Country CousinIssue Date: August 12, 2021 It's often been said that variety is the spice of life. If that's the case, at least in regard to weather, life here in TiMESLand has been pretty spicy lately...but most of the time it's been overall too hot and muggy to tell.
It's also often been said that if you don't like the weather in Wisconsin, just wait a few minutes. That's definitely true, and especially true this last week or so. Have seen the skies go from sunny to rainy and back again several times in the same afternoon. Have seen temperatures go from swim suit weather to sweat suit weather in a matter of minutes.
Mom always said when going camping, take something for whatever the weatherman might throw at us. Drove Dad crazy, but sometimes the snowsuits she hauled along in August came in handy. Other times, not so much.
NO TORNADOES
Probably shouldn't say this out loud, but here in TIMESLand we've been fortunate to miss some tornadoes and really fierce weather that's been hitting to the south. Hope the safety shield around us holds up.
ON THE SOAP BOX
SCHOOL BELLS
School bells will soon be ringing, and lots of kiddies are anxious to get back - not so much back to classes, but back to their classmates. They've missed so much in the last year and a half! Hope the powers that be (meaning school boards, CDC, Health Departments, etc., not the Man Upstairs) don't spoil it for them again this year. Also hope they don't force them into again hiding behind the masks that they seem determined to make a permanent part of life here in what used to be the Land of the Free. There's more to being truly healthy than simply not getting sick.
We all - children and their parents and grandparents and great grandparents - need to be able to talk freely, exchange smiles, exchange frowns. We need to really communicate, to share thoughts and feelings, not simply exchange essential information.
As to the abomination of forced vaccinations - if they, and the masks, are effective in preventing the spread of Covid, let those who are concerned get the vaccinations and wear the masks. I'll even help pay for them, but leave me alone otherwise. If the masks and vaccines work, they are protected. If they do not work, there is no point whatsoever in wearing a mask or getting a vaccine and who knows what else injected into our bodies.
If the â€Åauthorities†want to be trusted they should cut out the double talk and give us some straight-up, believable information. If they're simply confused, they should be honest enough to tell us that too!
MORE THAN BOOK LEARNIN'
If your young offspring is going off to college for the first time, there are a few bits of knowledge you should be sure to pass along to avert minor disasters to the wardrobe. Things like how to do the laundry. Don't wash blue jeans with white shirts. Don't dry those filmy nylon undies on high. Pre-treat spots.
By the way, a bit of hair spray applied before water ever touches the stain works wonders on a variety of spots, including ballpoint pen marks.
If an apartment is in your student's future, be sure they know the minimum rudiments of cooking - things like keep the dishtowels and pot holders off the stove when the burners are on, don't turn on the burner before you take a nap, and if a fire starts in a frying pan, don't move it, put the lid on. Or dump on dry salt to put out minor fires. Never, ever, try to put out a grease fire with water. A fire extinguisher might make a good going away present.
HOME ALONE
Most of us have chuckled over the antics in the old â€ÅHome Alone†movies, but we sure wouldn't want any of it happening at our house. So if this is to be the year your youngsters turn into â€Ålatchkey kids†take some time now to coach them on some safe behaviors beyond the normal no cooking, no playing with fire, etc.
Be sure they know about 911. Post other emergency numbers by the phone. Leave a number where you or some other reliable adult can be reached. Set some ground rules depending on age and responsibility of the child.
Make up a variety of emergency situations and let the child tell you what he would do. If the solution is wrong, work out a better answer. Do some role-playing.
RODENT CONTROL
Ever try on free samples of perfume until you finally hit a combination that makes you sick? Apparently, most perfumes have that effect on rodents. One pest control expert advises soaking cotton balls with perfume or cologne and putting them in places where they might enter the house, or worse yet, decide to make their home. The time of year when mice and other vermin like to move indoors isn't quite here yet, but it's coming on fast, so it's not too soon to start taking some precautions. Besides, as long as you use a scent you like the house will smell good.
OPTIMIST OR PESSIMIST?
With all the road construction, optimists are being sorely tested this year. An optimist, you know, is someone who can enjoy the scenery on a detour. At the other end of the spectrum is eternal pessimist Charlie Brown. In an old Peanuts cartoon, he declares a new philosophy guaranteed to improve his outlook - â€ÅI'm only going to dread one day at a time.†Lots of us could benefit from that.
BUTFIRST SYNDROME
A dear departed old friend once provided this explanation of why I can't get anything done even though I finally do have a round tuit. (Remember, I explained that in a previous column. If you missed it, give it some thought. Maybe next week I'll explain.)
Anyway, the friend said she found the diagnosis while reading her E-mail, and discovered that we both suffer from â€ÅButfirst Syndrome.†Maybe you do too. Now we can explain what really happened all those times we tried so hard to get everything spiffed up and failed.
It works like this:
I decide to do the laundry. I start down the hall and notice the newspaper on the table. Okay, I'm going to do the laundry - Butfirst I'm going to read the newspaper so I can get rid of it. After that, I notice the mail on the table. Okay, I'll just put the newspaper in the recycle stack -
Butfirst I'll look through that pile of mail and see if there are any bills to be paid. Now where's the checkbook? Oops! There's the empty glass from yesterday on the coffee table. I'm going to look for that checkbook �
Butfirst I need to put the glass in the sink. I head for the kitchen. I look out the window and notice my poor flowers need watering. I put the glass in the sink, and darn it, there's the remote for the TV on the kitchen counter. What's it doing here? I'll just put it away �
Butfirst I need to water those plants. Head for door and Ach! Stepped on the dog. Dog needs to be fed. Okay, I'll put that remote away and water the plants �
Butfirst I need to feed the dog.
At the end of day laundry is not done, newspapers are still on floor, glass is still in sink, bills are unpaid, checkbook is still missing, and the dog ate the remote control. When I try to figure out how come nothing got done I'm baffled, because I know I was busy all day. I realize this condition is serious.... And I should get help -
Butfirst I think I'll read all my e-mail!
MEASURING TRICK
If your recipe calls for oil, honey or molasses and/or water or vinegar, measure the oil first so the honey or molasses will slip out easily, and then do the water, vinegar or milk at the end. You dirty only one measuring cup or spoon and measurements are still accurate.
PENNY PINCHING
Save money and do a better job of dusting by using a used fabric softener sheet. There's some of the softener left in it, and this helps prevent the static electricity that attracts dust. Especially effective on TV or computer screens.
FARMERS MARKETS
The farmers markets are open now, offering all sorts of good things, often fresh from the fields, and often at bargain prices.
To get the best products, and to keep fruits and vegetables fresh, try to shop early in the morning and then go home immediately and put them into cool storage. Don't let them go limp in the heat of car or trunk. Taking along a cooler to tote your purchases home is a great idea if the day is hot and sunny and you have a long drive. Also bring along a box or woven basket. Storing fresh veggies in a plastic bag on a hot day does them no good at all.
NOT PEACHY
The last several times we bought peaches they were dry and mealy instead of sweet and juicy. They were from two different stores too. Does anyone know what's the problem with them, and where to find good ones?
COOKIN' TIME
Hot weather calls for lighter meals. The recipes today are light, easy and require minimum kitchen time, but they're packed with flavor. If you're at wit's end coming up with healthy treats for the kiddies, wash and sort some grapes and freeze them in a single layer, then put into sandwich bags. When it's snack time, serve straight from the freezer. Bite-size chunks of melon can also be frozen the same way and doled out as healthy, icy treats.
EGYPTIAN CHICKEN
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1†chunks
1 small onion, grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Juice of half a lemon
Mixed greens for salad
Combine all ingredients and allow to marinade at least 6 hours in refrigerator. (Instead of mincing and chopping, cut the onion into quarters and the garlic into halves, put everything except the chicken breasts into food processor or blender and whirl until all the big chunks are gone. Then marinate as above. A large zipper bag works well.) Spray a broiler pan with cooking oil, spread on marinated chicken parts and broil for 5 minutes or until chicken is done. To cook outdoors, thread onto skewers and cook over very hot coals about 10 minutes, turning when half through. Spread on bed of mixed greens and serve with lemon juice as a dressing. You can also use the same marinade for the chicken breasts left whole and grilled until done. Buttered rice is a good side dish, along with sliced fresh tomatoes and cucumbers.
SAUTEED VEGGIES
Great with steak, hamburger steak or grilled chicken breasts. Don't forget the faithful hamburger. You don't have to serve it on a bun. Make the patties over-size and serve on plate with veggies and a starchy side dish like rice or baked potato.
2 tablespoons butter, margarine or olive oil
2 medium green or sweet red peppers, sliced
1 cup young zucchini or summer squash, in 1†cubes
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Salt and pepper to taste
Put the butter or oil in a heavy skillet and get it good and hot. Add peppers, garlic and seasonings and stir for about 2 minutes, then add the squash and stir for 3 or 4 more minutes until all are crisp tender. Add the cherry tomatoes and cook about 1 to 2 minutes longer or until they are heated through.
SKINNY VEGGIE DIP
No guilt at all here. We even like it with fresh young green beans.
1 cup fat free Dijon mustard
1 cup fat free plain yogurt
1/4 cup snipped fresh chives (or use freeze dried)
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
dash salt
dash pepper
Mix all ingredients and stir well. Cover and chill for 2 hours. Serve with fresh veggies. Also good with pretzels.
LEMON BLUEBERRY CAKE
FOR THE CAKE:
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 tablespoon lemon zest
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons lemon extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries, at room temperature, rinsed and drained well
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
12 ounces cream cheese, softened (1 1/2 packages)
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
3 cups powdered sugar
Blueberries and lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 3 9-inch round baking pans and line the bottom of each with a round of parchment paper. Butter parchment paper and lightly dust pan with flour, shaking out excess. Sift cake flour into a mixing bowl. Add all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and whisk for 30 seconds, set aside. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment (if you don't have the paddle attachment that constantly scrapes sides of the bowl while mixing, then stop mixer occasionally throughout entire mixing process and scrape down sides and bottom of bowl), whip together butter, granulated sugar and lemon zest until mixture is pale and fluffy. In a 2 cup liquid measuring cup, measure out milk then stir in sour cream and lemon juice, let rest 3 minutes. Meanwhile, mix eggs into butter mixture one a time, then stir in lemon extract and vanilla extract. Toss blueberries with 3 Tbsp of the flour mixture. Working in three separate batches, beginning and ending with remaining flour mixture, add 1/3 of the flour mixture (to the butter/egg mixture) alternating with 1/2 of the milk mixture and mixing just until combined after each addition. Gently fold in blueberries. Divide mixture evenly among prepared baking pans. Bake in preheated oven until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 24 to 27 minutes. Cool in baking pans about 20 to 30 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely. Once cool, frost with cream cheese frosting and decorate with blueberries and lemon slices if desired. Store in an airtight container.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitter with the paddle attachment, whip butter until pale and fluffy. Add cream cheese and mix until smooth and fluffy. Add vanilla and lemon extract and powdered sugar and blend several minutes longer until smooth and fluffy (if frosting seems slightly runny, you can chill it for a bit before frosting cake).
*Omit lemon extract if making this cream cheese frosting for a different recipe. This frosting is good on so many different kinds of cake!
SUNDAE PUDDING
1 cup cold milk
1 package instant chocolate pudding mix
1 small carton whipped topping
1 tablespoon maraschino cherry juice
1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup chopped salted peanuts or pecans
Vanilla ice cream
Maraschino cherries
Whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Fold in whipped topping, marshmallows and peanuts. Spoon into individual dessert dishes. Refrigerate until serving time. Top each with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a cherry.
The Country Cousin
Thought for the week: Happiness often comes through doors you didn't even know you left open. When it comes, invite it in and enjoy it. Don't ever tell happiness, â€ÅI'm too busy!†The joy being offered at the moment - large or small - may leave and never come back.
(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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