What do you see???

Remember watching the clouds when you were a child and finding the most interesting shapes?  What do you see?  I see a dog...

Have a Blessed Day!

Just because I thought the clouds were pretty....

Measurements

Vintage measurements?  Well, some terms are old and just down right odd when you are searching vintage recipes.  I thought you might enjoy this list from a 1911 cookbook.

MEASUREMENTS

Flour is always sifted once before measuring and is laid into the measure lightly with a spoon to just level, without being shaken down; when measured otherwise, results will not be correct.

The measurements of tablespoons and teaspoons in this book are for slightly rounded spoons, as granulated sugar would be when the spoon is shaken sidewise. This seems the natural way of measuring. When level spoons are specified, the spoon is leveled off with a spatula or the straight edge of a knife.

The half-pint cup is the standard measuring cup.

A cupful is all the cup will hold without running over.

A speck	equals ¼ saltspn.
1 saltspn	equals ¼ teaspn.
2 teaspns	equals 1 dessert spn.
1½ dessert spn	equals 1 tablespn.
3 teaspns	equals 1 tablespn.
1 tablespn. sugar or corn starch	equals 1½ level tablespn.
3 level tablespns. cracker crumbs	equals ¼ cup.
9½ tablespns. granulated sugar	equals 1 cup.
15¼ level tablespns. granulated sugar	equals 1 cup.
3 tablespns. liquid	equals ¼ cup.
4 tablespns. liquid	equals ⅓ cup.
4½ level tablespns. butter	equals ⅓ cup.
3 rounded tablespns. butter	equals ⅓ cup.
12 tablespns. liquid	equals 1 cup.
1 wine glass	equals ¼ cup.
1 gill	equals ½ cup.
1 cup	equals ½ pint.
1 tumbler	equals ½ pint.
4 gills–2 cups	equals 1 pint.
2 pints	equals 1 quart.
4 quarts	equals 1 gallon.
2 cups (1 pint) granulated sugar	equals 1 pound.
2½ cups powdered sugar	equals 1 pound.
3⅔ cups light or medium brown sugar	equals 1 pound
2 cups butter	equals 1 pound
4 cups good pastry flour	equals 1 pound
3½–3⅞ cups good bread flour	equals 1 pound
3½ plus, cups rice	equals 1 pound
3 cups seeded raisins	equals 1 pound
3¼ cups currants	equals 1 pound
4 cups desiccated cocoanut	equals 1 pound
1 pint milk or water	equals 1 pound
1 rounded tablespn. butter	equals 1 ounce
Butter size of a walnut	equals 1 ounce
Butter size of an egg	equals 2 ounces
2 tablespns. oil	equals 1⅛ ounce
1 cup of oil	equals 6¾ ounces
2 rounded tablespns. flour	equals 1 ounce
1 rounded tablespn. sugar	equals 1 ounce
1½ level tablespn. table salt	equals 1 ounce
8 eggs in shell	equals 1 pound
10 eggs out of shell	equals 1 pound
12 ears of corn	equals 3 cups grated corn
1 ear of corn	equals ¼ cup grated corn
18 roots of oyster plant	equals 1¼ qt. sliced
1 bunch of oyster plant	equals ⅔ qt. sliced
1 bunch of oyster plant	equals 1 pt. after cooking

Funeral Pie - Being Dead is No Excuse!

Funeral pie is so named because it ended up being made for so many funerals.  This is probably because the ingredients can be found in your kitchen any time of the year and, unlike other pies, it holds up to traveling well.  If you've ever wondered why we start cooking in the South when someone passes away, check out Being Dead Is No Excuse: The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral.   Each chapter is filled with southern customs along with some tried and true recipes. 

FUNERAL PIE

• 1 cup seeded raisins, washed
• 2 cups water
• 1½ cups sugar
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 egg, well beaten
• juice of a lemon
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
• pinch of salt

Soak raisins 3 hours, mix sugar, flour and egg. Then add seasoning, raisins and liquid. Cook over hot water for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. When the mixture is cool, empty into pie-dough lined pie plate. Cover pie with narrow strips of dough, criss-crossed and bake until browned.

Summer Reading - Transition Man

Do you remember the first book you ever checked out of a library?  Mine was Casper, and I never wanted to give it up.  I was so thrilled at the thought that, for a little while, the book was mine.  Once I was able to find used books at thrift stores, I thought I was in heaven.  I remember when you could buy used Harlequin romances for a dime each.  I would leave the store with a grocery sack full of books already holding the one I was reading next.  I'm constantly on the search for the next great book I want to read. 
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This evening's news spotlighted a new author, Jon Pew, and his first novel,  Transition Man (The Griffin Chronicles)




Transition Man is described as a fantasy action/adventure.  I have to admit the fact that this book is from a local author that is active duty military intrigued me.  So, I had to take a closer look.  After reading a few pages, I was instantly hooked and found myself eagerly turning the pages.  As your Summer is winding down and you search for something different to read, consider giving this book a try.  You won't be disappointed.

How do you spell yuck?

How do I spell yuck?  S O U S E.  Souse, sometimes called head cheese has to be an acquired taste.  I never acquired it.  Honestly, I don't even remember trying it as a child even though Mom and MaMa had it often.  There's a reference to it in the slasher movie The Texas Chain Saw Massacre .  Just thought you'd enjoy reading about what you don't have to eat anymore!  This is one of the reasons I'm happy to be born to a different generation.

SOUSE

Use 3 pigs feet or about 2 lbs. Scrape, wash and clean thoroughly. Place in stew pan with 1 chopped onion, ½ cup chopped celery and cover with cold water. Let it come to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until meat is tender and comes easily from the bone. Pick meat from the bones, strain liquid, which should measure a scant 3 cups. (If less add water). Put meat and liquid into a bowl. Add 3 tblsp. strong cider vinegar, ¾ tsp. salt, black pepper and several thin slices of lemon. Chill overnight, remove surplus fat from the top. Turn out on a platter and serve with lemon slices and parsley.

Now is the time…

Easter memories have been flooding back to me lately.  I remember hunting Easter eggs with my cousin when we were both hardly bigger than the baskets we carried.  And, coloring Easter eggs with my brother, the smell of vinegar hanging in the air.  MaMa always made a coconut cake that was so moist she used toothpicks to hold the layers together.  She also made this delicious potato salad that was more like mashed potatoes than the chunkier kind I make today.  That recipe is lost to time.  
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I’d like to step back in time and have us all together once again.  But, now is the time for new memories.  We can’t spend so much time looking back that we forget to enjoy today.  So cherish your memories of good times, but look at what you have in front of you right now.  Enjoy it.  Embrace it, because nothing lasts forever.
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Have a blessed day.

Easter in the Hollow

Can you believe it's almost Easter already?  Where has the time gone?  We've had such warm weather in the hollow that everything has bloomed early.  Still, it's hard to believe that we're ready to start coloring Easter Eggs again. I remember the year in the hollow that we couldn't find any Easter Eggs.  Mom got so frustrated and started searching all her hiding spots herself and couldn't find them either.  She finally realized our family dog, Candy, had followed behind her that morning and gobbled up the eggs.  The next year, Mom hid the eggs much higher!
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Do you remember Easter Baskets you received as a child?  I still love making them and including some homemade goodies.  When you can't be there in person though, www.gourmetgiftbaskets.com, is a perfect solution.  They have the traditional Easter Baskets along with a wonderful selection for the rest of the family.  I love the idea of the fruit basket for older relatives.  It's a great way to let them know how much you're thinking of them at this special time of year. 
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Brought to you by your friends at GourmetGiftBaskets.com.  Happy Easter!

In like a lion?

 
March has roared in like a lion this year.  Well, at least I hope it’s a lion.  The old saying goes ‘ in like a lion and out like a lamb ‘ meaning we should have calm weather the last few days of March.  Mom always said you had to wait until the end of March to know for sure whether it came in like a lamb or not.  What we think of as bad can always be worse.  But, it’s hard to realize that when you’re in the middle of the storm.  Here’s hoping for bright days ahead.

Is a Wine Club for you?

I love the idea of a Wine Club where a different selection of wine arrives at your door every month. Not only does it expand your knowledge of various wines, but it's a great excuse to invite a few friends over for a wine tasting. Just the thought of it brings a picture of friends gathered around a warm fire on a cool evening sharing stories and laughter. Or, maybe your favorite spot is your kitchen where friends sip wine as they help you prepare a meal. We shouldn't need a reason to gather friends together, but these days, they sometimes get lost if the shuffle of the day to day grind. So, take a step back from the worries of today. Enjoy your friends and stop to taste the wine!
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Here's a brief history of Champagne that I thought you would like.

Brought To By Wine.com, Purveyors of Fine Wine and Champagne

You Say Polenta; I Say Mush!

I first took notice of Polenta while watching a cooking competition on The Food Network.  I recognized the dish, but not the name.  Back in the hollow, we called it mush.  It is basically cornmeal and water.  We would cook it up and pour it into empty tin cans.  Once it was cold, we'd empty it out and cut it into slices.  Mom would fry it up in a little butter until it was cripsy on the outside.   Most times we would put a spoon of blackberry jam on it for breakfast.  I never dreamed or heard of anything called Polenta.  But, I suppose you can charge more for mush if you call it something fancy or foreign.
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Have you noticed how much they charge for rolls of Polenta in the grocery store?  Try saving some money and make your own.  Here's a vintage recipe, but you would still make it the same today.  Try experimenting with adding different spices.  Tell your family it's Polenta when you serve it, but know it as mush in your heart.

CORN MEAL MUSH

Allow one pint of yellow or white corn meal and one teaspoonful of salt to a quart of water. Sprinkle meal gradually into boiling salted water, stirring all the time. Boil rapidly for a few minutes, then let simmer for a long time. Very palatable served with milk; some people like it with butter and pepper. For fried mush let it get cold, then cut in slices, dip in flour and fry in butter until brown

Of Chickens and City Folk

I grew up collecting eggs every day from our chickens.  During the day, they were 'free range'.  In other words, the chickens roamed the yard keeping the bug population under control.  On occasion, we would have one of those chickens for dinner.  In all those years, I never once thought about the noise that chickens make or the smell involved.  There has been a big debate in the city over allowing homeowners the right to keep a few chickens in their yard.  It seems that some neighbors do not want the noise or smell.  Really?  First of all, hens lay eggs, not roosters.  Roosters crow, not hens.  So, having a few hens to lay eggs for your breakfast table won't really add to your subdivisions noise pollution.  What does add to it?  Car radios so loud that your windows vibrate when they pass by...music blaring from the house next door...dogs barking constantly because they are confined to a small back yard...I could go on and on.  Yet, you don't hear so much about that when someone is debating your right to keep chickens.
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I think the real problem is that people don't want to know where their food comes from these days.  What we buy in the grocery store is so far removed from being a live animal that it blurs the line between real food and fake food.  We don't go to the store and buy a package of cow or pig.  We buy beef and pork and that's the first step in moving away from the live animal that our food was before the slaughter house.  That package of chicken tenders used to be a live, breathing being, but a lot of people don't want to think about that or whether or not it was treated with respect during its life.  If you don't think about it as a cute, feathered fowl, then it makes it easier to think of it as food.  How in the world did we manage to eat the animals we raised a generation ago and still look ourselves in the mirror?  Easy, we were hungry.  Maybe the problem isn't the noise.  Maybe the problem is that your next door neighbor doesn't want to explain to little Johnny the chicken nuggets on his plate were once like the chicken walking around on two legs in your back yard.  Johnny might never want to eat chicken again.  Or, your neighbor could use the moment to teach little Johnny about the food chain and how it really works.

Why I live in the country...

People often ask me why I live in the country, especially when something as simple as meeting friends for lunch turns into an afternoon because of the driving distance.  I'm fortunate to work from home now, but I spent years, make that decades, commuting.  It was a two hour round trip and, at times, I did consider moving closer.  In the end, it wasn't worth giving up the peace and quiet of country living.
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I never get tired of sunsets like this one.  In fact, I've taken so many pictures of country scenes, I decided to make a calender for friends this year.  Take a look at the finished product here.  Let me know what you think of the pictures.  They're some of my favorite scenes from this year.
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What's your gift idea this year?

Christmas Gift Ideas

How's your Christmas shopping going this year?  It seems like we have a few extra days, but it's just around the corner.  I've been doing a lot of research online this year.  I guess I'm trying to be a more savvy consumer.  Plus a little time spent online can sometimes give you some great gift ideas.
I was thinking about doing a gift basket for a really special caregiver and thought I'd add a couple of cotton scrub uniforms to it along with some hand lotions and sanitizers.  I wanted something useful, but also pretty.  I loved the selection I found at http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Women/Original-Scrubs/.  It gave me so many color ideas that I almost wish I was doing more gift baskets!

What's your gift idea this Season?

Snow in October?

I think it's going to snow tonight.  I cannot believe the low tonight is supposed to dip down to freezing.  It's only October!  I haven't even planned Halloween or even thought about Christmas baking.  Well, okay, to be honest, I have thought about baking.  There is just something about colder weather that puts me in the mood.  Who can resist the aroma of cookies baking in the oven? 
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Every year I think about how nice it would be to have a wall oven or a double oven for Holiday baking.  Comparison Shopper has such a wide range of products to review, it takes all the work out of looking for the right oven.  I love the idea of comparing them side by side so you can find the features you need for your kitchen.  Have you seen those cook tops with the extra large burners?  I have an old canner that I use for making big batches of chili.  The pot is huge because it was used to can half-gallon jars and it's too big for most burners.  Maybe Santa will read this and put one on the 'nice' list for me.  I have been very good this year!  And, it's never too early to drop a hint or two.
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What are you wishing for this year?

A Bridge Too Far?

You've often heard me talk about the benefits of country living, but there are some drawbacks too.  I had to laugh recently when a 'Bridge Out' sign was placed on a nearby road.  I don't think it's a good sign that the county decided to place a permanent sign that says Bridge Out.  I take that as a 'sign' we'll be using the detour route for a while yet to come.  Yes, it's a little wooden bridge and it does have a hole in the center where part of the plank gave way.  I've just been driving around the hole.  I guess someone didn't and caused more damage.  Can it really take so long to replace a bridge in this day and age?  It's been well over a month now already. 

As a child, I can remember several wooden bridge in the area.  One bridge crossed a pretty large creek.  When I was about six years old, the hole in the bridge had widened to three feet across.  Our school bus driver was afraid to cross the bridge with all of us on the bus.  So, twice a day, we'd all get off the bus and walk across the bridge.  Then, our brave bus driver would cross while we all watched wondering if she would fall into the creek below.  It seems like we did this for a couple of months before the county finally started replacing the bridge.  I can't help but remember that now and compare the two bridges.  

Lots of things have happened over the last few decades in the name of progress.  But, it seems that the more we strive to change, the more things stay the same. 

I thought you would enjoy this vintage recipe - especially the name!

SATISFACTION SOUP

One cup navy beans; four slices bacon; one No. 2 can of tomatoes; one small onion; one level tablespoonful salt; one-fourth tablespoonful black pepper. Soak navy beans over night, in morning put beans on to boil with a pinch of soda in water. When they come to a boil, pour off this water, return to stove, cover with clear water, add onion and bacon, let boil until tender. When tender strain through sieve, being sure to press all through, as far as possible. Next add the strained tomatoes and seasoning and lastly, thin with cream or milk to consistency desired.

September 11th

I slept late.  I slept late because there was a sales meeting that day and I didn't have to be there until nine o'clock.  One of our agents came in late to the meeting and said a plane had just hit one of the World Trade Centers.  I remember thinking it was probably one of those little private planes again and how terrible it was for the pilot.  And, I also hoped no one was hurt.

By the time the meeting was over, we headed to the office and my first bit of 'official' news was from the radio.  Things were still sketchy at that point, but I remember crying.  Once in the office, I learned the other tower had been hit and realization dawned.  This was a planned attack.  I called my parents and they were at home watching it all unfold on television.  I wonder how many times I said 'I love you' that day.  Didn't we all?

I had a friend that was on a flight that morning and remember having no way to reach him other than e-mail.  The internet was my first sight of pictures.  It just didn't seem real.  I had a lunch meeting that day that could not be canceled.  The restaurant was deserted.  You see, I worked near Fort Campbell, and most everyone in the area was in or connected to the military.  My boss at the time actually made a joke about my being afraid, and I lashed out.  We were all thinking that we could be next.  Rumors were everywhere.  I was so thankful for the work day to end so I could go home to my family.

That night I was able to see the total devastation on the networks. When President Bush addressed the nation, I remember thinking how thankful I was that he was President.  I didn't always feel that way in the years to come, but it changed the way I looked at our leaders forever.  Our world changed forever, and we all knew it.  Historians can judge our actions in the months and years to follow, but at that moment, we came together as a nation.  Don't we always?  That's something those that stand against us can never understand.  We are one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.  God Bless America!

People Watching

Back in the day, Mom and I took a lot of road trips visiting relatives.  She always said that you could tell a diner had good coffee if there were a lot of semi-trucks outside.  That's probably still true today, but I have another way to tell.  If there are a lot people in nursing scrubs, it's a sure way to tell there's some good food and coffee to be found.  I was at a little coffee shop near the hospital the other day and was really surprised at how many workers were coming in and out wearing hospital uniforms.

Do you like to 'people watch'?  It's fun if you have the time to kill.  As I watched everyone come and go, I noticed how many different kinds of uniforms they were wearing.  It made me wonder where to buy medical scrubs.  Since the coffee shop had free wi-fi, it was pretty easy to find http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/ and check out the latest styles.  Don't you just love shopping on the internet?  I could have driven all over town trying to find out where to buy scrubs that looked that cute.  Instead, I found them in a few seconds of searching online. 

What's your favorite way to shop?

….from a tiny little seed

Back in February I started some heirloom tomato seeds in  old yogurt cups.  I carefully watched them grow throughout the remainder of the winter until it was time to transplant them outside.  I set out 3 plants in pots and only one plant produced tomatoes.  And, finally, one grew big enough to pick.  It seemed to take forever for it to ripen.  Was it worth the wait?  Yes and no.  Yes, because it’s great to eat something you’ve actually grown yourself. And, nothing beats the flavor of something homegrown.  No, because it took forever and I don’t want to wait until August for a fresh tomato.  So, next year, I vow an earlier start if the weather cooperates. 
What did you grow this year?

Lost in the mail?

I freely admit that I'm a creature of habit and have always been a little fanatical when it came to paying bills. Maybe it was growing up poor, but I've always tried to pay things on time even before I had heard of a credit score. Plus, I really hate late charges. It's one thing to pay a late charge because you just didn't have the money available to pay on time. But, to pay a late charge because you forgot the bill? It's like throwing a pile of dollar bills in the floor and setting them on fire. It really irks me and I never really understood it until it happened to me.
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I don't remember what was going on in my life at the time, but I remember totally forgetting to make a payment on an installment loan. This was years ago before you could even get a free credit score. I ended up calling the company and they waived the late charge for me. I don't think companies are as understanding with their fees these days. But, it's always worth a try. I've had a few payments lost in the mail. No, really, they were lost in the mail. Of course, I didn't know until the next bill came in with a big fat late charge. Let that happen on a credit card these days and you'll end up with 24% or higher interest. It's just easier to pay the bill online.
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After years, and I do mean years, the due date changed on my electric bill. Before I even had a house of my own, I'd go with Mom to pay our bill. So, that due date has been in my head since I was a child. They changed it because they were going to centralized billing. Really? Couldn't the central computer use the same due date? So, here I am trying to remember if this is the week the bill comes in the mail. Hopefully it won't get lost in the mail.