Snow

Snow

     I'm not sure why snow intrigues me so much.  I just know that I've always loved the snow.  I know it can cause a lot of problems, but going beyond all of that there is just something magical about snow. 

       One of my first memories as a child is from around 1961 and I was 2.  My Aunt Boby kept me because my mom and dad were separated and my mom had to work.  She was a beautician as they were called back in the day.  She worked long, hard hours for not as much money as a stylist can make today.  The snow began around 6 or 7 P.M. and my mom came in her old black, straight-shift Chevy to get me from my aunt's house.  We lived about 4 miles up the road, but up a very steep hill.  I was sleepy and I remember looking out the window from time to time to see the snow hitting the windshield.  Don't tell the law enforcement, but I was probably sitting in my mom's lap. Not a big concern as it should have been back in those days.  I remember the tires spinning several times as we made our way to our house.  We had to cross a railroad track off of Mission Ridge Road in Fairview, Georgia.  We crossed the track and mom proceeded to try to convince the old car to make it up the hill, but no such luck.  I think she tried three or four times, but to no avail.  Mothers will do what mothers have to do when put in a situation to protect their children.  It was very cold and she had worked all day.  She had on some clear rubber shoe covers/boots; I don't even think they make them anymore. She was wearing her uniform,a dress and she got out of the car, got her pocketbook, wrapped me in a blanket and proceeded to walk up the hill in the dark.  My mom probably didn't weigh more than 112 lbs.  She put me on her chest and I lay down my head on her shoulder.  I'm sure she was also carrying my bag of things from my day at my aunt's house.  We walked up the hill as the cold snow hit against our faces.  Mom had a scarf on her head to protect her from the wind.  The trek was only about a fourth of a mile, but it seemed like four miles.  I felt safe and secure in her arms.  I could smell her perfume and the beauty shop smells on her clothes, permanent wave solution and hairspray, and felt the warmth from her body as I dozed in and out of slumber.  We made it home and whenever it snows I always remember that night with my mom carrying me stumbling and tripping as we made our way up the curvy steep hill.  

     Another memory that always comes back to mind is my 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Snow, yes I said Snow, reading us a short story by Conrad Aiken.  The story was "Silent Snow, Secret Snow".  She could always transport the listener into the story.  I was there in the boy's room when he awoke and snow covered  everything inside and outside his house.  I could see everything covered in the glistening white ice crystals.  Later, in the 70's Night Gallery made the story into one of their episodes and I was thrilled.  I've often had dreams of walking in a winter wonderland and everything inside and outside is covered in beautiful white snow.  

    I've always loved playing  in the snow, making snow angels, making snowmen, sledding and just walking through it looking for animal tracks.  Even the blizzard of 93 with all of its havoc and inconvenience was just beautiful.  We had snow drifts of 23 inches in some places.  I won't say it was an easy week, it was not.  We had to leave our home to go somewhere with heat, but had no water. We had to melt snow and boil it.   We learned to cook on a fireplace and we learned how to make do with what we had.  We also had to live with my sister-in-law and her family for the week and we all slept on pallets on the floor near the fireplace to keep warm.  Our children were young and we had to do what we had to do to keep them safe.  

     I remember having a couple of white Christmases during my life time and those were very special.  This morning I awoke to let out the dogs and even though we'd been told we were going to get snow, I was still startled when I opened the door to my own "Silent Snow, Secret Snow".  Wow, was all that came out of my mouth.  There is just something about the beauty, the quietness and the cleanness of a new fallen snow.  

     I also think about how Jesus' blood cleanses our souls as white as snow if we trust in Him. 

Isaiah 1:18 

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. 


     Well, I got to enjoy a substantial snow today.  We had about 6 inches here in Teloga.  My husband and I went on a hike and then I made snow cream.  I didn't use my mom and my aunt's recipe this time.  I made it the new-fangled way with sweetened condensed milk.  I added some vanilla and a little bit of 2% milk.  It was very good, but I think I may still like the old recipe a little better.  It was snow, about a half cup of milk, a half cup of sugar and a little vanilla, all to taste of course!  The snow is beginning to melt a little, but we will get round two of Winter Storm Pax, tomorrow as more snow and maybe ice will arrive. We have gas heat so this time we will be okay, I hope, if the power goes out.  I have just enjoyed seeing God's artistry today.  Everything looks clean and new.  I love God's grace of giving things a fresh start.  Enjoy it while it is still pristine and not muddy sludge.  Go make yourself some snow cream and have a fresh start.  

   

I think it's time I came clean with a dirty little secret.  Well, actually it's a clean little secret.  It's time I clean up my act, wash my hands of my addiction so to speak.  If feels good to cleanse my soul; however, I don't mean to goat...I mean gloat.  What's my secret addiction?  Goat milk soap.  Yes, I have been a user for about 5 years now.  I came upon it quite by accident.  You might say I was lured into trying it.  My mother-in-law gave me a bar for my birthday one year.  Up until that time I had always used one particular brand of soap and was not ready for a change.  I have sensitive skin and break out easily with some soaps and detergents. 

 I kept the cute little tan bar of soap, shaped like a cinnamon roll wrapped in it's little brown netting and tied with a raffia bow, setting on my towel shelf for several months.  I gave it a glance every now and then and maybe even picked it up to smell the cocoa butter scent, but use it...No way!  I didn't like goat cheese so why in the world would I want to wash my face with goat milk soap?  Well a day came when I was out of my regular soap and I was going to take a bath.  What to do?  I didn't want to use the manly soap that belonged to my husband and then there it was, still in it's place there on my towel shelf.  Grrrr, I thought.  Well, it will just be this one time and hopefully I won't break out in hives or anything so I gently unwrapped the little netting package and really gave the soap a good look.  It was just adorable and I could imagine the local maker lovingly pouring the mixture into the little cinnamon roll mold and then wrapping it when it solidified with a smile on his/her face for a job well done.

It only took that one time and I was hooked.  I would not use anything else but goat milk soap from then on.  I found a local shop that carried the soap and bought a new bar before I ran out.  One day the shop announced it was going out of business and I panicked.  I wasn't sure if I could purchase it online and I had to have my fix.  I bought about 10 bars when the store had marked them down to 70% off.  My own little stock pile of cocoa butter, shea butter and oatmeal goat milk soap.  I had my stash, (insert evil laugh)!  I noticed another friend of mine had bought a supply for her shop and I was glad to know where I could get my next goat soap fix.

 I have recently found another locally made goat milk soap and I love it too.  This one is lemongrass and it smells heavenly.  Goat milk soap is very good for the skin.  The lady who makes it says her soaps have olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, shea butter, avocado butter, and some other ingredients, lye, goat milk, and essential oils.My skin doesn't break out and it is soft and supple.  I used to sometimes get dry patches on the backs of my arms in the winter, but not anymore.  It does burn if it gets in your eyes, but hopefully you won't do that.  I sometimes dream of raising goats and making soap.  I even developed a taste for goat cheese.  I love to use anything healthy and also support local farmers and businesses.  


I'm including pictures of two of my favorite goat milk soaps.  I think I clean up pretty good.  I'm afraid I will have to be on a maintenance dose of goat milk soap from now on though.  Disclaimer...I will also use Soap Nuts soap.  They are natural organic ingredients and can be used for detergent too.  

www.greenvirginproducts.com 

 

 

 

goatgirlgazette.wordpress.com

The soaps above are made by the Maynard Family.  

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  www.sassygoatmilksoap.com/onlinestore.html

I hope your new year is starting off well.  Today I am going to share some of my family recipes.  Some of my favorite family recipes are listed below.  I will add notes at the bottom of each recipe. You will soon learn that I eyeball a lot of my portions and don't always have exact cooking times or amounts.  I encourage readers to play with their food and see what works best for you.  I have a gas oven so often I have to cook at a little lower temperature than the recipe calls for.  Some of the recipes are my creations.  Some are recipes handed down and I've tweaked a little.  I will give credit when I know where the recipes come from. 

Cornbread

Recipe

Ingredients needed:

• Small well-seasoned cast-iron skillet
• About 1/2 cup vegetable oil  (Note, some prefer bacon grease, but the vegetable oil is more healthy)
• 3/4 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup self-rising flour
• 1/4 tsp. sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt or mayonaise
• About 3/4 cup milk
• 1 egg 

In a small bowl, mix the cornmeal & flour with the sugar and salt. Next, add the egg the yogurt or mayo and the milk and mix well. Set aside.  Put the vegetable oil in the skillet and heat on medium high heat until a drop of water sizzles in the skillet.  Turn off stove and carefully pour the heated oil into the meal and flour mixture.  Mix well until oil is incorporated.  Pour the mixture back into the cast-iron skillet and place in a 400 degree oven for about 25 to 30 minutes.  Check about 3/4ths of the way through cooking time.  It will be ready when brown on the top and set in the center.  Turn out on a plate and add butter to the top.  This will serve about 6 people. 

Here is another variation on the cornbread.

Black-eye Pea Cornbread

This is how it looks before baking.

Use the same ingredients as above, but add 1 can of black-eye peas undrained.  When I make this variation, I use a little less milk because of the juice in the can of peas.  The pan will be more full than with the normal recipe.  In the cornbread above, I added a few finely chopped cracklings and just a pinch of red pepper flakes. (Note, a few chopped green chilies would also be good in this recipe)  Normally I leave the last 2 ingredients out, but wanted to try something a little different.  It was well received.  This version needs to bake at about 375 degrees and will take a little longer to set in the middle.  Check at about 30 minutes and if not done in the middle, continue to bake a bit longer. 

Finished Product

 The original recipe for the black-eye cornbread came from a cooking show I saw years ago on PBS.  I think the name was The Southern Woman Cooks, but not sure of the exact name.  I have changed some of 

the ingredients just a bit. 

(Note, to keep your cast-iron skillet seasoned, do not wash with soap or put in dishwasher.  Also, do not let your husband cook eggs in it on high heat or let him wash it because he will probably use soap and you will have to re-season it!)  Lol, I'm just kidding Mike. 

The next recipe is for collards.  

Collard Greens

 This is a very simple recipe with 5 ingredients.

Ingredients

• Large Dutch Oven

• 2 to 4 lbs. chopped collards with most of the stems removed.  (Note, I use the bagged collards when not in season). Wash and drain the greens and place in the Dutch Oven.  Don't worry if they won't all fit at once, collards cook down quickly and you will have room to add more.  
• For 2 or less lbs. of greens use 1 chicken bouillon cube.  For 4 or more lbs. use 2 cubes.  
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 medium onion (white or sweet, preference is up to you) sliced very thin.
• 1/2 tsp. sugar

Bring greens to a boil over medium high heat.  Add onions, water, sugar and bouillon.  You will not need to salt because the bouillon has salt in it.  Stir with a wooden spoon and add more greens as they cook down.  Cover and turn down heat to low and simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour.  Misnomer...collards don't have to cook for hours.  Test for tenderness with a fork at 45 minutes.  If still not tender, cook a bit longer.  You may add more water as needed, but do not cover greens with water.  They are better with less liquid.  These greens will have a very meaty taste.  This recipe came from the same cooking show I saw years ago on PBS. 

 Finished product.

(Note, some people like pepper sauce or pickled pepper sauce on their collards, but I am a purist. )

Let me know how these recipes turn out for you.  Remember, play with your food!