday twist.

Cranberry meatballs 2 pounds ground chuck 2 large eggs 1/3 cup dry bread crumbs 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon thyme 1 (16-ounce) can cranberry sauce 1 (12-ounce) jar chili sauce 1/4 cup orange marmalade 1/4 cup water 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes Combine first eight ingredients in a large bowl.

Shape mixture into about 54 1-inch balls. Cook meatballs, in batches, in a large skillet over medium high heat until browned (about five minutes); remove meatballs from pan and drain well on paper towels.

Stir together cranberry and chili sauces and next five ingredients in a large Dutch oven over medium heat and cook, whisking occasionally, for five minutes or until smooth. Add meatballs; reduce heat to low, and cook stirring occasionally 15 to 20 minutes or until centers are no longer pink.

Some recipes are handed down from one generation to another, which is the case for Robin Smith.

“She is a great cook and always loves to bring good food to any kind of special event,” Robin says about her mother, Ola Pierceall. “I have even made these spinach balls and given them to friends frozen so they could cook them right when their family or friends arrived and be piping hot, right out of the oven. This also gives the house a nice yummy smell.”

Ola Pierceall’s spinach balls 2 packages 10-ounce frozen spinach (cooked and drained) 2½ cups stuffing mix (herb flavor) 6 beaten eggs 2/3 cup unsalted butter Combine all ingredients. Form into small balls about an inch and a half in diameter. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze. When the spinach balls have frozen, move to a plastic storage bag, keep frozen. When ready to serve, preheat oven to 350, place frozen spinach balls on a cookie sheet (covered with parchment paper), cook 20 minutes until golden brown. Makes five dozen.

This dip is a favorite of the “Chew Crew,” a group of women who worked together at New York Life and started meeting for lunch “to chew over food and gossip.” Even though not everyone still works there, they still meet for lunch and they have accumulated enough great recipes for a cookbook. “Even though we have gone different directions, we all stay close,” says Judy Moreno, a member of the group.

You can mix this up and refrigerate until about a half hour before you want to serve it.

Kathy Barber’s pepperoni dip 1 2½-ounce can fried onions 2 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened 1 8-ounce container sour cream 1 3½- or 4-ounce package sliced pepperoni, diced 1/4 cup minced green pepper 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder Save 1/4 cup onions. Mix all other ingredients together. Put in 1½ quart casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Top with remaining onions.

Makes 3 cups. Great with crackers, Triscuits and Wheat Thins.

FROM THE TOP: Ola Pierceall’s spinach balls, Robin Campbell’s beef dip and Bea Dobyan’s sausage twirls ERIC KEITH/Josephine magazine

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| Josephine magazine |

“When you allow your freezer to act as your caterer, on the day of the party, you’ll have plenty of time to attend to details other than food like organizing the house, getting dressed and relaxing,” says Cheri Sicard, author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Easy Freezer Meals.”

Crab-stuffed mushrooms 2 (8-ounce) packages large white or cremini mushrooms 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley 2 green onions, chopped 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 1/2 (8-ounce) package cream cheese 1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional) 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 8-ounce package cooked lump crabmeat, drained Salt Black pepper 1/3 cup dried bread crumbs Bring a large pot of water with a steamer basket to a boil over high heat. While water heats, wash mushrooms. Carefully pull off and discard stems.

Add mushrooms to the steamer basket, and steam for five minutes. Drain and cool completely. In a food processor bowl, combine Italian parsley, green onions and garlic and process until finely mined.

Add cream cheese, tarragon, cayenne (if using) and Parmesan cheese, and process until smooth. Add drained crabmeat, and process until just combined.

Season with salt and pepper. Generously stuff each mushroom cap with filling. Lightly sprinkle top of stuffed caps with bread crumbs, and place on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze in a single layer. Once frozen, remove mushrooms to a rigid freeze container, label, and freeze.

To bake after freezing: Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray, and place desired number of frozen stuffed mushrooms on it. Heat in a 375-degree oven or toaster oven for 20 minutes or until heated through and tops are bubbly and beginning to brown.

Robin Campbell of St. Joseph always has a house full of friends and family in her beautiful historic home. This is one of her favorite appetizers for making up ahead of time.

Beef dip 1 8-ounce cream cheese softened 1 8-ounce sour cream 1 can chopped green chilies 1 can chopped black olives 1 jar dried beef 1 teaspoon onion flakes Sprinkle of garlic salt Mix all together and place into casserole dish.

Dot with butter. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes. (You also can heat in the microwave for about five minutes, but it is better baked to allow the flavors to blend.) Serve warm with choice of crackers.

December 2011

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December 2011

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Cubicle conflict You can play well with others at work

By CATHY WOOLRIDGE Josephine magazine

W

ouldn’t it be wonderful if work was a happilyever-after place? Peace and productivity with a smile.

Yeah, right.

While it may not be a fairy tale, work doesn’t have to be a place of misery and dread. There are ways to minimize workplace conflict.

“You want to play well with others,” says Alisha Francis, assistant professor in the department of psychology, sociology and counseling at Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville.

One way to play well with others is to realize that everyone is different. According to Cheryl Portman, manager, talent acquisition and retention with human resources at Heartland Health, people have different work styles, communication styles and different ways of dealing with stress.

“Differing opinions can lead to better outcomes if everyone is open minded and receptive to understanding varying perspectives,” she says.

It would be pretty boring if everyone we worked with was a mirror image of ourselves. But sometimes our differences can lead to misunderstandings and disagreements.

Francis explains two types of work-related conflicts. One is task conflict, meaning a disagreement about how work should get done. Another is social conflict, meaning personality or relational conflict.

Recognizing the reason for the conflict is essential to dealing with it. Ignoring it can make things worse.

“I call it my soda-can theory,” Francis says.

Just as soda will explode if you shake the can before opening it, so, too, can conflicts with coworkers.

Recognize and acknowledge the reason for the conflict and try to think of positive ways to deal with it, experts recommend. If you are having a misunderstanding with a colleague, talk to that person in a non-confrontational manner. Stay calm and listen before you speak, advises livestrong.com.

“It’s not that I’m doing something wrong. It’s not the other person is doing something wrong,” Francis says, “It’s just figur-

Heavenly Treasures

ing something out.”

Be open-minded. A “it’s-my-way-or-the-highway” approach won’t get you very far when dealing with conflict. Be willing to compromise, Portman says.

“Willingness to compromise and letting go of issues that occurred in the past is essential,” she says.

If you just can’t work it out with a colleague then it may be time to seek the input of your supervisor or manager.

It’s not always easy to make that decision, but your supervisor is probably already aware of the situation. According to a survey by Accountemps, managers spend about 18 percent (more than seven hours a week) of their time intervening in disputes among coworkers.

A manager can bring both parties together and help them achieve a workable solution to the conflict, Portman says.

“In some situations, it may be necessary for the leader to take charge and inform people what must be done to resolve the conflict,” she says.

If the conflict is between the worker and the boss, Portman says that both parties should try to resolve the conflict in a professional proactive manner. If not, it may be time to visit HR. “HR’s role in minimizing workplace conflict includes establishing behavioral guidelines for all employees, communicating/training employees on what the behavioral expectations are and establishing the consequences of not adhering to the guidelines,” Portman says.

The goal is not letting conflicts escalate to that point. Francis says to find a coping strategy. An example is to tell yourself that even if you don’t get along with your coworker, you only have to work with that person. Leave them behind when you leave work.

“Sometimes we think we ought to be best friends with the people we work with,” Francis says.

Stress can magnify workplace conflicts, so try to have a good support system outside of work, talk about subjects other than work, exercise or find a hobby you like. Remember you have a life outside of the workplace.

“Conflict is a part of working with other people, interacting with other people,” Francis says. “It’s not how to avoid it, it’s how to manage it.”

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Don’t be a Scrooge Movies, music and apps to get you in the holiday spirit

By KEVIN KRAUSKOPF Josephine magazine

It’s the most wonderful time of the year — most of the time, at least.

If holiday stress is starting to catch up with you, take some time to get back in the spirit with these enjoyable movies, music and apps.

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December 2011

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Movies

Music

“Arthur Christmas” Plot summary: Santa’s youngest son has an urgent mission to fulfill on Christmas Eve at the North Pole.

Opening Nov. 23, “Arthur Christmas” is one of only a handful of holiday films of the more traditional variety to hit theaters this season. While Bob Shultz, a local movie critic and member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, doesn’t expect a big holiday push at the box office this year, he thinks “Arthur Christmas” is a film that families will enjoy. “Maybe in a bad economy, a traditional Christmas film may not play as well,” Shultz says of the lack of holiday films, “ ... but something that has a good spirit, a good nature to it might.”

Michael Buble, “Christmas” The well-decorated crooner — Seriously, how many music awards has this guy won? — released a Christmas EP called “Let It Snow” in 2003, but it pales in comparison to Buble’s most recent holiday-inspired effort. Simply titled “Christmas,” the album hit stores at the end of October with the potential to become an instant classic. With traditional tunes like “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas,” a rendition of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and a “White Christmas” duet featuring fellow Canadian Shania Twain, the album promises to raise anyone’s Christmas cheer. “It’s nice to hear a new Christmas song,” says Record Wear House manager Tina Phillips, “but the reality is we really love the classics.” Especially when they’re sung by someone with a voice like Buble’s.

“The Muppets” Plot summary: A long way from their glory days, Kermit, Miss Piggy and the gang must come together to re-establish themselves as bigtime entertainment stars.

First of all, can we say star power? Mila Kunis, Selena Gomez, Amy Adams, Jason Segel, Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Neil Patrick Harris, Zach Galifianakis, Jack Black, Rashida Jones, Danny Trejo, Whoopi Goldberg, Ricky Gervais, Katy Perry and Billy Crystal all have credited roles in the new Muppets movie that also opened in theaters on Nov. 23. Shultz calls it the movie of the season — even if it’s not exactly a holiday flick. “I’m feeling a lot of love, joy and anticipation for ‘The Muppets.’ ... It’s that vibe I’m picking up from people,” Shultz says.

“New Year’s Eve” Plot summary: The lives of several couples and singles intersect in New York City on New Year’s Eve. In the vein of “Valentine’s Day” and “Love Actually” comes this star-studded rom-com that will hit theaters on Dec. 9. To Shultz, its interest lies mainly in that there just aren’t that many movies out there about the New Year’s holiday. “It’s like the forgotten holiday,” he says.

On DVD Can’t make it to the theater? Pop in one of these new “classics” to start enjoying the holiday season again.

Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel surely will lighten your mood in 2003’s “Elf.” Raised by elves, Buddy (Ferrell) discovers what his towering height should have given away all along: he’s really a human. Clad in yellow tights and a short green vest, Buddy sets out for New York to find his real dad (who’s managed to make Santa’s naughty list) and falls for Jovie (Deschanel), the beautiful department store elf.

Or, for an older audience, reach way back to 1989’s “Christmas Vacation” with Chevy Chase. Not that it will warm your heart in the same way as other, more sentimental movies.

Rather, no matter how badly your holidays are going, they can’t get any worse than Clark Griswold’s. Right?

East Hills Theater Most Tuesday nights at the East Hills branch of the St. Joseph Public Library, you can sit in the 100-seat theater and take in a classic film. On top of that, admission — and popcorn — are free. Shultz, who helps organize the screenings, says they’ll pick from a selection of truly classic Christmas movies for the whole of the holiday season. Movie time is 6:30 p.m.

Tuesdays.

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Mannheim Steamroller, “Christmas Symphony” Nobody has sold more Christmas albums than Mannheim Steamroller. Since 1984’s “Mannheim Steamroller Christmas,” the group has gone on to sell nearly 30 million holiday albums over several releases. That number will only grow with the release of “Christmas Symphony,” which features 16 traditional tunes recorded with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. “They have quite a following, so I would imagine that would be very popular at Christmas time,” Phillips says. Known for giving Christmas classics a modern twist, Mannheim Steamroller takes it a merry step further this time around, giving tracks like “The Holly and the Ivy” and “The Carol of The Birds” a full symphonic treatment sure to resonate with classic music listeners.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra, live at the Sprint Center, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 Who ever said you had to pop in a Christmas CD to get in the yuletide spirit? While you could still go pick up one of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s multiple holiday albums, a live performance might just fill you with even more feelings of cheer.

Phillips describes the Trans-Siberian Orchestra as similar to Mannheim Steamroller, but with a harder edge. Enough of an edge, in fact, you’ll likely hear them on hard rock stations as the Christmas season sets in. Visit sprintcenter.com for more information; tickets range in price from $30 to $59.50.

Apps KandaBi Christmas Radio, $.99 For just a measly little dollar, you can listen to radio stations from around the world that play exclusively Christmas music.

The Christmas Radio app streams the stations directly to your portable device, that way you can get in the spirit anytime, anywhere. Can’t beat that for a buck. xCube Labs’ Christmas Puzzles 2011, free Ever wonder how it came to be that you’re supposed to kiss when standing under mistletoe? The Christmas Puzzles trivia game reveals the answers to that and many more questions.

The app also is packed with other holiday-themed puzzles and games if you’re in need of a break from all that Christmas stress.

Adamcode.com’s Christmas Gifts List, $.99 Nothing’s going to ruin your Christmas fun like blowing your gift budget, so take some preventive action by downloading the Christmas Gifts List app. As you enter your purchases, the app keeps track of your remaining budget and alerts you if you’ve gone overboard. Another handy feature? PIN protection keeps snooping kids — or spouses — from spoiling the surprise.

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A

average joe

Not my bag Most guys do not care about your shoes or your purse

ALONZO WESTON is a columnist and reporter for the St. Joseph News-Press. The St. Joseph native has served on the News-Press staff for more than 20 years. He and his wife, Deanna, have two children and a dog. The St. Joseph native is also a sports junkie who doesn’t pick up after himself. If you’d like to suggest an idea for this column, contact Alonzo at alonzo.weston@ newspressnow.com.

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December 2011

few times my wife has asked me if I like a pair of shoes or a purse some other woman is wearing. Not knowing if it’s a loaded question or not, I’m never sure how to answer it.

I never have an answer anyway.

Shoes and purses are not things I ever notice on a woman. My mind seems to have some sort of built in green-screen effect that keeps me from seeing such things.

Besides, women have much better defining qualities than their purses and shoes. Those things are merely accessories that say little about the real person. A shoe is just a shoe and a purse is just a purse. A purse is just something to carry your stuff in. Shoes are things you walk in. You can get a purse at a garage sale and a pair of shoes at the bowling alley. You can pay a million dollars for them, too, if you want. But why?

I’m sure there are plenty of mean and nasty women who can afford to wear a pair of Louboutins and carry a Gucci bag. There are plenty of nice women who wear stuff off the rack at Payless.

Never judge a book by its cover.

Never judge a woman by her shoes and purse.

It was French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier who said it’s the badly dressed people who are the most interesting anyway. That’s why I’d much rather hear the story of a woman wearing plaid pants, a checkered shirt and a coonskin cap than I would one in a pair of Louboutins and a $2,000 dress. If anything, I’d definitely notice what

| Josephine magazine |

she was wearing.

It’s been said that women dress for other women anyway. They want to make the others jealous of their $1,000 handbag or $500 pair of shoes. Guys aren’t that status conscious about clothes. Really, if a woman didn’t wear anything at all, it would impress most of us.

Science fiction writer Robert A. Heinlein once said “I don’t see how an article of clothing can be indecent. A person, yes.”

I imagine Mr. Heinlein had never ventured into a Walmart on a Saturday evening before he made that statement, but I catch his meaning.

Another French guy, poet Anatole France, said “Only men who are not interested in women are interested in women’s clothes. Men who like women never notice what they wear.”

That means if I did notice a woman’s shoes, my next thought might be wondering if they would fit me. That brings me back to how to answer the question of do I notice a woman’s shoes or not.

Next time my wife asks me about another woman’s pair of shoes, I think I’ll mess with her head and say, “Oh, I think they’re so gorgeous. Do they come in size 10½?”

Bet she never asks me that question again.

newspressnow.com/josephine

L

et the holiday season begin!

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanza, it is almost impossible to not feel the pressure of trying to capture the perfect holiday.

Shopping, decorating, parties, gathering with family and friends — there is just so much to do. Add the exhaustion one can get from trying to shove a year’s worth of fun into one month, and you are bound to have mistakes and troubles.

I love Christmas and I am one of “those people” who decorate every room. It usually takes me about a week to get all of the décor in place.

Because of all the physical labor I put into my winter wonderland, I am unable to get out of a chair without groaning like a grizzly bear for several days. But it is all worth it when I look at the twinkling lights.

I have had my share of holiday catastrophes, ranging from a smallscale problem, like the top half of the fully decorated tree remaining dark because one bulb blew out and no one can figure out which one it is, to a “this-is-going-to-need-a-real-Christmas-miracle” kind of problem.

One of my major catastrophes was when I had our Christmas turkey thawing in the sink. Mr. Turkey was ice free but was still too chilly to bake, so I decided to give him just a few more minutes before I took him to his “tanning bed” (aka, the oven).

Knowing a “watched turkey never thaws,” I turned my attention to making a centerpiece to impress my soon-coming guests.

I spread some newspapers on the kitchen counter then strategically laid out some pinecones. I picked up my can of newly purchased artificial snow and carefully read the instructions.

Feeling confident, I took one of the pinecones and aimed the can of fake frost at it, but for some strange reason I failed to check the direction the nozzle was facing before I pressed down. I squeezed, and a stream of foamy white went directly to my left, not even touching the pinecone.

Visually, I followed the trail of white to its destination. My mouth dropped open and I gasped. I had flocked my turkey.

He looked as if he had been dancing around in a snowstorm. My first thought was he looked like he would be more comfortable if he still had the protection of his original, feathers.

I struggled with what to do. Should I tie a ribbon through his legs and just hang him on the tree? Or should I brush off the snow and proceed with baking since there were no witnesses?

How toxic was spray snow anyway?

Always one to err on the side of caution, I nixed the idea of cooking him and telling the family the white crunchy stuff on top was a new basting technique. I also decided he would drive my dogs nuts if I made him into an ornament.

I had no choice but to put him to rest in the trash can. I felt bad that he would never reach his ultimate potential of being carved into slices and set before my family, where they would consume large amounts of him then fall into a deep, peaceful sleep where they would dream of sugar plums.

Yep, I ruined it for him with just one absent-minded crafting accident.

As we sat down to dinner that year, it just made me realize the holidays are not about the perfectly cooked turkey or perfect decorations. It is about showing others that you care about them. And sometimes that love is proclaimed with a beautiful Christmas meatloaf.

newspressnow.com/josephine

| Josephine magazine |

getting real

The true meaning of the holidays Don’t let those little — or big — mishaps get you down

STACEY MOLLUS is a humor columnist

who believes laughter is the best form of exercise and happy people are the best looking people. She loves her family, chocolate, clothes that are stretchy and things that sparkle. You can contact her at queenofchocolates@live.com or follow her on Facebook at “Queen of Chocolates.”

December 2011

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meal time

LONNIE GANDARA TAYLOR is a St. Joseph native who has returned home after a prestigious career in the culinary field. She taught cooking classes in the San Francisco Bay area for years and was a professional assistant to Julia Child, James Beard, Martha Stewart, Simone Beck and Martin Yan, among others. She is a graduate of the Paris Cordon Bleu, the Academie du

Christmas traditions Living in San Francisco/Sonoma for more than 30 years, my Christmas Eve traditions evolved from Midwestern to include a West Coast sensibility.

My traditional Christmas Eve open house with friends and family always served up fresh cracked Dungeness crab, sourdough bread and champagne.

For the non seafood lovers, I served an Italian casserole, popular with both children and adults.

Desserts included my Midwestern grandmother Grace Sharp’s date pudding, at one time so novel for the West Coast food world that her recipe was featured in the San Francisco Chronicle’s food section.

Although I made dozens of different cookies for the season, the most unassuming simple little Swedish brown butter cookie was always the most adored.

Pork makes one of the best tomato sauces. The flavor of the meat adds to its sweetness. A Christmas tradition in Southern Italy, it is layered with four sliced hardboiled eggs. I skip the eggs and use them in eggnog. This can be made a day ahead.

Penne with Pork and Tomato Sauce 2 pounds boneless pork cut into 1-inch pieces 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, medium dice 1 large carrot, medium dice 1 celery rib, medium dice 2 large garlic cloves, minced 1 large can Italian crushed tomatoes in puree

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(28 to 30 ounces) 2 cups water (or one cup water and one cup red wine) Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 pound penne 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or all Parmesan) Trim excess fat from pork. In a large flameproof casserole, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Add pork and cook, turning until lightly browned, five to six minutes. Remove pork from pan, set aside. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to pan. Add onion, cook until soft. Add carrot, celery and garlic. Stirring, cook about three minutes, until soft and translucent. Add tomatoes, water and reserved pork. Bring to a boil, cover and immediately reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, 1 to 1½ hours or until pork falls apart. Uncover, cook over medium heat until sauce is reduced and thickened. Shred pork with two forks. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

When sauce is almost done, cook penne in pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain. Reserve one cup sauce and combine sauce, pasta and 1/4 cup each of Romano and Parmesan cheese. For presentation, place in large baking dish, then top with remaining sauce and cheeses. When ready to serve, bake at 350 degrees about 20 minutes or until heated through.

Grandmother’s date pudding 1 cup flour 1 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 cup chopped dates 1 cups chopped pecans

| Josephine magazine |

Vin in Paris and the first culinary class held in the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, as well as being the author of five cookbooks.

1/2 cup milk Topping 2 cups boiling water 1 cup brown sugar 1 tablespoon unsalted butter Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, dates, pecans and milk, mix well. Pour into a buttered 10-inch square (2-inch deep) baking dish. Combine boiling water, brown sugar and butter, mix well and pour over the top of the pudding mixture. Bake uncovered for one hour. Serve with whipped cream, sweeten to taste with powdered sugar. The addition of a little crème fraiche or sour cream (2 to 4 tablespoons) to every cup of whipping cream will ensure a beautiful sheen, extra smoothness and fuller flavor.

Swedish brown butter cookies 8 ounces unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/8 teaspoon salt Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and let brown, stirring constantly. When boiling butter, it swells up and dies down; during second swelling, it browns.

Remove from heat to prevent burning. Brown, not black is the goal. Let cool. Add sugar and vanilla in three additions, stirring after each addition. Add flour and baking soda in three additions, stirring each time. Add salt. Using about 1½ teaspoons dough, roll into balls. Bake for 12 to 18 minutes, depending on cookies’ size. When done they will crack a bit and stay together when touched. Cool on rack. Makes about 40 cookies.

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