It has been 15 months since my little friends would come to our home every weekday morning, every week, every month for many years; 21 to be exact, but recently four of those kiddos and their parents joined us for my husbands birthday party.
For me the anticipation began when I first compiled the guest list. I became more anxious as the replies came in. My party mode was full tilt when party day finally arrived. Not one detail was leaked to the guest of honor; that was until he needed to handle a party detail all on his own. Surprise!
My little friends were not long lost, I knew where they were, but their lives because of mine were directed different directions. I became a shop keeper, they broke in other sitters. I had become the old baby sitter. This had been spoken before; in fact I had been introduced with this title while attending the high school graduations of some of my earlier kids. And now many of them have graduated from college, and are on their own in the world. I trust I made an impression in their young lives; gave them memories to cling to, and to carry with them through many doors. Maybe I will throw rice at their weddings.
The swing tied to the biggest branch of our largest walnut tree had a party of its own that day. Before the young guests arrived low breezes were the only reason for the swings steady sways; thunderstorms took it high and strong. My little friends took their turns on the swing, thankfully walnuts did not fall it was too early. They sat, they turned, they twisted; they spun back around at a greater speed. Some were pushed high to the lowest branches; they stretched their legs and toes as if they could touch the bark. I did see a big kid, my married nephew Lyle swinging with the best of them that evening, too. My swing was happy.
Barn exploration was on the kids list of things to do that day, too. Calling out the kitty-kitties and trying to catch those balls of fur, broke sweat, but smiles broke their faces when one was caught, or one simply curled at their ankles. Our daughter gave wagon rides across the acres and through the woods, but fewer little friends could ride at one time, they all grew bigger. However, many happy turns were taken. The wagon was happy.
Neglected were the flower bed stones, they were not overturned in search of toads, worms, and slugs. A cellar search for warty hoppers was not one of the activities. The slip and slide had long been rolled up and retired. The Radio Flyer was stored in the barn loft; the sidewalk chalk had been given away some time ago. But even though some of the daily enjoyments my little friends had practiced all those days and years at our home had not been experienced on party day, I am hoping the memories they made here for themselves, and for me, will play in their heads many years to come. Thanks, Happy Daffy.
These are the great grillin days of summer! Send your recipes to: Country Cupboard, 5973 Blachleyville Road, Wooster 44691. Emails are always welcome to thewritecook@sssnet.com.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups quick or old-fashioned oats
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. Beat brown sugar, butter and white sugar until creamy. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats, chocolate chips and cranberries. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 9 to 12 minutes. Let stand for 1 minute then move to wire rack to cool.
Yummy Granola Bars (Maryann Oberholtzer, Willard)
1/2 cup butter or 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup oil
1 1/2 pounds marshmallows
1/2 cup honey
1 cup peanut butter
9 cups rice krispies
Heat butter and oil on low; heat until butter melts. Add marshmallows and stir until melted; remove from heat and add honey and peanut butter. In a large bowl mix remaining ingredients. Make a well in center of ingredients; pour marshmallow mixture into well. Stir immediately. Press into greased sheet. Cool. Cut into bars.
Savory Beef Pot Roast for crockpot
4 to 6 pound beef roast
1 envelope brown gravy mix
1 envelope Ranch dressing mix
1 envelope Italian dressing mix
1/2 cup water
Put roast in crockpot. Mix seasonings together with the 1/2 cup water and pour over meat. Cook on low 8 to 10 hours. Serve with mashed potatoes.
Fried Fruit Pies
1 package canned biscuits (10 count)
1 can fruit pie filling; cherry, apple, peach, etc.
1/4 cup flour
2 tablespoons shortening or oil
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Spread flour on wax paper. Sprinkle flour on rolling pin. Place biscuits on flour one at a time and roll out in a circle until thin. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of fruit into the middle of the circle. Fold dough in half to cover fruit. Crimp edges of dough together with a fork to seal edges. Heat shortening or oil in frying pan and fry pies until golden brown on both sides. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Sloppy Joes with Pineapple
1 pound hamburger
1 can crushed pineapple, drain juice
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1 envelope sloppy joe seasoning
1 can tomato paste
Mix all together and cook all day in crockpot.
Sweet Potato Salad
2 cups cooked sweet potatoes, cubed
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 tablespoon oil
2 teaspoons vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Toss sweet potato cubes lightly with onion, celery, and remaining ingredients.
Lemon Bars
1 cup melted butter
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
4 eggs
5 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups white sugar
Combine first 3 ingredients. Pat into a 9-by-13 pan; bake at 325 degrees until very light brown, about 20 minutes. Combine in a bowl the rest of ingredients. Pour over baked crust. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes. Cool; dust with powdered sugar.
Rooster Call Casserole
6 eggs
8 ounces milk
6 ounces grated cheddar cheese
1 pound sausage, ham or bacon
1 bag frozen shredded hash browns
Line an 8-by-8 inch baking dish with frozen hash browns. Sprinkle meat over hash browns. Mix together eggs and milk. Pour eggs and milk over meat and hash browns. Top with cheddar cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Cabbage Casserole
1 pound ground turkey, ground beef, sausage or venison
1 onion chopped
Salt and pepper
3/4 cup Minute Rice
Cabbage
Spaghetti sauce
Brown meat with chopped onion, salt and pepper. In a greased oblong casserole, place 1 inch shredded cabbage, then layer of ground meat mixture, layer of cabbage, and a layer of meat. Sprinkle 3/4 cup minute rice over meat. Spread a jar of spaghetti sauce over top and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.
