Monday, December 8, 2014

End-of-the-Year Etsy Update

Rather hesitantly, I reopened my Etsy store.
It was one of those "eh, why not" acts that I sometimes regret.

Knowing that the holiday rush was in full-swing, I dreaded a a slew of additions to my to-do list. But, eh, why not? Christmas is not a busy time for my strange little shop. I doubt I'll sell a single thing.

Wrong!

Within three days I had three orders, one being a rather large commissioned piece.

Thankfully, I'm treading water as I care for an increasingly opinionated infant, acclimate to working at the bookshop with a baby in tow, scramble to finish my army of handmade Christmas gifts, and (hopefully) finish setting up my new studio. Oh, and laundry. We're using cloth diapers, and it feels as though I'm forever behind on laundry.

The commissioned piece I mentioned is a set of paper orchids made from an antique copy of Jane Eyre. It's going to be lovely! I'm thinking I'll pair them with a very pretty cut-glass bud vase.

Here are a few photos showing the process:





Monday, December 1, 2014

Had a baby!
It's a girl!
October 7th, 1:58 pm.
7 pounds, 8 ounces.
21 inches long -- a tall one!

Happy, healthy and wicked smart.
Just shy of 2 months old, and already outgrowing 3 month old clothes.
She's the most perfect-est, beautiful-est, wonderful-est, poopy-est baby in the world.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Etsy, or How I've Not Been Very Productive At All

More pre-mommy time at home has resulted more time spent (not "wasted"!) on artsy social networking sites.

If you want to keep up with my virtual inspiration boards, you can find me on Pinterest. Lately, I've used it to bookmark ideas for upcoming house projects, garden ideas... and gift ideas -- so don't go digging too deep! There's also cute stuff to be found on Baby Barton's Etsy Wishlist and my ever-evolving Etsy favorites list, Etsy Items I Adore. I'm slowly getting sucked in to what some people might define as "crunchy" mommy stuff, like Waldorf toys and simple living blogs. If you think that's neat, you might like this list of beautiful blogs I'm compiling.

My own Etsy shop, Hobgoblins, has been on the backburner these last two weeks. When I'm not scrambling to complete commissioned pieces, I'm deliberating over what social networking sites might be worth the investment of time, when it comes to marketing my shop and art online. Is Pinterest a good platform? What about Instagram? Should I become more involved in the Etsy community? Or, should I focus my time and energy locally, promote more in the local shops I have a relationship with, and work on a collection for a gallery show? (Yes, I probably should!)

Instead of being productive, I sit and THINK about being productive. Or, I look at other people being productive and pretend that it counts as personal productivity. All the while, my to-do list grows as quickly as the pile of neat things to add to my Etsy shop. Just when I think I should get back to work on a project, I remember that CHRISTMAS IS COMING. I should work on gifts. I should write. I should read that review book that arrived last week. I should write the review for the LAST review book. I should learn to knit. I should learn to make picture frames. Oh, and the baby will be here any day, now... at which point I just might lose all time and motivation.

And so I do nothing Etsy-related, and instead I go outside and work in the garden.

At least it's nice outside!

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

September Update: Basil Pesto, Parades and Turkey-Leg Babies

Finally, finally, I'm through the cherry tomatoes.

Though our crop of heirloom tomatoes (slicers, beefsteaks, pastes and more) was a crushing blow, the remaining three cherry tomato plants were pleasantly prolific. I picked one last small handful, yesterday, and in the last month I've made enough sun-dried (well, dehydrator-dried) tomatoes to last a year or two. So, that's nice.

Herbs! That's what's on today's docket.
I clipped copious amounts of Rosemary, yesterday, and set it to dry.
It's my very favorite herb, and I know I'll have run out by February.
It's nice to have a stock of home-grown stuff to enjoy, for a while.

Oregano, thyme and bushes of basil demand attention.
I'm making as much Basil Pesto as possible, and will freeze the leftover leaves in oil cubes.

Garden-Fresh Basil Pesto with Sunflower Seeds
5-6 cloves garlic
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup grated parmesean cheese
2 1/2 cups basil leaves, blanched and dried (So tedious, I know!)
3/4 cup olive oil
salt to taste

Using a food processor, roughly chop the garlic cloves.
Add the sunflower seeds, pulse a few times to chop and mix.
Add cheese, keep on pulsing!
Add basil, mix until well processed.
SLOWLY Add olive oil while mixing, until pesto is well-blended.
Makes 1 1/2 - 2 cups of pesto - a meal requires about 1/2 cup, so freeze the rest!


With the promise of beautiful fall weather, the fall garden is taking off! I'm harvesting broccoli, brussels sprouts, kale, swiss chard, peppers, more swiss chard, romaine and red lettuces, green beans (which I'm letting dry), and the aforementioned herbs. A little crop of carrots is growing well, along with more lettuce, kale, spinach, radishes, ... and parsnips, if I ever get the seeds in the ground.

I've had a lot of trouble growing spinach, in the past month. It seems I got a bum packet of Winter Giant Spinach from Annie's Heirloom Seeds. After waiting for it to germinate for weeks, I contacted the company. Great customer service! They quickly sent me a new package, and I'm pleased to announce that I have spinach seedlings popping up through the soil. Success!

Outside of the garden, life is good. MSU Football is back, and the husband scored a sweet gig that gets him into the games for free, so he's happy. And, he's busy! This Friday is the MSU Homecoming Parade. He was invited to once again LEAD THE PARADE -- so that's neat! I'll share some photos of his alter-ego, Spartan Recycling Man, as he rides in the bucket of the MSU Recycling Center's biggest (and noisiest) truck.

Spartan Recycling Man!

We're in the final stretch of pregnancy, and I wish I could write a delivery date on the calendar. I'm a planner, to say the least. All our ducks are in a row, though. The official due-date for Little Miss Barton is September 29th, but with my luck, I'm guessing she'll be an October baby.

The waiting has resulted in numerous Etsy purchases.
Here's the latest acquisition:
From PoshPipsqueak
https://www.etsy.com/shop/PoshPipsqueak

So. Cute.
Adorable baby clothes have affected me is ways I never expected.
Suddenly, doing laundry is more enjoyable. We'll see how long THAT lasts, though.
Etsy is a hell of a drug. So many lovely toys, cute little baby things, and wonderful gifts. I can only imagine what desperate measures I'll resort to in the coming weeks...

Sunday, August 24, 2014

August Homestead Update

Our tomato season began and ended with cherry tomatoes.
Blight took the rest of our plants.
I'll spare you photos of the carnage.

We're disappointed, but the loss was a powerful and lasting lesson in organic gardening.
Pre-treating is the trick, and we just didn't know enough about it.
Now, we do!

We lost about 40 heirloom tomato plants in the span of three days.
I had hoped to fill our chest freezer with the tasty red globes, and turn them into sauce throughout the winter. The blight left us with about a dozen Black Krim tomatoes and a few pounds of cherry tomatoes.
I was truly devastated. Being 8 months pregnant and suffering from a bad cold didn't help.
I spent a few days sobbing over the loss and feeling sorry for myself, and am now greatly recovered.

This weekend I'm busy dehydrating the cherry tomatoes,
planting the fall garden, and cursing the little rodent who
keeps eating my late-summer strawberries.
I'm harvesting delicious zucchini, yellow squash and Ronde de Nice zucchini.
Our experimental cucumbers did well, and we'll do a serious planting next year.
The peppers are starting to plump.
Lazy Housewife Green Beans have been surprisingly productive.
Kale is still coming in.
The pumpkins vines aren't as productive as I'd expected.
The melons were a total flop!
The brasscias are growing tall.
My new crops of lettuce, Swiss Chard, and spinach are popping up.
Time to get some radishes in the ground, I think...

Seed catalogs are starting to arrive, and I can't help but plan for next year's garden.
More flowers! More pumpkins! More tomatoes!

Still lots to do before winter, though.
I found myself swimming in new strawberry plants.
We're scrambling to find protected places to plant them.
I'm tempted to just use them as ground-cover on the hillside, and let the rabbits ravage them.

There's been a good amount of online chatter about a looming polar vortex.
It could bury us in snow in the next 30 days!
Hard to imagine, but worrying.
I'd welcome an early winter (though I'll kick myself for saying this).
It'll hide the wreckage of my tomato beds and speed the healing process.
At the first signs of frost we'll erect our trusty mini-hoops over the salad beds and hope for the best.

Sean has been showing off his carpentry skills in the nursery.
His ingeniously designed changing table is nearly complete, and he has big plans for the closet renovation. We have all sorts of baby-related projects to wrap up in the coming weeks!

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

The Wild and Wonderful Recipes of Zoe Hicks


The big Hicks Family Reunion is this weekend, and I'm scrambling to complete a project -- a compilation of Great Grandma Zoe's recipes.

Transcribing was no problem, and I had lots of help from fellow archivist-relatives.

Editing and formatting isn't so bad.
What's slowed me down is... COMPUTER TROUBLE!
It plagues me.
Our home computer won't cooperate, and the computer at work died.
Fortunately, my files were saved properly... but access to a free, fully-functional computer is a challenge.

And I need to get these printed and bound ASAP!

I desperately need an accessible version in which I can make edits and last-minute additions.
What follows is the recipe book in its evolving entirety.
You might find some of these recipes helpful, nostalgic, frightening or delicious. Enjoy!

Editing Notes
Trebuchet MS, 12 pt.







The Recipe Treasury of Zoe Hicks
Hicks Family Reunion - August 2014

Here you'll find the greatest and best-loved 
dishes and desserts of Zoe Hicks, as well as some of her more peculiar creations. 

Though these recipes could not be recreated in her distinct handwriting, 
we chose to include some of Zoe's unorthodox spelling choices and omissions.

I hope that you enjoy this assortment of recipes,
and that it becomes a well-thumbed book in your collection.

Many thanks to our archivist transcribers:
Janet, Joey, Cheryl, Peggy, Georganne, and Susan
Compiled by Audrey Burck Barton





APPETIZERS and SIDES

Zoe's Soft Cheese
1 package cream cheese
Onion browned in 2 Tbsp butter
1 1/2 cup grated cheese
1/4 tsp salt and pepper
Simmer until heated through
Garnish with pimento, green pepper or parsley
Serve with toast cut in triangles


Mrs. Hartman's Dill Pickles
1 lb. Salt
1 qt. Good vinegar
6 qts. Water

Soak [cucumbers] overnight
[or for 2 to 8 hours, in salted, COLD water]
Heat vinegar, salt and water hot and put pickles in
Dill mixed spices, grape leaves
[Grape leaves make the pickles crispy]


Crisp Summer Salad
Serves 6

1 pkg lemon jello
1 cup hot water
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp vinegar
1 cup ice water
1 cup diced cucumbers
1 cup sliced radishes
1 cup thinly sliced new onions
Dissolve jello, stir in salt, vinegar and ice water.
Refrigerate until partially thickened
Fold in vegetables


Tomato Jelly
Serves 6
1 envelope Knox gelatin
1/4 cup cold water
2 cup canned or fresh tomatoes
1/2 bay leaf (if desired)
1/2 tsp salt  - few grains of pepper
1 tbsp mild vinegar or lemon juice
1 tbsp onion juice
1 stalk celery
Mix tomatoes, bay leaf, salt, celery and pepper. Boil 10 minutes.
Soak gelatin in the cold water for 5 minutes.
Add to hot mixture and stir until dissolved.
Add vinegar and onion juice and strain and turn into molds.

Date and Apple Salad
2 apples
1/2 pkg dates
6 marshmallows, diced
1/2 cup celery
1 pkg. lemon jello dissolved in 2 cups water

Dressing (optional)
1/3 cup salad dressing
1/4 cup crushed pineapple
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp grated nuts
Note from Zoe: You can add dressing with coloring for a change
(Ed. Note: that¹s it- no putting together directions.)


Cranberry Jello Recipe
2 cups chopped cranberries
1 apple
2 oranges - 1 peeled, 1 not
1/2 cup sugar
l pkg lemon jello
1 pkg cherry jello
with 2 cups water
Chill and finish in mold.
Frozen Fruit
(Doubles as a Dessert!)

3 egg yolks
3 tbsp tarragon vinegar
3 tbsp sugar
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 can white cherries
1/2 can pineapple chunks
1/4 cup almonds, pecans, or white grapes
(Note from Zoe: If you're inviting me, make it grapes!)
1 cup marshmallows (tiny ones)
Combine beaten egg yolks, vinegar and sugar.
Cook in double boiler until thick.
Cool and add cream, whipped stiff.
This doubles as a “hold-together” for the fruit, etc.
Save half of it for the dressing.
Blend the other half with other items and freeze in cube trays.
(Note from Zoe: Don't try to substitute any other vinegar for tarragon.
It will spoil the taste.)


Ham Sandwich Freezer Spread
4 cups grated cooked ham
1 cup grated olives
2 tbsp Woostershire sauce
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup mustard
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup chili sauce
1/4 cup soft butter
1/2 cup chopped bacon (crisp fried)
Butter just one slice of bread.
Wrap each sandwich in wax paper.

(Editor's Note: I can not figure out this recipe, hope you can. Good luck!)


Souffle Ring
4 ounces elbow macaroni
Cook 10 mins in salted water.
Drain and put in large bowl.

2 tbsp melted butter
3 egg yolks
1 cup top milk  (Cream?)
1 cup diced cheese
2 chopped pimento
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 cup (3 slices) soft bread crumbs
Blend above and the add macaroni
Beat the 3 egg whites until stiff, fold into mixture
Bake 1 hr at 350 degrees in heavily buttered ring mold in pan of water
Don't peek!
(Ed. Note: Zoe had this underlined)
Fill center with chicken, tuna or mixed peas and carrots.
Note from Zoe: Can buy cans of chicken fricassee.



DRESSINGS
Boiled Dressing
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp mustard
1 egg or 2 egg whites, well beaten
2 tbsp melted butter
1/4 cup vinegar
few grains of cayenne
3/4 cup water
2 tbsp flour

Make a sauce of butter, flour, sugar, salt,
mustard, cayenne, water and vinegar. 
Cook in a double boiler.
When the sauce is thick, remove the upper part of the double boiler.
When ready to use, use 1/4 cup of cream or milk.

Mayonnaise
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp pepper
1 cup oil
1 egg yolk
1/2 tbsp dry mustard
1 tbsp vinegar
Juice of a lemon
Mix dry ingredience. Add half of lemon juice. Add yolk. Stir well. Pour oil
in a slow, steady stream onto egg, beating all the time. When 2/3 of oil is
added, put vinegar and rest of lemon juice in.  Beat well. Add in remainder
of oil slowly. Beat well. If mixture refuses to thicken, add another egg
yolk and pour the curdled mixture over it, slowly beating all the time.


Boiled Salad Dressing
1 cup sugar
1 cup vinegar
1 cup water
1 egg
1 tbsp flour
1 tbsp butter
some salt
1 tsp mustard
Boil all together


Thousand Island

1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup chopped green pepper
½ hard boiled egg (put through sieve)
1 tbsp capers
1 tsp chopped parsley
1 tbsp chili sauce
½ tbsp ketchup
3 drops Worcestershire sauce
2 or 3 drops tobasco sauce


French Dressing

2 ½ tsp salt
5 tbsp vinegar
½ tsp paprika
2 tbsp sugar
few grains of cayenne
1 cup less Italian Salad oil

Add sugar, salt, paprika and cayenne
to the vinegar and mix well.
Add oil.
Either beat with egg beater until thick and smooth,
or put in a bottle and shake.
Chill.



ENTREES

Egg Casserole
4 slices bread
cover with cheese
2 tbsp minced onions
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp dry mustard

Cover with bread
Beat 2 eggs (more if you wish)
1 ½ cup milk
Pour over bread – Bake in Pan Water
at 350 for 40 minutes.



Dutch Hockey
Serves 6 - 8

1 lb cold ground beef (ground round) 
2 slices bread, soaked in 5 tbsp milk
1 small onion, sliced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic salt
pepper
1/2 tsp sage (can add more)

Mix all together.
Make into 8 patties.
Fry in oil, drain.
Place in pan "nearly" covered with water.
Cover and bake 1 1/2 hours at 325.


Dried Beef on Toast
In fry pan melt 1 tbsp margarine
Remove from low heat
Blend in 1 tbsp flour
Place back on heat

Gradually add 1 cup milk, stirring constantly until smooth.
Add salt and pepper
Add 1 pkg dried corn beef, pulled into pieces.
Could add some peas.


Barbecue Beef

I large onion
1 tsp Paprika
3 tsp Salt
2 tsp chili power
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tbsp hot water
1/2 cup ketchup 


Piquant Pork Chops

4 pork chops
Juice of 1 lemon
Marinate chops in juice for 20 mins

Then dredge in:
3 tbsp flour
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt and pepper

Fry until brown
Add 1/2 cup hot water
Cover tightly
Cook slowly for 25 mins
Garnish with parsley


Pow-Wow Sandwiches

1/2 lb sliced bacon, fry until crisp
2 1/2 oz. chipped beef, cut in slices
3/4 cup chili sauce
1/3 cup pickle relish

Drain bacon, crumble, add to beef and other ingredience
1 slice cheese for each sandwich
Cut buns
Spread filling with cheese on top, wrap in foil
Bake in 325 degree oven for 25 mins


Chili1/4 cup bacon fat or shortening
1/2 lb ground beef
1 chopped onion sauteed in ground beef
1 qt tomatoes
2 1/2 tsp chili powder
6 tbsp brown sugar
1  1/2 tbsp paprika
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp celery salt
1 can Mexican style chili beans
Add meat, cook 15-30 mins
Add chicken if necessary.

Liver and Sausage Patties
½ lb pork liver
½ lb sausage
1 onion, chopped fine
2 tbsp ketchup
½ tbsp salt
¼ cup milk
Bread Crumbs

Cover liver with water, simmer 5 minutes.
Drain, Grind.
Combine with other ingredience, form into patties.
Roll in bread crumbs.
Fry on low heat until brown.


Liver Lumps

1 lb liver cooked in boiling water for 10 mins
Put liver and following in food chopper
1 onion
10 soda crackers
2 eggs
1 t salt and pepper
2 T milk
Drop mix by spoon into hot grease


Upside-Down Ham Loaf

2 tbsp butter (melt slowly)
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 pineapple slices
Place a cherry in each ring
1  1/2 cups ground ham
2 eggs
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 tsp dry mustard
One small chopped onion

Lay ham over pineapple rings
Cover and cook on low for 30 mins


Spaghetti with Hamburger

1/2 lb chopped raw beef
1 medium sized onion
1 small red pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 cups canned tomatoes
1 package spaghetti
Melt 1 tbsp fat in frying pan, add onion and red pepper and brown
Add meat, cook until brown
Add salt and Worcestershire sauce and tomatoes
Cook slowly 1 hour


Meatloaf

1/4 cup onion
1/4 cup water
3 cups toast broken in cubes
Pour water over toast
1  1/2 lb ground beef
1 egg
Seasonings
1 1/4 cups grated cheese
Bake 1 hour 


Spam Loaf

Mash:
1 cup sweet potatoes
1 tbsp brown sugar
salt and pepper
cloves

Cut in half.
Pile on one section of meat.
Place other section of meat on top.
Place peach slices around edge.
Mix ½ tbsp mustard with 1 cup peach juice – pour half.
400 degrees, for 30 minutes.


Baked Hungarian Chicken

350 degrees
Season 2 frying chickens with salt and cayenne pepper
1/4 lb melted butter
3 onions (diced), saute in butter
Remove and put in casserole
Place chicken on top (with heaviest pieces on bottom)
Bake (covered) 60 mins
Remove, sprinkle with 2 tbsp flour, 1 pint sour cream
Bake another 20 mins


Tuna Roll-Ups
Makes 9

Roll biscuit dough to 12 square inches.
Cut in 9 squares.
Spread with tuna filling, roll up and bake (sealed side down).

Tuna Filling:
1 cup tuna
½ cup minced celery
1 egg
Pour hot mushroom celery or chicken soup (undiluted) over top.


Tuna Fish and Noodle Scallop
Put into saucepan:
1 qt. Water
1 tsp salt

When water boils, add 2 oz. dry noodles
Cook noodles gently for 10 minutes. Drain.
Make roux in upper part of double boiler,
using 2 tbsp butter and 2 tbsp flour.
Add 1 cup milk.

Place upper part of double boiler in lower part.
Set over direct heat for 10 minutes.
Combine noodles, tuna fish and cream sauce
Grate or cube ¼ cup cheese. Add.
Season to taste.

Put in cassarole.
Cover with freshly-crumbled day-old bread.
Dot with butter.
Bake at 375 for 20-30 minutes.


Dumplings

1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking power
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp shortening
About 1/2 cup milk
Drop dumplings in stew
Cover - cook 15 mins
Don't Peek 
(Ed. Note - Zoe had this underlined!)


Chicken Macaroni

1 5 lb chicken
1 bay leaf
1 onion
1 bunch celery
Salt and pepper
Simmer slowly until chicken is tender
Remove meat from bones
Strain stock to use in sauce

1 cup chicken fat or butter, melt
Add 3/4 cup flour
Slowly add 5 cups chicken broth and 1 cup milk
Cook until thick

1 cup celery, cut fine
1 large can mushrooms
7 oz can tomato paste
1 can pimentos
2 cloves garlic, cut fine
Add to sauce, mix thoroughly
Add chicken to sauce and let stand for 1 hour

2/3 cup large macaroni - blanch Mac and add to above
Put in casserole
Add 1 lb grated American cheese
Bake 350 degrees for 45 mins


CAKES and SWEETS

Banana Bread
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp shortening
1 egg
3 bananas, mashed
1 tsp soda
½ cup sour milk
2 cups flour
add: dates, raisins, nuts, cherries as desired

Bake 1 hour at 350



Chocolate Chip Cookies with Oatmeal1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar (brown/white mixed)
2 eggs
Vanilla
2 tbsp hot water
1 ½ cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp soda
salt
2 cups oatmeal
1 pkg. chocolate chips

(
Editor's note – No directions follow, but I suggest beating the wet ingredients, then adding the dry (sift all but oats together, first). Don't mix too much! Bake low, around 325, for 15 to 18 minutes, or until cookies edges are brown. Good luck!)


Sis's Fudge

2 sq. chocolate
2 cups sugar
½ cup water
¾ cup milk
Butter
Vanilla

Melt chocolate in water, then add sugar and milk.
Boil slowly.
When soft ball is formed, place pan in cold water.
Add butter and vanilla. BEAT!!!

Kisses (or Meringues)
4 egg whites
2 tsp vinegar
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cups "4X" sugar

Beat egg whites until stiff.
Add sugar gradually.
Place on waxed paper
200 to 225
(Ed. Note: Do not attempt if it is humid! - GCL)


Coconut Toffee
Blend:
1 ½ cups sifted flour
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp baking powder
1 ½ tbsp cinnamon

Cream:
½ cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup shredded cocoanut

Add dry ingredience to wet.
Add 1 pkg. chocolate chips and mix with above.
Roll onto cookie sheet about 12 x 15, not too close to edge.
Bake
Cool slightly and cut in 1 ½ inch squares.

Banana Cake

1 ½ cups mashed bananas
1 ½ cups brown sugar
¾ cups shortening
3 eggs
Salt
1 ½ tsp soda
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp vanilla
2 ¼ cups flour
4 tbsp milk

Mix bananas, sugar, shortening.
Then eggs, vanilla, milk, flour, soda, baking powder.
Icing
(
Ed.Note – That was all that was on the card. 
Better Homes Cookbook of 1963 says to put into two round pans, 
bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Good luck!)


Adeline's Brownies
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
4 squares Hershey's chocolate mixed with ¼ lb Oleo.
Mix together, add salt and vanilla.
Add:
Alternate ½ cup milk; 1 cup Bisquick
Add 1 cup nut meats
Bake 375


Red Devil's Food Cake

1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
Cream the three ingredience above together

Combine 4 tbsp cocoa
1 tsp red coloring
4 tbsp hot coffee
Add to creamed mix

Heat 1 cup milk and 1 tbsp vinegar
Mix 2 cups minus 2 tbsp flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp soda
Add half the milk to flour, blend
Then add remaining milk
Add 1 tsp vanilla

Mix flour mixture to red mixture
Bake at 350 for 30 min in cake or loaf pans
Note from Zoe: Frost with quick fudge frosting


Quick Fudge Frosting

12 marshmallows
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp butter
Dash salt
3 chocolate squares
2 cups sifted flour
1 tsp vanilla
Melt together


Chocolate Pixies

Sift 2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Melt 1/4 cup butter
4 sq. chocolate
(Melt butter and chocolate together, let cool slightly)


Blend 2 cups sugar, 4 eggs- one at a time.
Beat for one minute.
Add 1/2 cup black chopped walnuts and dry ingredience.
Mix well and chill 15 minutes.
Shape into small balls and roll in confectioners sugar.
Bake at 300 degrees for 18-20 minutes.


Gingerbread

1 cup boiling water, pour over
1 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup molasses
3 eggs beaten, add to above
3 cup flour
1 tsp baking power
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ginger
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Sift together and add to mix, beat until smooth
Bake 350, 30 to 40 minutes


7 Minute Icing2 egg whites
1 tsp Karo
5 tbsp water
1 ½ cups sugar
1 tbsp vanilla


Coconut Bars

BLEND:
1/3 cup Crisco
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs (1 white for meringue)

ADD:
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp milk
1/2 tsp lemon juice

Meringue
1 egg white
1 cup light brown sugar
½ tsp vanilla
2/3 cup shredded coconut

SPREAD 1/4" thick in shallow pan.
Cover with coconut meringue, bake 30 minutes in slow oven (325F).
Cut in squares and cool.


Caramel Frosting

Melt 1/2 cup butter
Blend in 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 tsp salt
Cook over low heat 2 minutes stirring constantly.
Add 1/4 cup milk, stirring constantly, till mixture comes to boil
Remove from heat.
Blend in 2 ½ cups "4X" sugar


Rhubarb Pie
(From P. Barnhart)
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp flour in bottom of crust
3 cups rhubarb & 1 1/2 cups sugar,
2 tbsp flour-dot with butter


Chocolate Drop Cake

1/2 cup butter
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp soda
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 egg
1 cup nuts, chopped
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sour milk

Cream the butter.
Add the sugar and continue creaming until perfectly blended.
Add the egg.
Melt the chocolate over hot water.
Add to the butter mixture.
Add vanilla.
Mix the dry ingredience.
Add the nuts to dry ingredience.
Add flour mixture and ---

(Ed. Note: Recipe ends here!)


Potato Chip Cookies
Makes 5 ½ dozen

1 cup Crisco
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 well beaten eggs
2 cup flour
1 tsp soda
2 cup crushed potato chips
16 oz. butterscotch choc chips
Drop by spoonful on greased tins
Bake 325 degrees, 10-15 min


Geraldine Ward's Half-Way Cookies

Cream:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup shortening

Add:
2 egg yolks
1 tbsp cold water
1 tsp vanilla

Add:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp soda

Mix thoroughly, spread on cookie sheet.
Cover with chocolate chips or dates.
Cover with Meringue make by beating 2 egg whites till stiff and 1 cup brown sugar.
Bake at 325 degrees for 25 min.
Cook and cut in squares.


Floating Island
2 cups milk
3 eggs
1/8 tsp salt
½ cup sugar
½ tsp vanilla

Break eggs, separating yolks from whites, taking care not to break yolks.
Put yolks and white in separate bowls.
Add salt to yolks and beat slightly.
Add sugar and mix thoroughly.
Heat milk in upper part of double boiler until hot.
Pour milk slowly into mixture of eggs and sugar, stirring constantly.
Return mixture to double boiler and cook over boiling water.
Stir until mixture thickens.
Remove at once to a cool place.
When cooled, add vanilla.
To the egg whites add a pinch of salt and beat until stiff.


Chocolate Roll

Sift:
½ Cup Powdered Sugar

Beat until light:
3 egg yolks

Add the sugar gradually and beat these ingredience until creamy.
Add 1 tsp. Vanilla

Sift and Add:
2 tbsp. Cocoa
2 tbsp. Bread Flour
1/8 tsp salt

Whip until stiff and rather dry:
3 egg whites
½ tsp cream of tatar

Fold them lightly into the cake batter.
Spread the dough on wax paper, on cookie sheet.
(About 8 x 12”)
Bake 325 for 25 minutes.
Let cool in pan for 3 minutes, then invert the contents onto a moist, hot cloth.
Trim off the hard edges of the cake. Roll it.

Whip:
1 cup heavy cream
½ tsp. Vanilla

Unroll the cake.
Spread it with cream.
Roll the cake with cloth.
Chill for 1 hour.
Remove cloth and frost, or slice and pour chocolate sauce over.


Queen Elizabeth Cake and Icing
This is the cake recipe which the Queen uses
when she bakes a cake in her own kitchen!
(Distributed by the Michigan State Grange Health Committee)

Pour:
1 cup boiling water over
1 cup chopped dates
Add 1 tsp soda

Let stand while following is mixed, in usual manner.

Cream:
1 cup sugar
¼ cup butter
1 egg (beaten)
1 tsp vanilla

Sift together and add:
1 ½ cups sifted flour
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt

Add ½ cup chopped nuts

Add all to the date mixture.
Bake 35 minutes at 350 (moderate oven) in a 9 x 12” pan.

Icing:
5 tbsp brown sugar
5 tbsp cream
2 tbsp butter

Boil for three minutes.
Spread over cake.
Sprinkle shredded coconut or nuts on top.





Citrus Prize-Winning Orange Cake

Grind:
2 Med. Oranges (take out juice first, then replace)
1 cup raisins
Add 1 cup nut meats (I skimp to ½ cup)

Cream:
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup shortening
1 egg

Add 1 cup sour milk, 1 tsp soda.

Stir in 2 cups flour and all but 1 cup of grind mix.
Bake at 350 for 35 minutes.

Icing:
Heat butter, about 3 tbsp
2 tbsp milk
Add 2 cups "4x" sugar and the remaining grind mix.
Put on cake while still warm.



Salad Dressing Cake
Sift Together:
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
½ cup cocoa
1 ½ tsp soda
(Editor's Note: “1 tsp baking powder” written at side, in pencil)

Add:
Salt
¾ cups salad dressing
1 cup cold water
1 tsp vanilla

(Recipe ends here!)

Lemon Merengue Torte
(From Esther Dunning)

4 egg whites
½ tsp Cream of Tartar
¼ tsp salt
1 cup sugar
Bake at 275 for 50 minutes.

Filling:
4 egg yolks
3 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup sugar
1 tbsp flour
½ cup water
2 tsp lemon rind (Grated)

Put paper towel over until cool.


Cracker Cake

(From an undated letter from Helen)

3 eggs
1 cup sugar
3 cups soda crackers, rolled fine
¼ cup nuts, finely chopped
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla

Separate eggs, beat whites.
Add sugar.
Fold in rest.
Bake 30 minutes in a buttered pan, at 350.

Note from Helen:
Naturally, whipped cream enhances the taste. 


Three Hole Cake

Sift ingredience right into the pan into which you will
bake the cake and don't grease the pan.

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
3 tbsp cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder

Make three holes in this mixture, with your finger or a spoon.
Into hole #1, put 5 tbsp melted shortening.
Into hole #2, put 1 tbsp vinegar and 1 tsp vanilla.
Into hole #3, put 1 cup water.

Stir thoroughly, but do not beat.
Bake in a moderate oven.

No eggs, no butter, no sticky bowl to wash.
It's incredible – try it!!

(This may be changed to an orange cake by substituting orange juice
for the water and leaving out the cocoa.)



Vanilla Dream FillingCook in Double Boiler:
½ cup sugar
2 tbsp corn syrup
2 tsp flour
½ tsp salt
2 ¼ cups milk
2 egg yolks
1 tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla


Mrs. Jensen's Chocolate Sauce

1 cup cocoa
¾ cup sugar
½ cup corn syrup
¼ tsp salt
1 cup water

Combine all but vanilla.
Stir over low heat until smooth.
Add vanilla.
Put in jar and cover tightly.


Mrs. Jensen's Butter Scotch Sauce

1 ¼ cup brown sugar
2/3 cup corn syrup
3/8 cup cream

Mix sugar, syrup and butter in pan, bring to boil.
Boil until soft ball, then add cream and stir.


Grandma Thurber's Sugar Cookies

2 cups brown sugar
1 cup butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup cold water
2 tsp vanilla
4 cups flour
2 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt 
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
Raisins
Sugar (for sprinkling)

Cream sugar and butter.
Mix together flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and nutmeg.
Add to creamed mixture.
Add eggs, water, vanilla.
Blend until smooth. Chill.

Roll out on floured surface, and cut.
Add a raisin to center of each cookie.
Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake 7 - 9 minutes, 375.