Last weekend, I attended the funeral of a high school classmate and friend, Jennifer Sterling Brown. The services were held in my hometown of Lexington at the First Baptist Church that I attended as a young person. Steve and I were also married in that same church more than 35 years ago. I was saddened by the consequences but saw many old friends I haven’t seen in years.
The funeral service was one of the sweetest and most meaningful ones I have been to in a long time. A eulogy was given by a dear friend, and the music was beautiful. Congregational hymns, as well as special music given by a trio of wonderful musicians, added a special personalized touch to the service. I also taught Jennifer’s two daughters at Central Holmes and was happy to be able to see them again and express my sympathy for their sweet mama.
A friend of mine and I were seated together and reminisced before the service. Our mothers both sang in the choir, and we were allowed to sit together without adult supervision but always under their watchful eyes. That is until, however, the day another friend accidentally bit into a blue ink pen. That pen absolutely exploded everywhere. I didn’t know there was that much ink in a pen. Laughter and giggles ensued, and I can still see the evil eyes we received from the choir loft. That and so many other fun memories were shared by classmates. Our 40-year anniversary is this year, and plans are in the works for a reunion. It seems hard to believe that we have been out of high school for that long, but time doesn’t lie. How wonderful to reunite with old friends with whom you will always share a common bond.
After three weeks of postseason basketball tournaments, the season is finally over. Of those weeks, two of them were hosted at Benton Academy, where I was responsible for the hospitality lounge for the officials, administrators and coaching staffs. I calculated that I spent 52 hours on that stage during the games for the two weeks we served as the host school. I had so much help from many wonderful friends. I did get a couple of new recipes I would like to share today.
Hope you will give them a try. Thanks for reading.
KIM’S CHICKEN POT PIE
2 large cans white chunk chicken, drained
1 large can Veg-All, drained
1 can cream of chicken soup
Mix all ingredients together, and pour into a 9-by-13-inch baking dish that has been sprayed with Pam.
Mix together:
1 cup milk
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup flour
Pour over the top, and spread over chicken mixture.
Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until crust is a light golden brown.
JACKIE’S CHOCOLATE ÉCLAIR CAKE
2 (3.5-ounce) package vanilla pudding mix
Milk
1 (8-ounce) Cool Whip
1 (16-ounce) package graham crackers
Chocolate frosting
Prepare pudding according to package directions, and add Cool Whip.
Arrange a layer of graham crackers on the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Pour half the pudding mix on top and another layer of graham crackers. Pour the remaining pudding mix on top, and finish off with another layer of crackers. Spread the chocolate frosting over the top and to the sides. Refrigerate at least four hours before serving, but overnight is better.
• Contact Lee Ann Flemming at lafkitchen@hughes.net.
