A Taste of Yellow - A Tribute to Barbara Harris

I've always said that bloggers are great people sharing the love of food and wine.  I never get tired of browsing other blogs, learning about new foods and getting tips that I can incorporate into my own kitchen.  

4 years ago I met Barbara Harris from Brisbane, Australia.  We forged a very quick bond that went a step deeper than just food and wine.  Although I didn't have cancer, we both knew what it felt like to be sick; to spend endless hours in a hospital for one treatment or another; for missing our appetites but still wanting to continue to blog about something we both loved.   Barbara was a voice of encouragement for me during rougher times and I always appreciated her generosity, even in her darkest times.  I was lucky enough to be the recipient of a kidney transplant and slowly my health improved and I could return to my everyday life without having to be linked to a machine 3 times a week. 

Barbara started the event, Touch of Yellow, in support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation.   

One year, during the "Touch of Yellow", I decided to submit  but also included a bracelet that I made and named after her.  I actually sent it to her and I believe that for both of us it meant a great deal.  When Barbara found out that the World Transplant Games would be near her home, she reached out to me and invited me to stay with her family during the games.  I was floored - I mean - she really didn't know me and was ready to open her home to me.  

Unfortunately, Barbara lost her fight with cancer and here we are paying tribute to this exceptional lady who in her most unassuming way, managed to win the love and respect of fellow bloggers all over the world.  Barbara's blog  Winos and Foodies is still online and I would encourage you to browse and get a sense of how special she was.

Meta from  What's for Lunch Honey has run The Monthly Mingle for as long as I can remember and this month Jeanne of Cook Sister will be the sponsor of The Monthly Mingle - A Tribute to Barbara Harris.

I'm sitting and enjoying what I call a pimped up Mango Lassie.  I added a little rum to it, so here's to you dear Barbara.  Your suffering is over.  You will not be forgotten.  Thank you for your kindness and your friendship.

1/4 cup low fat plain yogurt

1/4 cup rum

1 cup chopped fresh mango (frozen works too)

Juice of 1/2 lime (or lemon)

1 can Sanpellegrino Aranciata

In a blender add all the ingredients (you can add ice cubes also if you like)

Blend until frothy; pour into glass and garnish as you like.  

You have until August 6th to submit your tribute to Barbara Harris.

Here are the rules:

1. Make or bake something yellow (sweet or savoury), or something using yellow ingredients. Let your imagination run wild: lemons, yellow peppers, yellow plums, yellow carrots, yellow squash - the possibilities are endless!

2. Post the dish together with any cancer stories or memories of Barbara on your blog between the 1 July and 6 August 20012. Older posts will not be accepted. Please also note that your post should be prepared exclusively for thre Monthly Mingle and should not be submitted to any other events.

3. Please link your post to this announcement and to Meeta's Monthly Mingle page. Use of the lovely logo Meeta designed is optional in your Monthly Mingle post.

4. Please submit your entries before midnight (your time) of the 6 August 2012 by sending me an e-mail (emailcooksister AT gmail DOT com) containing the following:

• "Monthly Mingle entry" in the subject line
• Your name
• Your blog name and URL
• Your location (just the country or city is sufficient)
• The name of the dish
• The URL of the post in which the dish appears
• Please attach a photo of the dish (max 500 pix wide) to your e-mail