Sunday Ten Mile Road Trip: Light and Shadows on the Lake Ellen Loop

About ten miles from our house is a small mountain lake with a higher elevation than our place. We drove up to Lake Ellen on Sunday to see if ice and snow remained there. It was snowing lightly as we drove west, but soon we discovered there was more snow and the lake was frozen over. It was quiet on the road and the only other people we saw were two ice skaters and their dog on the frozen corner of the lake.
In the December afternoon light the landscape was filled with mixed shades of gray. It was very peaceful and beautiful. Looking out over the frozen lake from the east end we could see snow clouds above the trees and mountains. We continued up to the dogs' favorite pond that was indeed completely frozen over. It was hard work for Annie to tear around today, but she loved the snow and the new smells.At our turnaround further up the road Shelby tried to catch a scent of something she could herd up before we had to head home.
After making the loop we headed back again along the lake shore toward home.

Back to a lower elevation the long, narrow road led us up a hill then back down toward Lake Roosevelt. The snow and ice were behind us , but the images remained.

I Remember the Holiday Season

I remember sitting in the upstairs window watching my parents sneak in the presents from Santa. We didn’t have a chimney for him to come down on Christmas Eve.

I remember the first time I ice skated. It was really, really cold. So cold we didn’t have school because the pipes froze or the water was bad. We tried skating at Polio Pond outside of town. I remember bringing hot chocolate in Dad’s thermos and passing it around to my friends.

I remember the snow being so deep one year we could touch the roof off our back porch.

I remember Dad making Tom and Jerrys.

I remember getting the cigar box full of change from Big Walt. We always had to count it together then split it evenly.

I remember stockings loaded with goodies, especially beef jerky. It was the only time during the year we got beef jerky.

I remember fruitcake soaked in brandy.

I remember the cornucopia that held colored balls. It always sat on the round end table.

I remember trying to wake my little sister up on Christmas morning by throwing Mom’s underwear at her.
I remember Santa riding down a snowy hill on a Norelco shaver .

I remember the candlelight service at church. The service always ended with the lights going out, candles being passed out and lit, and the congregation singing “Silent Night” . That was my Grandma Woolum’s favorite Christmas carol.

I remember finding a desk under the Christmas tree one year.

I remember not having a Christmas tree until late one year. We brought the one home from the Silver King School Christmas program.

I remember a gold bell that hung in the kitchen door. When you pulled the string, it played “Jingle Bells.” I remember the year Silver Valley Girl got her Winnie the Pooh, Fisher Price school bus, and pajamas that matched mine.

I remember the angel chimes that twirled when you lit the candles. The chimes made a soft tinkling sound.

I remember spritz, Nuts and Bolts, 7-Layer cookies, popcorn balls, and Hungarian Coffeecake.

I remember my first nativity set. I picked it out of the Sears Christmas Wish Book.

I remember having family look alike pajamas one year when we lived on E. Portland. I remember we all wore them on Christmas morning.

I remember only getting to open one present on Christmas Eve and always begging to open more.

I remember “Chestnuts Roasting on a Open Fire” and Dad getting misty. I remember going shopping with my dad for my mom’s Christmas presents. He took me into Patanos. He told Jackie to pick out what Mom would like. He headed to Dick and Floyd’s and I joined him when Jackie had wrapped the gifts. I had a root beer at the front counter while Dad had a beer at the bar. Later when Mom opened her presents he would inquire, “Oh, is that what I got you?”

I remember sleeping in the cold upstairs with a new electric blanket on my bed.

I remember when I sang a solo at the Sixth Grade Christmas program. I sang a verse of “What Child is This?” MW sang another verse. I remember watching White Christmas and loving to hear the song “Sisters”.

I remember the “Silent Night” ornament with the beautiful sparkles and a blend of frosty rosy pink and blue. Raymond Pert and I fought over who got to put it on the Christmas tree. It still hangs on Mom’s tree every year. It is the first thing I check when I walk in the house and look at the tree.

by inlandempiregirl

with thanks to Joe Brainard: copy change of " I Remember"

The Annual Cookie Exchange: Some Friendly Competition and a Keeper from the Recipe Box

photo from billi-jean.com

Years ago when I was teaching at an elementary school in Kennewick our librarian organized a Christmas cookie exchange. The idea was greeted with enthusiasm, particularly since our staff was mostly women. This was how it worked. Each participant chose a favorite cookie recipe, then brought an assigned amount to the exchange. Each staff member then collected a mixture of new cookies to take home. There is always a bit of friendly competition when it comes to sharing baked goods and recipes among women. Will they like my cookie... will they really like it? Will people take any off the tray? Will mine be back on the staff lounge table the next morning with a sign that says, " Help yourself!". Of course, since elementary teachers are well-versed in finding the positive in each person, each would smile and take yours whether they thought the cookies looked like clumps of dirt or gems of sweet confection.

The first year we did the exchange our kindergarten teacher Joy brought these incredible cookies. It was hard to tell the exact ingredients. They were soft and buttery with hints of other flavors. I had to have that recipe. To this day I don’t know the real name for this cookie recipe. After baking them for more than twenty years I still call them Joy’s Cookies. My mom has since added the recipe to her Christmas repertoire. She refers to them as “Those Sesame Seed Cookies.”

I still have the 4x6 note card that Joy, using her perfect kindergarten teacher printing, carefully wrote out for me. At the top of the card it says “Here are those yummy cookies- Joy”. If a prize was given that year for the best recipe brought to the exchange Joy would have won hands down.

Joy’s Cookies
2 cups softened butter
1 ½ cups sugar
3 cups flour
½ cup finely sliced almonds
1 cup sesame seeds

Cream the butter and sugar. Add flour until mixed. Add sesame seeds and almonds. Divide dough into thirds. Roll and wrap in waxed paper. Chill. Cut into slices and bake at 325 for 20 minutes. Makes about 5 dozen.
Tips: Buy the sesame seeds in bulk or the cookies will cost you a fortune.
Splurge on the almonds already sliced. If there is a way to slice them by hand, it escapes me.
Watch the time. They burn easily depending on how thin you slice them.

I can’t say how many the recipe actually makes because JEJ usually samples the first warm cookies from the oven and somebody usually samples the dough. If some burn, dogs do love them as a treat. These are perfect any time of year. For some reason I always make them at Christmas. Enjoy!

photo from www.fancyflours.com
To see other Sunday Scribblings on the topic of competition go here.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

There is nothing like standing back and viewing your Christmas tree after you carefully placed the ornaments and garlands in just the right place. There is nothing like realizing you have a kitten in the house and the floor where the tree is this year is cement. In a matter of minutes our little angel Kit had knocked down three colored balls and was going for the red and white beads when I grabbed him and placed him in another part of the house.I love approaching our driveway this time of year and have the lighted snowflakes in the greenhouse windows greet me from way out at the road.A snowman is also lit up to add his own charm to the front window.

After all that hard work knocking ornaments off the tree tonight Kit decided the garlands and a few other stray decorations would make a perfect bed for a nap. I just hope he doesn't notice the garland and lights on top of the piano. That would not work as well for a nap spot.

Tuesday Ten : Things I Love in December

1. Holiday music. I collect holiday music and have a collection that ranges from Bing Crosby crooning White Christmas to Amy Grant singing My Grown-Up Christmas List.

2. Snow. I love the way snow muffles sounds, covers up ugliness, and creates a bright, white landscape.

3. Candy Canes. The traditional red and white peppermint candy canes are a perfect snack, hot cocoa stirrer, or dessert during the holiday season.

4. Snowmen. I collect snowmen because they are so cheerful. I needed something to keep things bright during the dark winter months. Snowmen filled the bill.

5. Voices of children. I love it when our students sing at the annual Christmas program. I enjoy hearing children caroling or singing a song in church.

6. Charlie Brown Christmas. I could watch that show ten times and never get tired of the soundtrack and timeless message.

7. Bowls with colored balls. I think a simple bowl with bright shiny balls can brighten up any table or shelf.

8. A fire in the evening. Whether it is time to rest, listen to Christmas music, or bake, there is nothing like the smell and feel of a fire in the stove or fireplace.

9. My first December with a digital camera. Enough said!

10. Candles burning. I love the way candlelight dances on the walls in a dimly lit room in the evening.

Winter Transformations

Sunday our skies were filled with big, wet snowflakes. They piled up to create about a foot of snow around the yard by early afternoon. The bird bath turned into an igloo. The outdoor table on the deck wore a winter hat.The copper torch now wore a white cap. Lily and McDuff stayed out on the ladder to brave the blizzard. Lily was a bit camera shy so she left McDuff for a warmer, dryer spot.

Kit tried to join the "big kids", but he was quickly ready to come back inside.

By early evening it warmed up, rain began to fall, and the snow disappeared as soon as it had fallen. Today the yard was again transformed. This time it became a lake of melting snow and slush.