Joy Hall

Something you didn't know about me...

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day.  As a child, I loved waking up to the wonderful breakfast aromas that wafted from our kitchen down the hall and into my bedroom.  After having kids of my own, it was my intent to create the same wonderful experience for my family.  I loved getting up early and heading for the kitchen to whip up what was sure to be both a nice, warm start to their day and also a nice, warm memory. 

One fall morning after my oldest son had begun kindergarten, I headed for his school to have my first parent-teacher conference. After his teacher had covered all of his academic highs and lows, she began to share a little “secret sack” story with me.  Teachers always tried to squeeze in a little light-hearted story regarding your child to ease the tension of that first meeting. “Secret Sack” was an activity in which each child would bring something from home that was hid in a small brown paper sack.  When it was their turn, they would go to the front of the class and give clues as to what the mystery item was.  Afterwards, the kids would guess until someone had accurately named the item. 

On this occasion a little girl had given a clue expressing how the item was used; “Something your mother does when she makes pancakes” My son spoke up and said “Send you out of the kitchen?” In her secret sack she had hidden a whisk. 

It was then I realized I had missed the secret of the “breakfast experience”.  I had been so focused on preparing the perfect breakfast I had neglected to see what my son had really wanted, was to share in the preparation. 

Something else you don't know about me.... about 3 years ago I illustrated a children's cookbook published by Simple Dream Publishing (Canadian). 

 It is meant to be a cookbook for parents to share the cooking along with their kids.  The following is a fun recipe from the book.  Enjoy!

Atlantic City

I'm headed for Atlantic City this weekend to celebrate my cousin's birthday.  I have never been there, even though it is just a short trip away.

When I think of Atlantic City my mind conjures up images of the 30's and 40's. I think of the boardwalk and salt water taffy.  I also think of the old swimsuits that covered most of your body, that I wish were still popular today. Ha! I have a feeling that is NOT what I will find, but I know I will enjoy the weekend, anyway. 

I have decided to go on the train (suitcase and all) instead of making the drive.  I use to love, love, love traveling on the train when I was a kid.  We lived in Texas and would take the train to visit relatives in NYC.  It would take us 2 1/2 days.  My mom would pack a sack of non-perishable foods we could eat while on the train.  I especially remember the Velveeta Cheese and crackers.  Eating in the restaurant car was far to expensive but we would have breakfast there at least once.

This ride won't be that long and I won't need a snack sack...but I am taking inspiring magazines to read and a spanking-new journal to jot down all the creative ideas that pop into my head as we rattle down the tracks.

Trying to remember ME

I have always been a fan of the artist and author Susan Branch.  I admire the freedom with which she designs her books and the stories she shares.  I was amused by one story in particular...the night she met the Beatles and to what extent she and her friends went to in order to make it happen.  I won't ruin the story for you. 

Reading about her escapades took me back to my "Beatles" experience.  I really wasn't a fan...I was just a little on the young side when they hit the scene.  However, my best friend from across the street had an older sister, Kathleen, that was just "wild" about George.  Of course, Jean and I wanted to identify with the older and cooler crowd so we picked out our favorite Beatle and began collecting the cards that came in large gum packs.  Wow, I hadn't thought of that in years!

A few weeks ago, while rummaging though a box I retrieved from the house I grew up in after my Mom passed away, I found a yellowed piece of notebook paper with my early handwriting on it.  It was a letter I had written to John Lennon letting him know just how I felt about him....hmmm....I guess I was more infatuated than I remembered.

Here's the letter:

Dear John Lennon,

I am very sorry my handwriting isn't very pretty, but I am only 9 years old.  My birthday is August 26th.

When you were on the Ed Sullivan show, when it was a film, I saw it.  That was the only time I knew you were on TV.

I am listening to the radio.  When I hear you sing, it makes me like you more.  When I see your pictures, I kiss them.  I got your (pictures) and the other Beatles.  I especially wanted yours.

Would you please write back or just send your name that you have written.

P.S. I love you.  I just heard you sing.  I put my ear to the radio to hear you.

Love,
Joy

It's funny that I don't remember caring that much about the Beatles, but evidently at the time I thought I had fallen in love.

Snowday

This morning we awoke to find the ground covered with snow.  The plow trucks had not been by yet so there was absolutely no sign of where the road was as my husband left for work.  With coffee in hand I headed to my studio which is at the front of our house.  We have a fabulous view as we sit on a hill overlooking the town.  As the snowplow arrived and began clearing the cul-de-sac, my thoughts went to our first "snowday". 

When my oldest son had just started high school and my younger son was in middle school, we moved across the country.  All of their lives had been spent in a hot, tropical climate.  Our move took us into an area that experienced all four seasons.  As winter approached we got to have many new experiences.  As the first warnings of snow came, my sons had their fingers crossed as we watched  school names scroll across our tv screen for cancellations which would result in a “snowday”.  We had heard of this thing called “snowday” but had never experienced it.

It was on this first snowday I discovered how wonderful a hot soup can be.  Our very first snow was a treat!  Our new yard had a wonderful hill that was perfect for sledding.  Since we had never experienced this activity, we were  excited and ready.  We lined up our newly bought saucer-style sleds and headed down our hill.  Being new to this activity, we had no idea of exactly how far we would travel  after blasting off from the top of the hill.  To our surprise, it took us down our hill, under a row of low-branched trees and all the way down to a neighboring house which thankfully, stopped us.  After we had figured out how to “steer” our sleds, we spent many hours that first snow enjoying our winter wonderland.

By the end of our day, we were cold and famished.  Sledding proved to be a lot of work!  We had not realized how long we had been sledding and how very cold we were.  I had come into the houser earlier that day and started a pot of meatball soup.  Needless to say, everyone was cold and had worked up quite and appetite.  The soup was ready and waiting.  This was the perfect end to our first, of many, snowdays.

Here is the recipe:

Meatball Soup

1tbsp butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 (10 3/4 oz.) can condensed tomato soup
1 (10 1/2 oz.) can condensed chicken noodle soup
1/2 cup water
1 lb. ground beef or veal
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
2 slices bread

Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Saute’ onion until tender.
Stir in the tomato soup, chicken noodle soup and the water; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium low and let simmer.

Meanwhile, combine the ground beef, egg and milk in a bowl.  Break the bread into very small pieces and add to the bowl.  Mix together well.

Shape the meat mixture into small meatballs and drop them into the soup mixture.

Continue to simmer, uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes.  Stir occasionally.

Serves 6