Today Facebook handed the food blogging community a piece of crushing news. We all saw the words printed that nobody ever wants to see concerning a friend, confidant, mentor and contemporary. This is what we saw:
To say that my plans for the day fell apart at that moment would be the understatement of the decade. I just sat, stunned, reading through the outpouring of sympathies and well-wishes on every social media channel. Love for Elle was evident, but that’s not surprising at all. She touched everyone she met in warm and wonderful ways.
It took me a little while to realize that everything was blurry because there were tears streaming down my cheeks. The shock of never being able to banter back and forth with her again was, and is, an incredibly raw emotion.
By the time Elle found her way into my life in 2007, I’d already been food blogging for about half a year. While one would think that I should have been the one nudging her in the right directions, that was never the case. At the time our community was fairly small, and rather than seniors and juniors, food bloggers were more like close family. Elle was there for all of us, constantly dishing out encouragement, jokes and caustic wit.
She prodded us to move out of our comfort zones. She harangued when it was needed. She comforted and supported. There was never a lack of kindness or closeness. Once Elle had accepted you as a friend, you were, whether you ever took the time to think about it or not. From that moment on, she was a part of your life, and a very important part.
The recipe for today was inspired by Elle, and was originally posted here in May 2008 as a part of the Royal Foodie Blog Joust, a sort-of Iron Chef arrangement. Elle had chosen the ingredients for that round, so I titled it La Salad d’Elle in honor of the event’s benefactor. Better than just having her name attached to it, Elle and her family enjoyed her namesake recipe, as evidenced in her comment:
Elle says:This salad is delicious! And I’m not just saying that. My husband and I truly loved it. It’s a little tangy, a little sweet, and still a hearty salad with the tender chicken.
Great recipe!
I can’t think of higher praise.
Since then we’d chatted back and forth on Twitter, Facebook, and through blog comments. There were a few emails here and there, always full of Elle’s trademark warmth and caring. When my wife deployed to Turkey, Elle was one of the people that helped keep me on track. When I considered walking away from blogging, she was one of the first to fill my inbox with encouragement (and a barrage of four letter words threatening my health should I be foolish enough to go through with it.)
I can’t begin to sum up the impact this one person has had on my life, on both personal and professional levels. I am neither talented nor eloquent enough to manage that feat. I definitely can’t do it today. I hope when all is said and done that I managed to touch her life in a positive way as well.
I’ll miss her cheerful replies to comments and good natured jibes, and I know that I won’t be alone. There are people who her passing affects more strongly, and my heart goes out to her family and close friends. the only encouragement I have is that she always seemed to want to celebrate the good things, so I’ll hold those memories close to me, as you should.
I’m also going to make a chicken salad in the next few days. It may be eaten quietly and with tears in my eyes, but there will be a smile in my heart.
Goodbye dear lady. You are already sorely missed.
Chicken and field green salad with feta, almonds and raspberry vinaigrette
A bright, slightly tangy salad that showcases chicken on a bed of fresh lettuce with almonds, queso Fresco cheese and a homemade raspberry-lime vinaigrette. A perfect light lunch or dinner.
A Salad For Elle - A Light Dinner and Memories of a Dear Friend
Ingredients
Dressing:
Chicken:
For the salad:
Instructions
Prepare the chicken:
Dressing:
Putting it all Together:
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4 Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 485Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 454mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 6gSugar: 10gProtein: 48g
Yes. This. I’m still lost for words. I’m glad you were able to get yours out for the rest of us to read!
Anne,
Elle was such a part of my early blogging life (And later just my life) that it just felt like I had to write this as soon as I heard. I’m still reeling.
My day was also shattered by the news. Thank you for such a wonderful tribute. I know Elle’s smiling. xox
She was an inspiration to so many, and friend to many more. Truly a great person.
What a wonderful tribute! I only connected with Elle on FB for about a year, was shocked when on my birthday, she was one who actually wrote on my wall! I am also in shock, the world lost a wonderful, kind, talented gal.
Karen,
She never forgot a birthday, an anniversary or a crucial moment. There was always at least a note left on Facebook or Twitter to commemorate. She was just that way.
She was one of the oldies (but so young) but goodies. Your post here about here sums up everything good about her spirit and generosity. Thank you for sharing, Jerry.
Kristen,
I tried to throw everything I felt for her out all at once, just to be sure it was there. I’m sure I missed a lot. She left tons of comments on the blog over the years. i’ve been looking them over all afternoon. She was truly a great lady.
So beautifully written and heartfelt. Hearing how Elle gave you many good natured hard times over things, I’m sure she felt the same way about you as you did about her. Elle will be sorely missed.
I truly hope I managed to help her through some obstacle somewhere, or that I at least made her laugh on occasion. laughter is, after all, the best part of life.
Thank you for your words… Elle’s blog was one of the very first I started following way back in 2008. She will truly be missed.
She was one of the first I followed regularly as well. (Well and yours, LOL) Her shining personality always lifted my spirits.
Thank you Jerry for putting into words what I cannot. I am just at such a loss as what to say. I guess a couple of days and we all won’t be so numb and some of the shock will have worn off and the words might flow more freely…
Judy,
For me it’s the opposite. If I’d let it sink in I would have been less honest and less likely to write what i actually felt. I didn’t want this to be a a carefully crafted post, but rather I just poured my heart into words, then used spell check to fix all the errors.
I know not everyone works that way, but it let me face the grief head on. I’ll be sad for a long time, but now I know I can get up and walk again. And by Gawd I will, if for no other reason than to carry on in memory of Elle and people like her.
What a lovely tribute to Ellle. I saw the first post from her daughter mid-morning today and still cannot believe the reality of her death. We were always going back and forth on facebook about something at least a few times a week.,,, besides the recipes and the wide variety of topics she covered, I will miss Elle’s great humor and enthusiasm for all her interests.
I had only spoken to Elle a few times over the past year, but like all good friends, we just picked up the conversation from where it had left off, as though it hadn’t been months in between. I’ll miss not being able to pick up where we left off the last time.
Thank You for saying what most of us just can’t seem to get out. I too was one of the ones who got her butt kicked and heart warmed with Elle’s undying friendship & Love. I’m still in awe….Thank you for posting such a wonderful tribute!
Laurie,
looks like we’re not allowed to need a boot to the backside any more. Now is just the time to move forward, because that’s what she always wanted.
I am still in shock – when I first started blogging, she was one of the first blogs I read. She had such a generous spirit and her wit – she just told it like it is :) What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful friend, Jerry!
Aly,
I’m glad that you liked it. She was one of the first blogs I followed regularly as well. I could always count on her for a chuckle and a light-hearted view on life and cooking that could brighten any day.
This is such a beautiful post. She was terrific and her loss is deeply felt.
El,
She was definitely one of a kind.
What a beautiful tribute to Elle. I was reading the comments on her facebook page and found myself in a puddle of tears. She was a special lady who touched so many lives. Thank you for posting this.
Lisa,
I don’t think she ever touched anyone without leaving a long-lasting impression. She was warm, funny, outgoing. just a true delight to talk to.
We were all shocked and devastated by the news. Elle was a mentor, a colleague, and a friend. Thanks for reminding us how much she cared for the community and how special she was. She’ll always live in our hearts and memories.
Thank you Jerry!
Ben,
We shared a lot of good times together. her loss will be felt on a personal and professional level for a very long time. Yes, she was a mentor and a colleague, but Elle was always a friend first. My goal is to strive to be more like her.
Very well written. You did her proud. I remember first seeing her blog, I was amazed at her writing, her photos were amazing. Then I learned she was in New England. I was thrilled. I finally added her to Facebook and even more amazed by the ocean pics.. Of the very place we go, Hampton and Rye Beach. She was, I think much younger than me ( never did get her age) and such a welcome addition to my page. Spunky, spicy, tender…just like this recipe. I just woke up , so if my words are jumbled, please excuse me..
Kim,
I never caught her age either. But that never rally mattered. She was sweet, talented, warm and wise beyond her years, regardless of her age. On top of that, her kindness knew no bounds. I’m happy to have called her my friend.