Nothing Compares

Sorry I'm behind on my disaster deployment blogs from the South friends, this job has very limited wifi-data-cell coverage on the job so I am limited to posting from the wee hours when we get back from the job. More to come...

It was a busy day at the Red Cross shelter in Tuscaloosa, AL today. We had two special guests: Brian Williams from NBC Nightly News and University of Alabama Football Coach Nick Saban.

Brian Williams visited with clients and played cards on the shelter floor with children.  He talked and listened with awe as they each shared their amazing stories of survival.

Coach Saban brought along dinner and Alabama gear for all of the shelter residents and brightened the mood of the shelter ten fold. As he signed all of their new Alabama gear, shelter residents were a buzz with excitement and all smiles.

While damage in Tuscaloosa is furious- the spirits of the people of here is hopeful. Today Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles were finally able to navigate around rubble in neighborhoods to feed residents, first responders and clean-up crews.

The damage is just unreal. I’ve never seen anything like this in my life. I’ve been to other tornados and they don’t even compare. The destruction here seems to be at a different level…almost incomprehensible.  Cars crumbled like paper. Houses folded like a house of cards.  Neighborhoods unrecognizable.

There aren’t enough words to describe the emotions that rush over you when you see the things that you see in Tuscaloosa and many parts of the south this week.

It’s one thing to see it on TV, but totally different to see the destruction after you know the people who have suffered through it. Your heart breaks a little bit more.  I’m just glad I’m here to listen and to help make their life a little bit easier.

steel magnolias: there's no such thing as natural beauty...

last night i went to see steel magnolias at the omaha community playhouse with linsey.
for those who haven't seen the 1989 hit movie- you are in for a treat at truvy's salon. 
the firecracker southern women in this play are one of my favorite casts of the season.
i loved all of their witty wisecracks and laughter- as truvy said: 'laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.' and that's what you will do at this show.
and i always love a good strong southern woman's laughter (reminds me of my auntie fran).
this is definitely a show to take the ladies to for a fun girls night out.
be sure and catch it before the show ends on may 8th you can get your tickets here.
the only thing that could have made it better would have been a piece of the bleeding red velvet armadillo cake.

Humbled...

Every disaster that I deploy to with the Red Cross may be different but they are all the same. Actually there are probably more similarities than differences in most disasters. Sure the storm, location and situation are different; but the one thing that I see again and again is the resilience of the human spirit.

People who have just lost all of their earthly possessions not worried about themselves or how they will get by- but worried about their family, neighbors and friends. Communities banding together with one cause: to make it through the day.

Another common thread between disasters is the Red Cross. More specifically: the volunteers that are the Red Cross. The amazing people who drop everything and tramps through rain, snow, heat, mud, floods and ruble to offer assistance along with a warm embrace and a glimmer of hope.

I spent most of this week in Mapleton Iowa observing just this. Mapleton might not be big enough to be on most maps of Iowa, but this mighty town of 1,200 souls has left its mark on my heart. Nearly half of town suffered damage from Saturday night’s EF3 tornado that ripped through several counties.  Never in my life have I seen such damage. The only way I can describe it is mind-boggling.

One of the first things I noticed when I pulled on to Main Street was the presence of the Red Cross.  And I was told that it was the presence of the Red Cross’ volunteers everywhere they turned that made this town’s heartbreak a little more bearable. They knew that when they saw that Red Cross on someone’s vest that it meant help was here.  

I feel like the luckiest girl on this planet that it’s my job to get to experience this small miracle first hand. I have said it before and I’m sure I will say it again but I am always completely humbled by the human spirit in the times of disaster.

When I pulled out of town today to head home I drove past a hand painted sign that said, “The city of Mapleton thanks you.”  I immediately smiled thinking of the many wonderful people that I met this week and how I should be the one thanking them.

Thanking them for the opportunity to be part of something bigger than myself, part of their community of hope. 

 

Very Blessed...

*Another story from my current deployment from Mapleton, Iowa-Enjoy

Dorothea Bachmann could be described as the Grandmother of Mapleton. Townspeople told me that she had the Community Center opened as a Red Cross shelter ‘before the wind stopped blowing.’

When I asked the seventy-three year-old Red Cross Volunteer about this she laughed and told me, “Oh- no dear… I checked to see if my neighbors were ok first.” And that she did.

Dorothea’s house was one of the few that survived last Saturday nights EF3 tornado that ripped through Mapleton, Iowa affecting 220 homes. As soon as the storm ceased she grabbed a Coleman lantern, ventured out to check on her neighbors then headed to open a shelter at the Mapleton Community Center with help of local law enforcement.

Her motherly instincts, and Red Cross training, kicked-in as she knew people would need safe place to stay that night. Dorothea has been a Red Cross volunteer for over 15 years but has also lived through more tornadoes then she can count. 

“This was both the largest and the quietest tornado I have ever experienced,” Dorothea said. “Mapleton is very very blessed. There were no injuries, no deaths and ample warning.”

Dorothea has been seen all week walking around the Community Center distributing many things- the main thing being hugs. “It’s a good feeling to be able to help,” she said. “It’s really no different than helping at any disaster, but it's great to be able to serve my friends.  I think this is what the Lord wanted me to do with my life.”

The Lucky One...

*A story from my current Red Cross deployment to Mapleton, Iowa...

Fifty-two year old Cynthia Bursaw says she is the lucky one. Some might disagree by looking at her situation.

To the eye Cynthia just lost everything: her home split in half, its roof peeled off and her belongings thrown across not only her front yard but the neighborhood. But it wasn't the things in the house that mattered to her. It was the people.

When Saturday nights tornado sirens went off in Mapleton, Iowa Cynthia quickly ran outside to pull her cars into the garage. As she got out of her car she saw the EF3 tornado coming down the road. She quickly joined her two sons and their cats under the staircase in their basement.

They held on for-dear-life as the tornado sucked the roof off of thier house and took most of their belongings with it. After the dust and the skeleton of their home settled around them- they quickly realized that the were trapped under the rubble. Luckily she had grabbed her cell phone before she went into the basement so she was able to call 9-1-1 for help. Around 45 minutes later emergency responders came to dig them out.

Cynthia said they are the lucky ones. They can salvage a few of their belongings...but that wasn’t what is important to her. "I got my kids and that's all that matters," Cynthia said.

So what's next for the Bursaws? When asked Cynthia teared up and said she had no idea. She was taking things one-step at a time. Her first priority was taking care of her boys. Finding them new clothes was next on her list.

When Red Cross client caseworkers Kate Ellrich and Susan Schwartz, from the Heartland Regional Grouping, told Cynthia they would help make sure her family had what they needed- she cried with relief.

Kate and Susan didn't only offer her Red Cross assistance today- they offered compassion, love and hope to a single mother who repetitively thanked them for it.

"Thank you so much," Cynthia kept saying. "This was so much bigger than what I could do alone. It's so great you are here to help."

That is what the Red Cross is here for. To offer hope in heartbreak and compassion in your time of need. As the impact of disaster is still unfolding, the Red Cross is there. 

You can help those affected by the disaster by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Food Blog 6: Mama's Goulash Remixed

• 
  

• This food blog goes out Liz Clausen who requested this recipe. 

  Inspired by meeting Elizabeth Gillbert, the witty author of Eat, Pray, Love, I decided to take my mom's classic Goulash recipe and doctor it up to be a little more italian. (I also had to sneak in the fresh basil and mozzarella that I had just bought...) This is a quick and hearty meal that is sure to please. 

  Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups pasta- I used rigatoni here
• 1 quart stewed plum tomatoes- diced
• 2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper
• A few fresh mozzarella pearls
• A few leaves of fresh basil- diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt as needed
• 
  

Directions

1. Bring water to boil and add in pasta and cook as directed then drain.
2. In large saucepan brown ground chuck, drain.
3. Stir pasta and browned grounds beef together with tomatoes, garlic, pepper, basil, macaroni and mozzarella. 
4. Eat and be happy.

sidebar: how rad is it that she signed my new cookbook!? I love that she wrote Eat, Eat, Eat! I loved meeting her. I told her my favorite parts of her book was the food (the pizza in Italy to be specific) and how I long to go to Italy! She signed my cookbook and said I hope you do go!

This is my secret photo of her that I took with my cell phone. I was super disappointed that her table had a bunch of signs that said 'no photos'...so being the rebelrouser I am- I snuck this one. 

Food blog 5: Spinach Orzo Salad...Danelle's style

This food blog goes out to Heidi!

This is probably one of the easiest and tastiest pasta salads around and is always a hit at parties.

My recipe was inspired by this recipe that is also just as tasty. I just love fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella (if you haven't learned already) so I have modified it to include them too.

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package uncooked orzo pasta
1 bag of fresh baby spinach leaves
8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls halved
16 oz cherry tomatoes halved
A couple of fresh basil leaves sliced
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in all of your ingredients. Toss with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Refrigerate and serve cold.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Food Blog 4: Chicken Tikka Masala Made Easy...

Tonight's food blog an Indian classic- chicken tikka masala- is super simple and super delicious!

All that you need are the ingredients below and about 30 minutes.

First wash and cube 1 pound of chicken. Then brown it in a skillet with a little bit of oil.

Now start your jasmine rise- follow the recipe on the bag. It usually boils at first then simmers for 20 minutes.

Once your chicken is browned stir in one jar of Patak's Tikka Masala Curry Sauce (you can find this at super target) and simmer for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile throw your oven on to 300 and wrap up some naan flatbread (i got mine at trader joes) in foil and heat up for 10 minutes.

When all of your timers go off- plate and enjoy!

Voila! A gourmet Indian meal in minutes!!

love song...

i have always loved this song.
i have always loved adele.
i adore her new album.
so therefore- this song is heavenly.

Food Blog 3: Green chili cream cheese chicken enchiladas

Tonight's food blog goes out to the recently engaged (congrats!!) Miss Erin Cron! At her request:

Danelle's famous green chili cream cheese chicken enchiladas!

* 1/2 pound cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1/2 cup green salsa
* 1- 4oz can of green chilies
* 4 (6 ounce) packages seasoned cooked chicken cubes
* 3 cups shredded Mexican-style cheese blend
* 1 tablespoon chipotle spice (I love Penzeys Spices)
* 12 (8 inch) flour tortillas
* 1- 10 oz can of green chili enchilada sause

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly spray an 8x8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Stir together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and salsa until blended. Fold in chicken and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Evenly divide the filling among the tortillas, and roll into firm cylinders. Place into prepared baking dish and cover with remaining sauce and shredded cheese.
3. Bake in preheated oven until golden and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
4. Shake up a margarita and enjoy!

I enjoy with guacamole, chips, mexican rice and black beans.

amen...

love this.

my first national red cross youtube video

my heart truly is in japan today.
you might remember my month long AFE tour of japan and the pacific in 2007 and how much i loved the country and it's people.
when i saw the story unfolding via social media and my buddies at national asking for help with a situation update video i decided to step up to the plate and record a video of myself (by myself) with the mac...before talking points were even issued. (sure glad i said the right things!)

want to help?

go to www.redcross.org and donate to japan earthquake and pacific tsunami.

you can also donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to support our disaster relief efforts in japan and tsunami throughout the pacific.

domo arigato!

happy red cross month: get your red cross red velvet cupcake today!

happy red cross month yall!

don't forget to stop by jones bros cupcakes in aksarben village to get your red cross red velvet cupcakes in the month of march!

they will donate $1 back to the heartland chapter for each one they sell.

thanks bill for a sweet partnership and a dream come true for a cupcake/red cross freak like me!

APAT11= fun in the sun

red cross APAT (advanced public affairs team) training is always a good time.
you might remember my previous posts about our annual training in the spring...and usually in warm locations like atlanta and dallas.

this year we are in sunny tampa at the gorgeous mainsail center!

every year gets better and better.
the on camera interviews get easier.
you meet more people and see your besties (like kate pictured above!)

and if you are lucky, like me, you get the chance to be a presenter.
i am co-teaching social media 201 with the always fab gloria from our national headquarters.
it is both awesome and exhausting to present to the best and brightest pr pros.
we taught one workshop today and have four in a row tomorrow for 6.5 hours.
wish us luck!

more to come...

Food Blog 2: Banana Banana Bread

(fresh out of the oven for mr. joel)

For my second food blog I bring you my favorite banana bread courtesy of my favorite recipe site allrecpies.com

Banana Banana Bread

Ingredients

* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup butter
* 3/4 cup brown sugar
* 2 eggs, beaten
* 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Stir banana mixture into flour mixture; stir just to moisten. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
4. Enjoy.

little miss sunshine...

man i love this little smiling face...more and more each day.

Food blog #1: homemade chicken noodle soup

So after many requests for recipes via facebook after posting pictures of my tasty adventures in the kitchen i have decided to start using my often neglected blog to food blog. (thanks to cari for the last push it took to inspire me to do so.)

After a weekend of making many delicious new meals (wood fired italian pizzas, spatchcock and beer can chickens all on the big green egg grill) today i needed to use leftovers somehow. So inspired by the cold and dingy weather good ol homemade chicken noodle soup it was. And it was indeed old fashioned mmmmm mmmmm good.





Danelle's Red Dutch Oven LeCresuset Chicken Noodle Soup

Ingredients

4 cups wide egg noodles
8 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons fresh cracked pepper
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon Rosemary
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup fingerling potatoes
1 cup carrots
2 cups water
3 cups diced, cooked chicken meat (leftover beer can chicken was fab)
2 cups of love

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add egg noodles and boil for 8 minutes, or until tender. Drain, and rinse under cool running water.

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, combine broth, water, pepper, rosemary, oregano, salt, and poultry seasoning. Bring to a boil. Stir in veggies. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15 minutes.

Stir in noodles and chicken, and heat through.

Share with those you love and enjoy!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

First blog from my iPad: 25th annual spelling bee

Last Friday I went to see the 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee at the omaha community playhouse and it was HILARIOUS!

Never did I imagine a play about a spelling bee could be so awesome.

It was hilarious, witty and fab!

There was some adult humor so leave the kids at home for this one...but don't miss it!

Get your tickets today here.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

life as a puppy mom day 730...

day 1: 2.14.09

remember my blog from two years ago on valentines day?

day 360: 2.14.10

you might also recall last year's blog

day 730: 2.14.11


not too much bigger.
a little more white hairs.
a little less engery.
a whole lot of lovin'.

thanks for being my funny valentine big buddy dutchie!

happy birthday mr joel

love you more and more each year groundhog day baby!