We all know the hustle and bustle of the holidays. We are so busy baking cookies, shopping and decorating that we fall into bed exhausted, wondering how we will finish our long list of things to do before Christmas. It is a busy time of the year with parties, family functions and dinners to plan. But along with the grocery shopping and holiday events, we pause to reflect on why this season is so special.
A baby was born long ago who changed the world. What a simple statement but how true it is. The baby Jesus was born in a lowly manger in a stable and we celebrate His birth at Christmas. And..... He changed the world. So, we pause and reflect. We worship and sing His praises. And indeed..... He changed the world. Let us never forget the real meaning of Christmas.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Christmas Was Right Around The Corner!
With all the excitement around Thanksgiving/marriage/celebration on Vashon Island/ The new book/ and all that pumpkin puree (scroll down and you will find out all about these topics) I got a very late start decorated my house for Christmas.
My tree is 12 feet tall and I have lots of banisters, a mantle, doors to decorate and 12 large plastic tubs full of Christmas decorations to deal with. The tree takes a full day. It is "woodsy" full of birdhouses, birds, red and green plaid ribbons, plaid balls and red bead garland. There are berries, nests, pine cones and over one hundred red, green and gold balls. I added another ball to the mix this year. I covered Styrofoam balls with about one hundred white buttons (some mother of pearl, some Bakelite, some new, some old.) I pin them on the ball with a pearl head floral corsage pin and use a sheer ribbon at the top. See picture above. I love the look!
The Piedmont Writer's Group Book!
After Thanksgiving, Vashon Island and the Big Pumpkin caper.... The Piedmont Writer's Group book Potpourri In Ink was finally published.
Fifteen authors contributed to the book which is crammed full of short stories, essays and poetry. There is a good mix of funny stories, heartfelt memories and history in this book. We used lots of pictures and I think the book is delightful- if I do say so myself. I have 5 pieces in it and we all had a good time putting it together. Many thanks to Dorothy Hemenway Carter (who has a book of her own, by the way) for taking so much of her time with this effort.
If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy, please contact me at writingonarainbow@gmail.com Thanks!
Fifteen authors contributed to the book which is crammed full of short stories, essays and poetry. There is a good mix of funny stories, heartfelt memories and history in this book. We used lots of pictures and I think the book is delightful- if I do say so myself. I have 5 pieces in it and we all had a good time putting it together. Many thanks to Dorothy Hemenway Carter (who has a book of her own, by the way) for taking so much of her time with this effort.
If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy, please contact me at writingonarainbow@gmail.com Thanks!
Next Time I Will............!
After returning from our big adventure on Vashon Island, I had to deal with my 35 pound fall pumpkin from the front porch. I thought I would be frugal and cut it up, cook and puree the monster pumpkin but I didn't realize how "involved" that would become.
First of all, it was big. I can handle 35 pounds (even 50 pounds if you must know) but the pumpkin was also round and slippery which made it hard to carry. If anyone saw me, I am sure I didn't make a very attractive picture hauling that thing from the front porch to the kitchen. Knees bent, back bowed, grunting and groaning- well, you get the picture.
Next, I had to cut it up. Difficult again since the skin was tough as nails and the flesh was thick. The membrane and seeds were slimy and nasty as I spooned them out. OK, that done, I roasted the clean pieces and then scooped out the pulp. Into my handy dandy food processor and TA-DA- out came pumpkin puree! I ended up with about 12 cups of lovely orange puree and immediately made several loaves of my mother-in-law's famous "Dessert Type Pumpkin Bread." Little loaves, big loaves and muffins were baked, frozen, given away and, of course, eaten. Guess what- we are now sick of pumpkin bread!
I do have to admit that it was worth the trouble it took to cook that big old pumpkin. The taste is incredible. Absolutely wonderful. But, the mess, the trouble, dirty pots and pans and the time involved! Well, I think next year- I will buy a can of Libbys brand and be done with it.
Sara Mason's Dessert Type Pumpkin Bread
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
3 Cups sugar
4 Eggs
1 Cup oil
2 Cups pumpkin
3 & 1/2 Cups unsifted all purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1 & 1/2 t. salt
1 & 1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
2/3 Cup water
1 Cup chopped pecans
1 Cup raisins (optional)
Mix sugar, eggs, oil, and pumpkin in one bowl. Combine flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in another bowl. Add dry ingredients and water (alternate) to the pumpkin mixture and mix well. Add pecans and raisins. Mix well. Pour into greased pans: loaf pans; large or mini, or muffin pan. Fill about half full. Bake large loaf pans for one hour at 350 degrees. Insert a knife in the center. When done, it will come out clean. ( I usually check it at 45 minutes.) If you are using the mini loaf pans or muffin pans, adjust time- maybe check at 15 minutes. This recipe freezes well.
First of all, it was big. I can handle 35 pounds (even 50 pounds if you must know) but the pumpkin was also round and slippery which made it hard to carry. If anyone saw me, I am sure I didn't make a very attractive picture hauling that thing from the front porch to the kitchen. Knees bent, back bowed, grunting and groaning- well, you get the picture.
Next, I had to cut it up. Difficult again since the skin was tough as nails and the flesh was thick. The membrane and seeds were slimy and nasty as I spooned them out. OK, that done, I roasted the clean pieces and then scooped out the pulp. Into my handy dandy food processor and TA-DA- out came pumpkin puree! I ended up with about 12 cups of lovely orange puree and immediately made several loaves of my mother-in-law's famous "Dessert Type Pumpkin Bread." Little loaves, big loaves and muffins were baked, frozen, given away and, of course, eaten. Guess what- we are now sick of pumpkin bread!
I do have to admit that it was worth the trouble it took to cook that big old pumpkin. The taste is incredible. Absolutely wonderful. But, the mess, the trouble, dirty pots and pans and the time involved! Well, I think next year- I will buy a can of Libbys brand and be done with it.
Sara Mason's Dessert Type Pumpkin Bread
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
3 Cups sugar
4 Eggs
1 Cup oil
2 Cups pumpkin
3 & 1/2 Cups unsifted all purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1 & 1/2 t. salt
1 & 1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
2/3 Cup water
1 Cup chopped pecans
1 Cup raisins (optional)
Mix sugar, eggs, oil, and pumpkin in one bowl. Combine flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in another bowl. Add dry ingredients and water (alternate) to the pumpkin mixture and mix well. Add pecans and raisins. Mix well. Pour into greased pans: loaf pans; large or mini, or muffin pan. Fill about half full. Bake large loaf pans for one hour at 350 degrees. Insert a knife in the center. When done, it will come out clean. ( I usually check it at 45 minutes.) If you are using the mini loaf pans or muffin pans, adjust time- maybe check at 15 minutes. This recipe freezes well.
Vashon Island, Washington
In the middle of Puget Sound, off the coast of Seattle, Washington sits Vashon Island. There is no bridge connecting Seattle to the island, you can only reach it by ferry boat. This thirteen mile (long) by 6 mile (across) mass of land is shaped like a lower case "h." Once there were two islands: Vashon and Maury, they are now joined by a little strip of land called Burton. Burton was our destination as Andy, the airport shuttle driver, a passenger named Karen and I drove onto the ferry to cross from Seattle to Vashon Island.
The house, I have described below. The people inside were a mixture of old and young. The "old" would be Andy and me from Virginia and my son's new wife's parents Pat and Peg from Florida. Friends of Travis and Maureen (the young) came from New York City, Kansas City, Richmond, VA, and LA, California. Travis and Maureen and son Macrory live in Portland, Oregon so we arrived from all over the country. The "very young" was my grandson, 9 years old.
I read in one publication from the Chamber of Commerce that called Vashon Island "Quirky." I call it charming and a little jewel! I confess, Dear Readers, I have fallen in love with Vashon. So let me tell you a little about it. Read on, please.
The house, I have described below. The people inside were a mixture of old and young. The "old" would be Andy and me from Virginia and my son's new wife's parents Pat and Peg from Florida. Friends of Travis and Maureen (the young) came from New York City, Kansas City, Richmond, VA, and LA, California. Travis and Maureen and son Macrory live in Portland, Oregon so we arrived from all over the country. The "very young" was my grandson, 9 years old.
I read in one publication from the Chamber of Commerce that called Vashon Island "Quirky." I call it charming and a little jewel! I confess, Dear Readers, I have fallen in love with Vashon. So let me tell you a little about it. Read on, please.
Why Even Go Off The Island?
Everything one would ever need seems to be on Vashon Island. The downtown is small but there are a dozen good restaurants, many art galleries, boutiques and shops. One of my favorite stores, The Pharmacy, is a drug store, yes, but so much more! You can purchase greeting cards, Vashon Island tee shirts, hats and hoodies, jewelry, board games, candy and a candy jar to store it. There are note cards, cookware, glasses, scarves, gloves and almost anything you need or want.
We ate several times at The Hardware Store, which USED to be a place to buy nails and hammers but now serves up a great burger and homemade fries, chowders and yummy breakfast. In fact, the pancake (picture shown above) is as big as a dinner plate.
There are antique, book and thrift stores, floral shop, dentist and doctors office, dry cleaners, a yoga center, great grocery stores, gyms and wonderful schools.
There are no hotel or motels on Vashon but there are houses to rent and over a dozen B & Bs and guesthouses.
The opera and stage plays come to Vashon as well as annual festivals, farmers markets, canoe and boating, horseback riding and boarding, swimming and hiking.
About the only big business these days is Pacific Research Laboratories but there are lots of farms producing fresh organic produce, milk and eggs. Most working people commute to either Seattle or Tacoma, Washington which are a short ferry boat ride away.
There are antique, book and thrift stores, floral shop, dentist and doctors office, dry cleaners, a yoga center, great grocery stores, gyms and wonderful schools.
There are no hotel or motels on Vashon but there are houses to rent and over a dozen B & Bs and guesthouses.
The opera and stage plays come to Vashon as well as annual festivals, farmers markets, canoe and boating, horseback riding and boarding, swimming and hiking.
About the only big business these days is Pacific Research Laboratories but there are lots of farms producing fresh organic produce, milk and eggs. Most working people commute to either Seattle or Tacoma, Washington which are a short ferry boat ride away.
Interesting People Who Reside On Vashon Island
John Ratzenberger- Remember him? He played Cliff on TV's Cheers
Alex Bornstein- The actress. She was one of my favorites on Mad TV, and she is the voice of Lois Griffin from The Family Guy. She is one of the funniest human beings ever!
Zach Mann, who is a reality star on MTV's Real Life.
So many authors: Karen Cushman (The Midwifes Apprentice), Michail Chabon who is a Pulitzer winner in 2001, Berkeley Breathed, author of the political satire comic strip Bloom County. He wrote a children's book based on the bicycle in the Tree (see post below) Paul Seibert, Dan Savage and Frank Peretti to name a few, according toWikipedia.
There are also fine artists and artisans, film producers, singer/songwriters, rock band members and photographers who live on Vashon Island.
Wish I did!!!!
Alex Bornstein- The actress. She was one of my favorites on Mad TV, and she is the voice of Lois Griffin from The Family Guy. She is one of the funniest human beings ever!
Zach Mann, who is a reality star on MTV's Real Life.
So many authors: Karen Cushman (The Midwifes Apprentice), Michail Chabon who is a Pulitzer winner in 2001, Berkeley Breathed, author of the political satire comic strip Bloom County. He wrote a children's book based on the bicycle in the Tree (see post below) Paul Seibert, Dan Savage and Frank Peretti to name a few, according toWikipedia.
There are also fine artists and artisans, film producers, singer/songwriters, rock band members and photographers who live on Vashon Island.
Wish I did!!!!
The Monastery Monks Who Have A Coffee Label
Picture this: A man in a long white beard with long white hair, dressed in a black cassock and a big silver cross. This is Father Tryphon who lives on Vashon Island and heads a small group of Russian Orthodox monks. They also have their own coffee label called "Monastery Blend Coffee."
I am quoting, again, from Wikipedia:
"One of the few Russian Orthodox Monasteries in America is located on Vashon Island. The monks gain notoriety years ago when they were threatened with a lawsuit by Starbucks for promoting a monastery coffee labeled "Christmas Blend," which Starbucks claimed they owned the rights to. The lawsuit was eventually dropped." www.vashonmonks.com/index.php
Sounds like God was on the side of the good Father!
I am quoting, again, from Wikipedia:
"One of the few Russian Orthodox Monasteries in America is located on Vashon Island. The monks gain notoriety years ago when they were threatened with a lawsuit by Starbucks for promoting a monastery coffee labeled "Christmas Blend," which Starbucks claimed they owned the rights to. The lawsuit was eventually dropped." www.vashonmonks.com/index.php
Sounds like God was on the side of the good Father!
The Bike In The Tree
According to Wikipedia (via: www.roadsideameica.com/tip.1412) "A bicycle placed in the fork of a tree, gained fame when a kid chained the bike to the tree decades ago and never picked it up, leaving the tree no choice but to grow around the bike."
My son, Travis, took this picture.
Monday, December 19, 2011
The House on Vashon Island
Bayview Retreat is a four bedroom, two bath country pine long lodge. It has a great view of Quartermaster Harbor on Vashon Island which is off the Seattle coast. The house is set on nearly two acres on Burton Peninsula. It offers 3500 square feet of living space and can sleep up to sixteen people. Travis and Maureen leased Bayview Retreat and the additional guest house for a week. It was the perfect party house and beautifully accommodated the whole bunch of family and friends. It rained, of course, (because after all it IS Washington state) so we were not able to enjoy the lovely landscaped grounds or sit on the deck. We did venture out to explore the Island but the cozy fireplace kept us happy right there in the living room.
Love on Vashon Island
Backing up a month ago, Andy and I spent 6 days on Vashon Island off the coast of Seattle. Vashon is a little piece of heaven, misty and rainy, but heaven no less.
We celebrated Thanksgiving with 16 other friends and family of my son, Travis, his new wife, Maureen and my 9 year old grandson, Macrory.
Thanksgiving was the minor event, the more important reason for us coming together was to celebrate the recent marriage of Travis and Maureen. They had eloped weeks before, but the "Island" party was their way of including the people they love in their happiness.
Travis and Maureen were high school friends in Richmond, VA over 20 years ago. After graduation they went separate ways: school, careers and marriages. there were ups and downs along their paths and then a couple of years ago they connected on Facebook. Travis, a widower with a young son was living in Portland and Maureen lived in NYC. Through e-mails, text messages and phone calls their friendship grew until a year ago when they discovered they loved each other. Now that is romantic!
They are now a family, those three wonderful people and it seems to be one of those "Meant to be" things.
So, on Vashon Island, two days after Thanksgiving, with humor, sincerity and respect, they vowed to love and honor one another in the sweetest, most loving way. As loved ones surrounded them, we witnessed a little miracle; two hearts coming together after a long journey, loving a little boy and a promise of a happy life.
As we toasted the happy couple and son with champagne, though my tears of happiness, I looked at the three of them and saw total happiness, contentment and peace. God bless!
We celebrated Thanksgiving with 16 other friends and family of my son, Travis, his new wife, Maureen and my 9 year old grandson, Macrory.
Thanksgiving was the minor event, the more important reason for us coming together was to celebrate the recent marriage of Travis and Maureen. They had eloped weeks before, but the "Island" party was their way of including the people they love in their happiness.
They are now a family, those three wonderful people and it seems to be one of those "Meant to be" things.
So, on Vashon Island, two days after Thanksgiving, with humor, sincerity and respect, they vowed to love and honor one another in the sweetest, most loving way. As loved ones surrounded them, we witnessed a little miracle; two hearts coming together after a long journey, loving a little boy and a promise of a happy life.
As we toasted the happy couple and son with champagne, though my tears of happiness, I looked at the three of them and saw total happiness, contentment and peace. God bless!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Once again, my "famous" Christmas Reindeer Chow
This was posted last year but I want to give it to you again, Dear Readers! It is just yummy and a great (and quick) treat to give out as gifts. My hairdresser Bonnie will get some next week, Dorothy tomorrow, Andy's brother Kenneth yesterday and I mailed bags to Kansas and California. Forgot Oregon; sorry about that Son! Lots more to give out next week.
This recipe makes two big pan fulls and when cool, can be put in glass Mason jars, decorative bags or coffee cans. A batch takes under an hour from start to finish. Make up several batches- it keeps for several weeks when sealed in plastic bags.
Enjoy!
Reindeer Chow
2 Cups brown sugar
1 Cup real butter
1/2 Cup light Karo syrup
1 tsp. soda
4 Cups of Rice Chex cereal
4 Cups of Corn Chex cereal
2 Cups pretzels
2 Cups mixed amounts of: Crispex and/or Cheerios cereals, nuts: mixed, almonds, pecans or salted peanuts.
Spray well with Pam: two large 9" X 13" roasting pans. Divide cereal/nut/pretzel mixture between the two pans. Set aside.
Bring sugar, butter and syrup to a boil for 1 and 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add soda. Mixture will be very light and foamy. Pour hot sugar mixture (divided into two parts) over the cereal mixtures and stir until mixed together.
Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes, take out and stir well and return to oven for 15 more minutes. Let cool completely then break into pieces and store in air tight plastic bags or jars.
TIP: Let the pans cool for 15 minutes and then lift the edges of mixture to prevent sticking to the pan as it hardens. Do this again after 15 minutes.
For a cute (and free) Christmas Reindeer Chow tag or header, go to Nov. 18, 2010 of this blog for free printables.
This recipe makes two big pan fulls and when cool, can be put in glass Mason jars, decorative bags or coffee cans. A batch takes under an hour from start to finish. Make up several batches- it keeps for several weeks when sealed in plastic bags.
Enjoy!
Reindeer Chow
2 Cups brown sugar
1 Cup real butter
1/2 Cup light Karo syrup
1 tsp. soda
4 Cups of Rice Chex cereal
4 Cups of Corn Chex cereal
2 Cups pretzels
2 Cups mixed amounts of: Crispex and/or Cheerios cereals, nuts: mixed, almonds, pecans or salted peanuts.
Spray well with Pam: two large 9" X 13" roasting pans. Divide cereal/nut/pretzel mixture between the two pans. Set aside.
Bring sugar, butter and syrup to a boil for 1 and 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add soda. Mixture will be very light and foamy. Pour hot sugar mixture (divided into two parts) over the cereal mixtures and stir until mixed together.
Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes, take out and stir well and return to oven for 15 more minutes. Let cool completely then break into pieces and store in air tight plastic bags or jars.
TIP: Let the pans cool for 15 minutes and then lift the edges of mixture to prevent sticking to the pan as it hardens. Do this again after 15 minutes.
For a cute (and free) Christmas Reindeer Chow tag or header, go to Nov. 18, 2010 of this blog for free printables.
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