The Story of Christmas
 

The beautiful story of Christmas

Again is retold upon earth.

A story of peace and good will to men

Through the wonderful gift of Christ’s birth.

The weary world pauses to listen

Once more, as the story is told.

And songs of the angels re-echo

Again, as in ages of old.

Trouble and cares are forgotten

Just now, in this moment of time;

God’s grace and the care of His children

Are a part of that gift, most divine.

So then let the story of Christmas

It’s wonderful message impart,

And the year ahead filled with gladness

Bring God’s love and peace to your heart.
 

                        Source Unknown

After the halls have been decked and the eggnog has been drunk, the presents gone from the tree, you are usually left with stains. Here are a few tips for dashing through the stains.

Coffee Spilling-Sponge or rinse stain promptly in cold water. Pretreat with liquid laundry detergent, launder using bleach that is safe for the fabric. Wash in the hottest water safe for the fabric.

Candy Cane Crumbling-Rinse in warm water to dilute the stain. Wash in warm to hot water and dry as usual.

Eggnog Splashing-Rinse in cold water to dilute the stain. Soak up to 30 minutes with detergent, weighted with a towel to keep submerged. Wash in warm to hot water and air dry.

Greasy Droppings-Gently scrape off excess solids with a dull knife. Apply a small amount of liquid dish detergent to the underside of the soiled area, to break up the grease. Machine wash in the warmest water that the care label permits. This may be repeated.

Chocolate Melting-Pretreat with a liquid laundry detergent or soak fabric in warm water and a detergent that contains enzymes. Difficult stains may require using bleach that is safe for the fabric.

Salsa-Scrape off any excess salsa with a spoon or dull knife. Soak fabric in cold water and wash in the warmest water possible for the fabric.

Wines-Sprinkle salt on the stain as soon as possible to draw wine out of the fibers. Blot fabric with a solution of mild detergent and warm water. Then blot fabric with a mix of one-third cup of white vinegar with two-thirds cup of water. Repeat and sponge with clean water.

Sap drip from the pine tree-Use a dry cleaning solvent and then wash in warm to hot water. Repeat if necessary.

Sweaty Santas-To remove antiperspirant, place the stain face down on a paper towel. Sponge the back of the stain. Let dry and rinse off. Rub on a paste of granular laundry detergent and water. Wash in the hottest water that is safe for the fabric.

An easy way to shell Brazil nuts is to spread on a cookie sheet and bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees. For Chestnuts, cut an X on the flat side and boil 10 minutes. For walnuts, soak overnight in salt water.

Houseplants can get stressed this time of year. It is best to use day old tap water, this removes the chlorine which causes brown tips. Also save hard boiled egg water, they contain lots of minerals. If soil is wet one inch down, do not water. Also when defrosting fish, save the liquid to water your plants.

Poinsettia Tip

            Select a plant with sturdy stems. Remove it from the plastic pot and replant in a clay container. Soak with water when the top inch of soil dries out, and keep it in bright indirect light away from heat and drafts.

                        Cranberry Relish

1 (16 ounce) can whole berry cranberry sauce

1 orange peeled and coarsely chopped (about 1/2 cup)

1 apple, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)

1/4 cup pecans, chopped

1 cup miniature marshmallows

            Mix all ingredients except marshmallows until combined. Refrigerate until serving time. Stir in marshmallows just before serving.

To keep cookies soft, put a piece of bread in the cookie jar with the cookies.

Fantastic Coffee Cake

1 package yellow cake mix

2 eggs

3/4 cup oil

1 (3.4 oz.) package instant butterscotch pudding

3/4 cup warm water

            Add all ingredients. Beat 4 minutes. Pour half of batter in greased and floured 13X9 inch pan. Cover with half of topping. Pour in rest of batter, the rest of topping. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes. Serves 16.

Topping:

1 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup chopped nuts

If cookies brown too quickly on the bottoms, don’t use a cookie sheet. Instead place the cookies on top of a baking pan that is turned upside down. The problems solved when only the pan edges touch the hot oven rack.

Orange Fudge

3 cups sugar

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 cup milk

4 tablespoons butter

grated rind of 1/2 orange (optional)

1 cup nuts

            Boil sugar and milk for 5 minutes or longer. Add butter and orange juice. Cook until it forms a small ball in cold water. Let it get nearly cold; then add nuts and beat until creamy. Pour into prepared pan. Recipe did not say what size pan, you will have to judge by the amount it makes.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

One (14 ounces) can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup peanut butter

One cup flour

Two cups quick-cooking oatmeal

One cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup butter or oleo, softened

One cup semi-sweet chocolate bits

            Grease 9X13 inch pan. Combine milk and peanut butter, mix until blended. Set aside. In large bowl combine flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, soda, salt and butter. Mix until crumbly. Press half of crumbled mixture into prepared pan. Pour peanut butter mixture over crumbs. The mixture should spread out evenly. Sprinkle with chocolate bits. Sprinkle rest of crumbs on top. Pat down lightly. Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool. Cut into 36 bars.

Minty Hot Chocolate

            This hot chocolate mix features a tasty blend of mint and malt. Nice for the Holiday season-especially after an evening of caroling!

2 cups chocolate-flavored malted milk powder, divided

1 cup butter mints

3 cups nonfat dry milk powder

1-1/2 cups instant hot cocoa mix

            In a blender or food processor, combine 1 cup malted milk powder and mints; process until smooth. Pour into large bowl. Add dry milk. Cocoa mix and remaining malted milk powder; mix well. Store in airtight containers. To make one serving, ad 1/4 cup mix to 3/4 cup boiling water; stir until dissolved. Makes 6 3/4 cups mix.

                        Winter Stew Delight

1 small head cabbage, chopped

4 medium onions, diced

4 medium potatoes, diced

1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes, diced

1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced

2 pounds Italian sausage, fried and drained

4 cup beef or chicken broth

1 cup tomato juice

1 (15 ounce) can beans (kidney, black or pinto)

salt to taste

            Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large, oven-proof stew pot. Cover and bake 1-1/2 to 2 hours until tender, stirring occasionally. If necessary, add more broth or tomato juice. Serve with homemade bread or biscuits. Drizzle with vinegar if desired. Season with chopped basil, sage or chives. This recipe yields several gallons of delicious stew, which freezes well.

Quick Pasta Skillet

1 pound ground beef, cooked

3 cups cooked mostaccioli

1 (28  ounce)  jar spaghetti sauce

1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese

            In a large  skillet brown ground beef, cook mostaccioli spaghetti sauce and cheese. Cook on low heat and simmer 15 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese (optional)

Easy Ham and Swiss Pie

1-1/2 cups cut-up fully cooked ham

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese (4 ounces)

4 medium green onion, sliced (1/4 cup)

1/2 cup Bisquick

1 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2 eggs

            Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease pie plate, 9 inches. Sprinkle ham, cheese and onion in pie plate.

            Stir remaining ingredients until blended. Pour into pie plate.

            Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. This is easy to reheat as they are to make. To reheat in the microwave, arrange slices evenly spaced on with points toward the center of a large microwavable plate. Cover with waxed paper (except those with cheese topping) and microwave on medium 2 to 3 minutes per slice. Rotate 1/2 turn after 3 minutes. Let stand 2 minutes before serving.

Marshmallow Pie Topping

1 cup Marshmallow Crème

1 tablespoon orange-flavored brandy liqueur (optional)

3/4 cup miniature marshmallows

Pumpkin pie

White chocolate or almond bark, curls for garnish

            Mix marshmallow crème and liqueur if desired until smooth. Stir in marshmallows. Serve topping over pie slices. Garnish with chocolate curls if desired.

            Try placing fresh or dried mint in the bottom of hot chocolate for a zesty flavor.

When baking white or brown sugar cookies, use a cup of applesauce instead of sour milk. The flavor is better and they will keep moist longer.

Enjoy the Holiday Season and remember to take time for yourselves so that you are not stressed out. Cheers.

Mary Hoff worked at the Platteville Journal  before she got married.  After a few years, she started a column at the Tri-County Press and also covered Cole Acres Notes. When the Tri-County Press was sold to Bill Hale in Lancaster,  he asked to carry the column in the Grant County Independent.  Mary says she writes, "just to keep my mind from getting rusty." 

mjandmjh@pcii.net

"Be sure to send me your comments, recipes, or helpful tips."