VIVIAN WAS retired from the CIA when I met her. She had spent her last year or so training surveillance personnel. These were older women, the premise being that they were less likely to be noticed when they were over 45. When I think of it, when do we notice fewer eyes following us as we walk down the street?

Anyway, Viv’s husband was Bob. He was also in “the company”. He would drop in our office in McLean, sporting a waxed mustache and a rather worn cape. (I always thought of him as a cousin of Snidely Whiplash of Bullwinkle fame.) Our boss would hesitate to come out of her office when she knew he was there. The couple had met and married in Brussels, where both been assigned. When Vivian’s tour ended, she returned to DC and bought a house there. She heard from the grapevine that Bob was “stepping out”. So, she put surveillance on Bob. You didn’t mess with Vivian.

When both were retired, they bought a bed and breakfast in Delaware. Vivian wrote a small cookbook that was for sale for their guests which contains some of the following recipes.

Potato Crust Cheese Pie

Note that the following is a quiche but with a potato crust! Add it to your possibilities.pgg

3 medium potatoes, shredded 1 egg beaten

3 eggs

3 tablespoons parsley, chopped

1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 medium onion, shredded

1 1/2 cups swiss or cheddar cheese

1 1/4 cup milk 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Scrub but do not peel potatoes. Shred with onion. Pat dry and mix with 1 egg. Press on bottom and sides of buttered 9” pie plate. Sprinkle with cheese. Beat other ingredients and pour over cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or till knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Highlawn Inn

Confetti Squash 2 cups yellow squash, cooked 1/2 cup evaporated milk 1 tablespoon sugar 3/4 cup swiss cheese, grated 1/2 onion, chopped 2 eggs beaten 1/4 cup butter, melted

1 Tablespoon flour

1 cup red and green peppers, chopped

1/2 cup bread crumbs

“A very colorful casserole that no one will guess is really squash” Grease 1 1/2 quart casserole dish. Mash and drain cooked squash. Beat eggs well and combine all ingredients except bread crumbs and mix well. Pour into prepared dish and top with bread crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or center set. Can be assembled day before and refrigerated.

Vivian’s Dad’s New England

Grapenut Pudding

Another version of a great favorite

4 cups milk 2 eggs, separated 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup Grapenuts

4 Tablespoons honey

Cinnamon or nutmeg for sprinkling

Bring milk to a boil. When milk is cool add Grapenuts, slightly beaten egg yolks, honey and vanilla. Blend thoroughly. Fold in stiffly beaten eggs whites into pudding. Sprinkle with cinnamon or grated nutmeg. Turn into a buttered baking dish and place in a water bath. Bake in 325 degree oven for 45 minutes or till tester comes out clean. Serves 6-8

Mulberry B&B Cranberry

Poppy Seed Pound Cake

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

4 large eggs at room temperature

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt 1/3 cup evaporated milk 1/2 cup poppy seeds 2 cups sugar 2 1/2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 Tablespoon ground ginger

2 ? cups cranberries

Cream butter, add sugar gradually. Beat till fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Combine dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to cream mixture alternating with milk. Fold in cranberries & poppy seeds. Spoon into a buttered and floured bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/4 hours or till tester comes out clean.

My friend Viv is gone now, but many of her thoughts are in this little treasure that I keep on my shelf. It is my pleasure to share some with you. Pgg.