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February 16, 2022
Karen's bad day

Yesterday I had to go to the Verizon store. I needed to access the account and change the address so that the bill would come to me instead of the business.
I was armed with Bob's death certificates and our marriage license, which felt like very weird things to have to carry. The marriage license was unnecessary, but you'd be surprised at how many businesses have questioned our different last names, even if I've been on an account for years (I'm talking about you, Costco.) 🙄

It was a beautiful bright blue Tuesday, and it was bound to be better than my Monday. I had a sobbing fit after the bank couldn't help me with something and had gone home and called it a day at 1 pm. (Don't worry, my breakdown was in the car, not the bank). I felt lame not getting my girls' Valentine's as planned, but I did make brownies that night. My sister graciously talked to me on the phone for an hour that afternoon, which always helps.

All went well for me at Verizon. The two guys who helped me could not have been nicer, and even though, of course, they couldn't help me with everything, and I have to call another "team," they now have proof of death, and we got the ball rolling.

I can't say the same for the woman being helped next to me. She was quite distracting with her irritated sighs and the increasing volume in her voice. I felt really bad for the CSR who was trying to help her but could not, through no fault of his own. Seriously, this kid could not have been sweeter.

At one point, she stormed off while he was still talking, grumbling about how it the place was closed the last time she tried to come in and now she'd have to come back. He called after her and told her he needed her name because it was not on the account. She turned around and said "my name is Karen." I almost lost it, and I'm sure I wasn't alone. After she left, I really wanted to share a chuckle with the guy and say "Omg, you just encountered an actual Karen!", but we all kept our decorum.

I mean no offense to all the very lovely women named Karen out there, but it was pretty amusing. I was grateful for a little levity while staring down at the manager typing in my husband's death certificate info and I thought to myself, wow, she must be having a really bad day.

I'm gonna be okay 🧡

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April 15, 2023
Cookbook preview

If I had to ballpark a timeline, I’d say I should have my book, Living Legacy: Stories of a Restaurant Family ready for purchase by the end of May. 🤞 I was really hoping to have it finished in time for Mother’s Day but everything is taking longer than I anticipated. I’m self-publishing and I uploaded the pdf’s for the interior and cover today. Now I’ll wait to see if there are any issues with the files (fingers crossed I fixed them already!) and to receive a printed copy I can look over before I release it to the public.

It’s been a huge learning curve, but I’ve enjoyed (almost) every frustrating minute because now I know how to write and design a cookbook. I’m not sure what my next one will feature but it will definitely have some lighter recipes after fixing and eating all of the rich restaurant food, delicious as it was. I’m excited to get back into more recipe development of my own!

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November 18, 2022
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November 15, 2022
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When I got back from a trip this week, my garden had exploded and all my arugula bolted. So I made this: https://auntiechatter.com/recipes/sides-salads-and-soups/salads/arugula-salad-corn-avocado-tomato/

We had it with grilled chicken and polenta that I remembered I had in the freezer. The polenta soaked up the dressing and it was so yummy!

Molly, I hope you’re well!💗

August 15, 2023
Cookbook Launch!!!

Hi all. I'm excited to announce my cookbook, Living Legacy: Stories of a Restaurant Family, is available now at https://witandthyme.com.

Thanks for your patience and support through my writing and cooking journey 🧡 I'm really proud of how it turned out and can't wait for everyone to try the
recipes!

July 18, 2023
Back online!

AuntieChatter.com is back! 😅 ⁠
Thanks for your patience while the site was down. I am now in complete control of my domain (if not at home, at least on the internet 😂), so there should be no recurrence. Hot tip: If you sell a business, make sure your other domain names don't go along with it 🙃. ⁠

I'm greatly relieved to have it back since it's plastered on all of the Living Legacy cookbooks that are currently printing. That would have been super fun to deal with. ⁠

I'll get to work on a new post soon. Meanwhile, visit auntiechatter.com to find new and old favorite recipes! ⁠

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October 10, 2022
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Spice Mixes
Seasoned Salt, Italian Seasoning, Southwest Seasoning

I use one of these three mixes almost every time I cook! 

I think you will find it's a little more budget-friendly to take individual herbs and spices and combine them into a custom mix than it is to purchase premade mixes. They make great homemade gifts too. I used little jars of the Seasoned Salt as party favors for my niece's bridal shower a couple of years ago and, several months later, received requests for the recipe as the jars were empty and the people wanted more. I love it when that happens. 

Enjoy!

Seasoned Salt

Great for chicken, fish, salad dressings/dips, soups, eggs, etc.

1/4 cup kosher salt or sea salt

1 tablespoon ground black pepper

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon white pepper

1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon granulated garlic

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried  thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried lemon peel

Combine all of the ingredients and store the mix in a small mason jar or similar container.

 

Italian Seasoning

Works well in pasta sauces, soups, salad dressing, and garlic oil, as well as on pizza and garlic bread

3 tablespoons dried basil

3 tablespoons dried oregano

3 tablespoons dried parsley

1 tablespoon dried rosemary

1 tablespoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Combine all of the ingredients and store the mix in a small mason jar or similar container. If you have a mortar & pestle, grind the celery seed, fennel seed, and red pepper flakes first to release the flavors.

 

Southwest Seasoning

Use in tacos, chili, tortilla soup, dressings/dips, burritos, enchiladas, etc.

1/4 cup dried ground ancho chiles

2 tablespoons smoked paprika

2 tablespoons granulated garlic

2 tablespoons dried Mexican Oregano

1 tablespoon dried cilantro

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Combine all of the ingredients and store the mix in a small mason jar or similar container.

 

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