Rhubarb Nut Bread

I recently posted a photo of myself and one of the GIANT rhubarb leaves from my garden on Facebook. At the time, I ask my visitors for their favorite rhubarb recipes - I’ve got enough for every recipe out there! Many were kind enough to send me their best-loved, tried-and-true, blue-ribbon-winner rhubarb treats.

From fruit leathers to sauces, pies to puddings, and bars to breads, I’ll never have to ask myself “What am I going to do with all this rhubarb?!” again!

Here’s the first of many recipes I’ll share. This one comes from Bonnie - thank you!

Rhubarb Nut Bread

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

• 2/3 cup veg. oil

• 1 egg

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2-1/2 cups flour

• 1-1/2 cups fresh rhubarb stalk, cleaned and diced

• 1/2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans

• For Topping:

  • 1/2 cup sugar

  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

  • 1 Tblspn softened butter

Directions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients: flour, salt and baking soda.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine wet ingredients: brown sugar, oil, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla, blend well.

3. Add dry mixture to large bowl, stir to combine and add diced rhubarb and nuts.

4. Pour into greased and floured bread baking pans.

5. Blend the Topping ingredients in a small bowl with a fork, sprinkle over tops of bread batter.

6. Bake at 325 degrees approximately 50-60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

7. Cool, slice, and enjoy with a cup of tea!!!

Veterans: Make The Connection!

May is Mental Health Month, and before we turn a page on the calendar, I wanted to take the opportunity to spread the word about an organization that helps our military heroes called Make The Connection.

By nature, military service exposes our brave men and women to traumatic events. While trained to act and react in the moment for the best possible outcome, the emotional imprints can last long after service has ended. Most of us could never comprehend the situations they find themselves in…

There are millions of Veterans and family members who have needed support during tough times. Their lives got better. And so can yours, or that person you’re concerned for, because there’s a place to turn to: MakeTheConnection.net 

Make The Connection is an online resource designed to connect Veterans, their family members, friends, and other supporters, with information, resources, and solutions to issues affecting their lives. There, you can hear personal stories of recovery from Veterans that have served during many different time periods such as: Post-9/11 Era (2001 - Present), Desert Era (1990 - 2000), Post-Vietnam War Era (1976 - 1989), Vietnam War Era (1960 - 1975), Post Korean War Era (1954 - 1959), and, WW II through Korean War Era (1941 - 1953).

They've worn the uniform, shared similar experiences, and found a supportive path to recovery by reaching out for help. If you, or someone you know could use some support, this is the place to come.

I simply can’t begin to express how much gratitude I have for our active military members and the Veteran’s who have served! I want to think that anyone needing support can find it, because they are owed that. For everything our freedom providers do for us, kindness, caring, and tangible support is that least that they should receive in return. That’s why I’m honored to share the services of Make The Connection.

Need some help? Get it here! Make The Connection.

Thank you for your service and for the safety and freedom it provides for all of us! I am so very humbled and grateful!

Dad's Day Gift Box Sweepstakes

My Dad’s Day Gift Box

I’ve recently given away a basket of good things for Easter, and a bushel of blessings for Mother’s Day… It wouldn’t be fair to skip over the very very important men in our lives, so I’ve pulled together a box brimming with gifts for a special dad on his day!

How does books, music, relaxation, candy, and a shopping spree sound to you?

I’ve chosen three books I think he’ll enjoy; an inspiring autobiography, and two action-packed novels my hubby gives the thumbs-up!

GRATEFUL AMERICAN, by Gary Sinise: You know him from his stage, film, and television roles, and perhaps for his musical act, The Lieutenant Dan Band… and now you’ll know him for his book, Grateful American. After 9/11, honoring America’s defenders with the respect and gratitude their sacrifices deserve became Gary’s focus. He now works tirelessly on behalf of those who serve this country through the Gary Sinise Foundation with a mission to serve and honor veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need.

Grateful American is the moving, entertaining, profoundly gripping story of how one man found his calling: to see that those who defend this country and its freedoms are never forgotten and to inspire others to a life of service and gratitude.

OPEN CARRY, by Marc Cameron:  Open Carry is the first in a new series featuring U.S. Marshal Arliss Cutter. He’s on a case in the icy wastelands of southeast Alaska, where someone’s declared open season on humans, including a young native girl. Cutter’s job is to find the bodies, examine the crew’s footage for clues, and track down the men who killed them. Easier said than done. Especially when the whole town is hiding secrets, the trail leads to a dead end—and the hunter becomes the prey . . . 

Cameron took over for Tom Clancy, and is the bestselling author of the latest Jack Ryan novels.  His nearly 30 years in law enforcement serving as a police officer, SWAT member, detective, and Chief Deputy U.S. Marshal helps to explain his mastery of his action novels.

CUTTHROATS by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone: After a lifetime of robbing banks and holding up trains, Jimmy “Slash” Braddock and Melvin “Pecos Kid” Baker are ready to call it quits—though not completely by choice. Sold out by their old gang, Slash and Pecos have to bust out of jail and pull one last job to finance their early retirement . . .

Not every Western hero wears a white hat or a tin star. The Greatest Western Writers of the 20th Century kick off a new series featuring two wanted outlaws - with one heck of a story…

I’ve tossed in some great music too!

Damn Country Music, by my good friend, Tim McGraw: This cd features the hit single, Humble and Kind, one of my favorite songs ever! I’ve not met anybody (that enjoys Country music even a little bit) that didn’t sing the praises of this song. I’ve had sons and daughters dedicated it to dads, dad’s dedicated it to sons and son-in-laws, wives dedicating it to husbands. Humble and Kind, the ideal we all reach for and that we wish upon our loved ones.

Brave Enough, Lindsey Stirling: Another great friend, Lindsey, is an incredible violinist and dancer who has managed to merge these two talents, and in combination with her gypsy spirit, unique style, incredible inner and outer beauty, created an entirely new genre of entertainment that appeals to a huge variety of music lovers. Did I say “unique?” We are so fortunate to be able to experience life through Lindsey’s music, that’s why I’m including Brave Enough in the box of gifts for Dad!

 Everyone loves to shop - for things THEY want!

So I’m also including a $50 Gift Card for The Home Depot. Whether it’s a new tool or two, some gardening equipment or plant starts, garage organizers, or an interesting gadget, The Home Depot has it all. The winner of my gift box will have $50 to spend any ole’ way he wants!

How ‘bout some R&R after all that shopping?

Gravity Blanket: Last year I stumbled upon a product that has an unbelievable soothing, calming effect - by design! The Gravity Blanket, a weighted throw, uses the power of "deep touch pressure stimulation" shown to increase serotonin and melatonin, the hormones responsible for calming relaxation, while decreasing cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress.

What dad couldn’t benefit from that?! Enter to win one in the box or could pick one up for him, and one for yourself at Gravity Blanket.

• Designed with the same therapeutic benefits as the original Gravity Blanket, the new Cooling Blanket will keep you cool and comfortable all summer long during use. Use code DELILAH to get 20% off your purchase at gravityblankets.com!

Almond Roca, from Brown & Haley: I’m so fortunate to have confectioners Brown & Haley as long-time sponsors, and even luckier still to have them in my back yard! Almond Roca was delivered on festive occasions to my childhood home by my grandmother, and now that I have grandchildren of my own, I love to spoil them with this special treat. Spoil your dad with the unmistakable taste of Almond Roca!

My Dad’s Day Gift Box Sweepstakes is not a contest; the winner will be picked at random from all entrants.

All you must do is send me an email and let me know you’d like to win it. You DO know of course, that I’d absolutely LOVE it if you included a little story about a special dad in your life!

Write to me HERE by midnight on Sunday, June 9.

Dare to Matter | May Book Club

Books! Books! Books! One thing I can never get enough of! Can you? I hope not, because incredible books just keep finding their way to me, and this month's pick is no exception.

DARE TO MATTER

Dare to Matter is written by the founder of a charitable organization called VisionSpring that provides new, low-cost eye glasses to people in developing countries, Jordan Kassalow. It is co-written by professional speaker, and rabbi, Jennifer Krause.  I consider it a how-to guide to start making a difference in the world.

I love this. I'm thinking of it as a sort of companion guide to my book, One Heart At A Time. In it, I share my belief that it's possible to make a positive impact on the world with simple deeds and actions, thereby causing a ripple effect. 

In Dare to Matter: Your Path to Making a Difference Now, Kassalow and Krause, who live by the advice they provide, give those who are asking "But HOW?!" solid ideas and inspiration.  I am united with these authors in the belief that whatever your circumstances, whatever your time (or lack thereof), whatever your commitments (or over commitments) you can STILL make a positive, impactful, difference in the world! No more waiting, or wanting, or talking yourself out of it. 

Through what they call "a series of small steps and daily dares" this duo shares their proven strategies for you to break out of the mindset of someone who "wishes they could" and become someone who "does" make a difference in their community and the world.

Pick up Dare to Matter, I dare ya! (Bet you didn't see that coming.) Let's make a difference. Together, NOW! 

Buy Dare to Matter Now

The publishers have been so generous as to give me a stack of this great book to share with you. Drop me a note and let me know if you'd like one, and share with me ways in which you'd like to see the world changed for the better!

Yukgaejang (Korean Beef Stew with Fiddleheads)

Gosari is the Korean term for dried fernbrake - or fiddleheads - the tightly curled new fronds of the common Bracken Fern.

Fiddleheads have been prepared and eaten on several continents for hundreds, or perhaps thousands, of years. But there are some precautions you should take with it.

Within bracken fern lurks a substance called ptalquiloside. It’s a known carcinogen, and therefore, NOT our friend, but because it is 1) water-soluable, and 2) breaks down in warmer temperatures, steps can be taken to greatly reduce the levels of this harmful stuff in your hard-earned harvest.

First, you should soak the fiddleheads in cold water for several hours, changing the water often. Second, at some point in the preparation process you should boil bracken fern in salted water for 30 minutes or longer, making it both tender and safer for consumption.

That said, I encourage you to do your research and decide yourself what your comfort level with this is. I’m told that different fern varieties, such as the Lady Fern, contain less or even no ptalquiloside, so perhaps you could educate yourself and use only those types if there is lingering concern.

Kimmy and I harvest the traditional Bracken Fern, soak it, dehydrate it, store it in air-tight baggies and for months following, boil to reconstitute and then use and enjoy it in dishes like Bibimbap (Rice Topped with Vegetables) and Yukgaejang (Beef Stew with Vegetables.)

I’m going to share her recipe for Yukgaejang with you. We enjoy it so much and I think you will find it an enjoyable way to celebrate your adventurous experience!

Korean Yukgaejang

Ingredients:

• 2 Tablespoons sesame oil

• 2 Tablespoons gochugaru (red chili pepper flakes)

• 1/2 large yellow onion

• 2 Tablespoons minced garlic

• 1 cup rehydrated gosari

• 8-10 cups beef broth 

• 8 ounces Korean radish,  cut into chunks

• 3 shiitake mushrooms, sliced (other mushroom varieties may also be used.)

• 1 teaspoon (or more) gochujang ( chili pepper paste)

• 1 teaspoon doenjang (fermented soybean paste)

• 2 tablespoons guk ganjang  (soup soy sauce)

• 2 bunches scallions, sliced

• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Place dried gosari into a small pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for 30 minutes or longer.

2. Rinse in cold water, drain and cut into 3-4 inch lengths. Set Aside.

3. Put 2 tablespoons of sesame oil on the bottom of a large stock pot, heat and add the gochugaru chili pepper flakes. Cook over medium-high heat until the oil begins to turn red from the pepper flakes, turn down to medium then add the onion and garlic; saute until the onion is translucent. Do not burn the chili flakes.

4. Add the gochujang chili pepper paste, and doenjang soybean paste to mixture. (More or less chili paste can be used to create desired level of spice.)

5. Add beef broth, shredded beef, radish, mushrooms, gosari (fiddleheads,) and guk ganjang soup soy sauce. Stir to combine.

6. Boil over medium heat, covered, for 20 minutes.

7. Add scallions and boil for another 10 minutes.

8. Season with 1 teaspoon salt (or more) and pepper to taste.

9. Serve with rice.

Dried and packaged gosari is readily available at Korean markets and since you’ll probably be making a trip to one for several of the ingredients, you could elect to skip the harvesting expedition and go right to making and enjoying this dish!

Strawberry "Poke" Cake

I posted this picture of the strawberry poke-cake I made and served on Easter, to my Facebook page… and received many requests for the recipe after doing so. I wish I could take credit for coming up with the idea, but it’s been around for some time and is already pretty well known.

For those who have never been introduced, here’s the basic gist. A light, moist, refreshing desert with fresh strawberries as a bonus! I am always one to improvise based on what I have on hand, or if I think I might like to change things up a bit, and I encourage you to do the same.

Cream cheese frosting is a departure I made from the recipe when it was given to me. I think whipping cream is what’s traditional. Do what you think you’ll like best!

CAKE

Ingredients:

• 1 box white, yellow (butter,) or even strawberry flavored box cake mix

• eggs, oil and water as called for on the box

• 1 (3 oz.) box Strawberry Jello

• 1 cup boiling water

• cream cheese frosting

• sliced strawberries, for garnish

Directions:

1. Prepare cake batter according to the packaging directions:

2. Pour into greased 9x13 inch baking pan and bake, again, according to box directions.

3. Remove from oven. Let cool 30 minutes.

4. Using the handle of a large wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake.

5. In a medium bowl, stir together jello mix and boiling water until jello dissolves completely.

6. Carefully pour mixture evenly over the top of cake. Cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge to chill for 2 hours or until Jello is firm and set.

7. Remove from refrigerator and ice with cream cheese frosting (recipe below,) garnish with sliced strawberries.

8. Serve immediately, or return to refrigerator until served.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened

• 8oz cream cheese

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tsps vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Combine softened butter and cream cheese in medium bowl: beat on medium speed until well blended.

2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until creamy.

My Mother's Day Bushel of Blessings

We reserve the second Sunday in May to honor mother’s and the art of mothering, for where would we be without these nurturing warriors?

That term, “nurturing warrior,” describes my own mother perfectly. Wilma Dean was a 6’ tall Ozark beauty, who lived and loved fiercely. Always ready with a warm embrace, a word of encouragement, and a hearty meal, she was also quick with advice or a deserved scolding, and you would never - I mean NEVER - come between her and one of her children! I’ll bet you know a mother just like I’ve described!

The song lyrics, “I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck…” were sung in my family home often, and has inspired me to send this bushel of blessings your way for Mother’s Day.

All you must do to enter is to send me a note. Of course, since you’re writing to me anyway… you know I love to hear your stories! Tell me one about Mother’s! I want to know about your mom, your partner’s mom, a phenomenal mom you know. Tell me about how you became a mom, and how the experience has shaped you.

Enter by writing to me HERE

My Mother’s Day Bushel of Blessings

I’ve got some beautiful flowers to share with you from my friends at Balsam Hill!

Balsam Hill is always so generous to me and my listeners! They are providing this gorgeous white forsythia wreath to grace a door, a mantle, or any indoor space that could use a little brightening up. Advance technology has been used to create the most realistic faux foliage and flowers; this beautiful piece won't fade through the season, and will be just as fresh and lovely next spring!

I’m including three CD’s in my bushel of blessings - Train’s Greatest Hit’s, Michael Buble’s LOVE, and Jack Savoretti’s Singing to Strangers. All three are newer releases and all three are fabulous!

Greatest Hits, is just that - Train favorites like Drops of Jupiter, Hey Soul Sister, and Play That Song, and many others. Special guest, Kenny G, on a cover of Careless Whisper for example, is simply the best!

LOVE, is full of heart and soul, marking Michael’s return to music after a hiatus in which he devoted his time and attention to his son and family. Everyone feels the love when listening to Michael’s Buble’ - it seems like he’s singing directly to you!

Pat Monahan and Michael Buble’ have been recent guests on my podcast series, LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah. This platform allows me to talk to the artists about their work, yes, but also their lives, their motivations, their passions and their hopes and dreams for all of us. Give it a listen!

Singing to Strangers, is a new album I delight in presenting to you! Jack Savoretti, who has toured with John Legend, is a charming, talented, singer/songwriter and a household name in Europe, with chart-topping hits in England and Italy. Be careful, he’ll easily sweep you off your feet, and you’ll no longer be a stranger to his music! View the official Candlelight video and you’ll easily see why I’m so enamoured!

Three more blessings come to you in the form of BOOKS! An autographed copy of my own memoire, One Heart At A Time, as well as Mrs. Morhard and The Boys, about the mother that inspired baseball’s Little League, and A Brave Face, written by a mother-daughter team about triumph over tragedy and a how families are formed in never-imagined ways.

In One Heart at A Time, I share my life with you and hopefully impart some inspiration for you to do what is in your powers to change the world for good, heart by heart. Don’t overthink, don’t over guess, just take one small action at a time. The shift you’ll feel in your perception of life will be all the encouragement you need to continue to reach out to others.

Mrs. Morhard and The Boys, by Ruth Hanford Morhard, was a Delilah Book Club feature a few months ago. Written about the author’s mother-in-law and what she did as a single mother to keep her young son busy, safe, and happy during the difficult years of the Great Depression. She could never have known that by creating a popular youth activity it would develop into what we today know as baseball’s Little League; you’ll love this story!

And A Brave Face, by mother-daughter team, Barbara Marlowe and Teeba Furat Marlowe. What does it take to become a mom? It’s a mixture of love, bravery, and tenacity as you’ll soon discover when reading about the woman who saw a picture of a little girl in Iraq desperately needing help and decided then and there, she’d be the one to provide it…

I hope the these books keep you busy through the remainder of spring; when the days are lengthening but still a bit chilly, and curling up with a cozy throw, a cup of tea, and some great reading material still sounds like a fantastic way to spend an evening or weekend.

Barbara and Teeba were also recent guests on LOVE SOMEONE! I encourage you to give that episode some of your time and attention as their story is truly touching and so very inspirational!

If my mention of curling up with a comfy throw and cuppa joe sounded good, you’ll be pleased to know I’m helping to make the vision a reality! I’m including a PediPocket blanket - a warm and cozy throw with built-in foot pocket that banishes cold toes forever!

It’s a little piece of heaven that I hope blesses you on Mother’s Day and every day!

Blessing others just makes my heart happy! These little give-aways are a wonderful way to share good stuff with you and info about some of my favorite things.

This is a sweepstakes, which means the winner will be chosen at random.
All you must do to enter is write to me HERE.

Entries must be received by midnight, Monday, May 6th,
(Thank you for understanding that I can only ship to address located within the United States)  

Zucchini Fritters

I recently hosted a cooking demonstration on a big boat in a bigger sea.

It was a cruise ship actually, and I was in the middle of the Caribbean, chatting away to a group of Delilah enthusiasts about my kids, my life, my farm, and my love of cooking!

I shared my Zucchini Fritter recipe with everyone, and then we taste-tested the result! Mmmmm.

Perhaps it was the excitement, the sea air, the energetic participants… but oh my, they were delicious if I do say so myself!

It will soon be zucchini season, so here’s the (easy!) recipe if you feel like giving them a try:

Ingredients:

• 2-3 medium zucchini, grated

• 1 small to medium onion, finely diced

• 1/3 cup all purpose flour

• 2/3 cup Panko bread crumbs

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 3 cloves garlic, minced (or 2 tsp garlic powder)

• salt, freshly ground black pepper, and paprika to taste (or use about 2 teaspoons of seasoning salt)

• 4 tblsp olive oil

Directions:

1. Place grated zucchini and diced onion in middle of a square of cheesecloth, or a clean kitchen towel, and squeeze to drain as much moisture from the vegetables as you can. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, Panko, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika (or garlic powder and seasoning salt,) then add the zucchini and onion and stir well.  

3. Add the 2 beaten eggs to the batter just before frying, and mix until evenly combined.

4. Working in batches, heat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Gently drop mounds of the zucchini batter into the skillet, about 2 heaping tablespoons at a time; flatten slightly with the back of a spatula.

5. Fry until cooked through and golden brown; approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Remove to paper towels, then to serving dish.

6. Serve warm as an appetizer, side, or light lunch/brunch. Use your favorite aioli sauce or plain yogurt for dressing.

Deep Harbor | April Book Club

Visit Fern Michaels Author Page HERE (Obviously a dog-lover like me!)

The acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels has a new book out, delving into the remarkable ways in which moments of crises can lead to our greatest acts of courage… I’ve chosen Deep Harbor as my April Book Club pick!

CJ (Carol Ann Jansen) has not had an easy life. First, she lost her parents at a very young age, and as we know, there is nothing that can truly make up for that in the life of the child who has been left behind.

CJ’s older brother, Kick however, did what he could to shelter and protect her, becoming her life raft. Sadly, as a young adult, she is faced with loss once again, when Kick dies in a boating accident.

Moving into her brother’s home to feel closer to his memory, she pours herself into her career as an administrative assistant to a powerful member of Congress. Many who have experienced profound grief in their personal life, as CJ had, might relate to this job focused energy - something one feels like they perhaps have more control over than the lives of those they love.

But CJ’s carefully constructed world begins to unravel when she finds information implicating her boss, someone she’s grown to admire and respect, in less than legal activities - and then he too, goes missing.

Without giving too much of this fabulous, stirring, somewhat suspenseful, novel away before you get a chance to read it yourself, let me just say that CJ finds herself uprooted from everyone and everything she’s ever known, and placed (for her own protection) into a small New England town - on the water that took Kick from her…

There are so many layers to this story; as each is peeled back and reveled to the reader, it’s the heart, soul, and resilience of CJ, a strong female character, that endears Deep Harbor to us.

Pick up your copy today HERE!

My Easter Basket of Good Things

Enter by writing to me HERE

So very soon my friends, Ole’ Peter Cotton Tail will be hoppin’ down the bunny trail (hippity hoppity, Easter’s on it’s waaaaaay) and we’ll be celebrating the day in a myriad of ways.

For many it will begin with sunrise church service, celebrating the highest of Christian holy days (I’m in!), for others it may mean a walk on a spring day, or time spent in prayer or meditation.

Certainly, no one will be immune to the gladness, and goodness, and joy of spring! This time of rebirth, of sights and scents that fill our senses, and creep into our bodies, our bones, our cellular structure… promising hope and renewal.

There will be Easter dresses, Easter bonnets, Easter bow-ties, Easter eggs, Easter baskets, and Easter dinners. There will be an abundance of Easter blessings.

I want to help: I’m going to be give away a basket of Easter goodness to one lucky listener. All you must do to enter is to send me a note. Tell me what you’ll be up to on Easter. Maybe you’ll share your beliefs, your traditions, your hopes… I love hearing from you and getting peeks into who you are and what your lives are like.

In my Easter Basket of Good Things you’ll find:

MUSIC!

Burn The Ships, the latest from
for KING & COUNTRY

From Christian singer/songwriter brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone, comes a compilation honoring the many extraordinary changes and transitions the brothers have experienced since their last album.

A marriage for one, a new baby for the other, celebrations, struggles, and all the magical mundane moments in between. Burn the Ships is their personal soundtrack to the seasons of life. 11 songs capturing all the hope, perseverance, and love that a life well-lived involves.

It’s a perfect soundtrack for the Easter season, and calls to all of us to Rise.

Be sure and watch their heartwarming video of how one recent “Make a Wish” projected touched their lives. 

AND, Bridges, Josh Groban’s Newest

A very full album with 12 singles - 9 of them co-written by the man himself! It’s an album of gratitude, opening with the single Granted, and following with many personal and touching songs. There is an impressive guest line-up on Bridges as well, such as Sarah McLachlan, on Run, Andrea Bocelli on We Will Meet Again, and Jennifer Nettles on 99 Years. But I think my favorite is his collaboration with Flamenco musician Vicente Amigo on Musica del Corazon! Wow. Just wow.

I recently caught up with Josh in New York City; a kind, lovely, man who remains grounded and true to his authentic self - he’s matured for sure, but still the 19 year old I met for the first time many years ago. We recorded our time together for my LOVE SOMEONE podcast! Give it a listen, and pay close attention to the information shared on his Find Your Light Foundation!

BOOKS!

The Beloved Christian Daily Devotional,
Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.

With it’s beautiful new on-trend foil and fabric botanical cover, this recently released edition of Jesus Calling has a rich, elegant feel, along with large text and written-out scripture verses.

This devotional is a much used, much enjoyed, important member of my personal library, and I want you to have it too. Experience a deeper relationship with Jesus as you savor the presence of the One who understands you perfectly and loves you forever.

MY book, One Heart At A Time!

A memoire of big and small moments in my life, that led me down the path to the place I’m at today. Granted, the path looks a bit like one of those Family Circus cartoons… it’s not a very strait passage from Point A to Point B, but as the kid in that comic knew, there are so many more interesting things to see and do when you take the road less traveled! I hope you will find One Heart At A Time to be a blessing and an inspiration to change the world, One. Heart. At. A. Time.

CANDY and FLOWERS!

Delicious Brown & Haley’s Almond ROCA

No Easter basket is complete without candy, and I’m including the BEST!

A perennial favorite of my families my entire life! No holiday was without Almond ROCA

, and no basket should be either! Brown & Haley are still operating from their large brick building in downtown Tacoma, Washington, making delicious confections from fresh ingredients since 1912!

A Lovely Balsam Hill
Provencal Lavender Swag

Speaking of perennials - ‘tis the season for gorgeous blooms and blossoms! None more so than the everlasting offerings from my friends at Balsam Hill! , the sway is part of a larger collection of lavender blooms which takes inspiration from the sunlit French countryside.

The incredibly realistic artificial foliage features long lavender stalks in shades of purple and pink, accented by silver-gray leaves for added depth. Let it grace an entry door, a table top or wherever you’d like a sprig of spring in your home or office.

*****

It makes my heart so happy to be able to bless one of you with this gift basket of very very good things, and to be able to share the news of all the products included so that you may try one or all at your convenience.

This is a sweepstakes, which means the winner will be chosen at random.
All you must do to enter is write to me HERE.

Entries must be received by midnight, Monday, April 15th,
(Thank you for understanding that I can only ship to address located within the United States)  

Of course, when you write, I’d love it if you share something of yourself with me.
What’s your story? I want to know!

HAPPY EASTER!

Happy Pi Day!

Ok, not exactly A pie, but then again, pie isn’t exactly pi, so let’s dispense with technicalities, and say it’s a wedge, from a circle, which is from whither pi derives. (You’ve caught on by now that no mathematician am I!)

What I offer you here, my pi and pie loving friends, are hand pies. No more mess, or (in my house) arguments over whether someone is dipping inside the un-cut portion of the pie to pull out more filling than they deserve.

These are flakey, buttery, fruit-filled, wedge shaped, hand-held treats of deliciousness!

Ingredients:

BLACKBERRY FILLING:

• 2 cups of cleaned blackberries, fresh or frozen

• 1/2 cup of sugar

• 2 Tablespoons of corn starch

• 2 teaspoons of lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

PASTRY CRUST:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 Tablespoon sugar

• 1/2 tablespoon Salt

• 1 stick cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

• 1 egg lightly beaten with 2 teaspoons of water

LEMON GLAZE

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 3-4 Tablespoons of cream (half and half or milk will do)

• 3-4 Tablespoons of lemon juice

• Zest of 1/2 lemon

Directions:

1. In a medium sized saucepan, combine blackberries, sugar, cornstarch and lemon juice. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until well combined and blackberries are hot and releasing juices.

2. Crush blackberries in the saucepan with a potato masher.

3. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil by increasing heat to medium-high. Boil and stir for approximately 3 minutes, then remove from heat.

4. Add vanilla extract, and continue to stir until saucepan has cooled enough that mixture will not burn.

5. Set aside.

PASTRY CRUST:

1. Pulse flour, sugar, and salt together in a food processor, or mix well in a large bowl.

2. Add chopped, cold butter and continue to pulse until coarse crumbs form - or use pastry knife.

3. Turn dough out onto clean, floured surface and dust with a little more flour.

4. Kneed, adding a little flour if needed, or scant cold water, until smooth and no longer sticky.

5. Flatten the dough, then fold, flatten, fold, several times - this creates the desired “flakiness.”

6. Divide the dough in half, roll into balls. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

7. Turn cooled dough onto a clean, floured surface, and use a rolling pin to roll each ball into an 8” circle.

8. Place one circle on top the other, then use a pizza cutter to cut into 8 double layer pie wedges.

9. Working with a top and bottom pastry layer at a time, separate, brush the edges of each with egg/water mixture, place 1-2 heaping tablespoons of filling in the center of the bottom layer, then cover with the matching top layer of pastry.

10. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal and place on parchment covered backing sheet.

11. Repeat for all 8 wedges.

12. Brush tops with remaining egg/water mixture

13. Back at 400 degrees for approx 20 minutes, until edges begin to turn golden brown.

14. Cool completely

LEMON GLAZE

1. In medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest.

2. Drizzle over cooled hand pies.

3. Let the glaze set (15-30 minutes) before serving.

Notes:

Make filling and dough a day ahead and refrigerate. This breaks the process up, and helps things to move along more quickly the day of assembly and baking (especially if you have little helpers, like I usually do!)

Hi-Octane Breakfast Muffins

This breakfast muffin recipe comes from my friend, Chris, a teacher who needs to fuel up before she starts her day in the classroom. Her hubby, a hard-working construction manager, says they keep him satisfied all morning long. We can all use that kind of fulfillment!

Little muffins packed full of healthful ingredients; seeds, nuts, fruits and veggies, these are truly hi-octane!

There are a LOT of ingredients, so I think it would be a fun recipe to try out with an equally busy friend or neighbor. Shop together and split the cost of the ingredients, then spend a fun afternoon or evening mixing and baking up your healthful breakfast bites for the days (or weeks) ahead.

With so many bodies under my roof, I’d double or triple the recipe, and think about freezing them for those mornings I can’t make breakfast. I say THINK because I know they’d be gone in a flash, even before they got to the freezer!

These are tasty, with the perfect mix of sweet and savory, and the right combo of soft and chewy. Enjoy!!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups multi-grain flour

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1 tbsp cinnamon

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup shredded coconut

• 1 1/2 - 2 cup dried fruit bits

  • ( Choose 3-4 of your favorites and use a half cup of each: raisins, craisins, dried blueberries, cherries, apricots, dates, figs, etc.)

• 2 cups carrots, grated

• 3/4 cup low-sugar apple sauce ( or one medium apple, shredded)

• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds

• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

• 1/4 cup chia seeds

• 1/4 cup hemp seeds

• 3 eggs

• 2/3 cup coconut oil (vegetable or olive oil also work)

• 1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder and salt. Mix together.

3. Add all the dried fruit, coconut, seeds, carrots and applesauce. Stir well to combine mixture.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with coconut oil and vanilla extract.

5. Add the egg and oil combination to the dry mixture in the large bowl and stir to combine well so that all ingredients are evenly mixed.

6. Spray about 12 standard cupcake tins or about 16 smaller muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray, or use paper liners. Fill to heaping.

7. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes, until tops are browned well.

Have one or two for breakfast and start your day off on the right foot, fully fueled, for what’s to come, with these hi-octane muffins!

Mrs. Morhard and The Boys | March Book Club

by Ruth Hanford Morhard

BUY: Mrs. Morhard and The Boys

Just in time for spring training and Women’s History month! My book club pick for March is an age-old story of a mother looking to keep her son out of trouble.

But this one is true. And it’s one that everyone will recognize after the first few pages.

The Great Depression had hit America hard, and WWII was just around the corner. Baseball was the country’s passion, and a great distraction from all of life’s hardships. Mrs. Morhard’s son was getting up to no good and she was looking for solutions. 

So what’s a mother to do but convince the mayor of her town (a suburb of Cleveland) to let her son and his friends use a neglected tract of land next to the town hall to play baseball? Coached of course, by Mrs. Morhard and other mothers.

And who knew that the first pitch wasn’t as much a fastball as it was a snowball… that grew rapidly into teams, and then leagues. Or that it would not only attract the interest, but the attention and the action of members of the Cleveland Indians who showed up to teach the kids baseball skills and watch the action.

And who could have thought these boys and their mother’s little detention experiment would inspire an interest in youth baseball so great that soon there would be something called the Junior American League, and then the Junior National Leagues?! 

What Mrs. Morhard unwittingly did, you see, was to pioneer an organized sport that became what’s known today as baseball’s Little League.

And did you guess that’s what this book was all about when you first started reading about it here? 

As a mom who is always on the look-out for healthy activities to keep my kids occupied (physically & mentally) lest they find themselves with too much time on their hands that might lead to some unwise choices, I find myself cheering for Mrs. Morhard’s team. 

As as someone who can’t count the number of Little League, high school, and professional baseball games I’ve attended, and who loves the sights, sounds, and smells of the stadiums on summer days, I’m rooting for The Boys!

Pick up your copy (and one for a friend) of the inspiring true story of
Mrs. Morhard and The Boys HERE

I have several copies of Mrs. Morhard and The Boys to give away! Write to me and tell me why you’d like a copy. You might share a favorite story of what you or your mother did to keep kids happy, healthy, and safe. Or, you might share a story about baseball with me. I love ALL your stories!

My February Big Apple Experience

In the middle of February, when Seattle was experiencing a once-in-a-decade snow event, I did what everyone does when it snows and headed to a colder climate… (Uh, what?!) The irony wasn’t lost on me.

I’d planned a trip to New York City, and had appearances and interviews lined up with The Jenny McCarthy Show, TODAY with Kathie Lee and Hoda, Build Series NYC, and People TV.

I’d made arrangements to meet with Tim Tebow, Josh Groban, and Trisha Yearwood to spend a little one-on-one time with these phenomenal people and record a chat session for my podcast series, LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah.

And then Mother Nature threw a little hiccup into my plan and a foot of snow and ice onto my driveway!

The kids, of course, were elated! No school!!!!!!

The animals, of course, were shocked. So coooooold!

The husband, of course, was busy. Go shovel!

And I, of course, was nervous. No school! So cold! Go shovel! And, how in the world am I going to get to NYC?!

Flights were cancelled or delayed. Roads were closed. I didn’t have child-care lined up… This is one of those moments that I need to learn to take my own advice, but instead I worried, and I fretted, and I got a edgy, and a more than a little grumpy.

It’s true. I do this too!

I was scheduled to fly out on a Tuesday afternoon, and Paul was going with me. We were going to spend Valentines Day, and our birthday, which happens to fall on the same day, February 15th, together. The evening before, the weather warmed a bit, and things started to melt - yay! But then overnight, the temps dropped again and when we got up in the morning, all was frozen - boo!

The entire 1/2 mile long driveway, uphill from the farm to the main road… frozen. Pauls truck, a 4x4 with big knobby tires? No way. The tractor? Ha! What to do, what to do?

Finally, at some point, I DID take my own advice; I gave up control and gave it to God.

And a few hours later, the truck made it up the hill. And a few hours after that, and Paul carefully navigating the piled up snow, ice, and abandoned vehicles on the treacherous drive, we made it to the airport.

And we made it to NYC, and all the appointments, appearances, interviews, fabulous Valentine’s dinner and special performance of number off her new CD “Let’s be Frank” by Trisha Yearwood atop 30 Rockefeller Center in the iconic Rainbow Room. I made it to Junior’s restaurant in Times Square and their delicious Reuben sandwich, and potato pancakes! I made it to a few funky shops and an incredible Broadway performance. I made it to a little birthday celebration at the iHeartRadio studios, and a full day with NO appointments at all, just strolling hand in hand with my hubby in one of the most exciting and beautiful cities in the world.

And everything was bigger, and brighter, and better than it would have ever been, had the entire experience not been in doubt. And funnily enough, the weather was warm and mild and the sun was shining our entire trip. (And the snow was still on the ground at home when we returned.)

So grateful!

Click the links in the first paragraph to watch my interviews and subscribe to my podcast series!

Game Day (Any Day) Pretzel Rolls

A batch of delicious, fluffy, salty topped, pretzel rolls recently made their way into the studio kitchen/break room.

If there are pillows in heaven, they’re made from pretzel rolls… well, maybe not pillows, the tops are rather firm, perhaps stadium cushions then? Yes, stadium cushions in heaven are definitely made of pretzel rolls. lol.

So add these pretzel rolls to your offensive line-up for January play-off games and well beyond. They’ll go perfectly with any soup, chili, or stew, next to a leafy green salad, and paired with innumerable main dishes.

Don’t let the three stages of directions for the rolls daunt your enthusiasm, it’s a relatively easy process, but a written explanation can seem a bit overly-involved. It’s not.

Have fun and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 3 3/4 cups plus 1 tablespoon flour

• 1 envelope (1/4 ounce) fact-acting yeast

• 2 teaspoons salt

• 1 1/4 cups lukewarm water

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 3 tablespoons baking soda

• coarse sea salt

Directions:

1st Stage:

1. Combine the flour, yeast and salt in a large bowl.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the warm water and melted, cooled, butter. Add to the flour mixture and mix with the dough hooks until well combined. If dough is too sticky, add more flour. Transfer the dough to a work surface kneading and punching-down until a smooth and elastic ball of dough.

3. Place the dough back in the bowl, cover with a tea towel, and let rise in a warm place, or 100°F (35°C) warm oven, for 60 minutes until doubled in size.

4. When the dough has doubled, punch it down, return to work surface, and knead for about 30 seconds.

5. Divide dough into 10 equal (roughly 3-ounce) portions. Dust your hands with flour, roll dough for about 10 seconds until round and firm. This process creates surface tension and prevents the buns from becoming flat. Continue with the remaining dough, then cover with a tea towel and let rise in a warm place for about 20 minutes or until puffy.

6. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

2nd Stage:

1. In a large wide pot, bring 4¼ cups of water and baking soda to a boil. (Careful, it will foam up!) With a slotted spoon or ladle, slip two rolls into the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds, turn them over, and cook for another 30 seconds. Make sure they are not sticking to the bottom!

2. Transfer the rolls to the lined baking sheets, score the tops, and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

3. Repeat for all rolls, then place them onto baking sheets.

3rd Stage:

1. Bake, one sheet at a time, for about 15 minutes or until golden brown.

2. Eat warm with butter, or store in a sealed bag or container for up to one week.