DOING THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY

Some of my interests include cooking, herbalism, and reading. Sometimes these interests intersect in unusual ways. I have found some very different perspectives in my search for books that include my interests. I'd like to share a few of these.

I was searching for a good pie recipe when I came across this:

Snitz Pie

1 gal apple butter                   1 c. brown sugar

3 gal applesauce                     1 tbsp. salt

2 1/2 c tapioca

   Mix well (no heating needed) and then put into unbaked shells.

Bake at 350 degrees. Makes enough filling for about 30 pies.

Pie Dough

6 lb flour                               3 lb. lard

1/2 c brown sugar                 1 1/2 tbsp. salt

1/4 c baking powder

   Yields about 18 pies.

Hmm. Do I double the dough or halve the filling?!

There is also a recipe for Snitz for Pies;

   Put one bushel apples through apple peeler, but don't use peeler, just use slicer and corer. One bushel fills a 12 quart, 8 quart, and 6 quart. Set on top of woodstove for 12 to 18 hours or until apples are soft. Do not add water. Put through Victoria strainer or ricer and add:

3 tbsp. cinnamon                2 tbsp. allspice

1 1/2 tsp. salt                      15 c. sugar

          Makes 9 to 10 quarts. Cool pack for 20 minutes.

I'd better set aside a weekend for this project!

Another fascinating find came about when seeking more books on herbs and natural remedies.

Under Receipts (I think they are referring to recipes):

No. 20. - For Palsy.

   First let the patient thoroughly cleanse the blood with burdock root, then take one ounce of umbril, called lady slipper, half pound of angle worms, half pint of spirits turpentine, fourth of a pound of lobelia seed, one ounce oil origanum, one ounce oil of spruce, one ounce oil of cinnamon, four green frogs alive, put these all in a stone vessel, under a heap of rotten manure, well stopped up for ten days, then take it out and strain it, and rub the afflicted parts with it, and wrap the parts in flannel as warm as can be borne, let the patient drink plenty of sage, pennyroyal, or horsemint tea, for a constant drink, and I warrant them a speedy cure.

No. 94.- For the cure of the Epilepsy.

   Take some of the after birth of a woman, wash and pound it well, after mix it with rye flour, in order to make bread with it, and bake it in an oven, the patient must take the weight of half an ounce of it, to eat, morning and evening, every first day of the first quarter of the moon.

   The most part of the remedies that have been given for the apoplexy, may also be used in this case; therefore, they may be resorted to when necessary.

I'd like to think that maybe an apple a day will keep the doctor away!!!

LISTS

I am one of those people who makes lists. You know the type, the one who has a list for everything but most importantly so they have something to cross off as if it's a badge of accomplishment.
Lists of things I want to do. Lists of things I need, to do the things I want to do. Yada,yada,yada. Of all of the lists that I make there is one that gives me the most pleasure, satisfaction and spiritual uplift. My gratitude list.
It is a list of ten things that I am grateful for. The first few are easy. I'm continually grateful for my health (which is pretty good for my age) and for friends and family both near and far. I am grateful for where I live, safe and secure in the country.
At this point I have to stop and think. That's actually the best part because this is where my gratitude runs deepest and less obvious.
I am grateful for my car. It's been reliable and allows me to get to and from work. Also, I was able to pay for it when I bought it. Boy, times have really changed for me. Another thing to be grateful for.
Only half way there. What else am I grateful for?
I'm grateful that I have an abundance of choices. Choices in what foods I can eat, choices about who I associate with, choices about where to live, where to work. So many people do not have all of the options that are available to me.
I'm grateful that I am aware of all that I have. I once had a moment of epiphany while driving to get dog food. I was upset at my lack of funds and the need to drive a few miles to the store. It suddenly occurred to me that there are people who have to walk that far just to get water, and not very pure water at that. Perspective increases my gratitude.
I am grateful for the desire to increase my spiritual nature. This has led me to face my own shortcomings. To grow. To become more tolerant. To find contentment and peace with where and who I am.
My gratitude extends to the challenges I have faced and those that are yet to come. I remember a friend who I would go to in times of 'crisis'. Always, she would say, "God really loves you. You've been given another growth opportunity." I found it aggravating at the time but I realize now the truth of that.
One more now. I am grateful for people that I can look up to. People who live by their principles and beliefs. I see that they, like myself, sometimes struggle but diligently carry on. Their example helps me to continue to strive to be better, do better.
Finally, my list is done, for now. I find that I make this list anew several times a year. It is something I recommend to everyone.
When is the last time you've made a list? Try it soon. I promise that you won't regret it.

SHOES

I love shoes. When I moved I decided I should cut back to 6 pairs. I finally settled on a dozen...plus a few more. I don't know what it is about wanting just the right pair to go with my wardrobe (four dressers full!) but I simply couldn't let them go.

Weatherproof work boots are a must of course.

And, of course, everyone needs a pair of all-purpose comfortable shoes.

Not to mention the I HAVE to HAVE those shoes!

So when your favorite pair wears out, you can buy another pair just like it!

Everytime!

We might need a bigger shoe closet...hmm.

ICE

Beautiful but dangerous. The ice arrived overnight.

Leaving the driveway and road more like skating rinks than places to drive a vehicle.

Just watch these college students try to get around by clicking on the link!

slip sliding away

WHEN IT"S 15 DEGREES OUTSIDE

What do you do when it's really cold outside?

Make strawberry ice cream!

And what could be better than that?

Bringing it to friends.

Especially to friends who make chocolate pudding cake to go with it!

Somehow, cold days can make you feel warm inside.

HEIGHTS

This is terrifying, but gorgeous. The walkway is glass for anyone brave enough to walk it.