Remembering Sunday Dinner

Most Sundays after church we would stop home to change, pick up our BIG, shaggy dog, and drive to my husbands parents for dinner. His brother would do the same.

Now, Mom became a career lady long before it was common. She began working in the early 1940's and continued until retirement. Cooking was not her favorite thing but she had a few meals that were mainstays.
And they were delicious.

So, for my girls (and grandkids), I am recreating (step-by-step) a very typical Sunday dinner of Pot Roast. As I reminisce, I can visualize the glasses and dishes she served on, the vinyl tablecloth (always floral and blue) and the sweet basket or bowl of plastic flowers.
Fond memories.

Begin by dusting the piece of beef with flour.
It must be Rump Roast.
Brown on all sides in oil.
Don't forget the ends! Remove to a plate.
Chop up an onion or two.
Cook the onions until they look just like this.
Return the roast to the pot and add water (about 5-6 cups). Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer gently until meat is tender (about 2 1/2 to 3 hours) Lower and slower is the best.
Use the large Farberware pot (you know, the one from the set I have been using since my bridal shower 34 years ago)
When fork tender, remove roast to a dish.
Cover with foil.
Grab a pound of carrots... add additional carrots because everyone loves these and a pound just isn't enough.
Peel and slice the carrots into pieces that look just like this.
Scrub and quarter 4-5 potatoes.
Get your bottle of Kitchen Bouquet from the far back of your refrigerator. One bottle will last you most of your married life. You will want to add a couple of teaspoons to the gravy.
Add the carrots, potatoes, Kitchen Bouquet, about 1 tsp salt and pepper to the pot.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are fork tender.
Remove vegetables to a serving dish.
Since you don't have this little aluminum cup and lid that belonged to Grandmom to shake the cornstarch and water in, you can use a cup with about 6 Tbs of cornstarch and 1/4 cup of cold water. (You can also use flour to thicken but it won't make shiny gravy like Grandmom made) Stir together well and whisk it into the gravy to thicken. Cook a few more minutes.
To complete this Authentic Meal you must serve applesauce (pour straight from jar and sprinkle with cinnamon), peas (the frozen kind) and Pepperage Farm dinner rolls (ignore that these are not Pepperage Farm Brand)
Plate up and enjoy this meal straight from your childhood!

Thanks, Grandmon ~ We miss you ♥

Show and Tell ~ Lane Hope Chest

Do you remember these sweet little hope chests? The high schools in our area gave one to each senior girl upon graduation. I received one as did my older girls ~ Abbey graduates this year and we'll see if the tradition continues.

Holy Moly... my high school pics... so 70's!Join Cindy at My Romantic Home for so many more Show & Tell Friday posts!

Folded Paper German Star Video Tutorial

I made a tutorial for folded paper German Stars. Sometimes they are called Moravian Stars or Froebel Stars. You may want to make some for decorating a Christmas tree, gifts, wreaths or to display in a pretty bowl.

My favorite are the pure white... so pristine and elegant.

They are very pretty in bright colors too. These remind me of a quilt pattern.

A popular shade of blue... cool and wintry.

My tutorial is in two parts

Part 1


Part 2


~*~

(Note: Traditionally these German Stars were dipped in paraffin to help protect them from the outdoor elements. I displayed some on a tree on my porch last year and they suffered no ill effect)
~*~

Additional Information added after original post:

In response to some questions I have received about the paper and the wax:

I have used paper like the kind you use for the computer and taped the strips together for the length I needed. You can purchase packages of pastel colored paper and also  Bright primary colors. I find the tape is hardly noticeable even when dipping in the wax. Just be sure to use as little tape as necessary and keep it very smooth with the edges or else you will have trouble sliding the strip through the pockets.

Here is a link to a place I have ordered strips, but I wish they came a little longer. I also wish you could get various colors in smaller quantities. http://highhopes.com/paper.html

Construction paper does not work. I also made stars made with newspaper ads. Use the kind with the slightly shiny surface for colorful stars but regular newsprint can be used as well. All paper darkens significantly when dipped in the wax. Un-waxed stars are pretty too.

Click link below for How-to for dipping stars in wax

Dipping in Wax:

I melt paraffin over a double boiler (actually a metal bowl that fit nicely in a small pot) I added string using a needle and going through one of the outside points. Using the string (and sometimes a fork), I try to dip the stars as quickly as possible, lay them onto a waxed-paper covered cookie sheet and quickly sprinkle on the glitter. I also try to drain out any extra wax that enters the points of the star so it does not puddle and cause globs in the finished star. I tried dangling the stars from a horizontal dowel but found it more difficult to evenly sprinkle the glitter.

When you get the hang of folding the stars, try smaller ones (3/4", 1/2" and 1/4" width paper). Tiny ones are more difficult but miniature is always so cute.

Outdoor Wednesday ~ Pesky Persistence

Yes, I know... last week my Outdoor Wednesday included another of these relentless rodents. But how does one dismiss such an inquisitive creature peering in at you so intently?

click pics to see close-up of this little rascals agility and antics.

Maybe he is asking why I make things difficult for him when we both know he is going to get what he wants ~ one way or another.

Quite the acrobat!

Thank you Susan, for hosting Outdoor Wednesday! A Southern Daydreamer. Visit her place to see lots more Outdoor Wednesday posts.

TWD ~ Sugar-Topped Molasses Spice Cookies

This is just my forth time baking with the Dorie bakers and sadly, this time, I didn't achieve the results I was hoping for. Mine were missing the beautiful cracks and crevices that were present in the cookbook photo. They were tasty enough , slightly crisp outside, chewy inside, but were flatter than I would prefer. Dorie said the dough would be smooth and soft but I think my dough needed a bit more flour. I will give this recipe another try as I want them to come out just like the ones Dorie and other bakers made.

Remember the comparison posted about here? I suppose it has more to do with familiarity but my family still prefers our old recipe. Plus, they were easier to make.

Please visit the other Dorie bakers to see how splendid their cookies turned out. Our host for this recipe is Pamela of Cookies with Boys. Visit her for the recipe and to see how wonderful hers baked up!

Elderly woman witnesses to man trying to rob her

I just picked this up from Deby at Apples of Gold and want to pass it along to those who haven't seen it. Truly precious!

Mosaic Monday ~ Soft Pink Roses

Something pretty and pink to share ~ the last Knock Out Roses of the season.A Pink Rose... a symbol of grace and elegance. It is often given as an expression of admiration. Light pink roses, or the pale pink rose, sends a message of joy, gladness, and sweetness. It symbolizes gentility, femininity and refinement.

♥

Please visit Mary @ the Little Red House for more Mosaic Monday.

Purple Finch

Psalm 40:1