TOP 10 LISTS & Christmas Ramblings by Recipe Records

I suppose I have to conform to societal pressure and start thinking about Christmas shopping.
I will refrain from a lecture on the commercialization of this sacred holiday due to the fact that 1) yeah, this economy is in the crapper and 2) yeah....I also have a retail product that I want to sell.... So with that acknowledgment now on the table, I will forego my opinions and cut to the chase.

The Christmas shopping & party season is made a little more pleasant by the use of MUSIC and FOOD.... and what better way to incorporate these hot items than with....... drumroll....  Recipe Records...  In the spirit of enjoying music and gift-giving I am going to offer my TOP 10 list of Awesome Christmas Songs and the TOP 10 list of Awesome Christmas Gift Ideas for this year.....   I'd love to give you my TOP 10 list of Awesome Foods for the Christmas season, however, I am a food addict and I can not narrow down any ridiculous list to just 10 items....Let's just suffice it to say that you can easily find 10 awesome foods in our book.

* Warning loved ones....the Top 10 Christmas Gift list MAY or MAY NOT contain information that is in conjunction with special items purchased for you.....

So, let's go with the music & gifts....

TOP 10 AWESOME CHRISTMAS SONGS 2011

10.  A New York Christmas - Rob Thomas
9.  Do They Know It's Christmas ?  -  Band Aid
8. Merry Christmas Baby - Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
7. Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
6. Jingle Bells - The Singing Dogs (OK..c'mon, I'm a sucker for caroling canines & I waited
                             every Christmas season to hear this special tune on the radio... )
5. Please Come Home for Christmas - The Eagles
4. 12 Days of Christmas - Straight No Chaser (you gotta watch this video on youtube.. )
3. Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt (this song is just HOT....and if I were a rock star, I'd want her name...)
2. Happy Christmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon & Yoko Ono

1.  Brightest Star - Chris Isaak  (OK the lyric freak in me has to mention....Chris Isaak wrote this Christmas song & I find it so refreshing in a time where musicians outside of the Christian music genre would RARELY write a song about Jesus & Christmas .... I was hooked by the lyrics " And from a cross they say you give your love to everyone; I think of all I've done...And still you care for me...Your love, you give it away I fall to my knees and I pray"

You'll also find a great music selection on Page 191 of Recipe Records ...

TOP 10 CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS 2011


10.  Creative Cursing by Sarah Royal  - sorry Mom & Dad but potty talk is just plain HILARIOUS & this flip book is great for traveling & as a stocking stuffer....wanna sit with your cousin in the corner & create names for Great Aunt Carmen's nonsense ...?  $9.95 & cheaper 'used' on Amazon....  By far some of the greatest laughs I've had.....

9.  Flash Bags -  Use a favorite picture to create a purse, bag, placemats, etc. that are totally unique. Reasonably priced & brilliantly created by some chicks in Vermont.... www.flashbagsonline.com/

8.  Abbey Road on the River - Louisville, KY, giant Beatles Festival - Order tickets or a gift certificate for your Beatle fan! This festival runs every Memorial Day Weekend and offers over 50 Beatle inspired bands that will make you go Yeah, Yeah, Yeah http://www.abbeyroadontheriver.com/


7. Florida Honeybell Oranges.  OMG these are the best oranges I have EVER had.....they are only from Florida & only available in January...so plan NOW ... they get their name from the taste and the shape of the orange.  Mags used to send these to my family & they were GREATLY enjoyed & you'll love them, too!    www.honeybell.com  or www.halegroves.com

6. Support local wineries!!!  With a wine named "Three Dog White" - how can you go wrong??  Genkota Winery in Mt. Vernon, Illinois offers exquisite wines - check them out at www.genkotawine.com  or in Southern Indiana check out Blue Heron Vineyard, Cannelton, Indiana ~ www.blueheronvines.com - Check out their awesome wines and charming bed & breakfast!

5.   Jilly's Cupcake Bar - St. Louis      www.jillyscupcakebar.com  Hands down the most delectable cupcakes I have ever tasted. Our fantastic friend Debra can suggest a great gift for your loved ones or get a gift card!

4.  Cafe on the Route Bed & Breakfast Gift Certificate - This incredible B&B is located in Baxter Springs, Kansas & lies on Route 66.  The restaurant is located in an old bank building that was robbed by Jesse James. Purchase a night for your parents or a romantic get away with your significant other.... Amy Slattery Sannell & her brilliant chef husband will charm you - just as they charmed Guy Fieri & his staff for the Food Network! Contact Amy for prices!
http://cafeontheroute.com/cafeontheroute.html  or on Facebook:  Cafe on the Route

3. The Gift of Music - find out what kind of music your co-worker likes & purchase a CD - or vintage vinyl album if they are REAL music hounds ~ if you are on a budget, burn a CD for them with music you already own...know a Pink Floyd fan?  Grab a CD and make Dark Side of the Moon Pies from page 193 of Recipe Records....

Recipe Records also makes Vintage Record Bowls ...... $6 - email for choice selection OR Special Order (price tbd)!  reciperecordsml@aol.com   A great gift when filled with delicious candies...

2.  A Box of Beatles Savoy Truffles - $10  ~ 4 Individually Flavored Truffles Created for each Beatle Personality!  The Paul - a sweet cherry cream; The John - a lemon tart; The George - a smooth, mellow coffee & The Ringo - a raspberry nut     Makes a great gift for that Beatle fan..... email us to inquire on shipping.

1.  Recipe Records Cookbook!   $19.95  ~ Endorsed by Charlie Daniels, purchased by over a 1000 people, over 170 EASY, delicious recipes, Hilarious stories, trivia, quips, quotes.....you just can't go wrong with this one!
Please check out my website   www.reciperecords.webs.com for order info or you may contact me via Facebook:  RecipeRecords Cookbook   ~     or by email:  reciperecordsml@aol.com
Please share my blog with all your friends and contact me if you have any questions!!


**Gift note:  IF you already own a Kindle or plan to purchase one as a gift, let me recommend a spell binding novella written by my childhood friend, Katy Wolfe Brandes. The novella is only 99 cents and is titled Contained.  The story is excited and her use of adjectives is worthy of an award from our dear old English teacher, Mrs. Kugel......   Find Katy on Facebook - Katy Wolfe Brandes  or find the book at http://www.amazon.com/Katy-Brandes/e/B005ZTO0Y8

Have a tolerable Christmas shopping season......

Lanea

U2 ~ Shoo Fly Pie ~ Coyotes

I am thankful for family.

I am fortunate to still have my mom, dad and sister that I can complain, recall, report, cheer and commiserate with. I am also blessed to have three children that I get to “boss” around as they see it…and my husband and his 5 children that adds to my list of blessings.

A week after Margaret’s funeral, my 16 year-old son, Ethan, announced to me that he wanted to get up Sunday morning (5 a.m.) to go coyote hunting and I had to go with him (he only had a driving permit and needed a licensed driver along and his dad was out of town) …. My response to him was something to the effect of … "when Hell freezes over." At that time Ethan promptly reminded me of the many “hippie” festivals that he’d been helping me with recently (Recipe Records booth) … and I dropped my head … ‘cause he was right. I quickly recalled two weeks prior when he spent Saturday (after a 2-hour football practice) at a Woodstock-type hippie festival with me…manning the booth and tearing down…we were both glad the other was along to keep company. He could’ve been doing a lot of other 16 year-old boy things that day, but he supported me -- --and hey, he even sold a couple of books…. So mommy guilt kicked in and I agreed half-heartedly to rise at 5:00 Sunday morning to go coyote hunting.

I grew up in a small farming community (which at the time I didn’t see it like that) …. Where grain elevators were common, surplus corn piled high in the street after a strong harvest, the FFA (Future Farmers of America) kids would drive their tractors and combines to school during FFA week, in the winter the “country” kids would arrive late to school on the bus and implement dealers were plentiful…. My children have always lived in a city with very little farming razzmatazz to be seen. Ethan has the country boy gene and I’ve been surprised and heartwarmed to see his love of “country things” … like riding around on gravel roads, no top on his Jeep, with Lynyrd Skynyrd blaring, loving dirtbikes, guns, knives, dogs and comfort foods.

It was the second Sunday in October and I jumped out of bed when I heard his heavy footsteps on our wooden steps, threw on some clothes, turned on the coffee and tried to clear some of the head fog. We soon left home in his 1995 Jeep Wrangler which was very bumpy and very loud. After about 30 minutes of that nonsense I announced that we might have to listen to music, which I’d been avoiding. The only CD he had in the Jeep monster was U2. Mags LOVED U2 and I’m so happy that she was able to see their concert in St. Louis in July – she reported to me about how marvelous it was. The same weekend that she went to the show, I had Ethan and my 14 year-old daughter Abby at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH. A fantastic video is being shown there of a U2 show in Argentina. Ethan was instantly hooked on U2, as we don’t listen to them a lot, and he mentioned that we needed to listen to them more. I purchased a couple of U2 songs on iTunes to compliment the couple of CD’s that I already owned and made Ethan a U2 CD.

We were nearing the wildlife preserve and the sun was just coming up and the sky had layers of golden yellow and magenta and I remember thinking it was one of the most beautiful sunrises I’d seen for a long time. So the CD kicks on and U2's Bono is singing "It's a Beautiful Day, don't let it get away.... "…. At this moment I hadn’t seen many beautiful days and I think the powers that be were showing me that there is so much to be thankful for.

The preserve where we were driving is just outside our city and it's considered "the country"...or it's at least what the city folks think is country.....      I found a smidge of humor because U2's “Where the Streets Have No Name” rang out in the noisy Jeep and I was riding on country roads that were far from being considered streets, but these country roads HAD names....….I was cracking up at the irony of country roads having street names…….

Perhaps my favorite U2 song is The Fly, due to it's rockin' beat ..… and I wondered if a recipe could be twisted a la' Recipe Records-style........which lead to ShooFLY Pie….  and I wondered is that even real? Is it made up? Is it just something I saw on Andy Griffith? So, I did some research and I found out that Shoofly Pie is real, having originated in the Pennsylvania Dutch country in the early 1700's and it got its name because the people would have to "shoo" the flies away because the pie was so gooey and sticky.  I found a link to Alton Brown's Shoo Fly Pie recipe & you can check it out. 

And oh, we didn’t see any coyotes– not that I would have...... because I stayed bundled up in the Jeep monster….and as far as I know, coyote is not used in recipes……

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/shoo-fly-pie-recipe/index.html


I'd like to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We have so much to be thankful for....I recently saw this quote in an email .......   "WHAT IF, when you woke up this morning, ALL YOU HAD LEFT was what you THANKED GOD for last night?"

Lanea Stagg
Recipe Records

3 Marlaneas Studio

Evansville, Indiana
http://www.reciperecords.webs.com/

on Facebook: RecipeRecords cookbook

http://www.rockblocks3.blogspot.com/

812-305-3868

If you are still planning your dessert menu for Thursday's Thanksgiving celebration, be sure to add this recipe which makes the traditional pumpkin pie more decadent.  You'll find it on Page 152 of Recipe Records.....

Smashing-Pumpkin Pie

For Pie:
1 - 15 oz. can pumpkin
1 - 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon (divided)
1/2 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
1 - 6 oz. graham cracker pie crust

For Streusel Topping:
1/3 c. firmly packed brown sugar
2 tbsp. flour
2 tbsp. butter, chilled
3/4 c. chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Beat together pumpkin, sweetened condensed milk, egg, 3/4 tsp. cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg & salt. Pour into crust. Bake for 15 minutes and remove from oven. 

Combine brown sugar, flour and remaining cinnamon. Cut butter into mixture until crumbly. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle topping onto warm pie. Reduce oven to 350 degrees. Bake streusel-topped pie for 40 minutes or until set.  I usually put the pie onto a cookie sheet to catch any liquid that might leak over.

Serve warm with whipped cream.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I've been making this recipe for at least 15 years, having found the recipe on a sweetened condensed milk can. It is always popular and is requested each year... It was a no-brainer to attach the name of Smashing Pumpkins to the pie, because like the band, it has different layers going on....  The pie has awesome goodness to it and while I am not a Smashing Pumpkin fan, I'm sure that for S. P. fans there is goodness in their work.  I am familiar with only a few of their songs, i.e., "1979" and "Bullet with Butterfly Wings" and the band is definitely dark and moody with Billy Corgan's vocals adding a dimension of unrest. 

The band started originally in 1988 in Chicago and has undergone many member changes and sound progressions.  The frontman Billy Corgan writes most of the songs which are angst-ridden, like most alternative rock bands..... There is a lot of depth to their sound though and I can appreciate that ... check them out soon.....as they were worthy of being added to a pumpkin pie recipe....

Lanea Stagg
Recipe Records

3 Marlaneas Studio

Evansville, Indiana
http://www.reciperecords.webs.com/

on Facebook:  RecipeRecords cookbook

http://www.rockblocks3.blogspot.com/

812-305-3868

The Last Waltz

On page 99 of Recipe Records, Mags & I mentioned the movie "The Last Waltz" on our listing of great music movies.  I put an inside joke next to the listing -- "The Last Waltz - ever seen it?" - because during the past few years I would forget if we'd talked about something and EVERYTIME I would mention The Last Waltz to Mags, I'd follow with "Ever seen it?" - and for the 100th time I'd said that to her, she said -- "you know you say that EVERY time don't you???"
 
If you are unfamiliar with the movie....relax and let me fill you in.  Prior to watching this movie, I wasn't a particular fan of The Band, but afterward I was hooked.

On Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976, the rock group The Band, played their last show at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco and the monumental evening was captured by Martin Scorcese who made a documentary about the Band's history, focusing on their final concert.  The concert included guests such as Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Van Morrison, Muddy Waters, Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Neil Young and more.  The Band had great music and hits, but I think their importance in the music world was the work ethic & talent they contributed to so many artists.

The Band was made up of Canadians Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel.  These exquisite musicians were eternal back up musicians for artists that needed a band during the 60's such as Bob Dylan, later releasing hits such as "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up on Cripple Creek"; also listed #50 in Rolling Stone's top 100 bands of all time. Sadly, two members of this band have passed, the sweet Rick Danko and the colorful Richard Manuel.

I'm drawn to mention the show at this time because 1) it was held on Thanksgiving and 2) I watched it for the 50th time this weekend and found great similarities in the Bob Dylan performance and a performance Mags & I attended about 10 years ago in St. Louis - The Wallflowers, whose frontman was Dylan's son, Jakob Dylan.  Bob Dylan was generally a little shy in performances and would usually get on the stage, perform, and leave. During his performance at the end of "The Last Waltz", however, he was relating to someone in the audience and you could see him talking to the band to play another song...which he seemed to be wanting to play for someone in the audience.....

Once again, on page 140 of Recipe Records, we have a recipe titled "Baby-Bird Cakes" - along with a story about Jakob Dylan's Wallflowers show and his dedication of the Baby Bird song to my son, Ethan, who was 5 at the time.  The song is a lullaby and it's quite beautiful  - we named a light, crepe-like pancake after this song as well.  Check out the story and make these awesome pancakes for your loved one...

Jakob Dylan is touring at this time and you should try to take in a show if you can--I know I'm going to try...

The Concert For Mags......

When my children were little I was visiting my parents in mid-Missouri which was also home to a small Amish community. My mom & stepdad insisted on visiting an Amish farm & trying to find someone to give my very tenacious boys a ride on a wagon with horses. We drove down a dusty gravel road & found a farm with horses in front & a sign for handmade baskets. We pulled in and found a teenage boy who was delighted to take the kids for a ride. My mom & I stayed back & inquired about the baskets ..and three young girls told us to come inside the house to look at them. While inside the barren home, we asked about their parents and the sweet children told us that their "pa" had died and their "ma" was in the backroom.... in mourning for a year......I'm beginning to think that holing up in a room for a year is not enough to mourn the loss of a loved one.

I titled this post in the vein of The Concert for George...which was released in 2002, one year to the date of the death of George Harrison. Eric Clapton arranged the entire show & it was an incredible tribute to the Quiet Beatle.......  Following the passing of Mags, I spent weeks unable to listen to music...because it was a constant reminder of the loss.  After 4 weeks, I spent an entire day listening to new music that couldn't remind me of her...then I finally made a breakthrough and am determined to let the music heal the pain.  So this post is going to include some music references just for Mags.

At Margaret's funeral, her niece, Annie, (who is the most awesome girl in the world--along with my daughter, Abby) and Mags' boyfriend, Keith, wrote & read a poignant eulogy and I want to share that with all of you...

"FOR MAGGIE" 

(Keith Reading:)

Maggie was a beautiful, caring person with a heart of gold who loved music, life and her family, especially her niece and nephew, Annie and Mac.

She had a great sense of humor, sometimes mischievous, but never meant to harm and always to bring a smile and laughter.

(Annie reading:)

Music meant a lot to her and was very important to her. She loved listening to music, researching various musicians and their music, and of course going to concerts. Each year she always enjoyed going to a Beatles festival called “Abbey Road on the River” with her dear friend Lanea Stagg and her daughter and my close friend Abby, and me. She loved The Beatles, The Doors, and The Foo-Fighters; especially George Harrison, Jim Morrison, and Dave Grohl.

Probably her proudest achievement was the recent publication of her “Recipe Records” cookbook who she co-authored with her friend Lanea. She called it her “beautiful baby” and would probably be very upset if I didn’t mention that it is available at www.reciperecords.webs.com. I’m sure you recognize this commercial if you ever called her and got her voice mail message. She always looked forward to book signings and promotions.

She was a great radio DJ and she loved that job dearly. Her radio career was unfortunately cut short due to circumstances beyond her control, as well as an unfortunate vision impairment. Either one of these situations would have been devastating to many people and the idea of both is unthinkable. However, it didn’t slow her down. She learned how to cope and kept on pushing forward, always thinking positively. Up to the last moments she said things would get better. We don’t see now that she got better and selfishly think she left us too soon, but in actuality she did get better. She’s now in a much better place than all of us, with other loved ones that she felt for the day they left us as we do for her today. I pray that she will continue talking to us daily and know that she doesn’t want us to feel sorry for her, but rather to keep on living life to its fullest, helping others, and remembering all the good times we had with her.

                             *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *  

For some reason I woke up with all of the words for the eulogy dripping from my pen...and Keith tells me it was the same for him as well. I thought it would be difficult to talk about Margaret at her funeral, however, I could've said so much more.  We both agreed that Mags was talking to us..... This is Lanea's eulogy:

                                                                         "Margaret"

When it comes to Margaret….welll… I could write a book. She was a truly special human being.

Margaret Mary McHugh didn’t play electric guitar or drums or sing lead vocals…but she was the biggest rock star that I’ve ever loved. I know that a rock star is someone who doesn’t follow rules, they make their own. They go out of their way to be extraordinary…. Well, Margaret certainly did her share of being extraordinary. A rock star is an engaging person whose magnetism attracts everyone in the audience. Margaret charmingly connected with everyone who was in her audience whether one on one or while floating over the airwaves.

She was fiercely loyal and protective of her family and friends and we are all grateful for that drive in her. I can’t begin to list all of the qualities that she held. She had many names that she answered to, many hats (she had AWESOME HATS) that she wore, so to speak…… Margaret, Ashi, Mags, Maggie, Madison, Maggot (?) Magzie… One hat that is probably unknown to most is the Policeman’s hat she wore…..sometimes in our business dealings, we’d have to make a firm decision with someone and she always wanted to be the Good Cop – the nice one and I had to be the Bad Cop – the one to break the unfortunate news to that person.. It always cracked me up. She had many more qualities than hats & nicknames, though and each one is unforgettable.

Mags loved to give gifts, (she loved comedic gifts) , but I believe two most notable gifts she delivered to us with the grandest, shiniest, most sparkly ribbon that could ever be made…..are the gift of beautiful memories of our times with her and the gift of making each of us feel like we were her BEST friend and we were the most important person in the world.

When I found out that I needed to leave town to see my dear friend, I jumped in my car to drive home and grab some clothes. I turned on the radio instead of the CD player,and because I’m kind of a radio snob --- like Mags, it was odd for me to do this. I headed down the road and the DJ said he was cranking out a couple of tunes by Queen for Two Fer Tuesday --- The first song to come on was “Fat Bottomed Girls “ --- no comment. Before the 2^nd song even began I knew what they were going to play … “You’re my Best Friend” . I knew at that moment that was meant for me…many a time we held each other’s hand and sang that song to each other. I’m certain that she’s sending messages to all of us through music. She and I had discussed that phenomenon a lot actually.

Awhile back Margaret asked me to find a song for her and for the longest time neither she nor I could find it. Yesterday the song came to me & I found the lyrics in about 30 seconds. The song is called “Pilot of the Airwaves” by a British musician, (a chick) Charlie Dore. Here are some of the lyrics :

Pilot of the airwaves
Here is my request
You don't have to play it
But I hope you'll do your best
I've been listening to your show on the radio
And you seem like a friend to me

Or a record of your choice
I don't mind
I'd be happy just to hear your voice
Saying this is for the girl
Who didn't sign her name
Yes, she needs a dedication just the same

I been listening to your show on the radio
And you seem like a friend to
Play that song for me
Oh, won't you just play that song for me

I believe Mags is in heaven with her bright, beautiful smile & perfect body and she is piloting the airwaves now and rockin the place --- so keep your ears open…as I know she’ll be playing something for you soon.
*   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *

A friend of mine sent me condolences... along with this touching Paul McCartney song/video which I'd like to share with you.  The song is titled "The End of the End"......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm-3y40TFKs

And because I'm a lyric freak, I'm going to post the touching lyrics that Paul wrote, I'm sure, with his wife Linda, and friends George & John in mind...

The End Of The End

At the end of the end
It's the start of a journey
To a much better place
And this wasn't bad
So a much better place
would have to be special
No need to be sad

On the day that I die I'd like jokes to be told
And stories of old to be rolled out like carpets
That children have played on
And laid on while listening to stories of old

At the end of the end
It's the start of a journey
To a much better place
And a much better place
Would have to be special
No reason to cry
On the day that I die I'd like bells to be rung
And songs that were sung to be hung out like blankets
That lovers have played on
And laid on while listening to songs that were sung

At the end of the end
It's the start of a journey
To a much better place
And a much better place
Would have to be special
No reason to cry
No need to be sad
At the end of the end

I wanted to share these thoughts about Margaret, in hopes that it'll bring comfort to me and to others. Keep remembering her quick smile & mesmerizing eyes and her unmatched wit & sass. Everyone I talk to has kind words to say to me & for that I'm so blessed. Thank you. My dad told me last week that he was watching something on PBS about Steve Jobs and they were interviewing Jobs' best friend who misses him tremendously. Dad said it made him think about me & Mags. Jobs' friend said that the business and invention aside, he missed all the fun he had with his best friend. Amen.

I'd like to end with my "Suggested Song List" -- which is something we have in our book, Recipe Records....on most pages we formed a theme with the recipes & listed songs that we thought you should listen to while you make that recipe.Today I'm going to post the songs that remind me of Margaret, however, lots of music reminds me of her and there's no way to include it all...these are just some highlights.

Peace & Rock & Roll,


Lanea

Suggested Songlist for Margaret

Blackbird -    The Beatles

My Sweet Lord - George Harrison

Funeral for a Friend-   Elton John (I mention this tongue in cheek b/c yes, it sounds like a  death song, but it's really a break up song & Mags would get a charge out of that....the song is around 11 minutes long, it was released on the Yellow Brick Road album & the instrumentation is fantastic & powerful, which is why I go ahead & mention it)

Tears in Heaven -    Eric Clapton

Maggie May -    Rod Stewart

The One in the Middle -    Robert Cray

Three Cool Cats -    The Beatles and/or Pete Best Band

What Is Life -    George Harrison

You're My Best Friend -     Queen

Only the Good Die Young –    Billy Joel

Sweet Caroline -    Neil Diamond

Hey Soul Sister -    Train

Bed Intruder (ok this is Abby's pick)

You’ve Got a Friend in Me –    Randy Newman

All Things Must Pass –    George Harrison

Photograph –    Ringo Starr

Maggie's Farm -    Rage Against the Machine

Baby Bird Song -    The Wallflowers

                                            I’ll See You In My Dreams –    Joe Brown

"Only the Good Die Young".... Billy Joel

Today will mark my first official blog entry on behalf of Recipe Records. For those of you who are not aware, I lost my dear friend, Margaret (aka Mags, Maggie, Madison, Ashi) - on Tuesday, October 4, 2011. Margaret was loved by so many people that it's impossible to mention. I've struggled with profound grief and in a later blog I'm going to write a little more about that, along with posting the eulogies given by her beloved niece, Annie, her beau, Keith and myself. There have been so many acts of kindness for Margaret's loved ones and we all are forever grateful. I've lost my right hand and I'm thankful for my wonderful family & friends to help me through the grief.

Many of you know Margaret as Maggie. I've always called her Margaret & she always called me Laney. I will probably vary in my writings about her so bear with me.  Margaret & I talked about blogging years ago, before we dreamed up Recipe Records. It didn't go anywhere, because we hadn't really developed a plan of where to post our blogs. So, now I'm picking up with that intention and sending it to all of you that have an interest in RR. Just to remind you - Margaret & I are not chefs, nor professional musicians. We simply had a passion for food & music and we found a creative way to express our love of both with you. It's impossible to estimate the number of hours we spent contributing to RR, but each minute was a learning experience and when we were creating material, it was incredibly enjoyable. We considered ourselves music specialists....however, we don't know everything about music---that's why the internet was invented. We grew into business women by creating a book that brought us humor, comfort, joy, memories and now Margaret's legacy.

For Margaret & I it was really all about the music. We find such joy and emotion within music. It's only fitting that it should be enjoyed with food. I plan to write a blog once or twice a week & send to you. It will likely highlight recipes, stories & music from Recipe Records. I'm hoping to also post some youtube videos with food demos eventually as well. Please feel free to write me anytime if you have questions or concerns. For example....I'm working on a little story about The Smashing Pumpkins, along with our Smashing Pumpkin Pie recipe for Thanksgiving. I'll talk about the music and about this awesome pie.... It'll be different all the time, perhaps talking about new recipes, new bands, etc.

In order to remember my dear friend Margaret, I want to ask each of you to pick out something from Recipe Records (which Margaret considered her baby since she didn't have children) and make it for a loved one, or for someone you are fond of & that could use an unexpected pick me up.  My friend Marla suggested this as a way everyone can celebrate Margaret's life.  If you don't have a copy of Recipe Records---may I encourage you to purchase a copy...sorry for the shameless plug.... and you can email me to purchase or purchase off the website using PayPal, www.barnesandnoble.com, BasketKases in Evansville, Left Bank Books in St. Louis, Regalo in Louisville, or if you are in the Cleveland area...at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum Store....

If you don't have a copy of the book & are eager to make something this weekend -- check out the recipes on our website:   www.reciperecords.webs.com   -- we have some groovy truffle recipes that would make anyone happy.

Margaret brought a lot of happiness to countless people & this is a small way for you to pass along that joy.

Peace & Rock & Roll,

Lanea