The Perfect Mother's Day Gift: Time Spent Together

Whether you live next door or across the country, the bond between mother and daughter is a unique and unbreakable one. Some of us are lucky enough to spend time together often, sharing daily moments and special celebrations. Others however have to plan such occasions to spend quality "mommy/daughter" time together...enter the perfect Mother's Day gift: Camp Reveille! 

There are a million Mothers Day gift ideas out there, from a new sweater, to a piece of jewelry, or a good book but what about giving the gift of spending time together, trying new things, embracing the challenge of taking care of yourselves? There is nothing more special than spending time with the people you love, so what about giving a unique experience together at Camp Reveille!? 

Often, as the years pass and life gets busy, the quality time that mothers and daughters spend together can become scarce, but making an effort to reconnect is priceless. At Camp Reveille, mothers and daughters can share an ultimately unique experience together. At Camp Reveille we have heard a mom say that she and her grown up daughter had never really gotten to know each other as adults and the weekend away together allowed them to do that! Reveille is a perfect and unique Mother's Day gift, the gift of relaxation and time spent together. Hear what some of our other mothers and daughters have said about their experience!  

"My mother has always said, "take the time to make memories." When my sister came up with the idea of going to Camp Reveille we just thought It would be fun. What happened was a wonderful Mother and daughter(s) experience!  Not only did we get to try new classes, use our creativity making jewelry, meet amazing women and have many other adventures, we got to be together. My sister lives in Maine and my Mom and I in Buffalo, New York so we don't get together a lot. We loved just hanging out in our cabin, drinking coffee or wine and talking. No life distractions just being ourselves and enjoying each other company! Those days at camp we created many life memories with others but the bonding with my family was priceless!" 
-Julie Bunn

"I look forward to Camp Reveille each year with my two daughters. Besides for our time to bond more, each year there's always something new to experience. I always leave feeling so refreshed and very happy I took the time for myself." 
- Elizabeth Sabia 
"My mom is the most amazing, selfless woman I know, everything she does is for her family. Camp Reveille gives my mom a well deserved opportunity to relax and focus on herself." 
- Ashley Sabia

"I have been blessed with a terrific family. Each member is unique and brings their own beauty to my bouquet of love. My daughter, Nancy was kind enough to invite me to Reveille a few years ago, so we could have some play time together. It has been a joy to spend time together and experience her so picturesque a setting. We have shared nearly all of the activities together and it is so much fun to laugh with each other whatever the activity, whether it's tennis, archery, jewelry, yoga or getting tossed off the banana boat! I am grateful that Nancy invited me to be her bunk mate and I am grateful for all you have provided for us to enjoy. I am truly blessed to be able to spend time with my daughter each year!" 
- Lorraine Bedingfield

"Sharing a REVEILLE weekend with my daughter - Shanna, daughter-in-love - Lindsay, her mom - Joan, & my sister - Emily, was truly the most LOVING, ENERGIZING, SPIRITUAL, & JOYOUS experience for me. We designed jewelry, worked out, climbed the rock wall(!), played tennis, raced cardboard boats on BEAUTIFUL Long Lake (still laughing over that!), meditated, shared make-up secrets with Emir, had massages, reflected around the Council Fire, ate too much, slept too little, hugged A LOT, embraced the sunset from the deck of our FAVORITE spot in the whole world, & danced the last night away... Even the moments in our bunk were special & memorable. The gift of REVEILLE was priceless. & there was NOTHING like embracing this "heaven" with the girls that you LOVE MORE THAN ANYTHING IN YOUR LIFE!!! XOXO" 
- Louise Weinberg

"Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers in the universe! Camp Reveille was an awesome fun time for me and my 2 daughters, it was a great bonding time for us we had lots of fun lots of activities and we took back home lots of shared memories. Nicolette lives in NYC and Brielle recently moved to NYC and when we get together with friends and family, there is always some conversation of our summer-girls-me-time at Camp Reveille! We are looking forward for this end of summer camp experience this summer again." 
-Rivka Cohen

There is still space for you and your mom to experience Camp Reveille together this summer! 

For more information:  

CampReveille.com 

Register for Camp Reveille

Easter Recipes

Everyone has their holiday traditions and many of those include food. If you're looking for a great new Easter recipe for this weekend, look no further than these Easter Reveille Recipes! 

Breakfast Strata Florentine
Reveille Recipe from camper: Gail Migliozzi
Camper In: 2013

Ingredients: 

Breakfast Strata Florentine

• 1/2 cup diced fresh onions 
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella   
• 2 cup crumbled turkey sausage (precooked like Jimmy Dean) 
• 2 1/2 cup reduced-fat (1 or 2%) milk 
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 
• 2 cup pasteurized liquid eggs (Egg Beaters) 
• 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach (squeeze-drain before measuring) 
• 6 slices thick-sliced sourdough bread (do not remove crusts) 
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic 
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (optional) 
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 

Directions: 

1. Spray 9 x 13 pan with non-stick coating. 
2. Line pan with 6 slices bread, tearing bread to fit. 
3. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese over bread in pan. 
4. In large mixing bowl, combine: 
• 2 ½ cups reduced-fat milk 
• 2 cups crumbled turkey sausage 
• 2 cups pasteurized liquid eggs 
• ½ cup chopped spinach 
• ½ cup diced onions 
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic 
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt (optional) 
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper 
5. Pour mixture evenly over cheese in pan. 
6. Sprinkle mixture with 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. 

Cooking Instructions: 

• Preheat oven to 350F. 
• Bake uncovered 50-55 minutes or until eggs are set and cheese is melted. 
• Let stand 10 minutes before slicing and serving. 

Notes: 

• Cooking times may vary due to differences in ovens. 
• Freezes great – just combine all a-h ingredients in ziplock bag, 2 cheeses in separate baggies, and bread separate. If frozen or partially frozen, add 15-20 minutes baking time.

Nani's Easter Sweet Pie

Reveille Recipe from camper: Ali Barrella 

Camper In: 2013

Make your own dough! (optional)
Dough Ingredients: 

Nani's Easter Sweet Pie

• 2 cups flour 
• 1 stick of butter 
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 jigger rye
• Juice of 1 lemon 
• Enough milk to get dough soft 
• 1 9x18 Pyrex dish

Dough Directions:

1. Roll dough thin enough to cover the entire Pyrex
2. Carefully place rolled out dough to cover entire dish (including the sides)
3. Bake at 350F. for 1 hour

Sweet Pie Filling
Ingredients:

• 3 lbs. ricotta cheese
• 1 doz. eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 tsp anisette
• 3 oz. orange juice 

Directions:

1. Combined all ingredients in a large bowl
2. Mix well
3. Pour filling into dough covered Pyrex
4. Bake 1 ½ hours at 325F. 
5. When knife comes out clean pie is done. 
6. Let cool

Gail's Hummus Deviled Eggs
Reveille Recipe from camper: Gail Migliozzi
Camper In: 2013

Ingredients: 

Gail's Hummus Deviled Eggs

• 8 Large Eggs 
• Hummus flavor of your choice
• Paprika (optional) 

Directions: 

1. Place eggs in cold water and bring to boil. (Always add an extra one or two because some never peels right)
2. Take off heat, cover, let sit for 15 minutes. 
3. Peel eggs, rinse, dry.
4. Cut lengthwise, discard yolks.
5. Fill with hummus flavor of choice.
6. Sprinkle with paprika (if you choose) 

Passover Recipes

If you celebrate Passover then there's a good chance you're cooking today. Here are Passover recipes from our kitchen to yours... 

Bubbe’s Perfect Firm Jewish Matzoh Balls, Kosher for Passover

Reveille Recipe from camper: Janet Penn
Reveille Camper in: 2008 - 2013

Makes 18-24 matzoh balls
Ingredients:

• 1 cup Matzoh meal
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 4 tablespoons oil or 4 tablespoons melted schmaltz (chicken fat)
• 4 tablespoons water or 4 tablespoons broth

Directions:

Follow these instructions carefully

1. Measure and mix dry ingredients into a bowl.
2. Individually break the eggs into a clear glass, discarding any with blood spots, and then pour into a second bowl.
3. Add oil or schmaltz (and water or broth for firm Matzoh balls) to the eggs and stir gently with a fork until the yolks are broken and the oil just mixed.
4. Pour egg mixture into the dry mixture and gently mix with the fork.
5. PLEASE DO NOT OVER MIX.
6. Place in the refrigerator for about 1 hour.
7. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil on the stove.
8. After Matzoh ball mix has set, gently remove teaspoon fills of the batter and roll into 1"-2" balls and drop into the water.
9. When all the balls are in the water leave it to boil until all the balls float to the top, then lower the temperature to a rolling simmer for 40 minutes and your Matzoh balls will be ready.
10. PLEASE DO NOT STIR AT ANY TIME.
11. The Matzoh balls may be removed from the water with a slotted spoon and served in soup.

Lou Lou's Matzoh Farfel Kugel

Reveille Recipe from campers: Louise Weinberg & Shanna Weinblatt
Reveille Camper in: 2013

Ingredients:

• 2 cups matzoh farfel
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 3 eggs slightly beaten
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 Tbs salt
• 4 Tbs cottage cheese 1%
• 2 oz. light cream cheese
• 1 cup scalded milk (put milk on high heat and pull off as soon as it starts to boil)
• 1 Tbs vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cover matzoh farfel with boiling water and let stand for 10 minutes
3. Mix all ingredients together in an oven to table casserole. Do not cover.
4. Bake for 30 minutes or until browned.

Grandma Joie's Beef Brisket

Reveille Recipe from: Lindsay Weinberg
This recipe is from my dad's mother Grandma Joie who was the best cook! The recipe got passed around and to this day our family friends make it and now I make it for my husband! 

Ingredients:

• 1st cut brisket
• 13 x 9 roasting pan
• 2 packages french onion soup mix (boil w 1 cup water) 
• 1 bottle heinz chili sauce
• Ginger snap cookies 
• 1 quart ginger ale (and or dollop beer)
• Onions, Carrots, Potatoes 

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F 
2. Cut up yellow onions, carrots, red potatoes and put in big pot 
3. Pour the soup mix over the brisket 
4. Pour the chili sauce over the brisket 
5. Layer ginger snap cookies over the brisket
6. Pour the ginger ale gently over the brisket
7. COVER and cook for 1.5 - 2.5 hours:
1. Cook for 30 minutes at 425°F
2. Then turn down to 350°F 1.5 hours 
8. Baste!
9. Take the brisket out and slice it AGAINST the grain, then return the slices back into the juices
10. Add liquid if needed, liquid should still be covering it 

The Things They Carried, Orphan Train, and 2030... Reveille Readers April

Spring has FINALLY arrived and there is no better way to welcome the warm weather than with a good book! We have three great recommendations for you this month and Joan was eager to share one of her new favorites! And don't forget - we love receiving new book suggestions, so click here or email us here to submit recommendations for next months Reveille Readers!

Reveille Reader: Salie Fraenkle

Camper In: 2009, 2010 

Salie's Pick: The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

Salie's Review: One of the best books ever written about Vietnam. I’ve read everything that Tim O’Brien has ever written and this is my favorite.

Book Description: The Things They Carried is a collection of short stories about a platoon of soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War. The stories catalogs the variety of objects Tim O’Brien (the protagonist) and his fellow solders keep with them while at war, objects like a rifle, morphine, and M&M candies. Among other things, it deals with the surreal and ambiguous nature of war. 

Although this is a fictional story, O'Brien wrote parts of The Things They Carried from his memories of real life experience as a Vietnam solider. Twenty years after his service in Vietnam, forty years since the war, he still carries parts of it with him....


Reveille Reader: Ellen Shapiro 

Camper In: 2013, 2014

Ellen's Pick: Orphan Train By Christina Baker Kline

Ellen's Review: Orphan Train opened my eyes to a time in our history which I knew nothing about. In a compelling story, this book describes and details the lives of homeless children who were orphaned and abandoned from the mid 1800 to the early 1920's. They were transported to foster homes on "Orphan Trains". The story is told through the relationship that develops between 2 women...a young girl and a 91 year old woman who had been one of those Orphans and is the main narrator of the story.

Book Description: Orphan Molly Ayer is close to “aging out” of her foster care physicality. When Molly is assigned a community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her home, Molly learns that she and Vivian aren’t as different as they seem to be...  Read more

Joan's Pick - 2030 The Real Story of What Happens To America  by Albert Brooks 

Joan's Review: This is a funny, eye opening, and jaw-dropping look into what life could be like in America in our near future. As the medical world advances with findings such as cures for cancer and technology continues to develop, humans will be able to live longer and longer.  The older population could grow to reach unheard of numbers as the dwindling younger population bears the burden of trying to care for them. I finished this book as I was landing in San Diego to attend the Aging In America conference, which was pretty ironic!  While there I heard the astounding statistics that I had just read in this book, only without Albert Brooks' comedic sensibility! I highly recommend this one!  

Book Description: Is this what the future holds? June 12, 2030 started out like any other day in memory and by then, memories were long. Since cancer had been cured fifteen years earlier, America’s population was aging rapidly. That sounds like good news, but consider this: millions of baby boomers, with a big natural predator picked off, were sucking dry benefits and resources that were never meant to hold them into their eighties and beyond. Young people around the country simmered with resentment toward “the olds” and anger at the treadmill they could never get off of just to maintain their parents’ entitlement programs.

But on that June 12th, everything changed: a massive earthquake devastated Los Angeles, and the government, always teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, was unable to respond. Read more..