It’s February and that means Valentine’s Day, the original share-the-love event. One immediately thinks of someone in their life that they love. When I was a child in elementary school, my mother would buy a box of inexpensive valentine cards to “send” to classmates. During high school, your significant other was so important that you swore it would last a lifetime. For some it did. As we got older, many viewed those feelings of adoration very differently and their emotions shifted yet again. There is no shortage of the definitions and versions of love, and everyone has their own way of expressing those feelings. No matter how one approaches this sentiment, one thing is for sure — giving and receiving love is one of life’s greatest joys.
I saw an illustration the other day. An older gentleman was holding the hand of a child. It was captioned, “Spend time with your elders. Not everything can be found on Google.” That personally touched me.
My career as a nurse focused on helping others. Now that I am retired, I get a great deal of satisfaction from volunteering with Harpswell Aging at Home. I am grateful to be a small part of an organization that offers assistance to others in our community. Helping others is an amazing and satisfying way to express love.
One person who comes to mind in that area is our very own Joyce “Jay” McCreight. Jay was our state representative for eight years and finished up her last term in the Maine House of Representatives in December of 2022. She is one of those individuals who gave it her all in getting things done, and her accomplishments are many. Her persistence in pursuing legislation helped to open opportunities to many of her fellow Mainers. Many positive changes took place during her tenure, and, as a result, she left a trail of gratitude.
In a selfless expression of love, Jay and her husband hosted an asylum-seeking family prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. They were instrumental in giving this family the foundation of a promising future here in Maine.
Since leaving Augusta, Jay has spent her time volunteering for various organizations here in town, including the Harpwell Aging at Home Steering Committee. Her desire to be of service has never waned.
When I asked Jay for a recipe to share for Valentine’s Day, she offered this lovely gem. The only comment I can say about this is, if crafting a message of love is hard for you to do, bake these brownies. Add some ice cream and chocolate sauce, and I promise your recipient will hear you loud and clear. Talk about sharing the love!
Enjoy!
(The recipe for brownies is adapted from “The Good Fat Cookbook,” by Fran McCullough. The recipe for chocolate sauce is adapted from an old Hershey’s wrapper.)
Wall-to-wall brownies
Ingredients:
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup finely chopped walnuts (or 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and 1/2 cup flaked coconut)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Melt chocolate with sugar and oil in a saucepan. Allow to cool slightly.
Add flour, salt and vanilla to slightly beaten eggs, then add the slightly cooled chocolate mixture, being careful not to overheat the eggs.
Add nuts, or nuts and coconut.
Bake about 30 minutes in an 8-inch-square, greased pan, or until a toothpick comes out almost clean. The top of the brownies should be glossy. Cool and cut into squares as desired.
Hot chocolate sauce
Ingredients:
2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup evaporated milk
Pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Melt chocolate with butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Stir in sugar, evaporated milk and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until it just begins to boil. Remove from heat, add vanilla.
Serve brownies topped with vanilla or peppermint ice cream (pink for Valentine’s Day!) and spoon warm chocolate sauce over all.
Cooking at 43° North, a program of Harpswell Aging at Home, brings Harpswell residents together for cooking programs, in person and online. Watch the Anchor calendar for listings.
HAH always needs cooks for its Meals in a Pinch program, which provides nutritious meals to seniors in need of emergency assistance. For more information, contact Julie Moulton at 207-330-5416 or juliemoulton28@gmail.com.
