Check out our January newsletter!
January 2021
On a Soggy Day in October I Became a Bride
that afternoon when it became evident that we needed to deploy a Plan B. (At that point, it’s fair to say this was Plan D or E.) Our rental company was phenomenal and brought us more tents, while my family laid down additional rugs to prevent people from slipping and falling throughout the night. We were also lucky to have the ceremony in our church. Since our ceremony was so small, we were actually the church’s first event since the COVID-19 pandemic. It was special to be part of their reopening in such a meaningful way. Fred and I also worked very hard on our ceremony to make it one that reflected us. Our grandkids walked us down the aisle, and rather than have a wedding party, we stood up front together, alone with our minister. Promise Law’s very own Tammy Gandolfo sang for our guests, we had poetry and Bible readings, and rather than sit in the front pews during the ceremony, we faced our guests and took in their excitement and expressions. Our ceremony felt very personal, and I’ll always treasure that. Back at our house, we enjoyed a cocktail hour with our guests, and later, we had dinner and speeches. The rain created a muddy mess, so I went inside, safety-pinned my dress up, and laced up my hiking boots. I even did our first dance that way: in my bridal gown and hiking boots. We also enjoyed bourbon yellow cake, a nod to our love of bourbon and our honeymoon destination along the Bourbon Trail. An old attorney friend actually made the cake, and
January is a fun month for Fred and me. We both celebrate birthdays, mine on Jan. 14 and Fred’s on Jan. 31. But this year, January will be a little extra special. It will be the first time we begin the year and celebrate our birthdays together as a married couple! On Oct. 10, 2020, Fred and I exchanged our vows in front of two dozen of our closest family and friends. It was a very scaled-down version of the wedding we initially envisioned when we got engaged in January 2020. (Another reason this month is so special!) Like many couples, we had to postpone our big wedding due to COVID-19, and instead, we planned for a small ceremony with just our families. We had a wedding planner, but we’ve deferred her services for our big anniversary party. So, all the planning landed on our shoulders! I’ve been told that no matter if you have 20 guests or 200 guests, it’s the same amount of stress. You still have to make all the plans, coordinate times, and prepare for the little details, like filling out name cards or selecting appetizers. Regardless of how much our wedding changed from our initial plans or how much work it took, it was still a special day with personal touches that symbolize our lives together. We woke up that Saturday morning to a light drizzle. We had always planned to have our cocktail hour and reception in our backyard, and Fred worked hard to manicure that lawn to perfection. We didn’t think too much about the rain until early
Lindsay Collette Photography
another long-time attorney friend made our guests’ favors, chocolate-dipped pretzels. Perhaps the most touching part of the night was when our loved ones made toasts. We’re a blended family, and this marriage was an extension of our two families coming together. It was meaningful to hear from our children, and I’ll always cherish what they said, especially when Fred’s son said that coming to our house felt like coming home, again. I believe those small intimate moments, like wearing my hiking boots for our first dance or sharing a moment of reflection with Fred and our family, wouldn’t have been possible without our small gathering. We had the chance to enjoy our guests, catch up with them after such a rough year, and create meaningful memories that we will always hold dear. We can’t wait for our big anniversary
celebration, but we will always treasure the videos, photos, and memories of this soaking wet, intimate, beautiful day.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS* ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOPS
Wednesday, Jan. 6, 9:30–11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2:30–4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27, 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Happy new year to you and yours!
*All workshops are offered virtually so you can learn in the comfort and safety of your own home! Register at PromiseLaw.com or by calling (757) 690-2470.
-Geneva Perry
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Is the Hot Toddy Indian or Irish? A Closer Look at Our Favorite Winter Warmer
The Irish Account: Dr. Todd’s Boozy Cure‑All
way, the results are delicious and easy to replicate in your own kitchen. If you could use a pick-me-up, try this recipe inspired by CookieAndKate.com.
Jan. 11 is National Hot Toddy Day, but how much do you really know about this popular winter drink? Though the word “toddy” sounds British to American ears, it actually has a contested history split between two entirely different countries: India and Ireland.
The Indians and the British aren’t the only ones who’ve claimed the toddy: The Irish have a stake, too. As the story goes, once upon a time in Ireland, there lived a doctor named Robert Bentley Todd. His signature cure-all was a combination of hot brandy, cinnamon, and sugar water, and it was so well-known (and tasty) that eventually, his patients named the drink in his honor.
Ingredients
The Indian Affair: How the British Stole the ‘Taddy’
• 3/4 cup water • 1 1/2 oz whiskey • 2 tsp honey (or agave nectar for a vegan version) • 2 tsp lemon juice • 1 lemon round • 1 cinnamon stick
Today’s hot toddy is a steaming blend of whiskey, tea, honey, and lemon. But back in the early 1600s, it may have had different ingredients. According to VinePair.com, around that time, a popular drink called the “taddy” existed in British-controlled India. Originally, the Hindi word “taddy” described a beverage made with fermented palm sap, but a written account from 1786 revealed that the ingredients had evolved to include alcohol, hot water, sugar, and spices. The British swiped the idea of a “taddy” and brought it home to England. Legend has it that in northern England’s cozy pubs, the “taddy” became the “toddy.”
How to Make a Modern Hot Toddy
Directions
We may never know the true origin story of the hot toddy,
1. Heat the water in a teapot or the microwave. Pour it into a mug. 2. Add the whiskey, honey, and lemon juice and stir until the honey is dissolved. 3. Garnish with the lemon round and cinnamon stick and enjoy!
but VinePair.com speculates that it’s somewhere in the middle of the two accounts. Either
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This judge-to-be was named William Marbury, and he took his case straight to the U.S. Supreme Court. After hearing the case, Marshall had two options. He could side with Jefferson, even though he believed he was legally wrong, or he could side with Marbury and risk the wrath of the president, who he feared would dissolve the court. In a historic twist, he chose door No. 3. Digging through the Constitution, Marshall discovered a line that required cases to go through a lower court before coming to the Supreme Court. That made Marbury v. Madison , which had come to the Supreme Court directly, out of Marshall’s jurisdiction. It also made the law Marbury had operated under unconstitutional. When Marshall pointed this out, it was the first time the Supreme Court had ever ruled on constitutionality, which set the precedent for its power today. If Marshall hadn’t cared so much about opposing his second cousin in 1803, it’s possible that Judge Barrett’s nomination in 2020 would have been much less contentious. To learn more about this crazy piece of history, check out “Kitten Kick the Giggly Blue Robot All Summer,” an episode of the podcast “Radiolab.”
Chief Justice John Marshall
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WHAT’S NEW AT PROMISE LAW We’ve had several inquiries about our PIE™ Estate Plan Maintenance Program following our Parking Lot PIE™ Party in November. First of all, why PIE™? Well, keeping your plan current requires attention to P eople, I nvestments, and E ducation, and our member benefits meet these needs. Here is a summary of what you get by joining: aware of the SECURE Act please make sure to call us today. • An annual “refresh” of your advance medical directive and power of attorney. PLUS, free
document upgrades for changes in the law, and most other small changes are free too. This means less expense updating your plan. • Exclusive access to member-only events. For example, this month Heather Schouten, the director of ChooseHome, will share how their unique program helps people meet the goal of aging in place at home. • …. And more! If you aren’t a Maintenance Program member and have questions or are interested in finding out more, please don’t hesitate to contact us. It’s always a great time for PIE™.
The reality TV show “The Bachelorette” is known for being packed with drama, but last year there was just as much scandal among its contestants off-screen as there was while the cameras were rolling. Late in 2020, not one but two past “Bachelorette” contestants ended up in court. ‘THE BACHELORETTE’ CONTESTANTS GO TO COURT Judge, Will You Accept This Rose? One of them was Chad Johnson, hailing from the group of hunks who competed for Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher’s attention in season 12. That season aired in 2016, but it wasn’t until two years later that Johnson sued Sunset Studios Entertainment and one of its executives, Cristina Cimino, for sexual harassment, failure to prevent harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud by intentional misrepresentation, and wrongful failure to hire in violation of public policy. According to Deadline, Cimino told Johnson she would help him get movie roles with her studio, but that never happened. Instead, she allegedly lured him into in-person meetings and bombarded him with inappropriate calls and text messages. After years of back-and-forth, the case is finally moving forward. In July 2020, a judge ruled that all of Johnson’s accusations were proven except failure to hire. Upping the drama, Deadline reported that “no attorneys for Cimino or the studio participated in the hearing.” Meanwhile, another “Bachelorette” contestant, Luke Parker, has been ordered by the court to pay $100,000 for breach of contract. Parker, who vied for the affection of Hannah Brown in the 2019 season, has allegedly been making media appearances without the consent of the show’s production company, NZK Productions Inc. Each appearance was a breach of contract, and now he owes the company a pretty penny: $25,000 per appearance. According to Page Six, Parker might also be on the hook for bad-mouthing the show and/or sharing information about what happened on set — both things his contract forbids. Hopefully, the 2021 season of “The Bachelorette,” which should air later this year following the postponed 2020 season, will feature less drama than these real-life legal battles.
• An annual estate planning review meeting with an attorney to discuss your plan and any changes for you, your family, and/or assets. Not unlike changing the oil in your car, a regular review ensures your plan gets timely “tune ups” and stays on track. • Updates about changes in the law that impact your plan. This is so important, and there have been some MAJOR changes regarding retirement planning. If you aren’t
SLOW COOKER CHICKEN CASSEROLE
Inspired by GoodHousekeeping.com
• 8 chicken thighs or Ingredients
• 1 lb potatoes, peeled and cut in large chunks • 2 garlic cloves, sliced • 14 oz chicken stock • 1 sprig rosemary • Finely grated zest and juice of 1/2 lemon • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
drumsticks, lightly salted
• 1 tbsp olive oil • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour • 1 onion, finely sliced • 2 celery sticks, thickly sliced • 2 carrots, thickly sliced • 1 leek, thickly sliced
Directions
1. In a large frying pan, heat oil and fry salted chicken on high until brown. 2. Transfer chicken to the slow cooker. Add flour and stir. 3. In the frying pan on high heat, fry the onion, celery, carrots, leeks, and potatoes until lightly browned. Add garlic and fry for 30 seconds. 4. Transfer vegetables to the slow cooker and add the stock, rosemary, and lemon zest. 5. Cook on high for 2.5–3 hours or until chicken is tender. 6. Check seasoning and add lemon juice to taste. Top with parsley before serving.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2 3 4
Geneva Shares Memories of Her Wedding Day!
Is the Hot Toddy Indian or Irish?
Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole ‘The Bachelorette’ Contestants Go to Court
The Cousin Rivalry That Gave the Supreme Court Its Power
A COUSIN RIVALRY GAVE THE SUPREME COURT ITS POWER (YES, REALLY)
When Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away and Judge Amy Coney Barrett was nominated to take her place, the eyes of the country turned to the U.S. Supreme Court. It’s no secret that the court has a lot of power. Its decisions, like Loving v. Virginia , Brown v. Board of Education , and Roe v. Wade , have reshaped America. But how did just nine people come to hold so much sway? Well, the answer lies with two rival second cousins: Thomas Jefferson and John Marshall. Back in 1803, the Supreme Court was the laughingstock of Washington. It was a collection of misfits (including a man nicknamed “Red Old Bacon Face”) and met in Congress’ basement. When Marshall was chief justice of the court and Jefferson was president, the cousin controversy reared its head. Marshall and Jefferson were in rival political parties and, to add insult to injury, Marshall’s mother-in-law had once spurned Jefferson’s romantic advances, according to Washington legend. In 1803, Jefferson (a Republican) was upset because a judge whom his predecessor, President John Adams (a Federalist), had tried to appoint was suing Jefferson’s secretary of state over failing to actually appoint him.
The Supreme Court met in these windowless chambers from 1819 to 1860.
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