Show Me the Noodles: The Lasagna Disaster Fix

04/24/25 • 6 min

In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, Sylvia Lovely learns that after owning a restaurant for 20 years, how to cook a “simple lasagna”. Her experience in the kitchen takes a few unexpected twists and turns, from battling uncooperative pasta to creating a "lasagna disaster piece" that’s now legendary. Her candid, self-deprecating tell-all may be a dose of reality for some of you who’ve tried to make the perfect lasagna and had your disasters along the way.

But all are worth a good laugh or two, for sure. This episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories isn’t just about Sylvia’s kitchen mishaps; it’s more of a celebration of starting over, learning to run with imperfection, and finding joy in the messiness of life, and yes, a few wet noodles too.

Sylvia reflects on how she and her husband,, Bernie,, enjoyed the community they built at Restaurant Azure, which is now being recreated and reinvented and coming back to life in their hometown.

🍴Key Takeaways:

Always be courageous to try something new, even if it means failing spectacularly.
Sometimes the best meals, and memories come out of a "disaster" in the kitchen.
The reminder is that it is never too late to reinvent yourself and pursue your passions.

So, what are you waiting for? Hit play, get ready to laugh, and maybe even feel a bit better about your kitchen adventures.

📣 What's Next?

Love food and a good story? Hit subscribe to Family Tree, Food & Stories for more unforgettable tales where laughter simmers, tradition stirs, and every meal comes with a side of real-life flavor.

👇 Share this episode with a friend who’s ever fought a box of noodles and lived to tell about it—and don’t forget to leave a review!

👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail or send us a DM on Facebook.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

#EasyLasagnaRecipe #HomeCookingFails #FoodAndFamily #FunnyFoodStories #RestaurantLife #CookingConfessions #ComfortFoodChronicles #LasagnaLove #KitchenDisasters #FoodStoryPodcast #familytreefoodandstories #foodstories #foodie #lasagna

Sylvia reflects on how she and her husband,, Bernie,, enjoyed the community they built at Restaurant Azure, which is now being recreated and reinvented and coming back to life in their hometown.

🍴Key Takeaways:

Always be courageous to try something new, even if it means failing spectacularly.
Sometimes the best meals, and memories come out of a "disaster" in the kitchen.
The reminder is that it is never too late to reinvent yourself and pursue your passions.

So, what are you waiting for? Hit play, get ready to laugh, and maybe even feel a bit better about your kitchen adventures.

📣 What's Next?

👇 Share this episode with a friend who’s ever fought a box of noodles and lived to tell about it—and don’t forget to leave a review!

👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail or send us a DM on Facebook.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

Previous Episode

What happens when God helps buy a cow?

Food, Faith & Acts of Kindness: Father Jim's Spiritual Journey

Have you ever considered how deeply food connects to our spiritual lives? In this episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely sit down with Father Jim Sichko, a priest, who tells an extraordinary story of how food became an important part of his ministry.

Father Jim shares the story of his mother's weekly tradition of cooking meals for garbage collectors, whom she served at the family's formal dining room table. Everyone was welcome as family to their table. On one afternoon, Father Jim unexpectedly visited his mom and took a selfie with her while she was cooking; moments later, she collapsed and died in her kitchen while serving others.

In her will, she left him her secret sauce recipe, which he turned into "Miss Marie's Sauce." His mom’s sauce is now served in Delta Sky Clubs, and the proceeds support hospice care and feeding the poor in Appalachia.

We’re pretty sure that you’ll laugh and cry hearing Father Jim's remarkable stories, including how he accidentally purchased two steers at a livestock auction for $20,000 (thinking he was bidding just $15 total!), and only to have the CEO of Delta Airlines personally cover the cost and distribute the meat to food banks.

If you’ve had any experience with 4-H or know farm auctions firsthand, this story will have you smiling from ear to ear.

Three powerful takeaways from this week's episode of Family Tree, Food & Stories include:

The ministry of presence is more powerful than words. Sometimes, just being there and sharing a meal speaks louder than anything you could say, do, or stir up.
Food creates sacred spaces- Whether at a church altar or family table, gathering around food creates community and connection across all faiths and traditions. Learn from Father Jim’s examples and give them a try yourself.
Kindness costs nothing. As Father Jim says, "It costs nothing to be kind. It costs nothing to invite someone to your table." Sylvia and Nancy endorse this statement with both forks up.

This week, you might think about how you might use food to create more meaningful connections. Could you invite someone unexpected to your table? Share a family recipe with a neighbor? Or perhaps prepare a meal for someone who's struggling?

Sylvia and Nancy hope you'll share this episode with friends and family.

Please subscribe and share through the following link. Family Tree Food & Stories here.

Want to hear more?

✨Click here to listen to all Family Tree Food & Stories episodes! Where every meal has a story, and every story is a feast.
Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍
Father Jim Sichko

About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and

Next Episode

The Insiders Guide to The Kentucky Derby: Food, Fun, History behind The Run for The Roses

The 151st Kentucky Derby: Foods, Traditions, and Stories You Might Not Know About!

Hold onto your hats—or your fascinators—because in this Family Tree Food & Stories episode, Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are taking you to the 151st Kentucky Derby, The Run for the Roses, or Mint Juleps if you prefer!

Picture this: You’ve got your mint julep or bourbon in hand, and you’re surrounded by ladies in big hats, and 150,000 of your closest friends, who are all cheering for their favorite horse to win the race. But, there's more to Derby weekend than just horses and a blanket of roses; it's an exciting celebration, steeped in mouth-watering food traditions, quirky history, and unforgettable stories.

In this episode, we’re heading to the track and diving fork first into Derby culture, sharing details about the event's iconic dishes like Derby Pie (careful, it's trademarked!), savory Hot Browns, and dainty Benedictine sandwiches. You’ll hear the story behind the real history of the mint julep, and a hilarious bit of research that Sylvia’s dug up on her co-host, Nancy – yes, it’s related to The Derby!

Key takeaways:

The top food and drinks at Churchill Downs
What happens when it rains or snows on all those hats?
Interesting facts about the famous race jockeys and the race horse handlers.
What do the horses eat on race day too?

You’ll even hear about Sylvia’s many experiences with the “in crowd” at the track and more.

Whether you’re focused on the big race itself, the food, or the elegant pageantry, this Family Tree Food & Stories episode has something for everyone. So place a bet on your favorite horse and tune into this Kentucky Derby show.

📣 What's Next?

Love food and a good story? Hit subscribe to Family Tree, Food & Stories for more unforgettable tales where laughter simmers, tradition stirs, and every meal comes with a side of real-life flavor.

👇 Share this episode with a friend who’s ever fought a box of noodles and lived to tell about it—and don’t forget to leave a review!

👇Share Your Story With Nancy & Sylvia!: Leave us a voicemail or send us a DM on Facebook.

Additional Links ❤️

Book: My Family Tree, Food & Stories Journal Awarded #1 New Release on Amazon
Instagram 📸
FaceBook 👍

About Your Award-Winning Hosts: Nancy May and Sylvia Lovely are the powerhouse team behind Family Tree, Food & Stories, a member of The Food Stories Media Network, which celebrates the rich traditions and connections everyone has around food, friends, and family meals. Nancy, an award-winning business leader, author, and podcaster, and Sylvia, a visionary author, lawyer, and former CEO, combine their expertise to bring captivating stories rooted in history, heritage, and food. Together, they weave stories that blend history, tradition, and the love of food, where generations connect and share intriguing mealtime stories and kitchen foibles.

#kentuck...