Happiness… it's in the little things
- Michelle Wood: SWCD
- February 1, 2010
- 718
The happy smiles from a baby in my care, hide-n-seek with a preschooler, and the uplifting, foot-dangling bear hug from a teenage son are all small things with big heart results. It’s going to be a good day!
Joy fills my senses as soon as the butter melts on my toast. Calm is the tone as vanilla creamer stirs into my cup. Sweetness starts the day as the greatest grape flavor is spread across the light crunch. So much enjoyment and it’s still early morning; I can’t wait for the rest of my day!
Pleasant afternoons are made certain when the whitetail standing cautious at the tree line ventures into a much clearer view. Felines following felines through snow trails cut from yesterday’s game are a surprise as I busy about in my kitchen. A steaming cup of apple tea will carry me into the next afternoon chore. A sweet middle of the day; it can only get better.
A soft-bread bologna sandwich with ketchup, sweet pickles and potato chips tucked in for crunch make my tastebuds happy. A flood of ice cold white milk pouring down the hatch is a topper. The goodness of my day tastes so great.
Supper in the crockpot or dinner in the oven, it’s that great welcome-home smell after a long day’s work that pulls the boots off quickly. And every time we come back in after short dog trips outside, that cooking invitation still lingers. In fact, it has floated to the upstairs. That will bring any screen staring gamer down into the kitchen. A roundtable meal is a great sit.
In the evening, a layer of snow on the ground no longer conceals the hooved trekkers moving across the fields. A slow moving dark against a cold light of white is a show free of tickets or lines. The chatter of rascals echoing across the dark woods breaks the silent night, and turns my attention in that direction. The sounds, the silence, the sight, the smell, the touch, the feel, these are all good things. Small they might be, but it does my heart good to spend my day with them all!
You might have heated up the grill a few times, but I bet there’s still soup on the back burner. Send your favorite recipes to: Country Cupboard, c/o Daphne Ross, 5973 Blachleyville Road, Wooster 44691. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you request a personal reply. E-mail thewritecook@sssnet.com.
Chocolate Upside Down Pudding (Wilma Troyer, Wooster)
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 tablespoons cocoa
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup walnuts, optional
Topping:
1 2/3 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
Add 3 cups hot water
Mix dry ingredients, then add liquids and nuts. Put in a 9-by-13 inch pan and pour topping on. Bake at 350 degrees. Pudding will be in bottom of pan when done. Very good warm served with ice cream.
Cheese Sauce for canning (Wilma Troyer, Wooster)
3 (2 pound) boxes processed cheese
2 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup butter
1 small onion, chopped
1 red tomato, chopped
6 hot red peppers, chopped
Melt cheese in double boiler and add rest of ingredients. Put in jars and cold pack 15 minutes. Great cheese dip.
Butterscotch Cookies (Wilma Troyer, Wooster)
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup shortening, butter, or lard
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups flour
Mix eggs and vanilla. Put dry ingredients in separate bowl, then rub shortening in by hand. Lastly, add beaten egg mixture. Mix well and shape in rolls. Wrap and chill overnight; slice and bake at 350 to 375 degrees.
Sweet & Sour Dressing (Wilma Troyer, Wooster)
2 cups salad dressing
1 cup white sugar
1/8 cup mustard
1/8 cup vegetable oil
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons celery seed. Add water until right consistency. Use on any tossed salad.
Molasses Sandwich Cookies (Wilma Troyer, Wooster)
1 3/4 cups white sugar
1 3/4 cups brown sugar
3 cups shortening
4 eggs
8 teaspoons soda (dissolved in milk)
1 cup sour milk
1 cup sorghum or cane molasses
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
9 to 10 cups flour
Mix and form balls. Roll in white sugar. Flatten slightly. Bake at 350 degrees.
Cream Cheese Filling:
8 ounces cream cheese
4 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar
Mix and spread between cookies.
Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad (Wilma Troyer, Wooster)
2 cups salad dressing
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup white sugar
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 pound bacon, fried and crumbled
1 head cauliflower
1 bunch broccoli
Mix all but broccoli and cauliflower and let marinate overnight. Add vegetables 3 hours before serving.
Italian Bread (Wilma Troyer, Wooster)
Dough:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon instant yeast
1 cup warm water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Toppings:
1/4 cup Italian dressing
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Dash pepper
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
For dough, mix first 4 ingredients then add water and oil. Knead, let rise, and roll out on cookie sheet. Let set 10 to 15 minutes. Mix toppings and spread on dough, top with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake at 450 degrees approximately 15 minutes. Great with pasta dishes!
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole (Wilma Troyer, Wooster)
12 ounces spaghetti
1 large can chicken broth (plus some water)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup celery, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup green pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 to 3/4 pound processed cheese
1/4 cup butter
Cook noodles in broth till half cooked. Mix in rest of ingredients. Bake uncovered 1 hour at 350 degrees. Stir several times.
Caramel Corn (Wilma Troyer, Wooster)
7 quarts popped popcorn
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup white syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
Put popcorn in large bowl. Boil butter, brown sugar, white syrup and salt for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add soda and vanilla. Stir and pour over popcorn and mix well. Put in pans and bake at 250 degrees for 1/2 to 1 hour. Stir several times; pour on flat surface to cool.