How to Cook A Husband Recipe

From a cookbook from the 1800's

I saw this "tongue-in-cheek" recipe this morning and thought you all would get a kick out of it. Enjoy, and remember, there's more truth than fancy in this recipe!

A good many husbands are utterly spoiled by mismanagement in cooking and are so not tender and good. Some women keep them constantly in hot water; others let them freeze by their carelessness and indifference. Some keep them in a stew with irritating ways and words. Some wives keep them pickled, while others waste them shamefully. It cannot be supposed that any husband will be tender and good when so managed, but they are really delicious when prepared properly.

In selecting a husband, you should be guided by the silvery appearance as in buying a mackerel; not by the golden tint as if you wanted salmon. Do not go to the market for him as the best ones are always brought to the door. Be sure to select him yourself as tastes differ. It is far better to have none unless you will patiently learn how to cook him.

Of course, as preserving kettle of the finest porcelain is best, but if you have nothing better than an earthenware pippin, it will do---with care. Like crabs and lobsters, husbands are cooked alive. They sometimes fly out of the kettle and do so become burned and crusty on the edges, so it is wise to secure him in the kettle with a strong silken cord called Comfort, as the once called Duty is apt to be weak. Make a clear, steady flame of love, warmth and cheerfulness. Set him as near this as seems to agree with him.If he sputters, do not be anxious, for some husbands do this until they are quite done. Add a little sugar in the form of what confectioners call kisses, but use no pepper or vinegar on any account. Season to taste with spices, good humor and gaiety preferred, but seasoning must always with great discretion and caution.

Avoid sharpness in testing him for tenderness. Stir im gently, lest he lie to flat and close to the kettle and so become useless. You cannot fail to know when he is done. If so treated, you will find him very digestible, agreeing with you perfectly; and he will keep as long as you choose, unless you become careless and slow the home fires to grow cold. Thus prepared, he will serve a lifetime of happiness!

From the Yankee Kitchen Cookbook...Author and Date unknown, but from the early 1800's.

Happiness is hard to give away....it keeps coming back to the giver.



Here's a recipe from the Civil War era. I can't guarantee it's tastiness, so don't blame me if you don't like it! Laugh. Might be interesting to try though (if you're brave enough!)

Hard Tack Bread Recipe from the Civil War
Ingredients:
5 cups flour
1 cup water
1 tbs salt
Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Knead dough and roll out till it is 1/2 inch thick. Cut dough into 3x3 squares, and poke a 3x3 series of holes in the center, evenly spaced. Bake in preheated oven, 425 degrees until dry and lightly golden brown.



Quote:
Have great hopes and dare to go all out for them!


Happy Easter blessings to everyone.

The Coward

What's it like to be a coward? To be so afraid that we cringe? To be so afraid that we renege on our beliefs?

Remember Peter in the Bible? He was a typical coward at one period of his life. Normally, Peter was known as bold and outspoken, impulsive in defending his firend of several years--Jesus, so why did he suddenly deny knowing him? Why did he become a coward? How could one small pointing finger, one small girl, cause Peter to "tuck tail" and run?

Was it fear of embarrassment? Rejection? Laughter? Torture? Death? What did it take to make Peter forget a friend at a crucial time?

What am I like? What would it take to make me back off? What kind of moral fiber spins through my being? Am I strong or weak?

I imagine Peter, after his ill-famed denial, had a sudden rude awakening, because we're told he wept. Did he toss and turn in his bed? Scold and scorn himself for his weakness? Did he shun the other friends of Jesus because of what he'd done? Suddenly become a recluse, wanting to avoid talking with anyone? Did he learn his lesson?

How did he feel when those brown eyes of Jesus touched his soul?

I pray that I may be strong: strong to hold onto my determination, my goals, my beliefs. I work hard to be loyal to those I love and cherish. To hold my head high, be happy, and good-natured. I strive to use the talents I've been given.

Easy? No. Definitely. But if we cultivate what we know makes us a better person, doesn't that grow within us? When we're convinced we're doing what God wants for us, when we have a love inside us for doing what He's called us to (whatever talent we're using), I think our courage will grow stronger.

Courage is a trait that most everyone admires. But if we don't work at strenthening ourselves, how can we succeed when a climax enters our life? If we allow ourselves to drift through life, weak and saggy with undeveloped talents and traits, how on earth can we think we're going to show any kind of courage when we're facing "that little maid in our lives?"

Remember that story where the soldiers entered the sanctuary of a church and set a picture of Christ on the altar? Everyone who would renounce Him was ordered to pass by, spit upon it, and go to one side. What happened? Everyone in the church did so.

But one. One little girl who took her dress tail and wiped the spit off the picture. What an impression she made upon those soldiers.

Let me be brave. Let me ignore pointing fingers and "small accusatory maids."



Brrr!
We're in Virginia and is it cold! Who said Spring was here? I want to have a serious sit-down talk with that person. Laugh.




Most of us know someone who's suffering from (or we're worrying about ourselves) heart disease or high cholesterol. With Easter, and usually a big dinner, coming up Sunday, here are some hints that would be good for everyone to follow.

1. This one is obvious: exercise. At least 20 minutes a day. Bike, walking.

2. Eat a piece of dark chocolate several times a week. Believe it or not, it does have great benefits. Check out the reports.

3. Get plenty of rest. Studies show that those who get less than seven hours a night have a slightly higher risk of heart problems.

4. Eat fish at least once a week. Those who do have a one-third less chance of a heart attack.

5. Eat a high fiber breakfast at least four times a week.

6. Prepare your own salad dressing and add flaxseed oil. Has seven grams of omega-3 fatty acids. Good for overall heart health.

7. Sprinkle one ounce of flax seed on your cereal or yogurt every day.



Quote:
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." --Erma Bombeck


Blessings.

Yap! Yap! Yap!

How much do you talk in a day? Here's one of my fellow-writer's comments on her day's worth of words. See how much you identify:

Words spent on phone with elderly mother: 1000 (mostly repetition of some form of "it's going to be okay, Mom.")

Words spent with five-year-old granddaughter: 10,000 (all worth keeping--"Did God have a mother? "No, honey. He was the first thing ever, so He didn't need a mother. Neither did Adam and Eve. When God created them, He made them grown-ups already." "I'm glad God didn't make me a grown-up. I'd be so confused!")

Words heard from heaven during quiet time: 3 ("Do not fear.")

Words shared with husband returning from fishing trip: 2000 (all his).

Words successfully committed to computer on WIP: 6 (sigh).

Day spent doing what God wanted me to do: priceless!

How many times do we think about what we're saying throughout a day's time? The Bible talks about our speech and being accountable for what we "let lose between our lips." (My translation--grin).

Are we careful to not offend?
Are we free with compliments?
Do we talk to fill the "emptiness?"

My hubby is more apt to listen than to speak. Thus, he catches many things (nuances and aims) people are saying (or not) than someone (me?) who may be more anxious to get across. You've heard of the old-timers who spoke little but understood a lot.

Maybe we should role-model our lives more after someone like that! Could be there would be lots less trouble in this ole world!



Those of us who love to garden are anxious (or already starting) to get started. Here's a few ideas that could serve you well. Try them!

*Roses love crushed egg shells. They help keep snails out of the garden.

*Save money growing your own food. Get a jump on the gardening seasons by starting your plants indoors in potting soil placed in empty egg cartons.

*Use old garden hoses to drip irrigate your garden. Cut holes along the length of the hose, and lay along plants.

*Be creative when it comes to containers. Some possibilities:
-Egg cartons; use to start plants.
-Old shoes, cute for ornamentals.



Quote:
Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable. --Kenyan proverb


Blessings.

THE DOGWOOD TREE

When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew
To a towering size with a lovely hue.
Its branches were strong and interwoven
And for Christ's cross its timbers were chosen.

Being distressed at the use of the wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:

"Not ever again shall the dogwood grow
To be large enough for a tree, and so
Slender and twisted it shall always be
With cross-shaped blossoms for all to see.

The petals shall have bloodstains marked brown
And in the blossom's center a thorny crown.
All who see it will think of Me,
Nailed to a cross from a dogwood tree.
Protected and cherished this tree shall be.
A reflection to all of My agony.

The fable declares that the Dogwood was larger and stronger than it is today. After his crucifixion, Jesus changed the plant to its current form: he shortened it and twisted its branches as to assure an end to the use of the plant for the construction of crosses, and he transformed its inflorescence into the form of his crucifixion itself. That form is recognized by the flower petals, which are said to represent the four corners of the cross; the red stamen of the flower (representing Jesus' crown of thorns), the clustered fruit (representing his blood).

However, the Bible does not specify what type of wood was used to construct the cross of Jesus.

There is also no indication within Roman records and histories of the materials used in cross construction.

The origin of this fable is not known.

Flowering Dogwood blooming in Spring

Flowering white Dogwood

Healthy Hints for Easter Dinner

Avoid the honey-baked ham. (Ouch!) Try sugar free.

Cook with healthy oils (virgin olive and canola).

Skip the roasted potatoes and bread basket (You've got to be kidding!).

Load up on spring vegetables like asparagus and snap peas and fresh salad. Yum.

Enjoy a fresh fruit salad.

Indulge in a small amount of dark chocolate (has heart-healthy antioxidants).



Quote:
Friendship is a sheltering tree; oh, the joys that come down shower-like! --Samuel Taylor Coleridge


Looking forward to Easter blessings!

This and That . . .

Meaning--this and that! Today's going to be a hodpodge of miscellaneous things. Too boring? Hope not!

Big A.
What a glorious day yesterday was! After a morning enjoying an encouraging message, we entertained our family and a friend with a old-fashion Sunday meal (lasagna, cole slaw, and homemade bread. Apple pie for dessert), because hubby and I'll be in Virginia next week enjoying someone else's cooking and won't be cooking for anyone!

Later on, hubby and I sat on our deck by my garden pond. He read the first chapter of Charlie Seymour's "Spirit of the West" book which we discussed. While he read, I watched our dogs rough housing, petted Simon (a siamese)--one of my spoiled cats, gazed at our hills and valleys. We both loved watching our special birds of the spring--our red-tailed hawks. They were being very protective of their eggs--chasing away other birds and screeching their unique cries into our air space.

Cultivated Tulip

Oh, yeah, we checked my "insisting-on-popping-out-of-the-ground" flowers and plants. My Bradford Pear trees are in a white cloudy bloom, my hyacinths are showing off their colors and scent, I had one beautiful white star-shaped bloom that I think is something I planted last year and can't remember its name. I'll check it out later. Liliacs and dogwoods, my cherry tree, and pond plants are threatening blooms and growing! Tulips are tall and ready to do their part in decorating my garden.

Later on that night, we had invited guests for a few hours and cherished our time together. Besides left-over lasagna, we had brownies (oh, yes! One of my favorite desserts!).

All in all, a wonderful, relaxing day. And for us, that doesn't happen very often.


Second B.
Don't forget to look back (if you haven't already) and read Deb Vogt's interview. She did such a fantastic job of answering questions, plus she has great potential for succeeding. I look anytime to hear that she's got that coveted book contract. Yeah! I'll be so proud . . .

Keep in your mind that Cindy Woodsmall has agreed to do an interview on an upcoming blog. She is newly published but a great writer. You'll want to run--and I mean, run!--out and get one of her books! And, she's promised to give away a signed copy of one of her books! Wow. That is an incentive.


Still-going C.
A blurb about Cindy's first book "When the Heart Cries."
Cindy is especially capable of writing this charming--yet anguish filled--book about the Amish. As a child, she had a very close Amish friend--their relationship caused both families some degree of nervousness: afraid that either girl might stray too near the "other" side.

In her book, Hannah Lapp wants to venture outside their order to marry. She knows the serious consequences, knows that her choice will change her life completely for the future. Yet the events that happen in the next few weeks cause Hannah's family, friends, and "to-be husband" to question her lies and life-style. Will Hannah eventually make the right choice?

Order it from any of the christian book sellers. WaterBrook Press is the publisher.


Daring D.
Mentioned it above, but wanted to reiterate: Hubby and I are going to Virginia for the rest of the week. Looking forward to it. Besides his ministry, walking, and visiting, and getting lots of writing done, will be on my agenda! I'm thinking I'll be blogging several times this week, so make sure you all check in . . .

Maintaining a pleasant yard or garden can be a lot of work. Try some of these helpful hints to make lawn and garden maintenance simpler:

1. Plant some marigolds around the entrance to your home to keep bugs away. They don't like the fragrance.

2. It is a good idea to plant onions, hot peppers, and herbs such as chives or garlic around the perimeter of your garden. The naturally strong, pungent aromas will help ward off pests.

3. Rainwater is best for plants because it contains more of the minerals plants need than tap water does, so collect rainwater and use it to water your flowers or garden on dry days. Water plants in the late afternoon or evening instead of during the brightest sunlight.

4. Do not sprinkle plant food granules over plants. Work them into the soil instead. Granules that remain on plants can cause leaves, stems, and buds to become dried out or scorched.

5. Disconnect your garden hose from the spigot after use, and drain any water that remains in the length of hose to avoid mildew and bacteria build up.

6. If you have a sandbox, cover it at night to keep neighborhood strays from using it as a litter box. Turn sand toys (and pool toys) upside down at night to drain excess water. This helps avoid mold, mildew, and bacteria growth on toys, and prevents water from sitting and becoming stagnant, which will attract mosquitoes.

7. If you don't have a shed, or if some of your lawn and garden tools remain outdoors for other reasons, turn those that may collect water upside down, or keep them covered, to avoid rust.

8. Give your children a dishpan filled with clean water to rinse their feet off each time they enter the wading pool. This will help keep the water cleaner by keeping grass and other debris out. It will also help you save water (and money), since you can rinse and refill the dishpan as needed, instead of refilling the pool.

Quote:

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain." --Dolly Parton.

Blessings.