Showing posts with label Chanukah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chanukah. Show all posts

Friday, December 14, 2012

Merry Chrismukkah, Jimmy

Nearly four years ago, I wrote this post, which was supposed to be the first in an occasional series.  Although it's been much longer than I intended, I'm glad to bring you the next installment about another person in my neighborhood.  This is Jimmy Vignapiano, who works in the mailroom at the Union for Reform Judaism and brings me my snail mail each day.  Our conversations usually go something like this:
Me:  Hey, Jimmy...How are you?
Jimmy (handing me my mail):  Miss  Jane...just a little crappola today. 
Me (rolling my eyes if there's a lot of mail):  Thanks, Jimmy.  Have a good one.
Earlier this week at the URJ Hanukkah party (where longtime employees are honored on their milestone anniversaries), Jimmy and I sat at the same table.  When I got back to my seat after accepting a certificate and gift marking my decade with the Union, Jimmy told me that when he celebrated his fifth anniversary with the URJ, he received a kiddush cup.  After 10 years, he received a chanukiah.  What he told me next made me chuckle:  Today, the kiddush cup hangs on the Vignapianos Christmas tree and the chanukiah sits on the mantle in their home.    

Merry Chrismukkah, Jimmy...Merry Chrismukkah, indeed!

Monday, December 14, 2009

I'm No Julia Child...Part II

Back in August, I tried to convince you that I’m no Julia Child. And in fact, I’m not. Although my grandmother was a terrific cook and baker (as is my sister), I got kitchen genes from my mother who certainly can prepare a nice meal, but readily admits that when it comes to baking, if a recipe says “sift the flour,” she promptly turns the page.

A few months after the brownie baking adventure detailed here, a copy of Tina Wasserman’s new cookbook crossed my desk. It’s a beautiful volume and I was delighted to flip through the pages and admire the photos (and the people who I imagine actually pull off the recipes). When I do cook or bake from a recipe (which isn’t often), it’s usually from this cookbook or this one. If I’m really feeling ambitious, I might try an easy one from this volume, but even those push the outside of my envelope.

Needless to say, therefore, I was a little surprised at myself when, without really thinking about it, I responded affirmatively to the invitation to “share your cooking talents with your colleagues” at the Union’s upcoming Chanukah Party/Holiday Cook-Off being held tomorrow afternoon.

And so it was that earlier this evening, I came home and carefully – oh so carefully – followed the directions for slicing, dicing, chopping and seasoning to make this recipe for tomorrow's festivities.

And, lo and behold, just a few minutes ago, I took this pan out of the oven:


I must admit, if I do say so myself, that these zucchini squares do look (and smell) quite delicious. Let’s hope they’re a hit at the party.

Happy Chanukah, all!