USVI-On-Line

Hello Forumites,

I have hesitated to post this because it's personal and I have never met any of you in person. But I believe in the power of prayer and good karma, and I know you won't mind.

How can I describe the last 2 weeks? My dear friends and neighbors lost their 22 y.o. son in a tragic accident. If you can believe it, he was on top of a double decker bus that went under a bridge that was too low. This was 2 weeks after his college graduation when he had the world at his feet. I loved this kid and adore his family. (Everyone does - the neighborhood has expressed an outpouring of support and there was a 4+ hour line at the visitation, we all love them so much.)

3 days later my husband's high school friend lost his teenage son to suicide. The friend and his wife are splitting up.

Same day my dear friend's husband decided to move out. My next door neighbor was put on strict bed rest with a high risk pregnancy (she has 2 other young kids.)

What does one do? In my case, pray and cook. So I'm asking for your prayers for Rob and Lori; Bucky and Chris; Jan; Cheryl; to help ease their pain and bring them peace (and a healthy baby in Cheryl's case.)

Like all my neighbors I'm delivering lots of meals -- it's what we do when we don't know what else to do. One recipient is a vegetarian, so I could use some tasty veggie recipes. (Another family is big meat eaters, so I'll take all suggestions!) Best yet would be something that's also fairly quick to make, since I'll either be making it after work or putting it in a slow cooker in the a.m. and delivering it after work.

Meal schedules go through October, so your favorite summer and cool weather recipes would all be great.

Thanks everybody. I appreciate it.

oh wow--I have no words-but i will pray. and i will try to find some good recipes--

Wow is all I can say. Sounds like you are being the best friend you can be.

I don't have any vegetarian recipes (although some of my favorite foods are vegetarians) but I know that Liamsaunt has a TON of food porn on the Food porn thread of some great veggie dishes.

Perhaps she can chime in with specifics?

Hang in there!

Done. I'm so sorry.

I am so sorry for your stress and pain in regard to your friends' and neighbors' losses and troubles...so much sadness. Preparing food is a loving action that also fills a real need.

...sending caring thoughts to all of you.

I will keep them, and you as a good friend, in my prayers.
I have some great recipes at home that I will post tonight

My heart goes out to you and all your friends.

I have some recipes at home I can send you over the weekend.

My heart hurts for you.

I am travelling the next week, but when I am back, I will send you some recipes. I have a lot of good caserole-type recipes.

Thank you all. I appreciate your prayers more than I can say.

CG I should clarify -- the bus accident happened in Mattoon IL (college town area), not in Chicago. I don't want the Chicago bus companies to think I'm hurting their business! One other young man was killed; other kids standing up were shorter and therefore unhurt. The 'if onlys' will make you crazy.

I should also mention the silver lining of this tragedy: dear Cameron had already registered himself as an organ donor and as a young healthy person he has helped about 70 people lead better lives. The other young man who died, Justin, also was an organ donor. This was done through Gift of Hope and the family has the best things to say about the organization. They are truly wonderful and made this horrible experience so much better for the parents.

Thanks for the recipes too - CG I saw yours in the other post. Looks awesome!

My prayers and thoughts go out to you and your friends. I know first hand what your friends are going through.

I lost my son 2 years ago to suicide, he was 20 years old. The forum was such a great support to me.

I am so sorry to hear this tragic news. Prayers go out to all your dear friends. Life is so precious and unpredictable. I posted a recipe under CG's post.

I make this for one of my interns who is meat challanged she loves it.

Roasted Vegetable soup
4 Carrots
3 ribs of celery cut in half
2 tomatoes quartered
2 large onions peeled and quartered
1 leek cut in half
1 head of garlic the top trimmed
Olive oil
Dried thyme
2 bay leafs
8 cups water

Put all vegetables on cookie sheet drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with thyme and bake for 1 hour at 400 degrees transfer to a large pot cover with water add bay leafs and simmer for 1 hour. Cool and strain. Can be made ahead of time and frozen into 2 batches
Take one of the batches and put into a pot add vegetables of your choice simmer tell tender salt and pepper to taste


Dumplings
2 cups flour
1 tbls baking powder
1tps salt
2 eggs
¾ to 1-cup buttermilk

Sift all dry ingredients into bowl beat eggs and milk together and add to dry mix just until it comes together should be the quite thick spoon into boiling soup and cook for 10 min.