Only one assignment per class left to grade, and three leisurely days to do it! This is my most efficient semester ever.

So, I can post this. My sister sent me this link yesterday. I had to save it until late last night, after I was burned out on grading, but it is definitely worth watching. Simply remarkable!

Mary Margaret, "the first lady of radio," lived in West Shokan, my hometown. My sister was at her place yesterday, doing a plein air painting. Here are a couple of pictures I took a few years ago, standing near her house, looking toward the Reservoir:

Click here to view these pictures larger

Her place is now a bed and breakfast.

In Favorite Recipes of the the Watson Hollow Inn, there is this note:

"Mary Margaret McBride was a cherished friend and featured guest at the Inn. Her favorite dessert was the Lemon Icebox Cake and for many years it appeared on the dessert list as "Mary Margaret's Favorite" (p. 84).

Lemon Icebox Cake

My-T-Fine lemon pudding, 1 package
Juice of Lemon, 1
Heavy cream, whipped, 1 cup
Sponge layers

Use directions on pudding package, reducing water to 1 1/2 cups and adding lemon juice. When cooled to room temperature, add stiffly beaten cream; fold in. From purchased sponge layers, remove all brown crumbs top and bottom. cut each layer in half, making four layers. Cover each layer and sides of cake with filling. Place in refrigerator 2-3 hours. 

From a 1960 newspaper clipping in Mimmie's scrapbook:

Mrs. Roosevelt is Luncheon Guest of TV Personality

Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, widow of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, lunched with Mary Margaret McBride, noted television personality and author at Watson Hollow Inn, West Shokan.   

Mimmie prepared Party Cheese Pie for the occasion.

Party Cheese Pie

Crust:
Ritz Crackers, finely rolled, 36
Butter or Margarine, softened, ¼ cup
Sugar, ¼ cup

Blend together cracker crumbs, butter or margarine and sugar.  Press firmly on to bottom and sides of 9 inch pie plate.

Filling:
Softened Cream Cheese, 2 - 8 ounce pkgs.
Eggs, 2
Sugar, ½ cup
Vanilla, ½ teaspoon

Beat cream cheese until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time; beat well after each addition.  Add sugar and vanilla.  Pour into crumb crust; bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.  Cool 5 minutes; spread topping and continue baking 5 minutes longer.  Chill.

Topping:

Beat together 1/2 pint sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.  Spread over filling.

Fresh or frozen fruit (strawberries, raspberries, cherries) can be used instead or in addition as a topping for Party Cheese Pie, and for the Icebox Cake, angel food layers and chocolate frosting can be used instead.

Chocolate variant for Icebox Cake:

Prepare sponge layers the same. Melt 4 ounce bar of German's Sweet Chocolate. When cool, fold into1/2 pint whipped heavy cream. Fill and frost layers. Refrigerate 2-3 hours.