Chickens on the Hooch

I am a multi-talented individual.  I garden, counsel, hold babies, pay bills, take out the garbage, write---not bragging—just when I see y’all in the community you encourage me with your kind comments--, but I did not inherit the cooking gene.  My Momma got it and her Momma had it—can’t speak for my great Grandmother—didn’t know her.  Many of you have known me for several years now and you just know when you call me—when you do—to bring a dish that it will usually be a salad unless my cook, Duke Boy, is available.  A California supper of fruit, cheese, and sour dough is also in my repertoire.  My church circle had that recently when it was my turn to host.  The first California supper was served on the bed in our hotel room when Hedgie Girl was a child.  We open the doors in our California hotel room and watched the fireworks across the Bay on July 4, 1996.  My Dad, who was recovering from a stroke, had a building dedicated to him at Travis Air Force Base and I was there to speak in his place.  Since that time our family has enjoyed many California suppers. 

Ok, back to the cooking or non-cooking gene.  I recently posted on Facebook a picture of some baby chicken cupcakes that I was taking to a picnic. This was a Martha Stewart idea.  A friend posted moments later, Duke Boy or Hedgie Girl?  Meaning—they must have done that---right???  I immediately posted back that it was me!! Sughar, Double Sughar, to be exact who made those adorable, and delicious cupcakes. Perhaps 60 is not too old to develop a cooking gene?  Granted I am not ready to take this up full-time—I will not be opening the Double Sughar Cupcake Stand next week. We just got a new bakery in town.  However, I am a pro at mixing a mean double bottle Similac for my boys.  They gobble it right up.  You can’t ask them about the truth of this yet—they are too busy napping after the gobbling. 

I plan to limit my cooking to things that aren’t too tried and true—if you do an unheard of recipe then they can’t say, “My Momma always puts ______in hers”, or “the last time I had this it was orange”.  A bereaved family doesn’t need any additional suffering from my kitchen trials.  I will tell you my secret to the baby Easter chicken cupcakes—use Duncan Hines—I didn’t do the from- scratch Martha recipe.

Speaking of chickens….The Pastoral Institute Advisory Board is selling tickets to our Chick-fil-a fundraiser. It will be May 20^th from 11-1 at Shawmut UMC.  The cost of the ticket is $6.  I hope you will kindly buy one in support of the services of the Pastoral Institute in this community.  If your place of business would like a signup sheet then we will make deliveries to sales of 5 or more.

Karen Erwin-Brown is the director of the Valley office of the Pastoral Institute.  She provides individual, marriage, and family counseling by appointment.  She also hobbies a booth at Bluffton Antiques in Lanett where her spring sale is 40% off your next treasure.  Call 334-768-2341 or email her at kerwin-brown@pilink.org.