gesture of kindness | Apron Memories

Cake, I really, really love you!

On November 10, 2017 By EllynAnne In Blog

The occasion was a celebration, with champagne and a dessert, the menu. Only a most fabulous cake creation would do, and within the pages of

“Fruit is not dessert. Cake is dessert.” EllynAnne Geisel

CAKE, I LOVE YOU !, was this confection: a Dark Chocolate-Pudding Banana Cake. Author Jill O’Connor describes this cake’s chocolate pudding frosting as “…almost too decadent.” A chocolate pudding aficionado, I’d found the perfect dessert.

At first glance, this cake’s two-page recipe might intimidate; however, Jill’s talent as a cookbook author shines with straight forward, step-by-step instruction. For encouragement, I constantly referenced the photograph – three tiers of divine sumptuousness.

Bakers of all levels, take heed…if you can read, you can make this cake!

This is a cake completely from scratch. It’s helpful to study the recipe several times before breaking that first egg. Also helpful is noting you will need three cake pans of the same size (a detail I missed, which wasn’t a catastrophe but did have the cake looking a tad “Leaning Tower of Pisa”), and that the pudding must be made a day before use.

The day of, I baked the layers and assembled per the instructions. Minus the chocolate curls’ topping, the cake was a close enough approximation to have me pretty, pretty excited to present and serve.

Almost a week later, what’s left is still moist and delicious. Tonight’s dessert should finish it up, a sad note to what everyone who tasted agrees is the best cake ever!

Now, for some happy news – As a sponsor of Tie One On Day, Jill is giving away two (2) autographed copies of CAKE, I LOVE YOU!

In it’s 12th year, Tie One On Day is an annual opportunity to offer a gesture of kindness before giving thanks at Thanksgiving. Sponsors, like Jill, support TOODay because of the shared belief that through kindness comes change.

Give from the heart on Wednesday, then give thanks on Thursday!

CLICK HERE to be inspired by how others are embracing Tie One On Day and to enter for the giveaways provided by generous sponsors, like Jill O’Connor, the author of my now favorite cake cookbook, CAKE I LOVE YOU!

Thank you for participating in Tie One On Day – and making someone’s day brighter.

Gratefully, EllynAnne

Tie One On Day and Ellen March

On November 19, 2015 By EllynAnne In Blog

In 2009, I put together a mini-exhibit of my aprons and vintage domestic goods at the American Sewing Guild’s conference in Albuquerque. There, my path crossed with the sweetie pie editor of Sew News and Creative Machine Embroidery, Ellen March. Tying one on (…an apron, of course!), we discovered a shared passion for celebrating women of earlier generations and their talent in expressing themselves through needle and thread.

Ellen March_ea asg albu — Ellen March and EllynAnne first crossing paths at the 2009 ASG conference.

Two years later, Ellen invited me to appear as a guest on the inaugural season of her new venture, SewItAll TV. I was thrilled, very nervous and much relieved when Ellen brought her sewing skills to the Awesome Apron, and together we completed the project.

Ellen’s support of my love of aprons extends to her traditional sponsorship of Tie One On Day, my annual call-out to tie on an apron and bestow gestures of kindness to those in need. Responding to my yearly request for a TOODay goodie giveaway, she always provides…this year with a packed box of SewNews and Creative Machine Embroidery publications.

It was but a day or so after our TOODay giveaway emailing that I learned of Ellen’s concerns for her health and family’s well-being through her posting HERE. Please take a read, then take a look at this beautiful girl.

ellen m pic — Ellen March is asking for our **support** in her fight against breast cancer.

Wife, mama, daughter, sister, friend, colleague – Ellen is much-loved, admired and deserving of the very tenant of Tie One On Day: imparting gestures of kindness and especially in this situation, donations to her campaign: Ellen’s Breast Cancer Fight.

When considering kindness as a dollar point, imagine the campaign as the March family’s Thanksgiving dinner – instead of baking Ellen a pumpkin pie, donate the cost of the ingredients; in lieu of taking her a sweet potato casserole, donate the price of a sack of potatoes. I “fed” the fund a turkey dinner. Whatever your contribution, any amount will help to set the table.

The sooner the campaign’s goal is met, Ellen’s financial worries ease and she can completely concentrate on kickassing her cancer. So, please Tie One On (…an apron, of course!) and give from your heart and wallet to Ellen’s Breast Cancer Fight.

“Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.”

TOOD 2015_x360 — visit www.apronmemories.com for TOODay inspiration, details and giveaway entry!

Thank you, everyone, for sharing this blog posting, participating in Tie One On Day, and putting the give back into Thanksgiving through acts of kindness to those in need.

xxEllynAnne

Nourishing Fare for TOODay Delivery

On November 11, 2015 By EllynAnne In Blog

“Women clad in aprons have traditionally prepared the Thanksgiving meal, and it is within our historical linkage to share our bounty.”

I’m sure it’s the time of year that has me preparing soups for Tie One On Day deliveries. A hearty soup with a side of corn bread and jam made up today’s basket of comfort and friendship.

TOOD bskt spbrjam — The simplest fare wrapped in bright kitchen cloths will brighten someone’s day.

“From scratch” is one way to put together a basket of comforting fare, but honestly, a quick mix with grated cheddar stirred into the batter bakes into a delicious cornbread. The same goes for repackaging a gourmet jam into a petite jar.

TOOD repackaging — Whether made from scratch or repacking of store-bought, a basket of comforting foods will be appreciated.

Participating in Tie One On Day is a way to put the “give” back into your Thanksgiving, and in doing so, bring joy to the life of someone in need! Supportive sponsors encourage your spreading the word and the love of TOODay with fabulous giveaways that will be won by four lucky participants. To Enter the Giveaways, click HERE.

When making a pot of soup to nourish others, I always set aside for us, too. Tripling the recipe will still have it a one-pot fixin’, and the extra can be frozen.

Sweet Potato Bean Soup

1 can (15 oz) chicken broth, 2 large sweet potato (peeled cut up), 1/2 medium onion, chopped, 3 celery thinly sliced, 1 carrot cut into small pieces, 1 T tomato paste, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp cumin, s&p to taste, 1 can (15.5 oz) white beans drained (1 nitrate-free beef sausage sliced and diced)

In a large pot over high heat, pour in broth and add sweet potatoes, onion, celery, tomato paste, paprika and cumin and bring to boil. Reduce heat and summer until vegetables are tender, 20-25 minutes. Stir in beans (& cut up sausage) until heated through.

For a creamy soup, puree 1 cup in a blender/mixer/processor and pour back into the pot.

The sponsors of Tie One On Day give from their hearts without expectation of payment – only that you help to spread the word and love of TOODay. So, thank you for that!

xxEllynAnne

“Let us live well, simply, economically, healthfully and artistically.”

Good Things to Eat (1909), A Blessing