Welcome 2025!

 Of course, I have to start the new year with my favorite quotation (poem):

This is the year that your dreams come true!

This is the year that your ships come in;

This is the year you find Christ within.

This is the year you are glad to live;

This is the year you have much to give.

This is the year when you know the Truth;

This is the year when you find new youth.

This is the year that brings happiness;

This is the year you will live to bless.

Wonderful, wonderful, fortunate you,

This is the year that your dreams come true!

                              Russell A. Kemp

And blackeyed peas for luck, rice for health, and collards for money. I hope I didn't jinx myself, because I got lazy and opened a can of blackeyed peas, added some cut-up Spam and some red pepper flakes; my collards became lettuce; and my rice was in rice pudding. 

I love Spam, and the next day I it was Spam and egg for breakfast.

My rice pudding recipe is a pain in the tush.

RICE PUDDING

(Firm)

2 cups cooked rice

1/2 cup raisins

2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups milk, scalded

Nutmeg

Lemon zest (optional)

 

Heat oven to 350°.

 

Butter an 8 X 8 baking dish and scatter the rice and raisins evenly over the bottom.

 

Beat the eggs to blend, then add sugar, salt and vanilla and beat lightly.

 

Pour a bit of the hot milk into the egg mixture to temper, then add the balance gradually, stirring constantly. Do not use your mixer or bubbles will form.

 

Pour over rice and raisins and sprinkle with nutmeg and lemon zest, if desired.

 

Bake in a hot water bath for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

 

Cool and serve with whipped cream.

I happily discovered that I'm in Divine Order, because as I was giving Stormy some laptime, I picked up an old Taste of Home magazine, and found a recipe for rice pudding where you start with raw rice, you don't have to scald the milk, and you don't have to use a water bath. You do, however, have to bring it to a boil before baking. I'll let you know how I like it when I make it in the future.

I started clearing up odds and ends, ready to tackle my long list of goals. I finally polished my toenails, as I don't think I'll be working in the yard wearing flip-flops for some time. I did some clean up in front on December 31 and discovered my bulbs are sprouting. The hyacinths are up two inches, and the tulips even more. I checked out back, and the daffodils are also up about three inches. Cold weather is on its way - I hope these babies can make it through the winter.

Down with the Christmas wreath, up with Winter.

 

Winter is a problem. Most winter wreaths look like Christmas. I needed pillow tops, so on December 31 I placed my last Temu order, as I'm budgeting in 2025. (We'll see.)

In checking my end results, I found that last year I lost 4.4 lbs. (boy, does this need work in 2025); I read or deleted 122 books from my Kindle; and read or discarded 144 books. I mostly discarded instead of reading. 

New Year in Vienna was a little disappointing this year. The flowers were beautiful up close, but seemed rather pale from a distance.

The concert hall (Golden Hall of the Musikverein) is full of flowers. The cost must be astronomical, but I always look forward to that part of the show. The concert hall is also beautiful, and the camerawork was exceptional this year. I don't know how they do it. The scene is constantly shifting, close-ups galore, and I only saw a camera once in ninety minutes.

The ceiling is the frosting on the cake.

Loved the bright red bassoon.

And the ponytail.

There was an emphasis on the changing tastes in art and music, mentioning Mahler and Klimpt, and the ballet dancers were dressed in costumes of bold patterns in bright colors. A little disappointing this year, but still a delight.

Another goal underway - I started reading Gone with the Wind.  I read it as a teen, and at that time I didn't appreciate the remarkable talent of Margaret Mitchell. She only wrote one novel, and she truly nailed it. So sad that she died young, but I doubt she could have surpassed her first try had she written more books.

I don't know how long it will take me to read all 700+ pages (small print), because I like to linger over and savor her words. Of course, as I read, I have pictures from the movie going through my mind. Kudos to Victor Fleming, the director, because he also nailed it. 

And speaking of great writing, Fannie Mae just shared an email she sent a friend, and I think she has the magic touch. I've encouraged her to share her talent, and maybe she will now that she can't drive for six weeks. She spent Christmas in the ER after she fell and broke her kneecap, and cut her face in the lip area, and also her eyebrow area. She's doing well, but prayers are always welcome. 

Here's her email to a friend (shared with her permission):

Please indulge me as I travel down memory lane. I have been a bit nostalgic recently as I've been thinking of people and events that have blessed my life--more and more as the years go by connected with Central Assembly.

In the late 80s, it was my first Christmas being involved in singles. I had left Christmas events in tears many years prior as Pastor Wannenmacher had encouraged people to gather their family around for a time of prayer. I am probably as traditional as they  come, but that always made me feel very isolated.

This particular Christmas, I excitedly rushed into where the singles all sat together (in the old sanctuary in probably the second and third rows in the middle). I belonged now, so I would not feel lonely, But, I was late and all the seats were taken.

 I still felt connected even though I would not be with the group. I went to the back where there were a couple of empty rows and I sat alone, but contentedly so.

A few minutes after I was seated, in walked a couple of young guys. I had seen them before, but didn't really know either of them. One was probably in retrospect autistic. I had seen him sit down at a piano and play as beautifully as a concert pianist, yet he didn't seem to relate to people quite the same as others did. The other one had an earring in one ear--quite unusual in that time period.

The inevitable time came when Pastor Wannenmacher asked families to join hands. I don't think the guys were seated next to me, but rather a few seats over (theater seats in those days). I walked over to them and joined hands with the one nearest me. This night I was with my "chosen" family. That was a turning point for me, and for my connection at Central. I don't remember whether the guys returned after that.

Thanks for making a memory. I trust you have a blessed time with your family tomorrow. See you next year.

Finally! Salad 52. I've always been fascinated with the idea of Panzanella, a tomato and bread salad. Linda E. decided to try it with cornbread. I liked that idea even better. I studied several recipes, and decided to just put in whatever I thought would be good. I liked it.

CORNBREAD SALAD

1 qt. 1” cubes of cornbread from your favorite recipe* 

1 pkg microwave bacon, torn in bite-size pieces

1-1/2 cups grape tomato halves

1-1/2 cups shredded Romaine or green leaf lettuce

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions

6 Tbs salad oil

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 tsp salt

A few grinds of black pepper

 

Leave the cornbread cubes to dry overnight at room temperature or drizzle with a little oil and spread on a cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes at 375° if you want to make the salad right away.

 

Combine the cornbread cubes with the other salad ingredients in a large bowl.

 

Mix the oil, vinegar, salt. and pepper in a shaker and drizzle over the salad.

*I use the one from Clabber Girl Baking Powder (no sugar). See below.

CORNBREAD – SOUTHERN

Clabber Girl Baking Powder
 

1/4 cup vegetable shortening

2 cups white (or yellow) cornmeal

2 Tbs flour

2 tsps baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 cups buttermilk

1 egg

 

Heat oven to 450°.

 

Melt shortening in a 9” iron skillet or 9” baking pan in the oven, brushing sides of pan with hot shortening.

 

Sift dry ingredients together in mixing bowl.

 

Combine egg and buttermilk and stir into dry ingredients, along with melted shortening.

 

Pour batter into hot pan.

 

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until browned.

Linda E. purchased a spice mix called "Cake Spice." She liked it, so she developed a recipe to make it at home and gave me a little jar when we met in Clinton. I've not been sure exactly how to use it, but decided it might work with Snickerdoodles. I made some with the cake spice and some with just cinnamon, the traditional way. Three out of three liked the traditional way better. I have more cake spice and a couple of ideas - stay tuned. I think I'll try it in a yellow cake from a mix, or maybe fried apples.

And if you want to make some cake spice of your own, here's a recipe. It's not Linda's recipe because I can't remember where I filed it. This is one I Googled with a tweak. Mix equal parts: allspice, cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger, nutmeg. 

I guess you just substitute cake spice for cinnamon. I, however, in making the Snickerdoodles discovered that a little in a dish (uncovered) makes your kitchen smell heavenly.

And if you're in the mood to make Snickerdoodles, here's a recipe.

SNICKERDOODLES 

3-1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter (at room temperature)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
 
For topping: Use this ratio. You might need more.
3 Tbs sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
 
Preheat oven to 375°.
 
Sift together the dry ingredients and set aside.
 
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs, milk, and vanilla. Mix well. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until everything is incorporated.
 
In another bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon for topping.
 
Roll dough in 1” balls and then roll in the topping. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet and flatten slightly (you can use the bottom of a glass).
 
Sprinkle tops with more topping if desired.
 
Bake 7-8 minutes. Cool on baking sheet 2 minutes and then move to a rack to finish cooling.

I made a second recipe, but these haven't been taste-tested yet. I'll let you know.

SNICKERDOODLES 2

1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2-3/4 cups flour
2 tsps cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsps cinnamon
 
Heat oven to 400°F.
 
In a large bowl, beat 1-1/2 cups sugar, butter, shortening, and eggs until well combined.
 
Mix together and stir in the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
 
Shape dough into 1” balls.
 
In a small bowl, mix the 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon.
 

Roll balls in the sugar-cinnamon mix.

 
Place 2” apart on ungreased or parchment-lined baking sheets.
 
Bake 7-9 minutes.
 
Immediately remove from the cookie sheet to a cooling rack.
 

Our first snow came last night. Today is January 6.

EAT YOUR APPLES

AND LEAFY GREENS

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

BUNDLE UP WHEN YOU GO OUT

TRY TO GET SOME SUNSHINE

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE