tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76850271450959223642024-02-29T21:39:20.988-08:00Storytelling, Cooking and Kids!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-42462457292836785102014-02-13T12:50:00.001-08:002014-02-15T06:03:34.345-08:00Gluskabe Changes Maple Syrup<h2 style="text-align: start; font-style: italic; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 17px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbjO-SSwRc3uhB0twFuSYi5xSAcsZKrP4KcaO4zFz7yKDCvRD9ML2_34qM2IxWsrN9e4GOmw9U0BlubvUW5Pz8z6cLZLv5XXUBY-LbNPCVQpsgqt0HJK0pA9HQbuyS3hPCbIyXs2zR78/s640/blogger-image-769189274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbjO-SSwRc3uhB0twFuSYi5xSAcsZKrP4KcaO4zFz7yKDCvRD9ML2_34qM2IxWsrN9e4GOmw9U0BlubvUW5Pz8z6cLZLv5XXUBY-LbNPCVQpsgqt0HJK0pA9HQbuyS3hPCbIyXs2zR78/s640/blogger-image-769189274.jpg"></a></div><br></span></h2><h2 style="text-align: start; font-style: italic; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 17px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Gluskabe Changes Maple Syrup</span></h2><h3 style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size: 17px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">An Abenaki Legend</span></h3><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Long ago, the Creator made and gave many gifts to man to help him during his life. The Creator made the lives of the Abenaki People very good, with plenty of food to gather, grow, and hunt. The Maple tree at that time was one of these very wonderful and special gifts from the Creator. The sap was as thick and sweet as honey. All you had to do was to break the end off of a branch and the syrup would flow out.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In these days Gluskabe would go from native village to village to keep an eye on the People for the Creator. One day Gluskabe came to an abandoned village. The village was in disrepair, the fields were over-grown, and the fires had gone cold. He wondered what had happened to the People.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He looked around and around, until he heard a strange sound. As he went towards the sound he could tell that it was the sound of many people moaning. The moaning did not sound like people in pain but more like the sound of contentment. As he got closer he saw a large stand of beautiful maple trees. As he got closer still he saw that all the people were lying on their backs under the trees with the end of a branch broken off and dripping maple syrup into their mouths.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The maple syrup had fattened them up so much and made them so lazy that they could barely move. Gluskabe told them to get up and go back to their village to re-kindle the fires and to repair the village. But the people did not listen. They told him that they were content to lie there and to enjoy the maple syrup.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When Gluskabe reported this to the Creator, it was decided that it was again time that man needed another lesson to understand the Creator's ways. The Creator instructed Gluskabe to fill the maple trees with water. So Gluskabe made a large bucket from birch bark and went to the river to get water. He added water, and added more water until the sap was that like water. Some say he added a measure of water for each day between moons, or nearly 30 times what it was as thick syrup. After a while the People began to get up because the sap was no longer so thick and sweet.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They asked Gluskabe "where has our sweet drink gone?" He told them that this is the way it will be from now on. Gluskabe told them that if they wanted the syrup again that they would have to work hard to get it. The sap would flow sweet only once a year before the new year of spring.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The People were shown that making syrup would take much work. Birch bark buckets would need to be made to collect the sap. Wood would be needed to be gathered to make fires to heat rocks, and the rocks would be needed to be put into the sap to boil the water out to make the thick sweet syrup that they once were so fond of. He also told them that they could get the sap for only a short time each year so that they would remember the error of their ways.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And so it is still to this day, each spring the Abenaki people remember Gluskabe's lesson in honoring Creator's gifts and work hard to gather the maple syrup they love so much. Nialach!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">Story found at firstpeoples.us</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">Since we can, according to the legend, no longer get thick maple goodness straight from the tree, we'll have to find another way. </p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">Making Maple Taffy in the Snow is a perfect substitute. All you need is some good fresh, clean snow and some good maple syrup. </p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">Folks have been making this tasty treat for hundreds of years. </p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1W45sniIJO0c0XcdMJu7XjB0LQQbgFiNa3gK6b49hvupJAs5__hvQJlX47z1aP_L7-cdSAh33BFGW-vEIUDs8oS7TTzNFkxDWDgQPtePjjysZS9w4DWOkuP5su2yzQTQUXOMjM0JrDw/s640/blogger-image-36662262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1W45sniIJO0c0XcdMJu7XjB0LQQbgFiNa3gK6b49hvupJAs5__hvQJlX47z1aP_L7-cdSAh33BFGW-vEIUDs8oS7TTzNFkxDWDgQPtePjjysZS9w4DWOkuP5su2yzQTQUXOMjM0JrDw/s640/blogger-image-36662262.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maple Snow Taffy</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ingredients:<br>3 quarts fresh snow<br>1/2 – 1 cup real maple syrup</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Directions:<br>Fill a large casserole dish or roasting pan with clean, fresh snow. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Place it in the freezer or leave it outside if the temperature is below freezing. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pour maple syrup into a saucepan and heat it on medium-high until it reaches a temperature of 232° F (about 10 minutes – use a candy thermometer to measure). </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stir the syrup constantly to make sure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Remove the syrup from the heat and pour it over the snow in narrow strips. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Allow it to cool for approximately two minutes. </span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pick the hardened syrup out of the snow and enjoy!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Recipe and photo found at farmersalmanac.com</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHXBHTWfAA7kHgb10gBep_GD5-pFOULwMKFyzzE2cHonKET24JeKOn8cCUKarJF9TEGF_w_iMA8ia4lcNM_F20LG2hyphenhyphengCMiAze6swsQPlwc2sqjWBIyBLKbbnnKAooq51xMGafmY_phI/s640/blogger-image-1016758353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHXBHTWfAA7kHgb10gBep_GD5-pFOULwMKFyzzE2cHonKET24JeKOn8cCUKarJF9TEGF_w_iMA8ia4lcNM_F20LG2hyphenhyphengCMiAze6swsQPlwc2sqjWBIyBLKbbnnKAooq51xMGafmY_phI/s640/blogger-image-1016758353.jpg"></a></div><br><p></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">Other Maple Snow Taffy Recipies:</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">http://girlsguidetobutter.com/2010/02/maple-taffy-the-pioneer-treat/</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">(Great step by step pictures on this site)</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">http://family.go.com/food/recipe-780690-maple-snow-taffy-t/</p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;">http://www.thekitchn.com/snow-day-treat-how-to-make-map-106130</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com213tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-43526222557153838202013-12-19T04:00:00.000-08:002013-12-19T04:00:07.733-08:00Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer.... a song a recipes for two yummy reindeer treats!A Holiday favorite whether in song or story, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. It's also a story/song with a good lesson, Different doesn't mean bad. <br />
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Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer</h1>
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You know Dasher, and Dancer, and<br />
Prancer, and Vixen,<br />
Comet, and Cupid, and<br />
Donder and Blitzen<br />
But do you recall<br />
The most famous reindeer of all<br />
<br />
Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer<br />
had a very shiny nose<br />
and if you ever saw it<br />
you would even say it glows.<br />
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All of the other reindeer<br />
used to laugh and call him names<br />
They never let poor Rudolph<br />
play in any reindeer games.<br />
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Then one foggy Christmas eve<br />
Santa came to say:<br />
"Rudolph with your nose so bright,<br />
won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"<br />
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Then all the reindeer loved him<br />
as they shouted out with glee,<br />
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,<br />
you'll go down in history! </div>
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I wondered and wondered what kind of "cooking" could I have the kids do with this song and Voila! I found my answer on Pinterest! I love Pinterest! I actually found quite a few cute recipes but I decided on just two of them. The first recipe is very simple and needs only 4 ingredients ~ <b><span style="color: red;">Reindeer Paws and Noses</span></b> are just too cute! The second recipe for <b><span style="color: lime;">Reindeer Corn Cookie Bark</span></b> is just too pretty and too tasty to leave out! I hope you enjoy making both and don't miss the Rudolph cartoon at the end of the blog! Happy Holidays!</div>
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<b>Reindeer Paws and Noses </b></h3>
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<img alt="" src="http://www.freefunchristmas.com/wp-content/uploads/FNF_Reindeer-Paws-and-Noses.png" /><h2>
Ingredients</h2>
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<li>Mini Twist Pretzels</li>
<li>Rolos Candies</li>
<li>Chocolate Candy Coated Peanut Candies</li>
<li>Pecans</li>
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Instructions</h2>
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<li>Preheat the oven to warm.</li>
<li>On a cookie sheet, place a single later of mini twist pretzels.</li>
<li>Unwrap the Rolos and place one on top of each pretzel.</li>
<li>Place into the oven until the Rolo is just melted (3-5minutes depending on the temperature of the oven)</li>
<li>Remove from oven and immediately place a pecan for paws or a
chocolate candy coated peanut candy onto the melted Rolo and gently
press. Allow to set.</li>
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this recipe was found at <a href="http://www.freefunchristmas.com/christmas-recipes/reindeer-paws-and-noses/" target="_blank">free fun christmas</a></div>
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Reindeer Corn Cookie Bark recipe found at <a href="http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/reindeer-corn-cookie-bark/" target="_blank">YourHomeBasedMom .com</a></h3>
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Ingredients</div>
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<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients">14 whole Oreos, broken up. I used the holiday ones with the red filling but regular will work fine
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<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" itemprop="ingredients">1 1/2 C pretzels, broken into pieces. I used the small stick pretzels
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<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" itemprop="ingredients">1 lb. white chocolate, almond bark or melts found in the bulk food section
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<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" itemprop="ingredients">1 C reindeer corn
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<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" itemprop="ingredients">red and green colored sprinkles
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<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" itemprop="ingredients"><br /></li>
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Instructions</div>
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<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Cover a large cookie sheet with wax paper
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<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Spread broken cookes, pretzels and about 3/4 C of the candy corn onto the waxed paper
</li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-2" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Place white chocolate in a container and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes
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<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-3" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Stir and then microwave for another 30 seconds until melted and smooth
</li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-4" itemprop="recipeInstructions">White chocolate melts faster and burns easier than chocolate
</li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-5" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Drizzle the melted chocolate over the cookie mixture, spreading with spatula if needed to coat evenly
</li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-6" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Sprinkle remaining candy corn and colored sprinkles over the chocolate while it is still wet
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<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-7" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Do not let it harden
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<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-8" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Place cookie tray into refrigerator until set and firm
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<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-9" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Remove and gently break bark into small pieces
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<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-10" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Store in air tight container</li>
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This cartoon version of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" was originally released in 1948 by Max
Fleischer Studios. (Notice: This motion picture is in the Public Domain
and is not subject to Copyright.)<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-91504019052422029932013-12-13T11:37:00.000-08:002013-12-15T11:34:43.807-08:00T'was the Night before Christmas aka A Visit from St Nicholas<br>
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<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img001.jpg" height="291" width="400"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">T'</span>was the night before Christmas, when all through the house<br>
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;<br>
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care<br>
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;<br><br>
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<img alt="Sleeping Mouse" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img006a.jpg" title="Sleeping Mouse"></div>
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<img alt="Stockings in the Fireplace" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img007.jpg" title="Stockings in the Fireplace"></div>
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<span class="dropcapc">T</span>he children were nestled all snug in their beds,<br>
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;<br>
And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap,<br>
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,<br><br>
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<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_009" name="Page_009"></a></span><br>
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<span class="dropcapd">W</span>hen out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,<br>
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.<br>
Away to the window I flew like a flash,<br>
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.<br><br>
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<span class="dropcapb">T</span>he moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow<br>
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,<br>
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,<br>
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,<br><br>
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<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_013" name="Page_013"></a></span><br>
<div class="figcenter">
<img alt="what to my wondering eyes should appear" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img013.jpg" title="what to my wondering eyes should appear"></div>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_014" name="Page_014"></a></span><br><br>
<div class="figcenter">
<img alt="Flying Birds" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img014a.jpg" title="Flying Birds"></div>
<div class="figright">
<img alt="Flying Birds" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img014b.jpg" title="Flying Birds"></div>
<span class="dropcapd">W</span>ith a little old driver, so lively and quick,<br>
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.<br>
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,<br>
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:<br><br>
<br>
<div class="figleft">
<img alt="Flying Birds" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img014c.jpg" title="Flying Birds"></div>
<br><br>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_015" name="Page_015"></a></span><br><br>
<div class="figcenter">
<img alt="Fig. 103" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img015a.jpg" title="Fig. 103"></div>
<span class="dropcapf">N</span>ow, <b><i>Dasher!</i></b> now, <b><i>Dancer!</i></b> now, <b><i>Prancer</i></b> and <b><i>Vixen!</i></b><br>
On, <b><i>Comet!</i></b> on, <b><i>Cupid!</i></b> on, <b><i>Donder</i></b> and <b><i>Blitzen!</i></b><br>
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!<br>
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"<br>
<br>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_016" name="Page_016"></a></span><br>
<div class="figcenter">
<img alt="Reindeer sleigh on the roof" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img016.jpg" title="Reindeer sleigh on the roof"></div>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_017" name="Page_017"></a></span><br><br>
<div class="figcenter">
<img alt="Reindeer sleigh on the roof" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img017.jpg" title="Reindeer sleigh on the roof"></div>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_018" name="Page_018"></a></span><br><br>
<div class="figcenter1">
<img alt="Blustering leaves" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img018a.jpg" title="Blustering leaves"></div>
<div class="figright">
<img alt="Blustering leaves" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img018b.jpg" title="Blustering leaves"></div>
<span class="dropcapg">A</span>s dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,<br>
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;<br>
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,<br>
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.<br><br>
<br>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_019" name="Page_019"></a></span><br>
<div class="figcenter">
<img alt="Blustering leaves" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img019a.jpg" title="Blustering leaves"></div>
<div class="figright">
<img alt="Blustering leaves" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img019b.jpg" title="Blustering leaves"></div>
<span class="dropcaph">A</span>nd then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof<br>
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.<br>
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,<br>
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.<br><br><br><br>
<br>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_020" name="Page_020"></a></span><br>
<span class="dropcapi">H</span>e was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,<br>
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;<br>
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,<br>
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.<br><br>
<br>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_021" name="Page_021"></a></span><br>
<div class="figcenter">
<img alt="He looked like a peddler" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img021.jpg" title="He looked like a peddler"></div>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_022" name="Page_022"></a></span><br><br>
<span class="dropcapj">H</span>is eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!<br>
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!<br>
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,<br>
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;<br><br>
<br>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_023" name="Page_023"></a></span><br>
<div class="figcenter">
<img alt="The beard of his chin was as white as the snow" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img023.jpg" title="The beard of his chin was as white as the snow"></div>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_024" name="Page_024"></a></span><br><br>
<span class="dropcapk">T</span>he stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,<br>
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;<br>
He had a broad face and a little round belly,<br>
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly.<br><br>
<br>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_025" name="Page_025"></a></span><br>
<div class="figcenter">
<img alt="He had a broad face and a little round belly" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img025.jpg" title="He had a broad face and a little round belly"></div>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_026" name="Page_026"></a></span><br><br>
<span class="dropcapl">H</span>e was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,<br>
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;<br>
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,<br>
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;<br><br>
<br>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_027" name="Page_027"></a></span><br>
<div class="figcenter">
<img alt="He filled all the stockings" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img027.jpg" title="He filled all the stockings"></div>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_028" name="Page_028"></a></span><br><br>
<span class="dropcapi">H</span>e spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,<br>
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,<br>
And laying his finger aside of his nose,<br>
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;<br><br>
<br>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_029" name="Page_029"></a></span><br>
<div class="figcenter">
<img alt="up the chimney he rose" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img029.jpg" title="up the chimney he rose"></div>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_030" name="Page_030"></a></span><br><br>
<span class="dropcapj">H</span>e sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,<br>
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.<br>
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,<br>
<b><i>"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."</i></b><br>
<br>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_031" name="Page_031"></a></span><br>
<div class="figcenter">
<img alt="he drove out of sight" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img031.jpg" title="he drove out of sight"></div>
<span class="pagenum"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" id="Page_032" name="Page_032"></a></span><br><br>
<div class="figcenter1">
<img alt="Little bear" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/img032.jpg" title="Little bear"></div>
<div class="figcenter1">
<img alt="end cover" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/images/cover2.jpg" title="end cover"></div>
<pre></pre>
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"> This version of </span></span>A Visit from St. Nicholas By Clement C. Moore With Pictures by<br>
Jessie Willcox Smith was published in 1912 by Houghton Mifflin Company and can be found online at the <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/17135/17135-h/17135-h.htm" target="_blank">gutenberg project</a><br>
<br>
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"> Okay, raise your hand if you've always wondered, "What the heck is a Sugar Plum?" Oh please, as if I'm the only one! Well for all of you who will admit that you wondered, according to an article written in The Atlantic by Samira Kawash, a </span></span>professor emerita at Rutgers University (she also blogs on candy history and opinion at CandyProfessor.com.)
<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;">" </span></span>The truth of the matter is that the sugar plum is not a plum at all, nor
does it contain any plum-like substance. The sugar plums of Christmas
fantasy are in fact sugar, and any resemblance to plums is entirely
superficial."</blockquote>
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;">Well, Pooh!! But not to worry, apparently these days a sugar plum is basically considered to be a no bake treat made with dried fruit, honey, nuts and other yumminess and then rolled in sugar. Whoohoo! So, here's a lovely recipe I found online at the cupcake project. These are also the prettiest sugar plums ever!</span></span><br>
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
a a no-bake dessert made with dried fruit (including prunes, dried plums), nuts, honey, and spices, and rolled in sugar.<br><span>Read more at <a href="http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2012/12/sparkly-sugar-plums-for-christmas.html#q3GSwG46JwAFdMgP.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2012/12/sparkly-sugar-plums-for-christmas.html#q3GSwG46JwAFdMgP.99</a></span></div>
<div id="r1PostCPBlock" style="background-color: white; border: medium none; color: black; left: -99999px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
a a no-bake dessert made with dried fruit (including prunes, dried plums), nuts, honey, and spices, and rolled in sugar.<br><span>Read more at <a href="http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2012/12/sparkly-sugar-plums-for-christmas.html#q3GSwG46JwAFdMgP.99" style="color: #003399;">http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2012/12/sparkly-sugar-plums-for-christmas.html#q3GSwG46JwAFdMgP.99</a></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhvYQTMvMk-ygadtsywyvLe3f8NViKAMhb7ePSu7oqkGGjXb-aCbJF6enPp_MNp5RMHoHHaZnNYTGgme0ldBgFFXojchTUikfdsO3D52n2G47OvzRaFZ2RZeDpYDsBW0cSMv0OB8rsr0/s1600/Sugar+Plums+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhvYQTMvMk-ygadtsywyvLe3f8NViKAMhb7ePSu7oqkGGjXb-aCbJF6enPp_MNp5RMHoHHaZnNYTGgme0ldBgFFXojchTUikfdsO3D52n2G47OvzRaFZ2RZeDpYDsBW0cSMv0OB8rsr0/s1600/Sugar+Plums+03.jpg" height="400" width="265"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture from cupcakeproject.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span><br>
<br>
<span style="color: magenta;"><b>Sparkly Sugar Plums for Christmas</b></span>
<div class="zlmeta zlclear">
<div class="fl-l width-50">
<div id="zlrecipe-yield">
Yield: <span itemprop="recipeYield">About 50 teaspoon-sized sugar plums</span></div>
<div id="zlrecipe-yield">
<br></div>
</div>
<div class="zlclear">
</div>
</div>
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-ingredients">
Ingredients</div>
<ul id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list">
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0" itemprop="ingredients">2 cups toasted walnuts, chopped
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1" itemprop="ingredients"> 1/4 cup honey
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2" itemprop="ingredients"> 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3" itemprop="ingredients"> 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4" itemprop="ingredients"> 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5" itemprop="ingredients"> 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6" itemprop="ingredients"> 1 teaspoon orange zest
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-7" itemprop="ingredients"> 1 cup pitted prunes, finely chopped
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-8" itemprop="ingredients"> 1/2 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-9" itemprop="ingredients"> 1/2 cut pitted dates, finely chopped
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-10" itemprop="ingredients"> powdered sugar for rolling coating the balls
</li>
<li class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-11" itemprop="ingredients"> plum purple disco dust (I got mine from Layer Cake Shop - this is optional) </li>
</ul>
<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-instructions">
Instructions</div>
<ol class="instructions" id="zlrecipe-instructions-list">
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-0" itemprop="recipeInstructions" value="1">Mix
all ingredients except the sugar and disco dust together in a large
bowl. Optionally, place the whole mixture in the food processor and
process for a few seconds - this will help everything to stick together,
especially if you aren't the best at finely chopping. (I'm raising my
hand high on this one.)
</li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-1" itemprop="recipeInstructions"> Form the mixture into teaspoon-sized balls.
</li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-2" itemprop="recipeInstructions">
Roll the balls in powdered sugar and then roll in disco dust. </li>
<li class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-2" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Note:
If you let the balls sit overnight, the powdered sugar will absorb
into the balls and will be less visible.</li>
</ol>
<a href="http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2012/12/sparkly-sugar-plums-for-christmas.html" target="_blank">Recipe Found at the cupcake project </a><br>
<br><br>
<br>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMc5IJ_bTE_Esfd7bTyNf834fNF2SRxU_DTX1mq_HczfpnwJ297mtrTJKWqf7Wn1qaRsDsDy8-MeEDesQiExVHmpXug9UxFimjBTzzfpJrodW1_VfOA39QQ3Y7p8z_4MoRtqBfz-bxhDw/s1600/the-night-before-christmas-illustration-isadora-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMc5IJ_bTE_Esfd7bTyNf834fNF2SRxU_DTX1mq_HczfpnwJ297mtrTJKWqf7Wn1qaRsDsDy8-MeEDesQiExVHmpXug9UxFimjBTzzfpJrodW1_VfOA39QQ3Y7p8z_4MoRtqBfz-bxhDw/s1600/the-night-before-christmas-illustration-isadora-001.jpg" height="338" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">illustration from The Night Before Christmas by Rachel Isadora</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-20397159292818663752013-12-13T10:51:00.000-08:002013-12-16T12:23:22.218-08:00The Last Christmas Tree...a poem and three fabulous Hot Chocolate Recipes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.maggiesnotebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Christmas_Tree_25.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.maggiesnotebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Christmas_Tree_25.jpeg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>I saw a truck of Christmas trees</b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And each one had a tale,</b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>The driver stood them in a row</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And put them up for sale. </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>He strung some twinkly lights</b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And hung a sign up with a nail; </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"FRESH CHRISTMAS TREES"</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>It said in red </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"FRESH CHRISTMAS TREES FOR SALE." </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>He poured himself hot cocoa</b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>In a steaming thermos cup, </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And snowflakes started falling </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>As a family car pulled up. </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://content.artofmanliness.com/uploads/2008/12/2008-12-09_2212.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://content.artofmanliness.com/uploads/2008/12/2008-12-09_2212.png" /></a></b></span></div>
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>
</b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>A mom, a dad, and one small boy</b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Who looked no more than three </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Jumped out and started searching </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>For the perfect Christmas tree. </b></span></div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>The boy marched up and down the rows, </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>His nose high in the air;</b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"It smells like Christmas, mom! </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>It smells like Christmas everywhere!" </b></span></div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"Let's get the biggest tree we can! </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>A tree that's ten miles high! </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>A tree to go right through our roof! </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>A tree to touch the sky!" </b></span></div>
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</div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"A tree SO big "That Santa Claus </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Will stop and stare and say, </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>'Now, THAT'S the finest Christmas tree </b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>I've seen this Christmas Day!'" </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>It seemed they looked at every tree</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>At least three million times; </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Dad shook them, pinched them, </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>turned them 'round </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>To find the perfect pine. </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"I've found it, mom! </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>The Christmas tree I like the best of all! </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>It's got a little bare spot,</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>But we'll turn that to the wall!" </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"We'll put great-grandma's angel </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>On top the highest bough! </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Oh, can we buy it? </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Please, mom, PLEASE?! </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Oh, can we buy it NOW?" </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"How 'bout some nice hot cocoa?"</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Asked the man who owned the lot. </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>He twisted off the thermos top, </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"Now, THIS will hit the spot!" </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>He poured the steaming chocolate </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>In three tiny paper cups. </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>They toasted, "Here's to Christmas!" </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And they drank the cocoa up. </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"Is this your choice?" The tree man asked, </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"This pine's the best one here!" </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>The boy seemed sad--- "My daddy says </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"The price is just too dear." </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"Then, Merry Christmas!" Said the man, </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>who wrapped the tree in twine,</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"It's yours for just one promise.</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>You must keep at Christmas time!" </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"On Christmas Eve at bedtime </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>As you fold your hands to pray, </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Promise in your heart </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>To keep the joy of Christmas Day!" </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"Now hurry home! This freezy wind </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Is turning your cheeks pink! </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And ask your dad </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>To trim that trunk </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>and give that tree a drink!" </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And so it went on </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>All that blustery eve </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>As the tree man gave </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Tree upon tree upon tree </b></span></div>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.clipartpal.com/_thumbs/pd/holiday/christmas/kids_dragging_tree.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.clipartpal.com/_thumbs/pd/holiday/christmas/kids_dragging_tree.png" height="188" width="320" /></a></b></span></div>
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>
</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>To every last person </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Who came to the lot-</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Who toasted with cocoa</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>In small paper cups, </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Who promised the promise</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Of joy in their hearts--- </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And singing out carols, </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Drove off in the dark. </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And when it was over </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>One tree stood alone;</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>But no one was left there </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>To give it a home. </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>The tree man put on his </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Red parka and hood</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And dragged the last Christmas tree</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Out to the woods. </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>He left the pine right by a stream</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>In the cold, </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>So the wood's homeless creatures </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Could make it their home. </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>He smiled as he brushed off </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Some snow from his beard, </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>When out of the thicket </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>A reindeer appeared. </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnKFsrQOkeK7qGT58Wg-herZrW2R70GWZP0BKLYnhOiZy4xoWAuGAPKO2G5JyL2whok_SnC_Jf7UMYxXB4XG_B8eFMj22sulqA55Sb1RUBBFuDgr3eQva63Le145v-UK5by5hN_Amzes/s1600/reindeer+in+winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnKFsrQOkeK7qGT58Wg-herZrW2R70GWZP0BKLYnhOiZy4xoWAuGAPKO2G5JyL2whok_SnC_Jf7UMYxXB4XG_B8eFMj22sulqA55Sb1RUBBFuDgr3eQva63Le145v-UK5by5hN_Amzes/s320/reindeer+in+winter.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>He scratched that huge reindeer </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>On top his huge head--- </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"It looks like we've </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Started up Christmas again!" </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"There are miles more to travel, </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And much more to do! </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Let's go home, my friend,</b></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And get started anew </b></span></div>
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</div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>He looked to the sky </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And heard jingle bells sound-</b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>And then, In a twinkling, </b></span></div>
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>That tree man was gone! </b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b> I'm sure that after reading this wonderful poem, all you are craving a steaming cup of hot chocolate! Me, too! So here are <strike>two</strike> three fabulous recipes with variations. The first is making hot chocolate the good old fashioned way and the second recipe is for those of us with a little less patience! And the third is a wonderful spin on making hot chocolate. Hot chocolate truffles that you can drop in a cup of hot milk and Voila, Hot Chocolate! Enjoy!</b></span><br />
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<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Hot Chocolate ~ recipe and picture from The Pioneer Woman</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/files/2011/12/hotchocolate2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/files/2011/12/hotchocolate2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Ingredients</h2>
<ul class="ingredients" id="ingredients-184577">
<li><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="amount">2 cups</span> <span itemprop="name">Milk</span></span></li>
<li><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="amount">2 cups</span> <span itemprop="name">Half-and-half</span></span></li>
<li><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="amount">1 cup</span> <span itemprop="name">Good Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips</span></span></li>
<li><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="amount">1 teaspoon</span> <span itemprop="name">Sugar (optional)</span></span></li>
<li><span itemprop="ingredient" itemscope="" itemtype="http://data-vocabulary.org/RecipeIngredient"><span itemprop="name">VARIATIONS:
Orange Rind, Orange Syrup, Cinnamon Sticks, Raspberry Syrup, Abuelita
Chocolate, Mint Extract, Peppermint Patties, Whipped Cream, Chocolate
Shavings</span></span></li>
</ul>
<h2>
Preparation Instructions</h2>
To make the basic hot chocolate, combine milk with
half-and-half in a small saucepan.<br />
Warm over medium-low heat, then stir
in chocolate chips.<br />
Stir until melted (though there will still be lovely
particles of chocolate throughout.)<br />
If it’s too chocolatey for you,
splash in a little more milk.<br />
If it’s not quite sweet enough for you,
add 1 teaspoon sugar.<br />
Serve in mugs with whipped cream.<br />
<br />
VARIATIONS<br />
<b>Orange Hot Chocolate</b>: Add 4 slices of orange rind as you warm the
milk mixture. Add a splash of orange syrup if you have it, but it isn’t
necessary.<br />
<b>Raspberry Hot Chocolate</b>: Add 3 tablespoons raspberry syrup to the hot chocolate. Drop a couple of raspberries into each cup. <br />
<b>Mint Hot Chocolate</b>: Drop 1 to 2 miniature peppermint patties into each mug before adding hot chocolate. Stir to melt. <br />
<b>Mexican Hot Chocolate</b>: Substitute 2 discs of Abuelita chocolate for
the chocolate chips. Simmer cinnamon sticks in the saucepan with the hot
chocolate. Add 1 cinnamon stick to each mug before serving.<br />
Garnish any and all variations with whipped cream or chocolate shavings.<br />
<br />
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/12/delicious-hot-chocolate/" target="_blank"> recipe found at the pioneer woman</a></b></span><br />
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<b>DIY Instant Hot Cocoa Mix </b>~ Recipe courtesy Alton Brown <br />
Serves:
<br />
5 1/2 cups dry mix
<br />
<br />
Ingredients
<br />
2 cups powdered sugar
<br />
1 cup cocoa (Dutch-process preferred)
<br />
2 1/2 cups powdered milk
<br />
1 teaspoon salt
<br />
2 teaspoons cornstarch
<br />
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
<br />
Hot water
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
Directions
<br />
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and
incorporate evenly. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In a small pot, heat 4 to 6 cups of water. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Fill your mug half full with the mixture and pour in hot water. Stir to combine. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Seal the rest in an airtight container, keeps indefinitely in the pantry. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This also works
great with warm milk.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/hot-cocoa-recipe/index.html" target="_blank">recipe found at food network</a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWSDPAD96TVgkZE8qi92ywjjAqZhVZgKIJHNRlLbW5cff64nusqgml7Inzc-oGOKqt5gbiQieLU5yuXEwxi6ItpQsibe0Lnn6GZa6uOurGvL7xu8TGmEQQuqfdghvKb43GBbI8x6MzmE/s1600/hot+chocolate+truffles.jpg" height="640" width="195" /></div>
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<h3>
<b>Hot Chocolate Truffles</b></h3>
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Yield: <span class="yield">15 truffles</span></div>
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<span class="pibfi_pinterest">
<img class="photo" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-slHmr15JQmk/TvVPaGZ22oI/AAAAAAAABGw/jcyKASBSy5Y/s1600/IMG_2153.JPG" style="width: 130px;" title="Hot Chocolate Truffles" />
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<div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-ingredients">
Ingredients</div>
<span id="zlrecipe-ingredients-list"><div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-0">
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
</div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-1">
1 cup heavy cream
</div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-2">
1 tablespoon sugar
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<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-3">
¼ teaspoon salt
</div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-4">
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
</div>
<div class="ingredient" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-5">
</div>
<div class="ingredient-label" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6">
cocoa powder, crushed candy canes, mini chocolate chips for rolling </div>
<div class="ingredient-label" id="zlrecipe-ingredient-6">
</div>
</span><div class="h-4 strong" id="zlrecipe-instructions">
Directions</div>
<span class="instructions" id="zlrecipe-instructions-list"><div class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-0">
1. Place all ingredients in a pot and melt together on low heat until smooth. Stir constantly.
</div>
<div class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-1">
2. Let cool in the fridge until stiff enough to scoop.
</div>
<div class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-2">
3. Make small scoops, about 2 Tablespoons each. And place them in the freezer for and hour.
</div>
<div class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-3">
4. Remove scoops, roll into balls.
</div>
<div class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-4">
5. Roll in
your choice of decoration. Crushed candy cane, cocoa, cinnamon, mini
marshmallows. (If you try the mini marshmallows, you really have to push
the marshmallows into the chocolate balls.)
</div>
<div class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-5">
6. Wrap each ball in suran wrap and keep chilled until ready to use.
</div>
<div class="instruction" id="zlrecipe-instruction-6">
7. When ready, drop chocolate balls into 1 ½ cups of hot milk and stir!</div>
</span></div>
<div id="zl-printed-copyright-statement">
Recipe found at <a href="http://www.yourcupofcake.com/2011/12/hot-chocolate-truffles.html" target="_blank">YourCupofCake</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div align="center">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://trolliord.webs.com/kids_dragging_Christmas_tree_1914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://trolliord.webs.com/kids_dragging_Christmas_tree_1914.jpg" height="223" width="400" /></a></b></span></div>
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>
</b></span></div>
<span class="size12 Helvetica12" style="color: #633100; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b> </b></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-55097081763823613172012-11-01T03:00:00.000-07:002012-10-26T14:07:20.440-07:00The Four Marvelous Brothers... a harvest tale from Laos<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/pumpkin-and-gourds-john-small.html" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKAWPlCgZZTmL2Pm8FD1sjPPqxBfNUZjRaNQanUbr7c4pYTUeIQbp0kpc8HYw5mn03-K8irQGGz45DusUcLDiHqkGSQw3W-5oaQlvv9M9QGCH0r0e31ae3tt6xBX0IHNZOSASiTN3IZw/s320/pumpkin-and-gourds-john-small.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/pumpkin-and-gourds-john-small.html" target="_blank">Pumpkin and Gourds by John Small</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>The Four Marvelous Brothers</b><br />
<br />
Once upon a time, there was a childless old couple who lived near the river bank at the foot of a high mountain. The couple had been poor ever since they had been married. The couple wished to have children to help them work and to continue their lineage. Other families near them enjoyed having children around. Those with children could travel here and there easily. For this poor old couple, they could not enjoy such pleasure. Even when they got exhausted, they could not afford to stop working. They had to work to earn their living.<br />
<br />
The poor couple consulted with each other one day: "We should go to ask for blessings from the devata <span style="color: blue;">(*similar to guardian spirits or angels)</span> guarding the high mountain. Perhaps we may have a meritorious child who is diligent and may be a great help to us in farming. He can look after us when we get sick or take care of our properties after we have passed on. Then, we can be like others in our village."<br />
<br />
Thus, the couple prepared flowers, candles, and incense sticks to go ask for a child as their wish. The two raised their joined hands in a prayer position and together they spoke: "Sathu, sathu, we are so poor and suffering. May the great devata bestow a great blessing on us. May we be granted a child of our own."<br />
<br />
On the way home, an unusual incident occurred. It so frightened them that they both turned pale. When they looked up in the sky, they saw a giant dragon blowing multicolored rays of fire down onto a bush right in front of them. <br />
<br />
The old couple thought, "There must be something magical happening there." After the dragon disappeared in the clouds, they rushed to look at the bush. They saw a golden pumpkin, a silver squash, and black and white grains, shining like diamonds and jewels. They carefully wrapped those things in a phakhawma, the all purpose cloth, and returned home.<br />
<br />
Once home, the couple did not know where to properly put those things. "How about putting them in a corner of the hut?" asked the husband. "Oh, no, they might get soiled," said the wife. "How about putting them in a jar?" asked the wife. "Oh, no, they might be too stuffy, " said the husband. Then, the husband had an idea. "I will weave a bamboo cradle and hang it in the middle of the room. What do you think, Wife?" The wife agreed, "That's a good idea. We could put our children in the cradle and rock them back and forth." The husband then began weaving the cradle. Once it was done, he hung the cradle in the middle of the room, and said to his wife, "Now we must take very good care of our children." And so they did; they loved their "children" as much as their own eyes.<br />
<br />
Days and nights went by, the golden pumpkin, the silver squash, the rice grain, and the sesame seed grew unusually large and heavy. The old couple could no long lift them. The wife could only rock the cradle back and forth, taking a very good care of them as if they were their own children.<br />
<br />
Ever since they have been in possession of the four things, the old man became stronger and more diligent. He went to work on his farm more regularly. Each day the old man would clear the entire mountain for farming without feeling tired. Each day he would plant his crops without the least fatigue. Each day, the old man would see more and more of the lush squashes, pumpkins, sesame seeds, and rice grains. He could not believe his own eyes, and each day he would say in awe, "Wow, look at all those crops. I can't possibly do all that by myself! That is the work of a hundred strong men." <br />
<br />
The old man came to tell his wife about what he saw. Both of them became amazed and puzzled. That night the couple had a plan. They went to bed earlier than usual so that they could wake up at night to watch their "children." Late at night, as the couple were hiding and watching the cradle, they became astounded and speechless. They saw four handsome young lads hatching out of the golden pumpkin, the silver squash, the rice grain, and the sesame seed, carrying farming tools in their hands. The four young men then left the hut. The couple hurried to hide the shells of the golden pumpkin, the silver squash, the rice grain, and the sesame seed before tracing the four young men's track. They wondered what they would be doing in the middle of the night. Once they reached the farm, they saw the four young men digging the earth, making vegetable beds, and planting something at great speed. It seemed as if they were using magic. <br />
<br />
As the dawn was approaching and the roosters began to crow, the four hurriedly walked home. Once home, they could not find their shells. They began searching for them, but in vain. Then, they began to discuss and reason. The old couple came out of hiding and said to them, "My sons, don't feel upset about this. You can live keeping your human forms and continue living with us. We love you so much." The four young men replied, "Dear Father, Dear Mother, if you so love us, please allow us to live in our shells until the proper time has come. We shall turn into complete human beings on the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month." The old couple listened in awe. "On that day, you must prepare a tray of flowers, candles, and incense sticks to present to the shells to pay homage to them on our behalf. Once we are out of the shells, we could continue doing the same thing on the same day each year. Then, the shells will become magic and good for healing all kinds of sickness." After so saying, the four young lads said goodbye and returned to live inside their shells again.<br />
<br />
On the full moon night of the twelfth lunar month, the old couple followed the young men's instructions. And the young men continued living and taking care of the couple happily until they reached the age of eighteen. Then, the sons begged their mother to carry a golden pumpkin, a silver squash, some rice, and sesame seeds to offer as gifts to the kings of four cities and ask for hands in marriage of the daughters of those kings. When the king of each city glanced at the golden pumpkin, the silver squash, the rice, and the sesame seeds, they became delighted and were more than happy to grant the old woman's request. The sons then became royal son-in-laws. Each son inherited the part of the kingdom together with subjects to be under his care. The golden pumpkin prince became Phya Muang Lum or king of the lowland whose protectorate covered lands along the Ngiew River. The silver squash prince became Phya Muang Fa, king of the great high mountains. The black sesame seed prince became Phya Muang Thoeng, king of the highlands which are Phu Xuang, Phu Saed, and Phu Daedka. The fourth prince became Phya Sipsong Hou Muang, king of the twelve areas.<br />
<br />
Since the four brothers went to rule the four cities, the shells of the golden pumpkins, the silver squash, the rice grains, and sesame seeds became mines of gold, silver, gems, and jewels spreading all over the lands. Thus, their subjects who were commoners could use those precious things for their ornaments.<br />
<br />
When farming season came, the kings came to help their people work in the fields and farms. Everyone was helping each other year in and year out until it became a custom for the people to lend helping hands in farming. Thus, each city became prosperous with graneries filled with rice, ponds filled with fish, farms filled with pumpkins, squashes, sesame plants, and rice of all kinds and colors, the black rice, the red rice, the brown rice.<br />
<br />
As time went by, the four kings led their people to build their cities to be prosperous with contented subjects. The old couple alternately went to visit their sons' families and grandchildren. They led the people in the rite of paying homage to the shells of the pumpkins, squashes, rice, and sesame seeds after the harvest was done on the full moon day in the twelfth lunar month.<br />
<br />
Since then, Lao people from some areas will hold a merit making ceremony after harvest each year. They believe that by having such a ceremony, the spirit of their deceased ancestors and relatives will receive the merit and would be contented and peaceful. The offering units in these ceremonies often include pumpkins, squashes, sesame seed bags, sticky rice and sesame seeds, sesame rice chips, rice grains, cooked rice, and popped-rice. When people fall ill, they would use dried shells of pumpkins, squashes, rice grains, and sesame seeds to mix with other ingredients to make medicine for healing, as told by the four brothers in the myth.<br />
<br />
<br />
tale found at <a href="http://seasite.niu/">seasite.niu</a><a href="http://www.seasite.niu.edu/lao/LaoFolkLiterature/Chapter2/chapter_2reading.htm">http://www.seasite.niu.edu/lao/LaoFolkLiterature/Chapter2/chapter_2reading.htm</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<u><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pumpkin Stuffed with Wild Rice </b></span></span></u><br />
recipe found at <a href="http://allrecipes.com/">allrecipes.com</a><br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="padding-right: 10px;" valign="top"><div>
<span style="color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold;">Prep Time: </span>15 Minutes</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold;">Cook Time: </span>2 Hours </div>
</td>
<td style="border-left-color: #ECE9D8; border-left-style: Solid; border-left-width: 1px; padding-left: 10px;"><div>
<span style="color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold;">Ready In: </span>2 Hours 15 Minutes</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold;">Servings: </span>8</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-color: #ECE9D8; border-style: Solid; border-width: 1px 0 0 0; margin: 12px 0 4px 0; padding-top: 8px;">
<span style="color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.05em; text-transform: uppercase;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="50%"><div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">
1 cup wild rice</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">
1 medium sugar pumpkin</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">
2 teaspoons salt</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">
2 tablespoons bacon grease</div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="50%"><div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">
1 pound ground beef</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">
1 onion, chopped</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">
3 eggs, beaten</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">
1 teaspoon dried sage</div>
<div style="margin: 0px 8px 4px 0px;">
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="border-color: #ECE9D8; border-style: Solid; border-width: 1px 0 0 0; margin: 12px 0 4px 0; padding-top: 8px;">
<span style="color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: 0.05em; text-transform: uppercase;">Directions:</span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td style="color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 5px;" valign="top">1.</td>
<td style="padding-bottom: 8px;" valign="top">In a saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add wild rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 hour, or until tender.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 5px;" valign="top">2.</td>
<td style="padding-bottom: 8px;" valign="top">Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 5px;" valign="top">3.</td>
<td style="padding-bottom: 8px;" valign="top">Remove the top of
the pumpkin and scoop out pulp and seeds. Prick the pumpkin interior
with a fork and rub with 1 teaspoon salt and dry mustard.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 5px;" valign="top">4.</td>
<td style="padding-bottom: 8px;" valign="top">Heat bacon grease in
a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the ground venison and
onion. Slowly cook and stir until evenly brown. Remove from heat. Mix in
the wild rice, remaining salt, eggs, sage and pepper. Stuff the pumpkin
with the venison mixture. Place pumpkin in a shallow baking pan with
1/2 inch water.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="color: #fb6400; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; padding-right: 5px;" valign="top">5.</td>
<td style="padding-bottom: 8px;" valign="top">Bake the pumpkin in the preheated oven 1 1/2 hours, or until tender. Add more water to the pan as necessary to avoid sticking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>a similar recipe can be found at</b> <a href="http://tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Stuffed-Pumpkin-Dinner">TasteofHome.com/Recipes/Stuffed-Pumpkin-Dinner</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-70039986050636673922012-10-08T12:54:00.001-07:002014-02-17T06:49:05.163-08:00The Gingerbread Boy<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/25877/25877-h/images/i012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/25877/25877-h/images/i012.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
<b>The Gingerbread Boy</b><br>
<br>
Now you shall hear a story that somebody's great-great-grandmother told a little girl ever so many years ago:<br>
<br>
There was once a little old man and a little old woman, who lived in a little old house in the edge of a wood. They would have been a very happy old couple but for one thing -- they had no little child, and they wished for one very much. One day, when the little old woman was baking gingerbread, she cut a cake in the shape of a little boy, and put it into the oven.<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9vYbpUujlokill1Fq-NWbrCBvvgWkOBy4uOlFYRxiOXyuvC1NhJqvBaHl3GVhxhJ6lJMzwFJ_oUfJZLOxXH8rRWyi1iz28h1nB0rlsgIb5Ai0Zyym48B4CafkWtgmNvqbtNFShANROQ/s640/blogger-image-1600396482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9vYbpUujlokill1Fq-NWbrCBvvgWkOBy4uOlFYRxiOXyuvC1NhJqvBaHl3GVhxhJ6lJMzwFJ_oUfJZLOxXH8rRWyi1iz28h1nB0rlsgIb5Ai0Zyym48B4CafkWtgmNvqbtNFShANROQ/s640/blogger-image-1600396482.jpg"></a></div><br></div>
<br>
Presently she went to the oven to see if it was baked. As soon as the oven door was opened, the little gingerbread boy jumped out, and began to run away as fast as he could go.<br>
<br>
The little old woman called her husband, and they both ran after him. But they could not catch him. And soon the gingerbread boy came to a barn full of threshers. He called out to them as he went by, saying: <br>
<br>
I've run away from a little old woman,<br>
A little old man,<br>
And I can run away from you, I can! <br>
<br>
<br>
Then the barn full of threshers set out to run after him. But, though they ran fast, they could not catch him. And he ran on till he came to a field full of mowers. He called out to them: <br>
<br>
I've run away from a little old woman,<br>
A little old man,<br>
A barn full of threshers,<br>
And I can run away from you, I can!<br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/27764/27764-h/images/gray175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/27764/27764-h/images/gray175.jpg" width="196"></a></div>
<br>
<br>
Then the mowers began to run after him, but they couldn't catch him. And he ran on till he came to a cow. He called out to her: <br>
<br>
I've run away from a little old woman,<br>
A little old man,<br>
A barn full of threshers,<br>
A field full of mowers,<br>
And I can run away from you, I can! <br>
<br>
<br>
But, though the cow started at once, she couldn't catch him. And soon he came to a pig. He called out to the pig: <br>
<br>
I've run away from a little old woman,<br>
A little old man,<br>
A barn full of threshers,<br>
A field full of mowers,<br>
A cow,<br>
And I can run away from you, I can! <br>
<br>
<br>
But the pig ran, and couldn't catch him. And he ran till he came across a fox, and to him he called out: <br>
<br>
I've run away from a little old woman,<br>
A little old man,<br>
A barn full of threshers,<br>
A field full of mowers,<br>
A cow and a pig,<br>
And I can run away from you, I can! <br>
<br>
<br>
Then the fox set out to run. Now foxes can run very fast, and so the fox soon caught the gingerbread boy and began to eat him up.<br>
<br>
Presently the gingerbread boy said, "Oh dear! I'm quarter gone!" And then, "Oh, I'm half gone!" And soon, "I'm three-quarters gone!" And at last, "I'm all gone!" and never spoke again.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<i>Story Source: St. Nicholas Magazine, vol. 2, no. 7 (May 1875),</i><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/gingerbread-cookies/92eccbd8-33d2-4f05-a09e-ea6722d67786?nicam1=paid_search&nichn1=Google&nipkw1=gingerbread%20cookies%20recipes&niseg1=TDCore_BC&nicreatID1=nonbranded&mkwid=s8T2jU99W&pcrid=6460473536&gclid=CM2f_feV8rICFaR9OgodZysA2Q" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/gmi-digital-library/08739359-13af-461a-8bf0-733e6b1def58.jpg" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/gingerbread-cookies/92eccbd8-33d2-4f05-a09e-ea6722d67786?nicam1=paid_search&nichn1=Google&nipkw1=gingerbread%20cookies%20recipes&niseg1=TDCore_BC&nicreatID1=nonbranded&mkwid=s8T2jU99W&pcrid=6460473536&gclid=CM2f_feV8rICFaR9OgodZysA2Q" target="_blank">Recipe and Picture found at Bettycrocker.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<h3>
<b> Gingerbread Cookies</b></h3>
<b>Ingredients: </b><br>
<div class="RecipeIngredientHeader" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_IngredientGroupListView_ctrl0_IngredientGroupNamePanel">
Cookies
</div>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
1 cup packed brown sugar
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
1/3 cup shortening
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
1 1/2 cups dark molasses
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
2/3 cup cold water
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
7 cups Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
2 teaspoons baking soda
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
2 teaspoons ground ginger
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
1 teaspoon ground allspice
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
1 teaspoon ground cloves
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
1/2 teaspoon salt
</dd></dl>
<div class="RecipeIngredientHeader" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_IngredientGroupListView_ctrl1_IngredientGroupNamePanel">
Frosting and Decorations
</div>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
4 cups powdered sugar
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">
<dt>
1 teaspoon vanilla
</dt>
</dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
4 to 5 tablespoons half-and-half
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
Food colors, if desired
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
Raisins or chocolate chips, if desired
</dd></dl>
<dl class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients"><dd>
Assorted candies, if desired
</dd></dl>
<div class="freeFormModule">
<div id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_ffrspot2_1_divBody">
<div class="couponCta">
<a href="http://www.bettycrocker.com/coupons-promotions/coupons/default"><br>
</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<ul class="instructions">
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span class="recipeStepHeading">
1
</span>
<span class="stepDescription instruction" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_MethodsListView_ctrl0_StepDescriptionItemLabel">In
large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, molasses and water with
electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon, until well blended.
Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span class="stepDescription instruction" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_MethodsListView_ctrl0_StepDescriptionItemLabel"> </span>
</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span class="recipeStepHeading">
2
</span>
<span class="stepDescription instruction" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_MethodsListView_ctrl1_StepDescriptionItemLabel">Heat
oven to 350°F. Grease cookie sheet lightly with shortening or spray
with cooking spray. On floured surface, roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut
with floured gingerbread cutter or other shaped cutter. On cookie sheet,
place cutouts about 2 inches apart</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span class="stepDescription instruction" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_MethodsListView_ctrl1_StepDescriptionItemLabel"> </span>
</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span class="recipeStepHeading">
3
</span>
<span class="stepDescription instruction" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_MethodsListView_ctrl2_StepDescriptionItemLabel">Bake
10 to 12 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched.
Immediately remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack. Cool completely,
about 30 minutes.</span></li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span class="stepDescription instruction" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_MethodsListView_ctrl2_StepDescriptionItemLabel"> </span>
</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions"><span class="recipeStepHeading">
4
</span>
<span class="stepDescription instruction" id="main_0_leftcolumn_0_MethodsListView_ctrl3_StepDescriptionItemLabel">In
medium bowl, mix powdered sugar, vanilla and half-and-half until
frosting is smooth and spreadable. Add food colors as desired. Frost
cookies; decorate with raisins, chocolate chips and candies.</span>
</li>
</ul>
<br>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-92026869105301595252012-06-13T16:15:00.001-07:002012-06-13T16:22:55.168-07:00The Three Lemons..... a Turkish tale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2bqpKivmXA6oOtoBKsp-zcUC4f_bjdTzYOqD2hciVz4OLGvb9yQtJYQaf0rngZnSXywFwgmMxlBv9UFwiZ73TAzRdobb59uIJIFbRjD7qLX8WtaUyuzDi40NxqQgu13rNi2raHVfvNs/s1600/lemon-tree-background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2bqpKivmXA6oOtoBKsp-zcUC4f_bjdTzYOqD2hciVz4OLGvb9yQtJYQaf0rngZnSXywFwgmMxlBv9UFwiZ73TAzRdobb59uIJIFbRjD7qLX8WtaUyuzDi40NxqQgu13rNi2raHVfvNs/s320/lemon-tree-background.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><div align="center">
</div>
<hr />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7685027145095922364" name="LEMONS"> </a><br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<img align="left" alt="A" src="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/tales/A-p231.jpeg" width="77" /> CERTAIN Sultan had a son of whom he was justly proud, for the young man was handsome and gay of temper, and had never been known to do an unworthy action. In the circle of the court he was the brightest star, and very sweet were the glances thrown him by the high-born ladies who served the Sultan. The Prince was courteous to them all, but he favoured no one, and as years went on, and he showed no signs of taking to himself a wife, the Sultan became disturbed.<br />
<br />
<br />
"My son," he said, "why do you not choose a bride? It is time you were married, for I should like to see you the father of children before I go to my rest. Surely it would be easy to find a mate amidst these fair women you see around you? I should experience no difficulty were I in your place." <br />
The young Prince looked at him thoughtfully.<br />
<br />
"I must have something more than any of them can give me, my father," he replied, "and if you really wish me to take a wife, I will go on a long journey, perhaps even round the world, and seek a princess whom I can love. She must be fair as the morning, white as the snow, and as pure as an angel."<br />
<br />
"Well said, my son," replied the Sultan. "I wish you good fortune and a safe return." And without more ado the Prince departed.<br />
<br />
The air was crisp with frost, and the glittering crystals of the snow threw back the radiance of the sunlight from bank to meadow. The waves that tossed and tumbled on the distant shore seemed to beckon him towards them, so he hastened to the coast, where he found a splendid vessel resting at anchor. While he was yet wondering how it had come there, and whither it was bound, invisible hands drew him on board, and, as his feet touched the deck, the anchor lifted, and the ship set sail.<br />
<br />
For three days and three nights it glided swiftly over the sea, steered by a shadowy pilot who spoke no word. On the morning of the fourth day it came to a stop beside a little islet, and the Prince was amazed to see his favourite horse issue from the hold, ready saddled and bridled. Concluding that he was expected to land, he led the horse on shore, and when he turned round to take another look at the ship, it had completely vanished.<br />
<br />
No sign of any habitation was to be seen, and the cold was so intense that he could scarcely hold the reins. In spite of this, he rode on and on, till at last he reached a small white house that stood by itself on the top of a hill, unsheltered from the wind. He knocked at the door with eager haste, hoping for the glimpse of a fire, and perhaps some food. His summons was answered by a venerable <img align="right" height="236" src="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/tales/233-100.jpeg" width="183" /> woman with scanty hair like wisps of snow, who stared at him inquiringly. <br />
"I seek a wife, good mother," said the Prince. "She must be the most beautiful princess in the world, and as good as she is beautiful. Can you tell me where to find her? "<br />
<br />
The old woman half shut the door. "You will not find her here," she said, "for I am Winter, and this is my kingdom. My sister Autumn perhaps may help you, but I have no time for thoughts of love. You will find her if you go straight on." <br />
The Prince thanked the old lady, and remounted his horse, hoping that Autumn would at least give him rest and refreshment. After a while he found that the snow had disappeared, and that luscious fruit now hung in clusters from the trees. The stubble of the corn tinted the fields with gold, and the squirrels were busily engaged in storing nuts for the winter. A little further on he came to a small brown house beside a wood, and, again dismounting, he knocked at the door. It was opened by a woman with abundant dark hair and eyes like sloes. Her cheeks were ruddy, and her look was kind; she did not, however, ask him in. <br />
"What are you seeking, young man?" she inquired in a gentle voice.<br />
<br />
"I seek a wife," he answered briefly.<br />
<br />
"Ah," she exclaimed, "then I cannot help you. My name is Autumn, and I am far too busy gathering fruit to have time to spare for such things as love and marriage. My sister Summer is full of dreams, and she may find you what you want."<br />
<br />
So saying, she shut the door, and as there was nothing else for him to do, the Prince resumed his journey. <br />
<img align="left" alt="H" height="137" src="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/tales/H-100.jpeg" width="144" /> E noticed ere long that the grass by the roadside was very tall, and that the fields were heavy with corn ready for harvest. The air was so warm that it touched his cheek caressingly, and the sun shone down so hotly that he was fain to unloose his coat. He was very glad when at last he saw a small yellow house shaded by a group of trees. As he knocked at the door, he heard the sound of a distant waterfall, and the hope of quenching his thirst was more in his mind just then than the fairest wife in Summer's kingdom. His summons was answered by a stately woman crowned with auburn tresses.<br />
<br />
"I am sorry I cannot help you," she said, when he had told her the object of his journey, "for I too am very busy. Hasten you to my sister Spring; she is the friend of lovers, and will surely aid you."<br />
<br />
So the Prince went on till he saw a little green house in a bower of lilac. Hyacinths and violets, jonquils, narcissi, and fragrant lilies-of-the-valley bloomed beneath the windows, and, when he knocked at the door, a little lady with flaxen hair, and eyes of soft deep violet, appeared on the threshold.<br />
<br />
"Won't you take pity on me?" he asked her eagerly. "Your sisters sent me on to you. I seek a wife, who must be fair as the morning, white as the snow, and pure as an angel from Heaven."<br />
<br />
"You ask a great deal," Spring told him, smilingly, "but I will do my best for you. Come in and rest–you must be tired and hungry." And to his great delight she ushered him into a long, low room, filled with the scent of flowers.<br />
<br />
When he had feasted on bread and honey, and quenched his thirst with sweet new milk, she brought him three fine lemons on a crystal tray. Beside them was a handsome silver knife, and a quaint gold cup of rare design.<br />
<br />
"These are magic gifts," she said, "so guard them carefully. Return at once to your own home, and make your way to the great fountains in the palace gardens. Having made quite sure that you are alone, take your silver knife and cut open the first lemon. As you do so, a lovely princess will instantly appear, and will ask you to give her water. If you at once offer her some in this golden cup, she will stay with you and be your wife, but should you hesitate, even for the space of a second, she will vanish into thin air, and you will never see her again."<br />
<br />
"I am not likely to be so foolish," said the Prince, "but if I do, shall I have no wife at all?"<br />
<br />
"You must then cut open the second lemon," Spring answered gravely, "and exactly the same thing will occur. If you hesitate this time also, and she too disappears, you will have one more chance with the third lemon. Should your wits fail you a third time, you will die without a mate."<br />
<br />
<img align="left" alt="T" height="140" src="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/tales/T-100.jpeg" width="138" /> HE Prince would have thanked her for her kindness, but she waved him away with a smile and a sigh, telling him not to delay. Full of joyful anticipation, he rode once more through the kingdoms of Summer, Autumn, and Winter, and when he arrived at the coast found the same stately vessel awaiting his pleasure. The wind was favourable on his homeward voyage, and in a very short time he had once more gained the precincts of his father's palace. Giving his horse into the care of a groom, he hurried into the great gardens, and, when he had filled Spring's gold cup with water from the splashing fountains, cut open the first lemon. He had no sooner done so, than a most exquisite Princess appeared before him, and with a timid glance asked him to give her water.<br />
<br />
"I am thirsty," she murmured. "Will you not let me drink from your golden cup?"<br />
<br />
The Prince was so lost in admiration that he could only gaze at her, and with a gesture of reproach the lovely maiden vanished. It was in vain that he lamented his stupidity. Do as he would, he could not call her back again, and with many regrets he cut the rind of the second lemon. Once more the gleaming spray of the dancing fountains took the form of a beautiful girl.<br />
<br />
"Fair as the morning and white as snow!" cried the Prince in rapture, too delighted to heed her request for a cup of water. He did not regain his senses until she also had disappeared, when he again bewailed his neglect of Spring's injunctions. With trembling fingers he inserted the silver knife into the third lemon, and as the pungent odour of the golden fruit escaped into the air another Princess appeared before him. Closing his eyes, lest they might be dazzled by her exceeding beauty, he immediately offered the golden cup. The maiden raised it to her lips with a bewitching smile, and drained it to its dregs. The Prince laughed aloud for joy; now at last he had found the bride he sought.<br />
<br />
No summer morning was fairer than she, for the whiteness of snow gleamed on chin and brow, and her expression was pure and gentle as an angel's. Drawing her down beside him on to a flowery bank, he held her hand and looked into her eyes.<br />
<br />
"Will you be my wife?" he whispered, and to his delight she answered, "Yes." <br />
<div align="center">
<img height="610" src="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/tales/f238-100.jpeg" width="395" /><br />
"HE IMMEDIATELY OFFERED THE GOLDEN CUP"<br />
<br /></div>
When his first raptures were over, he noticed, with some disappointment, the simplicity of his bride's gown. It was of some simple stuff the colour of running water, and hung in long flowing folds round her lissom form. No necklace broke the outline of her dainty throat, and she looked so different from the maidens of the court that the Prince, who, after all, was only a man, and not, perhaps, a very wise one, felt that something was lacking to complete her beauty.<br />
<br />
"Your robe is not worthy of you, dear love," he cried. "If you wait for me here, I will fetch you one of rich white satin from my father's palace, and a rope of pearls to twine around your neck."<br />
<br />
But the Princess knew that she needed no ornaments to enhance her beauty, and she did not wish him to leave her. Her lover, however, was so insistent that she consented to stay by the fountains while he went home, and, more in love with her than ever, he hurried away.<br />
<br />
Now the Princess was very timid, and as the Prince tarried long she grew frightened of being alone. So she stretched out her arms to a tree above her, and swung herself up that she might nestle amidst its branches. The foliage hid her slender limbs in their flowing draperies, but her exquisite face gleamed like a flower from a setting of glossy leaves, and was mirrored in the deep basin of the fountains. A very plain looking serving girl who came to fill her pitcher caught sight of its loveliness, and, since she had never gazed into a mirror, believed it to be her own.<br />
<br />
"Oh, how very handsome I am!" she murmured. "I am far too beautiful to do the bidding of any mistress. I will never draw water again." And flinging the pitcher from her, she strutted home with the air of a peacock. <br />
"Why have you come back empty-handed, Deborah?" inquired her mistress.<br />
<br />
<img align="left" alt="I" height="140" src="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/tales/I-100.jpeg" width="141" /> HAVE seen my face in the fountain," was the reply, "and I am much too lovely to fetch and carry like a poor slave." <br />
"Why, you are as plain as pudding!" her mistress retorted sharply. "Go back at once, and do as you are told."<br />
<br />
Deborah fetched another pitcher and went back to the fountains, grumbling the while. Again she caught sight of the Princess's face reflected in the water, and again her swarthy features became distorted with pride.<br />
<br />
"It is true!" she cried. "I am lovely as a dream. I will marry a prince, and live in a palace." With this she threw down the second pitcher, and flounced into her mistress's presence with such an assumption of dignity that that lady burst out laughing.<br />
<br />
"If you only knew how plain you are," she cried, when she could speak, "you would never talk such ridiculous nonsense." And daring her to return again without the water, she handed the mortified woman a third pitcher and sent her back to the fountain.<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
</div>
The flower-like face of the fair Princess smiled back at the angry serving girl as she bent over the pool, and the poor creature grinned and ogled.<br />
<br />
"But I am handsome," she cried triumphantly. "As handsome as a queen."<br />
<br />
She spoke so loudly that the Princess heard her, and her laugh rang out like a peal of bells. Looking hastily up, the Deborah saw her in the branches, and disappointed vanity rendered her almost speechless.... Her mistress was right then, after all, and the lovely vision she had seen in the water was not the reflection of herself. As she stared upward with dilated eyes, there came to her thoughts of revenge.<br />
<br />
"I will make her suffer for this," she murmured, but wreathing her wide lips in a false smile, she bade the Princess "Good morrow."<br />
<br />
"Why do you hide in a tree, lovely lady?" she asked her gently.<br />
<br />
"I am waiting for my Prince, who has gone to fetch me a satin robe, and a rope of pearls to twine round my neck," answered the Princess shyly.<br />
<br />
"Your golden hair has been tossed by the wind," remarked the servant girl. "Let me come up beside you, and I will make it smooth. It will not do to look untidy when your Prince arrives!"<br />
<br />
"How kind you are!" said the Princess, and as she bent her silken head towards the servant girl, the treacherous woman stabbed it with a long sharp pin.<br />
<br />
The Princess fell back, faint with pain, but before her body could touch the ground she turned into a snow-white pigeon, and flew off uttering plaintive cries.<br />
<br />
The serving girl took her place in the tree, and when at last the Prince appeared, bearing a satin robe and a bridal veil, it was she whom he saw looking down on him.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img align="left" alt="W" height="139" src="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/tales/W-100.jpeg" width="136" />
HERE is my sweet Princess?" he asked. "She is fair as the morning, and white as snow. What have you done with her?"
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
"Alas! dear Prince," answered the plain girl sadly, "while you were away an enchantress came and changed me into my present form. When you have proved your love by making me your wife, I shall, in three days' time, once more become a fair and beautiful Princess; but if you desert me, I must remain as I am for ever." <br />
<br />
Although he missed his lovely Princess, the Prince was a man of honour, and would not break his word. Calling the ladies who were waiting in the carriage which he had brought to convey his bride to the palace, he bade them array her in the satin gown, and, pretending not to see their astonishment, drove back with her to his father, introducing her as his promised wife.<br />
<br />
The Sultan was naturally surprised at her appearance, but when the Prince explained to <img align="left" height="235" src="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/tales/244-100.jpeg" width="180" /> him how matters stood, he agreed that he must marry her, and hope for the best.<br />
<br />
While the father and son talked thus together, the serving girl wandered over the palace, giving unnecessary orders to the servants, and making herself hateful to all. She even ventured into the great kitchens, and commanded the chief cook to prepare rich viands for her wedding ceremonies. As she issued her orders in a loud, harsh voice, she passed by the window, and noticed a slim white pigeon sitting on the sill.<br />
<br />
"Kill me that bird," she cried, "and cook it for my supper."<br />
<br />
Not daring to disobey her, the chief cook killed it immediately, plunging a sharp knife into its snowy breast. Three drops of blood fell from the windowsill into the courtyard, and a tiny seedling sprang from each of these. As if a fairy had waved her wand, they grew into trees of fragrant blossom, and in an instant the blossom turned into <b style="color: #bf9000;">golden lemons</b>.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile the Prince was seeking for his bride, for since he had set himself so distasteful a task, he wished to perform it well.<br />
<br />
"She is in the kitchen, your Royal Highness," he was informed by one of his shocked courtiers, and in going to meet her, the Prince passed under the lemon-trees. The sight of their fruit brought him a ray of hope, and gathering three of the finest that he could find, he hastened with them to his own room, where, having filled the golden cup with water, he plunged the blade of the silver knife into the rind of the first lemon.<br />
<br />
As before, a beautiful girl appeared, and stretched out her fair hands for the golden cup.<br />
<br />
"Ah, no!" he cried. "You are very charming, but you are not my Princess."<br />
<br />
He cut the rind of a second lemon, and as he did so the second Princess took form before him. He shook his head at her mute entreaty for a cup of water, and she too disappeared. Then he cut the rind of the third lemon, and lo, his own Princess was once more in his arms!<br />
<br />
<img align="left" alt="G" height="140" src="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/tales/G-100.jpeg" width="142" /> REAT was the joy and relief of the old Sultan when he heard from the Prince that this beautiful girl was his real bride, but he listened with a frown of anger as she told them all that had happened when her lover left her by the fountain. He ordered the serving girl to be immediately brought before him, and, regarding her very sternly, asked her what she would think a fitting punishment for an affront offered to the future wife of his dear son.<br />
<br />
"Nothing less than death," declared the spiteful girl, "and death by burning. Let the offender be cast into your Majesty's oven, and the great door shut."<br />
<br />
"Madam, you have passed sentence on yourself," replied the Sultan dryly, and, shrieking with terror, the serving girl was led away.<br />
<br />
But the sweet Princess would not let her suffer.<br />
<br />
"She is but a poor ignorant woman." she said, "Set her free, I entreat you, and let her go. This is the boon I ask you for my wedding gift."<br />
<br />
The Sultan could not refuse his new daughter's first request, and the Prince regarded her fondly. <br />
"I saw you were fair as morning, and white as snow," he murmured, "and now I know that you are sweet as an angel."<br />
<br />
And though the years to come brought him trouble and sorrow as well as joy, he was indeed blest. Beloved of all, his Princess wielded a gentle sway, and he never saw the fruit of a lemon without sending a grateful thought to Spring for the magic gifts by which he had fared so well. <br />
<i><br /></i> <br />
<i>"The Three Lemons." </i>from: <cite><a href="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/tales/tales.html">Folk Tales From Many Lands.</a></cite> retold by Lilian Gask published in 1910 <br />
original story can be found <a href="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/gask/tales/LEMONS.html" target="_blank">here</a> This story has been, for the most part, left as it appeared in the 1910 books I have changed a few descriptive words.<br /> <br />
<br /> <br />
Lemon Turkish Delight seemed to be just the right treat to make after this marvelous tale !<br />
<br /> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.chocolatebuttons.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/f0cc0cea74181e4da67f899f66d827ec/t/u/turkish-delight-lemon-bulk_1_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://www.chocolatebuttons.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/f0cc0cea74181e4da67f899f66d827ec/t/u/turkish-delight-lemon-bulk_1_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /> <br />
<br /> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: #bf9000;">Meyer Lemon Turkish Delight</b></span><br /> <br />
<div class="section clrfix ingredients">
(what is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_delight" target="_blank">Turkish Delight? ask Wiki!</a>)</div>
<div class="section clrfix ingredients">
Ingredients: <br /><ul><ul>
<li><span>
3 (1/4 ounce) envelope
unflavored gelatin
</span>
</li>
<li><span>
1/2 cup
cold water
</span>
</li>
<li><span>
2 cups
sugar
</span>
</li>
<li><span>
1/8 teaspoon
salt
</span>
</li>
<li><span>
1/2 cup
hot water
</span>
</li>
<li><span>
2 large
meyer lemons, juice and grated rind
</span>
</li>
<li><span>
yellow food coloring
(optional)
</span>
</li>
<li><span>
confectioners' sugar
</span>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="section clrfix directions">
<h2>
Directions</h2>
<ol>
<li><span>Soften the gelatin in the cold water.</span></li>
<li><span>Combine the sugar, salt and hot water in a saucepan; heat to boiling, stirring constantly.</span></li>
<li><span>Stir in the softened gelatin; turn the heat down and simmer, without stirring, for 20 minutes.</span></li>
<li><span>Remove from the heat and stir in the grated rind and
lemon juice, and a little yellow food coloring to tint the mixture, if
desired.</span></li>
<li><span>Let stand 3 minutes.</span></li>
<li><span>Strain the mixture into a 8 x 4-inch loaf pan which has been rinsed with cold water.</span></li>
<li><span>Let stand without disturbing until slightly jellied
(to prevent filming the sides of the pan); then refrigerate overnight.
Loosen around the sides of the pan with a wet spatula.</span></li>
<li><span>Slip the spatula down one end and underneath the
jellied mixture, then pull it out of the pan with your hands onto a
surface liberally dusted with confectioner's sugar.</span></li>
<li><span>Cut into 1-inch squares.</span></li>
<li><span>Roll in confectioners' sugar to coat. Store in one layer in a tightly covered container at room temperature.</span></li>
<li><span>The candies will stay moist for about 2 weeks.</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<br />
*If you don't have Meyer lemons, you can use regular lemons. You can also substitute oranges for lemons.<br /> <br />
recipe found at <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/meyer-lemon-turkish-delight-444369" target="_blank">food.com</a><br /> <br />
<a href="http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/credits.html"> </a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-20762150893123019302011-12-23T02:30:00.000-08:002012-08-07T13:00:22.946-07:00O-Jizo san, the grateful statues.....a tale from Japan<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZm0PVxdrUcrb5x1onRbohGOCTg-khns7DnnQiZqhZyKkWxggoI91FucBNyMHpls3o7Ias2oTztIUUWFHPb2cnYbFRVDwex0jN-6VRoHF_gni6N5EV-L6HydJeX2lDUfBa36ujToU3Jsg/s1600/800px-Zojoji_mini_Jizou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZm0PVxdrUcrb5x1onRbohGOCTg-khns7DnnQiZqhZyKkWxggoI91FucBNyMHpls3o7Ias2oTztIUUWFHPb2cnYbFRVDwex0jN-6VRoHF_gni6N5EV-L6HydJeX2lDUfBa36ujToU3Jsg/s320/800px-Zojoji_mini_Jizou.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini Jizo statues picture courtesy of Wikipedia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>O-Jizo san, The Grateful Statues </b><br />
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ONCE upon a time an old man and an old woman were living in a country village in Japan. They were very poor and spent every day weaving big hats out of straw. Whenever they finished a number of hats, the old man would take them to the nearest town to sell them. </div>
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One day the old man said to the old woman: "New Year's is the day after tomorrow. How I wish we had some rice-cakes to eat on New Year's Day! Even one or two little cakes would be enough. Without some rice-cakes we can't even celebrate New Year's." </div>
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"Well, then," said the old woman, "After you've sold these hats, why don't you buy some rice-cakes and bring them back with you?" </div>
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So early the next morning the old man took the five new hats that they had made, and went to town to sell them. But after he got to town he was unable to sell a single hat. And to make things still worse, it began to snow very hard. </div>
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The old man was very sad as he began trudging wearily back toward his village. He was going along a lonesome mountain trail when he suddenly came upon a row of six stone statues of Jizo, the protector of children, all covered with snow. </div>
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"My, my! Now isn't this a pity," the old man said. "These are only stone statues of Jizo, but even so just think how cold they must be standing here in the snow."</div>
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"I know what I'll do!" the old man suddenly said to himself. "This will be just the thing." </div>
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So he unfastened the five new hats from his back and began tying them, one by one, on the heads of the Jizo statues. <br />
When he came to the last statue he suddenly realized that all the hats were gone. "Oh, my!" he said, "I don't have enough hats." But then he remembered his own hat. So he took it off his head and tied it on the head of the last Jizo. Then he went on his way home. <br />
When he reached his house the old woman was waiting for him by the fire. She took one look at him and cried: "You must be frozen half to death. Quick! Come to the fire. What did you do with your hat?" <br />
The old man shook the snow out of his hair and came to the fire. He told the old woman how he had given all the new hats, and even his own hat, to the six stone Jizo. He told her he was sorry that he hadn't been able to bring any rice-cakes. <br />
"My! That was a very kind thing you did for the Jizo," said the old woman. She was very proud of the old man, and went on: "It's better to do a kind thing like that than to have all the rice-cakes in the world. We'll get along without any rice-cakes for New Year's." <br />
By this time it was late at night, so the old man and woman went to bed. And just before dawn, while they were still asleep, a very wonderful thing happened. Suddenly there was the sound of voices in the distance, singing: <br />
"A kind old man walking in the snow <br />
<br />
Gave all his hats to the stone Jizo. <br />
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So we bring him gifts with a yo-heave-ho!"<br />
The voices came nearer and nearer, and then you could hear the sound of footsteps on the snow. <br />
The sounds came right up to the house where the old man and woman were sleeping. And then all at once there was a great noise, as though something had been put down just in front of the house. <br />
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The old couple jumped out of bed and ran to the front door. When they opened it, what do you suppose they found? Well, right there at the door someone had spread a straw mat, and arranged very neatly on the mat was one of the biggest and most beautiful and freshest rice-cakes the old people had ever seen. </div>
"Whoever could have brought us such a wonderful gift?" they said, and looked about wonderingly. <br />
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They saw some tracks in the snow leading away from their house. The snow was all tinted with the colors of dawn, and there in the distance, walking over the snow, were the .six stone Jizo, still wearing the hats which the old man had given them. </div>
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The old man said: "It was the stone Jizo who brought this wonderful rice-cake to us." </div>
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The old woman said: "You did them a kind favor when you gave them your hats, so they brought this rice-cake to show their gratitude. </div>
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The old couple had a very wonderful New Year's Day celebration after all, because now they had this wonderful rice-cake to eat. </div>
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My friends at Wiki have the following information about Japanese Rice Cakes aka Mochi:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: blue;">Mochi (Japanese: 餅) is a Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice (not to be confused with gluten) pounded into paste and molded into shape. In Japan it is traditionally made in a ceremony called mochitsuki.[1] While also eaten year-round, mochi is a traditional food for the Japanese New Year and is commonly sold and eaten during that time. Mochi is also a prominent snack in Hawaii, South Korea, Taiwan (where it is called 麻糬, Hokkien môa-chî or Mandarin máshu), Cambodia, Thailand, and Indonesia.</span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://simplymochi.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/mochi-for-website16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="109" rea="true" src="http://simplymochi.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/mochi-for-website16.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
(picture found at SimplyMochi.com) <br />
<br />
Mochi can be made in many flavors and colors! Kids will love this!<br />
The following Mochi recipe is simple and can be made in a steamer or in the microwave. The video below the recipe demonstrates both methods of making mochi.<br />
<br />
<br />
Mochi Recipe ( Japanese Rice Cake Recipe )<br />
Mochi dough recipe :<br />
Ingredients :<br />
2 cups water<br />
2 cups glutinous rice flour ( mochiko )<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
potato starch, or soy bean flour for dusting ( katakuriko, or kinako )<br />
1 tbsp strawberry jam ( optional )<br />
1/4 tsp pandan ( screwpine leaf ) extract ( optional )<br />
<br />
Method :<br />
1) Sieve glutinous rice flour in a big bowl ( to prevent clumps) and set aside.<br />
2) Mix sifted glutinous rice flour, sugar and 2 cups water in a bowl. ( optional: add strawberry jam for pink mochi dough or pandan extract for green mochi dough)<br />
3) Making mochi<br />
Steaming method : pour flour mixture into an oiled pan. Place in steamer and steam on medium for 30-45 minutes.<br />
Microwave method : pour flour mixture into an oiled microwavable pan. Microwave 10-15 minutes covered.<br />
4) Dust some potato starch ( Katakuriko ) over a large flat-surfaced board. Knead dough until a smooth texture is achieved.<br />
5) Shape dough into mini-logs and cut into bite-sized portions.<br />
6) Fill or top dough with your favorite stuffing or topping.<br />
recipe found at <a href="http://www.meltingwok.com/">Melting Wok</a><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mo55230BiNY" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Orlando, FL, USA28.5383355 -81.379236528.4267415 -81.537165 28.6499295 -81.221308000000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-24178596908775238312011-06-05T13:35:00.000-07:002011-06-05T15:00:01.141-07:00Go Mango Walk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxs2r50Socju2UEbhBoXSFPF4VGjtJl5T9Al8-gkXZgF3QY31hTVKXVB5Epg4UgAcnPNgOeUPDNRqYjpz6LIVcvIQjokhiWqaDlin0OcjfpWdaFwQAuhciNDJ1UiyKqbf-IbUgPiNRwU/s1600/mat-happiness-in-a-mango-walk-1973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYxs2r50Socju2UEbhBoXSFPF4VGjtJl5T9Al8-gkXZgF3QY31hTVKXVB5Epg4UgAcnPNgOeUPDNRqYjpz6LIVcvIQjokhiWqaDlin0OcjfpWdaFwQAuhciNDJ1UiyKqbf-IbUgPiNRwU/s320/mat-happiness-in-a-mango-walk-1973.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><pre> <a href="http://nationalgalleryofjamaica.wordpress.com/2009/11/12/mallica-kapo-reynolds-1911-1989/">"Happiness in a Mango Walk" by Mallica "Kapo" Reynolds</a></pre><pre> </pre><pre><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em><strong>Mango Walk</strong></em> is a Jamaican folk song that has been performed by steele bands </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for many years.</span></pre><pre><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favorite version of this song was recorded by John Langstaff on his</span></pre><pre><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Songs for Singing Children" album. As far as I can find out "mango walk" </span></pre><pre><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">refers to a mango orchard, and "Number Eleven" is either a type of mango or a size.</span></pre><pre><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But no matter which explanation is correct, the song is just fun to sing.</span></pre><pre> </pre><pre><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mango Walk</b></span> </pre><br />
<pre></pre><pre><i><strong>Chorus:
My brother did a-tell me that you go mango walk,
You go mango walk, you go mango walk,
My brother did a-tell me that you go mango walk
And steal all the number 'leven.</strong></i>
Now tell me, Joe, do tell me for true,
Do tell me for true, do tell me,
That you don't go to no mango walk
And steal all the number 'leven. </pre><pre> </pre><pre><i><strong>Chorus</strong></i></pre><br />
<pre>I tell you, Sue, I tell you for true,
I tell you for true, I tell you
That I don't go to no mango walk
And steal all the number 'leven. </pre><pre> </pre><br />
<pre>a midi with the tune can be found at <a href="http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/song-midis/Mango_Walk.htm">traditionalmusic.co.uk </a></pre><pre> </pre><pre></pre><pre>information about mangoes can be found at <a href="http://www.freshforkids.com.au/fruit_pages/mango/mango.html">freshforkids.com</a></pre><pre> </pre><pre></pre><pre></pre><pre>One of the easiest ways for kids to eat a Mango is shown in this video.</pre><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nUoRr5P7kzU" width="425"></iframe><br />
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More Mango ideas:<br />
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<b>Mango pops:</b><br />
<ol><li>Puree fresh mango in a blender or food processor.</li>
<li>Pour the puree into ice cube trays</li>
<li>Cover the tray with plastic wrap</li>
<li>Place a popsicle stick or toothpick into each cube</li>
<li>Freeze.</li>
<li>Take out of the freezer when ready and Enjoy!</li>
</ol><br />
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 250px;"><tbody>
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</tbody></table><a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=7685027145095922364&postID=2417859690877523831" name="tangy mango smoothies"></a><br />
<h3>Mango-Pineapple-Banana Smoothie </h3><b>Ingredients:</b><br />
1 large mango diced and chilled<br />
5 slices canned pineapples chilled<br />
1 banana<br />
1 cup of Orange Pineapple juice<br />
4 ice cubes<br />
<b>Directions:</b><br />
<ol><li>In a BLENDER, blend the banana with the orange pineapple juice until banana is well mixed. </li>
<li>Next add the ice cubes,the mangos and the pineapples, blending for 1 minute on high or until ice is slushy. </li>
<li>Pour into glasses and enjoy! </li>
</ol><br />
Check out this super simple recipe for <a href="http://www.recipegoldmine.com/childrecipedess/spiky-mango-hedgehog.html">Spiky the Mango Hedgehog</a><br />
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This video demonstrates several ways to cut a mango.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lvLdPjpELyU" width="425"></iframe><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLKeeu4R1rORKbnyXoIhPGPiNNvxvEFPK5bBxde161YogoBbNyjPAZkQRKHP-jBJUSPjITQFTJNOIE-8Y6Vz7_YIT13tV3wExqc8i1W1Fa0mnYnTsoVR2sSXEXWE8DZ9eG-ttNstcTS0/s1600/mango+walk+music.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLKeeu4R1rORKbnyXoIhPGPiNNvxvEFPK5bBxde161YogoBbNyjPAZkQRKHP-jBJUSPjITQFTJNOIE-8Y6Vz7_YIT13tV3wExqc8i1W1Fa0mnYnTsoVR2sSXEXWE8DZ9eG-ttNstcTS0/s400/mango+walk+music.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmhpLd41jJE3kwabVR0p9tx3tKsRiyOaFVoP2U5LzlIeAUpowm382g8wimFt3OLZVRA4-OlDv2MTZG5nyYqArDMJdrE8gjEtXRSsk9lVuJh_N6D34tHRsogXI1U7eRJzpy2ivZ_SgKBE/s1600/recipe+mango+orange+yogurt+popsicles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmhpLd41jJE3kwabVR0p9tx3tKsRiyOaFVoP2U5LzlIeAUpowm382g8wimFt3OLZVRA4-OlDv2MTZG5nyYqArDMJdrE8gjEtXRSsk9lVuJh_N6D34tHRsogXI1U7eRJzpy2ivZ_SgKBE/s400/recipe+mango+orange+yogurt+popsicles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The fabulous recipe and picture above just found at <a href="http://www.6bittersweets.com/2011/05/guest-post-mango-orange-yogurt.html">6bittersweets</a>.com<br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B0000002BH&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0156705001&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><br />
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<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B000QQOY4G&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-66052743865545107632011-02-12T04:11:00.000-08:002011-02-12T19:19:08.411-08:00The Riddle Song<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkeBUZpqh2-TlV26CEC4cF7RHz77hrWL4n-A4yshj-jgYXRo8uSC7Y1WmbJnbUu9edbWzKbM49AV-cGuPWUne5AZ2GLELl9DWqhT21-zrTlbBQvrmTOFKdZQpVBuaJhw8y2UQO7DVm-w/s1600/cherries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkeBUZpqh2-TlV26CEC4cF7RHz77hrWL4n-A4yshj-jgYXRo8uSC7Y1WmbJnbUu9edbWzKbM49AV-cGuPWUne5AZ2GLELl9DWqhT21-zrTlbBQvrmTOFKdZQpVBuaJhw8y2UQO7DVm-w/s200/cherries.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>February is<i> National Cherry Month </i>and the first thing I thought of, after cherry pie, was a wonderful old folk song called<i> The Riddle song. </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> The Riddle Song</i> also known as <i>I Gave My Love A Cherry</i> or simply <i>The Cherry Song </i>is an English folk song. Usually sung as a lullaby, <i>The Riddle Song</i> is said to have been brought to the U.S. by the settlers who lived in the Appalachian mountains. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"> <b>I gave my love a cherry<br />
That had no stone<br />
I gave my love a chicken<br />
That had no bone<br />
I told my love a story<br />
That had no end<br />
I gave my love a baby<br />
With no crying.</b></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><b>How can there be a cherry<br />
That has no stone?<br />
And how can there be a chicken<br />
That has no bone?<br />
And how can there be a story<br />
That has no end?<br />
And how can there be a baby<br />
With no crying?</b></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><b>A cherry when it's blooming<br />
It has no stone<br />
A chicken when in the shell<br />
It has no bone<br />
The story of how I love you<br />
It has no end<br />
A baby when it's sleeping<br />
It's not crying.</b></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><i><br />
</i></div><div align="center"><i>(Note: The third item "a story that has no end" is sometimes changed to "a ring that has no end". Two video versions of this song can be found at the end of this blog after the recipe.</i>)<br />
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</div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Before the usual recipe, I thought I would add a few interesting facts about cherries and a quick and easy art project that you can do before or after your cooking project. <b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Cherry Art: </b><br />
Use a halved, pitted cherry to draw on paper.<br />
<br />
<b>Cherry Facts:</b> <br />
Sweet cherries are available in late spring. Sour cherries are available in June or July.<br />
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Cherries grow on trees like apples or plums.<br />
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Cherries are high in antioxidants and a source of beta carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. <div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
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</div><h2 class="highlight" id="articleHeadlineNew">Cherry-Lime Slush</h2><h2 class="highlight" id="articleHeadlineNew"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Makes 10 servings</span></span></h2>4 cups cherries (1 1/2 to 2 pounds), washed<br />
12 ounces frozen limeade<br />
1 tray of ice cubes<br />
1 cup sparkling water<br />
10 5-ounce paper cups<br />
<ol><li>De-stem and pit the cherries.</li>
<li>In a blender, purée the cherries with limeade and ice cubes until smooth.</li>
<li>Pour the mixture into a bowl.</li>
<li>Stir in sparkling water.</li>
<li>Spoon mixture into 5-ounce paper cups and freeze until firm but not solid, about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.</li>
</ol><div class="continueReading"></div><div class="continueReading"><i> recipe found at <a href="http://wondertime.go.com/life-at-home/article/cherry-lime-slush.html">wondertime</a></i></div><div class="continueReading"></div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ce_iH88i4_s" title="YouTube video player" width="480"></iframe><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-57349271518561073872010-09-05T05:52:00.000-07:002010-09-05T21:01:02.797-07:00The Talking Eggs...a story from Louisiana<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25XRXYkFrge0DABx2Eu5TXt9Y33yvdgQOCDd37FYoAbupP6u_LOrdZLTlSuKLWV8uE2w8TKxWmSS5oHkU81jv5Yq7CT4HNSrqCQoeAt90A5RBVB_6b4eMoBdKKepWo0X4XYmYdElVFro/s1600/talking+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25XRXYkFrge0DABx2Eu5TXt9Y33yvdgQOCDd37FYoAbupP6u_LOrdZLTlSuKLWV8uE2w8TKxWmSS5oHkU81jv5Yq7CT4HNSrqCQoeAt90A5RBVB_6b4eMoBdKKepWo0X4XYmYdElVFro/s320/talking+eggs.jpg" /></a></div>THE TALKING EGGS <br />
A Story from Louisiana <br />
<br />
There was once a widow who had two daughters, one named Rose and the other Blanche. <br />
<br />
Blanche was good and beautiful and gentle, but the mother cared nothing for her and gave her only hard words and harder blows; but she loved Rose as she loved the apple of her eye, because Rose was exactly like herself, coarse-looking, and with a bad temper and a sharp tongue. <br />
<br />
Blanche was obliged to work all day, but Rose sat in a chair with folded hands as though she were a fine lady, with nothing in the world to do. <br />
<br />
One day the mother sent Blanche to the well for a bucket of water. When she came to the well she saw an old woman sitting there. The woman was so very old that her nose and her 124 chin met, and her cheeks were as wrinkled as a walnut. <br />
<br />
“Good day to you, child,” said the old woman. <br />
<br />
“Good day, auntie,” answered Blanche. <br />
<br />
“Will you give me a drink of water?” asked the old woman. <br />
<br />
“Gladly,” said Blanche. She drew the bucket full of water, and tilted it so the old woman could drink, but the crone lifted the bucket in her two hands as though it were a feather and drank and drank till the water was all gone. Blanche had never seen any one drink so much; not a drop was left in the bucket. <br />
<br />
“May heaven bless you!” said the old woman, and then she went on her way. <br />
<br />
And now Blanche had to fill the bucket again, and it seemed as though her arms would break, she was so tired. <br />
<br />
When she went home her mother struck her because she had tarried so long at the well. Her blows made Blanche weep. Rose laughed when she saw her crying. <br />
<br />
The very next day the mother became angry over nothing and gave Blanche such a beating 125 that the girl ran away into the woods; she would not stay in the house any longer. She ran on and on, deeper and deeper into the forest, and there, in the deepest part, she met the old woman she had seen beside the well. <br />
<br />
“Where are you going, my child? And why are you weeping so bitterly?” asked the crone. <br />
<br />
“I am weeping because my mother beat me,” answered Blanche; “and now I have run away from her, and I do not know where to go.” <br />
<br />
“Then come with me,” said the old woman. “I will give you a shelter and a bite to eat, and in return there is many a task you can do for me. Only, whatever you may see as we journey along together you must not laugh nor say anything about it.” <br />
<br />
Blanche promised she would not, and then she trudged away at the old woman’s side. <br />
<br />
After a while they came to a hedge so thick and wide and so set with thorns that Blanche did not see how they could pass it without being torn to pieces, but the old hag waved her staff, and the branches parted before them and left 126 the path clear. Then, as they passed, the hedge closed together behind them. <br />
<br />
Blanche wondered but said nothing. <br />
<br />
A little further on they saw two axes fighting together with no hand to hold them. That seemed a curious thing, but still Blanche said nothing. <br />
<br />
Further on were two arms that strove against each other without a sound. Still Blanche was silent. <br />
<br />
Further on again two heads fought, butting each other like goats. Blanche looked and stared but said no word. Then the heads called to her. “You are a good girl, Blanche. Heaven will reward you.” <br />
<br />
After that she and her companion came to the hut where the old woman lived. They went in, and the hag bade Blanche gather some sticks of wood and build a fire. Meanwhile she sat down beside the hearth and took off her head. She put it in her lap and began to comb her hair and twist it up. <br />
<br />
Blanche was frightened, but she held her peace and built the fire as the old woman had 127 directed. When it was burning the old woman put back her head in place, and told Blanche to look on the shelf behind the door.<br />
<br />
“There you will find a bone; put it on to boil for our dinners,” said she. <br />
<br />
She sat down beside the hearth and took off her head. <br />
<br />
Blanche found the bone and put it on to boil, though it seemed a poor dinner. <br />
<br />
The old woman gave her a grain of rice and bade her grind it in the mortar. Blanche put the rice in the mortar and ground it with the pestle, and before she had been grinding two minutes the mortar was full of rice, enough for both of them and to spare. <br />
<br />
When it was time for dinner she looked in the pot and it was full of good, fresh meat. She and the old woman had all they could eat. <br />
<br />
After dinner was over the old woman lay down on the bed. “Oh, my back! Oh, my poor back! How it does ache,” groaned she. “Come hither and rub it.” <br />
<br />
Blanche came over and uncovered the old crone’s back, and she was surprised when she saw it; it was as hard and ridgy as a turtle’s. Still she said nothing but began to rub it. She 128 rubbed and rubbed till the skin was all worn off her hand. <br />
<br />
“That is good,” said the old woman. “Now I feel better.” She sat up and drew her clothes about her. Then she blew upon Blanche’s hand, and at once it was as well as ever. <br />
<br />
Blanche stayed with the old woman for three days and served her well; she neither asked questions nor spoke of what she saw. <br />
<br />
At the end of that time her mistress said to her, “My child, you have now been with me for three days, and I can keep you here no longer. You have served me well, and you shall not lack your reward. Go to the chicken-house and look in the nests. You will find there a number of eggs. Take all that say to you, ‘Take me,’ but those that say, ‘Do not take me,’ you must not touch.” <br />
<br />
Blanche went out to the chicken-house and looked in the nests. There were ever so many eggs; some of them were large and beautiful and white and shining and so pretty that she longed to take them, but each time she stretched out her hand toward one it cried, “Do not take 129 me.” Then she did not touch it. There were also some small, brown, muddy-looking eggs, and these called to her, “Take me!” So those were the ones she took. <br />
<br />
When she came back to the house the old woman looked to see which ones she had taken. “You have done what was right,” said she, “and you will not regret it.” She then showed Blanche a path by which she could return to her own home without having to pass through the thorn hedge. <br />
<br />
“As you go throw the eggs behind you,” she said, “and you will see what you shall see. One thing I can tell you, your mother will be glad enough to have you home again after that.” <br />
<br />
Blanche thanked her for the eggs, though she did not think much of them, and started out. After she had gone a little way she threw one of the eggs over her shoulder. It broke on the path, and a whole bucket full of gold poured out from it. Blanche had never seen so much gold in all her life before. <br />
<br />
She gathered it up in her apron and went a little farther, and then she threw another egg 130 over her shoulder. When it broke a whole bucket full of diamonds poured out over the path. They fairly dazzled the eyes, they were so bright and sparkling. <br />
<br />
Blanche gathered them up, and went on farther, and threw another egg over her shoulder. Out from it came all sorts of fine clothes, embroidered and set all over with gems. Blanche put them on, and then she looked like the most beautiful princess that ever was seen. <br />
<br />
She threw the last egg over her shoulder, and there stood a magnificent golden coach drawn by four white horses, and with coachman and footman all complete. Blanche stepped into the coach, and away they rolled to the door of her mother’s house without her ever having to give an order or speak a word. <br />
<br />
When her mother and sister heard the coach draw up at the door they ran out to see who was coming. There sat Blanche in the coach, all dressed in fine clothes, and with her lap full of gold and diamonds. <br />
<br />
Her mother welcomed her in and then began to question her as to how she had become so 131 rich and fine. It did not take her long to learn the whole story. <br />
<br />
Nothing would satisfy her but that Rose should go out into the forest, and find the old woman, and get her to take her home with her as a servant. <br />
<br />
Rose grumbled and muttered, for she was a lazy girl and had no wish to work for any one, whatever the reward, and she would rather have sat at home and dozed; but her mother pushed her out of the door, and so she had to go. <br />
<br />
She slouched along through the forest, and presently she met the old woman. “Will you take me home with you for a servant?” asked Rose. <br />
<br />
“Come with me if you will,” said the old woman, “but whatever you may see do not laugh nor say anything about it.” <br />
<br />
“I am a great laugher,” said Rose, and then she walked along with the old woman through the forest. <br />
<br />
Presently they came to the thorn hedge, and it opened before them just as it had when 132 Blanche had journeyed there. “That is a good thing,” said Rose. “If it had not done that, not a step farther would I have gone.” <br />
<br />
Soon they came to the place where the axes were fighting. Rose looked and stared, and then she began to laugh. <br />
<br />
A little later they came to where the arms were striving together, and at that Rose laughed harder still. But when she came to where the heads were butting each other, she laughed hardest of all. Then the heads opened their mouths and spoke to her. “Evil you are, and evil you will be, and no luck will come through your laughter.” <br />
<br />
Soon after they arrived at the old woman’s house. She pushed open the door, and they went in. The crone bade Rose gather sticks and build a fire; she herself sat down by the hearth, and took off her head, and began to comb and plait her hair. <br />
<br />
Rose stood and looked and laughed. “What a stupid old woman you are,” she said, “to take off your head to comb your hair!” and she laughed and laughed. 133 <br />
The old woman was very angry. Still she did not say anything. She put on her head and made up the fire herself. Rose would not do anything. She would not even put the pot on the fire. She was as lazy at the old woman’s house as she was at home, and the old crone was obliged to do the work herself. At the end of three days she said to Rose. “Now you must go home, for you are of no use to anybody, and I will keep you here no longer.” <br />
<br />
“Very well,” said Rose. “I am willing enough to go, but first pay me my wages.” <br />
<br />
“Very well,” said the old woman. “I will pay you. Go out to the chicken-house and look for eggs. All the eggs that say, ‘Take me’, you may have, but if they say, ‘Do not take me’, then you must not touch them.” <br />
<br />
Rose went out to the chicken-house and hunted about and soon found the eggs. Some were large and beautiful and white, and of these she gathered up an apronful, though they cried to her ever so loudly, “Do not take me.” Some of the eggs were small and ugly and brown. “Take me! Take me!” they cried. 134 <br />
“A pretty thing if I were to take you,” she cried. “You are fit for nothing but to be thrown out on the hillside.” <br />
<br />
She did not return to the hut to thank the old woman or bid her good-by but set off for home the way she had come. When she reached the thorn thicket it had closed together again. She had to force her way through, and the thorns scratched her face and hands and almost tore the clothes off her back. Still she comforted herself with the thought of all the riches she would get out of the eggs. <br />
<br />
She went a little farther, and then she took the eggs out of her apron. “Now I will have a fine coach to travel in the rest of the way,” said she, “and gay clothes and diamonds and money,” and she threw the eggs down in the path, and they all broke at once. But no clothes, nor jewels, nor fine coach, nor horses came out of them. Instead snakes and toads sprang forth, and all sorts of filth that covered her up to her knees and bespattered her clothing. <br />
<br />
Rose shrieked and ran, and the snakes and 135 toads pursued her, spitting venom, and the filth rolled after her like a tide. <br />
<br />
She reached her mother’s house, and burst open the door, and ran in, closing it behind her. “Look what Blanche has brought on me,” she sobbed. “This is all her fault.” <br />
<br />
The mother looked at her and saw the filth, and she was so angry she would not listen to a word Blanche said. She picked up a stick to beat her, but Blanche ran away out of the house and into the forest. She did not stop for her clothes or her jewels or anything. <br />
<br />
She had not gone very far before she heard a noise behind her. She looked over her shoulder, and there was her golden coach rolling after her. Blanche waited until it caught up to her, and then she opened the door and stepped inside, and there were all her diamonds and gold lying in a heap. Her mother and Rose had not been able to keep any of them. <br />
<br />
Blanche rode along for a long while, and then she came to a grand castle, and the King and Queen of the country lived there. The coach drew up at the door, and every one came running 136 out to greet her. They thought she must be some great Princess come to visit them, but Blanche told them she was not a Princess, but only the daughter of a poor widow, and that all the fine things she had, had come out of some eggs an old woman had given her. <br />
<br />
When the people heard this they were very much surprised. They took her in to see the King and Queen, and the King and Queen made her welcome. She told them her story, and they were so sorry for her they declared she should live there with them always and be as a daughter to them. <br />
<br />
So Blanche became a grand lady, and after a while she was married to the Prince, the son of the old King and Queen, and she was beloved by all because she was so good and gentle. <br />
<br />
But when Blanche’s mother and sister heard of the good fortune that had come to her, and how she had become the bride of the Prince, they were ready to burst with rage and spite. Moreover they turned quite green with envy, and green they may have remained to the end of their lives, for all that I know to the contrary. <br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>from <u>Tales of Folks and Fairies</u> written and illustrated by Katherine Pyle in 1919</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrImh0OBYUVWKo_lh-PD2mcwMyYXqPpRbovTg1Lh9mv8-qI53vqv_T9J2DD8A1AT0aeTuS4ihLiPL_y47zdi8qvUuwCLf4oJ7s_KrrAsuft3uAO9FJrXFbYRf31r8Jn0AR8_UNxQc1GK4/s1600/sausage-breakfast-burrito-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrImh0OBYUVWKo_lh-PD2mcwMyYXqPpRbovTg1Lh9mv8-qI53vqv_T9J2DD8A1AT0aeTuS4ihLiPL_y47zdi8qvUuwCLf4oJ7s_KrrAsuft3uAO9FJrXFbYRf31r8Jn0AR8_UNxQc1GK4/s320/sausage-breakfast-burrito-small.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Breakfast Tortillas</b></span><br />
recipe found at <a href="http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1687538">myrecipes.com</a><br />
<br />
Prep: 5 min., Bake: 10 min., Cook: 13 min.<br />
Wrap these individually in parchment paper or foil for a portable breakfast.<br />
<br />
Yield: Makes 10 servings<br />
Ingredients<br />
<br />
* 10 (6-inch) fajita-size flour tortillas<br />
* 1/2 (16-oz.) package ground pork sausage<br />
* 6 large eggs<br />
* Vegetable cooking spray<br />
* 1/2 cup shredded colby-Jack cheese blend<br />
* Salsa (optional)<br />
* Sour cream (optional)<br />
<br />
Preparation<br />
<br />
1. Wrap tortillas loosely with aluminum foil, and place in a 250° oven for 10 minutes.<br />
2. Meanwhile, cook sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 8 minutes or until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink; drain, remove sausage from skillet, and pat dry with paper towels.<br />
3. Wipe skillet clean. Reduce heat to medium.<br />
4. Whisk together eggs and 2 Tbsp. water.<br />
5. Coat same skillet with cooking spray; add egg mixture, and cook, without stirring, 2 to 3 minutes or until eggs begin to set on bottom. Gently draw cooked edges away from sides of pan to form large pieces.<br />
6. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes or until eggs are thickened but still moist. (Do not over stir.)<br />
7. Spoon sausage and eggs evenly onto tortillas, and sprinkle with cheese; roll up tortillas. Serve with salsa and sour cream, if desired.<br />
<br />
Note: To lighten, substitute 1 1/2 cups egg substitute for eggs and reduced-fat pork sausage for sausage.<br />
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0803706197&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0739336487&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0763603988&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-40270922880946467612010-08-08T15:57:00.000-07:002010-08-08T20:09:26.615-07:00The Peasant and the Cucumbers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIijPQCbXfuWuIzZP0Rp-u_EopMhVCN5AorfZzY1pa95y3MSvfHzWyYh3-Jsq_S81PZxV7nXThSf_JE2MixpFgOaNZO4DLfmr1D8eOq8UFpLEIbOpg6UxwQ6mkkD8A3vHZGBIQrI4i2hE/s1600/cucumber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIijPQCbXfuWuIzZP0Rp-u_EopMhVCN5AorfZzY1pa95y3MSvfHzWyYh3-Jsq_S81PZxV7nXThSf_JE2MixpFgOaNZO4DLfmr1D8eOq8UFpLEIbOpg6UxwQ6mkkD8A3vHZGBIQrI4i2hE/s320/cucumber.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
A peasant once went to the gardener's, to steal cucumbers.<br />
<br />
He crept up to the cucumbers, and thought, "I will carry off a bag of cucumbers, which I will sell; with the money I will buy a hen.<br />
<br />
The hen will lay eggs, hatch them, and raise a lot of chicks.<br />
I will feed the chicks and sell them; then I will buy me a young sow, and she will bear a lot of pigs.<br />
<br />
I will sell the pigs, and buy me a mare; the mare will foal me some colts. I will raise the colts, and sell them.<br />
<br />
I will buy me a house, and start a garden. In the garden I will sow cucumbers, and will not let them be stolen, but will keep a sharp watch on them.<br />
<br />
I will hire watchmen, and put them in the cucumber patch, while I myself will come on them, unawares, and shout, 'Oh, there, keep a sharp lookout!'"<br />
<br />
And this he shouted as loud as he could.<br />
<br />
The watchmen heard it, and they rushed out and beat the peasant. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>story source:</b> <i>Fables for Children; Stories for Children; Natural Science Stories written by Leo Tolstoy translated by Leo Wiener published 1904 </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjSYRV9crXZ1FST7injwq-OGrwytIhuMabiUeeAgJ9_BVsn-Qb_qH2up2AqvJ5OhozWnKrc_99d7u98VHrFQa4-KuS3_8sJxBZmOFvdH73exfSIqWJXCzW8kiEVc9ELCW6u9N4udNnUs/s1600/cucumbers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjSYRV9crXZ1FST7injwq-OGrwytIhuMabiUeeAgJ9_BVsn-Qb_qH2up2AqvJ5OhozWnKrc_99d7u98VHrFQa4-KuS3_8sJxBZmOFvdH73exfSIqWJXCzW8kiEVc9ELCW6u9N4udNnUs/s320/cucumbers.jpg" /></a></div>I have two cool and yummy recipes for you. Both are<br />
great ways to get kids to eat their veggies!<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #93c47d;"><b>Cucumber Slushie</b></div>Ingredients: <br />
1 large cucumber, peeled and cut into pieces<br />
2 cups of water<br />
1 cup of ice<br />
3 tablespoons of sugar (or to taste)<br />
the juice of 1/4 lemon or 1/2 lime <br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
Place all of your ingredients in blender, and puree until completely smooth<br />
Serve immediately.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: #93c47d;"><b>Cool Mint Cucumber Soup</b></div>Ingredients: <br />
1 cup of plain yogurt<br />
2 large cucumbers, peeled, seeded and chopped<br />
Juice of 1/2 a lemon (add to taste)<br />
1 to 2 teaspoons of chopped garlic (to taste)<br />
1 to 2 tablespoons of honey (to taste) <br />
Chopped fresh mint (to taste)<br />
Salt and pepper (to taste)<br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
Place all of the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.<br />
The items that are listed as _to taste_ can be added slowly and you should taste as you go. <br />
Chill soup, well (approximately 2 hours).<br />
Served garnished with a few fresh mint leaves and/or with pieces of very finely chopped cucumber.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0689844964&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0764559591&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe><iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0756629160&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-40783078044580181542010-06-30T07:14:00.000-07:002010-07-02T11:53:58.582-07:00The Origin of Strawberries....a Native American Folktale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXcFZodL1y2Wx1EZPMZbAY0fzyTnyZ1ffLf5aNmnvrE1jmuOxo618D26clDkwKEido78J9w8winsqXejJrARxrEI1fNzsIPB2Sje3rviYOpjZh04pzzncBqkZrNs1ebEJX-GUm4y0VEc/s1600/tamestraw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXcFZodL1y2Wx1EZPMZbAY0fzyTnyZ1ffLf5aNmnvrE1jmuOxo618D26clDkwKEido78J9w8winsqXejJrARxrEI1fNzsIPB2Sje3rviYOpjZh04pzzncBqkZrNs1ebEJX-GUm4y0VEc/s320/tamestraw.jpg" /></a></div>Soon after the Great Spirit created the first man and the first woman, they began to quarrel. Nobody remembers why, but because of it, the first woman ran away in great anger. Soon, the first man became very sad, and began to moan and weep. The Great Spirit heard his cries and felt sorry for him. "Would you like to see your wife again?" he asked. "If only she'd come back," the first man promised, "I'll never quarrel with her again!"<br />
<br />
"Go find her, then," said the Great Spirit. The first man ran after her, but the first woman had too great a head start. So the Great Spirit created a huge patch of <b>blueberries</b> in her path, hoping she would stop to eat. But she was so angry, she didn't even slow down.<br />
<br />
Next, he tried <b>raspberries</b>, then <b>currants</b>, and even <b>blackberries</b>. Although the thorns tore her clothes and scratched her, she kept going.<br />
<br />
Finally, the Great Spirit created a new berry growing along the ground, and she slowed down to try one. It was so good, she stopped to pick more. That was how the first man finally caught up to her and apologized. They made up, and the <b>strawberry</b> is still shaped like a heart because it symbolizes the love of The First Man and The First Woman.<br />
And Native people call it the heartberry.<br />
<br />
<br />
July is Blueberry Month, unfortunately, I couldn't find any blueberry stories (if anyone knows of any tales with blueberries in them let me know). So, I figured a tale about berries of any kind, that at least mentioned blueberries, would do.<br />
<br />
I've found some really simple recipes for jams that kids will love.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXipXjG17IY33KA57oukG1LDRyPt2L7t7NVy_bdaz6Z2b1TjRgztdHZQuJxWOd0nafTKwA0N6CYFQMrIUInkRqYTraQd_5BFxwIDE3tgDXhGREdZAMHETlc6zINhewKmZiLRGOfaOj2HY/s1600/Strawberry+jam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXipXjG17IY33KA57oukG1LDRyPt2L7t7NVy_bdaz6Z2b1TjRgztdHZQuJxWOd0nafTKwA0N6CYFQMrIUInkRqYTraQd_5BFxwIDE3tgDXhGREdZAMHETlc6zINhewKmZiLRGOfaOj2HY/s320/Strawberry+jam.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b>Easy No Cook Jam</b><br />
2 cups of fresh berries, whatever kind you wish<br />
1/3 cup of sugar<br />
lemon juice, optional<br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
<ol><li>Use a potato masher to mash berries</li>
<li>Sprinkle with sugar and let it sit out for half an hour.</li>
<li>Stir.</li>
<li>Add a little lemon juice if you wish.</li>
<li>That's it! Your Jam will keep for approximately three days in the fridge.</li>
</ol>This is a really quick and simple way to make jam in a microwave. I love it!<br />
<object height="405" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oLfEY-IRX9M&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oLfEY-IRX9M&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>5 Minute Strawberry Jam – easy kids recipe</b><br />
Ingredients <br />
1-pint strawberries, hulled and sliced <br />
2-tablespoons fruit pectin <br />
1 teaspoon butter <br />
1-cup sugar <br />
2 8-ounce jelly jars <br />
<br />
Directions <br />
<ol><li>In a medium sized bowl, crush the strawberries with a potato masher</li>
<li>In a saucepan, combine the crushed strawberries, pectin, and butter.</li>
<li>Stirring constantly, cook over medium-high heat, until the mixture boils.</li>
<li>Add the sugar and bring to a boil.</li>
<li>Boil for 1 minute and remove from the heat.</li>
<li>Pour the jam into the jars. Seal.</li>
<li>Refrigerate until the jam is set, approximately 6 hours. </li>
<li>Keep jam refrigerated. It will keep for up to 3 weeks. </li>
</ol><br />
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0140564098&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0859533301&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=0689803818&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-35960877778949223082010-05-04T16:21:00.000-07:002010-05-04T16:21:52.058-07:00The Salad....a tale from the Brothers Grimm (just in time for National Salad Month)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53hAzsFP_43h5wFlkojUoG66yanNyxUfcsNZU-tH3djgF3yGZnCObGjnwvc03r9X1BhgOHfqBtcSXBJ7ExSiP2zJ77MsWy8yjDmxjGCL8BkjbAsKQsVf-34087Y4vJgWnUjJZYjaSyc4/s1600/salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53hAzsFP_43h5wFlkojUoG66yanNyxUfcsNZU-tH3djgF3yGZnCObGjnwvc03r9X1BhgOHfqBtcSXBJ7ExSiP2zJ77MsWy8yjDmxjGCL8BkjbAsKQsVf-34087Y4vJgWnUjJZYjaSyc4/s320/salad.jpg" /></a></div><b>THE SALAD</b><br />
<br />
As a merry young huntsman was once going briskly along through a wood, there came up a little old woman, and said to him,<br />
'Good day, good day; you seem merry enough, but I am hungry and thirsty; do pray give me something to eat.' <br />
<br />
The huntsman took pity on her, and put his hand in his pocket and gave her what he had. Then he wanted to go his way; but she took hold of him, and said, <br />
<br />
'Listen, my friend, to what I am going to tell you; I will reward you for your kindness; go your way, and after a little time you will come to a tree where you will see nine birds sitting on a cloak. Shoot into the midst of them, and one will fall down dead: the cloak will fall too; take it, it is a wishing-cloak, and when you wear it you will find yourself at any place where you may wish to be. Cut open the dead bird, take out its heart and keep it, and you will find a piece of gold under your pillow every morning when you rise. It is the bird's heart that will bring you this good luck.'<br />
<br />
The huntsman thanked her, and thought to himself, 'If all this does happen, it will be a fine thing for me.' <br />
<br />
When he had gone a hundred steps or so, he heard a screaming and chirping in the branches over him, and looked up and saw a flock of birds pulling a cloak with their bills and feet; screaming, fighting, and tugging at each other as if each wished to have it himself. <br />
<br />
'Well,' said the huntsman, 'this is wonderful; this happens just as the old woman said'; then he shot into the midst of them so that their feathers flew all about. Off went the flock chattering away; but one fell down dead, and the cloak with it. Then the huntsman did as the old woman told him, cut open the bird, took out the heart, and carried the cloak home with him.<br />
<br />
The next morning when he awoke he lifted up his pillow, and there lay the piece of gold glittering underneath; the same happened next day, and indeed every day when he arose. He heaped up a great deal of gold, and at last thought to himself, 'Of what use is this gold to me whilst I am at home? I will go out into the world and look about me.'<br />
<br />
Then he took leave of his friends, and hung his bag and bow about his neck, and went his way. It so happened that his road one day led through a thick wood, at the end of which was a large castle in a green meadow, and at one of the windows stood an old woman with a very beautiful young lady by her side looking about them. <br />
<br />
Now the old woman was a witch, and said to the young lady, 'There is a young man coming out of the wood who carries a wonderful prize; we must get it away from him, my dear child, for it is more fit for us than for him. He has a bird's heart that brings a piece of gold under his pillow every morning.' <br />
<br />
Meantime the huntsman came nearer and looked at the lady, and said to himself, 'I have been travelling so long that I should like to go into this castle and rest myself, for I have money enough to pay for anything I want'; but the real reason was, that he wanted to see more of the beautiful lady. <br />
<br />
Then he went into the house, and was welcomed kindly; and it was not long before he was so much in love that he thought of nothing else but looking at the lady's eyes, and doing everything that she wished. <br />
<br />
Then the old woman said, 'Now is the time for getting the bird's heart.' So the lady stole it away, and he never found any more gold under his pillow, for it lay now under the young lady's, and the old woman took it away every morning; but he was so much in love that he never missed his prize.<br />
<br />
'Well,' said the old witch, 'we have got the bird's heart, but not the wishing-cloak yet, and that we must also get.' <br />
<br />
'Let us leave him that,' said the young lady; 'he has already lost his wealth.' <br />
<br />
Then the witch was very angry, and said, 'Such a cloak is a very rare and wonderful thing, and I must and will have it.' <br />
<br />
So she did as the old woman told her, and set herself at the window, and looked about the country and seemed very sorrowful; then the huntsman said, 'What makes you so sad?' <br />
<br />
'Alas! dear sir,' said she, 'yonder lies the granite rock where all the costly diamonds grow, and I want so much to go there, that whenever I think of it I cannot help being sorrowful, for who can reach it? only the birds and the flies—man cannot.' <br />
<br />
'If that's all your grief,' said the huntsman, 'I'll take there with all my heart'; so he drew her under his cloak, and the moment he wished to be on the granite mountain they were both there. <br />
<br />
The diamonds glittered so on all sides that they were delighted with the sight and picked up the finest. <br />
<br />
But the old witch made a deep sleep come upon him, and he said to the young lady, 'Let us sit down and rest ourselves a little, I am so tired that I cannot stand any longer.' So they sat down, and he laid his head in her lap and fell asleep; and whilst he was sleeping on she took the cloak from his shoulders, hung it on her own, picked up the diamonds, and wished herself home again.<br />
<br />
When he awoke and found that his lady had tricked him, and left him alone on the wild rock, he said, 'Alas! what roguery there is in the world!' and there he sat in great grief and fear, not knowing what to do. <br />
<br />
Now this rock belonged to fierce giants who lived upon it; and as he saw three of them striding about, he thought to himself, 'I can only save myself by feigning to be asleep'; so he laid himself down as if he were in a sound sleep. <br />
<br />
When the giants came up to him, the first pushed him with his foot, and said, 'What worm is this that lies here curled up?' <br />
<br />
'Tread upon him and kill him,' said the second. <br />
<br />
'It's not worth the trouble,' said the third; 'let him live, he'll go climbing higher up the mountain, and some cloud will come rolling and carry him away.' <br />
And they passed on. <br />
<br />
But the huntsman had heard all they said; and as soon as they were gone, he climbed to the top of the mountain, and when he had sat there a short time a cloud came rolling around him, and caught him in a whirlwind and bore him along for some time, till it settled in a garden, and he fell quite gently to the ground amongst the greens and cabbages.<br />
<br />
Then he looked around him, and said, 'I wish I had something to eat, if not I shall be worse off than before; for here I see neither apples nor pears, nor any kind of fruits, nothing but vegetables.' <br />
<br />
At last he thought to himself, 'I can eat salad, it will refresh and strengthen me.' So he picked out a fine head and ate of it; but scarcely had he swallowed two bites when he felt himself quite changed, and saw with horror that he was turned into an ass. <br />
However, he still felt very hungry, and the salad tasted very nice; so he ate on till he came to another kind of salad, and scarcely had he tasted it when he felt another change come over him, and soon saw that he was lucky enough to have found his old shape again.<br />
<br />
Then he laid himself down and slept off a little of his weariness; and when he awoke the next morning he broke off a head both of the good and the bad salad, and thought to himself, 'This will help me to my fortune again, and enable me to pay off some folks for their treachery.' <br />
<br />
So he went away to try and find the castle of his friends; and after wandering about a few days he luckily found it. <br />
<br />
Then he stained his face all over brown, so that even his mother would not have known him, and went into the castle and asked for a lodging; 'I am so tired,' said he, 'that I can go no farther.' <br />
<br />
'Countryman,' said the witch, 'who are you? and what is your business?' <br />
<br />
'I am,' said he, 'a messenger sent by the king to find the finest salad that grows under the sun. I have been lucky enough to find it, and have brought it with me; but the heat of the sun scorches so that it begins to wither, and I don't know that I can carry it farther.'<br />
<br />
When the witch and the young lady heard of his beautiful salad, they longed to taste it, and said, 'Dear countryman, let us just taste it.'<br />
<br />
'To be sure,' answered he; 'I have two heads of it with me, and will give you one'; so he opened his bag and gave them the bad. <br />
<br />
Then the witch herself took it into the kitchen to be dressed; and when it was ready she could not wait till it was carried up, but took a few leaves immediately and put them in her mouth, and scarcely were they swallowed when she lost her own form and ran braying down into the court in the form of an ass. <br />
<br />
Now the servant-maid came into the kitchen, and seeing the salad ready, was going to carry it up; but on the way she too felt a wish to taste it as the old woman had done, and ate some leaves; so she also was turned into an ass and ran after the other, letting the dish with the salad fall on the ground. <br />
<br />
The messenger sat all this time with the beautiful young lady, and as nobody came with the salad and she longed to taste it, she said, 'I don't know where the salad can be.' Then he thought something must have happened, and said, 'I will go into the kitchen and see.' And as he went he saw two asses in the court running about, and the salad lying on the ground. <br />
<br />
'All right!' said he; 'those two have had their share.' Then he took up the rest of the leaves, laid them on the dish and brought them to the young lady, saying, 'I bring you the dish myself that you may not wait any longer.' So she ate of it, and like the others ran off into the court braying away.<br />
<br />
Then the huntsman washed his face and went into the court that they might know him. 'Now you shall be paid for your roguery,' said he; and tied them all three to a rope and took them along with him till he came to a mill and knocked at the window<br />
<br />
'What's the matter?' said the miller. 'I have three tiresome beasts here,' said the other; 'if you will take them, give them food and room, and treat them as I tell you, I will pay you whatever you ask.' <br />
<br />
'With all my heart,' said the miller; 'but how shall I treat them?' Then the huntsman said, 'Give the old one stripes three times a day and hay once; give the next (who was the servant-maid) stripes once a day and hay three times; and give the youngest (who was the beautiful lady) hay three times a day and no stripes': for he could not find it in his heart to have her beaten. After this he went back to the castle, where he found everything he wanted.<br />
<br />
Some days after, the miller came to him and told him that the old ass was dead; 'The other two,' said he, 'are alive and eat, but are so sorrowful that they cannot last long.' <br />
<br />
Then the huntsman pitied them, and told the miller to drive them back to him, and when they came, he gave them some of the good salad to eat. <br />
<br />
And the beautiful young lady fell upon her knees before him, and said, 'O dearest huntsman! forgive me all the ill I have done you; my mother forced me to it, it was against my will, for I always loved you very much. Your wishing-cloak hangs up in the closet, and as for the bird's heart, I will give it you too.' <br />
<br />
But he said, 'Keep it, it will be just the same thing, for I mean to make you my wife.'<br />
<br />
<i>So they were married, and lived together very happily till they died.</i><br />
<br />
Salads are delicious and as varied as any food can get. The variety of greens and other available ingredients is endless. Kids do not always want to eat the healthier foods but with salads there's a lot to work with. If you try, you can find a combination that they will like. Why not have your own salad bar at home?<br />
<br />
The salad below is delicious. You can use the dressing below or a bottled dressing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt39ENGZJfOR_BI73PoHASE62PkS_cOTtoX-5oocakZeh9sYTe-o9VAVjamhqomylIpxij6JTtDCvEFWmXwTTxpKQXHF-LBvHCcD8HLpa0U1sLSh4GfTfbL_pJif6oJpDK5wRXACUQWj8/s1600/-spinach-and-strawberry-salad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt39ENGZJfOR_BI73PoHASE62PkS_cOTtoX-5oocakZeh9sYTe-o9VAVjamhqomylIpxij6JTtDCvEFWmXwTTxpKQXHF-LBvHCcD8HLpa0U1sLSh4GfTfbL_pJif6oJpDK5wRXACUQWj8/s320/-spinach-and-strawberry-salad.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b>Spinach and Strawberry Salad with Glazed Pecans ( and other stuff if you want)</b><br />
<br />
10 oz. fresh spinach, washed and patted dry with paper towels<br />
1 quart fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced<br />
crumbled bacon (optional)<br />
crumbled blue cheese (optional)<br />
1/2 cup glazed pecans<br />
<br />
Tear the spinach into bite size pieces.<br />
Mix spinach and strawberries in a bowl together.<br />
Sprinkle in bacon and blue cheese if you wish.<br />
Chill.<br />
At serving time, sprinkle with dressing and garnish with glazed pecans.<br />
<br />
Dressing:<br />
1/2 c. sugar<br />
1 1/2 tsp. minced onion (optional)<br />
1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce<br />
1/4 c. apple cider vinegar<br />
1/2 c. oil<br />
kosher salt and freshly-ground black pepper, to taste<br />
<br />
Put all dressing ingredients EXCEPT oil in a blender.<br />
Add the oil in steady stream with blender on low speed. <br />
Blend until the dressing is creamy and thick. <br />
Drizzle over your salad and garnish, generously, with glazed pecans.<br />
<br />
<iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1593080565&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=ilove037-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=B001OW5OFE&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-27168389860364134052010-04-19T08:47:00.000-07:002010-04-19T19:32:24.882-07:00The Three Little Pigs ..... a folktale from England<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyqjD71POXPKokhYGxSj1T3IGaf98AAjimdGDa1wMFqIOa8mhipx2q4nckfWBnRreGYjYZ_fYQLUvERsIqi4Nmx2J5NuV9IY7F4s7YSprmrfZ5yX7Qu_iwYWOMREHzmLw3sSSu8Ea4tg/s1600/Three_little_pigs_and_mother_sow_-_Project_Gutenberg_eText_15661.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyqjD71POXPKokhYGxSj1T3IGaf98AAjimdGDa1wMFqIOa8mhipx2q4nckfWBnRreGYjYZ_fYQLUvERsIqi4Nmx2J5NuV9IY7F4s7YSprmrfZ5yX7Qu_iwYWOMREHzmLw3sSSu8Ea4tg/s400/Three_little_pigs_and_mother_sow_-_Project_Gutenberg_eText_15661.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462041809779714690" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />The Story of the Three Little Pigs</span><br /><br />Once upon a time when pigs spoke rhyme<br />And monkeys chewed tobacco,<br />And hens took snuff to make them tough,<br />And ducks went quack, quack, quack, O!<br /><br />There was an old sow with three little pigs, and as she had not enough to keep them, she sent them out to seek their fortune. The first that went off met a man with a bundle of straw, and said to him, "Please, man, give me that straw to build me a house." Which the man did, and the little pig built a house with it.<br /><br />Presently came along a wolf, and knocked at the door, and said, "Little pig, little pig, let me come in."<br /><br />To which the pig answered, "No, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin."<br /><br />The wolf then answered to that, "Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in." So he huffed, and he puffed, and he blew his house in, and ate up the little pig.<br /><br />The second little pig met a man with a bundle of furze [sticks], and said, "Please, man, give me that furze to build a house." Which the man did, and the pig built his house.<br /><br />Then along came the wolf, and said, "Little pig, little pig, let me come in."<br /><br />"No, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin."<br /><br />"Then I'll puff, and I'll huff, and I'll blow your house in." So he huffed, and he puffed, and he puffed, and he huffed, and at last he blew the house down, and he ate up the little pig.<br /><br />The third little pig met a man with a load of bricks, and said, "Please, man, give me those bricks to build a house with." So the man gave him the bricks, and he built his house with them.<br /><br />So the wolf came, as he did to the other little pigs, and said, "Little pig, little pig, let me come in."<br /><br />"No, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin."<br /><br />"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in."<br /><br />Well, he huffed, and he puffed, and he huffed and he puffed, and he puffed and huffed; but he could not get the house down. When he found that he could not, with all his huffing and puffing, blow the house down, he said, "Little pig, I know where there is a nice field of turnips."<br /><br />"Where?" said the little pig.<br /><br />"Oh, in Mr. Smith's home field, and if you will be ready tomorrow morning I will call for you, and we will go together and get some for dinner."<br /><br />"Very well," said the little pig, "I will be ready. What time do you mean to go?"<br /><br />"Oh, at six o'clock."<br /><br />Well, the little pig got up at five, and got the turnips before the wolf came (which he did about six) and who said, "Little pig, are you ready?"<br /><br />The little pig said, "Ready! I have been and come back again, and got a nice potful for dinner."<br /><br />The wolf felt very angry at this, but thought that he would be up to the little pig somehow or other, so he said, "Little pig, I know where there is a nice apple tree."<br /><br />"Where?" said the pig.<br /><br />"Down at Merry Garden," replied the wolf, "and if you will not deceive me I will come for you, at five o'clock tomorrow and get some apples."<br /><br />Well, the little pig bustled up the next morning at four o'clock, and went off for the apples, hoping to get back before the wolf came; but he had further to go, and had to climb the tree, so that just as he was coming down from it, he saw the wolf coming, which, as you may suppose, frightened him very much.<br /><br />When the wolf came up he said, "Little pig, what! Are you here before me? Are they nice apples?"<br /><br />"Yes, very," said the little pig. "I will throw you down one." And he threw it so far, that, while the wolf was gone to pick it up, the little pig jumped down and ran home.<br /><br />The next day the wolf came again, and said to the little pig, "Little pig, there is a fair at Shanklin this afternoon. Will you go?"<br /><br />"Oh yes," said the pig, "I will go. What time shall you be ready?"<br /><br />"At three," said the wolf. So the little pig went off before the time as usual, and got to the fair, and bought a butter churn, which he was going home with, when he saw the wolf coming. Then he could not tell what to do. So he got into the churn to hide, and by so doing turned it around, and it rolled down the hill with the pig in it, which frightened the wolf so much, that he ran home without going to the fair. He went to the pig's house, and told him how frightened he had been by a great round thing which came down the hill past him.<br /><br />Then the little pig said, "Ha, I frightened you, then. I had been to the fair and bought a butter churn, and when I saw you, I got into it, and rolled down the hill."<br /><br />Then the wolf was very angry indeed, and declared he would eat up the little pig, and that he would get down the chimney after him. When the little pig saw what he was about, he hung on the pot full of water, and made up a blazing fire, and, just as the wolf was coming down, took off the cover, and in fell the wolf; so the little pig put on the cover again in an instant, boiled him up, and ate him for supper, and lived happily ever afterwards.<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br /> story by Joseph Jacobs from English Fairy Tales (1890)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvT7_vE50H7FIG7-FtXkhoIVc9tNHCujAustVlFUAd65S4_WqMiUPz3SuEloKlNEZce1SeyHVTWAHsDFMFIevJd-awVj4xM5qIiEtwsM8jMR-MHrIf93I_0FivEAQoy2ccyG6Jba86B04/s1600/130658_f520.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvT7_vE50H7FIG7-FtXkhoIVc9tNHCujAustVlFUAd65S4_WqMiUPz3SuEloKlNEZce1SeyHVTWAHsDFMFIevJd-awVj4xM5qIiEtwsM8jMR-MHrIf93I_0FivEAQoy2ccyG6Jba86B04/s400/130658_f520.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462040755449514482" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Very, very easy Pigs in a Blanket</span><br />ingredients:<br /><br />6 Crescent rolls (package of refrigerated crescent rolls)<br />6 Hot dogs<br />6 slices of cheese or you can use shredded cheese<br /><br />directions:<br />1. Slice hot dogs down the middle and stuff with cheese<br />2. Wrap in crescent rolls. <br />3. Place wrapped hot dogs, seam side down, on an ungreased cookie sheet.<br />4. Bake according to directions on crescent rolls package.<br /><br /><br /><br />In this video, the cook uses pastry dough instead of crescent rolls or other bread dough.<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qm060iF2-aM&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qm060iF2-aM&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0xe1600f&color2=0xfebd01" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-57437941697954285492010-03-30T03:47:00.000-07:002010-03-30T20:11:46.303-07:00Stolen Garlic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSSO7ogfwdR7UiOI0DG2GJIjuqBVK1pSuxdp9RnD101_vgdnyPHd-xpBmdBDo4GiQWCQxTrILiW46Y-9YSCW1ciaWsMdEoLDLSOMO8lr6_r8-ZA9H3SFvuULJX42uJiVMHfrjoehRIzE/s1600/garlic.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSSO7ogfwdR7UiOI0DG2GJIjuqBVK1pSuxdp9RnD101_vgdnyPHd-xpBmdBDo4GiQWCQxTrILiW46Y-9YSCW1ciaWsMdEoLDLSOMO8lr6_r8-ZA9H3SFvuULJX42uJiVMHfrjoehRIzE/s400/garlic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454624393144567554" /></a><br /><br /><br />A POOR man planted a bed of garlic, and as he had no land besides, each plant was separately tended and grew apace. When the crop was almost large enough for pulling he placed beside the bed a portable hutch, and slept there o' nights to guard against thieves. After watching for many nights without seeing sign of trespassers, he concluded that there were none about, and that he might as well sleep at home ; so he left the empty hutch beside the garlic bed, and spent the night in his own house. When he came back next morning to water his vegetables, he found that all had been pulled and carried off. <br /><br />In consternation and tears he went to the magistrate and entered complaint of his loss. The magistrate called him up for examination, and asked him why he did not seize the thief. <br /><br />" Because, your honor, I was not there when he came." <br /><br />" Then why do you not bring as witness some one who saw him ? " <br /><br />" Because, your honor, nobody caught a glimpse of him." <br /><br />" Then why did you not bring from the garlic bed some clue by which he might be traced ? " <br /><br />" Because, your honor, he left nothing in the bed besides the portable hutch which was there before." <br /><br />" Very well," said the magistrate ; " since the hutch was the only object known to be on the field at the time of the theft, we will make the hutch the defendant in the suit, and to-morrow morning you will appear here as plaintiff against it." <br /><br />The complaint and the result of the preliminary examination were reported far and wide, with the official announcement that on the next morning a portable hutch would be tried for theft. So remarkable a trial had never before been heard of, and it became the subject of inquiry, comment, and debate throughout the neighborhood. <br /><br />When the case was called the court was crowded with spectators. The constables brought in the hutch and put it in the place for prisoners. It was charged with the crime, and as it offered no defense the magistrate ordered that it should be beaten until it confessed its guilt. The constables administered blows with a will, leaving it shattered in pieces. As the punishment proceeded, the amazement of the spectators gave way before their sense of the ludicrous, and by the time the constables were following up and whipping the fragments of the hutch the audience were laughing heartily. <br /><br />In apparent rage the magistrate charged the whole assembly with contempt of court, ordered all the gates to be shut and locked, and fined each person present a pound of garlic, with no release till the fine should be paid. Many constables were deputed to escort those who wished to go out to buy garlic, and each merrily spent a few farthings in paying his fine. <br /><br />In the course of the day all the garlic in the market had been bought up, and the adjoining hamlets had been ransacked to supply the unwonted demand. Each, as he handed in his fine, was required to tell where he got the garlic, which was then deposited bunch by bunch in a chamber of the courthouse. <br /><br />When all the fines were paid, the plaintiff was invited to examine the bunches of garlic, and to state whether he recognized any as his own. He unhesitatingly declared certain bunches to be his, and when the record of the purchasers was examined, these bunches were found to have been all bought at the stall of a certain green-grocer. The green-grocer was arrested, and made to tell where he got the stolen goods. He declared that he knew nothing more about the garlic than that he had bought it from a certain villager. The villager was arrested and was proven by circumstantial evidence to have committed the theft. The magistrate thus got for himself a great reputation for sagacity ; the thief got forty blows ; and the poor gardener had awarded to him all the garlic that had been received in fines for <br />contempt of court. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">from Chinese Fairy Tales By Adele M. Fielde published 1893</span><br /><br />Here are two delicious recipe that use loooooots of garlic!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj47gVLHLW7IA3Ja3Kjg74CAczyPxJtKAp05jwG8M6tV-jV5CE-an-AoiPiPoezGR96TGTJ1KGRnJ746-eOJImimDECFO0BSaLmYPOYpGDdCUoK1EEHEGCTdq8jv-ByqLXi1oiTwglTxA/s1600/chicken.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj47gVLHLW7IA3Ja3Kjg74CAczyPxJtKAp05jwG8M6tV-jV5CE-an-AoiPiPoezGR96TGTJ1KGRnJ746-eOJImimDECFO0BSaLmYPOYpGDdCUoK1EEHEGCTdq8jv-ByqLXi1oiTwglTxA/s400/chicken.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454626169911664050" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">40 Clove Garlic Chicken</span><br />recipe found at <a href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2009/04/crockpot-20-to-40-clove-garlic-chicken.html">A Year of Slow Cooking</a><br /><br /><br />The Ingredients.<br />serves 6<br /><br />3-4 pounds chicken<br />1 large onion, sliced<br />1 tablespoon olive oil<br />2 teaspoons kosher salt<br />2 teaspoons paprika<br />1 teaspoon pepper<br />20-40 garlic cloves, peeled, but intact<br /><br />The Directions.<br />The author used a 6 quart oval slow cooker. <br />Place onion slices on the bottom of the stoneware insert. <br />In a large mixing bowl, toss chicken parts with olive oil, salt, paprika, pepper, and all of the garlic cloves. <br />Pour into slow cooker, on top of the onion.<br /><br />Do not add water.<br /><br />Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 4-6. <br />The longer you cook chicken-on-the-bone, the more tender it will be. <br />If you use drumsticks, the ones on the side will brown and may stick to the sides of the crock, burning a bit. <br />If this bothers you, you can rearrange them with tongs an hour before serving.<br /><br /><br />If the chicken isn't enough garlic for you, pair it with some:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcXsSycwzqF6b0tGMJUMn3ywYR5_utxXR8uIZQg8ilPK7O-qdWCj5qPaaLFG2RQiCsCxnbv7PdtdKkLfLZ1wZNZtYQ4mpVjvY9xcUa2_GA4-kcJTEm4JsZX9VIL4AkvY3N5gigxGVwBg/s1600/Garlic-Bread.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcXsSycwzqF6b0tGMJUMn3ywYR5_utxXR8uIZQg8ilPK7O-qdWCj5qPaaLFG2RQiCsCxnbv7PdtdKkLfLZ1wZNZtYQ4mpVjvY9xcUa2_GA4-kcJTEm4JsZX9VIL4AkvY3N5gigxGVwBg/s400/Garlic-Bread.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454626176417417602" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">Garlic Bread</span><br />Ingredients:<br /> * 1 stick butter, room temperature<br /> * 4 garlic cloves, minced<br /> * 1 long loaf Italian bread, cut lengthwise<br /><br />Directions<br /> 1. In a bowl, mix the butter and garlic together.<br /> 2. Spread the butter mixture on the bread.<br /> 3. On a baking sheet, bake the bread at 375F for 8-10 minutes, on the top rack of <br /> the oven.<br /> 4. Then broil the bread for 1-2 minutes to brown.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-6059554345885492222010-03-17T08:00:00.000-07:002010-03-17T15:47:20.174-07:00Oh my, no more Pie!<u><span style="color:#0000ff;"></span></u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2CCErM0W5av58n7OmUeVo6b6RhWit_MUJt4MPbFe_D-RUBKCgo4cOeT5rJPcfLyP9QAzB6EJkMze6mAW7Q5m8aF5LPLU3lxlzHUdW0tIEUoE3qdYDhhN1IUpSBN_fl3AbVNQHYiMc12b/s1600-h/food2cherrypie.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155522585618233234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2CCErM0W5av58n7OmUeVo6b6RhWit_MUJt4MPbFe_D-RUBKCgo4cOeT5rJPcfLyP9QAzB6EJkMze6mAW7Q5m8aF5LPLU3lxlzHUdW0tIEUoE3qdYDhhN1IUpSBN_fl3AbVNQHYiMc12b/s200/food2cherrypie.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Another great echo/songtale!<br /><br />This is a traditional song. I am not totally sure of it's origins. I have seen it listed as an African American song but it may just be a southern traditional song. </div><div>This song or chant is also good for teaching steady beat. The beat can be pat out on your legs or tapped out on a drum.</div><div> </div><div></div><div><strong>No More Pie</strong></div><br />(each line is echoed by children)<br />Oh, my!<br />No more pie.<br />Pie's too sweet.<br />I wanna piece of meat.<br />Meat's too red.<br />I wanna piece of bread.<br />Bread's too brown.<br />I think I'll go to town.<br />Town's too far.<br />I think I'll take the car.<br />Car won't go.<br />I fell and stubbed my toe.<br />Toe gives me pain.<br />I think I'll take the train.<br />Train had a wreck.<br />I fell and hurt my neck.<br />Oh, my!<br />No more pie.<br /><br />Oh, my!<br />No more pie.<br /><br />The last two lines a said just a little slower. As if a train were come to the end of the line.<br />This is a great song to use for thinking up rhymes or just new actions for the song.<br />Ex:<br />Oh, no. (oh, no)<br />Too much snow. (too much snow)<br /><br />or you can use the kid's names<br /><br />Hello Paul (hello Paul)<br />Let's walk down the hall. (let's walk down the hall)<br /><br />Unfortunately, all names are not this simple to rhyme but it can be fun to make up silly words.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSTe_FqppSBcHWKQpScSiJUf0N7Hb5OCWOpgP1iz6YWe7FzIY4Q2sHQsnW0l-LtgPzE-0QKi_FlkHkPt4hk0gbqjB2pcU26bLuSglDyBwkWzNok1CY79nnf821H2jeCilp99K-zHLp8o/s1600-h/strawberry_cream_pie_big.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpSTe_FqppSBcHWKQpScSiJUf0N7Hb5OCWOpgP1iz6YWe7FzIY4Q2sHQsnW0l-LtgPzE-0QKi_FlkHkPt4hk0gbqjB2pcU26bLuSglDyBwkWzNok1CY79nnf821H2jeCilp99K-zHLp8o/s400/strawberry_cream_pie_big.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449737631112102226" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">"Easy as Pie" Pie</span><br />Ingredients<br /> * 2/3 cup boiling water<br /> * 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin mix<br /> * 1/2 cup cold water<br /> * 1/2 cup ice<br /> * 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed<br /> * 1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust<br /> * 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced<br /><br />Directions<br /><br />1. In large bowl, stir boiling water into gelatin at least 2 minutes until completely dissolved. <br /><br />2. Mix cold water and ice to measure 3/4 cup. <br /><br />3. Add to gelatin, stirring until slightly thickened. Remove any remaining ice.<br /><br />4. Stir in whipped topping with wire whisk until smooth. <br /><br />5. Refrigerate 15 to 20 minutes or until mixture is very thick and will mound. <br /><br />6. Spoon filling into crust. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. <br /><br />7. Garnish with sliced strawberries before serving.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-31599723894027891172010-03-09T19:15:00.000-08:002010-03-09T19:45:17.218-08:00Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley Grow.......Sing with Your Child Month<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwIvPBSq5vNNljDLCq4WlpjTQktc3d8CES0g1FHuYNrYyVP6LFRVXHK79QjgkcXncq_Pjr0oYAfo9ZP71JqO5ypgb_GU7aMTGz-4ubZ5kuh8H-9INfpbKJ-9zhNh3JctOveMnXBjOcas/s1600-h/3533840403_8554abbff1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwIvPBSq5vNNljDLCq4WlpjTQktc3d8CES0g1FHuYNrYyVP6LFRVXHK79QjgkcXncq_Pjr0oYAfo9ZP71JqO5ypgb_GU7aMTGz-4ubZ5kuh8H-9INfpbKJ-9zhNh3JctOveMnXBjOcas/s400/3533840403_8554abbff1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446839478606151154" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley Grow</span> is a traditional British and American folk song.<br /><br />It's a "play song" and the children perform the actions in the songs verses, basically acting out the planting and harvesting of a crop.<br /><br />The song can be found on many children's cd's, performed by artist such as Raffi and John Langstaff.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,<br />Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,<br />Can you or I or anyone know<br />How oats, peas, beans, and barley grow?<br /><br /><br />First the farmer sows his seed,<br />Stands erect and takes his ease,<br />He stamps his foot and claps his hands,<br />And turns around to view his lands.<br /><br /><br />Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,<br />Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,<br />Can you or I or anyone know<br />How oats, peas, beans, and barley grow?<br /><br /><br />Next the farmer waters the seed,<br />Stands erect and takes his ease,<br />He stamps his foot and claps his hands,<br />And turns around to view his lands.<br /><br /><br />Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,<br />Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,<br />Can you or I or anyone know<br />How oats, peas, beans, and barley grow?<br /><br /><br />Next the farmer hoes the weeds,<br />Stands erect and takes his ease,<br />He stamps his foot and claps his hands,<br />And turns around to view his lands.<br /><br /><br />Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,<br />Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,<br />Can you or I or anyone know<br />How oats, peas, beans, and barley grow?<br /><br /><br />Last the farmer harvests his seed,<br />Stands erect and takes his ease,<br />He stamps his foot and claps his hands,<br />And turns around to view his lands.<br /><br /><br />Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,<br />Oats, peas, beans, and barley grow,<br />Can you or I or anyone know<br />How oats, peas, beans, and barley grow?<br /><br />( the picture at the top of the blog is from Songs for Early Childhood at Church and Home, illustrated by Ann Eshner, 1958)<br /><br />This video shows kids performing some of the movements in the song.<br /><object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B-G759nDAk8&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B-G759nDAk8&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaY7Q-Hc0Gy4RZDlOtZxywv6ZeD9QyEOBoTSGktwTcniprD9ldn1gxnHMiwAoI1MkbkQAr7bDfp6W-DpzVgf6cWQlt07rqPQWds3cHE7gfI0bmEprZf-y7kTCjRVfjmpebTf9ojhWVFkE/s1600-h/soupone.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 45px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaY7Q-Hc0Gy4RZDlOtZxywv6ZeD9QyEOBoTSGktwTcniprD9ldn1gxnHMiwAoI1MkbkQAr7bDfp6W-DpzVgf6cWQlt07rqPQWds3cHE7gfI0bmEprZf-y7kTCjRVfjmpebTf9ojhWVFkE/s400/soupone.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446845925038470754" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">All Kinds of Beans Soup Mix in a Jar</span> aka French Market Soup Mix in a Jar</span><br /><br />(this recipe makes <span style="font-weight:bold;">14</span> gift jars of bean soup)<br /><br />1 pound dried navy beans<br />1 pound dried pinto beans<br />1 pound dried Great Northern beans<br />1 pound split peas<br />1 pound yellow split peas<br />1 pound dried black-eyed peas<br />1 pound lentils<br />1 pound dried baby lima beans<br />1 pound dried lima beans<br />1 pound dried soybeans<br />1 pound pearl barley<br />1 pound dried red beans<br /><br />1. In a very large container, combine navy beans, pinto beans, great Northern beans, split peas, yellow split peas, black-eyed peas, lentils, baby limas, limas, soybeans, barley and red beans; mix well.<br /><br />2. Divide evenly into 14 lidded jars.<br /><br />3. Attach a card to each jar with the following recipe:<br /><br />All Kinds of Beans Soup aka French Market Soup:<br /><br />2 quarts water<br />1 ham hock<br />1 1/4 teaspoons salt<br />1/4 teaspoon ground pepper<br />1 (16 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles<br />1 large onion, chopped<br />1 clove garlic, minced<br /><br />1. Soak 2 cups French Market Bean Mix in water to cover, 8 hours or overnight.<br /><br />2. In a large soup pot, bring 2 quarts water and ham hock to a boil. <br /><br />3. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.<br /><br />4. Remove ham hock. <br /><br />5. Stir in soaked beans, salt, pepper, diced tomatoes and green chiles, onion and garlic. <br /><br />6. Bring to a boil again, skimming foam off the top. <br /> <br />7. Reduce heat, cover and simmer about 1 hour, until beans are tender.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-75404082936306673642010-02-10T08:30:00.000-08:002010-02-10T18:04:08.616-08:00Hanasaka Jiisan...a Japanese Fairy Tale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrRjqkx4BborJw3S1t6KEBvchU2WUpgGaA135tSfQ_oFRsMUldI55dyKtroLPfZc8ME2l9YuM_C5h0w78BdG8BAPXi0ALsGDlubPXMMjeDH7aLLgxTBHJQYT8N7R5hEfuW_MrD-RvGlk/s1600-h/hanasaka1.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrRjqkx4BborJw3S1t6KEBvchU2WUpgGaA135tSfQ_oFRsMUldI55dyKtroLPfZc8ME2l9YuM_C5h0w78BdG8BAPXi0ALsGDlubPXMMjeDH7aLLgxTBHJQYT8N7R5hEfuW_MrD-RvGlk/s400/hanasaka1.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436797040003567202" /></a><br /><blockquote><strong>Hanasaka Jiisan or The Envious Neighbor</strong><br /><br />Long, long ago an old couple lived in a village, and, as they had no children to love and care for, they gave all their affection to a little dog. He was a pretty little creature, and instead of growing spoilt and disagreeable at not getting everything he<br />wanted, as even children will do sometimes, the dog was grateful to them for their kindness, and never left their side, whether they were in the house or out of it.<br /><br />One day the old man was working in his garden, with his dog, as usual, close by. The morning was hot, and at last he put down his spade and wiped his wet forehead, noticing, as he did so, that the animal was snuffling and scratching at a spot a little way off. There was nothing very strange in this, as all dogs arefond of scratching, and he went on quietly with his digging, when the dog ran up to his master, barking loudly, and back again to the place where he had been scratching. This he did several times, till the old man wondered what could be the matter, and,<br />picking up the spade, followed where the dog led him. The dog was so delighted at his success that he jumped round, barking loudly, till the noise brought the old woman out of the house.<br /><br />Curious to know if the dog had really found anything, the husband began to dig, and very soon the spade struck against something. He stooped down and pulled out a large box, filled quite full with shining gold pieces. The box was so heavy that the old<br />woman had to help to carry it home, and you may guess what a supper the dog had that night! Now that he had made them rich, they gave him every day all that a dog likes best to eat, and the cushions on which he lay were fit for a prince.<br /><br />The story of the dog and his treasure soon became known, and a neighbor whose garden was next the old people's grew so envious of their good luck that he could neither eat nor sleep. As the dog had discovered a treasure once, this foolish man thought he must be able to discover one always, and begged the old couple to lend him their pet for a little while, so that he might be made rich also.<br /><br />'How can you ask such a thing?' answered the old man indignantly.<br /><br />'You know how much we love him, and that he is never out of our sight for five minutes.'<br /><br />But the envious neighbour would not heed his words, and came daily with the same request, till at last the old people, who could not bear to say no to anyone, promised to lend the dog, just for a night or two. No sooner did the man get hold of the dog than he turned him into the garden, but the dog did nothing but race about, and the man was forced to wait with what patience he could.<br /><br />The next morning the man opened the house door, and the dog bounded joyfully into the garden, and, running up to the foot of a tree, began to scratch wildly. The man called loudly to his wife to bring a spade, and followed the dog, as he longed to catch the first glimpse of the expected treasure. But when he had dug up the ground, what did he find? <br />Why, nothing but a parcel of old bones, which smelt so badly that he could not stay<br />there a moment longer. And his heart was filled with rage against the dog who had played him this trick, and he seized a pickaxe and killed it on the spot, before he knew what he was doing. When he remembered that he would have to go with his<br />story to the old man and his wife he was rather frightened, but there was nothing to be gained by putting it off, so he pulled a very long face and went to his neighbour's garden.<br /><br />'Your dog,' said he, pretending to weep, 'has suddenly fallen down dead, though I took every care of him, and gave him everything he could wish for. And I thought I had better come straight and tell you.'<br /><br />Weeping bitterly, the old man went to fetch the body of his favorite, and brought it home and buried it under the fig-tree where he had found the treasure. From morning till night he and his wife mourned over their loss, and nothing could comfort them.<br /><br />At length, one night when he was asleep, he dreamt that the dog appeared to him and told him to cut down the fig-tree over his grave, and out of its wood to make a mortar. But when the old man woke and thought of his dream he did not feel at all inclined to cut down the tree, which bore well every year, and consulted<br />his wife about it. The woman did not hesitate a moment, and said that after what had happened before, the dog's advice must certainly be obeyed, so the tree was felled, and a beautiful mortar made from it. And when the season came for the rice crop<br />to be gathered the mortar was taken down from its shelf, and the grains placed in it for pounding, when, lo and behold! in a twinkling of an eye, they all turned into gold pieces. At the sight of all this gold the hearts of the old people were glad,<br />and once more they blessed their faithful dog.<br /><br />But it was not long before this story also came to the ears of their envious neighbor, and he lost no time in going to the old people and asking if they happened to have a mortar which they could lend him. The old man did not at all like parting with his precious treasure, but he never could say no, so the neighbor went off with the mortar under his arm.<br /><br />The moment he got into his own house he took a great handful of rice, and began to shell off the husks, with the help of his wife. But, instead of the gold pieces for which they looked, the rice turned into berries with such a horrible smell that they<br />were obliged to run away, after smashing the mortar in a rage and setting fire to the bits.<br /><br />The old people next door were naturally very much put out when they learned the fate of their mortar, and were not at all comforted by the explanations and excuses made by their neighbor. But that night the dog again appeared in a dream to his master, and told him that he must go and collect the ashes of the burnt mortar and bring them home. Then, when he heard that the Daimio, or great lord to whom this part of the country belonged, was expected at the capital, he was to carry the ashes to the high road, through which the procession would have to<br />pass. And as soon as it was in sight he was to climb up all the cherry-trees and sprinkle the ashes on them, and they would soon blossom as they had never blossomed before.<br /><br />This time the old man did not wait to consult his wife as to whether he was to do what his dog had told him, but directly he got up he went to his neighbor's house and collected the ashes of the burnt mortar. He put them carefully in a china vase, and<br />carried it to the high road, Sitting down on a seat till the Daimio should pass. The cherry-trees were bare, for it was the season when small pots of them were sold to rich people, who kept them in hot places, so that they might blossom early and decorate their rooms. As to the trees in the open air, no one would ever think of looking for the tiniest bud for more than a month yet. <br /><br />The old man had not been waiting very long before he saw a cloud of dust in the far distance, and knew that it must be the procession of the Daimio. On they came, every man dressed in his finest clothes, and the crowd that was lining the road bowed<br />their faces to the ground as they went by. Only the old man did not bow himself, and the great lord saw this, and bade one of his courtiers, in anger, go and inquire why he had disobeyed the ancient customs. But before the messenger could reach him the<br />old man had climbed the nearest tree and scattered his ashes far and wide, and in an instant the white flowers had flashed into life, and the heart of the Daimio rejoiced, and he gave rich presents to the old man, whom he sent for to his castle.<br /><br />We may be sure that in a very little while the envious neighbor had heard this also, and his bosom was filled with hate. He hastened to the place where he had burned the mortar, collected a few of the ashes which the old man had left behind, and took them<br />to the road, hoping that his luck might be as good as the old man's, or perhaps even better. His heart beat with pleasure when he caught the first glimpses of the Daimio's train, and he held himself ready for the right moment. As the Daimio drew near he flung a great handful of ashes over the trees, but no buds or flowers followed the action: instead, the ashes were all blown back into the eyes of the Daimio and his warriors, till they cried out from pain. Then the prince ordered the evil-doer to be seized and bound and thrown into prison, where he was kept for<br />many months. <br />By the time he was set free everybody in his native village had found out his wickedness, and they would not let him live there any longer; and as he would not leave off his evil ways he soon went from bad to worse, and came to a miserable end.<br /><br /><em>from <strong>The Violet Fairy Book</strong> edited by Andrew Lang published in 1901</em> </blockquote><br /><br /><strong>How to Make Sushi Rice</strong><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pYtB3Qs9BRw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pYtB3Qs9BRw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><strong>The next two vids show you how to use your "sushi rice" to make California rolls. Yum!!</strong><br />Vid #1<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CeSdErIP0kY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CeSdErIP0kY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Vid #2<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yjeKb4OL2u4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yjeKb4OL2u4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong>This last video is just plain fun! It shows sushi making as art. <br />It's truly awe inspiring. Enjoy!!</strong><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NiWxwmxuZlE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NiWxwmxuZlE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-92222494679315450762010-01-05T15:47:00.000-08:002010-01-07T10:10:29.192-08:00Jack and the Beanstalk......any English fairytale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2qxYu33_dAWgbNKjgQ-1vCSwDigguVhb5aB-cZL6BiGDNzX9OC1Gl-eNL6_EVzHHO_IZD3oarKE-t9fHXS39vhYDn3Ze8HxcqTPtV7c46zbYvcgDRlh1ra_pIyV64eFm6ivhpsOvDiw/s1600-h/Jack+and+the+Beanstalk.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2qxYu33_dAWgbNKjgQ-1vCSwDigguVhb5aB-cZL6BiGDNzX9OC1Gl-eNL6_EVzHHO_IZD3oarKE-t9fHXS39vhYDn3Ze8HxcqTPtV7c46zbYvcgDRlh1ra_pIyV64eFm6ivhpsOvDiw/s400/Jack+and+the+Beanstalk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423409469243226690" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">January 6th is Bean Day!</span><br /><br />There was once upon a time a poor widow who had an only son named Jack, and a cow named Milky-White. And all they had to live on was the milk the cow gave every morning, which they carried to the market and sold. But one morning Milky-White gave no milk, and they didn't know what to do.<br /><br />"What shall we do, what shall we do?" said the widow, wringing her hands.<br /><br />"Cheer up, mother, I'll go and get work somewhere," said Jack.<br /><br />"We've tried that before, and nobody would take you," said his mother. "We must sell Milky-White and with the money start a shop, or something."<br /><br />"All right, mother," says Jack. "It's market day today, and I'll soon sell Milky-White, and then we'll see what we can do."<br /><br />So he took the cow's halter in his hand, and off he started. He hadn't gone far when he met a funny-looking old man, who said to him, "Good morning, Jack."<br /><br />"Good morning to you," said Jack, and wondered how he knew his name.<br /><br />"Well, Jack, and where are you off to?" said the man.<br /><br />"I'm going to market to sell our cow there."<br /><br />"Oh, you look the proper sort of chap to sell cows," said the man. "I wonder if you know how many beans make five."<br /><br />"Two in each hand and one in your mouth," says Jack, as sharp as a needle.<br /><br />"Right you are," says the man, "and here they are, the very beans themselves," he went on, pulling out of his pocket a number of strange-looking beans. "As you are so sharp," says he, "I don't mind doing a swap with you -- your cow for these beans."<br /><br />"Go along," says Jack. "Wouldn't you like it?"<br /><br />"Ah! You don't know what these beans are," said the man. "If you plant them overnight, by morning they grow right up to the sky."<br /><br />"Really?" said Jack. "You don't say so."<br /><br />"Yes, that is so. And if it doesn't turn out to be true you can have your cow back."<br /><br />"Right," says Jack, and hands him over Milky-White's halter and pockets the beans.<br /><br />Back goes Jack home, and as he hadn't gone very far it wasn't dusk by the time he got to his door.<br /><br />"Back already, Jack?" said his mother. "I see you haven't got Milky-White, so you've sold her. How much did you get for her?"<br /><br />"You'll never guess, mother," says Jack.<br /><br />"No, you don't say so. Good boy! Five pounds? Ten? Fifteen? No, it can't be twenty."<br /><br />"I told you you couldn't guess. What do you say to these beans? They're magical. Plant them overnight and -- "<br /><br />"What!" says Jack's mother. "Have you been such a fool, such a dolt, such an idiot, as to give away my Milky-White, the best milker in the parish, and prime beef to boot, for a set of paltry beans? Take that! Take that! Take that! And as for your precious beans here they go out of the window. And now off with you to bed. Not a sup shall you drink, and not a bit shall you swallow this very night."<br /><br />So Jack went upstairs to his little room in the attic, and sad and sorry he was, to be sure, as much for his mother's sake as for the loss of his supper.<br /><br />At last he dropped off to sleep.<br /><br />When he woke up, the room looked so funny. The sun was shining into part of it, and yet all the rest was quite dark and shady. So Jack jumped up and dressed himself and went to the window. And what do you think he saw? Why, the beans his mother had thrown out of the window into the garden had sprung up into a big beanstalk which went up and up and up till it reached the sky. So the man spoke truth after all.<br /><br />The beanstalk grew up quite close past Jack's window, so all he had to do was to open it and give a jump onto the beanstalk which ran up just like a big ladder. So Jack climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed till at last he reached the sky. And when he got there he found a long broad road going as straight as a dart. So he walked along, and he walked along, and he walked along till he came to a great big tall house, and on the doorstep there was a great big tall woman.<br /><br />"Good morning, mum," says Jack, quite polite-like. "Could you be so kind as to give me some breakfast?" For he hadn't had anything to eat, you know, the night before, and was as hungry as a hunter.<br /><br />"It's breakfast you want, is it?" says the great big tall woman. "It's breakfast you'll be if you don't move off from here. My man is an ogre and there's nothing he likes better than boys broiled on toast. You'd better be moving on or he'll be coming."<br /><br />"Oh! please, mum, do give me something to eat, mum. I've had nothing to eat since yesterday morning, really and truly, mum," says Jack. "I may as well be broiled as die of hunger."<br /><br />Well, the ogre's wife was not half so bad after all. So she took Jack into the kitchen, and gave him a hunk of bread and cheese and a jug of milk. But Jack hadn't half finished these when thump! thump! thump! the whole house began to tremble with the noise of someone coming.<br /><br />"Goodness gracious me! It's my old man," said the ogre's wife. "What on earth shall I do? Come along quick and jump in here." And she bundled Jack into the oven just as the ogre came in.<br /><br />He was a big one, to be sure. At his belt he had three calves strung up by the heels, and he unhooked them and threw them down on the table and said, "Here, wife, broil me a couple of these for breakfast. Ah! what's this I smell?<br /><br /> Fee-fi-fo-fum,<br /> I smell the blood of an Englishman,<br /> Be he alive, or be he dead,<br /> I'll have his bones to grind my bread." <br /><br />"Nonsense, dear," said his wife. "You' re dreaming. Or perhaps you smell the scraps of that little boy you liked so much for yesterday's dinner. Here, you go and have a wash and tidy up, and by the time you come back your breakfast'll be ready for you."<br /><br />So off the ogre went, and Jack was just going to jump out of the oven and run away when the woman told him not. "Wait till he's asleep," says she; "he always has a doze after breakfast."<br /><br />Well, the ogre had his breakfast, and after that he goes to a big chest and takes out a couple of bags of gold, and down he sits and counts till at last his head began to nod and he began to snore till the whole house shook again.<br /><br />Then Jack crept out on tiptoe from his oven, and as he was passing the ogre, he took one of the bags of gold under his arm, and off he pelters till he came to the beanstalk, and then he threw down the bag of gold, which, of course, fell into his mother's garden, and then he climbed down and climbed down till at last he got home and told his mother and showed her the gold and said, "Well, mother, wasn't I right about the beans? They are really magical, you see."<br /><br />So they lived on the bag of gold for some time, but at last they came to the end of it, and Jack made up his mind to try his luck once more at the top of the beanstalk. So one fine morning he rose up early, and got onto the beanstalk, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed till at last he came out onto the road again and up to the great tall house he had been to before. There, sure enough, was the great tall woman a-standing on the doorstep.<br /><br />"Good morning, mum," says Jack, as bold as brass, "could you be so good as to give me something to eat?"<br /><br />"Go away, my boy," said the big tall woman, "or else my man will eat you up for breakfast. But aren't you the youngster who came here once before? Do you know, that very day my man missed one of his bags of gold."<br /><br />"That's strange, mum," said Jack, "I dare say I could tell you something about that, but I'm so hungry I can't speak till I've had something to eat."<br /><br />Well, the big tall woman was so curious that she took him in and gave him something to eat. But he had scarcely begun munching it as slowly as he could when thump! thump! they heard the giant's footstep, and his wife hid Jack away in the oven.<br /><br />All happened as it did before. In came the ogre as he did before, said, "Fee-fi-fo-fum," and had his breakfast off three broiled oxen.<br /><br />Then he said, "Wife, bring me the hen that lays the golden eggs." So she brought it, and the ogre said, "Lay," and it laid an egg all of gold. And then the ogre began to nod his head, and to snore till the house shook.<br /><br />Then Jack crept out of the oven on tiptoe and caught hold of the golden hen, and was off before you could say "Jack Robinson." But this time the hen gave a cackle which woke the ogre, and just as Jack got out of the house he heard him calling, "Wife, wife, what have you done with my golden hen?"<br /><br />And the wife said, "Why, my dear?"<br /><br />But that was all Jack heard, for he rushed off to the beanstalk and climbed down like a house on fire. And when he got home he showed his mother the wonderful hen, and said "Lay" to it; and it laid a golden egg every time he said "Lay."<br /><br />Well, Jack was not content, and it wasn't long before he determined to have another try at his luck up there at the top of the beanstalk. So one fine morning he rose up early and got to the beanstalk, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed, and he climbed till he got to the top.<br /><br />But this time he knew better than to go straight to the ogre's house. And when he got near it, he waited behind a bush till he saw the ogre's wife come out with a pail to get some water, and then he crept into the house and got into the copper. He hadn't been there long when he heard thump! thump! thump! as before, and in came the ogre and his wife.<br /><br />"Fee-fi-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman," cried out the ogre. "I smell him, wife, I smell him."<br /><br />"Do you, my dearie?" says the ogre's wife. "Then, if it's that little rogue that stole your gold and the hen that laid the golden eggs he's sure to have got into the oven." And they both rushed to the oven.<br /><br />But Jack wasn't there, luckily, and the ogre' s wife said, "There you are again with your fee-fi-fo-fum. Why, of course, it's the boy you caught last night that I've just broiled for your breakfast. How forgetful I am, and how careless you are not to know the difference between live and dead after all these years."<br /><br />So the ogre sat down to the breakfast and ate it, but every now and then he would mutter, "Well, I could have sworn --" and he'd get up and search the larder and the cupboards and everything, only, luckily, he didn't think of the copper.<br /><br />After breakfast was over, the ogre called out, "Wife, wife, bring me my golden harp."<br /><br />So she brought it and put it on the table before him. Then he said, "Sing!" and the golden harp sang most beautifully. And it went on singing till the ogre fell asleep, and commenced to snore like thunder.<br /><br />Then Jack lifted up the copper lid very quietly and got down like a mouse and crept on hands and knees till he came to the table, when up he crawled, caught hold of the golden harp and dashed with it towards the door.<br /><br />But the harp called out quite loud, "Master! Master!" and the ogre woke up just in time to see Jack running off with his harp.<br /><br />Jack ran as fast as he could, and the ogre came rushing after, and would soon have caught him, only Jack had a start and dodged him a bit and knew where he was going. When he got to the beanstalk the ogre was not more than twenty yards away when suddenly he saw Jack disappear like, and when he came to the end of the road he saw Jack underneath climbing down for dear life. Well, the ogre didn't like trusting himself to such a ladder, and he stood and waited, so Jack got another start.<br /><br />But just then the harp cried out, "Master! Master!" and the ogre swung himself down onto the beanstalk, which shook with his weight. Down climbs Jack, and after him climbed the ogre.<br /><br />By this time Jack had climbed down and climbed down and climbed down till he was very nearly home. So he called out, "Mother! Mother! bring me an ax, bring me an ax." And his mother came rushing out with the ax in her hand, but when she came to the beanstalk she stood stock still with fright, for there she saw the ogre with his legs just through the clouds.<br /><br />But Jack jumped down and got hold of the ax and gave a chop at the beanstalk which cut it half in two. The ogre felt the beanstalk shake and quiver, so he stopped to see what was the matter. Then Jack gave another chop with the ax, and the beanstalk was cut in two and began to topple over. Then the ogre fell down and broke his crown, and the beanstalk came toppling after.<br /><br />Then Jack showed his mother his golden harp, and what with showing that and selling the golden eggs, Jack and his mother became very rich, and he married a great princess, and they lived happy ever after.<br /><br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">story source: English Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs published in 1890</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi800A1SqxYniyvJzqXru6Pj48fTkqtYmmELPl403z1EA4iIR_C8E-UUM4iF2shAxJsh5vQz9-ptEUQKoFmO3qUup4XT5brRZYwWmEuIff4KnypQ7cm0woQvZltfCqSRv2n8tUkAPla6dU/s1600-h/baked+beans+_+free+clipart+now.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi800A1SqxYniyvJzqXru6Pj48fTkqtYmmELPl403z1EA4iIR_C8E-UUM4iF2shAxJsh5vQz9-ptEUQKoFmO3qUup4XT5brRZYwWmEuIff4KnypQ7cm0woQvZltfCqSRv2n8tUkAPla6dU/s320/baked+beans+_+free+clipart+now.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423415891171871186" /></a>This is an extremely fun, easy and kid friendly recipe:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">KID'S BAKED BEANS</span><br /><br />Ingredients:<br /> * 2 cans (16 ounces each) baked beans<br /> * 3/4 cup grape jelly (the secret ingredient)<br /> * 1/2 cup chopped onion (optional)<br /> * 2 tablespoons prepared mustard<br /> * 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce<br /><br />Directions:<br />1) In a large saucepan, combine all ingredients. <br />2) Bring to a boil. <br />3) Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until thickened. <br />4) Enjoy!<br /><br />Makes 6 servings.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-69071707454783203392010-01-01T08:55:00.000-08:002010-01-07T10:10:45.392-08:00The Old Woman and the Tramp .....a tale from Sweden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn6RUR7FWL_XVjAFsrzaE12CqCV_Jki9yj7CW1TKqj-Sf0oT21ISVgPrB4hmyeKrPx1M2oRbBFNBKBIfZhRPk6lzxZyANlmaGx55J8HWjAKrQgE0E10_KHLcXBqAnOc0hRwYD0XN2Y9o/s1600-h/old+woman+lived+under+a+hill.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 352px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn6RUR7FWL_XVjAFsrzaE12CqCV_Jki9yj7CW1TKqj-Sf0oT21ISVgPrB4hmyeKrPx1M2oRbBFNBKBIfZhRPk6lzxZyANlmaGx55J8HWjAKrQgE0E10_KHLcXBqAnOc0hRwYD0XN2Y9o/s400/old+woman+lived+under+a+hill.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421835370604864722" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">January is National Soup Month!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Boil stones in butter, and you may sip the broth.</span><br />English Proverb<br /><br />There was once a tramp, who went plodding his way through a forest. The distance between the houses was so great that he had little hope of finding a shelter before the night set in. But all of a sudden he saw some lights between the trees. He then discovered a cottage, where there was a fire burning on the hearth. "How nice it would be to roast one's self before that fire, and to get a bite of something," he thought; and so he dragged himself towards the cottage.<br /><br />Just then an old woman came towards him.<br /><br />"Good evening, and well met!" said the tramp.<br /><br />"Good evening," said the woman. "Where do you come from?"<br /><br />"South of the sun, and east of the moon," said the tramp, "and now I am on the way home again, for I have been all over the world with the exception of this parish," he said.<br /><br />"You must be a great traveler, then," said the woman. "What may be your business here?"<br /><br />"Oh, I want a shelter for the night," he said.<br /><br />"I thought as much," said the woman; "but you may as well get away from here at once, for my husband is not at home, and my place is not an inn," she said.<br /><br />"My good woman," said the tramp, "you must not be so cross and hardhearted, for we are both human beings, and should help one another, it is written."<br /><br />"Help one another?" said the woman. "Help? Did you ever hear such a thing? Who'll help me, do you think? I haven't got a morsel in the house! No, you'll have to look for quarters elsewhere," she said.<br /><br />But the tramp was like the rest of his kind. He did not consider himself beaten at the first rebuff. Although the old woman grumbled and complained as much as she could, he was just as persistent as ever, and went on begging and praying like a starved dog, until at last she gave in, and he got permission to lie on the floor for the night.<br /><br />That was very kind, he thought, and he thanked her for it.<br /><br />"Better on the floor without sleep, than suffer cold in the forest deep," he said, for he was a merry fellow, this tramp, and was always ready with a rhyme.<br /><br />When he came into the room he could see that the woman was not so badly off as she had pretended. But she was a greedy and stingy woman of the worst sort, and was always complaining and grumbling.<br /><br />He now made himself very agreeable, of course, and asked her in his most insinuating manner for something to eat.<br /><br />"Where am I to get it from?" said the woman. "I haven't tasted a morsel myself the whole day."<br /><br />But the tramp was a cunning fellow, he was. "Poor old granny, you must be starving," he said, "Well, well, I suppose I shall have to ask you to have something with me, then."<br /><br />"Have something with you!" said the woman. "You don't look as if you could ask anyone to have anything! What have you got to offer one, I should like to know?"<br /><br />"He who far and wide does roam sees many things not known at home; and he who many things has seen has wits about him and senses keen," said the tramp. "Better dead than lose one's head! Lend me a pot, granny!"<br /><br />The old woman now became very inquisitive, as you may guess, and so she let him have a pot. He filled it with water and put it on the fire, and then he blew with all his might till the fire was burning fiercely all round it Then he took a four-inch nail from his pocket, turned it three times in his hand and put it into the pot.<br /><br />The woman stared with all her might. "What's this going to be?" she asked.<br /><br />"Nail broth," said the tramp.<br /><br />The old woman had seen and heard a good deal in her time, but that anybody could have made broth with a nail, well, she had never heard the like before.<br /><br />"That's something for poor people to know," she said, "and I should like to learn how to make it."<br /><br />"That which is not worth having, will always go a-begging," said the tramp.<br /><br />But if she wanted to learn how to make it she had only to watch him, he said, and went on stirring the broth. The old woman squatted on the ground, her hands clasping her knees, and her eyes following his hand as he stirred the broth.<br /><br />"This generally makes good broth," he said, "but this time it will very likely be rather thin, for I have been making broth the whole week with the same nail. If one only had a handful of sifted oatmeal to put in, that would make it all right," he said. "But what one has to go without, it's no use thinking more about," and so he stirred the broth again.<br /><br />"Well, I think I have a scrap of flour somewhere," said the old woman, and went out to fetch some, and it was both good and fine. The tramp began putting the flour into the broth, and went on stirring, while the woman sat staring now at him and then at the pot until her eyes nearly burst their sockets.<br /><br />"This broth would be good enough for company," he said, putting in one handful of flour after another. "If I had only a bit of salted beef and a few potatoes to put in, it would be fit for gentlefolks, however particular they might be," he said. "But what one has to go without, it's no use thinking more about."<br /><br />When the old woman really began to think it over, she thought she had some potatoes, and perhaps a bit of beef as well, and these she gave the tramp, who went on stirring, while she sat and stared as hard as ever.<br /><br />"This will be grand enough for the best in the land," he said.<br /><br />"Well, I never!" said the woman, "and just fancy -- all with a nail!" He was really a wonderful man, that tramp! He could do more than drink a sup and turn the tankard up, he could.<br /><br />"If one had only a little barley and a drop of milk, we could ask the king himself to have some of it," he said, "for this is what he has every blessed evening -- that I know, for I have been in service under the king's cook" he said.<br /><br />"Dear me! Ask the king to have some! Well, I never!" exclaimed the woman, slapping her knees. She was quite awestruck at the tramp and his grand connections.<br /><br />"But what one has to go without, it's no use thinking more about."<br /><br />And then she remembered she had a little barley; and as for milk, well, she wasn't quite out of that, she said, for her best cow had just calved. And then she went to fetch both the one and the other.<br /><br />The tramp went on stirring, and the woman sat staring, one moment at him and the next at the pot.<br /><br />Then all at once the tramp took out the nail. "Now it's ready, and now we'll have a real good feast," he said. "But to this kind of soup the king and the queen always take a dram or two, and one sandwich at least. And then they always have a cloth on the table when they eat," he said. "But what one has to go without, it's no use thinking more about."<br /><br />But by this time the old woman herself had begun to feel quite grand and fine, I can tell you. And if that was all that was wanted to make it just as the king had it, she thought it would be nice to have it just the same way for once, and play at being king and queen with the tramp. She went straight to a cupboard and brought out the brandy bottle, dram glasses, butter and cheese, smoked beef and veal, until at last the table looked as if it were decked out for company.<br /><br />Never in her life had the old woman had such a grand feast, and never had she tasted such broth, and just fancy, made only with a nail! She was in such a good and merry humor at having learnt such an economical way of making broth that she did not know how to make enough of the tramp who had taught her such a useful thing. So they ate and drank, and drank and ate, until they become both tired and sleepy.<br /><br />The tramp was now going to lie down on the floor. But that would never do, thought the old woman. No, that was impossible. "Such a grand person must have a bed to lie in," she said.<br /><br />He did not need much pressing. "It's just like the sweet Christmastime," he said, "and a nicer woman I never came across. Ah, well! Happy are they who meet with such good people," said he, and he lay down on the bed and went asleep.<br /><br />And next morning when he woke, the first thing he got was coffee and a dram. When he was going, the old woman gave him a bright dollar piece. "And thanks, many thanks, for what you have taught me," she said. "Now I shall live in comfort, since I have learnt how to make broth with a nail."<br /><br />"Well it isn't very difficult, if one only has something good to add to it," said the tramp as he went on his way.<br /><br />The woman stood at the door staring after him. "Such people don't grow on every bush," she said.<br /><br /><br /> <span style="font-style:italic;">* story source: Gabriel Djurklou, Fairy Tales from the Swedish, translated by H. L. Brækstad (London: William Heinemann, 1901), pp. 33-41. </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/type1548.html">story found @ www.pitt.edu</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Make Your Own Nail Broth</span><br /><br />Ingredients<br />2 pounds beef stew meat<br />1 tablespoon vegetable oil <br />1 cup carrots, sliced thin<br />1 cup celery, sliced<br />1 medium onion, sliced thin<br />1/2 cup green bell pepper, coarsely chopped<br />1/4 cup parsley leaves, snipped<br />4 cups beef broth <br />1 (16oz)can diced tomatoes<br />1 cup spaghetti sauce <br />2/3 cups pearl barley <br />2 teaspoons basil, dry & crushed<br />1 teaspoon salt <br />4 teaspoons black pepper <br /> <br />Directions<br /><br />Cut meat into 1 inch cubes. <br />In a large skillet brown meat, half at a time, in hot oil. <br />Drain well. <br />Meanwhile in crockpot combine carrots, celery, onion, green pepper, and parsley. <br />Add broth, undrained tomatoes, spagetti sauce, barley, basil, salt, and pepper. <br />Stir in browned meat.<br /><br />Cover; cook on low-heat setting for 10-12 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 1/2-5 hours. <br />Skim off fat.<br />Enjoy your Nail Broth!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-21439325044596190652009-12-19T07:20:00.000-08:002010-01-07T10:11:02.444-08:00Here We Come A-Wassailing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-gkJOy6TIvZTWfABxyPx0kQVuSzL0hntonNkUq_xx2gzrbvMAZ3g_SLT-wKEnD3h2es-YVNWEqSexqf5nxrMbHv4QveamB6XStQIwwwm-P3mnec_r_pYF8E7N0iek1wNpIwclVjN5xc/s1600-h/Wassail_Song.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-gkJOy6TIvZTWfABxyPx0kQVuSzL0hntonNkUq_xx2gzrbvMAZ3g_SLT-wKEnD3h2es-YVNWEqSexqf5nxrMbHv4QveamB6XStQIwwwm-P3mnec_r_pYF8E7N0iek1wNpIwclVjN5xc/s400/Wassail_Song.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413818612371235970" /></a><br /><br />(As with most carols, there are several versions) <br /><br />Here we come a-wassailing<br />Among the leaves so green;<br />Here we come a-wand'ring<br />So fair to be seen.<br /><br />REFRAIN:<br />Love and joy come to you,<br />And to you your wassail too;<br />And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year<br />And God send you a Happy New Year.<br /><br />Our wassail cup is made<br />Of the rosemary tree,<br />And so is your beer<br />Of the best barley.<br /><br />REFRAIN<br /><br />We are not daily beggars<br />That beg from door to door;<br />But we are neighbours' children,<br />Whom you have seen before.<br /><br />REFRAIN<br /><br />Call up the butler of this house,<br />Put on his golden ring.<br />Let him bring us up a glass of beer,<br />And better we shall sing.<br /><br />REFRAIN<br /><br />We have got a little purse<br />Of stretching leather skin;<br />We want a little of your money<br />To line it well within.<br /><br />REFRAIN<br /><br />Bring us out a table<br />And spread it with a cloth;<br />Bring us out a mouldy cheese,<br />And some of your Christmas loaf.<br /><br />REFRAIN<br /><br />God bless the master of this house<br />Likewise the mistress too,<br />And all the little children<br />That round the table go<br /><br />REFRAIN<br /><br />Good master and good mistress,<br />While you're sitting by the fire,<br />Pray think of us poor children<br />Who are wandering in the mire.<br /><br />REFRAIN<br /><br /><blockquote>Here We Come A-Wassailing (or Here We Come A-Caroling) is a Christmas carol and New Years song. It refers to 'wassailing', or singing carols door to door.[1]. <br /><br />An old English wassail song, or song to wish good health, which is what "wassail" means. <br />According to Readers Digest; "the Christmas spirit often made the rich a little more generous than usual, and bands of beggars and orphans used to dance their way through the snowy streets of England, offering to sing good cheer and to tell good fortune if the householder would give them a drink from his wassail bowl or a penny or a pork pie or, let them stand for a few minutes beside the warmth of his hearth. <br /><br />The wassail bowl itself was a hearty combination of hot ale or beer and spices and mead, just alcoholic enough to warm tingling toes and fingers of the singers" <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">info found at wikipedia</span></blockquote><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1jZ4WrvYvQg&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1jZ4WrvYvQg&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSegPOM_6ppVdzPTEm8I2HsAI1VMrH6ORYceBqveP66uuwAVdN9e8k42wN6H2h86a7UboUkLK27bGeAo2A7_cWmMgV6KKRkF6sOfzmoSm8saNEBhibL2Csb7yS2l15_dJKHPNGaAGFbDc/s1600-h/wassail+bowl.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSegPOM_6ppVdzPTEm8I2HsAI1VMrH6ORYceBqveP66uuwAVdN9e8k42wN6H2h86a7UboUkLK27bGeAo2A7_cWmMgV6KKRkF6sOfzmoSm8saNEBhibL2Csb7yS2l15_dJKHPNGaAGFbDc/s320/wassail+bowl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413820333063493346" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Spiced Wassail</span><br /><br />Ingredients<br /><br /> * 1 quart unsweetened apple juice<br /> * 3 cups unsweetened pineapple juice<br /> * 2 cups cranberry juice<br /> * 1 navel orange, sliced<br /> * 1 medium lemon, sliced<br /> * 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg<br /> * 3 whole cloves<br /> * 1 (3 inch) stick cinnamon, broken<br /><br />Directions<br /><br />1) In a large saucepan, combine all of the ingredients. <br />2) Bring to a boil. <br />3) Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.<br />4) Discard the orange and lemon slices, cloves and cinnamon before serving.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-64457941887955210602009-12-05T04:04:00.000-08:002010-01-07T10:11:22.381-08:00The Legend of the Christmas Spider<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW42iuIWj-TFqURXNkEmSwzT7q_kETmYzml4pAt0rouiZyvbB2e53YrZH3qS4KsWevYghH_v281-emneaE0FQB50soG5IfrZgV6TGAOsvB5X9rHUoflu8xlv8Ib0QkvFoHfmutuYP4o4/s1600-h/christmas+spider+pic.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiW42iuIWj-TFqURXNkEmSwzT7q_kETmYzml4pAt0rouiZyvbB2e53YrZH3qS4KsWevYghH_v281-emneaE0FQB50soG5IfrZgV6TGAOsvB5X9rHUoflu8xlv8Ib0QkvFoHfmutuYP4o4/s400/christmas+spider+pic.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403757814951099970" /></a><br />On Christmas eve, a long time ago, a gentle mother was busily cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year... Christmas day, the day on which the little Christ child came to bless the house. Not a speck of dust was left. Even the spiders had been banished from their cozy corner on the ceiling. They had fled to the farthest corner of the attic.<br /><br />The Christmas tree was beautifully decorated. The poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, nor be present for the little Christ child's visit. Then the oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could wait until everyone went to bed and then get a closer look.<br /><br />When the house was dark and silent, the spiders crept out of their hiding place. When they neared the Christmas tree, they were delighted with the beauty of it. The spiders crept all over the tree, up and down, over the branches and twigs and saw every one of the pretty things.<br /><br />The spiders loved the Christmas tree. All night long they danced in the branches, leaving them covered with spider webs. In the morning, when the little Christ child came to bless the house, he was dismayed! He loved the little spiders for they were God's creatures, but he knew the mother, who had worked so hard to make everything perfect, would not be pleased when she saw what the spiders had done.<br /><br />With love in his heart and a smile on his lips, the little Christ child reached out and gently touched the spider webs. The spider webs started to sparkle and shine! They had all turned into sparkling, shimmering silver and gold.<br /><br />According to legend, ever since this happened, people have hung tinsel on their Christmas trees. It has also become a custom to include a spider among the decorations on the Christmas tree.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">A version of this story can be found in Shirley Climo's picture book "A Cobweb Christmas".</span> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31HyQh0Ez5ALn-TP_2HQPtA2tq3qDLtoRWG2-IzOk9Lv-NlVadst3qFZieDxaYRyMpK6XwnxlPMu-mbp_P3fHOjzhyphenhyphenwYHPZFVPX8ISN0S9tNW-os5yh96DMHYOEfvi_WUukuTW_QwbCk/s1600-h/cobweb+christmas+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31HyQh0Ez5ALn-TP_2HQPtA2tq3qDLtoRWG2-IzOk9Lv-NlVadst3qFZieDxaYRyMpK6XwnxlPMu-mbp_P3fHOjzhyphenhyphenwYHPZFVPX8ISN0S9tNW-os5yh96DMHYOEfvi_WUukuTW_QwbCk/s400/cobweb+christmas+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403755238933485042" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-style:italic;">Super Simple</span> Spider Cookies</span><br /><br />Ingredients:<br /> • 2 chocolate wafer cookies (another wafer like cookie would also work ...you can also just use a sandwich cookie but it doesn't work quite as well)<br /> • white icing (another color would work it depends on the look you want)<br /> • shoestring licorice<br /> Redhots or other small candies for eyes<br /><br />Directions:<br /> 1. Place one wafer upside down on a plate; cover with icing.<br /><br /> 2. Place either 4 long stripes of shoestring licorice or 8 short, (for legs)<br /><br /> 3. Place the remaining wafer on top.<br /><br /> 4. Use icing to attach 2 candies for eyes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_88tS60hbjKTUsIH6KKjJnkmEIt9uwYmOrEskEEIi7n9d_DCI80nEjNSSMPuH5vqGtT4vDANbxu7TiHuWFoWQgSBiGd8jXBoeeZ7SC9j3DZFuscJoYcvwu87CNjrNH2FXm042DkHXYcY/s1600/spider+cookies.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 215px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_88tS60hbjKTUsIH6KKjJnkmEIt9uwYmOrEskEEIi7n9d_DCI80nEjNSSMPuH5vqGtT4vDANbxu7TiHuWFoWQgSBiGd8jXBoeeZ7SC9j3DZFuscJoYcvwu87CNjrNH2FXm042DkHXYcY/s320/spider+cookies.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409207584464581218" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Second Simple</span> Spider Cookies</span><br /><br />Ingredients:<br /> • 2 Tbsp Peanut butter<br /> • 2 Tbsp Powdered sugar<br /> • 2 Tbsp Graham cracker crumbs<br /> • 2 Tbsp Coconut<br /> • Licorice<br /> • Raisins<br /><br />Directions:<br /> 1. Mix peanut butter, sugar and crumbs together and form a ball.<br /> 2. Divide the ball into 2 parts to form 2 balls, 1 slightly smaller than the other.<br /> 3. Roll balls in coconut and place smaller ball on top of larger one.<br /> 4. The smaller ball with be the head and the larger 1, the abdomen.<br /> 5. Add 8 licorice legs <br /> 6. Use raisins for eyes (8 eyes would be accurate but creepy)<br /><br /><a href="http://storytellingcraftsandkids.blogspot.com/">Check out the crafts related to this story at my StorytellingCraftsAndKids.blogspot.com site</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-61397770240569938702009-11-27T02:43:00.000-08:002010-01-07T10:11:39.711-08:00The King, the Maiden and the Pumpkin....a tale from the Phillipines<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BhGwDgP5y7hwJ6Qf9BuAoB30kpjpqd_UwXiSzv5CCE6eVaMsOyubQeetHaNQdawZcMn2jOV2kpfIfKc5pl07oAr5AXhiAg6GltOqNYUBX4yiRXv0mOgUgqHl4awrPO36o3aIHtLQvtuz/s1600-h/pumpkin_patch.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 325px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BhGwDgP5y7hwJ6Qf9BuAoB30kpjpqd_UwXiSzv5CCE6eVaMsOyubQeetHaNQdawZcMn2jOV2kpfIfKc5pl07oAr5AXhiAg6GltOqNYUBX4yiRXv0mOgUgqHl4awrPO36o3aIHtLQvtuz/s400/pumpkin_patch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403782598032956370" /></a><br /><br /> <br />One day in a time long ago, King Adoveneis went out into the plains to hunt for deer, and he accidentally became separated from his companions.<br /><br />Wandering about, the king saw a hut that was surrounded by a garden. Tending the garden was a beautiful young maiden.<br /><br />The king spoke to the maiden and said, "Tell me, lass, what plants are you growing here?"<br /> <br />She replied, "I am raising pumpkins and melons."<br /><br />Now, the king happened to be thirsty, and so he asked the maiden for a drink. "We were hunting in the heat of the day," he said, "and I felt a terrible thirst come over me."<br /><br />The maiden replied, "O illustrious king! We have water to be sure, but only an old, crude jar in which to serve it. Surely it is not right or worthy that your Majesty should drink from such a crude jar! Now if we had a jar of pure gold, in which we could pour water from a crystal clear fountain, then that would be a proper offering for your Majesty."<br /> <br />The king replied to the girl, "Never mind the jar: I'm terribly thirsty! I care not if the jar is old, provided that the water is cool."<br /> <br />The maiden went into the house, fetched the jar, and filled it with clear cool water. Presently the king drank his fill.<br /> <br />After he had finished, the king handed her back the jar. Then, suddenly, the maiden struck the jar against the staircase. It was shattered to bits.<br /> <br />The king wondered at this strange act, and in his heart he thought that the maiden had no manners at all. <br /> <br />He cried, "You see that I am a noble king, and you know that I hold the crown. For what possible reason did you shatter that jar, received from my hands?"<br /> <br />The maiden replied, "The reason I broke the jar, which has been kept for many years by my mother, O king! is that I should not like to have it used by anyone else after you, your majesty, has touched it."<br /> <br />Upon hearing that, the king made no reply. In his heart, he marveled at the actions of the woman and determined that she was a good, virtuous maiden after all. As he returned toward the city, a thought began to grow on him. He wondered whether the maiden was as clever as she was virtuous.<br /> <br />After some time, the king one day ordered a soldier to carry to the maiden a new jar, one with an opening at the top not much more than one inch across. The soldier's orders were to tell the maiden that the jar was from the king, and that she was to put an entire pumpkin inside the jar. The soldier was also to tell the maiden that she should not break the jar under any circumstance. Both the jar with the small opening at the top and the pumpkin must remain whole.<br /> <br />The maiden returned a message to the king that she was certain she could do what his majesty ordered, but that such a task might take some time. Indeed, it was several months before the maiden arrived at the palace. In her hands she held the same jar, and sure enough, an entire pumpkin sat inside of it. When the king closely examined the jar, he confirmed that the jar was the same one that he had delivered. What's more, he saw that both the jar and the pumpkin were completely undamaged. He asked the maiden to marry him on the spot, as she was as clever as she was virtuous, and she gladly accepted. <br /> <br />Later, in their royal chambers, when his new wife revealed her secret, the king laughed long and hard.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">How did she do it???</span><br /><br />She had placed a pumpkin bud, one that was still attached to a vine in the ground, inside the jar through its small opening. Over time the pumpkin bud grew into a full-sized pumpkin. When the pumpkin filled the jar, she simply cut off the stem and delivered the jar with the pumpkin to the palace.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://hazel.forest.net/whootie/stories/pumpkin_jar_philippines.html">story found here at Whootie Owl's Stories</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-341BRA4Ye9XPedwrVVWRyAk-pkQxqqkosajyS1sgl-AGiGTN9qfLsRdkX4KxopacEFWUO7TvMAFUEPb46SvV3bttYVQV2VdFGu8nvU7fIWwFWuN531PElfoO4WpzdE_-h5gbP0YBZMv/s1600-h/cake+in+a+jar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-341BRA4Ye9XPedwrVVWRyAk-pkQxqqkosajyS1sgl-AGiGTN9qfLsRdkX4KxopacEFWUO7TvMAFUEPb46SvV3bttYVQV2VdFGu8nvU7fIWwFWuN531PElfoO4WpzdE_-h5gbP0YBZMv/s320/cake+in+a+jar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403790055672398498" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pumpkin Cake in a Jar</span><br /><br />Makes 8 cakes<br /><br />Ingredients:<br />2/3 cup vegetable shortening<br />2-2/3 cups sugar<br />4 eggs<br />2 cups canned pumpkin<br />2/3 cup water<br />3-1/3 cups all-purpose flour<br />1/2 teaspoon baking powder<br />1-1/2 teaspoons salt<br />1 teaspoon each ground cloves, allspice, and cinnamon<br />2 teaspoons baking soda<br />1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)<br />8 straight sided wide-mouth Pint Jars<br /><br />Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. <br /><br />Grease 8 wide-mouth pint jars. <br /><br />Cream the shortening and sugar together; beat in eggs, pumpkin, and water. Set aside. <br /><br />Sift the flour, baking powder, salt, spices, and baking soda together; add to pumpkin mixture and stir well. Stir in nuts. <br /><br />Pour into jars, filling 1/2 full.<br /><br />Make sure to keep the rims of the jars clean. Place jars on a cookie sheet to keep from tipping over while baking. <br /><br />Bake for about 45 minutes or until done, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. <br /><br />Remove from oven. While still warm, place waxed paper on top of each cake and place lid on jar. <br /><br />Cakes will slide out easily when they have cooled.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.yankeemagazine.com/recipes/search/onerecipe.php?number=1628">recipe found at YankeeMagazine.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685027145095922364.post-43271603088870444952009-11-13T03:09:00.000-08:002010-01-07T10:11:55.869-08:00The Recipe.....a Hodja tale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrkGRhurT5M5BJ0rEzvwNMJppQSiVDMJp_8lPx7IgRSWhtir4o6cpzxTo21Gp6GCJn0y5twkv2C10f9rzdLJJvD0-MGocFQQfw9InchW1PGb5JgTfq-tkwR3v4tGrbUUiCDKuVY0hDrA/s1600-h/hodja+turkey.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrkGRhurT5M5BJ0rEzvwNMJppQSiVDMJp_8lPx7IgRSWhtir4o6cpzxTo21Gp6GCJn0y5twkv2C10f9rzdLJJvD0-MGocFQQfw9InchW1PGb5JgTfq-tkwR3v4tGrbUUiCDKuVY0hDrA/s400/hodja+turkey.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398191983464208002" /></a><br /><br />The Recipe <br /><br />The Hodja purchased a piece of meat at the market, and on his way home he met a friend. <br /><br />Seeing the Hodja's purchase, the friend told him an excellent recipe for stew. <br /><br />"I'll forget it for sure," said the Hodja. "Write it on a piece of paper for me." <br /><br />The friend obliged him, and the Hodja continued on his way, the piece of meat in one hand and the recipe in the other. He had not walked far when suddenly a large hawk swooped down from the sky, snatched the meat, and flew away with it. <br /><br />"It will do you no good!" shouted the Hodja after the disappearing hawk. "I still have the recipe!" <br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZccfDsLVBUw-L-3VVURYINq-IkNiBC2jmIK9VXowUBOZ39H3xo-x0uPB5Q1BqpM3hE0Jm1EiAfQIdSXPOQjOTZoT0RB1nz4CRI25IAZhbOdPuW3WZhYZSieVc4Te_xbX3ug9WWOj6xiM/s1600-h/turkey2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZccfDsLVBUw-L-3VVURYINq-IkNiBC2jmIK9VXowUBOZ39H3xo-x0uPB5Q1BqpM3hE0Jm1EiAfQIdSXPOQjOTZoT0RB1nz4CRI25IAZhbOdPuW3WZhYZSieVc4Te_xbX3ug9WWOj6xiM/s320/turkey2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398190721256179842" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Super Simple Slow Cooker Turkey Breast</span><br /><br />Ingredients<br /><br /> * 1 (6 pound) bone-in turkey breast<br /> * 1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix<br /><br />Directions<br /><br />1. Rinse the turkey breast and pat dry. <br /><br />2. Cut off any excess skin, but leave the skin covering the breast. <br /><br />3. Rub onion soup mix all over outside of the turkey and under the skin. <br /><br />4. Place in a slow cooker. Cover, and cook on High for 1 hour, then set to Low, and cook for 7 hours.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0