With each new year, I find myself anticipating the new year, but I also look back and remember years past.

As I was searching through my files looking for a recipe, I came across this news clipping from 1982. Yes... it was 30 years ago when this photo was taken.

The TV show "A.M. Philadelphia" was running a recipe contest. They were looking for what you would bring to a barbeque.
Since New Jersey is known as the Garden State and particularly famous for delicious summer tomatoes,
I decided to send in a recipe for Tomatoes Stuffed with Orzo and Feta.
If you won... you would appear on the show to prepare your dish.

Now... keep in mind, I seldom win anything so when the call came through one morning as I was taking a shower,
my husband came in and said... "A.M. Philadelphia is on the phone for you".
I thought... there he goes again, just playing a joke on me.
I grabbed a towel, hopped out of the shower, and went to the phone.
I guess they thought it was my work place and he was my boss, because they apologized for interrupting me at the "office"!
And then they said I had won the contest and gave me the details of when I had to arrive at the studio to do a live broadcast with Dave Roberts.
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be chosen!

I was so incredibly nervous.
I have never liked speaking in public and it was even more intimidating
to think of having to put this recipe together in a matter of minutes and make it look effortless.

I practiced and practiced at home as my tomatoes slid off the plate or I would stumble on words, telling what I was doing.

When the big day came, off we went with our daughters and my oldest daughter's boyfriend to the "big city".
My box was loaded with tomatoes, orzo, feta, parsley, basil, olive oil, salt and pepper.
I had my serving dish and spoons. My palms were sweaty. I was a nervous wreck.
My husband had our little point and shoot camera and would get a shot as the show was proceeding.

It all happened so quickly.
Dave Roberts (the host of the show) was very sweet and kind and tried to put me at ease and then we were on!

Well I guess everything went OK, and my tomatoes did not slide off the plate and I put everything together in the time allotted.
WHEW! What a relief when it was over! And what fun it was!