Monday, December 17, 2012

REAL TIME: READY FOR AN OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS




We send a crate of eggs to town about every two weeks and it keeps us in groceries. I got candy, nuts, oranges, grapefruit, etc. We’ll have to have some lettuce, celery, etc., come up for Xmas, too. Aunt is helping me out by doing some of the cooking – pies, cookies, etc.

December 2012
Looking for Ina? She’ll be back – maybe even today.

We arrived at the farmhouse yesterday (Sunday) forenoon. Christmas will happen for us this week -- Christmas Eve on Thursday and Christmas Day on Friday. “Might as well get right to the fun,” says Hallie.

I shopped for groceries Saturday morning, leaving Mike at home. Hallie had provided a list of items she would need for a vegetable soup, so when I explained that produce shopping alone would take me 10 to 15 minutes, Mike opted out of the big excursion. However, Saturday night he stopped me by the store again so that I could buy what I didn’t get or couldn’t find in the morning. “See if you can find the garlic,” I directed, and he walked right to it. Of course, I knew they had garlic but delicata squash was another matter. I’ve never heard of delicata squash, but Mike found that, too. I guess I should have insisted he come with me in the morning.

I bought produce for Hallie’s soup that I haven’t eaten in years, if ever. “It’s a rutabaga,” I advised the checker; “an old vegetable making a comeback.”  When I was a child we had turnips and rutabagas on occasion.

Saturday afternoon I baked one of my “Ruby Slipper Cakes” for the neighbors – a thoughtful couple with a 14-year-old daughter. In the seven years we’ve been neighbors, they haven’t failed to remember “the grand-parently” couple next door at Christmas. Last year she brought us homemade goodies on a Pfaltgraff friendship plate. She explained that the plate was a part of the gift. I asked if I should give it back, and she said I could keep it, hand it on, or give it back. I decided to store it for a year and return it to her. So, we delivered cake and plate Sunday morning before we left town.

And of course, I packed, and packed, and packed. I tried to anticipate every need – from food and baking to clothing to inspirational literature and crochet projects. And don't forget the gifts and stocking stuffers. Mike even "paused a moment" in the driveway so that I could run back for the Christmas CDs. I did pretty well. I have everything but the bacon, Nellie’s toothpaste, the Christmas cookie cutters, and the kitchen sink. And when I got through packing, Mike packed the pick-up. He’s such a good sport to play along with my whims, but then, he has a few whims of his own. KW

5 comments:

Chris said...

Good thing you have a pickup!!

My parents love those old vegetables and often have them. I was not a fan of them. I think I did have a turnip last year in a stew they made and confess I didn't seem to mind it. Will we see the recipe for Hallie's soup?

So are you going to use a knife to make the cookie shapes? :-)

Kathy said...

I didn't like to see the turnips and rutabagas coming either. They were simply boiled and served with salt and pepper or cooked in stews. Nothing fancy. Mike speaks of turnip greens.

It's in the back of my mind to post Hallie's soup recipe.

As to the cookie cutters, I have a round cutter on hand and I figure that will work. That said, Hallie and Nick may stop by the town house on their way in. If so, she could bring them.

Hallie said...

I'm sure we can share the recipe, but we need to give credit to the Whole Life Nutrition cookbook. Nick and I have made more recipes on a repeat basis from this cookbook than any I can think of.

Kathy said...

I think that's what it's all about -- giving credit where credit is due, letting folks know what you've found that works -- and sometimes what doesn't work.

Leah said...

Good for you Hallie. Putting variety into vegetable soup is very wise. There is more to life than carrots, potatoes & celery. Too bad that turnips & rutabegas are not used more often. They add nice texture to soups.