Sometimes our plans can change quickly such as a week ago on Saturday. I had called Mark on Friday evening and told him I didn’t plan to come to Orange City for the track meet as I thought there were surely better days to be sitting out in the open for just even a few seconds or minutes to watch Devin run. Well towards morning it came to me that perhaps I should go if there was still room in Jon’s car so I called early to find out what time they would be leaving. No problem, I had plenty time to meet them in Edgerton but would be stopping in Luverne for the track meet to watch Jaden run. A quick stop for something to eat and purchase a camera disc after his run and we were on our way to O.C. We got there with plenty time to watch Devin in her first event. I don’t know enough about track but she did okay. It was rather cold in the open with a brisk wind and they still had some snow banks to contend with. Everywhere we went they were talking about all the snow they received on Wednesday. I wonder what they would have said about the amount we had which was at least twice as much. The track team had to scoop the track on Thursday to get it ready for the meet on Saturday. Interesting pictures with shorts and snowbanks. Most of the snow was gone until we returned to Slayton. There are still some big piles (Friday – the 26th), however, with the expected warm temperatures spring is finally here.
We went to Mark and Lori’s house for a few minutes between races and talked about other years when we had had late snowstorms. In 1976 when Ruth and Mark had prom it had snowed the first weekend in May. Mark said he remembered it well. The dresses that year were cotton with a big ruffle on the bottom and flowers in the print. At prom time we all recollect what we wore and mine was made of net, accordion style skirt and strapless. My dad thought it was a lot to pay, about $25, for a skirt. My roommate and I also wore it at college on different occasions.
I raked the garden last week and was surprised how much had already come up, such as a few onions that I hadn’t harvested and the winter onions, rhubarb showing life under the rubbish and even a bit of green on the strawberry plants. With the warmth and longer daylight before we know it we will be mowing lawns again.
Strawberry Punch
1 can (46 oz.) pineapple juice, chilled
2 1/4 cups water
1 can (12 oz.) frozen pink lemonade, thawed
3/4 cup sugar
1 quart strawberry ice cream
1 liter ginger ale, chilled
Combine the first four. Add ice cream, stir gently. Add ginger ale, stir gently. Serve immediately. Makes 6 quarts.
Tortilla Party Roll-ups
2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch Salad Dressing Mix
4 green onions, minced
4 12-inch flour tortillas
1/2 cup diced red pepper
1/2 diced green pepper
1/2 cup diced celery
1 can sliced black olives, drained
Mix cream cheese, salad dressing mix, and green onions, together. Spread on tortillas. Sprinkle on red and green peppers, celery and olives. Roll up and wrap tightly in clear wrap. Chill at least 2 hours. Cut off roll ends. Cut rolls in 1 inch slices. Makes 3 dozen pinwheel slices.
Raspberry Almond Coffee Cake
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cups fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries
Topping:
2/3 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350º. In a large bowl, whisk the first six ingredients. In another bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, applesauce, butter and almond extract; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. gently fold in the raspberries.
Transfer batter to 13×9 inch baking pan, coated with cooking spray. In a small bowl. Mix topping ingredients; sprinkle over batter. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan. Serve warm. Makes 15 servings. Try blueberries or strawberries instead or add a glaze on top.
