Spice Bars-Christmas,Christmas Everywhere

Christmas is a special time of year when relatives and loved ones pull out all the stops for baking, cooking, and generally smelling up the air with wonderous Christmas atmosphere. My family and friends are expert when it comes to feasts and scrumptious eating. I love tried and true recipes from long ago, as you can find here at OSCBlog. Give these a try this holiday season and let someone know just how much you love them, even if they have been a little naughty, For Give them, and bake them up some Christmas Love. And O' by the way, Put on something Red.

My friends, Bridget shared this recipe for Spice Bars with my friend Pam, who shared it with me. Bridget said her sister has been making them for years, since they were teen agers. That means the flour was ground in an old Grist Mill, and the spice came from the East on Camels. Thank you for sharing, Bridgett and I hope your sister continue to make these wonderful memories, may your every wish come true. Get in that kitchen, and get to making memories.

Spice Bars

1 ½ cups oil
2 cups sugar
½ cup honey
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 Tbsp allspice
2 Tbsp vanilla
2 tsp baking soda
4 cups flour
2 cups chopped pecans


Icing

2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp miracle whip
2 Tbsp water – may need ½ tsp more
½ tsp almond extract

Bake at 350 deg for 20 min and frost while hot.

Bridget,
Thank you and your sister for sharing your favorite recipe, and

Grace, Please!

Snow In Kosovo

This week, we finally received the long awaited snow. We have had a couple of minor dustings, but this is really snow. I love snow, being from a part of the world that does not get snow, l dont mind tromping around with boots, coats, and shovels. Now, it is time to slice up the fruit cake, egg up the nog, and sit by the fire with a nice book. This is a photo of the Old Elf in Dark Blue, like the old German Claus. I am under the oak tree that is covered in snow. Have a Merry Christmas, OSC

Adoring the Child

The Gift

I pray that you and your family experience, Christ, the greatest Gift of the Christmas Season. Bind your hearts with love, peace and hope, and always, keep Christ unto you. And always remember, “For unto you is born, this day in the City of David, A Savior, which is Christ the Lord, and yea shall find the babe’ wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.”
His coming to earth as a sin offering was foretold by the Prophets, made known to Mary by the Angel..., My favorite story because I had to learn this for a Christmas Program when I was young.

LUKE 2: 1-20

The Birth of Jesus Christ

2:1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when [1] Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, [2] who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” [3]
15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

OSC

Happy Turkey Bird Day

On Thanksgiving Day, I think of my close friends
With fondness and care, O’ Happy Thanksgiving,
I wish I were there.

Happy Thanksgiving Day

I hope your turkey is fried, Your stuffing is filling,

Your pie hole is full, And your family is willing

To let you go huntin, For the real big Deer Killin

Reclined on the couch, Your belly a swellin,
Your best coon dogs Under the table a smellin
For morsels that strayed From a main course complete
Only to find There’s nothing to eat.

A clob of cranberry Oh what a fate.
How could this goo Drop from a plate.
I’m putting off dinner I think I can wait.
I‘ve had my fill of Cherry Cheese Cake.

Seasonal Tidings and to all be Blest.
Shut down the Kitchen, please,
I’m needin my rest.

James E. Webber, December, 2009

Running Amuck

Running Amuck
By James E. Webber

The weather is freezing,
The camp stove is frosty.
I need to boil water
To make some hot coffee.

The tent pegs are up
And completely unbound
I think my friend Cody
Is froze to the ground.

The dogs are a barking
Those worthless old hounds,
The water is boiling
But I’m out of grounds.

When out in the clearing
A Bucks running round
He is looking for acorns
But none can be found.

He raises his nose
And his tail in one motion,
Cody jumps up in a frenzied commotion.

He springs for his rifle
And just his bad luck,
He shoots, but he misses,
An 18 point Buck.

He throws down the rifle
And stomping the ground,
He curses and spits,
He is completely unwound.

A boiling and fuming,
He is out of his wits.
He hits the camp stove
Spilling all of the grits.

His hats in the fire, his boots still untied,
He can’t shoot a deer, no matter how hard he tried.

Missing a target the size of that Buck
Could be poor eyesight, not just his bad luck.
Snowed in with bad weather
Near the camp fire I’m stuck
Tonight I’m sleepin
In the back of the truck.
James E. Webber, December, 2009

Sherbet with Old Sante Claus

Once upon a time, there was a small girl whose travels took her to the enchanted land of KOSOVO. There she saw the most beautiful mountains and flowers that grow taller than she was. One day she ventured forth, wearing her magic pink outfit and gold lame' slippers. She was thinking of how nice it would be if Christmas was in July. She could go to the beach, play in the rain, and decorate the Christmas tree with sunflowers and red poppy’s. She could eat lemon flavored snow cones in a paper cup. How refreshing it would be to eat Orange Sherbet and drink Limon/Lime Soda til you POP! She could dress her dolly in a swim suit and let her swim in the lake. Wouldn't it be great to see Sante Claus and have him take my photo in my pink ensemble? Her thoughts traveled aimlessly as smoke and fog on the mountain.

Suddenly, Someone said, “Hey, Snap Out of it, enough of that Lolly Gagging, look right here and Smile.” Suddenly there was a bright flash. She saw stars and sparkly things like the 4th of July. As her sight returned, there, behind the camera, was Old Sante Claus, and I have photos to prove it! Really, I am not fooling. It was him alright. He was as real as real can be and he was wearing Red Sneakers, a Red T-Shirt, White Suspenders, and Blue Jeans. He was carrying his red and white stripped walking stick. On top of his white head he had a pair of red sunglasses.
She and Old Sante became instant friends. They laughed and talked for hours about Stocking Stuff, Pink, as a favorite color, and the importance of Ice Cream as a food group. They discovered that they both like Orange Sherbet with Limon/Lime soda and they loved to celebrate “Christmas in July”. So they went to the Soda Shop and ordered the Orange Sherbet Limon/Lime Soda, XXXL. Of all the slurping and gulping, it took place, a race to swill them down. They both had big orange mustaches and pooched out bellies. Boy, they were suffering from sugar rush complicated by serious brain freeze.
They decided to take a survey to determine their most favorite Ice Cream. They had heard all the jingles and knew all the words to the commercials, but the proof was in the taste. “What is your most favorite Ice Cream, Deary?” Old Sante asked? Um, Well, Uh, My most favorite is Strawberry Cheesecake Tutee Fruttie T’Booty Parfait. It’s Yummy! He chuckled and smiled and wiped her orange upper lip. She smiled; she had him pegged for a Banana Split Man. Old Sante Claus said, my very most favorite Ice Cream is FROZEN! The little girl laughed so hard she tumped over her parlor chair. Her dolly went one way and her Sherbet Spoon went the other. When she hit the floor, she awoke from her dreams. She was faced with the Big Question. Is it better to have your picture taken with Old Sante Claus rather than by Old Sante Claus?

James E. Webber, Old Sante Claus, December2009