And The Oscar Goes To...

Betty Jane. You won't be familiar with that name, but I remember that shining star with hopeless devotion and great emotion.

That year we gave her an Oscar Party for her eightieth birthday. The red carpet, the gold, shiny statue, the limousine, the movie posters with her name next to Rhett Butler's... all of it!

The performance that stands out in my mind was one day when we grocery shopped for a very large meal in Colorado. The roads were snow packed and slippery and a truck was supposed to pick us up at a designated time. For one reason or another, the truck couldn't make it. I was young and muddled. Betty Jane went into the market and asked the butcher if he had a piece of rope and a large cardboard box. I could not have imagined what would come next! She moved here a little, there a little, tied this, and cut that...and built a sleigh! We walked home, trailing the sleigh behind us.

I've never known anyone who could make something from nothing the way that she did. Her knack for improvising and her industrious nature were beyond compare.

The Lucille grin, the infectious laugh, the out-of-the-side-of-her-mouth whisper all gave her star quality.

I'll never forget her.

Warmly,
Alis

Sweet On You

Good Morning Sweet Friends!

For five years I have been a gift basket specialist and I have never experienced more of a creative rush than when I am sketching a design for a client. I have never crossed an individual who didn't enjoy a basket that was personalized especially for them. My motto has always been, "Passion, not mass production" and I have never created an identical order. Sure, there is a long lead time and I don't take a lot of orders at once, but when a job is on the work table it becomes the job.

A favorite basket design is meant for a young couple on Valentine's Day. It is specifically designed for a couple with young children who cannot afford a sitter. Those couples need special attention. I remember our humble beginnings and not having enough to buy gifts, go to dinner, pay a sitter, buy gas...

The "Sweet on You" basket in the photograph allows a couple to make a nice dinner for two at home. It is flowing with things to eat, a single red rose, a two-piece box of chocolate truffles, pretty tableware, a lovely cd, and more. The recipients will put the little ones to bed, boil some water for pasta, open appetizers and enjoy!

I'm so thankful for the couples who were older than us that took our children in for an evening, or invited us over for a meal. Young love needs to be taken care of. Those young people deserve a little intermission and encouragement.

I'm confident that we all know a couple that could benefit from some of these ideas. I hope that these suggestions are useful to my dear readers. We are all creative. Perhaps there is a basket positioned in a closet waiting to be filled.
How sweet it could be!


Thinking ahead,
Alis




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Getting Merried!

Good Morning Porch Pals,

 I had the privilege of opening our home to a large crowd for a Christmas banquet. I kept it simple, planned activities for the children and let everyone bring part of the meal. Playing a game with the group was fun. I was able to make the room look festive on a budget, and get creative with what I had on hand. Here are a few photos and tips. 

First, create an atmosphere that smells fresh as the outdoors, by using greenery from a greenhouse or leftover branches from a freshly cut tree.

Next, keep the meal simple. The point of hosting a meal is to spend time with the guests and get to know them better. We chose stockpots of chili with three toppings, crusty bread, two salads, and 9x13's of cherry crunch for dessert. Let everyone bring part of the meal.

Invite children! It's hard to find sitters during the holidays. We set up a hot-chocolate station for them to enjoy and purchased small toys from the Dollar Tree that we wrapped and put under the tree. That gave them something to play with.

Play a game. There are so many web-sites that have free ideas. A simple google search can provide plenty of options. We played a game with pennies that we placed on top of the water glasses ahead of time. Each guest had to tell an event from the year the penny was issued.

Use tea-lights, glittering ornaments, fruit, or even candy canes for the centerpieces.

Borrow folding tables and chairs. Don't be afraid to move furniture away from the room for a night. We hosted twenty guests in our front room. Banquet tables topped with colorful draping and coordinating place settings look regal!

Make sure the temperature in the room is comfortable. We kept a warm fire going.

We played instrumental Christmas music from an under-the-cabinet player.

From the minute your guests enter the foyer, they should be your primary concern. It was your invitation that brought them to you. Leave other cares aside.

Welcome them into your home. Look forward to the next time!

Swinging with you,
Alis

When Soup is on the Menu

Weekends are for spending with family and friends. Last weekend we were invited to a Soup Supper. Several families brought stockpots full of their favorite soup. The hostess added a variety of fresh baked breads, butter, and delectable desserts. A few in the group had spent the morning tree hunting. Our host family's home smelled of pungent pine. Most wore blue jeans with the bottom half still wet with snow. Some had "hat" head, from their pom-topped knit hats and red noses from the cold. Babies slept in laps, dads fed hungry children, while moms shared decorating tips and friendship.

Have you ever noticed what happens when soup is on the menu? Friends visit a little longer, hands warm, clutching chunky ceramic mugs, and hearts warm
to sharing moments together, making a memory.

This is a souper recipe, and if doubled, will serve 12. It doesn't require any fancy tools or know-how. In fact, it's simple and rustic, and homey.

Cheddar and Potato Soup

Saute 1 diced onion in 4Tbs. butter. Add 1/4c. flour, 1tsp. dry mustard, and 1/2tsp. cayenne. Stir for three minutes. Add 4c. chicken broth, 1 1/2c. diced carrots, and 1 1/2c. diced potatoes. Bring to a boil. Now reduce heat, and simmer for thirty minutes. Add 2c. half-and-half, and 3c. shredded cheddar cheese. Cook for 5 minutes. Add salt to taste. Serves 6.

MaryJanesFarm Dec.-Jan. 2011

Don't forget that when you work with cheese ladies, it's important to use a low temperature, and bring up the heat slowly. You don't want it to overheat and separate.

From the porch,

Alis

When the Whole Thing is Just Too Much!

Sweet porch friends, I have a confession to make. Cooking a turkey is a challenge for me! Last year, I bought my half-priced, day-after Thanksgiving turkey, and it was too large for the oven. I had black, billowing smoke surging from the windows, even with the fan on, because there was not adequate air space surrounding my bird! Well, that's for the birds!
I bought a turkey breast from Zacky Farms this year and I have been renewed! It took no time at all. I still creatively put together all the traditional sides, but did not have any stress from a long-necked Tom!
We will have plenty of leftovers for the sandwiches that we so love.
Next turkey time, make a thyme-roasted turkey breast, if you can get away with it.

Swinging with you from the porch,
Alis

The Cookie Tree

In the corner of the dining room, next to the rectangular-shaped window that looked right on to West Street,
stood the cookie tree in all its glory. The Saran-wrapped ornaments, tied off with white curling ribbon, hung gracefully from each level of boughs. These delicate decorations had all been fashioned by a woman who paid attention to detail. Each pretty adornment was a cookie.
My grandmother was a details kind of girl. That is what I loved most about her. That may be why I have the Aunt Chick's Cookie Molds now.
The cutters have deep carvings in them that transfer over to the special recipe dough. One can't help smiling at the wink from Santa's cheery brow, or feel small under the majestic star of Bethlehem, or want to leap at the sight of the reindeer.
I have not assembled a cookie tree every year. Hand-painting the baked cookies is time consuming. My grandmother was generous enough to embark on the crafty project even with very disabling arthritis. I'm sure she did it for us. I can remember crawling on my belly from the bedroom, while she was sleeping, just so that I could pluck a cookie from the back branches. A covert cookie operation!
Sometimes a memory becomes a memorial. This year, as a tribute to Fluffy, I can't wait to erect a cookie tree!