Christmas Pickles

I have made these pickles for about 30 years. They are definitely a favorite at our house. These are made from the large overgrown cucumbers. We intentionally let these get large for the purposes of making these pickles. The fat, yellow ones are the best but the large green ones will work as well.

7 lb cucumbers (after cutting), 1 cup lime, 1 cup vinegar, 1 sm. bottle red food coloring, 1 tbsp. alum, 2 cups vinegar, 2 cups water, 8 cinnamon sticks, 10 cups sugar, 2 packages cinnamon red hot candy or 8-10 drops cinnamon extract.

Peel cucumbers. Cut in half long ways. Using a spoon remove seeds. Slice into thick slices. Soak in one cup lime and enough water to cover cucumbers for 24 hours. Remove from lime water and wash well. Soak in ice water 3 hrs or overnight in the fridge. Drain. Mix one cup vinegar, food coloring and alum in enough water to cover cucumbers. Simmer 2 hrs. Drain. Put back into ice water. In another kettle bring to boil 2 cups vinegar, 2 cups water, sugar, cinnamon sticks and cinnamon red hots. After boiling, pour over drained cucumbers. Let stand 24 hrs. Drain reserving juice. Pack cucumbers into jars. Bring juice to boil. Pour hot juice over cucumbers. Process in a water bath canner 5 min. for pts, 10 min. for qts. Makes approx. 14 pts.

These taste like spiced apple rings. Very delicious!

July 31, 2013 5

Homemade Window Cleaner

Jess found this recipe for homemade window cleaner. It really works!

2 cups warm water, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1/4 cup alcohol, 1/4 white vinegar. Mix all ingredients together. Shake before using.

April 3, 2013 3

Tuna Cakes

1/4 cup each chopped green pepper and onions, 1/4 cup mayonaise, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 5oz. cans tuna drained, 1 egg beaten, 1 cup dry bread crumbs. Mix all ingredients together. Roll balls, flatten into cakes. Fry cakes in melted butter until done.

February 21, 2012 0

Honeybun Cake

1 box yellow cake mix, 4 eggs, 3/4 cup oil, 8 oz. sour cream. Mix ingredients, spread 1/2 of cake mixture in a greased 9 x13 cake pan. Sprinkle 1/2 of the following mixture on top:

1 cup brown sugar mixed with 1 tbsp. cinnamon

spread remaining cake mixture on top sprinkle remaining brown sugar mixture on top and swirl with butter knife. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 min or until done. Glaze cake when cooled.

Glaze for cake: 2 cups powdered sugar, 5-6 tbsp evaporated milk, and 1 tsp. vanilla.

January 23, 2012 0

Pinwheel Candy

I got this recipe from a dear friend of mine, Vanessa Looney. She was my supervisor for many years. She took the time to love me and tell me about Jesus when I definitely wasn’t very lovable. She has been with the Lord for many years now. When we found out her time on this earth was short, she said to me “I’m not afraid of dying. I’ve lived my entire life to see my Lord!”

1 box powdered sugar (3 1/2 cups), 1/2 stick butter softened, 1 tsp. vanilla. Add evaporated milk-1 tbsp at a time. Could take as many as 3 tbsp. Mixture needs to be a little dry. Roll out on wax paper sprinkled with powdered sugar. Spread peanut butter. Roll up, chill, slice and enjoy.

December 5, 2011 3

Mullein

I thought I would show you all a picture of mullein. The girls and I went gathering it this morning. We got quite a lot.

I then looked it (I think this might be a mountain term) and removed any that did not look good. I have the first batch in the dehydrator now. As I said yesterday, this is the first time I have tried drying it. I will show you all pictures of it after it is dryed. I usually just gather the leaves and make a tea from them, add sugar or honey and use it as a cold tea. It is very good cold with a minty taste. The problem with this is there are no leaves to gather in the winter. I have never tried this as a hot tea but according to what I have read on line, you use 1 tbsp. dried mullein to a cup of hot water. Let it steep for about 10 minutes and strain the liguid through a coffee filter or cheesecloth. You will need to add honey to this, as it is bitter without a sweetener. This is good for coughs and respiratory ailments.

I have finished drying the mullein and I thought I would just add the picture of it here on this post.

I will store this in an airtight container to enjoy over the winter. It actually yielded much more than I thought it would. Enjoy your day and God bless.

October 26, 2011 7

Pinwheel Candy

It is raining outside today. We did not want to go to the building to get decorations so we just decided to make some candy. I usually make this only at Christmas time but I should make it more often as it is one of everyone’s favorite. This recipe came from a dear friend of mine and I have used it now for about 25 years. Wow, that makes me feel old(maybe I should leave that sentence out). Anyway the recipe is:

1/4 cup butter-softened, 1 tsp vanilla. Gradually add in 1 box powdered sugar. You will need to add a little evaporated milk at the end-only add about 1 tbsp at a time. 1-3 tbsp should be all you will need. It needs to be a little dry. Roll out and spread on peanut butter. Roll up candy length wise and put in fridge until chilled. Cut and enjoy.

Just a little note about the lady who gave me this recipe. Her name was Vanessa Looney and she was one of the finest Christian ladies I have ever known. When it became obvious to those who loved her that it would soon be time for her to be with the Lord, she made a profound statement to me. We were talking and she said “You know, I am not afraid of dying. I have lived my entire life for this moment. I will finally see my Jesus.” I consider this one of the most important statements a Christian could ever make-that we would all live our lives for the moment we will see Him. Just a little remembering on my part.

Well, I best be going. My girls want to play a game of cards. Enjoy your day and God bless.

November 30, 2010 5

Biscuit Mix

Tired of buying this out of the store? Well, today Jess and I came across a recipe to make our own. We found it in our Mennonite cookbook. I needed to make sausage balls for our thanksgiving meal and of course my store bought bisquick mix was out of date. I will be making this mix today but I felt confident enough in Mrs. Shank’s recipe to post it without trying it first. I very seldom do that but every recipe I have tried from this cookbook has been excellent. I feel confident this one will be also. The recipe is:

8 cups all purpose flour, 1/3 cup baking powder, 2 tsp. cream of tartar, 3 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp salt, 1 1/2 cups dry milk powder. Mix together thoroughly. 2 cups vegetable shortening. Cut in until mixture is fine uniform crumbs. Store in airtight container in cool dry place. Yield 13 cups mix which makes 45-50 biscuits. To make biscuits, blend together 3 1/2 cups mix and 2/3 cup water. Stir just until liquid is mixed into the dough. Form into a ball and knead slightly. Pat or roll out to 1/2″ thickness. Cut with biscuit cutter. Place on greased baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 min. Makes 12 large biscuits.

Temperatures are nice here today but the clouds are moving in. I have clothes on the line, hoping they will dry. Yesterday was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine. I certainly am enjoying these warm temperatures. I was looking on our calendar. Last year on Dec. 5th we had our first snow and it snowed all winter. It was a beautiful but hard winter. I wonder what the Lord has in mind for this winter.

Time for school. Enjoy your day and God bless.

November 23, 2010 4

The Cost of Berry Picking

I decided yesterday to pick some more gooseberries and make a gooseberry cobbler. I had never made this before. It turned out very good. Tasted a lot like cherry cobbler. The recipe I used is:

1/2 cup butter, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 1 tsp almond extract, 1/2 cup water, 4 cups gooseberries. Melt butter in 9X13 baking dish. Combine sugar and flour. Mix almond extract and water and add to sugar mixture; add berries. Pour into pan. TOPPING: 1 cup sugar, 1 cup flour, 1 tbsp oil, 1 egg-mix ingredients until crumbly. Put on top of berry mixture and bake at 375 degrees for 40 min. I think this would work with just about any fruit.

Somehow during my picking I managed to get too close to a wasp. Not good! I also made my own tortillas yesterday for supper. Another first. They were really good and not too hard to make. I think I would try them again.

We got a little rain last night. Lots and lots of thunder and lightning. I could have done without the thunder and lightning but we really need rain. Hopefully we will get more this weekend. The garden and yard really need a drink. Jess and family will be coming up tomorrow for a little visit. I can hardly wait to see them. I know Sam has grown so much already and Daniel seems to grow up more each time I see him. Family is such a blessing from God.

Bible study today so I need to start getting ready. Take care and God bless.

July 9, 2010 2