From Our Kitchens: The perfect time for your July menu to bless someone

I am encouraging everyone to bless someone.  To spread acts of kindness, selflessness and hope. 

 Just do it. Don’t overthink it.

I submit to you a challenge: July-f. Joo-life.  (Make July alive with life!)

It is a crazy time.  Let us focus on the good. On life and love. 

I challenge everyone to go be that life and love in the month of July. Here are a few examples for your random act of kindness for July-f month:

First, for those who don’t cook or have time

1. Dollar stores are rich with ideas. Get an inexpensive basket, ketchup, mustard, chips and a plastic American flag.  Then add a pack of hot dogs and buns from the grocery store.  Give this to a neighbor you haven’t said much to in years, besides offering a wave. Just to let them know they are appreciated.

2. Give a Happy Meal. With a Post-it on the outside that says, “Your smile makes me happy.” This is just simple but adorable fun.

3. Give store-bought cupcakes or even a loaf of French bread and a small bottle of olive oil for a coworker. Just because.

4. Grab a roll of cookie dough in the grocery refrigerator section and push Hershey’s Kisses into each one in a muffin tin for easy, creative cookies for your favorite grocer, hair stylist, pastor, deacon or elder. Thumbprint cookies just make people smile.

5. Get some zucchini, squash and a fresh tomato from these veggie stands that have popped up. Or a watermelon and a couple of peaches. Drop them off at a friend’s house or leave on their doorstep. Add a note, “Love watching you grow.”

6. Bless a couple with a cute bucket filled with microwave popcorn, Sugar Babies and a cool DVD you have on hand, and say, “Happy date night.”

For those of you who enjoy cooking

1. Nothing says love like a homemade loaf of bread. Add a fresh tomato and you’ve made someone’s week.

2. It’s the perfect time to create a wonderful salad. Just stop by with fresh greens mixed with lovely veggies, add a bottle of cool dressing and a baguette with a thank you that they’ve been there.

3. Make a casserole for a family.

4. Put together a surprise meal for someone who’s had a plateful of everything except time to fill that plate with food.

5. Order some great spices or a cheese basket online and bless someone anonymously.

Step out of self and the drama that seeks to engulf everyone lately. Be a light in the darkness. You will be refreshed, renewed and able to rise above, besides the fact that you’ve caused others to stop, think and reflect that we all have much to give and share. 

The challenge is on.  Let’s make July-f!

And why July?  Why not? It’s time to spread joy and happiness.  You will grow where you place your focus.

Michelle Hornaday attended Macon’s Springdale Elementary and Central High School where she was a member of the rifle team and Sugar Bear marching band. She was a journalism major at the University of Georgia and works for the office of the Georgia Secretary of State. She is the head cook at her house and her husband, Alan, is the sous chef. She created the alias “Jorga Peach” when she joined Facebook in 2008 and later started “Cafe Jorga Peach,’’ a food ministry for those in need.

Fresh Fruit Summer Salad

Ingredients

Dressing:

• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 whisked egg

Salad:

• 1 bag of Mixed Greens
• 2 fresh sliced peaches (Dickey Farms Scarlet Prince freestone)
• 1/3 c. red onion sliced and quartered
• 1/3 c. fresh blueberries
• 1/3 c. fresh blackberries
• 1/4 c. crumbled bacon (3-4 slices or real bacon bits)
• 1/2 c. crumbled feta
• 1/4 c. candied walnuts or pecans with craisins

Directions 

Bring all dressing ingredients (except egg) to a simmer until sugar dissolves.  Allow to cool to room temp (about 45 min) then stir in the whisked egg.  Bring to a second simmer, stirring often for 7-10 minutes.

Allow to cool again – about an hour. 

Mix all ingredients adding dressing, bacon, feta and nuts at the end.