Food Bank Dinner

KW Cares Dinner

So, last week our company was the fundraiser at a local Hoss’s restaurant. Now, I have to caveat that the food isn’t stellar, but what they do for the community is. Here’s the deal: You sign up with Hoss’s to host a fundraiser and then you select the day you’re hosting the event. They provide you with cards that indicate all of the details and you hand these cards out to your friends, family, prospective clients, anyone. You and your people eat dinner at the restaurant on the designated night. Hoss’s will then donate 20% to the charity of your choice. Our charity was the local food bank, for which we raised 75 dollars. I think we had about 25 people show up, that seems to be our standard turn out.

I have a few more notes to pass on. This Thursday, I’m going to begin tutoring with Americorp. I’m also waiting for confirmation from the Midstate Literacy Council, but they’ve asked if I could work with a Chinese couple on their ESL training. Each requires a 2 hour/week commitment. I’m very excited about this volunteer opportunity. I’ll keep you all updated as to our progress!

We attended the Wings Over Pittsburgh Airshow over the weekend. I'll be back in a bit to add a few pictures.

Success!

When we last left our Hero, she was covered in flour and dead asleep at the kitchen table.




But, wait! What is that? She’s wielding the tongs! She’s alive! Cooking didn’t kill her.


Okay, enough of the silliness. Lunch was a success! 22 people attended while I was there, from 11 am - 1 pm. I heard that a few others were going to be filtering in after 1. Apparently, the food was wonderful. I’m saying that honestly, because I don’t eat chicken. And you thought I was just embarking on another ego trip.

Here are a few foodie pictures to titillate your taste buds. On the plate, clockwise from high noon: Thyme & Onion Focaccia, Baby greens with snap peas, tomatoes and Dijon vinaigrette, and Rosemary chicken breast.

Lemony Squash Muffins. The recipe, by Jamie Oliver, can be found here. I'm usually caught tinkering with every recipe I find or just creating my own. But this one was a winner right out of the gate. Try them!

In addition to raising more than 50 dollars for KW Cares, we were able to pull in a few extra donations for our local food bank food drive. Our office is hoping to win the coveted Macaroni Trophy. We’re accepting donations at our office until May 21st.

Here’s the info on the Habitat for Humanity work that we’ll be doing on Thursday. I’m going to bring my camera and click as many pictures as the day will allow. As of this morning, we had more than 15 people signed up, between day, morning, and afternoon shifts. It should be a great time!

I’ll be back a bit later with some interesting reading!

Do You Have Super Powers?

Super Powers?

Yes. I have them. Everyone does, right? Aren’t there things that you are amazingly good at, that you know you can do better than anyone else? Yes, there are. You have super powers.

Here are mine:

• Laughter. The ability to make a speeding toddler stop running and start giggling. Specifically mine, but it might work on your toddler, too.
  


• Mimicry. I can make almost any sound. This includes language. You know that clicky-hard G-hard K letter in Kartuli that resonates off the back of your tongue? You don’t? Well, I got that.
  


• Language in general. Give me a week, and I can speak yours. Yes, I’m open to any offers from the CIA.
  


• Cooking. If you know me, you know that I love to cook. You also know that it’s the one thing that will proudly take me on an ego trip. Tell me you love what I just made for you and you’ll have a little spot in my heart for life. You haven’t lived until I’ve cooked for you. And you won’t know how much I really love you until you’ve tried my Mocha Java Cake. Or my Pumpkin Maple Cheesecake.

Speaking of cooking and super powers, today was my prep day for lunch tomorrow. I’m hosting an office lunch in order to raise funds for KW Cares. Expected turn-out is around 25 or 30 people. I’ll be serving Rosemary Chicken, Focaccia with either onions, olives, herbs, or all three, Baby Greens Salad, and Lemony Squash Cupcakes. I woke up at 6am today to start the Focaccia. It was my first attempt and I wanted to be sure I’d have enough time for a redo if things went south. They didn’t. To quote my child, brace for the ego trip, “mmmm, delicious olive bread.”

I’ll have pictures and donation amounts tomorrow. I’m really looking forward to the event and hoping for an amazing turn out. If you’re in the area, come on out. Keller Williams Advantage Realty. We’re asking for a $2 donation per lunch, all of which goes to KW Cares. Hope to see you there!

One last note: As of April 13, 2008, PSU Autism Speaks 5K Race raised $120,000 for Autism Speaks. This brings our 3 year total to $412,000. Wow. Thanks again to all of my friends and family members who donated. You're the best.