Country Cousin

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Hi Folks!

Christmas 2011 is over, and the year 2012 is rapidly approaching. Here in TIMESland we were fortunate to have at least a sprinkling of a White Christmas, plus weather that was unseasonably fine for driving to church and family celebrations. Into the low 40s! Didn’t even need a heavy jacket on Christmas Day!

KEEP THAT TREE!

Recently heard about two new uses for old Christmas trees.

One, which isn’t really new, is to put the tree that’s done its time in the house outside for the birds, provided it still has an ample supply of needles. It provides shelter from chilling winds and gives the birds that come to feast at your feeders a spot to rest and recoup. Even though Christmas has come and gone, the birds are still hungry, and it isn’t too late to decorate a tree for them. Just be sure to remove all the tinsel first. You’ll enjoy watching their flits of color all winter long.

Make garlands of popcorn, cranberries and “O” shaped cereal.

Make bird seed cookies by mixing together sugar, softened suet, peanut butter and eggs, shells and all, and some bird seeds. Add some flour and baking powder, and shape into a ball. Refrigerate for an hour, then cut out into whatever shapes you like. Use a drinking straw to create a hole, and bake 15 minutes at 325 degrees. Run loops of wire, twistie ties or string through the holes to hang the cookies. Better hang these high if there’s a dog in the family, because they may very well like these cookies better than their own dog biscuits, provided you don’t use too many bird seeds.

A friend who has been there tells me that at a church in Lake Wales, Florida the Christmas tree stays in place until Easter, by which time it has been transformed into a Cross.

It’s all planned out ahead of time of course, but he said each Sunday the ushers cut a branch or two off the decorated Christmas tree, until by Easter the trunk and two remaining branches form a Cross, symbolizing the “tree” on which Christ died to fulfill the purpose of the Holy Birth we celebrate at Christmas.

Would like someday to see the results of this poignant transformation!

CHANGES

With the approach of a new year there’s always some thought of how things have changed. What a difference a century makes!

Received this information from friend Margaret. She found that, back in 1910, just 102 years ago:

The average life expectancy for men in America was 47 years.

Only 14 percent of homes had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of families had a telephone.

There were only 8,000 cars in the entire nation, and only 144 miles of paved roads. Fuel for the cars was sold in drug stores.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph. (First traffic ticket issued to an automobile driver was written by an officer on a bicycle!)

Tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.

The average US wage was 22 cents per hour.

The average US worker made between $200 and $400 per year, and families lived on it.

However, some professions did very well indeed. A competent accountant could expect to earn $2,000 per year, a dentist earned about $2,500 per year, a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000, and a mechanical engineer a whopping $5,000 per year.

On the other hand:

Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

More than 95 percent of all births took place at home .

Doctors attended so-called medical schools instead of college. In fact, 90 percent had no college education. Many of the medical schools were condemned in the press and by the government as substandard, but those doctors continued to practice, and to save lives - or take them - as the case may be.

Teachers also often had no college education, but they attended “normal school” courses. Sometimes the elementary school teachers were barely older than some of their students.

Two out of every 10 American adults couldn’t read or write and only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and they used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.

The five leading causes of death were:

1. Pneumonia and influenza

2. Tuberculosis

3. Diarrhea

4. Heart disease

5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars.

Only 30 people lived in the little burg that was Las Vegas, Nevada.

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and iced tea hadn’t even been invented.

There was no Mother’s Day or Father’s Day.

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available at the corner drugstore. Back then many pharmacists touted the benefits of heroin, and sold it readily over the counter without breaking any laws. They claimed it, “clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health.”

Eighteen percent of households had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.

There were about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S.A. ! (Not sure if this was because there were so few murders, or if they simply weren’t reported.)

And, back in 1910, typewriters had only been on the scene for 40 or so years, and electric typewriters wouldn’t be invented for about another 10 years.

In fact, just 60 years ago much of Marinette County wasn’t even wired for electricity, and indoor plumbing was one of the wonders of city dwellers. For many of the families in the hinterlands, the bathroom was located out back.

Yours Truly grew up with indoor plumbing, but some of the cousins did not. Recall going with some of the “did not” cousins to visit relatives who had just installed the modern marvel of indoor plumbing.

Those cousins loved the clean, fresh smell of the indoor facilities, but felt uncomfortable relieving themselves in the house, and wished they had put the flush toilet outside where it belonged!

Baths in those old days in Grandma’s house were taken in a round galvanized washtub in a cozy corner behind the kitchen’s wood cook stove, and water was carried in from the outdoor pump.

Needless to say, baths were weekly events, not daily ones!

ON THE SOAP BOX

CHRISTMAS CORRESPONDENCE

Recently came across a letter sent by a reader last year with a copy of a comic strip as a gentle jibe aimed at my stance against merchants and governmental institutions (mainly schools) who allow staff to extend wishes for “Happy Holidays” but not “Merry Christmas.”

Point made in the cartoon was that a wish for Happy Holidays may in fact be just that, a wish for the whole thing - a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Hanukah, whatever.

Will concede the truth of that argument, and certainly have no objection to anyone extending Happy Holiday greetings. Do object though, to anyone denying our nation’s heritage by prohibiting performance of a Christmas program, refusing to allow students to sing the beautiful Christmas carols most of us grew up with, or merchants forbidding employees to extend wishes for a Merry Christmas for fear of offending someone, and in doing so, mightily offending the rest of us! We Christians count too, you know!

Does anyone ever consider, if it comes to a choice between offending God or offending someone of another religious persuasion, it’s very well might be wisest to avoid offending God! And surely it must offend Him to see folks refusing to acknowledge His birthday, but profiting from it just the same!

NEW YEAR’S PRAYER

With or without resolutions, as I grow older, I more and more realize the sincerity of this prayer for the elderly:

“God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway,

“The good fortune to run into the ones that I do,

“And the eyesight to tell the difference. Amen!”

You know all those New Year’s Resolutions? A great philosopher noticed that they simply go in one year and out the other.

Read somewhere that the optimist stays up until past midnight on New Year’s Eve to welcome the New Year in, and the pessimist stays up to make sure the old one leaves.

Happy New Year!

GROWIN’ THINGS

If you have a sunny window sill, you can probably grow an indoor herb garden.

Select which herbs you want to grow in your garden. Some of the most commonly grown herbs include parsley, basil, dill, sage, cilantro, mint and chives. Select herbs you are familiar with or try some new ones. Locate your window garden where it will receive at least six hours of sunlight each day. Ideally, your garden will be housed in your kitchen window sill to provide easy access when cooking.

Then decide if you want to grow your herbs in small, separate pots or a single larger container, such as a long, narrow one that runs the width of the window. The single large container makes for easier watering, provided it contains herbs that all require about the same amounts of moisture. Your containers should have holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain. Place a plastic drip tray under the pot or pots to capture any runoff and protect your window sill from water damage and the window itself from streaks if you have a hanging window garden with multiple levels. Fill your flowerpots or container with a soil-based potting soil that retains moisture and keeps your herbs from getting too dry. Pre-water the soil before planting. Growing herbs from seed can be a tedious process, but generally it can be done. If you want to harvest herbs quickly, purchase small herb plants from your nursery or on-line, and follow instructions for planting depths and spacing. Water your herbs only when the surface of the soil feels dry. Avoid over watering. Feed your plants a half-strength liquid fertilizer every month, following package instructions. About once a week, use a spray bottle to lightly mist leaves.

Once the plants get big enough, harvest fresh herbs as needed. It’s best to go directly from the plant to the cooking pot, but if necessary, excess herbs can be dried or frozen for future use, or for sharing with friends.

COOKIN’ TIME

Need to pass along this tip now, lest I forget come Easter, when it’s time to make candy again. Was treated at a recent School Board meeting to some exquisite homemade chocolates created by the talented spouse of Peshtigo School Superintendent Kim Eparvier. Didn’t manage to collect any recipes yet, but one special touch was the addition of just two or three grains of coarse ground salt as a decoration on some of the chocolate coated confections. Feast for both eyes and palate. Whoever said to take things with a grain of salt must have tasted those chocolates!

SCANDINAVIAN JULGLOGG

This traditional old beverage will surely warm you up for a warm winter’s night after a day spent ice fishing or riding the ATV trails.

6 cups red wine

4 ounces seedless grapes or raisins

4 ounces clear honey

2 tablespoons cardamom seeds

4 cloves

1 piece of cinnamon stick

Grated rind of 1 lemon

Grated rind of 1 lime

1 liter Aquavit

Place the wine, grapes or raisins, honey, cardamom seeds, cloves and cinnamon in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and add the lemon and lime rinds and the Aquavit. Just before serving, reheat gently and ignite. Serve in punch cups. If preferred, the spices may be strained out or removed with a slotted spoon.

MOLDED MIMOSAS

Wonderful for a New Year’s brunch delight or a New Year’s Eve buffet.

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1 package (0.6 oz.) Orange Flavor Sugar Free Gelatin

2 cups cold club soda or seltzer

1 can (11 oz.) mandarin oranges, drained

1 cup sliced fresh strawberries

Add boiling water to gelatin mix in large bowl; stir two minutes, until completely dissolved. Stir in club soda. Refrigerate 1 1/2 hours or until thickened. Stir in fruit. Pour into 6-cup mold sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate four hours or until firm. Unmold. To unmold easily, dip mold in warm water for 15 seconds. Gently pull gelatin from around edge with moist fingers. Place moistened serving plate on top of mold. Invert plate and mold; holding mold and plate together, shaking slightly to loosen. Gently remove mold and center gelatin on plate. For an adult treat, substitute 1/3 cup vodka for 1/3 cup of the club soda.

MELTING SNOWMEN COOKIES

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

24 Nutter Butter cookies, finely crushed (about 3 cups)

2 packages (6 squares each) white chocolate, melted

48 Mini OREO Bite Size Cookies

2 tablespoons decorating icing

Mini M&M Candies

Mix cream cheese and cookie crumbs until well blended. Shape into 48 one-inch balls; place in single layer in shallow pan. Freeze 10 minutes. Dip balls in melted white chocolate; place in shallow waxed paper-lined pan, allowing excess chocolate to pool at bottom of each ball. Use a dab of frosting to attach the mini cookies as hats, and appropriately colored candies for eyes, nose and mouth. Refrigerate one hour or until firm. Keep refrigerated until serving time.

MOCK MIMOSA

Here’s another refreshing beverage for your New Year’s celebrations. If you prefer an alcoholic version, add some vodka or orange-flavored liqueur.

2 cups pineapple juice

1 packet (the size that makes 2 quarts) Crystal Light

Sunrise Classic Orange Flavor Drink Mix

1 bottle club soda, 2 liter size

1 seedless navel orange, cut into 10 thin slices

Add juice to drink mix in 2 1/2-quart plastic or glass pitcher; stir until mix is completely dissolved. Stir in club soda. Serve over ice in tall glasses, adding an orange slice to each glass.

CRABBY CANAPES

Your guests will be anything but crabby while munching on this.

1 pound crab meat, any kind, picked free of shell,

or use imitation crab chunks

8 ounces cream cheese, in large dice

1 teaspoon hot sauce, or to taste

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon prepared horseradish, or to taste

2 tablespoons Creole or other coarse mustard

1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Place half the crab meat in the bowl of a food processor. Add one third of the cream cheese and all of the hot sauce, Worcestershire, horseradish, mustard, salt and pepper, plus two thirds of the green onions. Puree, running the processor for about 15 second spurts. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula, add half of the remaining cream cheese and puree until well blended, about 15 seconds. Stop and scrape the bowl again, add the remaining cream cheese, and process until well incorporated. Adjust seasoning. Fold in the remaining onions and crab meat to serve as a dip. Or, to make canap�s, reserve the remaining crab meat, place the puree in a pastry bag, and pipe it onto crackers, party rye bread or toast points. Season the reserved crab meat, and garnish the canap�s with the crab meat and the remaining green onions.

Thought for the Week: Lord, help me to make a new start in this New Year. Help me to live to please You, to be generous to my fellow man, loving to those who are lonely, and forgiving to those who need forgiveness, including myself. Amen.

COUNTRY COUSIN

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