Behind-The-Scene With Kristine

I already miss Yvonne. I miss her laughter that bellowed through our vast newsroom, her scampering around in her socks, her gracious smile that always brightened my day. All I can do now is picture her in Heaven, watching over all of us down here who miss her dearly.

I always admired Yvonne -- looked up to her, wished I could be a little bit more like her. Her unguarded openness amazed me -- how she would share anything about herself, the good and the imperfect. She didn't worry about what people thought of her -- she was just herself, and because she was so good inside, there was nothing to hide and only a lot to love.

I admired her work ethic -- Yvonne always gave more than 100% to everything she did -- her consumer stories, her charity work and even just talks with friends. She was always there, in the moment, focused on you or whatever she was working on.

I looked up to Yvonne's bravery in the face of death. As Ken Rice said in his eulogy, many people would turn inward and become smaller in a time like that, but Yvonne did the opposite -- she became bigger. She gave more of herself, did more than she's ever done and lived the last years of her life on a grande scale. She even laughed through the pain and the fear, making jokes and seeing the funny side of what was a terrible disease.

In a business where some people can develop egos, Yvonne remained humble her whole life and passed that lesson along to her daughters. Despite her strikingly beautiful appearance and her fame, she taught her daughters that no one is more special than anyone else. Yvonne's daughter, Adona, told an incredible story in her eulogy about how one Thanksgiving, a homeless man and his family showed up at their home. It turned out, Yvonne had me him, a laid off steelworker who was living out of his car, at a soup kitchen when she was volunteering that morning, and she invited him and his family to her own home for Thanksgiving dinner. She made them feel like part of the family and expected her own family to accept them like one of their own. How generous -- to go so far above what is asked and to live life so unselfishly.

What an example Yvonne was to all of us. I hope to continue Yvonne's legacy by trying, a little bit every day, to be more like the woman I looked up to -- living unselfishly, humbly, courageously, openly and with love.

As I reflect back on the holiday that's now all packed up in my attic and in my memories, I am grateful for what was definitely the best Christmas I've ever had. My husband was home for Christmas Day for the first time in many years because he didn't have to work, and that made it an extra special family holiday. We had an early Christmas celebration in Florida with my family where we lucked out with record-high temperatures and couldn't get Sophia out of the swimming pool. And I got a few unexpected days off before Christmas, allowing me to relax and enjoy the time with my husband and kids and take in the fun, holiday activities in our area like the Nutcracker and the Lights at Hartwood Acres.

But the main thing that made my holiday stress-free (for the first time that I can remember in my adult life) is that I got most of my shopping done long before Thanksgiving even arrived. Over the summer, we had a woman on Pittsburgh Today Live who travels all around the world and comes back with the most amazing jewelry, purses, bags, scarves and shawls. I had met Kelly Sobczak before and had purchased some things from her at her outdoor shop in the Strip District, but this time, I was able to go to her house where she does her first big sale after her most recent trip. I bought Christmas (and some birthday) gifts for all the women I had to shop for -- my mom, mother-in-law, sister, sisters-in-law, nieces, teacher, babysitter and more. I gave each gift a lot of thought and really had fun taking my time to think about what each person would like. And they cost a lot less than the same things would in a traditional store.

With all of those gifts purchased over the summer and a few more that I got along the way, I had less than half of the gifts left to buy in December on my list of about 20 people. And since we were going to Florida Dec. 11, I got all of those done before then.

I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to duplicate this experience next year, but I'm going to make every effort to buy the gifts ahead of time again this year -- maybe a little bit here and a little bit there. It also helps spread out the budget for all of the presents rather than in one big bill in January. In fact, I just may go back to the Global Girl for more gifts next year, even if everyone gets jewelry and purses and scarves again. The gifts are unique and very well-priced and made my life a lot less stressful during the holiday.

If you'd like to find Kelly Sobczak and her Global Girl! Gifts, here's her website -- globalgirlgifts.com. You'll also find her in the Strip District on Saturday's on Penn Avenue, between 20th and 21st streets in front of Stamoolis Brothers.

I saw the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes at the Benedum Center over the Thanksgiving holiday, and it really was spectacular.

When I was elementary-school age, my parents took my sister and me to New York City several times to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Radio City Music Hall Christmas show, and I remember doing the backstage tour of the Rockettes' show. I have such wonderful memories of the whole trip -- the beautiful decorations in New York City, skating at Rockefeller Plaza, the enormity of the flying balloons in the parade and the high kicks of the Rockettes, all in sync.

This time, my parents took me and my 5-year-old daughter to see the Rockettes' touring show in Pittsburgh, and we all made great new memories. Many of the dance numbers are the same as they were 25 years ago, with the costumes virtually identical -- it was nice to see some traditions unchanged. Even though each Rockette dance piece in the show finshed with the presumptive kick line, it was impressive each time -- the beauty of the precision and the similarity of the bodies and costumes.

What I loved most (and had forgotten that they did back when I was young) was that they finished the show with the story of Christ's birth -- a living Nativity. After all the flash and glam and sparkle, the show reminded us all what Christmas is really about.

   For Thanksgiving, I tried making ChrisyRost's Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake that she made on Pittsburgh Today Live on November 9th, and it turned out great -- rave reviews from all of our guests. I'm not a big fan of pie, in general, but I love cheesecake, and this was a nice way to still have some pumpkin and fall spices but in a cheescake instead of pumpkin pie. I liked it so much, I may make it for a Christmas celebration too!

Here's the recipe if you want to try it!

Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake

Ingredients:

Crust

1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 8 crackers)

2 tablespoons sugar

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Stir until the cracker crumbs are moistened and press the mixture with your fingers onto the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake 10 minutes, then remove the pan from the oven and set it aside to cool completely.

Filling

4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

1 ¼ cups sugar

2 tablespoons flour

4 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

¾ cup pumpkin purée

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ginger

¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream softened cream cheese and sugar and flour at medium speed just until they are blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until they are mixed, and stir in the vanilla.

Pour all but 1 ¼ cups of the filling into the springform pan and set the pan aside. To the remaining filling, add the pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, beating with an electric mixer just until it is smooth. Spoon dollops of the pumpkin mixture onto the cheesecake filling and gently swirl it through the filling.

Bake 10 minutes at 425 degrees, reduce the heat to 300 degrees, and bake 60 minutes more until the filling is almost set. Turn off the oven, open the oven door slightly, and allow the cheesecake to sit 10 minutes. Remove the cheesecake from the oven, set it on a wire rack one hour to cool, then run a sharp knife around the edges. Release the outer band of the springform pan and remove it.

Chill the cheesecake one to two hours, then slide a metal spatula under the crust and transfer the cheesecake to a serving platter. Cover loosely and chill until ready to serve. Cheesecake may be made one to two days ahead.

Yield: One 9-inch cheesecake

When I was pregnant, I had those wonderful maternity pants that stretch as you go -- they expand as your stomach expands, all the way to 9 months of baby inside you. I used to call them my "Thanksgiving pants" because I always wished I had them to wear for the Thanksgiving feast when I eat so much that my stomach expands to the point of pain and I have to unbutton my pants. You may know the feeling.

I've decided this year that I'm going to try to actually enjoy the Thanksgiving meal and not overindulge to the point of busting out of my clothes, and on Pittsburgh Today Live this morning, Dr. Will Clower had some great tips on how to do that because it's definitely easier than it sounds when the food all looks and smells so delicious.

Clower is the author of "The Fat Fallacy" and "The French Don't Diet Plan". He suggest that on Thanksgiving, take a small plate instead of a big one if given the choice, that way you have less room to fill. And I love this idea because for me, dieting is always more mental than anything else -- he suggests you go into the meal planning to have seconds. That way you put a smaller amount on your plate, and by the time you're ready to go for seconds, you will probably be full already. If I fill my plate, I usually make myself eat the whole thing, but if I have less on it, I know I'll be likely to eat less. Clower suggests taking the time during the meal to enjoy the company, the conversation and what you're thankful for. Since the meal is at my house this year, I can always have "seconds" for dinner or lunch the next day so there's no need to pig out in one big feast.

Another challenge for me during the holidays is munching at parties (or even just at my book club party last week). Clower suggests putting your drink in your dominant hand, and you'll be less likely to eat with your other hand. He also says at a party, don't take a plate -- just use a napkin and you're likely to eat less.

Many people also eat more because of stress, so in the "Table Magazine" article he wrote, Clower also suggests taking time for yourself this holiday -- do something you love, whether it's a hobby or a massage or lunch with a friend. You don't have to be a superhero and do everything, which I am guilty of trying to do.

Give yourself license to change some traditions -- everything doesn't have to be the same just because it's always been done that way. You can start new traditions or take a break one year and try it again another year. I know my grandmother would give me license to do skip a few things she did if she were here to see how busy my life is and how much I just want to make the holidays special.

I hope you can enjoy this Thanksgiving and holiday season, whether you pig out or not. Every year it's a new adventure -- I'm just hoping to enjoy this year's.

A couple weeks ago, I reported a story on quick, easy and inexpensive meals for your family. The woman in our story made several delicious dishes for us and I've since tried several more at home and they are great! I wanted to share the meal we had last night because it's so easy and tastes great. My kids, who are ages 2 and 4, even liked it, which isn't always easy.

Here's a link if you want to see the full list if recipes.   http://kdka.com/food/family.meals.cheap.2.1280814.html

Sweet & Sour, Pork & Pineapple Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

1 lb. Pork tenderloin (I bought the marinated kind -- a peppercorn flavor)

1/2 tsp. Salt

2 Tbsp. Plus 1 tsp. Cornstarch, divided

2 Cups of fresh sugar snap peas

1 medium pineapple

3 Tbsp. Soy sauce (I use low sodium)

2 Tbsp rice vinegar

1 Tbsp. Vegetable oil

1/3 cup Apricot preserves

1 medium red onion cut into 1/2 inch thick wedges

3 cups hot cooked rice (I used brown rice for the whole grain)

(I also added 1/2 red pepper, chopped in small pieces)

Directions:

1 - Slice pork lengthwise into 4 strips. Thinly slice strips crosswise. Combine pork, salt and 2 Tbsp. Of the cornstarch in a bowl. Set aside.

2 - Cut sugar snap peas in half crosswise.

Cut pineapple into 1/2 inch pieces.

In a bowl, make sauce -- combining soy sauce, vinegar and remaining cornstarch. Whisk well. Add preserves and whisk well. Set aside.

3 - Add oil to skillet or wok.

Heat over medium-high heat, 1-3 minutes or until shimmering.

Place pork in skilled in a single layer and cook undisturbed 4 - 6 minutes or until browned on one side.

Turn over pork and cook 1-2 minutes more.

Add onion (and pepper or any other veggie you want). Cook 1 minute more or until onion begins to brown.

Reduce heat to medium. Add peas, pineapple and sauce.

Cook 1-2 minutes or until sauce is thickened, stirring constantly.

Serve stir-fry with rice.

Enjoy!

I'm always impressed with the generosity and thoughtfulness of people everywhere, but especially here in Western Pennsylvania.

This past weekend, I left my cell phone (only a few weeks old) in the taxi cab I took from the airport to my parents-in-law's home in the South Hills. I talked to my mom in the car on the way there, telling her all about my trip, and in the middle of giving directions and paying, I didn't even notice that I left the phone on the seat.

About 9 last night, my in-laws got a knock on the door. It was the taxi-cab driver returning the phone to where she dropped me off. She had no other way to reach me so she kindly, on her own volition for no fare, drove all the way to the South Hills to bring it to me.

It's just a personal reminder of how giving people are -- some of their time, some of their money, some of their expertise. I am so thankful for all of the generous people in my life, even those whose names I don't even know, like the kind taxi cab driver.

Thank you.