Feb. 14, 2006
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Posted in Daily
|
Happy Valentine's Day!!!! Happy Birthday, to my precious girl!!!! Well, today is a "recoup" day! We had a very FULL weekend, which included having 10 preteen and teenage girls here on Sunday evening and overnight (yes, I am NUTS and should be committed!!!!!!!!!!!!.......ACTUALLY I was pretty naive.....I didn't realize how loud that many girls can get.....esp. at 12:30 in the morning!  .....there is a reason my mom wouldn't let me have sleepovers past the age of 10 ). Actually, the party was wonderful, and I was SO happy to be able to bless my girl in this way! She is such a blessing to our family, that it was awesome to be able to treat her like this! I secretly planned a "spa night" for her girlfriends, complete with herbal foot soaks, exfoliating, and foot massages.....and the time ended with my painting 100 toes! (Actually, I did 130 toes, because on Monday, my two little girls and their friend asked me to do a spa time on their feet ). I was struck with just how special this was when one of the girls asked me on Sunday night "Mrs. S, are you sure you want to do this?" I hadn't really thought about it before, but handling 10 girls feet could be conceived as being gross, but THAT thought never actually crossed my mind. I was so happy to bless them! AND the Lord was faithful.... I suffer from terrible carpal tunnel syndrome (just signing my name hurts my wrist), and I had been praying for relief of the symptoms for that night so that I wouldn't have to stop in the middle to rest my wrist......I didn't! My wrist didn't bother me AT ALL that night! Thank you God!Ok, onto today Today will be a restful day for all of us......Here's what today's agenda will include.....*breakfast *lunch *dinner *kids tidying up their bedrooms *playing games *watching olympic stuff that we recorded over the weekend For me I will add: *a load of two of laundry (HAVE to wash towels, I used ALL of our towels for their girls feet on Sunday night )*general quick (45 minutes or less) tidy of house *wet swiffer the kitchen floor *bake bread * prepare meals for my sweet little family That's about it today! Tomorrow we will get back to our normal school/work routines! Here's what's happening in the our kitchen today...... I need to bake another birthday cake (the girls wiped out the cake that i made for the party on Sunday) bake bread Breakfast: stuffed french toast (I stuff it with a little cream cheese, a little peanut butter and a piece of chocolate) drizzled with pureed berries and sprinkled with powdered sugar Lunch: probably soup and sandwiches Dinner: steak rice pilaf salad steamed broccoli roasted beet and carrot salad Dessert: cake and chocolate...... |
Feb. 12, 2006
Pampering my girls' friends :)
Posted in Articles-General Homestuff
|
Tuesday, Valentine's Day, is our oldest daughter's 13th birthday. Tonight we are having a party for her.....pizza, movies, popcorn, cake & ice cream. I was able to surprise my girl with a "spa night" also. She had 6 of her girlfriends, and her small group leader from Jr. High group at church over. After dinner, I set up herbal foot baths for each of the girls, then scrubbed their feet with a peppermint pumice scrub, and massaged all of their feet with peppermint foot cream. They were shocked that anyone would do that for them that wasn't getting paid, but they all so enjoyed the pampering! I also painted their toenails....I had SO much fun blessing these young ladies in this way, and then watching there eyes light up, it totally made my day! :) I love blessing my family in things like this! The birthday celebrations will continue over the next couple of days......tomorrow night we are going to dinner with D's dad and stepmom and sister. Then on Tuesday, I will have lots of fun surprises for Rebekah......her favorite stuffed french toast for breakfast, her favorite spaghetti with cheese for lunch, and then for dinner I'll make something special.......steak or tritip or something like that. I'm almost the mother of a teenager! :) |
Feb. 10, 2006
Carrot Bran Muffins
Posted in Recipes
|
I had originally planned to make some savory muffins, but I have some grated carrots leftover from some muffins that I made yesterday, so I decided to make these today. This recipe can be found on www.suegregg.com I highly recommend her books to anyone interested in healthy living and cooking. Carrot Raisin Bran Muffins Soups & Muffins page 61 & 63 AMOUNT: 12 Large Muffins Bake: 350° for 20-25 minutes 1. Preheat oven and grease or spray baking pan. 2. Cover raisins with water and set aside to soften: 1/2 cup raisins 3. Blend together and let stand for 5 minutes to soften bran 1 1/2 cups wheat bran (not boxed cereal flakes; just plain bran) 1/2 cup boiling hot water 4. Blend together thoroughly with wire whisk: 2 eggs 1/2 cup honey 5. Mix in: 1 cup grated fresh carrot 1 cup buttermilk 6. Blend dry ingredients together in a separate bowl: 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 7. Blend dry ingredients into liquid ingredients just until mixed. Do not overmix! 8. Gently fold in: raisins, drained 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 9. Fill muffin cups evenly each almost full; bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes. Allow to cool 5-10 minutes until muffins can easily be removed from the pan with a gentle tug on one side of muffins. Minute Bran Muffins For 10-12 muffins follow Carrot Bran Muffins recipe with changes: omit carrots, raisins, walnuts, cinnamon reduce to 1 egg, 1/3 cup honey, 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda NUTRITIONAL DATA Per 1 muffin of 10 (using whole medium eggs, 1 % fat buttermilk) Exchanges: 0.12 Meat, 0. 12 Milk 0.5 Fat, 1 Bread, 1.75 Fruit; 132 Calories, 4 g protein (12%), 1 g fat (21%), 28 g carbohydrate (87%; 10 g sugars), 5 g dietary fiber, 22 mg cholesterol, 323 mg sodium, $.15 |
Feb. 10, 2006
Friday, February 10, 2006
Posted in Daily
|
Good morning dear ones! Last night I ran some errands, then I came home and snuggled on the couch with my dh and watched Survivor. I got to bed at 9:15, and turned the light out at 9:38.....it was so nice to be in bed and asleep at a decent hour again! Unfortunately, I still had a difficult time getting out of bed again this morning, but once I did get up at 5:40, I was feeling VERY rested......THANK YOU GOD!!! I had the wildest dream last night....dh, the kids and I were living in a big travel trailer, and some CIA agents were trying to get information from dh, so we were stuck in the trailer for 3-4 weeks without getting out at all. Some friends finally came and created a diversion and we were able to escape It was fun, but weird I have some of the wildest dreams sometimes! Ok, here's what's on tap for today: *coffee (done) *dh off to work with breakfast and lunch (done) *devotions *school *some school record keeping *dinner in the crockpot *some baking *take ds to his AWANA Bible Quiz competition tonight, and be a judge while I'm there *get some things ready for R's birthday party on Sunday (her 13th birthday is on Valentine's Day, we are hosting a sleep over for her on Sunday evening) *get some library books ordered for school for the next few weeks *get some crocheting and laundry done I am SO excited to be able to spend some time in my kitchen today......it is by far my favorite room of the house It is the one room that I am able to express my love for my family......I just love it in there Some of the things that I need to do today are: bake bread (I want to make some rye bread today) make some savory muffins (I want to make two batches....one of ww/rye muffins, one of corn muffins) make some soy/oat milk Our meal plan for today is: Breakfast: pancakes fruit Lunch: leftovers, soup, sandwiches Dinner: beef stew savory muffins salad |
Feb. 8, 2006
Winter Beauty
Posted in Articles-General Homestuff
|
WINTER BEAUTY Isaiah 61:3, "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified ."
I look up from reading the Word of God in my morning Quiet Time. Oh what a glorious sight meets my eyes. A beautiful sunrise of brilliant salmon pink glows through the bare leafless branches of the winter trees. It is glorious. I am awe-inspired. Why haven't I seen these beautiful skies before? I realize that I hadn't noticed them before because they were hidden from my view by the thick foliage of the tall trees that surround us here in the Tennessee woods. Wintertime is stark and barren, but it is in these bare times that we see beauty that we don't normally see. As I drive the country roads in the winter, I often exclaim, "Oh, I haven't noticed that home before." Or, "I've never seen that barn." The lovely leafy laden trees had blocked them from view. Perhaps you are going through a winter season in your life. Your heart is cold. The outlook seems ugly. You feel stripped of all that you hold dear. Can I remind you to lift up your head? Look up. As you do, you will see things in a new light. You will see God in a new way. You will see different facets of His beauty that you hadn't noticed before. You will see things that God has been waiting to show you that He couldn't reveal to you with all the foliage around your life. Often God has to strip us of all our trappings and the things we daily rely upon, so He can reveal Himself to us. We don't need Him when we have everything else around us to rely on. We don't see Him clearly when our sights and senses are filled with other things. I used to think the bare trees of winter were rather ugly, but I have now come to appreciate their own uniqueness. I love their intriguing beauty as they silhouette against the differing moods of the sky. I delight to see the tiny thin branches of the trees, which show up like lace in the sun-setting sky. There is nothing more striking than the moon shining down through the bare trees. What could bring more pleasure to the eyes than seeing the hoar frost or a fresh snowfall balancing on their bare outstretched limbs? And of course I now see the sunrises that I don't see in the other seasons. There was also a time in my life when I didn't like going through hard times. I'd rather not have to face them at all. But I have learned to find beauty in these times too. This is when God does His deepest work in our hearts. This is when we really grow. This is when God is able to conform us to the image of His Son. Don't despise these winter seasons. Don't let your heart get bitter. Fling off that self-pity. Don't cower in the dungeon of despair. Open your spiritual eyes. Look up. Unless I had looked up from my reading to see the sunrise, I would have missed it. You won't see unless you look up. There are beautiful things to behold that you haven't seen before, which you cannot see in any other season. God will reveal Himself to you in a deeper way. And you will see a new sunrise in your life.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
PRAYER: "Father, I have been shivering in this winter experience. I feel bare and stripped of everything. Lord, I am sorry, that I have been looking at the ugliness of it all. I have been consumed with self-pity. I confess this to you. Lord, I look up to you. I want to behold your beauty. I look to see your goodness in the land of the living. Show me glimpses of the precious work you are doing in me in this winter season. I thank you for the good work you are doing in me."
AFFIRMATION: I will look for God's beauty even in the barren times. |
Feb. 8, 2006
Craft projects
Posted in Home Skills
|
Well, it appears that February is my month to tie up loose ends in the crafting/home skills department! So far this month I have completed several projects that had been sitting around uncompleted..... *finished a scarf for R *started and finished a scarf for H *finished a cross stitch project for my dear MIL *organized my cross stitch supplies I still need to: *repair the ponchos that I crocheted for the girls last year (a friend suggested pulling the funfur yarn off, as apparently it does keep coming unraveled.....her daughter's ponchos have done the same thing) *make Valentine's cards with the girls *a few more pages of scrapbooking *quilt blocks for swap |
Feb. 8, 2006
Wednesday, February 8, 2006
Posted in Daily
|
Yesterday around 4 pm, I all of a sudden was struck with a tummy thing. I was extremely nauseous, was in the (ahem) bathroom a lot, and just felt horrible! It lasted until around 8 pm. There has been a stomach bug going around our friends, so I assumed this was it, but since it only lasted 4 hours, I"m thinking that my tummy didn't like something I ate yesterday. Today I am babysitting (I think....the mom didn't call me to confirm last night, and I was NOT feeling up to calling her, and not really knowing what state I was going to be in) 3 children for the afternoon/evening. I In our home today we will be: *having school time *bible study homework *baking bread and maybe some muffins for snacks *preparing healthy meals *working on laundry *crocheting/cross stitching *babysitting *getting ready for AWANA tonight Well yesterday I never got my bread baked....I got some kind of a little tummy problem and it had me down in the afternoon/evening. So today I need to bake bread....we are using the last loaf today. Breakfast: oatmeal and toast Lunch: leftover smorgasbord Dinner: chile rellano casserole brown rice, spanish style salad mixed vegetables |
Feb. 7, 2006
I am almost the mom of a teenager......
Posted in Articles-General Homestuff
|
Only 7 more days and I will be the mom of a teenager! Can't believe it :) She has grown up so quickly!!! What a beautiful young lady she has grown to be, and she is maturing in her faith as a Christian. I love this young lady, and am really looking forward to honoring her for her birthday this coming Sunday evening. All she knows is that there will be a sleepover for her birthday on Sunday evening, but I am planning a spa night here at home for her and her friends. I am borrowing some foot baths from friends, and they will be able to do each other's toenails, and I'll give each of them a foot massage and they will each receive a gift bag that has a journal and a "spa item" in it. Just to celebrate their coming into their teenage years. I can't believe that my baby is almost 13!!!!! I keep telling r (our 5 year old) that I want to keep her right where she is now (small, cuddly and FIVE!)....she just giggles at me :) Wish I could keep R right where she is also, but I know that I can't, and I know that the Lord has great and mighty plans for this young ladie's life. Can't wait to see it all unfold :) Here's a picture of the birthday girl.......  |
Feb. 7, 2006
Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Posted in Daily
|
Here's what I have to do today: *personal devotions and bible study homework (have bible study tonight, and I HAVE to finish it!) *schooltime with the children *do some book research on the internet for school.....need to find some books in our local library system *do some more crocheting and do some cutting for the quilt block swap *bake bread *make some phone calls to find places for my dc to stay while dh and I go to Southern CA for a wedding in a few weeks That's about it for today....tonight is Bible study, and we are having a salad potluck. I'm going to make some pasta salad, I think Here's what's happening in the kitchen today: I need to bake bread today Breakfast: biscuits and cheese and apples Lunch: sandwiches and soup Dinner: I will be at church for our ladie's bible study potluck dinner, making pasta salad for that family will have: pasta salad with poached salmon filets green salad spinach corn |
Feb. 6, 2006
Titus 2 alive and well!
Posted in Articles-General Homestuff
|
I only have a couple of minutes, but wanted to say that I am so thankful to know that the Titus 2 mandate of older (more mature/more experienced) women teaching the younger (less experienced). After meeting with Mrs. L today and visiting with her, and having her teach me to knit, I feel so blessed! She was so willing to sit next to me and teach me! I am blessed! Now I may be able to teach her daughter to crochet. When she found out that I crochet, she told me she wants to learn to do that. So, after I get the knitting thing down, I will teach Mrs. L's 15 year old daughter to crochet. Titus 2 is alive and well! :) |
Feb. 6, 2006
My new clean room and sewing area :)
Posted in Articles-General Homestuff
   |
Feb. 6, 2006
Monday, February 6, 2006
We had a full weekend.....Saturday morning I went to |
Feb. 5, 2006
Yay, Yay, Yay! I have a new knitting teacher :)
|
(Doing this one in a bright, excited color :)) Last night I got a phone call from a local homeschool mom, and she had read my post to the local homeschool community, and she wanted to help teach me and Rebekah to knit! I am SOOOOO excited! She is coming on Monday afternoon! I can't wait! I also can't wait to meet her. This will be very exciting :) Not only will I have someone working side by side with me, but I also will be meeting a new friend, and she lives just a few blocks away. Yay!!!! :) Rebekah may also be making a new friend, as this family has a 15 year old daughter, and she'll be bringing her daughter as well. Oh, I can't wait! :) |
Feb. 5, 2006
Super Bowl Sunday!!!!
|
Today is Super Bowl Sunday! Since neither of our family's favorite teams are playing today, we will be able to socialize a little more, not be so intent on the actual game and the tv. We will be going to a Super Bowl Party with several other family's from our small group. There will be lots of food, lots of people, and LOTS of fun! I know that there has been some hulaballoo on the Christian homekeepers board that I belong to this week about the commercials and the halftime show, and even about watching TV itself. D and I discussed it, is it really OK for the kids to watch? For us to watch? We discussed it for a while, and came to the same conclusion that we always do when it comes to tv for our family, we will be careful to keep the children close when they are actually watching the tv (they generally spend most of their time playing in other rooms or outside, not watching the game) so that if there is an inapporpriate commercial we can send them out of the room, or, since we are using TIVO today, just fast forward through the commercial. Some of the concern from some of the ladies on the board were with the cheerleaders.....this is something I'm sensitive to because of my strong desire to protect my husband and son from those visual s**ual images.....and I honestly don't remember the cheerleaders being any sort of focal point.....we'll see this year. I am REALLY looking forward to this afternoon, and all the fun and fellowship that we will have! I know we won't be watching the half time show, but I'm glad to know that this year it is actually a band/group that I have heard of. The Rolling Stones. I've never been a "Stones" fan, but at least I know their music, and have heard of their band......guess that is because they are (to quote my husband) "old as dirt!" :) Happy Super Bowl Sunday, family and friends! |
Feb. 3, 2006
Our room....before
Today one of the things that I'm going to accomplish is cleaning my bedroom, and setting up a sewing station. I thought that I'd post some pictures of my bedroom "before". Most of the mess in our room is laundry....clean and needing to be put away! I WILL do this....15 minutes at a time....I WILL do this :) As you can see, our room is laundry central! Well, after about an hour, all of the laudnry was folded, hung up, put away, and our room was ready to be a bedroom and sewing room! :)   |
Feb. 3, 2006
Our marriage is old enough to drive......
|
This past Friday (January 27, 2006) my sweetie, D and I celebrated our 16th anniversary. We have an amazing relationship, and I love him more and more every year! I never imagined that my love could actually increase from the point when we got married, but it has. I can't imagine my life without him AT ALL, and my favorite thing in the whole wide world is to spend time with him....even if it's just sitting on the couch curled up with one another and various other family members (one or two or 4 of our kiddos, a cat, a dog....whomever happens to fit that night) watching a tv show or movie, or out walking on the beach at sunset (which RARELY happens), but I just love spending time with my teddy bear! He is my best friend, and the love of my life! Anyhow, this past Friday we celebrated our 16th Anniversary, and he pointed out that our marriage is old enough to drive now. I thought that was so funny, and then I said "Ya, our marriage is on the way to being an adult also".....this brought on a wonderful conversation where we were able to share with one another how much our relationship with one another and with God (who IS the center of our relationship!!!) have grown over the years.....it was awesome! :) |
Feb. 3, 2006
Today in our home...... February 3, 2006
|
We have been busy with our friends from out of state this week. We told a couple of the pastors at our church on Wednesday, that it had been a long weekend that was finally ending that day....they both thought it was funny that our weekend was ending on a Wednesday! I'm finally feeling almost normal again....I LOVED having a houseguests, and spending time with our old friend, but I don't like not having my normal routines going.....I felt distracted all week....is that normal? Do you all go through that also? Here's what's happening in our home today: *exercise *bible study/devotions *a light school day...bible and math *set up my sewing area in my bedroom (no, I STILL haven't gotten that done) *laundry *tidy the house for the weekend *take Rebekah to her Homeschool Youth Fellowship time this evening *call our auto ins. company with a question I think that's about it, I do want to bake some muffins today also, but if that doesn't get done, no biggie. I pray you all have a blessed day today! In my kitchen today, I will be baking some wheat bran muffins or some ginger carrot muffins.....and possibly an apple crisp. Here's our meal plan for the day...... Breakfast--cinnamon raisin toast, scrambled eggs with cheese, apple slices Lunch--pasta salad, sandwiches, fruit and veggies Dinner--crockpot lasagna, salad, steamed broccoli, carrot sticks |
Feb. 2, 2006
February 2, 2006
Posted in Articles-General Homestuff
|
My first entry of the year.......33 days after the beginning of the new year! Unfortunately, that is pretty common practice these days unfortunately....I have been just having a tough time keeping up with life these days! At least this week I have a good excuse :) Our friend Neil's dad passed away last week, so Neil and his brother and sister all came into town to make the final arrangements and to bury their dad. D and I were able to help with some of the arrangements, as well as hosting a time of refreshment and fellowship after the graveside service yesterday. Neil stayed with us for several days, and we have spent the past two days with his brother, sister and sister in law, as well as other friends and family members. It has been fun having him here and the girls all got very attached to Uncle Neil.....which was good, I think it may have helped him to not miss his kiddos quite as much. I hope :) As soon as I get some pictures, I'll post them here. Today I ended up sleeping in....I got up at 6:00 and got D off to work, then I layed down on the couch and slept until 8:30 when r came out. We snuggled for a few minutes, and then I was up and moving. Today was a very lazy day! The rest of the kids didn't get up until after 9, which was fine.....but tomorrow we've GOT to get back to our normal schedule and school! A couple of weeks ago, I got 7 scrapbook pages done (YAY ME!!!!!), and it was great, because last night Neil's brother Wes and D were talking about hockey. They were talking about a specific hockey game that D and I went to early in our marriage, and I was able to go to my scrapbooking materials, grab that page, and bring it out to show to them. D was so excited, that it was done :) I love pleasing my man with things like that! Yesterday a friend from church gave me a box of things that she had put on our local freecycle group, and I asked for them. One of the items was a set of blue/green and maroon curtains. I LOVE the fabric, and am looking forward to making some throw pillows, or maybe a couple of floor pillows with the fabric. They will look great in our living room! I can't wait! :) Which leads me to the next thing.....I was blessed a couple of weeks ago with 2 more large boxes of some beautiful yarn, so I'm excited to get started on some crochet projects. All this crafty stuff that's been happening around here has me excited to set up a sewing area in our bedroom. I am looking forward to doing that maybe this weekend, so that I can start sewing soon. My first project will be to get started on the quilt blocks for a quilt block swap that I am doing with some friends from an online community that I've been part of for several years now. Well, dinner's ready........will post more tomorrow. |
Dec. 16, 2005
Only 9 days.....
|
All of the shopping is done, the packages are hidden (my husband and I have a tradition to wrap everything Christmas Eve and put the gifts under the tree after the kiddos are tucked into their beds for the night). The baking is well underway, and the stockings are ready to be hung by the fire (this year, there is a surprise regarding their stockings, but they will find that out on Christmas Eve night)! Now to plan the birthday cake for Jesus for Christmas Eve, and to plan our Christmas Eve dinner. Traditionally we have raviolis with red sauce, bread, salad and a veggie; but this year we have invited two other families (one doesn't have family anywhere near to spend time with, the other will be traveling the following day for their family Christmas), so I may do something different (that was actually one of the other family's traditions) that will be less expensive and easier to serve to 15. We will be attending the Christmas Eve service at our church and possibly helping with childcare on Christmas morning. Then we are driving across town to my dear father in love and step-mother in love's beautiful home for our Christmas "dinner" (served around 2 pm). This is one of the kids and our favorite things of the whole year. Spending the afternoon and evening at Papa's house playing and having a good time! We have one more tradition that will be carried on this year. This is a tradition that was started (from what I've been told) by my husband's grandmother. When my father in love was growing up in the 40s his mother made a special pastry and ice cream parfaits for their Christmas morning breakfast. My father in love grew up with this, my husband grew up with this, and now my children are growing up with this tradition.....and I'm sure that my grandchildren will all enjoy the same tradition. Here are some recipes! Christmas Morning Ice Cream Parfaits enough parfait glasses for your family (you can use sundae dishes for small children) frozen raspberries that have been thawed completely cheerios (plain, none of the frosted or flavored ones) vanilla ice cream whipping cream In your parfait glass layer a small amount of cheerios, raspberries, vanilla ice cream, more cheerios, raspberries, ice cream, etc until you reach the top of the glass and ending with ice cream. Top with more raspberries and whipped cream. Serve with a long spoon (if you have them) and a kiss and a smile! Here is the recipe for the ***** family Christmas pastry. Not sure where Great Grandmother ***** (my children's great grandmother, dh's grandmother) originally got this recipe, but it is in the Better Homes & Gardens NEW COOKBOOK (the red & white checkered one). Berry Coffee Cake Cooking Level: Easy (Lori's note: I always double this and make two pastries for our family of 6 and then we have leftovers for dessert one night, this is great for holiday gift giving also) 1 3-ounce package cream cheese (I've always used the neufachtel) 1/4 cup butter 2 cups packaged biscuit mix (or you can make your own) 1/4 cup milk 1/2 cup raspberry, strawberry, or peach preserves (I have used all kinds of fruit sweetened preserves for this, they are all delicious) powdered sugar glaze Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut cream cheese and butter into biscuit mix till crumbly. Add milk; stir till mixed. On lightly floured surface, knead dough 10-12 strokes. On waxed paper, roll or pat dough into a 12 x 8 inch rectangle. Invert onto a greased baking sheet; remove paper. Spread preserves down center of dough. Make 2-1/2 inch cuts fron long sides toward the center at 1 inch intervals. Fold strips alternately over filling. (an easier method is to fold the ends towards the center, then the long sides toward the center, and cut slits (about an inch deep) on each side (about an inch apart)). Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Drizzle with podered sugar glaze. Serve warm. Serves 12. Powdered Sugar Glaze: in a bowl stir together 1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and enough milk to make of drizzling consistency (1-2 teaspoons). A special touch that my mother in law does to make this more festive, is after drizzling the glaze over the coffee cake, she sprinkles (or lets the kids sprinkle) colored sugar (red and green) over the glaze. |
Dec. 16, 2005
The Legend of the Candy Cane
Posted in Articles-General Homestuff
|
The Legend of the Candy Cane Written by Lori Walburg One dreary evening in the depths of November a stranger rode into town. He stopped his horse in front of a lonely storefront. The windows were boarded shut and the door was locked fast. But the man looked at it, smiled and said, “it will do.” All through the gray short days and the long dark nights of November, the man worked. The townspeople could hear the faint pam pam pam of his hammer and the snish snish snish of his saw. They could smell the sweet clean scent of new lumber and the deep oily smell of new paint. But no one knew who the man was or what he was doing. The mayor hoped he was a doctor, to heal his illness. The young wives hoped he was a tailor, to make beautiful dresses. The farmers hoped he was a trader, to exchange their grain for goods. But the children had the strongest, deepest wish of all. A wish they did not tell their parents. A deep, quiet, secret wish that none of them said out loud. No one spoke to the man. No one asked if he needed help. They just waited. And watched. And wondered. And wished. But one small girl watched and wondered, waited and wished longer than she could stand. And one snowy day she knocked at the stranger’s door. “Hello,” she said, “My name is Lucy. Do you need some help? The man smiled warmly and nodded. Then he opened the door, and Lucy stepped inside. A long counter ran down the side of the room. Bare shelves filled the opposite walls. In the back were dozens and dozens of barrels and crates. “Could you help me unpack?” the man asked. Lucy’s heart sank at the sight of all the boxes. What if they were only barrels of nails and bags of flour? But she removed her dripping boots and hung her coat on a peg. On stocking feet, she crossed the rough wooden floor and knelt beside a crate. “Please, Open it,” the man urged. Slowly, Lucy put her hand into the box and pulled out an object wrapped in tissue. Round and heavy, it almost slipped through her fingers. Lucy trembled a little as she unwrapped it. It was a glass jar. Lucy gave the man a puzzled look. “Go on,” his nod said. So she unpacked another glass jar, and another, and another, until she was completely surrounded by jars of all shapes and sizes. Tall and thin. Round and squat. Jars with lids and jars without. “Now,” the man said, “for something to put inside.” And he pulled over a huge crate stamped with a strange word. As Lucy unpacked, her eyes lit up. It was candy. Her favorite candy. Gumdrops! “Try some,” the man said. She popped one in her mouth. Now she could hardly unwrap fast enough. Peppermint sticks! Taffy! Lollipops! Chewing gum! Wide-eyed, she looked at the man. “We wished--,” Lucy said. “Yes I know,” said the man, “And here it is. Welcome to Sonneman’s Candy Store. I am John Sonneman.” Soon the small store was filled with candies, gleaming in their glass jars. Raspberry suckers and tiny lemon drops. Brightly colored jawbreakers and long tangles of licorice. Pink and white peppermints for church and butterscotch balls for company. Then, in the very last package in the very last crate, was a candy Lucy had never seen before, a red-and-white striped candy stick with a crook on the end. “What is this?” Lucy asked. “This,” Mr. Sonneman explained, “is a candy cane. It is a very special Christmas candy.” “Why?” Lucy asked. “Tell me,” Mr. Sonneman said, “what letter does it look like?” “J!” she said. “Yes.” Mr. Sonneman smiled. “J for Jesus, who was born on Christmas day.” “Now turn it over. What does it remind you of?” Lucy turned the candy in her hand. She peered down intently. “I know!“ she said finally, “It’s like a shepherd’s staff.” “Who were the first to find out about Jesus’ birth?” Mr. Sonneman asked. “Shepherds in the field, “ Lucy answered, “Watching over their flocks by night.” “But Mr. Sonneman what are the stripes for?” Lucy asked. The man’s eyes grew sad. “The prophet Isaiah said, ‘By his stripes we are healed,’ Before he died on the cross, Jesus was whipped. He bled terribly. The red reminds us of his suffering and his blood. “But then,” Mr. Sonneman continued, “the candy is white as well. When we give our lives to Jesus, his blood washes away our sins, making us white and pure as snow. “That,” he said , “is the story of the candy cane.” “ “Is it a secret?” Lucy asked. Mr. Sonneman looked at her for a long moment. “It’s a story that needs to be told,” he said, “Will you help me share it?” It was now the depths of December. The town was whipped round by blizzard winds. For days, the sun hid itself. But every morning, Mr. Sonneman and Lucy ventured out. The wore heavy woolen coats and bright hand knit scarves. And in their stiff, mittened fingers they each held a bag. The went to every house in town. They traveled to every farm in the country. They knocked on every door. In every home, they told the story, they left a small gift, and they gave an invitation. On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, the sun finally broke through the clouds. And Sonneman’s Candy Store officially opened. The mayor came, feeling better than he’d felt in days. The young wives came, dressed in beautiful smiles. The farmers came, eager to trade grain for Christmas gifts. The children ran in dizzy circles. Yes, their wish had come true. Yes, they had come to share in the opening of the candy store. But they shared something more. Something bigger, Something better. On that Christmas Eve, they shared the story of the candy cane. They told of the miracle of Christ’s birth. The misery of his death. And the mercy of his love. |