It’s funny how our brains work and how we humans sometimes have the tendency to develop tunnel vision about the things we’re doing.  I buy a Jeep and I start to think the whole world cares about me and my Jeep.  All I see on the highway are Jeeps.  I even begin to think somehow my affection for my Jeep is creating a new Jeep world order.  Yes, I created the Jeep craze that is sweeping the country.

Except there is no Jeep craze sweeping the country.

Over the past week, I’ve been chatting with a writer doing a feature article on The Moxie Recipe Contest.  She’s had a lot of questions about the history of the contest, past entrants, and recipes.  I’ve had to do some research and it’s been interesting to realize that I am not the center of The Moxie Recipe Contest universe.

Amen to that.

Last night I curled up with this little gem of a book.

For the record, Sue Conroy was the first Moxie Recipe Contest “hostess.”  In addition to these delicious duties, she compiled a cookbook and continues to publish it semi-regularly.  She also practically single-handedly ran the festival for many years, so it’s probably important to note her as the ground breaker for cooking with Moxie.

I did not invent the Moxie Recipe Contest.

After Sue hung up her apron, Justin Liudvinaitis picked up the Moxie whisk and stirred things up for a season or two.  Justin is a “real” chef and he’s won awards for cooking on a professional level.

I did not invent The Moxie Recipe Contest.

As I’m reading the recipe book, I start to see familiar names of people who were in the contest last year.  Andrea Metayer, Leanne Pinkham, and Maureen King.  Then there’s this sweet and carefully worded recipe by Dorothy Smith, Secretary and Treasurer of one of my favorite places, The Lisbon Historical Society.  She created “Bitter Sweet Frozen Treats” and the recipe reads, in part:

“Pour milk and Moxie in a jug. Toss only until the milk and Moxie are one.”

Toss only until the milk and Moxie are one…it’s poetic, isn’t it? I’m going to make some Bitter Sweet Frozen Treats this weekend; I’ve got some house guests coming.

It’s true.  I did not invent The Moxie Recipe Contest.  I am only joining a line of others who came before me, adding my own little flair to something that was done wonderfully before I got involved.  It will be done wonderfully after I’m done being The Moxie Recipe Contest hostess, too.  Really, there is nothing new under the Moxie sun.

There are two ways you can get a copy of Cookin’ with Moxie. You can be one of the first 25 entrants in The Moxie Recipe Contest and get one in your swag bag or you can trot right down to The Kennebec Fruit Company, aka The Moxie Store on Main Street in Lisbon Falls and buy one from Frank.

The Moxie Recipe Contest will be held on Friday evening, July 11, 2014, at Chummy’s Restaurant in Lisbon Falls, Maine.  The judging begins at 5:00 p.m.