Category: Family

Family

Father’s Day and Memories

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I only celebrated 12 Father’s Days with my Dad since he died in a farm accident my 12th year. His death was a great shock and loss to our entire family. I often wonder what it would have been like to know my Dad as an adult, to have him hold my children in his arms, to talk to him about his life,  his experiences and to hug him once again.

Cathy & her Dad about 1954
Cathy & her Dad about 1954

What I do remember, with tremendous fondness, is…

  • riding in the back of his Turquoise Chevy pickup letting the wind blow on my face and hair
  • following him around the hog house and watching him do never-ending farm chores
  • riding to one of the small farming communities to visit the grain elevator, hardware store or local gathering place
  • building a cage and capturing a pigeon for me to take to school for ‘show and tell’
  • caring for baby bunnies that had been abandoned by their Mommy
  • his love of Adolph the cat and our good old farm dog, Skipper
  • hanging a tire swing for me and his grandchildren to enjoy
  • watching him crank the old home-made ice cream freezer as I anticipated the luscious results
  • riding on the tractor with him
  • feeling very grown up filling the gas tanks of the car or truck
  • going on picnics and fishing
  • watching favorite TV shows together including Bonanza, Lassie, Daniel Boone, Ed Sullivan, etc.
  • the piano he bought for me at the State Fair a month before he died
  • laughter and teasing (with love)

He was a good guy with a wonderful sense of humor and a dedicated, farmer’s work ethic.

He is missed.  Love you, Dad.

Family · New Favorite · New Traditions · Skinny · Vegan · Vegetables · Vegetarian

Roasted Fennel…another new love!

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Fennel was a target buy at Trader Joe’s for daughter Megan and I this week. My husband, Karl, used to love to cook Fennel as was prepared for him on business trips to Italy.  It’s been years since I’ve prepared it. Megan suggested we roast it and it was fantastic. I have to say that eating it raw was delicious, too.

The fennel was prepared the same evening as the Zuppa Tuscana (recipe to post next week).  We decided to put some of the fennel in our soup and loved the addition.  I even added cold roasted fennel to a roast pork and goat cheese sandwich…love it!

Next time I’ll try roasting the fennel with other vegetable, perhaps white and sweet potatoes and a bit of rosemary?

 ROASTED FENNEL

2 heads fresh fennel
olive oil
salt & pepper

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Rinse fennel.  Slightly trim bottom and top of fennel bulb.
  • Cut each bulb in half lengthwise.  Cut out core and set aside.
  • Slice fennel thinly and place on baking sheet.  Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.
  • Roast for 15-20 or until brown on edges and tender.
Family · Garden · My Roots

Bleeding Hearts…Springtime Legends

cathysmaha5 Comments

Memories of Bleeding Hearts in my Mother’s garden are vivid. Planting these beauties in my shade garden was a must when we moved into our home many years ago.  Each year I look forward to their spring blooms and the memories they bring. Delicate little white and red hearts dangling from their tender stems, blowing in the breeze in my yard are precious.

My Mother used to take a  blossom from the plant and fold down the bottom of the heart to create what appears to be a girl in a pretty red skirt.

Bleeding Heart Blossom
Bleeding Heart Blossom
Bleeding Heart Girl in Dress
Bleeding Heart Girl in Dress

In playing this game with my girls, I discovered that if you fold the petal down a little more you now have a young boy in his pants.

IMG_2277
White Bleeding Heart Boy

When I decided to post about the beloved Bleeding Heart, I did some research and discovered a wonderful legend that I love and will share with my grandchildren.

BLEEDING HEART LEGEND

Long ago there lived a noble prince who tried in vain to win the heart of a very beautiful princess. The prince had brought the princess wonderful gifts from his travels far and wide. Yet she had taken no notice of him. One day the prince returned from a long journey with very special gifts to surely win the love of the princess. First he presented her with two magical pink bunnies. (Peel off the two outer petals and set them on their sides to display two little bunnies.)

Story of the Bleeding Heart, Bunnies
Story of the Bleeding Heart, Bunnies

The princess only sighed and barely looked at the little bunnies. The hopeful prince had another gift for the princess – he presented a pair of beautiful enchanted earrings. (Remove the two long white petals and hold them next to your ears.)

Bleeding Heart Story Earrings
Bleeding Heart Story Earrings

These she took happily, but declared she could not love him.  Still, he can’t bear to give up hope, and he makes her another gift of slippers made of the finest silk.

IMG_4222

Again, the princess hardly noticed the prince’s gift. Now the poor prince was utterly heartbroken. He could try no more to win the heart of the princess. He rose up, pulled a dagger from his sheath and stabbed himself in the heart. (Remaining in the flower is a heart shape with the stamen, appearing as a dark green line down the center. Hold the heart up, carefully remove the dagger-like line, and plunge the dagger through the heart.)

Bleeding Heart with stake
Bleeding Heart Story with Stake

The princess was overcome by the dedication of the dying prince and his unending love for her. She realized too late that she loved him also. “Alas,” she cried out. “I have done wrong, my own heart is broken also. I shall bleed for my prince forever more!” And her heart bleeds to this very day.

Bleeding Hearts
Bleeding Hearts

There are many blossoms on a Bleeding Heart in full bloom, so next time you pass such a delightful array, perhaps you’ll have permission to pick a heart and discover the mysteries within

Adapted from Story of Bleeding Hearts from Four Friends and a Blog and Forklore and the Bleeding Heart and Thursday Myths and Legends

Family · My Roots

Mother’s Day…Things I Miss About You

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Time is so precious and passes every so swiftly. When I was younger, I took so much for granted, assuming that time and moments would go on forever.

Each Mother’s Day (and Father’s Day) I recall the times that I did have with my Mom and Dad. How I wish I could call them up to chat and tell them how much I love and miss them.

Betty Gaunt senior portrait 2

Things I Miss About You

It’s Mother’s Day again,
And I’m trying to make it through,
Because this day reminds me
Of all the things I miss about you.

I miss your face smiling down at me,
With love shining from your eyes.
I miss the way you’d laugh at my jokes
So hard that it made you cry.

I miss the touch of your dear hands,
How gentle and kind they could be.
And I miss the warth of your hugs, and how
You’d wrap me up tight as could be.

I miss the smell of your perfume,
The way it lingered in the air.
Sometimes I think I smell it again,
And I get a sense that you’re there.

I miss the way you could always tell
When something in my life had gone wrong,
How you’d talk to me until I felt better,
Your words soothed me like a song.

And so I sit here once again
Remembering these things I miss
And this year, just like every year,
I make a silent wish.

I wish that one day I’ll see you again,
Whole, and safe, and sound.
That you’ll take my hand securely in yours,
And for Heaven we’ll be bound.

Author Unknown

Family · New Traditions

Celebrating Moms!

cathysmaha2 Comments

Each year, for the past four years, a group of gal pals have gathered to celebrate ourselves. This wonderful group of women saw our kids grow from adolescents to adults and we have a lot to celebrate! While we don’t see each other as often, we do gather together for a Mother’s Coffee/Tea as well as in smaller groups for Book Club, Card Making, and Christmas.  These women are such a blessing for me as well as for their children.

That being said, we all LOVE to come together over food. Each year our friend, Barb, captured pics of our delicious array of food as well as pics of our group.

2013MDfood

Last year was the first time our daughter, Sarah, joined us as a Mom celebrating the birth of Evan. It’s such a wonderful gift to now have our daughters (and in the future daughter-in-laws) join us in the celebration.

P1120107We will be celebrating a week before Mother’s Day this year so let the party begin.

Appetizers · Family · Family Favorites · Holidays

Deviled Eggs

cathysmaha1 Comment

Deviled Eggs are an Easter ‘must have’, and this year will be no different. Everyone in the family loves them so as they say in ‘Fiddler on the Roof’…TRADITION! Back in the day, my Mother would make them from the eggs laid by our own hens. The yolks were deep yellow and it was a lucky treat when we would have an egg with a double yolk.

That was the good part.  I can’t say that gathering the eggs was a treat since the hens were often pretty fussy about having anyone poking around their nests for their eggs. Then there was the washing of the eggs for our use and sale to others.  All in a days work down on the farm.

Today, I usually buy my eggs at the grocery store but found that Chicken Track brown eggs closely resembled the eggs from the farm. This recipe does not include the direct measurements but was taught to me based on feel/texture. The filling should be moist but not runny.

DEVILED EGGS

Boiled eggs
Mayonnaise
Mustard
Dill pickle juice
Salt to taste
Paprika

  • Peel boiled eggs and cut eggs in half, lengthwise.
  • Remove yolks to a separate mixing bowl.
  • Mash egg yolks and add mayonnaise, pickle juice and dash of prepared mustard to taste.
  • Fill egg whites with yolk mixture. Sprinkle with paprika. Chill before serving.

Other Easter favorites:

Crock-Pot Ham

Crunch Potato Casserole

Mandarin Salad

Fancy Schmancy Asparagus

Strawberry Shortcake

Appetizers · Family · Family Favorites · Mexican Dishes · Skinny

Layered Mexican Dip…Low Cal Style

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Our family was gathering for a late Sunday afternoon dinner and Mexican food was planned.  I needed a good starter but wanted something that wasn’t high fat/high calorie.  I have had 7 layer dip many times and this is a low cal twist to that recipe.  I used 2 cups of refried beans and 1 cup salsa for the bottom layer and otherwise, used the recipe as below.

It was a great little dip and I like it served with vegetables (especially Jicama) along with the chips.

MEXICAN LAYERED DIP

1 cup refried beans, vegetarian/low-fat
1/2 cup salsa
1-1/2 cups low-fat Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons taco seasoning
2 avocados, pitted, peeled & mashed
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
juice from 1/2 lime

TOPPINGS:

1/2 cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup sliced black olives
cilantro sprigs

DIPPERS:

raw vegetables spears; red/yellow/orange bell peppers, jicama, daikon radish, carrots, celery, etc.
tortilla chips or strips

  • In small bowl, combine and stir beans and salsa. In separate bowl, combine and stir Greek yogurt and taco seasoning. In third bowl, combine and stir mashed avocado, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and lime juice. Use a 8×8″ pan or bowl or similar size.  Place bean mixture on the bottom, guacamole  in the middle, yogurt mixture on top; smoothing each into an even layer using the tip of a table knife.
  • Sprinkle on toppings: shredded cheese, tomatoes, onions, olives. Top with a sprig of cilantro.  May be assembled, covered, and refrigerated up to 6 hours in advance. Serve with veggie spears and/or tortilla chips.
Recipe slightly adapted from Yummy Life
Family · Family Favorites · My Roots · Sandwiches

Old Fashioned Ham Salad

cathysmaha2 Comments

Sunday Night meals, on the farm, were typically sandwiches enjoyed on TV trays in front of the TV watching Lassie, Ed Sullivan, and Bonanza. It was the only night of the week we ate outside of the kitchen but it was a treat. Often the sandwiches were a result of leftovers from the tremendous Sunday Dinner (noon meal) my Mother would make of Roast Beef, Roast Chicken, Pork Roast, Ham, etc.  She would often grind the leftover meat on her Universal Meat Grinder and add onion, pickle, mayonnaise.

old fashioned meat grinder
Ham Salad is still a favorite and I make it rarely but since it was a Sunday and I was reliving the Sunday Night Farm experience…I ate a Ham Salad Sandwich in front of the TV (sans TV tray) watching 60 minutes instead of Lassie. Oh, sweet memories!

OLD FASHIONED HAM SALAD

2 cups ground ham (I chopped mine in the food processor)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup dill pickle relish (or sweet relish)
1 teaspoon mustard
2 chopped, hard boiled eggs
1/2 cup mayonnaise

Combine all well.  Serve on good bread or roll and enjoy!

Family · Family Favorites · Holidays

Sweet, Sweet Blueberry Muffins

cathysmaha2 Comments

Warm, sweet blueberry muffins fresh from the oven with melted butter. Oh, my gosh..it’s the best.

The Sweet Blueberry Muffin recipe is one I found (who knows where!) during my college years. I was reading cookbooks like novels in those days. I first tried this recipe on my family when I cooked several items for Easter Dinner. I still remember the wonderful muffins and memories of Easter celebrations at the Farm.

SWEET BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup salad oil
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh or 3/4 cup frozen blueberries (thawed & drained)

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease bottoms of 12 medium muffin cups.
  • Beat egg; stir in milk and oil.
  • Mix in remaining ingredients, just until flour is moistened. Batter should be lumpy. Fold in blueberries.
  • Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.
  • Bake 20-25 minutes.
Family · Family Favorites · Home · My Roots

Oatmeal Cake just like Mom used to make

cathysmaha1 Comment

Oatmeal cake with broiled topping is truly a walk down memory lane. My Mother didn’t make this cake often, but when she did, it was a treat.

This time I decided to bake the cake in two 9×9″ pans and freeze one for later…or so I thought. While the cakes and topping were cooling and while I was trying to settle grandson, Evan, into his afternoon nap, the dogs decided to sample one of the cakes. I was so unhappy, I didn’t take the time to snap one of those naughty dog photos!

Luckily one cake remained and it was delicious! The cake is moist and the crunch topping is so yummy.  Top with a dallop of whipped cream.

Thanks, Mom for a great recipe.  And to the dogs…I’ll choose to say nothing.

OATMEAL CAKE

1 cup quick oatmeal
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups flour plus 2 tablespoons flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 9×13″ (or two 9×9″) cake pans.
  • Mix together oatmeal and boiling water. Let stand 20 minutes and cool.
  • Mix flour, brown sugar, white sugar, shortening, eggs, salt, cinnamon and soda. Add cooled oatmeal.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes. Prepare topping while the cake is baking.

TOPPING:
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
6 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup coconut

  • Bring all ingredients to a boil. Spread topping over cake while cake and topping are hot.

  • Put cake and topping under broiler and let topping brown.

Serve warm with whipped cream.