RECIPE CORNER

Mango Mousse

We've made this recipe about a dozen times or so and each time we get compliments on it, so we thought we'd share it. -Thanks to Mrs. Jill Charles for introducing this delicious dessert to us!

One packet ( 6 oz) peach Jell-O
8 oz Cool Whip®
32 oz can of mango puree (obtained in Asian food stores)

Dissolve jell in 2 cups of boiling water. Blend in Cool Whip and mango puree. Let cool and set in a trifle bowl or any mold you wish. Garnish with raspberry or canned peach and whipped cream.

New Year's Interview with Grace & Vince

Demetrius Parnakopoulis took time to ask Grace & Vince about their experiences of 2003, in this EXCLUSIVE interview.

Last year you lived in Atlanta. Two years before that it was Southern California. This year it's Seattle--and only for a year. Would you consider settling down in Seattle? If not, what's next?

G: We do enjoy Seattle and certainly would consider staying here, depending upon what permanent career opportunities exist. It is tiring to have been moving around so much, which is why our main objective this year is for Vince to find a more permanent position and where we can settle down. This is definitely his last year of training. Right, Vince?

V: Well, if another exciting opportunity to train comes up, we can't completely IGNORE that, can we?

How does living in Seattle compare with living in Atlanta?

V: I think one advantage Seattle has over Atlanta is the geography. The winters are  cool and wet but not as cold as Atlanta. And definitely not as hot and humid in the summer. We also enjoy hiking the mountains, taking the ferries on Puget Sound, and our proximity to downtown--we live about a 15 minute walk from downtown.

G: Also, I think attitudes are a bit different here. For example, there seems to be more of an emphasis on environmental responsibility such as recycling and utilizing public transportation here than in the South. Vince & I don't use the car on weekdays because bus transportation is so convenient and he commutes to work by bicycle.

V: It is a bit difficult to compare because we live so close to downtown, where in Atlanta we lived more in a suburb. Thus, everything here is more expensive, from rent to groceries to gasoline.

G: People in the South, however, exhibit a warm hospitality that we see less here. When I take my walks, it's much more unusual for passers-by to acknowledge you or say even "hello." In Atlanta, greetings to strangers are much more common.

Based on recent photographs, you two are looking more “prosperous.” Can you shed some light on that?

V: No comment. Suffice it to say that we never go hungry.

G: Haven't you heard that a happy marriage makes for larger waistlines?

What New Year Resolutions have you two made for yourselves?

V: I think our resolution should be not to make any resolutions! They don't work! You should only make resolutions that you know will happen. For example, I resolve to have my 36th birthday on August 30.

G: Vince, I resolve to love you more and be a better wife to you, darling.

V: (inaudible, sobs)

You mentioned that you both are "immersing ourselves in music." Could you explain a bit more about that?

G: As many of you know, music has been a very important part of our lives, both as performers and listeners. In Atlanta, we did not participate in many music activities, but after coming to Seattle, all that changed.

V: We subscribed to the Seattle Symphony, which is within walking distance of home. On average we attend one performance every 2 to 3 weeks. We also joined the Green Lake SDA Church choir, which has a wonderful music program. I play organ occasionally for the Kent SDA church, and over Christmas, was organist for the Holy Family Catholic Church's midnight and Christmas Day masses. I have never played for mass before and found it to be a truly interesting experience.

You also mentioned you've been enjoying cooking and dining out. Tell us about that.

G: Our apartment has a fairly large kitchen with which we can truly enjoy the cooking experience. I've been experimenting with new dishes and baking more. We both love fish, and it's an easy thing to stop by Pike Place Market and pick up some fresh wild salmon. So we've really enjoyed improving our culinary skills. 

V: We love all sorts of international cuisine and Seattle's a great place for fine dining. We particularly enjoy eating at Roy's (in the Westin Hotel). The only food we don't eat out in Seattle is Chinese--for that we have to go to Vancouver, Canada. We make a weekend trip up north about once a month in order to enjoy ice kacang, nasi lemak, other Malaysian- Singaporean dishes, and great dim sum. There's even a restaurant--Hon's on Robson--that has a kitchen which serves only vegetarian dim sum.

I heard a rumor that a little shoe might be on the way…is there any truth to that?  

G: Pure speculation only. However, who knows, maybe this could be the year. 

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