Third Annual Cook Family Christmas Eve Eve celebration

Christmas Eve Eve with the Cook Family
Mom Cook
Her Brother Uncle Bill & Aunt Jeanette
Cousins Lisa & Lynn with their kids
Brother Bob, Lynn, Brie, Chris & Scott
Brother Jim, Donna, Jeff, Jason & Brian
Brother Tom
US: Steve, me, Samantha, Stephen & Schuyler

Great night of Roast Filet of Beef, roasted red potatoes, garlic bread, salads, and desserts of pie and cookies!
Wonderful time with family and plenty of Cook's Champagne !

Gazpacho

Gazpacho Recipe
(use Vita Mix) :)

INGREDIENTS
6 ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 purple onion, finely chopped
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 sweet red bell pepper (or green) seeded and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1-2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
6 or more drops of Tabasco sauce to taste
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (omit for vegetarian option)
4 cups tomato juice
METHOD
Combine all ingredients. Blend slightly, to desired consistency. Place in non-metal, non-reactive storage container, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to blend.
Serves 8.

Grama Cook's Whoopie Pies

Our neice Monique shared this on facebook, and the comments back were from Joe that these need to be against the law! :) So I will try them soon for the holidays! Stay tuned for photos!

Whoopie Pies
1 c. butter
2 c. sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
4 c. flour
1 c. cocoa
3 tsp. soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 c. milk
Cream the butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients. Add milk to the creamed mixture and mix well. Add the blended dry ingredients and mix well again. Drop by teaspoonsful on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 7 to 8 minutes. Cool, then fill.

WHOOPIE PIE FILLING:
1 1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Sm. amount of milk
1 1/2 c marshmallow creme
1 1/2 c confectioners' sugar
Cream the shortening and sugar and vanilla. Add the marshmallow creme and cream again, adding milk as necessary. This makes enough filling to generously fill approximately 50 whoopie pies (3 inch size).

Christmas Letter to Family & Friends

It's that time of year, time to get in the spirit of Christmas. I love the cards, the letters, the photos ..... coming from all over the country from our friends and their families. I remember as a child receiving the letter from Aunt Pat with all the updates from each child in the family and then from the farm.... it was always a "good read" my dad would say as we got the card along with a photo, or sometimes just a card. Aunt Pat was so great about getting it out early and actually has a scrapbook where she has saved every photo and every letter she has sent out ---- every year. Amazing woman --

The family photo sharing once a year at Christmas is a tradition for many, and others just to address and sign all the cards and share their favorite chosen card with all their friends seems to fit the bill. Others take the professional photo (which this year I was so lucky to photograph a few families with my Determination fundraiser for their card) --- thanks to the Seifels, the Barbours, The O'Connell's and the Courchesne families for their donation and the privilege to take those photos!

The letters vary from family to family - some a short update, some a nice detailed message, others (like the Coelho family) out do all with the 6-7 page laugh out loud rendition of life in California. I like to get the letters and read each one --- I have many of them filed away for future reading when I need to catch up once again.

Oakley has been the writer of our letter of late. He does a great job and it is fun to take the update a little out of context. I was feeling a little rushed and behind this year, but still I was proud to do the assembly line of family photo, letter ... and I found these great cards to make the whole package. In a day when Christmas gifts to friends are not as necessary --- this Christmas package fits the times. I hope everyone enjoys our letter that I was able to mail --- and if I missed you -- I have posted it here for you!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah & Happy New Year to all!

My Mount Snow 1/2 marathon

Garmin Connect -
Activity Details for
My Mount Snow 1/2 marathon

Steve & Schuyler were with the Alpine Comp Team and doing dry land training on Sunday morning, so I decided to get a long run in. After heading down Handle Road with the snow guns blazing on the hill, I ran in the slush and snow on the side of the road, wandering to the middle whenever possible. I passed a couple of J5 Dads headed back to the lodge and I kept on going down Handle, taking advantage of the glorious day. Once I hit 5 miles I thought I would try and loop around to 100 and took the first road that looked like it may go over the mountain / trees, with no luck. I asked a passing snowmobiler what is the best route to get to 100 and after he looked at me as if I was crazy gave me direction to go back on the road and stay there (or find Cold Brook) --so I did .... Then I headed back to Mount Snow on Rte 100 - which wasn't so bad (thinking traffic and no shoulder) - because it was flat and entertaining --- I looked at all the shops, the restaurants and the houses for sale, dreaming of settling more in that are for a ski home / weekends / vacations. What a beautiful area -- I love Vermont as it reminds me of my childhood, my family and the friends I have made here.

So the last uphill was a challenge getting out past Two Tannery Restaurant (remember going there a couple years ago with Steve and Kat's family before Big Bad Voodoo Daddy) - and then back on Handle to the base lodge. I love my Garmin 405 - it kept me motivated to run faster, keeping a good pace the whole way. I ran a 1:52 1/2 marathon (13.3 miles - so it was a little more) --- which ain't so bad for a training run. Hope to keep getting runs in up at Mount Snow - it will be great training for Boston 2010!

Thanksgiving 2009

The Wishbone - by Summer Jackson
The pumpkin pie is cooling,
The turkey smells delicious
The table's covered end to end
With all my favorite dishes

When we break the wishbone
Here's what I will wish"
That everyone's Thanksgiving
Could be as fine as this

Memories:
Turkey Trot - won my age group and set a PR by .01 sec!
The Ma Family welcomes Jamie home as a surprise to Alex & Harrison
Dinner! Prime Rib, Jambalaya & Choc Cream Pie!
Gram, Aunt Sandy, Uncle Tom and clan visit to Mechanicville
A warm family feeling everywhere and all around!!

SALMON WITH DILL SAUCE

Found this recipe on Cooks.com -- my fave site for recipe searches as it has many to chose from.... turns out we had everything in the cupboard -- so it was meant to be! The scores were high and this is definitely a repeat for tomorrow. Fresh taste, good with Edna Valley Chardonnay and some broiled broccoli and cauliflower with Montreal seasoning. A winner! Yum!
Tomorrow we will try with just red peppers. Tonight it was cherry tomatoes and red onions..... all a great combination for a great meal.



1/4 c. cider vinegar
1/4 tsp. mustard, dry
1/4 tsp. dill weed
4 salmon steaks
1 green pepper, sliced into thin rings
1 tomato, thinly sliced
1 sm. onion, sliced into thin rings

SAUCE:

2 tbsp. sour cream
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. dill weed
1/4 tsp. lemon juice

In a glass dish, combine vinegar and mustard. Mix well. Add the dill and salmon. Marinate for 10 minutes. Turn salmon over and marinate for 10 minutes more.
Place salmon steaks into baking dish. Distribute peppers, tomatoes, onions on top. Drizzle with marinade. Cover tightly with foil. Bake for 20 or 30 minutes at 375 degrees.

To make sauce: In cup, combine sour cream, mustard, dill and lemon juice. Mix well. Serve over salmon.

Rice Krispie Treats

12 oz butterscotch morsels
8 cups Rice Krispies
1 cup peanut butter
12 oz. chocolate chips

Melt butterscotch chips and PB. Mix in the cereal and then add choc chips and stir.
Put in greased cake pan and cut into squares when chilled.

Peck - Cook - VanDine - Sizen Family Holiday Fest

Location: Matt & Serena's house
Before the holidays we got together as a family and had our annual Yankee Swap and cookie trade. It was a great time to see everyone and take some family photos! I love my family and do not get to see them enough. It was best to get together before the holidays and our ski season at Mount Snow --
Families:
Matt & Serena Peck with Josh & Amanda
Laura & Daren Sizen with Paige, Rebecca & Mark
Chris & Stacy with Kim, Chester, Chris Jr. and Staceys boys and Kim's boyfriend
Steve, Schuyler & I
Mom & Howard VanDine



Here are some photo highlights:

First Day at Mount Snow -Alpine Team Training Hike

Garmin Connect -
Activity Details for
Mount Snow Alpine Team Training Hike


Our first day up at Mount Snow for training. Since there was no snow a dry land training plan was put in place! All the kids geared up and we headed to the top of the mountain. My garmin workout shows the elevation gain and the GPS coordinates of our hike. You can see we hiked around to the top and then descended straight down Upper Canyon. The snow was about 2 feet in places, with about 3-6 inches at the top and on the trail we hiked. Wet, muddy, windy and in total a 4 mile hike in less than 2 hours. :)

Great to see the kids again, and my favorite faces below... Reed & Jenna! Schuyler joined later and they had a game of soccer in the parking lot. Looking forward to the snow!!

Marine Corps Marathon Honors

Just received my award and this really nice letter via Fedex from MCM.
Worthy of a blog post as it keeps me motivated to run harder and faster. Loving my new Garmin and after yesterday's Turkey Trot, realizing anything is possible.... I am getting faster.
And in case you missed it earlier and it doesn't pop up below.... RESULTS from the MCM!

Troy Turkey Trot - 10K

Garmin Connect -
Activity Details for
Troy Turkey Trot - 10K

Sixth woman - first in age (45-49) - Great race - more than 5500 people for the 2 races. Team iZoca showed up and run strong! Set my new PR for the 10K by .01 second! Unbelievable!

Results!
62 1/25 Nancy Cook 2418 45 F Belchertown MA 40:43 40:43 6:34

Texas Hill out & back - plus E Street hill

Garmin Connect -
Activity Details for
Texas Hill out & back - plus E Street hill

Visiting Terry and family in Hinesburg --- I ran 10 miles on Sunday morning. This route is very hilly and now I have proof! Out and back down to town, back up the hill, then I took a wrong turn and went up this street that began with an E.... VERY hilly - reminded me of Stowe, Mt Washington and Pack! 10 miles total. Worth the separate post! Pink ran with me the whole way too! :) Hopefully she won't be stiff tomorrow. I missed my Oakley and will post a picture of Pink with this post for that memory of her being so great and following right behind me - even when other dogs were right across the street. Very well trained puppy - a gorgeous 5 yr old yellow lab. :)

So this is the beginning of sharing my workouts. I love my new Forerunner 405 and trying to figure out how to share with my friends that run too. It is amazing - the elevation and the splits showing on the post when you download. I just have to label it and call it good. Takes the work out of keeping a running journal. SO happy with it!

Tip of the day: Turn off the Virtual Running Parter, turn on the auto lap to one mile and lock the bezel so you don't make a mistake and hit it.

Photos: The Barbour Family --- I was so thankful to be able to take their Christmas card photo and got some really good ones of them on their property. They have an amazing view of Camels Hump in the background!

Corporate Impact Awards Recognize Companies' $1 Million-Plus Annual Gifts to American Cancer Society – Press Releases on CSRwire.com

Corporate Impact Awards Recognize Companies' $1 Million-Plus Annual Gifts to American Cancer Society – Press Releases on CSRwire.com
Of 16 companies recognized in 2009, the above companies are members of the Relay For Life National Team Program. I have been working on these account teams nurturing these relationships and am very proud of these companies and our partnership in the fight against cancer.

National Corporate Team Program Companies donating $1 million for the year 2008:

Walmart
Merrill Lynch
Walgreen Co.
AT&T
Curves
dressbarn inc
PartyLite Inc.
Best Buy

Celebrating every day... and this month, my 15th anniversary with the Society

Celebrating 15 years with the American Cancer Society!
Below is a timeline with short synopsis of my 15 years working with the Society.
IF have a memory please share in the comments section here on the blog! Cheers to the work you all have contributed in the fight against cancer!

1994 - Hired by Peg Camp (Current CEO of NEDIV) and worked as an area director for the NH Division covering 5 counties in Western MA - raising more than $300K. Managing cancer control, advocacy, board development and income through more than 20 events. Started with some incredible volunteer leadership, the first Making Strides in Peterborough, NH - attended the first Breast Cancer Survivor Retreat at the BU facility.
Colleagues: Louise Popp, Peg Camp, Jim David, Claire Fauth
Key volunteers: Bruce Parsons, Gail Anthony, Bob Malek, Steve Larmon, Judy Rocchio, Diana Love.

1996 - Hired to the Colorado Division by Stephanie Haberkorn as the Regional Relay For Life Specialist to grow Relay For Life in Northeast CO. Worked on the Boulder, Larimer and Weld County Relays. So exciting to now see the RFL in Greeley, CO as one of top events in the Northwest!
Colleagues: Susan Silodor, Nancy Clark, Ariella, Wendy Boden, Stephanie Haberkorn, Shelly, Laura Hilbert
Key volunteers: Russ from Boulder, Jim from Greeley and Dave from Fort Collins

1998 - Hired and moved back to the New England Division by Bronya Demerle as the New England Division Relay Trainer. I covered all of New England training staff and volunteers, and watched the number of Relay events more than double in my two years in that position.
Colleagues: Bronya Demerle, Holly Randall, Cathy Magliarditi, Jane Smith, Patty McKone
Key volunteers: Dave Norlach, Bob MacKay, Laura McCormick,

2000 - Hired by the National Home Office by Marty Coelho as the Web Content manager and worked with online Lotus database for resources, COE, and building out RFL on cancer.org. while writing the "Relay Tracking" -- worked with the corporations starting in 2000 and started the RFL National Corporate Team Program.
Colleagues: Judy Reichling, Denise Atwater, Olivia Gertz, Terri King, Reuel Johnson, Marty Coelho, Bobbie Johnson,
Key volunteers: Pat Flynn, Brian Marlow, Bob MacKay, Ilene Worthington, Sara Hayes, Chuck Santon, Steve Pressley, Jeff Ross, Roseanne Radke, Gina Myracle,

2005 - Moved from the Relay BU to the Employer Initiave to focus solely on the NCTP and working with the Corporate Sales staff to grow and build the program. Working with 25 companies and raising more than $8 million.
Colleagues: Shawn Coltharp, Linda Gzehoviak, Jane Calvert, Kevin Brunk, Kristie Robertson, "The Fab Five" and Angela Geiger

Continued growth and build up of the NCTP has been so exciting and enjoyable as our volunteers and staff relationship managers support Relay For Life through teams and contributions from their corporations. Here are some links to the pages that show the program in its light and highlight these great companies and their work!
Key volunteers:
Mary Beth Reddell, American Airlines
Anthony Hesseltine, Starbucks
Susan Walker, Booz Allen Hamilton
Kim Sevening, Alegent Health
J.A. Meza, KPMG
Kristie McBrayer, Nucor Steel
Karen Woldhal, Nucor Steel

Colleagues: Karen Becker, Kelli Barry, Jeff Montegut, Linda Burgett, Sarah Assalti, Michelle Pitt, Liz Shuler, Kathy Luette, Mary Kay Williams, Bobbie Johnson, Becky Lunders, Nathan McCusker, Susan Ward, Laurie Rappa,

There are many more volunteers and colleagues that have truly touched my life in this journey with the ACS.....

In memory of Diana Love (Claremont, NH) - may her leadership and "love" guide us to someday find a cure for this disease!

Thank you all for 15 great years!

AND if you haven't seen it yet -- link here for my "Employee Spotlight" interview!

And the comments below from my friends:
Jeanne Startzel: Congratulations on your career with ACS - 15 more years to go!
November 4 at 11:16am ·

Shawn Gilbert Coltharp Congratularions Nancy! What a great career! I will get to be with one of our great friends and reasons for doing what we do...MB...tomorrow in Dallas at AA! I know she holds a top spot in your heart (and in so many!) Again, congratulations and thank you for all you do!
November 4 at 11:28am ·

Joyce Zentara Holsten: Congrats! So great that you have a career that helps people and helps fight one of the scariest diseases of modern times.
I recently read a fascinating book about this mega huge study on cancer. It's called the China Study. Have you heard of it?
November 4 at 12:36pm ·

Terri didn't mention that you left home, packed up everything - including your dog - and drove across the country to take the job in Colorado, where you knew NO ONE. Impressive courage.
November 4 at 12:43pm ·

Pat Flynn: Nancy, thanks for being a great staff partner during our years together. Congrats on your 15 years with ACS...here's to 15 more. Miss seeing you!
November 4 at 1:38pm ·

Lesa Jennings Foster: I first met you at COH 2002 when you were the official photographer. My Skye and your Schuyler took a pic together, he was only a toddler in his stroller. Good times Congrats on 15 years!!!
November 4 at 2:04pm ·

Lesley Rawlings: Congrats Nancy! You are such an asset to the organization. Keep up the great work - miss you tons!
November 4 at 9:07pm ·

Jeff Ross: Nancy - Congrats & THANKS! You and ACS are match and it shows by your great level of SUCCESS! You have been a great staff partner and a great friend...TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!
November 4 at 11:09pm ·

Judy Reichling: I remember meeting you for the first time in a MAXX training at NHO.. I remember riding around New England (lost), including my first time in Maine to rollout RETS with the offices... I remember drinking too much wine together (or just the right amount).. Karoake night at one of our Staff Meetings :-).. Celebration 1 and 2, running early in the ... Read More
November 5 at 4:35am ·

Jane Calvert: Good for you, Nancy, heres to making it to 30! (or at least 20 for the fab retirement package)
November 5 at 9:04am ·

Gregg Walker: Happy Anniversary Nancy!
November 5 at 9:11am ·

Mary Kay Williams: Allright Nancy! Congratulations!!
November 6 at 7:25am · D

Debra Karch: In 2001 you reached out to me in the IL DIV to cover a story on a little girl named Beth-Age 4 (neuroblastoma)....Beth, along with her preschool team raised money for RFL...Beth's little team was pictured on a merry-go-round in RFL shirts and you published her story...Beth lived 9 mos....I will NEVER forget....You are an amazing woman and a model leader to all of us. God Bless You! DK
November 14 at 8:49am ·

Golden Graham Smores

A nice holiday treat - I remember first tasting these as part of a cookie swap with my family each year. We bake 5 dozen cookies to mix and swap at Christmas as a tradition each year. Great chance to bake some of my favorites and try and enjoy those of each of my siblings. :) Love my family!

3/4 c. light corn syrup
3 tbsp. butter
1 pkg. milk chocolate morsels
1 tsp. vanilla
1 (12 oz.) box Golden Graham cereal
3 c. miniature marshmallows
Grease 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Heat syrup, butter and morsels to boiling, remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over cereal in bowl; toss until coated. Fold in marshmallow, 1 cup at a time. Press in pan, will melt butter on back of spoon. Let stand 1 hour, cut into 2 inch squares. 24 squares.

ACS Relay Materials featuring MY photography!

As part of my giving back to the Society - - - I would like to share the latest Holiday card and Leadership Handbook in New England featuring my photos. The snowman was taken in Sunapee in 2005 and reminds me I need to get it together and do some updated winter stuff for future use!

The Leadership Handbook features that great photo from the 5 College Relay here in Amherst from 2008. I love the energy and smiles in these college guys! Very cool - so proud and glad they are able to use my photos. :) On my website I share that I donate the proceeds of the sales of my photos to the ACS for any ACS event photography. I also do this for the YMCA and will be featured in their upcoming brochure.

Grama Cook's Whoopie Pies (From Monique)

Whoppie Pies
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
5 tlbs cocoa
5 tlbs flour
1 cup milk
drop on ungreased cookie sheet, 375 degrees for 7 min.

Whoppie Pie Filling
3/4 cup shortening
3/4 cup confection sugar
3/4 cup marshmellow
1/8 tsp. salt
1 1/2 vanilla

Need to try these next!

Trail Running Safety

Trail Running Safety