Where were you went the lights went out on Thursday evening?
One thing about this outage we were informed ahead of time that there would be one. It is quite different when unexpected and all of a sudden everything stops that need electricity, at least this time some of us were given a warning and could make preparations such as finding the candles, matches, flashlights, etc. I did have a small battery operated lantern that I had looked at only a day or so before and knew where it was and how to operate it. But still all of a sudden it is quiet with no television, motors running, the heat is off, no telephone and whatever else is run by electricity. I had a book to read and had started crocheting an edge on a pair of pillowcases and if I was close enough to the lamp it worked. There is always an Afghan close by for extra warmth. However, the time seemed to go much slower than usual as we patiently waited for the lights and sounds of normality.
I recall several times on the farm when the power went off. Once during a blizzard, it was out for a couple of days and we learned in a hurry how to cope. At least we had a trash burner in the basement and we cooked on it one kettle at a time. We melted snow, ate a lot of fried eggs and burned candles for light. The kids learned how to survive and take in stride that living can go on without the usual amenities of life. Thank goodness for outhouses, snow to melt for water, heat from wood chunks, etc. and washing clothes would wait for a better day. We stayed in the basement for most of the time and we took turns staying awake to make certain the stove was still burning and the candles were safe.
Whatever the reason for the outage this time we are most grateful for the warning and the repair that came quicker than anticipated. The football game probably could have been postponed until later in the evening but then it was a bit warmer on Friday afternoon when the game was picked up where it left off the night before – scoreless, second down and ten yards to go for MCC in the first quarter and I don’t remember how much time had been played. We are most grateful for those who worked on the problem and solved it in a much shorter time than anticipated. It certainly was dark on a cold October evening when the lights went out. Our little bit of inconvenience is nothing compared to what those that live in the hurricane area are going through at this time. We know how much damage can be done with tornadoes but add the water surges it is incomprehensible to understand. We are not in control of the weather but we certainly complain about it. We can pray for safety, better circumstances and understanding of others’ situations.
To accommodate the huge apple crop this year I have added an extra recipe to use some of the abundance
Baked Beef Stroganoff
1 teaspoon oil
1 lb. beef top round steak trimmed of fat, cut into thin strips
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (10 1/2-oz.) can condensed beef broth
1 (4.5 oz.) can sliced mushrooms, drained, rinsed
1 teaspoon paprika
8 oz. (4 1/2 cups) uncooked
medium egg noodles
1 (8 oz.) container nonfat sour cream
Paprika, if desired
Heat oven to 350º. Heat oil in large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add beef, onion, and garlic; cook and stir about 4 minutes or until beef is no longer pink.
Add soup, broth, mushrooms, and paprika; mix well. Cover. Bake at 350º for 45 to 55 minutes or until beef is tender.
Just before serving, cook noodles to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain. Stir sour cream into beef mixture; serve over noodles. Sprinkle with paprika. 4 servings.
Apple Broccoli Salad
6 medium tart apples, chopped
3 cups broccoli florets
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1-1/2 cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
In a large bowl, combine the apples, broccoli, onion, and raisins. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, lemon juice, and salt; pour over apple mixture and toss to coat. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Just before serving stir in the bacon and walnuts. Yield: 10-12 serving
Apple Macaroon Dessert
Arrange 4 cups sliced, peeled apples in 9-inch pie plate. Combine 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; sprinkle over apples. Top with 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts and 1/2 cup coconut.
Cream 1/2 cup butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in 1/2 cup sugar, Add 1 beaten egg, 3/4 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Mix well. Spread over apple mixture. Bake in 350º oven for 30-35 minutes or until top is golden brown. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream or ice cream. Serves 8.
Apple Cinnamon Puffs
In small saucepan mix together 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring. Boil mixture together until syrup is formed (about 5 minutes).
Sift together: 1 1/2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cut in with pastry blender 1/4 cup shortening until mixture looks like meal. Stir in 3/4 cup milk to make soft dough. Drop spoonfuls of dough on top of apples and make a dent in top of each. Place in dented dough a mixture of 2 teaspoons melted butter, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or 450º oven. Serve warm with cream. Serves 9.
