What to send when there has been a death in the family

It is a very common question that we get asked a lot, so I thought that I would answer it here  . . . . in our blog. 

Traditionally, flowers are the most common gift that is sent when someone dies, but, today there are a lot of other options. Many obituaries in the newspaper indicate where or to what charity a donation can be made.

But of course, we think that sending chicken soup is the best way to warm someone's body and soul, especially when there has been a death in the family.  We send a lot of gifts for funerals and shiva homes . . . we have special pre-written cards that you can choose from.  For example:

Sympathy
With deepest sympathy for your most recent loss.
Chicken soup always helped our family in a time of grief,
hope it gives you some comfort too.

---

Sympathy 2
With heartfelt sympathy for your devastating loss.
We know chicken soup can't cure the enormous
ache in your heart right now but hope,
at least, it can give you some comfort. 

If you know anyone that has a question what to send, send them to us!  www.GrandmasChickenSoup.com and we can recommend the perfect gift.

Recipe using those great summer peaches!

The pick your own farms around here are full of peaches.  My grandchildren love picking and eating them.  With the ones still left to take home, we love to make Peach Cobbler. 

Ingredients:

Topping 

     2 C flour

     1 Tbs baking powder

     1/4 Tsp salt

     2 Tbs sugar

     1 Tsp lemon zest

     4 Tbs butter

     1/2 C milk

     2 Eggs

     1/8 vanilla extract

Mix together the first 5 ingredients.  Cut butter into mixture. Add milk and eggs and stir until smooth.  Pop in the fridge until ready to put on top of the filling.

Filling

     14 peaches

     1 C sugar

     1 C brown sugar

     1 Tsp cinnamon

     1/8 Tsp nutmeg

     1 Tbs maple syrup

Slice up peaches.  Combine sugar and spices and then toss with peaches.  Spread into standard sized baking dish (use not stick spray), drizzle maple syrup on top and bake for 20 min.  Take chilled topping and spoon over top of fruit.  Bake for another 20 to 25 minutes.  For true decadence serve warm with vanilla ice cream on top.

I took a summer vacation and enjoyed the grandchildren so my recipes went with me. Well rested the recipes are back! It is time to use some of those tomatoes from the garden or farm stand. Gazpacho (cold tomato soup) is a great way to enjoy them and stay cool at the same time.

Gazpacho

2 1/2 lbs tomato concasse

8 oz diced onion

8 oz diced red pepper

12 oz diced seeded cucumber

1 oz garlic minced

1 oz red wine vinegar

1 oz lemon juice

1 oz olive oil

1 Tbs lime juice

Salt and Tabasco to taste

1 qt tomato juice

Puree all ingredients except tomato juice. Once pureed mix in tomato juice and garnish with some extra diced onion, red pepper and cucumber.

Recipe #5 - A Chocolate Lovers Dream Dessert

Who knew a Grandma from the Northeast could make Texas Ranch cake? This recipe was passed on from a friend of a friend and made its way back East. This a real crowd thriller. If you need to bring a dessert for your next gathering, this is the one take. Everyone will want the recipe.

Sift in Bowl: 2 cups flour

2 Cups sugar

½ tsp salt

Bring the following ingredients to a boil and pour over above dry ingredients and mix:

2 sticks butter

1 cup water

3 tbs cocoa

Mix and add to above combined dry and wet ingredients.

2 eggs well beaten

1 tsp baking soda

½ cup buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla

Pour batter into standard greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 Degrees F for 20 minutes.

Start frosting last 5 minutes cake is in oven.  Heat – Do Not Boil – 1 stick butter, 3 Tbs cocoa, 5 Tbs milk

Add 1 box powdered sugar, ½ cup chopped nuts (optional), 1 tsp vanilla

Frost cake as soon as removed from oven (DO NOT wait until cake cools).  24 servings or 48 party sized pieces.

Summer Recipe #4

Nothing says summer like tomatoes and basil.  Below is a yummy recipe that uses both for a great summer appetizer.

Ingredients:
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 300 Degrees F

• Crusty French Bread, sliced into oval discs about 1/4 to 1/2 in thickness
• Tomatoes seeded and sliced
• Mozzarella sliced
• Fresh Basil
• Crushed garlic
• Olive Oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Unlike baking, exact measurements are not needed for these appetizers. The amount of each ingredient is based on personal preference.  Take the slices of French Bread medallions, place them on baking sheet (that has been sprayed with non stick spray or use parchment paper).  Brush on a very light coating of olive oil on each slice of bread then top with a small amount of crushed garlic.  Place in oven and toast up bread until it is slightly golden.  May take around 5-10 minutes or so.  Take bread slices out of oven, put enough tomato on each slice of bread to cover, then place mozzarella slice on top with sprig of fresh basil and salt and pepper to taste. 

3rd Summer Recipe from Grandma's Recipe Box - No Oven required

With the stifling heat of the summer, the last thing we want to do is use the stove.  So, don't for this recipe.  Coleslaw is a classic summer treat, easy to make and no heat source required! 

GRANDMA'S COLESLAW

Grate 1 Medium Cabbage

Grate 3 Carrots

Grate 1 Green Pepper

Grate 1 Tbs. Onion

2 Tbs. Vinegar Cider

2 Tbs. Sugar

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Mayo to desired consistency

Combine all above ingredients with mayo.  Let chill for several hours (if you can wait that long) to allow flavors to marinate.  Coleslaw is a great picnic item but don't let this coleslaw sit in the heat because of the mayo.  Enjoy and stay cool!

2nd Summer Recipe from "Grandma's" Recipe Box - Apricot Squares

Preparing summer fruit is a great way to celebrate the season.  This recipes uses jam so although it may taste like summer, it can be prepared anytime of year whether the farm stand is open or not.  Apricot squares are a great picnic dessert and easy to make.

Apricot Squares
Ingredients:

¾  Cup Butter

1 Cup Sugar

2 Cups and 1 Tbsp Flour

1 egg

1 1/3 Cup Coconut

½ C up chopped nuts

1 tsp vanilla

¼ tsp salt

1 Jar of Apricot Jam (or Fruit Jam of your choice)

Pre Heat Oven to 350 Degrees

Mix all ingredients well (except Apricot Jam) and then spread ¾ of this dough into a greased 9 x 12 pan.  Spread Jar of Jam over dough.  Sprinkle remaining dough on top of Jam.  Bake for 40 minutes

First Recipe from Grandma's Recipe Box

Well since summer is officially here and many places are hot, including here in the Northeast I thought we should start with a classic refreshing thirst quencher.  When there is no better place to sit than an open porch with a warm breeze blowing, the classic New England Raspberry Lime Rickey is my drink of choice.  The recipe could not be easier.  It must be served very cold with ice cubes. 

Ingredients

• 1 lime
• 8 fluid ounces of plain seltzer (soda water)
• 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger raspberry syrup

Directions

1. Fill a tall glass with ice. Squeeze entire juice of 1 lime into a glass, and then drop the lime into the glass. Fill glass nearly to the top with seltzer & top with raspberry syrup.                                                        (Other syrups may be used in place of raspberry if so desired.  It can be made into an adult cocktail by adding alcohol, but I am a purist and prefer the above traditional recipe.)

Our Father's Day Winner is . . .

We received many great Father's Day entries but none better than the one from Nance Blair Stultz honoring a World War II veteran who stepped in as a second father after her dad had passed away. It is a pleasure to say thank you to Mr. Jack Radin for serving our country and continuing his heroism long after the war was over.

"A few years ago I got a phone call from a stranger who had some information for me. . .it changed my life in a good way!

Mr. Jack Radin, a Gentleman from NY, contacted me via a WWII army site from where I was looking for any information about my Daddy, Harold R. Blair.  Mr. Radin and I had some nice chats on the phone and he sent me photographs of he and my Dad from June 1945; (from when they were in the war together).  He also wrote me a letter and told me how the men in the Company M, 100th Division, 399th Regiment liked and respected my Dad. . .

I had never seen those photos of my Dad and the information that he shared with me about my Father are priceless!  Mr. Radin is indeed in line for a great big Happy Father's Day for bringing memories of my Dad (who passed away. . .) and he even told me that I could have a whole UNIT that would take me for a daughter!

What a wonderful person!  I would be delighted to honor him with some Grandma's Soup! and recognition!

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Nance Blair Stultz

(picture on top: Jack Radin on the far left and Harold Blair on the far right, June 1945, picture on bottom: Nance Blair Stultz 2010 Father's Day Contest winning author)

Yeah!!!

Today, we reached our goal of 20,000 customers! Thank you everyone!!!

Here's another post from a 10 year old girl!

R-ready to talk to anyone in sight
O-out going
B-believer
E-exiting
R-ready to have fun
T-totally awesome

Those were some things that I think of my dad he is the best dad I could ever have. I create great memories with him every day. I enjoy my dad coaching my lacrosse team and having ice creams after every game.


Sophia

Father's Day Contest

We are receiving tons of entries for our "Best Father" contest . . have you submitted a story why your dad is the best? 

 Remember, you win a free soup for you or your dad!

2010 Father's Day Contest

Grandma's Father’s Day Contest!!!

GrandmasChickenSoup wants to celebrate your Dad this Father’s Day  

We cheered for great Mother’s Last month, now it is time to thank Dad! 

We want to thank one special Dad this year for Father’s Day 2010. 

Our Celebrate Dad contest will allow you to nominate the best Dad you know.  The winner will receive a FREE half gallon of delicious GrandmasChickenSoup and a Grandma's Chicken Soup gift mug filled with crackers, our signature carrot pen and completed with a hand decorated whimsical chicken cookie.  

We will feature many of the entries on my blog and Facebook for everyone to read. 

Thank dad through your heartfelt words and for one deserving winner, he will get a FREE meal on me, GRANDMA.  

In 300 words or less, tell us why this Dad you are nominating is special and deserves to be recognized and receive a Free gift.  This can be any Dad you know as long as they are great at the job of Fatherhood.   Anyone who entered the Mother’s Day Contest is definitely eligible to enter my Father’s Day Contest!

Entries must be emailed to me at grandma@grandmaschickensoup.com from now until June 13th, 2010. The winning author will be notified via email June 14, 2010.  In order for us to send the soup to the lucky Dad before Father’s Day 2010, the winning author must provide us with the winning dad’s address by June 15th.  Employees and relatives of GrandmasChickenSoup and David’s World Famous are not eligible. The winning author will be asked to submit a picture to accompany their story.

The Winner of our Mother's Day Contest with her Mom! - check out the Original package that she won at www.GrandmasChickenSoup.com

And the Mother's Day Contest Winner is. . .

We received a ton of great entries to our first Mother's Day Contest, with some posted on this blog.  I want to thank everyone who submitted an entry and thank all the Mother's they wrote about, who were heroic and  kind.  We were luckily to learn about them.  

It was very difficult to pick a winner with so many wonderful stories, but we were touched by the legacy that Monica Houston described her mother Mary created.    Mary should be receiving her delicious GrandmasChickenSoup with a mug full of crackers tomorrow.  We hope to post a picture of the winning mom soon!

Happy Mother's Day to Mary and to all the great Mom's this Sunday. 

Here is a reposting of the winning entry. . .

My Mother's name is Mary . . .  My mother's mind is not with us in reality as alert as she was, but is ever alert and beautiful in my heart.  She is in the final stage of Dementia and lives in a wonderful facility in . . . MI.  My Mama was a social worker by profession.  She completed college in 1957, one of the first in our extended family to complete college.  When she divorced my Dad in the early 1970's, she went back to school and obtained her Masters Degree in Social Work, while supporting and raising 4 children. 

In 1977 Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She took this challenge as she did all others with faith and a positive attitude.  She was a safe haven for all of my sisters', brothers' and my friends.  She often took them in when they were temporarily homeless or parentless due to life's situations.  Mama was always encouraging, and was very active in our community through our Block club, Church-St. John C.M.E. , The American Breast Cancer Association, the National Association of Black Social Workers, and many other organizations.

When Mama and I noticed that she was beginning to have trouble remembering things, she bravely allowed my siblings and I to find her a great Doctor, and because of God and him she has still survived this disease since the mid to late 90's.  Mama only recognizes any of us for about 30 seconds now, but her smile is radiant and we can still feel her love.  She still has a great appreciation for what tastes good.  If she doesn't like something her determination NOT to eat is fierce!  I know that she would love your soup and enjoy the warmth and deliciousness of it.  Your lemon iced cake is also delicious and I have sent these things to many of my friends and family over the years.  I know my Mom would not only love to be recognized in this way, but she would be humbled at the total love and devotion that I feel for her.

Sincerely,

Monica M. Houston

Here's an entry from someone who wishes their Mom knew about our company!

I read about your Best Mom contest in our local Jewish newspaper, and immediately decided to submit this entry.

My mother, Joyce, is a mother, grandmother, and as of this very week,
a great-grandmother!  She is no ordinary mother.  During my freshman
year of college, I came down with a bad cold days before my first
formal dance.  My mother detected despair in my voice when I called
home -- I didn't have shoes to wear with my dress and oh, how I
missed her chicken soup remedy.   Two days later, my dorm leader
notified me that I had a package waiting for me downstairs.  Its
brown wrapping was soaked, the box was ripped, the smell was
overwhelming.  Inside the remains of the box was a pair of my
mother's strappy sandals, dripping with chicken broth.  Bits of
carrots, celery, onion and chicken clung to every strap.  The soup's
original container, packed with the shoes, had apparently exploded
en-route.  I wasn't able to eat my mother's soup or wear her shoes,
but her thoughtfulness filled me up and warmed my heart.

A GrandmasChickenSoup employee writes about her mom. . .

Obviously employees of GrandmasChickenSoup can not enter our Mother's Day Contest for a free soup and mug of crackers. . .but we certainly will let Melissa highlight her great Mom on my Blog.

"My mom is the best and I am thrilled to be able to say thank you to her this Mother’s Day. We were not sure at this time last that she would be around for us to do that. My mother is warm and caring. She always wanted to have a big family but was only able to have me. She proudly says, “I wanted 12 and got my 12 all wrapped up in you!” My mom was a divorced mom, worked hard full time and still attended all my activities. Hers was the loudest voice cheering. She has always made me feel loved and was awed and supportive of even my smallest accomplishments. Once I got married and decided to start a family she moved 300 miles to be close to us to help watch our children.

My mom works full time and watches her 3 grandchildren so that I can work. My girls love their “Nanny” and light up when she enters our house. Last year, my mom, who rarely got sick, was in the hospital for 3 weeks with a rare back infection. It was devastating, and at times we thought we might lose her. We are very lucky to say she made it through

There are many people that need to be thanked. Thank you to Mass General Hospital and their wonderful staff who helped nurse her back to health. It was a long process but she is now 100%. Thank you to David, Betsy and Janice Poritzky for whom I work at www.GrandmasChickenSoup. With my mother sick I was not able to work much for 2 months. They allowed me the freedom to watch my girls and help my mother get better as she recovered at home. They worked around my schedule and held my job until everything was back to normal. Finally, thank you to my mother for getting better. We need decades more time together with the best “Nanny”, “Mother-in-law” and “Mom”."

A few days left to still enter my Mother's Day Contest

Today's entry comes from Erin. . .

My mom deserves to win this contest, as she is the absolute best. When I was 12, and my brother was 14, she lost her best friend and we lost our dad, suddenly due to a heart attack. Our family was being torn apart. She managed to keep us together and raise us to be strong despite losing our dad. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to have to suddenly raise 2 teenagers by herself, but she pulled through. She now is a wonderful Grandmother to 5 grandkids and is still an incredibly strong woman. Her faith in God drives her each and every day. She is amazing and I am blessed to have her as my mom.

Today's highlighted Grandma's Mother's Day Contest. . .

There is still a week left to enter my Mother's Day Contest. Enter today, one lucky winner will be able to send the winning Mom a Free Soup and Mug full of crackers on Grandma!

Genevieve M., The Self Proclaimed Daughter of World's Greatest Mother, writes. . .

A nurse for nearly twenty-five years, my mother, Debbie M., is currently the weekend supervisor at a hospital. But for the last twelve years, she has additionally cared for two exceptional patients. Her mother battled multiple myeloma cancer for nearly a decade; my mom held her mother’s frail hand through every medical appointment, whether it was a blood transfusion, bone marrow transplant or chemotherapy treatment.

Only two months before enduring the grief of her mother’s death, her father suffered a stroke. The frightful night an ambulance rushed him to the hospital, the day cancer took my grandmother, during every occupational, speech and physical therapy session, and even now as he is beginning to walk, she had been by his side.

Despite working long weekend hours and regularly driving forty-five minutes to and from my grandfather’s house, my mom cheered for me at every swim meet, excitedly assisted me before each school dance and still answers the phone at any hour when I call from college in need of comforting. While perpetually existing ten minutes behind schedule and maybe not the best with cooking, cleaning or laundry, my mother is nonetheless the best exemplar I could ask for.

She offers ceaseless dedication to others, always putting everyone before herself. My mother’s passion in serving humanity and uncompensated zeal in caring for her family merits a reward. She has a perfect heart of unconditional love. Thank you for considering her for the Grandma’s Chicken Soup giveaway; I cannot think of anyone more deserving of such a gift.

Many Thanks.

Today's highlighted Grandma's Mother's Day Entry. . .

Many great entries are coming in. I am sad we can only highlight a few. Here's is a darling piece from Michael H. about his mom. . .

My mom deserves far more than I should ever be able to give her, and words can't seem to sum up the great deal she's given me. It seems there's not a moment she isn't moving, working, helping, doing every bit she can. No matter the help I try to give, it's incomparable to what she has and is doing. I suppose I'm not different, considering I'm made of her flesh, blood and love, but everyone around me has taken notice of what she does and is constantly doing for my family. She's able to work eighteen-hour shfts, something my mind finds unimaginable. She's given me so much, I'd like to give her just a bit more than I have before.