By Wenda Grabau It is a good day when one of my children gives me a call to ask a question. Some days I hear from my kids asking about a sick grandchild. Those calls are not so fun. Today, I got a call regarding something positive… baking. The specific request dealt with good old chicken fat. From chicken fat I make biscuits. They are a favorite for my family. We … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
Comfort food gives comfort and joy, so it is good during the holidays or any time of the year! Wikipedia defines comfort food as “Food that provides a nostalgic or sentimental value often characterized by its high caloric nature, high carbohydrate content or simple preparation.” I took an unscientific survey of foods that comfort, soothe, and relieve stress and anxiety. … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
By Wenda Grabau Looking back on my life, I have enjoyed several Christmas memories. Let me list a few of them for you. At Thanksgiving, aunts, uncles, cousins, mom, dad, brothers, sister and I, with Grandma and Grandpa put our names in a hat. Each person drew the name of one person for whom to buy a Christmas gift. All gifts would be roughly the same cost. The name … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
By Jessi Jablonski Oh, deer! Deer can be beautiful and a joy to watch... until they eat all of your plants! We live with a large population of deer, and sometimes it seems like there is no deterring them from making a salad bar out of our gardens. I’ve lived with this problem my entire gardening career, and have embraced a few techniques for living in harmony with … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
CHEERS FOR CHURCH COOKBOOKS and those cooks who share cherished recipes! These recipes have been vetted at Sunday School picnics, sunrise Easter breakfasts, salad luncheons, soup suppers and potluck dinners. The menus for the fall harvest fundraisers very often include meatballs and real mashed potatoes. Some serve ham and meatballs, codfish with melted butter, sirloin … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
By Wenda Grabau As we approach the end of autumn and look toward the onset of cold weather and winter, the bittersweet goodbyes to summer give way to a different kind of warmth. Families and friends gather for feast and celebration. With the changes in temperature and scenery, November turns our minds and hearts toward Thanksgiving. World Book Dictionary says, … [Read more...]
The Plant Lady
By Jessi Jablonski All-season interest When working on a landscape plan, flower color and plant spacing are a small fraction of the design process. There are many so factors to consider. Care should be taken to think about the garden in all seasons. What will it look like in fall? What about in winter, covered in snow? Growing up, I was lucky to live a few minutes from … [Read more...]
Recycling 101: They’re here!
By Drew Hatzenbihler Solid Waste Administrator The Fillmore County Resource Recovery Center just received a total of six dumpsters from Revolution Plastics for recycling agricultural and silage plastics! Before you jump in your car and head down to start recycling, take a minute to read this article and read the dumpsters when you arrive to make sure the materials you are … [Read more...]
The Working Mom
Hallo-Thank-Mas Want to celebrate three holidays at the same time? Just go to any large retailer and you will see the Halloween decorations on sale, the Thanksgiving items on the shelf around the corner, and the Christmas décor and displays starting to take shape in the next 10 aisles. Seriously, I haven’t managed to even clean out my summer flower beds and get some mums … [Read more...]
A Goodly Heritage
By Wenda Grabau I took a delightful stroll this morning. Blue sky peaked through the passing clouds. I stepped my way through the dew-covered lawn on my way to our rural mailbox. As I trekked through the moistened blades of grass, our pup spied me and came running to greet me as if to say, “Good Morning!” I gave him a cheerful pat on his head. He joined me as I walked … [Read more...]