Top O' the Mornin' to You!

(photo taken July 2007 here on the County Line)

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Here's hoping you planned ahead and wore green PJs to bed last night.

When I was growing up, not wearing green on St. Patty's Day meant you got pinched. My sisters and brother were especially happy to remind me if I forgot. I couldn't even eat my Frosted Flakes in peace. (I was, of course, angelic and didn't return the favor. Yah, right!)

You weren't immune at school either. But sneaky people could get you in trouble there. What if you pinched someone and they said, "I've got on green underwear!"? Well, it's not as if you could make them prove it.

I'm guessing it's a good thing St. Patrick's Day falls during spring break for many students this year. In today's school climate, pinching one another would probably be a form of bullying and might end up in a trip to the principal's office.

But, back in the olden days, I don't recall that the practice got you in any significant trouble. Teachers were usually quick to help out any forgetful student by supplying a green shamrock to pin to your shirt.

If you're looking for a wee bit o' the Irish today, here are a couple of recipes I've used with 4-Hers in the past.

Irish Soda Bread

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tbsp. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup cold butter (no substitutes)
1 1/4 cups buttermilk**
1/2 cup currants or raisins

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine all ingredients except buttermilk and currants/raisins in large bowl; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk and currants/raisins until just moistened.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead gently 10 times. Shape into ball. Place on greased baking sheet. Pat into 6-inch circle. Cut 1/2-inch deep "X" in top of dough with sharp knife.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

** If you don't have buttermilk, substitute 4 teaspoons vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to equal 1 1/4 cups. Let stand 10 minutes before using.

Cheddar-Apple Scones

7 tbsp. cold butter (no substitutes)
1 Granny Smith apple (8 oz. peeled, cored, cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
2 tbsp. sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup + 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 4 oz.)
1 tbsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper (opt.)
3/4 cup buttermilk ** (see above for substitute)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. In nonstick skillet over medium high heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add apple and 1 tablespoon sugar. Cook, stirring, until apples are tender and lightly browned. Cool 15 minutes.

Combine flour, 2/3 cup cheese, baking powder, salt, pepper and remaining sugar. With pastry blender, cut in remaining butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

With fork, stir in buttermilk until moistened. Stir in apples until dough forms. On lightly floured surface, knead dough until smooth.

Shape into 9-inch disk. Cut into 8 wedges. Brush with water. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese. Transfer to baking sheet and place 2 inches apart. Bake until golden, about 18 to 20 minutes.

Other fun St. Patrick Day ideas, especially for kids:

• Take 2 refrigerated biscuits per child and tear each in half. Place three of the pieces together to form a shamrock and use the other one to roll into a stem. Sprinkle with green sugar and bake.
• Another easy green treat: Combine equal parts cream cheese and marshmallow cream. Tint green and serve as dip for green apples.
• Gold Cookies (for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!): Take two Ritz crackers. Put peanut butter between them. Dip them in melted butterscotch chips. Place on waxed paper until set up.
• Substitute Lucky Charms for some (or all) of the cereal in your Rice Krispie treats.

Here's hoping you find some St. Patrick's Day "Luck o' the Irish" at the end of your rainbow today!

A Living Doll

My husband told me I looked like a doll this morning.

I can just imagine everybody in blogland thinking, "Oh, what a kind, considerate, thoughtful husband Kim has!"

Yes, I do.

However, in this case, he meant I look like Stick 'Em Up Hair doll.

This is a doll Jill dearly loved as a child. She loved it so much she washed its hair. And ever after, it was known as the Stick 'Em Up Hair Doll.

So when Randy said I looked like a doll, for just a second I thought, "Awww. How sweet!" (I'm not always the quickest in the morning!)

And then I realized he was referring to our inside family joke, a signal for, "Wow! Your bed head is really LOVELY this morning!"

But I choose to think about it in a different way. Jill really loved that doll (even if it didn't have a beautiful name like Stephanie or Kara or Julia).

This doll was kind of like the story of The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. In the story, the wise Skin Horse (who has about as imaginative a name as Stick 'Em Up Hair Doll) tells The Velveteen Rabbit:

"Real isn't how you are made. It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, you become real."

I think it happens for wives. And husbands ... and daughters ... and sons ... and sisters ... and best friends ... and moms ... and dads: You fill in the blank.

I spent a little time looking for Stick 'Em Up Hair Doll this morning. I dug through boxes in the attic. I burrowed to the back of the closet in Jill's room.

I wanted to take a photo so you could see just how real she was. (Plus, I didn't want to subject you to a photo of just how real I am in the mornings!)

So far, I haven't found her.

But here's my prayer for you today: I hope you are real to the people in your life. And I hope they are real right back to you.

Full disclosure: This is not Stick 'Em Up Hair Doll.
But it does show how Jill made her dolls very real.
And I seem incapable of posting without a photo!

Daylight Saving Time

I wish I could say I took these photos today.

But I didn't. I took them a week ago. And I don't think we've had a true sunrise since.

So, just in case you've forgotten what morning can look like, here's a little something from the County Line to hold you over until Mother Nature decides to again paint the sky with the promise of light and warmth.


Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend. Don't forget to "spring forward." Why is it we humans prefer the "falling back?" Yes, we are losing an hour of sleep, but try to think positive: Maybe it just means spring really is on the way.

"He is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth."

2 Samuel 23:4

Cool Cats Watch the 'Cats!

A couple of "cool cats" joined me in watching the KSU 'Cats play the Oklahoma State Cowboys last night. I'm happy to report all my cats did great.

What constitutes a great evening with the cats?

First, the K-State Wildcats were back on the prowl with a convincing win over OSU.

Second, Big Cat stayed where he was supposed to. That's Big Cat cozied up with Randy. Staying with the cat theme of the evening, Randy is wrapped up in his leopard-print Snuggie (which he insists on calling a Snuggle, no matter how many times Jill corrects him).

This will probably not make animal lovers happy, but I don't like animals in the house.

That was one of the "deal breakers" in the marriage negotiations 29 years ago. There would be no animals in the house, I declared emphatically.

So, what has happened in my old age? Well, even though the rules have relaxed, there are still rules. Sorry, but our big old farm dog Ralph doesn't make the cut (even though I probably like him better than the cats, if truth is confessed).

Any cat who enters the house on the County Line must stay on Randy's lap. If it escapes, it's out of here. No second chances. Cats who can't conform are shooed out the back door to do what farm cats are meant to do - to protect me and my house from mice.

Our County Line cats are prolific, so we have plenty of mouse-fighters in our midst. We have shared the wealth with my parents on several occasions. Randy usually isn't picky about which cats get to move to Pratt County.

But Big Cat is the one exception. He is a County Line cat through and through.

Don't blame me for the uninspired name. The cat belongs to Randy. Big Cat tolerates me, but keeps me in my place with his patented evil eye. This is only directed at me, never Randy.

But since he was good luck for my Wildcats last night, Big Cat will probably be joining us for another game tonight. Just as long as he remembers his place.

Back to Basics

I am all about efficiency in the kitchen. Sure, I like to cook and bake, but I don't have unlimited time (what with important things like blogging and such!)

Plus, baking is hard on the waistline. I do fine resisting the finished product. It's just that dough. Yes, as a home economist I got the memo about raw eggs. (You shouldn't consume them - just in case you didn't know.) But cookie dough is darn near irresistible.

So, if I need to create a cookie tray or need to make a large amount of cookies, I try to get the job done with one baking session. That's why I often use a basic cookie recipe. But instead of adding chocolate chips to the whole batch, I divide the dough and use other add-ins.

I triple this basic dough recipe. CAUTION: If you don't have a large Kitchen Aid (or similar) mixer, don't try this at home. This was my mother-in-law Marie's mixer, which I inherited after she died. Before that, I didn't have a heavy-duty mixer. After using this mixer for hundreds of cookies and yeast bread recipes, I've told Randy that I will be driving to Hutchinson to replace this immediately if it ever quits on me.


Anyway, tripling this recipe just about causes a large mixer to overflow. And I can never get it done without showering at least a little flour on the counter. I never said I wasn't a messy cook.

If I need cookies or assorted cookie trays for several events, I may even do a triple recipe two times and choose six different add-ins. I make it easy (and use less measuring cups) by measuring out the dry ingredients and setting them aside. I always do this before the United Methodist Women's fall bazaar, when I make dozens of cookies to sell.

Here's the basic recipe (This is just 1 recipe of the dough. You can choose to double or triple it).

Basic Cookie Dough

3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup shortening
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
Add ins (see ideas below)

Recipe Notes:

• Some of you new brides may have cooling racks made for cookies. I don't. So I use the same method I've been using since I was a little girl. I put newspaper on the kitchen counter and top it with waxed paper. I cool the baked cookies on the wax-covered paper. (I usually get this set up before I get the first cookies in the oven.)
  
• I always use shortening in these cookies rather than margarine or butter. The shortening helps the cookie retain it shape. Butter or margarine makes the cookies spread out.
  
• I always use Hudson Cream flour in baking, proudly supporting the Stafford County Flour Mills product from Hudson, Kansas.
  

Instructions: Cream together sugars and shortening. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well. Mix together flour, baking soda and salt (If you're baking for a fair or competition, sift the ingredients. I skip that step if I'm not getting judged or baking with 4-Hers.) Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Mix well. If you've doubled or tripled your recipe, divide the dough into two or three equal parts.

Stir in add-ins of your choice (see ideas below).

Spray cookie sheets with non-stick spray. Using a cookie scoop, place dough on prepared cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes (I always check before the initial time because I don't like overbaked cookies. It will depend on your oven. I have a double wall oven. The top oven bakes much slower than the bottom oven. So, in other words, use your own judgment and get to know your oven).

I usually let the cookies cool briefly on the cookie sheet (about 2 minutes) before I remove to the waxed paper for further cooling.

THE ADD-INS

This part will probably be annoying. But I don't necessarily measure the add-ins. I just add until it looks right. But here's a rule of thumb: This basic recipe is supposed to include 2 cups of chocolate chips. So, use that as an indicator of how much to add.

White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies
(baked cookie pictured center front at the top of the blog)

M & M Cookies
(obviously, to the left in the photo at the top)

Chocolate Caramel Cookies
(Pictured in the top right in photo at the top of this post)

Yes, these are done with the same basic recipe. I stir in cocoa powder (probably around 3-4 tablespoons, then add the caramel pieces pictured in the photo. If it seems too dry, add a teaspoon or two of milk.

Another note about these cookies. They are really good, but the caramel makes it difficult to handle. If you are making three different kinds of cookies, do these last. This past time, I used parchment paper in an attempt to prevent them from sticking. I will do that again. Plus, let them cool longer before attempting to remove them from the cookie sheet.

The following are not pictured as completed cookies. But I have used them all as add-ins:

Oatmeal Raisin

When I use raisins in recipes, I always soak them in warm liquid to plump them up before adding. You can use water, or you can try orange juice if you want that hint of flavor. Drain well before adding to your cookie dough (but the little bit of extra liquid clinging to the raisins is OK since you're adding more dry ingredients through the oatmeal. Add in about 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and then 1 to 1 1/2 cups quick cook oats. If you feel like you need a little more liquid, add in a couple teaspoons of orange juice or milk.

Coconut Orange Slice Cookies

I usually use kitchen shears to cut up the candy orange slices. Dip the shears in flour. You will need to repeat this step as the shears become sticky. You may want to toss the cut-up candy in a little flour to keep them separated. This will make it easier to incorporate into the dough. I usually use coconut and the cut-up orange slices in these.

Date-Nut Cookies

I like the combination of chopped walnuts and chopped dates, but you can use another kind of nut. I use a hand chopper for chopping nuts. I usually have cut-up dates on hand that I've purchased from a bulk food store. But you can use your kitchen shears to do this with whole dates.

Others ideas:
Chocolate Chips
Chocolate Chips & Pecans (or other nuts)
Heath bits
Oatmeal and Butterscotch Chips
Chocolate Chocolate Mint (Put in the cocoa as described above and then use the chopped Andes mints you find in the baking aisle)
Peanut Chips & Chocolate Chips combined

Another option: Don't have a lot of time? Need cookies quickly? You can use the Basic Cookie Recipe and add 2 cups of chocolate chips or mini M & Ms. Then, instead of dropping individually, spread into a prepared jelly roll pan (15- by 10-inch). Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pan on wire rack. Cut into about 4 dozen bars.

The options are endless. Have fun experimenting! Let me know if you come up with a great new combination!

Signs of Spring

It was time to turn over the rain gauge here on the County Line. Randy, ever the optimist, made the transition before the half inch of rain fell yesterday and today. I guess that also means he believes we are done with freezing temperatures. Like I said, he's an eternal optimist, which is a good thing to be when you're a farmer.

The moisture and the warmer temperatures are waking up the wheat from its winter slumber. Even though glimpses of the sun were scarce to nonexistent today, it still made a pretty picture with the overcast, light blue skies and green fields.

Best of all, the co-op got the wheat ground sprayed with fertilizer and herbicide over the weekend, giving it a chance to soak in with the gentle rain. That's always a good thing (especially when you consider the bill. You want the fertilizer and herbicide doing the best job it possibly can when you write that big check!)


And a trip to the pasture always reminds me of new life and spring. (This was obviously not today since there was sunshine!) But if you look closely, you can see the umbilical cord still attached to this little one, who was brand new on Saturday. On sunshiny days, the baby calves kick up their heels and chase one another around the pasture. I figured the two butting heads in the pasture on Saturday were boys. That's such a boy thing to do!


My wish from the County Line for you? I hope you are beginning to see some signs of spring where YOU live, too!

Blast from the Past

It was a blast from the past this weekend. Stafford County 4-H Club Days was on my agenda Saturday morning. I have a long history with Club Days, going back several decades to my own days as a Pratt County 4-Her.

(This was the only photo I could find of my own 4-H talk days.
I'm sure there are others at my parents' home.)

Randy & I were community leaders for our local Corn Valley 4-H club for a dozen years. During our tenure, we were (I was!) responsible for writing the club's model meeting. For the uninitiated, that is a scripted meeting done in front of a judge.

Back in our day, the model meeting was a requirement for a purple seal, 4-H's highest honor for club work. These days, clubs can choose to do some other group activity. Only one of the three county clubs still does a model meeting. Corn Valley did a club skit, and another club sang a choral number.

It's probably been four years since I was able to go to Club Days. Mom's Weekends at Kappa Kappa Gamma or Theta Xi at K-State have conflicted, or I've had some other obligation. But on Saturday, I accompanied a Corn Valley 4-Her's vocal solo. I went early so I could see some of the 4-H talks and demonstrations.

And it definitely took me back to the days of helping Jill & Brent with 4-H talks. I am an admitted perfectionist, so the kids did a LOT of practicing.

This was Jill's very first 4-H talk. She demonstrated a Raggedy Ann Salad (that's who was coming to dinner!), as well as a candlestick salad. Jill's interest in food and nutrition began with 4-H and many years later led to her career as a dietitian.

She and her friend Holly gave several team demonstrations. Their first was on the Food Guide Pyramid. Their second one (pictured above) was "Fit to Be Tied," in which they demonstrated pretzels. They (and the moms!) literally made HUNDREDS of pretzels when they opened The Pretzel House for Stafford's Oktoberfest that year. They also did a demonstration called "Shape Up," where they showed how to shape dinner rolls.

This was the first of Brent's many magic demonstrations. In later years, he did do a couple of talks featuring his photography project.

So why go to all the trouble? I am a big believer in the 4-H program. It shaped my parents, my siblings and me, Randy and his siblings and my own kids.

And it was definitely worth the time and effort. Jill & Brent had no problems with public speaking - in 4-H, in the classroom or in the community. It also taught them parliamentary procedure. Because we had so few older 4-Hers in our club when the kids were little, they had to take on officer roles early on. It was a struggle to have a 4th grade president. But they never hesitated to run for office in high school or college settings after their years of holding 4-H offices.

They learned record keeping (I always say their 4-H books and photos are better organized than any other portion of their lives because we were forced to turn in 4-H books annually!)

They had the responsibility of feeding and caring for pigs and cattle. The sale of their livestock helped finance college and other expenses.

They did community service projects, individually and with the club. They learned to work with other people to accomplish a common goal.

A few years ago, Kansas 4-H celebrated its centennial. I hope it's around another 100 years. It is definitely a program worth preserving.