My first lunch for the Homicide/Cold Case Unit.....

When Covid first reared its ugly head in 2020, gatherings all over the country were limited, and my home was no exception. Officer meals at my table came to a complete stop and I was left working on a new game plan on how I could continue to serve my friends during a pandemic. 

The only good thing about Covid is it allowed me to offer a few home-cooked meals to officers outside my own area. I am not a professional caterer, and possibly the pickiest eater on the planet. I just cook what I like to eat, and know how to make, and it all seems to work out just fine.  

Last Thursday, I had the enormous honor of serving lunch to CMPD's hardworking Homicide and Cold Case Unit. I whipped up four more pans of lasagna, a big salad, banana pudding, and a box of cream puffs and at about 11:15a last Thursday, my car was en route to CMPD's headquarters.

Everyone was so welcoming and I'm welling up a little, a week later, thinking back to my special afternoon. 

For the families who have lost a loved one to violence, the Homicide and Cold Case units are the family's only hope in finding justice for their loved one. They are heroes without capes working hard to find all the pieces to the crime puzzle before the case goes cold. Tons of interviews, lots of questions, and hundreds of follow-ups on even the tiniest lead. All of the puzzle pieces must fit together perfectly. 

Many families wait decades for justice. They live each day waiting for that call or that knock on the door saying...WE GOT EM'! I can't imagine living with that kind of pain and despair. 

One thing is for certain...these detectives never give up. Never.

It wasn't until I was ready to load my little wagon to return home that I realized I had no pictures of the food. Only memories of my special day with new friends and the few pictures I'm sharing below. 

Stay safe.  💙

Chicken Fettucine Alfredo for ABC.....

My long-awaited Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo dinner for the ABC Unit was Friday March 26, and it went great! I'm still delivering meals when I can due to Covid, but I look forward to seeing my friends around the table again. I had some research to do to find the best Alfredo flavor, so I scoured the internet and my cookbooks and made three different test batches (for myself). By the time I was ready to make this for my friends, I couldn't remember which test batch I liked best, or what I kind cheese I used where (they were weeks apart), so I went with the shredded parmesan. Keep in mind, the guys I cook for could care less if it's great or just mediocre and, I have to say, I have had 'mediocre' fettuccine when I have ordered it from restaurants, so I don't know why I worry so much. All 2 lbs. of fettuccine fit perfectly in my Cuisinart Electric Skillet and, had I known that ahead of time, I would've made the two batches of alfredo sauce in one pot (instead of two) which would 've been a huge time-saver. I also made a big salad, garlic bread, and the usual banana pudding and cream puffs for dessert. My visits are always enjoyable and these guys definitely make me feel like part of the family. They're so appreciative and seem genuinely interested when they ask how I've been and what's new in my life -- I love that.

When I delivered my last meal to these guys in December, they asked if I had a traffic baton for my Citizen's on Patrol (COPs) volunteer work (one of our tasks is to direct traffic if there's a car accident if we can assist). I told them I didn't, but that we were supposed to get one. It has been three months since my last visit and guess what.....they gave me a traffic baton! I just thought it was super thoughtful that they even remembered.

I'll make this again soon and will revise this post with the recipe. It was delicious and this hungry bunch loved it! 💙

My first lunch for Metro Division....

I have delivered dinner twice to the officers in the Metro Division (3rd shift), but this was my first lunch for 1st/2nd shift -- February 5, 2021. 

Was I nervous? YES! After all, I was making lunch for officers I had never met before, not to mention delivering lunch on a weekday presents a nice possibility that the Captain, Lieutenant, and Sergeants might fix a plate (and they did), so I wanted to get it right. 

Ever since the Covid outbreak, the officers in my own division haven't been able to gather at my table, so I have been delivering meals and have extended my cooking and deliveries to divisions outside my own. 

Delivering lunch and a promise to be there by a certain time doesn't leave much room for kitchen snafus and setbacks. I'm not a professional caterer and don't know all the tricks of the catering trade, but one thing I have learned in the past 11 years is, the more you can do the day before, the better. 

I decided to make the lasagna the night before so all I would have to do is pop it in the oven the morning of the lunch. Seems simple, right? WRONG!! Bringing cold lasagna to room temperature before baking takes way longer than you would think. I even put it in a warm oven 200-250 degrees for 20 minutes before cooking for another hour or so at 350, and it still took forever. I even scoured the internet for helpful tips on making lasagna the night before and the only thing I could find was that you cook it longer and, in my opinion, cooking longer can make it dry. It was a dilemma, for sure.  

I was a nervous wreck. 

They say 'a watched pot never boils'....well, watched lasagna is slow to cook. But planning to be there 30 minutes before the start to set-up helped make up a little time -- I just didn't have the time to make the layout all pretty once I got there. 

I love all the helping hands I had when I arrived. Once I notify someone that I'm there, officers pile out the back door for the 'unloading of the car'. And they're so strong, they can carry a lot at one time. 

Everyone at Metro was so welcoming and appreciative. In my brief 2-hour visit, they made me feel like part of the family. About halfway through lunch, the words 'our house, is your house' came across loud and clear. My appreciation for them was so quickly reciprocated.

At exactly 2:00 pm, my car (and the old girl in it) was heading home with all of my nice thoughts of the afternoon. 

Stay safe my new friends.  💙

Nothing says 'dig in, boys' like four pans of Lasagna.

One big salad.

My banana pudding that everyone seems to like so much.

Two boxes of cream puffs.

 

And the answer is....over a decade!

I was hosting a lunch one day (pre-Covid) when a sergeant asked me how long I had been cooking for CMPD and I had to think back to an unfortunate time in my life. The year was 2008 and my home had been broken into twice (in one year). My first dinner was exactly one year after the second break-in. I started this post last year when December 2020 marked my 10 year anniversary of serving this department. A decade. I never finished that post and another year has now past.

Over the past 11 years, some of the young officers who have sat at my table have gotten married and started a family. Some have been promoted from officer to sergeant; sergeant to lieutenant; lieutenant to captain; captain to major; and some have retired. Some officers prefer life 'on the beat' over any other title....patrolling and serving the community. I'm so grateful and I admire them so much.  

I am also 11 years closer to retirement...what's not to like about that?!

Extending that first invitation has evolved into 11 years of serving and it has brought so much joy and purpose to my life. 

Things have changed a lot over the last 11 years, and I won't say it's always been easy, but I keep at it because I love serving this department. Every meal event is different because people are different. I think some officers 'get me' and some don't, and that's OK.

I have had a few folks over the years reach out to me with a desire to do something similar for their own police department. They didn't quite know how to go about it, so I tried to point them in the right direction as far as who to contact to get the ball rolling. I let them know the officers would love any expression of appreciation -- it doesn't have to be a big lunch or dinner. Whoever you are and wherever you live, don't wait for something unfortunate to happen to give back. Just do it!  

If you are contemplating a lunch or dinner for your officers, here a few things things you should think about:

1. Is it hard work? YES -- I'm no Martha Stewart!
2. Do you have to be a good cook? No, but a little kitchen common sense goes a long way. My officers have suffered gladly many times (especially in the beginning), but they kept coming. It gives them a break from eating in the car or not at all.
3. Is it physically demanding? Sometimes. However, it is no different than inviting friends and family over for a nice meal. You tend to do a little more around the house so your guests don't think you're a slob. 
4. You should know there is always a possibility when you have prepped and cooked for two days that only 2-4 might come when you have prepared for 15. Or they will all get busy at the same time and have to come one at a time (or not at all.) Service calls will always come first, so don't be disappointed -- it's all part of it. I invested in some nice microwavable takeout boxes years ago and keep those close-by in case they get a call as soon as they arrive. I save prepackaged plasticware from my own takeout meals, so I can add that to their takeout bag. If there is a lot left over, you can invite them all back the next day -- they love that!
5. You have to be extremely organized which I am not always. The more you can do ahead of time, the better off you'll be the day of your event. You have to really stay on top of things so everything is ready by the time you say you'll have it ready. Sometimes the normal kitchen snafus will put me behind and I have to send a quick message to my lead contact to spread the work that I'm running 10 minutes late. I'm way better than I was 11 years ago, so you will catch on.
6. No pictures! It would be nice to have a few photos of the officers who have sat at my table (it would make for a more interesting blog), but my home is their safe place. They can enjoy a meal in peace and I respect that. 

I love watching out the window for the first patrol car to round the corner into my neighborhood. 

I love hearing the chatter and laughter at the table when I'm in the kitchen cleaning up a bit. 

I love asking the young officers about their family because their wallets quickly emerge and they show me the latest photo of their family and new baby. I love that.  

And I love reflecting on the day or evening after everyone has gone and my house is quiet again. It really is the sweetest part of the afternoon or evening. It makes me smile big just thinking about it.

After the last officer leaves, I rest a bit before starting the clean-up. The dishwasher will get loaded three times.

COVID-19: Covid has forced me to change things up a bit on how I serve these nice officers. The officers haven't gathered at my table in almost a year, so my table had to come to them. It's a lot different delivering meals. Delivering requires a checklist to ensure I have everything I'll need for serving a meal, and there is a lot to pack. But I enjoy my visits just as much. Delivering has allowed me to serve more officers that I might not have otherwise. It's a biggest blessing in my life.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the last 11 years....and a few video projects I have been proud to be a part of.

💙 💙 💙

August 2011 - My first blog post and one of my favorite photos. I had already been cooking for this bunch for two years when a friend and former colleague (thank you, Sherri) encouraged me to start a blog to share my stories and recipes. The Ford 'Crown Vics' are almost obsolete now.

August 2011 - My applesauce pancakes -- quick and easy.  

December 2011 - A special gift from the South Division 1st shift. A neon sign that hangs in my dining room window. It stands for 'Annie's House of Pancakes'. What a thoughtful gift. The officer who came up with that idea -- brilliant! It's a treasure. I turn it on only when they come for a meal. 

May 2012 - My first pass at Chicken Pot Pies. These were from scratch. They had a great flavor, but they were way too complicated. I simplified the process later. 

October 2012 - Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes were a big hit. They were kind of hard to make because the brown sugar swirls would stick to the griddle, but they sure were good. Some of the officers even ate them plain with no syrup.

September 2012 - 216 custom candy bars for South and Steele Creek Division (108 each).  

June 2013 - a Sunday dinner on Wednesday. Slow-cooked pot roast and all the stuff that goes with it. These meals were delivered to the South Division.

August 2015 - I had fun making these personalized 13" x 9" chicken pot pies. I made three.  

October 2015 - For Whom the Bell Tolls. A memorial video I made to honor the 31 CMPD officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice. I initially made the video to just share on my blog, but it was well-received by the department and the link was shared on their website memorial page. It was an honor to work on this.  

January 2017 - I made this '2016 Year in Review' video to remember the busy and challenging year CMPD had fighting and solving crime, but they also enjoyed the fun part of their job - engaging with the community and strengthening relationships.  

July 2017 - Somehow my blog made the Top 50 police blogs on Feedspot. I'm not sure how they found me, but it was an honor to be recognized. My humble blog is sitting with some far more important blogs than mine. I originally came in at #46, and now at #41. Thank you Feedspot!

December 2017 - My 9th Annual Christmas Lunch

September 2018 - Spaghetti night at AHOP. A hearty appetite makes my heart happy!  

November 2018 - Special Delivery -- lasagna for the awesome officers in the Metro Division. 

December 2018 - My 10th Annual Christmas lunch for South. I enjoy making the invitations as much as I do cooking lunch.  

August 2019 - My gigantical Chicken Pot Pie for 1st shift. 

December 2019 - My 11th Annual Christmas Lunch for the South Division. My 'heart of gold' friend, Melanie, came to my prep rescue to help me pull this lunch off. Meatloaf, green bean bundles, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, rolls.  

COVID-19 DELIVERIES

And 11 years of cream puffs and banana pudding! I wish I had a count of how many puffs that have come out of my oven in the last 11 years. Just a bunch is all I know.  

♥

My Christmas Eve....

My Christmas Eve is a heartwarming poem written by retired Ohio State Trooper, Bob Welsh.

The first time I heard this poem was when the retired trooper shared it before a small group and I found it on YouTube seven years ago. I shared in an old blog post. 

I knew it was a special story and a few years later, I was delighted to see that the California Highway Patrol had embraced it and recreated the story in this touching video. It is bittersweet to share it when there is so much sadness in the law enforcement community right now. May God bless and protect those who continue to shine the badge and serve their community with honor and courage.

Merry Christmas to you all....wishing you peace and happiness in 2021!

Holiday cheer for the ABC Unit.....

Guess what.....more lasagna, LOL! I really wanted to make Chicken Fettucine Alfredo, but since Covid has snafued any officers gathering at my table, I wasn't sure how well it would travel. I'm not a professional caterer, nor do I have all the warmers and equipment for catering, so I was worried the alfredo sauce wouldn't be hot, or it would spill in the car, or the noodles would all stick together - so many things could go wrong - and I would end up mortified if it wasn't terrific, so I erred on the side of caution. I hope to see these guys again after the new year, so maybe I'll have the Alfredo thing all figured out by then.

One thing that has stayed with me since that night, and what I love the most about what I do, is just sitting back and listening to these guys laugh and tell stories at the table. I love the camaraderie the officers have with each other. The thin blue line runs deep and they really do have each other's back (their 6). This has been a particularly tough year for all law enforcement officers, so being able to bring this small unit together before their shift to enjoy a meal at the same table made me very happy.

Part of the conversation during dinner (and they brought it up) was how to get me set-up with a food cart to sell my cream puffs. I mean, they were working on a price and a menu, LOL....($4/each or 3/$10). See what I mean....they're hilarious -- or maybe they just love them that much. But whatever the reason, their interest made me feel loved. They even had a location all planned out! It's definitely something I think about - like maybe in my retirement - but there would be so much to work out - ie: business license, food truck, kitchen facilities, safety, etc.

I used my two 'Rachel Ray Lasagna Luggers' again and they worked out great. They're still available if you've been looking for something like this - Macy's has them and, of course, Amazon. They're about $38/each.

Law enforcement officers need our support now more than ever. If you've been wanting to do something for the officers where you live, just do it! It will make you feel as good as it will them. It doesn't have to be anything big. They'll appreciate your support and kindness.

Stay safe my friends....until next time. ♥

Cream Puffs

Banana Pudding

Rachel Ray Lasagna Lugger -- keeps food hot!

I did a blog post on my food truck dream in 2018 and you can read it here. I think I like these two the best.