My favorite recipes

After teaching for 17 years at Lakeside High School in Plummer, Idaho, Diane Harp has left to pursue a new adventure right in her own backyard.

“I had some overload teaching English, working in the school library and as a senior projects advisor,” Diane said. “I left teaching to find my joy.”

Diane said she is lucky her husband, Bill, is supportive of her pursuit. Diane has lived in Tekoa for about 17 years. She was raised in Spokane and started college in Tacoma but finished her teaching degree at Eastern Washington University and earned a master’s degree from the University of Idaho. She has continued to take continuing education courses throughout her teaching career, all of which have become very beneficial in her new career move as the librarian at the Tekoa branch of the Whitman County Library.

“It’s fun because I have a plethora of knowledge to share with readers,” Diane said. “I took a continuing education class on Jane Austin and monsters in literature class. That was the best. I have a lot to share about monsters.”

Diane’s husband, Bill, was raised in Tekoa. Most of his family has lived in Tekoa. Their son, Casey, 17, is a junior at Oakesdale High School.

Diane said it is so nice to be surrounded by family. She said everyone steps up to support their local businesses. The town rallies around each other, which is one of the reasons she loves her small town. Bill has twin 94-year-old aunts who live in town. Bill and Diane check on them often, as do about 20 other people every week. Diane said during a recent storm, the power was out and her husband’s aunts were checked on by her neighbors.

“These are the kind of things a small town does,” Diane said.

As the town librarian, Diane has been able to spend more time getting to know the people of Tekoa. She said everyone has a story to tell, and she has been blessed to hear their stories and to have a connection with them. Another opportunity to be involved in the community and to promote the library has opened the door for Diane to do another activity that brings her joy. She loves to dress up in costumes. This month she donned a kimono and went to the school to promote the library’s origami craft class.

“I love dressing up,” Diane said with a smile. “I have subbed at the school for all age levels and the kids all know me. The little kids will come and hug me whenever they see me, which is joy.”

She said working part time at the library is a lot of fun. Diane said every day she comes into the library and is able to be happy. She said there isn’t time to feel the drudgery she felt working full time, although she really enjoyed working with seniors on their senior projects.

“I was so glad to head up senior projects,” Diane said. “Some kids have done amazing projects. The kids have done everything. They are building the future of our communities.”

Diane also has more time to pursue her joy in cooking. She loves to bake, and has become the “pie queen” of her family reunions. Diane harvests the fruit for her pies. She picks blackberries from a secret location and grows her own apples for her apple pies.

Another joy she pursues is gardening. This spring, she is building garden boxes and installing a drip system. Each year, she adds another flowerbed to her landscaping—a never ending project.

Recipes:

Family Reunion Breakfast Casserole

1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms

1/2 cup chopped green peppers

1/4 cup butter

Sauté these ingredients, then mix in with the following:

10 to 15 eggs

1/2 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

16 ounces cottage cheese

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese

1/4 cup pork sausage (browned and crumbled)

6 bacon strips (browned and crumbled)

1 can sliced olives

Mix above ingredients together and bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 14 minutes and 350 degrees for at least 35 more minutes.

Grandma’s Famous Baked Beans

3 large cans baked beans (any brand)

2 large cans tomato sauce

1 teaspoon dried mustard

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup maple syrup

1 finely chopped onion

1 package bacon (uncooked)

Mix above ingredients together in large cooking pot and lay bacon on top. Bake at 350 degrees until thick (4 hours or more).

My sister’s Mounds Candies

32 ounces powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cubes butter, softened

1 can Eagle brand milk

1 pound coconut

1 tablespoon shortening

1 package chocolate chips

Cream first four ingredients. Add coconut. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Roll into 1-inch balls.

Melt in top of double boiler shortening and chocolate chips. Use a toothpick to dip candy balls into chocolate. Drop onto waxed paper to dry.

Perfect Fudge Every Time

18-ounce package chocolate chips

1/2 pound butter

2 tablespoons vanilla

1 cup nuts (optional)

4 1/2 cups sugar

12-ounce can evaporated milk

Place chocolate chips, butter, vanilla and nuts in large mixing bowl. Set aside. In heavy saucepan, bring sugar and milk to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil for 8 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour hot mixture over chip mixture and stir until blended. Mix with electric mixer for 2 minutes longer or until smooth. Pour into greased 9x13-inch pan.