Gloria’s ‘secret sister’ tasty surprises

0

Last night I was the recipient of the absolute kindness of the dear youth girls in our church. Really now, they all made a huge splash for us married ladies. For the past six months, they each had one of us married ladies as a secret sister, giving gifts every month or two.

Last night, they hosted the most memorable Valentine’s supper and revealed which girl was paired with which married lady.

We were all ushered downstairs to the basement upon our arrival, where tables were set and attractively decorated. A long elegant runner was placed in the tables’ center with candles, chocolates, and a large bouquet of flowers. No, not flowers … a closer look revealed the secret. It was a bouquet of cupcakes, frosted with swirly white filling, resembling flowers.

Between the cupcakes were folds of pink tissue paper. It was beautiful; in fact, stunning. Thanks to the very talented girls who took the time to add all these little touches, making the occasion special for everyone.

And the veggie trays, you most likely haven’t seen the likes. It looked like a flower basket, only it was filled with edible veggies. Using a head of lettuce in the bottom of a basket, they stuck toothpicks in it, which had slices of peppers, fancy-cut radishes, celery, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, and carrots, on the other end of the toothpicks. Next to each basket was a bowl with the most delicious bacon dip.

Each place-setting had an individual cup with seasoned pretzels and homemade heart-shaped candy. It is noteworthy to mention that these candies were made by my friend who suffered a broken bone in the accident we were in a few months ago.

Using two candy canes and placing them on a flat surface, facing each other, she poured chocolate in the center, holding the two together. Each candy was then placed on black paper with a white doily with our names written on it. These were placed on the tables, showing us where to sit at the table.

It was the first time for Julia to be among the girls who had secret sisters; to say the least, she relished her evening as one of the big girls.

Hosanna was delighted to go along, since it was a girls’ party. Baby Joshua also went along to be with mama, and Daddy stayed home with the three other boys.

When everybody was seated, one of the girls led a prayer, thanking God for the food and the occasion. The girls served each of us with a homemade soft tortilla, shaped like a bowl, with layered hot taco salad in the center.

Beside it were dabs of guacamole, sour cream, and diced tomatoes. Absolutely delicious and completely feminine is the best way I can possibly describe it.

The fun part — of guessing who your secret sister was — came next. The girls all stood in a group while we ladies took turns guessing who may have had our name.

Now, I thought I had a good idea of who had my name, but they did out-smart me. Knowing that I was suspicious of the one who had me, they worked together, detouring my ideas.

Come to find out, it was Julia’s teacher, Carolyn, who has been showering me with gifts and acts of kindness these past months.

Laughing, I told Rhoda that since I was thinking it was her, I really had so many loving thoughts about her!

“Well, it now all gets shifted to Carolyn!” she said, chuckling.

At any rate, the children and I have had so much fun opening packages from her. There were even items for the children on several occasions, such as bubbles, little boxes of raisins, and little cookies. They were the right size for children or for mom to snack on while they are napping.

The children were also impressed with a cookbook she gave me with pictures to go with each recipe. Julia was especially intrigued with the healthy lotion, body spray, and body wash. She’d like to make some of her own.

Now, this time Carolyn personally handed me a gift bag. In it, I found a travel pillow, something I’ve been wanting for quite some time, three cleaning cloths, and a card that I now have on the kitchen table, reminding me of her kindness.

I want to be that way. What could I do to bless others, as I have been blessed?

I don’t know exactly where, may God point the way as he ministers to my heart.

Tortilla Bowls

1 tortilla bowl*

1/2 cup chopped lettuce

1/3 cup hamburger, fried and seasoned with taco seasoning

2 tablespoons black beans

1/4 cup shredded cheese

taco sauce (see following recipe that may be used )

If desired warm tortilla bowls in microwave or oven, then layer remaining ingredients in order given. The amount used may be vary to suit your taste. Serve with sour cream, diced tomatoes, and guacamole.

*The girls used homemade bowl tortillas, but a regular soft tortilla or taco shell may be used instead.

Homemade taco sauce

1 cup salad dressing

2 tablespoons ketchup

1 tablespoon vinegar

1/3 cup sugar

1 1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning

1 tablespoon salsa sauce

2 tablespoon pickle relish

Combine all ingredients and serve over taco salad bowls or taco salad.

Gloria Yoder is an Amish mom, writer, and homemaker in rural Illinois. Readers can write to Gloria at 10510 E. 350th Ave., Flat Rock, IL 62427.

https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2021/01/web1_Amish-Cook-logo-cmyk-3.jpg

Gloria Yoder

The Amish Cook

No posts to display