Memories of Christmas Preparation

Lady Di, commented that I hadn't written a story for my readers in a while. I'm not sure how long it's been, but a long time. It's been a crazy year here.

It is almost mid-November and this was the time that Grandma begin to prepare for Christmas. She would go into town and shop for all the ingredients for her fruit cake. She would bring them home, flour the fruit and begin making the cakes early in the morning.

Grandma made a three-tiered Christmas fruit cake. She had square cake pans with drop out bottoms that made them easy to remove from the pan.

Flour, sugar, molasses, raisins and fruit all went into Grandma's cakes. She would let us kids stir until the batter was so thick that our arms ached from stirring. Once the cake batter was complete, she would use a large spoon to ladle the batter into the pans. Just before this point, she would add extra wood to the old wood stove to ensure that the oven would be just the right temperature. Once the oven was the perfect heat and the batter was in the pans, she would slip them into the oven.

After about 40 minutes, Grandma's kitchen would fill with the most wonderful aroma. After a couple hours of baking, Grandma would insert a straw from a new broom into the cakes to be sure they were fully baked. She would take them out of the oven, using her apron as a hot pad, and place them on a cooling rack. Once the cakes had cooled she would wrap them in wax paper and put them into a five gallon metal lard pail and slip on the lid. The reason she used the metal lard pail was to keep them moist. The tin also safeguarded against rodents or insects.

A few days before Christmas, Grandma would take the cakes out of the pail and stack them on her glass cake server. Three tiers for each cake. Then she would prepare almond icing and dress them up pretty with her artistic touch. Scrolls, angels or flowers adorned the cake each year. She then set a Log Cabin chocolate on the corners of each tier. The cake was then set on the table on Christmas morning for everyone to enjoy.

Grandma baked goodies the week before Christmas. Shortbread, oatmeal and date, peanut butter and chocolate chunk cookies were all served in the week between Christmas and New Years and of course the Christmas dessert table groaned under the weight of all the good things to eat. There would be pumpkin, raisin, cherry, apple and a broad spectrum of different flavored pies to choose from.

Christmas at Grandma's was always a busy time. She had a large family to feed and no one could ever say they left the table hungry, no matter what time of year, but at Christmas, Grandma outdid herself, making sure that everyone enjoyed their favorite foods.

I would love to hear your memories of the preparations for Christmas dinner. Please share in the comment section.

Just dropping in to say hi to all of my Blogger friends. It's been a while since I've posted and I thought I'd drop in for a few minutes and let everyone know what's going on.

Hubby was in hospital for a day in September. He has to go for another angiogram to see if he has blocked arteries again. I'm sure a lot of you will remember that he had bypass surgery in 2001. For the last few months, he's been having chest pain and so the doctors want to investigate further to see what's going on.

Brandon made the Honor Roll for grade 11 and received a Science Award. He's been on the Honor Roll every year since he started high school. Once again he's taking horticulture, but has decided that will not be his career. He loves it and plans to make it a hobby. Of course he can always go back to it if he wants to. He's applied for a job and is waiting to hear something. He has his food handler's degree, so is looking to work in a diner while he continues his education.

Jordan changed all of his subjects this year. He is in grade 10. He's got 90% in manufacturing and 74 in math. That's excellent for him. He finds school a struggle, where Brandon finds it much easier. I think Jordan is working a little harder this year because he really likes the tech subjects. I hope he is able to make something along that line his career. He likes car mechanics and welding.

I hope that all those who were affected by Sandy are doing well. I know many are without food, water, gasoline and other necessities of life. Some are without homes. I will keep you all in my prayers.

Well, guess I will get off here and go back to bed. Some of you have been on my mind and in my prayers. Glad I had time to stop by.

A Magnificent Beast

This gorgeous buffalo was grazing beside the road. Isn't he a magnificent beast? I've always loved seeing buffalo. Not far from here you can see them grazing in a field, but not usually grazing beside the highway. We were lucky to have seen this when the camera was handy. Notice the brand on his flank.

North American Aboriginals used every part of a buffalo that they killed, unlike the Europeans who slaughtered them and were encouraged to do so by the government. Here are a few things that buffalo contributed to the Natives.

Horns:	Arrow Points Utensils (cups, ladles, spoons) Powder horns Decorative headdresses Medication	Bones:	Knives, Pipes Arrowheads Splints Shovels War clubs
Fat:	Candle Tallow Lubricant Soap	Tails:	Ornamental Decoration Fly brush Whip
Hair:	Decorative headdresses Ropes Pad and pillow filler Moccasin lining	Muscles:	Glue Thread Arrow ties
Stomach Liner:	Water container	Gall and Blood:	Decorative Paint
Skull:	Rituals	Beard and Teeth:	Ornamentation
Bladder:	Medicine Bag	Hooves:	Glue
Scrotum:	Ceremonial rattle	Liver:	Hide Tanning
Manure Chips:	Fuel	Tendons:	Sewing Bowstrings
Hide:	Moccasins Buckets Drums Splints Ropes Saddles and Stirrups Snow shoes

Today, meat is the primary revenue generator for the bison industry. In addition, businesses that make use of other parts of the animal have flourished as well.

For Instance:
Skulls are bleached and used for decorative purposes.
Horns are made into decorative polished costume jewelry and buttons.
Hair is manufactured into sweaters, coats and robes.
Hides are used for the manufacture of leather furniture. (Everything from foot stools to full size sofas are available.)
Bison leather is also used for the manufacture of hats, coats, vests, handbags, shoes and boots.
You can even purchase a Tanned Hide Teepee in today's market.

In my part of the country, buffalo are bred with beef and we can purchase beefalo. Some places also sell buffalo meat.

He Did It Again

Yes, he did it again. Brandon got a letter from the school this week with his grades and he made the Honour Roll again. This is the 3rd year in a row. We are so proud of him.

Brandon has come a long way from that little boy in grade one who was diagnosed with PDD. His Asperger's hasn't held him back in many ways, except for social skills and he still finds it difficult to communicate with people he doesn't know well. I'm not sure he will ever overcome that part of his disability, but he has done wonders in other areas. He's a hard worker and will take on any task that is asked of him. He just needs to be told once what he has to do and he pretty much picks up on it. He's a smart young man.

Jordan did okay in school this year. He got his progress report a week or so ago. He did well in every subject but Math and he just made it. 50% isn't a passing grade in my eyes, but that is what the education system says it is, so he got all of his credits. Math isn't, nor has it ever been, Jordan's strong point. I'm not sure what can be done about that. Math is something that either comes easy or you struggle with. Math is not my strong point when you get to algebra and other advanced topics.

Both boys have been a big help to me this summer. Hubby spent last Monday at the hospital and they told him he had a minor heart attack. I took him in at 10am and he was released about 8pm. Not a pleasant way to spend the day.

That's about all the news for now. Nice to be back in touch with my blogging friends and let them know what's happening in my world.