Ranger Cookies Replay 2/13/14

We have another month nearly ready to be bygone days. The best thing about it is we have to be that much closer to spring. Never in my life time have I been so anxious for Spring to arrive.

Since more snow was broadcast for Saturday during the night, we agreed that it would be smart to attend Saturday evening Mass. My daughter and her husband were picking me up and we planned to go to our local restaurant after church services.  

We had two surprises. Another daughter and husband and a granddaughter and her family were also on the same schedule. The restaurant was surprisingly full, and there was not room for all of us to find a seat. So they opened the back room for us and we had a private party. My son and daughter-in-law and two of their granddaughters who were spending the night with them were nearly finished with their meal, so they came back and joined us.  Our party of three had grown to 15.  Once again, we found that the greatest magic moments can be found in family and unplanned gatherings.

Since I forgot to keep my promise to myself to do this earlier in the day, I will get right to food. My last week’s entry was almost a calamity. After I had hit “send” I read it over and it took two messages to correct my blunders.  Thanks to a capable staff at The Earth, they did a magnificent job of making it look as if I knew what I were doing.

I received a phone call a few days ago asking for a recipe for Ranger Cookies that I had previously used.  That took some thoughtful mind searching, but I remembered which pile, (that should be read as FILE) to look in and I found it in a few minutes.  She thought that reprinting it would be the easiest way to get it to her. Maybe someone else didn’t save it and will want to try it. It is an old recipe that a neighbor gave my mother when I was still in high school.  The lady who requested it had also been familiar with it but did not have a copy. I tell my grandkids and greats, that you have to have some good food in your stomach for desserts to sit on. So I am going to give you one that I was very pleased with that a niece had shared on Face Book. Thanks, Melissa and Peggy.

            

SMOKED SAUSAGE POTATO BAKE

1 package smoked sausage (the one I used was only 9 oz.)

5 medium potatoes, cut in chunks

1 large onion, chopped

2 tablespoons cooking oil

Salt, pepper, thyme, paprika to taste

Handful of grated cheddar cheese

Slice sausage into bite size pieces and combine with the potato chunks. Drizzle with oil and seasoning. (You may use other seasonings of your choice.) Toss together with hands. Spread out in a baking tray. (Mine was  9 x 12.) Bake for 45 minutes at 400 degrees, Stirring every 15 minutes. Turn off heat and sprinkle cheese on top and allow to melt.

Hope  you are as pleased as I was.

            

RANGER COOKIES

I cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups oatmeal

2 cups cornflakes

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup each of coconut, chocolate bits, nuts

Cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, soda, baking powder, oatmeal, coconut and cornflakes. Add to mixture then add chocolate bits and nuts .  This is a very stiff mixture. You may add 3 tablespoons of milk to make it easier to handle. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork dipped in water. I used a medium scoop  to measure dough, made it into a ball , then flattened it. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes. Do not overbake.

Cabin Fever 2/6/14

Do you know a good remedy for cabin fever?  I experienced one today.  After being housebound for over a week (except a necessary trip down town on Wednesday), I experienced a fabulous day today (Sunday).  It was a debatable decision if I should venture out in the forecast weather for the day. The decision was on hold until 25 minutes before church time. I was prepared to go but was waiting on the opinion of my daughter and son-in-law.  After the freezing temperature and the damp weather, the conditions were not the best but they came after me. After church services we attended the breakfast in the church basement that was a fund raiser for the youth of our parish who will be attending work camp this summer. So far the day was progressing famously.  We were informed to not try to go home and just go straight to my sister’s home where there would be a potluck dinner to celebrate my sister’s 86^th birthday and we were excused from bringing any food.  There are a few advantages of advanced age! 

The house was as full of kids, grandkids, and greats as it was full of food. A very pleasant experience and my sister-in-law and I felt blessed to be included, especially since we both had been trying to avoid a severe case of cabin fever these last few weeks.

As it is well known, all good things do come to an end and it was back to solitary confinement again.  I settled in my recliner with the Sunday newspaper with no intention of napping, when from a distance, I thought I heard a voice “Max, Max, Max”!  I opened one eye and saw a vaguely familiar figure in my dining room. A Home Extension Club member from Garrett was meeting her two kids from Defiance to exchange some necessities and she suggested meeting at the C-Store in Edgerton, so she could stop in to see me! What an enjoyable and uplifting surprise and a sure cure for cabin fever.

Saturday was a very special day, too.  My son from Decatur called to see if I was going to be home and he would be here at three. My daughter from across the street noticed his car was here and wanted to see him, so she came over. Another daughter had gone by and she called because she had a book she wanted to give to him. Another daughter and son-in-law stopped in to see about my intentions for Sunday. At five thirty Keith said, “Is anyone hungry?”  I told them I had a small dish of goulash that I could warm up!!  That brought the brilliant idea, “Let’s go to Rita’s”!  I think I was the first one who had my coat and boots on. Spontaneous events create a much more special atmosphere than weeks long planned events. Many magic moments from ordinary things.

I did not raise dumb kids because I have a son who took his wife to Florida to see her dad and his wife, then onto Texas to visit a son and daughter-in-law and their only three grandkids. That is a cruel twist of fate, getting to retirement age before you have grandkids and they are that far away. How can you possibly spoil them properly?  A daughter and her husband are taking a much deserved vacation in Florida and they all chose to go during the coldest weather of January and the most snow!

I have two recipes that I have been saving to try before I pass them on, but my ambition went out the window and before I lose the clippings, I am going to give them to you and you can tell me if they are worth saving.

          

BREAKFAST SQUARES

2 cups quick oats

¼ cup vegetable oil

1 large egg

½ cup brown sugar

¾ cup milk

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup chopped walnuts

½ cup raisins

¼ teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients. Stir until blended. Scrape into  9 inch square, greased baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

           

RASPBERRY MALLOW PIE

35 large marshmallows

½ cup milk

1 package (10 oz.) frozen raspberries

1 carton (8 oz.) whipped topping

1 ( 9 inch) graham cracker crust

In a large microwave bowl combine marshmallows and milk. Cook on high for 1 to two minutes. Stir until smooth. Stir in raspberries, then fold in whipped topping. Pour into crust. Refrigerate or can be frozen.

Do not read the weather forecast. It can be depressing.