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Monthly Archives: December 2014

Photo Challenge:Warmth…Even on the Coldest Day of the Season

31 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by slvrhawk2014 in Photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

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photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

DSCN4462

Today is the coldest day of this winter season here in Mid-Missouri. But when I ventured outside, onto my front porch, the rising sun gave me a warm feeling, and the sense of a beautiful day ahead. Well, the hot cup of coffee I was holding helped a little too!

Have a safe and enjoyable New Year’s Eve, everyone!

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2014 in review

31 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by slvrhawk2014 in Uncategorized

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The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.

Here's an excerpt:

A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,500 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 25 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

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Valley Forge…and Pepper Pot Soup

29 Monday Dec 2014

Posted by slvrhawk2014 in Poultry Dishes, Soups and Stews

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Foods of the Revolutionary War Years

If you are like me, you still have some of that turkey you served on Christmas Day. Oh, the leftovers! But I have found a new way to use some of that delicious meat in something surprisingly delicious.

Today, December 29, is National Pepper Pot Day…okay, I had never heard of it either! So I did some research. Seems like Pepper Pot was long ago dubbed as the “soup that won the war”, the Revolutionary War.

During a brutal, cold winter at Valley Forge, George Washington asked his chef to make a soup for the men that would improve both their health and their morale. After scrounging around for what was available, the chef made a spicy soup using beef tripe (cow stomach), ground peppercorns, and some vegetables. The soup was well received by the soldiers, and Philadelphia Pepper Pot is still popular in Philly restaurants today.

Valley Forge

In the winter of 1777-1778, George Washington gathered his recruits at a place twenty miles outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here, he planned to train them to become an effective army that could win the war for independence.

But the winter proved to be very cold and cruel. By the time it was over, Washington had seen 2,500 young men die, not from battle, but from sickness and disease.

We traveled to Valley Forge in 2005, as part of a trip to the East Coast. At that time, I did not yet have a digital camera. I took many pictures with my old film camera and put them into a scrapbook of our trip. Here are four of those pages…

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On the page to the left, you see a statue of Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, the Persian drill master who did so much to turn the young men at Valley Forge into a fighting force that could play its role in the battle for independence.

On the right hand page is a monument to “Mad” Anthony Wayne, the general who fought so hard to clothe and supply the soldiers; to provide them with the sense of dignity that would help make them successful in war.

You can see Valley Creek on the right hand page. Many years ago, there was an iron forge built at the creek, from which Valley Forge got its name. Today, you can fish in the creek, but only to “catch-and-release”.

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These pages deal with the everyday life of the soldier. On the lower left corner of the second page, you see three huts in a row. These are reproductions of some of the seventy-eight that were built to house the men during that dreadful winter. The wood for the huts came from the surrounding forest. On the page to the left are pictures of the interior of the huts.

Also shown on the right hand page is the outdoor oven used at Valley Forge. It is said that the men enjoyed freshly baked bread, about a pound a day, made by Baker General Christopher Ludwig.

You can learn more about Valley Forge, and about planning your own trip to this national historic park, by going to their website at http://www.nps.gov/vafo/index.htm.

Pepper Pot Soup

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I have always enjoyed cooking from historical cookbooks, trying to learn from the food of the past, about the people of the past. It was a fun activity to share with my own children, and a fun activity to share with the students in my classroom. Now, it is just my husband and I…but once a teacher…you know the rest!

There are many different recipes for Pepper Pot. I looked at many of them and adapted them to fit our Christmas “leftovers” and our taste buds. This, along with some fresh homemade wheat bread,  is what I came up with. I hope you enjoy this soup, we surely did!

Pepper Pot Soup

  • 1 1/2 lb. leftover turkey, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 3 Tbsps. butter
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 2 large potatoes, cut in a 3/4 inch dice
  • 2 stems fresh thyme
  • 2 stems fresh rosemary
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 3 cloves
  • 2-4 Tbsps. black peppercorns, crushed (or to taste, I did not use quite so many)
  • 2 qts. turkey broth (I used the broth I had made by boiling the turkey bones, and added 1 cube of chicken bouillon.)
  • cayenne pepper

In a large pot, melt the butter and saute the onions, celery, and carrots until tender. Add the sliced garlic and saute 30 more seconds, until you can smell the garlic aroma.

Tie the herbs together with string. This makes them easier to remove at the end of the cooking. Add the tied herbs, diced potatoes, and the broth to the pot. Simmer for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Add the turkey pieces and simmer an additional 5 minutes. Turn off the stove and let soup sit for 30 minutes, allowing all the flavors to blend.

Bring the soup back to a boil, then simmer for up to 5 minutes; just to reheat it. Remove the tied herbs and season to taste with salt. Set out some cayenne pepper for those who would like their soup a bit spicier, and serve. This recipe will serve 6 people.

 

 

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Winter Snow and Christmas Sugar Cookies

21 Sunday Dec 2014

Posted by slvrhawk2014 in Christmas, Cookies, Family

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Christmas, Cookies, Family

It is that time of year when the word “busy” barely explains what life feels like. And I love it…every last gift-wrapping, tree-trimming,  pine needles all over the floor, menu planning, cookie dough snitching minute of it. But there are times when I am exhausted, addle-brained, and tied up in knots. At these times I like to leave the “busy” behind and go for a walk.

After the holidays, a winter trip is always nice and relaxing. Today is the first day of winter, and I love winter…every bone-chilling, snow covered landscape, scarf over my nose, I need some hot chocolate minute of it. So in addition to getting ready for Christmas, I am also dreaming about those winter journeys, long or short, that Jim and I will be taking in January and February.

So, I thought I would take a few minutes to reflect on the beauty of the winter, as we have seen it, over the years…and to share the most important part of Christmas dinner in this house, the Christmas cookies we have made for decades, the one my mom made for decades earlier.

First, winter through my eyes…

I love walking in our neighborhood after a good snowfall...and in south central Missouri, a good, heavy snowfall is really special.
I love walking in our neighborhood after a good snowfall…and in south central Missouri, a good, heavy snowfall is really special.
This picture was taken on a visit to Missouri wine country on a beautiful, snowy day.
This picture was taken on a visit to Missouri wine country on a beautiful, snowy day.
I love seeing the first snowfall of the year. We caught this one in Indiana, at Turkey Run State Park.
I love seeing the first snowfall of the year. We caught this one in Indiana, at Turkey Run State Park.
We traveled to our son's house in Michigan last year and went on a hike in the woods on a very cold day...
We traveled to our son’s house in Michigan last year and went on a hike in the woods on a very cold day…
we even found our own Charlie Brown Christmas tree!
we even found our own Charlie Brown Christmas tree!
This is Bayfield, Wisconsin, the gateway to the ice caves of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Jim says it looks like a Currier and Ives print...our younger children have no idea what he is talking about.
This is Bayfield, Wisconsin, the gateway to the ice caves of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Jim says it looks like a Currier and Ives print…our younger children have no idea what he is talking about.
Ice that forms along the edge of the Missouri River makes beautiful patterns'
Ice that forms along the edge of the Missouri River makes beautiful patterns’
We make frequent visits to Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, on the Mississippi River, in West Alton. Missouri. There are many eagles along the river in January and February, but on this day we found this heron and a beautiful white swan.
We make frequent visits to Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary, on the Mississippi River, in West Alton. Missouri. There are many eagles along the river in January and February, but on this day we found this heron and a beautiful white swan.
And after a day of snow crunching by car or on foot...
And after a day of snow crunching by car or on foot…
we are often treated to a gorgeous winter sunset.
we are often treated to a gorgeous winter sunset.

I love winter!

And now those really good Christmas sugar cookies…

All the grandchildren like to come and help decorate the cookies.

All the grandchildren like to come and help decorate the cookies.

Christmas Sugar Cookies

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/4 cup shortening
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. salt

In a mixer, cream together the butter, shortening, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture. Chill for at least one hour.

Roll dough to 1/8″ thick on a lightly floured board. Cut with various Christmas cooky cutters. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes on an ungreased baking sheet. About 4 dozen cookies.

Enjoy!

This recipe is adapted from Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book, which was first published by General Mills in 1963.

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Chicago Christkindlmarket…and Dr. Pepper Spiced Apple Cider

03 Wednesday Dec 2014

Posted by slvrhawk2014 in Beverages, Christmas, Illinois, Photography, Travel

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Beverages, Christmas, Illinois, photography, Travel

It is that time of year again…time for Christmas shopping. Shopping is not one of my favorite activities…unless it means a train ride to Chicago and a trip to Christkindlmarket. Christkindlmarket is a market held each Christmas season on Daley Plaza in Chicago, featuring artisans from all over Europe.

Here you see the booths of Christkindlmarket in front of the Chicago Picasso at Daley Plaza.

Here you see the booths of Christkindlmarket in front of the Chicago Picasso at Daley Plaza.

You will find all sorts of beautiful handmade items at the market. Some of my favorites include the hand painted ornaments, the wooden toys and creches, nutcrackers and candle carousels, hand knitted sweaters, and handmade pottery. You will also find many booths with great food. The brats are wonderful, but the very best is the mulled wine served in the “warming” hut. The wine is served in a commemorative mug in the shape of a boot that makes a wonderful keepsake of your trip. There is even a hut featuring European candies and nut confections. We never leave Chicago without more than we intended on getting. What fun!

I love the tradition of hiding a pickle in the tree, and at Christkindlmarket, you can find a pickle in any size you want.
I love the tradition of hiding a pickle in the tree, and at Christkindlmarket, you can find a pickle in any size you want.
There are booths just packed with beautiful ornaments.
There are booths just packed with beautiful ornaments.

Christkindlmarket has been a tradition in the city of Chicago since 1996. It is fashioned on the original Christkindlmarkets that have been held in Germany since 1945. This year there are sixty booths at the market. The market runs from November 21 through December 24, and is open seven days a week. For more information about Christkindlmarket, you can check out their website at http://www.christkindlmarket.com.

This is one of our favorite trips to repeat again and again. We take the train from St. Louis and spend a weekend in the Windy City, sometimes meeting friends we don’t get to see often enough.

Here are a few of the things we like to remember from our trips to Christkindlmarket.

The tree is an important part of the setting for our Christmas shopping.
The tree is an important part of the setting for our Christmas shopping.
Sixty booths will be selling wares and great food at Christkindlmarket this year.
Sixty booths will be selling wares and great food at Christkindlmarket this year.
When we are not shopping or relaxing at one of Chicago's great restaurants, we are walking the streets of the Windy City. I love this big mid-western town!
When we are not shopping or relaxing at one of Chicago’s great restaurants, we are walking the streets of the Windy City. I love this big mid-western town!
And who can go to Chicago without a trip to Macy's?
And who can go to Chicago without a trip to Macy’s?
Heading back to the train station to go home, we pass over the Chicago River.
Heading back to the train station to go home, we pass over the Chicago River.
One of my favorite pictures of Chicago is this one that I took as we were leaving for home on Amtrak.
One of my favorite pictures of Chicago is this one that I took as we were leaving for home on Amtrak.

Whether we are coming in from a big day of shopping, finishing up with decorating our home, enjoying a house full of kids and grandchildren, or just sitting and relaxing, our very favorite warm-up drink is Dr. Pepper Spiced Apple Cider. I got this recipe one cold winter day at a street market here in Rolla, at a booth that was a very welcome site! It is so very simple, yet so very good.

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Dr. Pepper Hot Spiced Cider

  • 1 gallon apple cider
  • 1-2 liter bottle of Dr. Pepper
  • 1 bottle of decorating red cinnamon candies, more or less, according to taste

Put all the ingredients into a large pot and bring to a boil. Stir occassionally, making sure the cinnamon candies don’t stick to the bottom.

That is it…couldn’t be simpler! This makes a big batch of cider, but at this house it does not last long, and any leftover spiced cider can be refrigerated. I often hear Jim, or one of the kids when they are home, going out to the refrigerator at any time of day or night…the microwave is their best friend on these trips! Enjoy!

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