Country CousinIssue Date: December 16, 2021Shirley Prudhomme Christmas giving....
Just nine days left to finish getting ready for Christmas! How does it happen that we know when Christmas is coming every year, but the closer it gets the more our days seem to zip by? It's Thanksgiving, and then blink your eyes and it's Christmas Eve!
Winter won't officially arrive until Tuesday, Dec. 21, but TIMESLand has already had some pretty significant snowstorms. Can"t help wondering what the rest of this winter will bring.
Unless the current warm snap continues, we're almost guaranteed a white Christmas, and lots of good snow base for sledding, skiing and snowmobiling. Here in the north country, since we're going to have cold anyway, we might as well have enough snow to make it pretty and fun. TIMESLand certainly has been blessed with that in the past two or three weeks, and we've been blessed with awesome Christmas Card landscapes!
Just this morning, was privileged to watch a huge Spruce tree shake the collection of snow off one of its lower limbs. The snow fell in a clump, and the branch, which had been weighted down almost to the ground, snapped back up into it's rightful place. Pretty sure the other branches on that tree repeated the process as the day went on. Beautiful sight!
SANTA WHO?
Remember when folks all around were good humored, and willing and able to take a joke? Bet Santa still is!
Just wondering.....
Is it possible that Santa's full name is actually Santa Clauski? After all, he is the most prominent North Pole resident!
Also wondering, if you crossed Christmas with St. Patrick's Day, would there be a St. O'Claus?
And, when Santa relaxes on the beach of some tropical island after the Christmas rush, do the elves call him Sandy Claus? If Santa also lives in the South Pole sometimes, is he Bi-Polar?
ON THE SOAP BOX
RIGHT TO DEFEND
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who doesn't seem to live in the real world, has been blaming merchants for failing to protect their business places from the "Snatch and Grab" mobsters and other shoplifters who apparently before long will be responsible for destroying most independent small businesses in America.
Lightfoot, who is anti-police and anti-gun, has been saying these business owners, in addition to paying city, county, state and federal taxes, should be hiring security personnel to protect the business.
Let's do a fact check here. In the real big-city world of today, if the store owner hired armed guards, or took it upon himself to protect his own business, and a would-be thief was injured, maybe shot, in the act of robbery, that business owner would very likely be the one arrested and facing trial, or at least a lawsuit filed by the thief.
Some leaders of this nation need reset buttons. They need to realize that the right to defend ourselves and our properties must be restored. They need to stop handcuffing police, but they also need to realize that one of our primary rights as human beings is the right to protect ourselves, our families and our possessions. And to maintain our self respect, and our dignity as humans, we also need the freedom to defend others when the need arises.
Am delighted that Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted. He was helping protect the livelihood of a a used car lot owner when he was attacked by a mob and fired shots in self defense.
Agree whole heartedly with Tucker Carlson of Fox News who Tweeted: "It wasn't Kyle Rittenhouse on trial in Wisconsin. It was the right to self-defense on trial."
Sending a sincere "thank you" to that jury, and to young Rittenhouse, who seems to be a fine young man that any mother would be proud to call "Son."
STILL ON THE SOAP BOX
STILL ON RIGHT TO DEFEND
At its meeting next week, on Tuesday, Dec. 21, Marinette County Board may have an opportunity to vote on a resolution expressing support for our right to keep and bear arms.
Kind of scary that the resolution is on the agenda for consideration at the Administrative Committee meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, and if four of the six members of that committee vote it down, the other 23 County Board supervisors may never get a chance to vote on it.
The only way I know of to force an opportunity for all Supervisors on Marinette County board to vote on the right to bear arms issue is for 51 percent of the county supervisors to sign a petition in favor of placing it on the agenda. That would mean 16 of the 30 supervisors would need to sign to force a vote of the full board.
NEEDS A NEW SUIT
One of my dear old friends - let's stress that word "old" - recently posted on Facebook that what he truly wants for Christmas is a brand new suit - a Birthday Suit.
Says his old one is wrinkled, saggy and doesn't fit right any more.
A BOY FOR CHRISTMAS
Read this inspiring story an old copy of "Chicken Soup For the Christian Soul," and hope they don't mind if I pass it along.
Incidentally, the "Chicken Soup" books are wonderful reading, and one or another of them ought to be on everyone's bedside table.
Here's a condensed version of one of the stories that particularly struck home with me:
A man had written the following letter to the editor of a local newspaper: "Is there any place where we can borrow a little boy three or four years old for the Christmas holidays? We have a nice home and would take wonderful care of him and bring him back safe and sound. We used to have a little boy, but he couldn't stay, and we miss him so when Christmas comes."
Among those who read the letter was a woman who had moved back to her small home town several months earlier, after being notified that her husband had been killed in action while fighting overseas. She had been working to support herself and their three year old son, but found that grief consumed her on special days.
As Christmas approached, she was becoming more and more sad. She read the letter, and read it again. "I, too, knew what missing was, but I had my little boy. I knew how empty the sparkle of Christmas is unless you see it in the joyous eyes of a child," she had written for the Chicken Soup publication.
She went on to say that she responded to the appeal, and found that the person who had written the letter was a widower who lived with his mother. He had lost his beloved wife and son in the same year.
The writer said that Christmas, she and her son shared a joyous day with the widower and his mother. "Together, we found a happiness that we doubted would ever return," she had written.
But she was wrong. The writer, Mrs. N. H. Muller, concluded her story, "But the best part is that this joy was mine to keep throughout the years, and for each of the Christmases since." The man who wrote the letter had become her husband some months after that Christmas Day of sharing, and they had been together for all the years since.
COOKING FOR THE BIRDS
Everybody loves treats at Christmas, so make time to cook something up for everyone, including the birds.
PINE CONE BIRD FEED
Use these to decorate trees in your yard at Christmas and throughout the winter.
For a really easy version, find some larger size pinecones, and wrap string in a tight loop around the top of each one, leaving enough to tie it to a tree or pole. Coat the outside of the pinecone with peanut butter and then roll it in bird seed! Use smaller seeds will ensure that seeds stick well, but mixed seed or black-oil sunflower seed will work too if you press the seed in well. Hang your feeder on tree branches or poles and watch the birds enjoy their winter feast!
SUET PUDDING
Or get more ambitious, and try this recipe that's really for the birds:
8 pounds suet
2 pounds peanut butter
8-ounce bottle corn syrup
2 pounds rolled oats
Melt the suet in a canning kettle or other large container. Don't let it brown, just cook. While the fat is still hot, add the peanut butter, corn syrup, and oats. Stir constantly until the mixture is well blended. Put the pudding into old soup cans to cool and harden, and store in a cool place. To use, warm a can until the "pudding" is soft enough to handle. Drill a number of 1 1/2 inch holes in a 4 inch diameter birch log (leave the bark intact to provide good toeholds for the birds), spread the pudding into the holes, and hang the log outdoors where the birds can get at it, but it is not convenient for your cat to get at the birds.
COOKIN' TIME
Bake up some treats for Santa, and make enough to share with the rest of the family.
BUTTER PECAN COOKIES
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 cup unsalted butter
2 cups plus 2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla
Pecan halves to decorate, optional
First make the butter pecans by toasting them with the tablespoon and a half of butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until fragrant and toasted, about three to four minutes. Keep a close eye on this, and keep stirring to make sure nothing burns, including any small pecan crumbs. You want it fragrant and brown, with no black whatsoever. Remove the now buttered pecans to another container and let cool.
Next, bring the cup of unsalted butter to a strong bubble in a light colored or stainless steel skillet over medium heat. The light-colored skillet is so you can actually see when the butter browns. Continue cooking, stirring continuously, until the solid particles at the bottom turn golden brown and start to smell nutty, about 5-8 minutes. Keep an eye on it - brown butter can turn to burnt butter within seconds. Immediately pour into a large mixing bowl to stop the browning. Take a break while the butter cools for 10-15 minutes. You want the butter to be warm, but not at all hot or the cookies will spread way too much while baking.
When the butter has cooled enough, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt in a medium size bowl. Then whisk the granulated sugar and brown sugar into the cooled brown butter in the large bowl in which it has been cooling. Once the sugars are mixed in completely, whisk in the eggs and vanilla until thoroughly combined. Stir in the dry ingredients until no streaks of flour remain, and then stir in the toasted chopped butter pecans. Cover the dough with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic down on the surface of the dough. Chill for at least two hours, or even up to three days. Don't be impatient - the dough needs to chill or the cookies will not bake properly. However, if you leave them in the fridge for much more than the two hours, let the dough warm up for about 30 minutes before you start shaping the cookies. At baking time, preheat oven to 350 degrees with a rack in the middle position. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into balls (2 tablespoons each) and place on the parchment paper, at least 2-inches apart. Press a pecan half onto the top of each unbaked ball of dough, but don't press too hard. Bake about 9-12 minutes, until the edges are set and just beginning to turn golden brown. The tops of the cookies should still be quite soft and may even appear slightly under-baked in the center, but they will firm up as they cool, resulting in a soft, chewy cookie. If you over-bake, they will be dry and crumbly. Let rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. These can be frozen for up to three months.
OATMEAL CRAISIN COOKIES
Soft and chewy, pretty on a holiday cookie tray, and absolutely delicious. Also easy to make.
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups old fashioned oats (not quick cooking, not steel cut)
1 1/2 cups craisins
1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut or chopped nuts
1 cup white chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer, in a large bowl, cream together the butter and both sugars until smooth and creamy. Add the baking powder, baking soda, spices, vanilla, and eggs, making sure the batter is well combined. Scrape the bowl with a rubber spatula, if necessary, as you beat. Stir in the flour and oats, then the craisins, coconut, and white chips, until all ingredients are evenly mixed into the dough. Using a tablespoon sized cookie scoop, or a tablespoon, drop 1 1/2-inch balls of the dough onto the cookie sheet, leaving bout two inches between the cookies so they have room to spread while baking. Chill for 20 minutes to help prevent the cookies from spreading too much. Bake for about 9-10 minutes, until cookies begin to turn golden brown on the edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack.
SPICED SNOWBALL COOKIES
1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups almond flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
SPICED SNOWBALL COOKIES
Sandy colored and chai-flavored version of snowball cookies. They go wonderfully with most beverages, but especially with eggnog, coffee or tea, hot or cold.
1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup unsalted butter , room temperature
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups almond flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, vanilla and 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar on high with a handheld electric or stand mixer, until light and fluffy. Turn the mixer down to low and add the almond flour, followed by the all-purpose flour, scraping down the bowl once or twice as needed. With your hands, form the dough, one tablespoon at a time, into balls. Place on the prepared baking sheets, and then chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and then bake the cookies for 18-20 minutes,
While cookies are baking, whisk together the remaining cup of powdered sugar with the cinnamon, cardamom, allspice and ginger in a bowl.
Remove cookies from the oven and allow to sit for just a minute or two, and then gently turn them in the spice mixture to coat. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes, and toss them again in the spice mixture.
Thought for the week: If God calls you to do a chore, pay attention and get busy. As St. Alphonsus once said: "To-day God invites you to do good; do it therefore today. Tomorrow you may not have time, or God may no longer call you to do it." Nothing makes a good person happier all the way through to the core of your soul, at Christmas or any other time, than finding a way to make someone else truly happy, and following through on that idea. That's the main reason giving gifts is so much fun! May you and yours have hearts filled with the true joys of Christmas all through the year!
Country Cousin
(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 715-927-5034 or by e-mail at shirleyprudhommechickadee@yahoo.com.)
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