Morning Observations

  • By Daphne Ross
  • June 8, 2011
  • 279
                        
If I left my house in the morning, went straight to my van and drove out the lane, I would certainly miss much of what the early hours have to offer. If I didn’t take the dog out for his morning walk my observations of the morning would be less poetic. If I didn’t sip coffee on my back door deck, I would be disregarding gifts presented only before 7 a.m. When the weather cooperates with our walk to the dog corner of the yard; that is minus the wind, rain, hail and lightening, I am on a slow study as to what will easily be typed onto my screen, what will smoothly be read on paper. No notebook is needed, no pencil or pen; holding my ground while a stout Bassett tugs me across the yard would define an accident waiting to happen, if pen were in hand. My brain absorbs current details, stores full facts from even my youngest years; writing it all down at the moment sometimes is a handicap. Bedtime thoughts though do indeed require immediate documentation; a writer is always ready at the bedside table with the tools of her trade; pen and pad. Dream detail does, on occasion, slip away. This morning I noticed that dewy patches of grass were more scattered about the mowed confines of our yard. I realized these were areas of taller blades; overnight shoot ups the lawnmower did not miss but ornery growth that rubs a mowing man to frustration. But it was comforting to see, to feel, that barely a breeze quivered such tall blades of grass. The branches of the blooming orange blossom bush shiver as the members of the twig hopping choir sing their song; the chirps, the cheeps, the whistles, they all blend their tunes for a fine choral presentation. As the silent sound of morning is broken, sweet perfumed petals form a perfect circle all around the bush; a path I would follow if it went beyond the round and around. When the windows are open overnight, and when the daylight curtain rises, the early rehearsal calls do disrupt one that tries to sleep in past six a.m. I guess I’d rather listen to the early birds outside my window instead of my own grumbling. I decide to accept my day as it has been given. My first step out into God’s new day is the freshest it has been in several weeks (field prep had certainly kept laundry duty in the dryer). It is so fresh; I take the deepest breath, exhale, and take another. No doctor request, just my own requirement to fill my body, heart, and soul with all the goodness of a new day. And what better way than to start it with a song; I thought I heard them sing, “This is My Father’s World.” I find myself humming along. What breakfast food, not poured from a box, not wrapped in to-go paper, gets your morning off to a great start? Share your breakfast platter recipes with Country Cupboard; 5973 Blachleyville Rd., Wooster, OH, 44691. Emails are always welcome. Old-Fashioned Honey Pie Your favorite pie crust 4 egg yolks 3/4 cup buckwheat or dark honey 4 egg whites, beaten to moist peaks 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 1 teaspoon nutmeg Beat egg yolks and honey until light and foamy. Add nutmeg and brown sugar and continue beating. Fold in egg whites. Bake in moderate oven, 350 degrees for 1 hour. Open oven door partially and leave it in oven to cool. Serves 6. Crunchy Bacon Chip Dip 1/2 cup softened cream cheese 2 teaspoons catsup 1 teaspoon prepared mustard Dash of ground ginger 1/4 cup sour cream 1/2 cup chopped cooked bacon Potato chips or crackers Combine cream cheese, catsup, mustard, ginger, sour cream and bacon. Blend well. Serve with chips or crackers. About 1 cup. Apricot Nectar 1/2 cup orange juice 1/4 cup soaked dried apricots 2 teaspoons honey Put ingredients in electric blender and place cover on. Run blender for 20 seconds to 1 minute. Makes 3/4 cup. Sirloin Kabobs 6 bacon slices 3 pound sirloin cut in cubes 1 pound large mushroom caps 2 cups Italian dressing Cut bacon into 1 1/2-inch squares. Thread skewers with sirloin, bacon, and mushroom caps; repeat until skewers are full. Marinate in dressing for 2 to 3 hours at room temperature, turning frequently. Cook over charcoal grill to desired doneness. Sweet Potato Dessert, Mexican-Style 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes 1 1/2 cups honey 2 cups grape juice 1 teaspoon cinnamon Peel and cut potatoes in halves, lengthwise. Place in glass baking dish. Warm grape juice and mix with honey and cinnamon. Pour over potatoes and bake at 400 degrees until tender and candied. Cool a little. Serve war with whipped cream. Coffee Punch 4 quarts strong coffee 1 quart heavy cream 5 tablespoons sugar 5 teaspoons vanilla 2 quart vanilla ice cream Chill coffee. Whip cream, adding sugar and vanilla. Spoon ice cream into large punch bowl; add whipped cream. Pour coffee over top; mix well. Serve in cups. Yield: 50 to 60 servings. Waffle Iron Brownie Bites 1/2 cup melted butter or margarine 1/4 cup cocoa 3/4 cup sugar 2 eggs, beaten 1 tablespoon water 1 1/4 cups flour 1/4 teaspoon salt 2/3 cup chopped nuts Powdered sugar Blend butter and cocoa; stir in sugar, eggs and water. Add flour, salt and nuts; mix well. Drop from teaspoon onto heated waffle iron. Bake for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Gingerbread Waffles 1 1/4 cups cake flour 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup melted butter 1 cup dark honey plus 2 tablespoons 1 whole egg, beaten 3/4 cup strong black coffee Sift flour twice with baking soda, spices and salt. Combine butter, honey and egg; beat 2 minutes with mixer or 300 strokes. Add to dry mixture alternately with coffee. Bake. Serve hot with pancake syrup. Freeze in airtight containers. Do not defrost. Reheat in oven at 250 degrees. Summer Champagne 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup water 1 cup canned grapefruit juice 1/2 cup canned pineapple juice 1 quart chilled ginger ale Mix sugar and water in saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes; cool. Add fruit juices to syrup; chill. Add ginger ale just before serving. Pour into six 10-ounce glasses. Garnish with cherries, strawberries or pineapple chunks.


Loading next article...

End of content

No more pages to load