It’s Thursday afternoon and the snow is falling a little heavier as the time progresses. This morning I requested someone to go out and try to scrape most of the slush off the driveway but now it is all covered again. So far no wind but we expect that to happen also before this storm is over. James and family arrived on Tuesday morning – Christmas Day and Leah and family shortly after that. We had lunch together and then it was time to make certain all the presents were wrapped and ready for our gathering at Mary and Tom’s on Wednesday. Originally we had planned to have supper and the evening together but with the predicted snowstorm it was decided to get together at noon. Our meal was several kinds of soup same as the last few years. We also had ham, salads and of course lots of snacks, cookies, etc. Abby and Alexis were inspired with the decorations the Prague people use on their cookies and they made lots of sugar cookies with the various designs. We were all impressed with the quality of their designs. The snow came and was quite heavy at times so after the meal and the gifts were opened we headed home.
Ruth, Terry, Sarah and Jason’s family stayed with Mesners overnight and told they would be at my house for breakfast by 8 a.m. Yes, they were on time and even a bit early as they wanted to get home to Rochester and weren’t sure about the roads. They were on their way after we had breakfast and made it in good time to their destination. James’ family went to Spirit Lake and left shortly after them. Leah and Bart headed to Pukwana, SD for the Graves gathering and to help celebrate Bart’s mother’s 80th birthday. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate as the return to Staples, MN on Saturday.
Both our granddaughters that live in Europe were able to be home for the holidays. It is always interesting to hear of their travels and comparisons of living abroad. Sarah lives in Sweden and Abby in Prague. They are planning to get together in February and do some sightseeing in other parts of Europe.
The snow is coming down quite heavily now -2 p.m. but at least there is very little wind so far. The house is awfully quiet with everyone gone but I’m glad they were able to reach their destinations without too much trouble.
Have a very BLessed New Year and stay warm…
Company ‘s Coming Barbeque
(large recipe)
5 pounds lean ground beef
3 3/4 cup chopped onions
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
54 oz. tomato soup, 5 (10 3/4 oz.) cans or 2 (26 oz.) cans
2/3 cup ketchup
2/3 cup vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar, scant
2 tablespoons mustard, scant
5 dashes Tabasco sauce
Brown beef and onions with salt and pepper. Add remaining items and simmer for 30 minutes. Freezes well. Fills approximately 66 buns. Also good as a spaghetti sauce.
Cheesy Broccoli
1 package (10 oz.) frozen chopped broccoli
1 cup minute rice
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1 jar (8 oz.) Cheez Whiz
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion, saute`ed
1/2 cup chopped celery, saute`ed
Microwave broccoli as directions on bag. Set aside. In casserole combine rice, soup, milk, cheese, salt and pepper. Microwave at High 2-4 minutes, until cheese melts and can be blended easily. To cheese mixture, add onion, celery, and broccoli; stir thoroughly. Microwave at High 12-14 minutes rotating dish 1/4 turn after 5 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings.
Warm Savory Cheese Spread
2 cups mayonnaise
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 large onion, finely chopped
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 round loaf (1 pound) sourdough bread
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Assorted crackers
Combine the mayonnaise, cheese, onion, bacon, peppers, and spices. cut the top fourth off the loaf of bread; carefully hollow out bottom, leaving an inch shell, (save the removed bread for another use).
Spoon cheese mixture into bread shell. Wrap in a piece of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 350º for 1 hour or until heated through. Serve with crackers. Yield: 4 cups.
Wassail
2 (32 oz.) unsweetened apple cider
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 (32 oz.) cranberry juice
1 (16 oz. ) can orange juice
1 1/2 cup lemon juice
Heat mixture and stir until all the ingredients are mingled completely, especially the spices. Serve in heatproof glass cups or mugs and stay away from Styrofoam due to the lemon juice. The recipe will fill a 30 cup coffee maker.
