Country Cousin

Issue Date: December 9, 2020

Thanks for the lights!

Christmas lights are brightening the nights. That's a good thing, because the hours of darkness keep getting longer and longer. It's time to get up before the morning light arrives, and dark before supper is on the table. Happens every year, just like the cold, but it still is hard to get used to.

Cheer up! Dec. 21 is coming, and then days start getting longer again - but very, very slowly. Unfortunately, the cold will get a lot worse before the temperatures warm up again.

Christmas lights come at just the right time, when we need them to brighten up the long hours of darkness. Many homes are already decorated inside and out for Christmas, while in others the Christmas decorating has just begun.

It's fun on the drive home each night to enjoy the new lights that have been put up since the last time I traveled that route. Many thanks!!

FIRE PREVENTION

Don't let a fire spoil your Christmas. Christmas trees and other live greenery should be checked to ensure they are fresh before they are brought into your home. Trees should be watered daily and kept away from heat sources or open flames. Many artificial trees may be flame resistant, but that does not mean they are fireproof.

Danger of home fires from Christmas decorations is fairly low - only an average of 160 per year - but that's too high if one of them is your home. Of those fires, 45 percent were linked to problems with electrical distribution or lighting equipment and 22 percent were caused by a heat source being too close to a tree.

If you use live greenery on a wreath or centerpiece with real candles, be sure it is not left unattended, and be sure the candles are out with no hot spots before you leave the room for the night.

Keep your tree and wreaths away from heat sources and be sure to periodically check lights and wires. If the wires are warm to the touch, unplug and remove them. Be sure to turn off all lights on trees and other decorations when going to bed or leaving the house and unplug extension cords when they are not in use.

GIFTING TIME

To raise generous kids, we need to let them feel the joy of giving early in their lives.

Don't ask your kids so often what they want to get for Christmas. Instead, ask them what they plan to give.

Homemade gifts are often the best kind for parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles to get from the youngsters, and they're really the only way for most to give a gift that really came from them.

Suggest that they make gift certificates promising chores or some other favor. I know at least one big sister who would sincerely appreciate a coupon book from her brother offering 15 minutes of silence on demand. Bet some moms and dads would like that too.

Or there could be promises to clear the table, wash dishes, make beds, carry out trash.

The important thing is that the giver absolutely must follow through with the promises!

Or they could make tangible homemade gifts.

Let them help bake and decorate cookies as soon as they're old enough, and then wrap them to give as gifts.

Or do a craft project. This could be particularly good this year, while kids are spending so much more time at home than they do in normal years.

For projects that are particularly easy on the budget, there's a marvelous clay made from simple and inexpensive household ingredients. The results can then be decorated with paint, glitter, or whatever you have handy.

Just mix 2 cups baking soda and one cup cornstarch in a smallish saucepan. Then stir in 1 1/4 cups cold water. Add food coloring if you want colored clay. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 10 to 15 minutes, until it reaches the consistency of mashed potatoes. Turn out of the pan onto a plate and cover with a damp cloth. Keep the cloth over it while it cools.

When cool, either use your new-made clay right away or put it into a plastic container with a lid or a plastic zipper-type bag. You could also give the clay and decorations for it as a gift kit if you want. The clay keeps in fridge for about a week, but bring it to room temperature before using. Make whatever your heart desires or as near as you can get to it. Then place on a rack to dry overnight, or hurry things along by using the regular oven or the microwave.

To dry in the oven: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and then turn it off. Place finished objects on a cookie sheet and put into the heated oven. Leave the door shut until the oven is cold.

To dry in the microwave: Place your creations on a piece of paper towel in the microwave. Bake at medium power for 30 seconds, then turn over and repeat for another 30 seconds. Keep doing this until the clay has dried.

Once done, paint or decorate as you wish.

A child's hand print makes a cute gift for grandma or grandpa, or even a hand print and a foot print. Form the clay into a nice flat, smooth disc. Press the little one's hand into the soft clay to leave an imprint. Trim into a nice smooth-edged circle, square or rectangle and poke a hole or holes in the top to allow adding ribbon to hang the creation once it's done and then dry.

When dry, paint as desired and add the child's name and the date, front or back. Attach the picture hanger or ribbon, and it's good to go.

Or make a picture frame sized to hold a small photograph or a hand-done work of art.

Kids (or moms) can also make beads for necklaces or bracelets by forming little balls or oval shapes and then poking a hole through each before drying. Decorate the beads with paint, sequins, glitter, or whatever, including stones from broken jewelry. Use stretchy string to connect them if it's to be a bracelet, ribbon or other string if it will be a necklace. Tie knots between beads to keep them spaced nicely.

Or roll out the clay and use small cookie cutters to make Christmas tree ornaments. While the ornament is still wet make a hole near the top for hanging, and add an ornament hook or ribbon. Dy and then decorate with paints, glitter, ribbon, sequins, etc. Draw pictures and write names with a felt tip marker.

To complete the work of art, and protect it for future years, use an emery board to smooth off rough edges, and paint the finished objects with clear acrylic spray or clear nail polish.

Or make photo ornaments. I have some very treasured ones that came decorated years ago with photographs of the children who made them. The youngsters are grown now, but those treasures come out to be enjoyed every year.

Cell phones die eventually and the photos we have stored in them are often lost. Don't take that chance. Turning those photos into actual keepsakes might mean future generations will be able to look on the faces of family members they wish they could have known!

The kids could make a set of ornaments with photos of their parents and grandparents as well as themselves to decorate what they could proudly and truly proclaim is a family tree!

SAD SANTA

Recently received a Facebook message from a friend, but it wasn't immediately visible. It was hidden by a warning from Facebook that the photo could portray violence or be offensive.

Opened it anyway, and certainly am glad I did!

There was a poem, along with a stunningly beautiful picture of a sad Santa, hat in hand, head bowed, praying at the side of Baby Jesus in the manger.

Have taken the liberty of repeating the poem that came with it:

"My dear precious Jesus, I did not mean to take Your place. I only bring toys and things"� You bring love and grace.

"People give me lists of wishes and hope that they come true, But You hear prayers of the heart and promise Your will to do.

"Children try to be good and not to cry when I am coming to town; But You love them unconditionally and that love will abound.

"I leave only a bag of toys and joy that lasts a season; But You leave a heart of love, full of purpose and reason.

"I have a lot of believers and what one might call fame; But I have never healed the blind, nor tried to help the lame.

"I have rosy cheeks and a voice that's full of laughter; But I have no nail-scarred hands or promise of the hereafter.

"You may find several of me in any shopping mall, But there is only one omnipotent You, to answer a sinner's call.

"And so, my dear precious Jesus, I kneel here to pray"� To worship and adore You, on this, Your holy birthday."

Don't know who the author is, so can't give credit where credit is due! But whoever you are, thanks for writing this, and for sharing it with the world.

ON THE SOAP BOX

My heart goes out to the owner of a bar and restaurant in California who is on the brink of bankruptcy because of the insane closure orders in that state.

In response to Coronavirus restrictions, she had borrowed money to add an outdoor dining patio to her restaurant in Sunny California, where outdoor dining is feasible year round.

She hired additional help to serve the people who would be dining there, and purchased the supplies needed to feed hungry customers.

Then came the order from the governor that effective the following day outdoor dining, even with proper social distancing, was to be prohibited.

She was heartsick. She has payments to make and doesn't know where the money will come from. One of her new hires was already "couch surfing" because she had been unable to pay her rent. Another was a young single Mom whose unemployment from her prior job had run out. She had to tell these people they were out of work again, and again with no unemployment to fall back on.

The next day she pulled into the parking lot adjacent to her establishment, prepared to issue final paychecks, spread the bad news, and give her now unemployed employees the food supplies she would now be unable to sell.

And there, on the opposite side of the parking lot, was a tent, filled with tables, chairs and serving buffets, prepared to feed the crew for a movie that was being filmed there. Layout for that dining establishment was almost identical to the outdoor dining area she had been forbidden to use!

She lost it, and forgot to be afraid that her liquor and food licenses might be pulled if she spoke out against the system. The video she made went viral. As a result she was an invited guest on both Fox news and News Max. Maybe someone will listen!

Sympathize with her completely, and also am angry on an entirely different level. Am totally insulted that making a Hollywood movie is considered essential, and feeding their workers is essential, but feeding common folks who for whatever reason cannot eat at home is not. Sometimes eating out is a luxury. Sometimes it is a necessity.

Can see no way whatsoever that filming a movie is essential, except to keep the big-donor movie producers happy so they keep filling the pockets of the politicians who do their bidding!

COOKIN' TIME

Christmas baking time is upon us. So many good recipes. So little time! Enjoy!

PINWHEEL COOKIES

This recipe makes 50 pretty little cookies.

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

2 cups flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sugar, divided

1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam

Beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Add cream cheese and beat until well combined and smooth, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally. Combine flour and salt in a small bowl and slowly add to the butter mixture, beating until combined.

Divide dough in half and shape each half in a rectangle. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least 30 minutes. Longer is okay. When its time to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two cookie sheets. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of sugar on a clean work surface and roll out one of the rectangles to a 16-inch square. Trim the rough edges and cut into 25 little squares, five across and five down. Form cookie by pressing each corner into the middle of the square and put on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining sugar and dough. Bake 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and put about half a teaspoon jam into the center of each cookie. Return to oven and bake 5 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks and cool completely before storing.

Variation: instead of jam, after you roll out the cookie dough sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon, sugar and nuts, and then cut into squares and form into pinwheels. After baking the first 20 to 30 minutes remove and put a chocolate chip or gumdrop slice into the center of each and then put back in oven for the final five to 10 minutes of baking.

APPLE SPICE COFFEE CAKE

Make this ahead, or make a double batch so you can eat one now and save one for later. Freezes well. When you're ready to use it, take it out to thaw the night before, then pop into a 400 degree oven for about 10 minutes to heat it and re-crisp the topping just before you're ready to eat it.

CAKE:

4 ounces whipped topping, thawed

10 ounces (1/2 can) apple pie filling

1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

1 egg

1 tablespoon soft butter

2 teaspoons apple pie spice (or cinnamon)

2 1/2 cups biscuit mix (like Bisquick or Jiffy Mix)

CRUMB TOPPING:

3 tablespoons cold butter

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/2 cup biscuit mix

1 teaspoon apple pie spice (or cinnamon)

1/3 cup oatmeal

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan or 8"x8" square pan. To make the toping, use food processor to mix all ingredient until crumbly, or mix all the dry ingredients and then use a pastry blender to cut in the cold butter until everything is crumbly. To make the cake, combine the first six ingredients in a food processor and pulse 10 to 15 times. Do not over process. Put that mixture into a large bowl and gently stir in the remaining cake ingredients until everything is moistened. The mixture will be lumpy, but that's how it's supposed to be. Spread it in the prepared baking pan, top somewhat evenly with the crumb mixture and bake 30 to 40 minutes, or until a test toothpick comes out clean.

WAVERLY BARS

These are just too easy to be so good. But they are.

And they keep.

Waverly Wafers (rectangular salted snack crackers)

1 cup butter

2/3 cup sugar

Slivered or sliced almonds (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9" by 13" pan with foil and butter it lightly. Lay crackers in a single layer on the foil. They should be touching but not overlapping. Boil the butter and sugar for a minute and a half and pour over the crackers. Cover with the almonds if you like, or leave them as they are. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Let cool. Break into sections to serve.

Thought for the week: The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated this year from Thursday, Dec. 10 through Friday, Dec. 18. The celebration commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C. According to legend, Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. There was only enough oil in the temple to last one day, but miraculously the lamps kept burning for eight nights, until a new supply arrived, hence the lighting of the Menorah. Nice that this Festival of Lights falls near the Christian holiday of Christmas, also a festival of lights, which celebrates the birth of Jesus, the Promised One who was sent to be the Light of the World. God provided many signs over the centuries, if only people had been able to read them. He is most likely still sending signs today, but once again, we are too often unwilling or unable to read them. Please God, help us to receive Your messages, heed Your warnings and do Your will. Amen.

This column is written by Shirley Prudhomme of Crivitz. Views expressed are her own and are in no way intended to be an official statement of the opinions of Peshtigo Times editors and publishers. She may be contacted by phone at 715-291-9002 or by e-mail to shirleyprudhommechickadee@yahoo.com.)

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