Christmas wish lists, old thyme recipes, and Sam

So I've been really busy lately. Truly. I started a full-time job at the beginning of November. It's been interesting to get the entire family used to the new routine.

Given that this is my first post in December, I thought I'd tell you what my wish list is, beyond the generic 'World Peace' and 'manners!' responses we give the kids. I'd love some knitting needles - specifically some really awesome sets of double pointed needles I've seen on Amazon.com for about $25 for a multi-sized set in various types of wood. Sam wants anything Star Wars or Star Trek, especially books or legos. Awyn is still into ultra-girly mode and would love dolls, clothes, dress-up stuff, Barbies, etc. If it's really Pink or purple, glitters or is frilly, she'll love it. She's also learning to read, so beginner readers are a good idea too. Both kids would say they want Mario Cart for the Wii. We don't have a lot of games, but we do have a few. Eric wants all sorts of things, like another hardcover book for his collection of Lewis and Clark journals. He's got 1, 2, 3, and 5. We also recently had to replace our DVD player, and took advantage of the sales on Blu-Ray devices. We own 1 bluray movie. Appropriately, it's the latest Star Trek movie.

Sam and Awyn still love school. Sam's struggling a bit more this year. His grades are fantastic - mostly A's with a couple of B's. His Aspergers is most apparent when he's at school, as he has a very difficult time with social rules.

Now for a recipe, as promised. Eric's parents were here for the Thanksgiving holidays, and brought with them a couple of old recipe boxes. Eric says they were his grandmothers. They contain some true treasures, and what better place to share them than on a blog? The hardest part is deciding which gem to share first. I mean, Hot Dogs in Hot Pants sounds so very, um, Hot. But I think in honor of friend David's facebook post this weekend concerning jello (and possibly jello shots) I will go with this wonderful recipe. And Eric nicely pointed out that tomorrow is December 7th. Please go pick up a history book if the reference eludes you.

From 'New Wartime Recipes for Minute Gelatin' - packed by Minute Tapioca Co., Inc.

Delicious, thrifty recipes for entrees, salads, aspics, fruit jellies, milk and cream molds. Recipes to help you make wartime meals exciting and nourishing - in spite of shortages.


Easy to S-T-R-E-T-C-H Butter
with Minute Gelatin

*Minute Spread
1/2 Pound butter or margarine
1 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons (1/2 envelope) Minute Gelatin
1/2 teaspoon salt

Let butter (or margarine) stand in warm place. Work with spoon until very soft, but not melted or oily.

Add 1/4 mild gradually to Minute Gelatin and salt in small bowl or top of double boiler. Heat over boiling water until gelatin is completely dissolved, stirring constantly. Add remaining milk and heat until just lukewarm. (if mixture is hot, cool to lukewarm.) Add to softened butter, a small amount at a time, beating with rotary egg beater after each addition until blended. Store in covered dish in refrigerator. Makes 2 to 2 1/4 cups.

1/4 cup water and 3/4 cup evaporated milk may be substituted for fresh milk, using water to dissolve gelatin.

Stay tuned for more Minute Gelatin Gems like Peppermint Cream Mold, Jellied Ham Timbales, and of course, Jellied Vegetable Loaf.