(p. 40) SHARE A STORY ABOUT A SEVERE WINTER STORM

In Virginia there was snow on the ground a lot in winter, but I don’t remember a bad storm. I Florida we did not have snowstorms, we had hurricanes. We were blessed by having only one significant one the whole eight years we lived there, Hurricane Donna. Hurricanes were forecast well in advance even in the 1950’s. So we were prepared. It was important to leave a window open just a crack on the side away from the wind. Butch had the master bedroom with a walk-in closet, the only place in the house without a window. So we camped out in there. We must have had the dogs in there too. normally they stayed outside, except once a year we each got to sleep with our dogs. (July 4th, maybe) Anyway, the hurricane was cool, we got to miss school, and it was one of the rare times Butch and I hung out together and had fun.

(p. 41) SHARE YOUR FAVORITE DESSERT RECIPE

One can't have too many favorite desserts! Here are a couple. Also, the rum cake recipe is written in the red checkered Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook in GrandBear's handwriting, also snowballs. Lots of good ones in the "Best Recipes File" You know where all this stuff is, right behind the carport door. Anytime you want to take and figure out the food processor Mr. Potochnik gave me, it's yours.

STRAWBERRY YUM-YUMS (from Annette Johnson, Allen's mom)
I made this a lot in the 70s.

Combine in a shallow pan: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup chopped nuts, 1 stick butter or margarine. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Combine 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, 2 beaten egg whites, 1 cup sugar, 10 oz. frozen strawberries.

Whip 1 cup heavy cream. Fold into above mixture.

Sprinkle 1/2 of cooked crumb mixture into a 9" x 13" pan. Add filling. Top with the other half of the crumbs.

Freeze.
To serve, cut into squares, (add whipped cream,garnish with a strawberry).

TOASTED ALMOND RASPBERRY CAKE

1 c. whole almonds 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. sugar 2 Tbsp cognac or brandy
1 c. all purpose flour 8 egg whites
1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 pint raspberries, plus more for garnish
1 stick unsalted butter whipped cream for garnish

Preheat oven to 350. Butter a 10" springform pan. Spread the almonds onto a baking sheet, toast for about 7 minutes. until fragrant, let cool completely. Transfer to food processor or blender, add 3/4 cup sugar and pulse until nuts are finely ground. Pour into bowl and stir in the flour and salt.
In a small saucepan, cook the butter over medium. heat until lightly browned, 3-4 minutes. Let cool slightly, then stir in brandy and vanilla.

Using a standing electric mixer, beat the egg whites until they form very soft peaks. Gradually add the remaining 3/4 cup. sugar and continue beating until the whites hold soft peaks. Alternately fold the almonds and browned butter into the egg whites in three batches. Gently fold in the raspberries.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, bake for about 50 minutes. until cake is golden and just beginning to pull away from the side of the pan. Let cool slightly on a rack, then remove the side of the springform pan and cool completely. Transfer the cake to a large plate and serve with whipped cream and fresh raspberries.

This recipe takes more than my usual effort, but the one time I made it I was very pleased.. One of the Fairfax nurses first brought it to the HRP Christmas party at our house in 1998. I used Aunt Mary Nell's pink and white china - a platter for the cake, and small serving dishes for raspberries and whipped cream.

(p. 45) DID THE PASTOR OR A VISITING MISSIONARY EVER COME TO YOUR HOUSE FOR DINNER OF TEA? SHARE ONE VIVID EXPERIENCE.

Most recently, a retired pastor form mom’s church in Dallas, John Calvin Presbyterian, came to her 80th birthday party in 2001. His name is Dale Gorman. He replaced a pastor Bill Baines who was a favorite of mom’s. Mom did not accept Rev. Gorman easily, but he served the congregation by leading travel groups. Mom was a great traveler while she was well, and came to like him as she participated in trips. He also retired, but kept in touch. Jan Chophin, who was Janet Dixon’s stepmother when Janet and Bruce were engaged, later moved to Dallas and helped us find the group home for Grand Bear. She also helped with this birthday party. When Dale Gorman showed up, she was amazed because they had known each other in St. Louis, MO.

(p. 46) DID YOU EVER FEEL THAT GOD HAD A SPECIAL CALLING ON YOUR LIFE?

Absolutely, He does. As a teenager in Youth for Christ, I promised to give my life in full time Christian service. I haven't kept that promise. At Vanderbilt, I started to audit a course at Scarritt College, a nearby Christian school. The class was called The Christian Mission. It was for professionals already in the field. I was intimidated and dropped the course.
But I do ask God for guidance every day. I turn to Him with all my problems and significant decisions. I want to become less preoccupied with myself and my own comfort, and more available to take risks to help others.

(p. 47) WHEN DID YOU FIRST START TO PRAY? WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR EARLY PRAYERS?

(see page 21) Also we had a traditional blessing at family meals that mom says she learned form Uncle Ben. Butch still says it:
“Heavenly Father, pardon our sins, make us thankful for these and all other blessings. We ask for Christ’s sake, Amen.”

(p. 48) WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE TEACHER? WHY?

Mrs. Fishfader was my third grade teacher in Japan. She turned me totally around. My second grade teacher had contributed to my belief that I was stupid and klutzy. From third grade through 11th I was smart without having to make a great effort. When we moved to Dallas going into 12th grade the school was much more difficult, but I adjusted.

(p. 49) DESCRIBE ONE OF YOUR FAVORITE DRESS-UP OUTFITS AS A CHILD. ONE WHAT OCCASIONS WOULD WEAR IT?

I cannot relate to playing dress-up. I wish I had saved the bright pink suit I wore to mom and Eeper’s wedding in 12th grade. I had been losing weight. This was a very high class linen dress and jack, size 12; when I lost weight again in 1987 I asked mom to search the house for it, but we didn’t find it. I do have a picture.