Apr 26

Apr 26 House Party

Nana’s Peanut Butter Cookies

This is not my recipe. It belongs to Nana. You may say, “How sweet! You’re grandma’s recipe.” Yeah, no, not that either. But it sure does taste—and feel—good.

I should be on a cruise right now with the New Kids on the Block and some fellow Blockheads, a group of girls who mean a lot to me. I was so ready. My theme-night outfits set. My autobiographical door décor decided. And our pre-embark breakfast stop at Miami’s Greenstreet Cafe on the itinerary.

But no. Instead of indulging in coconut-crusted French toast on the coastline, I’m home baking Nana’s peanut butter cookies. Who’s Nana? Her name is Elizabeth “Betty” Wood.

She is the mother of NKOTB member—and my favorite—Danny Wood. She died of breast cancer in 1999, and Danny started nonprofit, Remember Betty, in her honor.

I’ve been supporting Remember Betty for several years now, even using my 40th birthday party as a mini fundraiser. In 2017, I ran in the New England City Challenge Race, an urban obstacle run where I met Julie when I helped her over the balance beam.

Julie and I became fast friends, and she, along with her friend Hilde and my cousin Heather, went on the NKOTB Cruise (my second) last year. We were set for a repeat cruise this weekend.

Watch for a fan story about Julie and Hilde coming soon.

Instead, we are home, thanks to the coronavirus, and on a virtual cruise, thanks to “the boys” and their dedication to their fans. I’ve worn my Roaring ‘20s gangster-girl costume, complete with suspenders and an oozy, and my glittery 2000s outfit. I’ve Zoomed with my girls to the new tune, “House Party.”