Passings

The last couple of days have brought sad news of deaths. The father of our friend Karl just died, after many years of suffering poor health. Although I never met him, he was by all standards still a young man, but one who has now gone to his rest. Please keep him, Karl and the entire family in your prayers.

Michelangelo emailed us this morning that our friend Robin Whitespear has died in Chicago. Robin was an 80-year-old fiber artist, actor and all-around hard worker for people struggling in recovery. Sober himself for over 30 years, following a life as wretched as any that you can imagine on Chicago's equivalent of Skid Row, Robin dedicated himself to helping those who most desperately needed the support of the communities of which he was a vital part. Robin stressed that he was powerless over alcohol, but he was an example of the power of selflessness. He was a practitioner of tough love, but over the past three decades I suspect he loved dozens, maybe hundreds of men and women into recovery and hope.

May these souls and the souls of all the departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

Easy Breezy Raspberry Nut Fudge

Last night I made fudge for Kathie, the woman who works on the Bookmobile with me. She and her husband just celebrated their 38th wedding anniversary, and I joked that if she had told me I would have baked a cake.

"Would you?" she asked in delight.

Well, I am not much of a baker...

"No, but I might have made you some fudge," I said. "But now I missed your anniversary."

"Fudge, Michael," she told me sternly, "is good anytime."

So I made fudge. I decided to experiment with my basic microwave fudge recipe and got some raspberry extract ...

If you want a nice change from your regular fudge, I highly recommend this:

Easy Breezy Raspberry Nut Fudge

12 oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon of raspberry extract
Chopped nuts as desired (I used about a half cup of chopped walnuts)

1. Put semi-sweet chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in microwave proof bowl. Microwave on high for about 1 minute. Remove and stir until chips melt. Microwave again for about thirty seconds. Remove bowl and stir until chips are completely melted and the chocolate is a shiny, smooth texture.

2. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon of raspberry extract.

3. Fold in nuts just until they are evenly distributed throughout mixture.

4. Pour into a 6x9 or 8x8 glass pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray or coated lightly with butter. Spread fudge to edges of pan and level surface.

5. Cool in refrigerator until firm, about two hours.

6. Cut into squares and serve.

7. Store leftovers (if there are any!) in refrigerator.

Smile

Fr. Geoff Farrow from California put me onto this. I hope it makes you smile, too. And maybe gives you ideas ...

After you click the arrow, you may find that this loads and stops, loads and stops. If so, just walk away for a few minute while it is doing it piecemeal and then come back and hit the Replay arrow and watch the whole thing.

Instead of ...

Culver's is a locally-based (Sauk County, anyway) hamburger joint. The whole ferociously non-kosher Butterburger is their main hamburger offering in a variety of versions, including this summer a chipotle version -- nice but not very spicy to someone brought up in Texas. The frozen custard is a more-than-adequate substitute for ice cream, and you have to try a Turtle Sundae if you get the chance. I like their Lemon Ice, but that is a treat they seem to offer only in summers. Maybe they figure Wisconsinites don't need more ice in winter.

They are mainly a midwest phenomenon, but they do operate in Texas (where, I don't know). One result is that in the Fourth of July Parades up here, there is usually a Texas flag being carried by one of the Culver's employees, along with the flags of other states where they have places.

Don't go there to lose weight! (I did mention Butterburgers, right? Sounds icky, but it's really just a hamburger with a buttered bun.) They offer only one non-sugar dessert and they do have lots of salads. But who goes to a hamburger joint for a salad, right?

So if you are looking for a non-McDonald's stop, and you aren't near Jason's Whataburger, look for the blue Culver's sign. You will enjoy it.

PS -- They are very supportive of local activities wherever they are. (Small town values!) Among other things, they donate prizes for kids who take part in our programs at the library, which is always nice.