http://www2.journalnow.com/content/list/living/ en Dear Amy: I received an invitation to "celebrate a marriage with dinner and dance." This is a second marriage for both bride and groom. Along with the invitation was a note saying, "No gifts, please."]]> Winston-Salem Journal is looking for entries for its Holiday Cookie Contest. The contest is open to all amateur cooks, excluding Journal employees.]]> Winston-Salem Journal on Oct. 1. The caption, under a picture of former Gov. Mike Easley, said, "Former Gov. Mike Easley refuted the testimony of McQueen Campbell."]]> Birds of America, James J. Audubon describes the handsome blue jay as a rogue and knave, and the bird's demeanor does little to diminish a reputation as an egg stealer and bully. Yet, the blue jay is both beautiful and intelligent, and perhaps it deserves more respect.]]> Dear Amy: I am a 28-year-old divorced mother of one. Six years ago, I was married in a very traditional wedding ceremony that included a 200-person reception, white dress and all the extras. The marriage lasted two years.]]> Winston-Salem Journal is looking for entries for its Holiday Cookie Contest.]]> Agape Faith Church, 2101 Lewisville-Clemmons Road, Clemmons, will have evangelist Dr. Jesse Duplantis speak at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday. Call 766-9188.]]> Dear Carolyn: My husband's ex just had a baby, making me one of the few stepmothers who get to start from scratch. Because of this rare opportunity, I would like to hope we have a chance at a relationship most stepchildren don't have with their stepparents. I would like the baby to call me "Mom" instead of "Kelly" and to view me as a third parent, not an interloper.]]> Dear Carolyn: I'm caught between my husband and my dad. Dad is getting older and becoming very set in his political views. Hubby's and my views are opposite his, but we do not engage him in debate because he tends to be closed-minded and prone to ranting. Fine, OK, whatever.]]> Gourmet Today, edited by Ruth Reichl. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $40.]]> Dear Amy: A few months ago, I lost two very close relatives. After their deaths, which were only about a week apart, I felt depressed for weeks. I understood this was part of the natural grieving process and tried to deal with it myself. I didn't think it was that important.]]> Baking cookbook is easily adapted to just about any fruit. Simply cook the fruit on the stove-top, transfer it to the prepared tart shell, then add the custard and bake as directed.]]>