Monday, July 16, 2012

COOKING WITH CLORIS - GUEST AUTHOR JANIE REINART WITH A RECIPE FOR SNOWMAN SOUP


Our guest today is multi-talented Janie Reinart, a fellow with the National Writing Project, a teacher consultant, freelance writer, storyteller, and poet in residence at an inner city school. Janie's chapter, “Boots to Ground “ in Love You More Than You Know, won second place in the National Federation of Press Women's 2010 Communications Contest and first place in the Ohio Professional Writer's Communications Contest. The book contains 45 stories of love, faith, and courage from mothers of soldiers. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book is donated to charities benefiting wounded veterans.

Janie's blog, Love You More Than You Know, is a finalist for the 2012 Milbloggies (6th Annual) Best U.S. Military Parent Blog Award. The blog is dedicated to bringing true stories of our heroes in uniform and sharing the bravery and sacrifices that our troops and their families make everyday for all of us. You are invited to share your story about your soldier at Love You More Than You Know as a guest blogger. Send stories to storiesfrommoms@gmail.com.

Janie is offering a copy of Love You More Than You Know to one of our readers who posts a comment to the blog. Be sure to check back on Sunday to learn if you’re the lucky winner. -- AP

Anastasia, I’m delighted to be a guest on your blog. As the mother of sons, you know how your life is always full of surprises. When my son enlisted after 9/11, I didn’t know that I was going to write this story. So how do you keep connected to your soldier thousands of miles away when he’s deployed? You send your love in care packages from home. Guess what my son Joe always asked me to send in his care packages? He emailed:

Janie's son, Sgt. Joe Reinart
Hi Momma,
The snickers bars and homemade cookies are great. Send a lot of them. Stuff like that and snacks and food. I am hungry. It is such a hassle to go to the chow hall. It’s five miles away. Cereal would be good too—the little boxes. I love you mom and miss you. Will write soon. Love Joe

Joe asked for food because anytime they left their barracks, the soldiers had to be in full body armor and gear. For lunch everyday the soldiers had MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). After working a 12-14 hour day, it was just easier for them to eat what they had in the barracks and not go out in the heat again.

So every week, I would shop for groceries in Ohio to send halfway around the world—always buying enough so that my soldier could share with those who didn’t receive any packages. Joe made so many chocolate chip muffins from a mix that just needed water in a toaster oven, that he became know as the Muffin Man.

For Joe’s birthday, I sent a “Party in a Box”, including streamers, party plates, napkins, cups, candles, candy, party favors (squirt guns) and a banner that read HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I researched on the Internet what kind of cake had the best chance of surviving the extreme heat (temperatures 100-130 degrees) for the two weeks to twenty-one days it might take the package to arrive. The answer was an un-iced angel food cake. To solve the problem of frosting, I added a jar of Nutella, the chocolate hazelnut spread, so that Joe could frost the cake when the package arrived at his barracks. I was so happy when the package arrived the day of his birthday.

It is cold during the day in the winter season in Iraq. The temperature goes below freezing at night. I sent a snowman themed box for Christmas including: snowman flannel sheets, flannel pj bottoms, Christmas cookies, DVD’s of Christmas classics (Elf, The Christmas Carol, Frosty the Snowman) and CD’s of holiday songs, colored lights, and Snowman Soup! See the recipe below.

Joe sent his father and me a letter after he was in Iraq for six months and had six more months to go. His closing became the title for the book. He said:

I think a lot of nights, restless nights, of the days to come.  I ponder and daydream of the good and the bad and the anxiety weighs on me like a ton of bricks.  Will I make it back?  Will I be so different from when I left?  What will I do with my life?  Will I be successful?  Will I be happy?  All I know that is certain is you, and I rely on that fact alone to get me through the sweltering reality I live in.  I love you and cherish you for bringing me into the world, raising me, helping me along my journey through life.  I look forward to brighter days of picnics, and card games, and golf and chess, and church and things that families do together. I love you deeply, more than you know. Your son, Joe

We made it through Joe’s deployment and celebrated with a big party when he came home. He was gone for 15 months during his active duty and deployment. We continue to share food and have many meals together as a family. The celebration continues as Joe is getting married at the end of this month!

Snowman Soup
1 package hot chocolate mix
3 Hershey Kisses
10 mini-marshmallows
1 candy cane

Place ingredients in a zip lock bag, mug, or jar and attach the label:


Snowman Soup
When the weather outside is frightful
Snowman Soup can be delightful.
May it warm your spirit and your soul
Let is snow, let it snow, let it snow.

When you feel a chill or "burrrrr"
Use the peppermint stick to stir.
Add hot water and it slow.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Thanks so much, Jamie. I'm sure our readers who have family in the service will be adding Snowman Soup to their winter packages. Readers, if you'd like a chance to win a copy of  Love You More Than You Know, post a comment. And don't forget to check back on Sunday to see if you're the lucky winner. -- AP

13 comments:

  1. I know exactly what you feel, Janie, as I have a son in the Royal Airforce. He's just done a stint in Afghanistan, which was a constant worry - although thankfully he's back home safe and sound now. Good luck to you, your son and all your family.

    Suzie x

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  2. What a beautiful post. So few here in the USA even know someone serving in the military.
    It's like... WE ARE AT WAR and NO ONE KNOWS !!!!

    I LOVE the soup recipe.!!!

    Signed a very proud
    United States Air Force Mom

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  3. I'm a US Air Force Mom, although my son is currently stationed at RAF Lakenheath, preparing for his 7th deployment. I love your snowman soup recipe, will have to send that to him this winter. Your name looked familiar to me, so I checked my Kindle. I've read and enjoyed both your books, and according to amazon.com you have a 3rd one coming out next year. Can't wait.
    I am a VERY PROUD USAF Momma as well as a VERY PROUD USMC (ret) Wife.

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  4. What a moving story, Janie. Your son is a brave young man and we are all lucky to have him protecting our country.

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  5. Suzie,
    The mother's heart knows that bond. Thank you for raising a son that gives so much and cares so much for others. I am happy that your son is home safe. Many blessings to you and your family. Please consider being a guest on my blog and tell us about your airman.
    Janie

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  6. Hi Debra,
    Debra recently did a guest post on Love You More Than You Know.

    http://neomilitarymoms.wordpress.com/?s=debra+estep&submit=Search

    She also wrote a chapter in our book "Shoulder to Shoulder".
    Debra's son, Vince is in the Air Force. Debra is involved in online support groups for Air Force parents and for families of our fallen troops.

    Thank you Debra for all that you do and for raising a courageous son that stands in front of our flag protecting us all.

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  7. Telling you all about my airman would be an honour, Janie. Just let me know what you need and for when and I'll happily be a guest on your blog. Thank you x

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  8. Leigh-Ann,
    God bless you and your son. Seven deployments are a heavy burden for your airman and family to endure.
    Thank you for your husband's and son's service to our country.
    Please consider telling the story of your heroes on Love You More Than You Know. Take good care of yourself.
    Janie

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  9. Kathleen,
    It amazes me how selfless and giving all our troops are. Any time I try to thank someone in the service they say,"I,m just doing my job,ma'am."
    We are indeed lucky to have these brave men and women protecting us.
    We need to hold all of our troops in prayer as well as praying for peace.
    Janie

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  10. Suzie,

    Send stories to storiesfrommoms@gmail.com. Once I have your email we can go into detail. Thank you so much!
    Janie

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  11. What a lovely blog. I have no kids in military service but I am a mom.
    Thanks for sharing and thank your kid and all the moms of military family kids for their service.

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  12. Hi Mary,
    Thanks for your kind words. We are blessed to have these brave young men and women protect us. I feel like they are all our kids and hold them all in prayer.
    Janie

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  13. Congratulations Suzie! Enjoy reading Love You More Than You Know!

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