Christmas Wishes 2010

God had brought us to another Christmas, safe in His Love and Kindness. Praise be to God. I would like to wish you and your family the most wonderful Christmas Season and pray that you have been provided all that you need. Take time to visit those who are home bound, ones that cannot get out and move about freely. Help those who cannot help themselves, and remember the children that cannot do for themselves. Children are the future and in time will be the ones that take care of us, who become home bound. Be in Season and remember it is better to give than it is to receive. Keep Jesus unto yourself, for scripture says "for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord." May His Love that transcends all understanding be yours today and forever.

Merry Christmas to my friends, family, and loved ones,

Edward Webber
Ol'SanteClaus

Harvest Time in Dixie

One of my favorite times of year is Harvest Time. When the heat summer is over and the cooling fall is here. When the apples have all been gathered and the ones a feller keeps, lie around the celler floor in red and yeller heaps. Not only do I love the Fall and Harvest Season, I love the poem by James Whitcomb Riley, When The Frost Is On The Pumkin, that describes the way I feel during this time. I love apple butter, sweet potato pies, and savory pork ribs, slowly roasted with garlic and root vegetables. I am at home, heart, mind, and sole when Harvest Time comes.

Kosova's Independence Day 17 Feb 2008

I would like to wish all my friends a wonderful Independence Day, 2010
Happy 17 February

Kosovo’s Independence Day

By James E. Webber
16 Feb. 2010
They are singing in the streets tonight,
And chanting old time songs
Shooting fireworks everywhere,
And proud that they belong
To a Republic new and free
That they have waited for so long.
They are waving flags and marching,
To the beat of ancient drums.
Waving torches of new light
With hope of what they can become
United by a common plight.
Celebrate with gladness
Let your heart lead the way
Kosovo is very young,
But old so many say.
Move in to the future
It is a brand new day.
Wave the flag and light the light
Its Independence Day!

Gingerbread Man

Gingerbread Man

By James E. Webber

I know that Fred is Gingerbread
A raisin in his belly,
If I bite his big toe off,
Out will come the jelly.
My mother bakes me gingerbread,
I eat straight from the oven.
I cannot wait to take a bite,
I’m telling you I love um.
The larger size with raisin eyes,
A mouth of crystal ginger,
Can’t you wait until he cools?
You’re going to burn your finger.
Mother fills the cookie jar,
After there are done cooling.
I have named them every name,
Honest, I’m not fooling.
If I’m good and do my chores,
And after I’ve been fed.
Mother tucks me in at night,
With one last Gingerbread.
I wake up in the early morn,
I jump out of the bed.
I rush to put my britches on,
And I run for Gingerbread.

GINGERBREAD MEN

OLD FASHIONED GINGERBREAD MEN
1 c. butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
4 tsp. grated orange peel
2 tbsp. dark corn syrup
3 c. flour
2 tsp. soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. salt

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, orange peel, and corn syrup. Add dry ingredients. Chill dough at least 1 hour. Roll dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut into gingerbread men shapes. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes on ungreased baking sheet. Cool. Decorate with Royal Icing.

ROYAL ICING FOR SUGAR COOKIES

3 egg whites
1 lb. confectioners' sugar
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. almond extract or white vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in bowl and beat on medium high for a full 10 minutes. Icing will become thick and glossy but will not increase in volume. Keep covered with damp cloth while using, removing small portions to bowl as needed. Tint if desired. To thin, add a few drops of water. Royal icing hardens with a nice sheen.

The Ol’ #98

By James E. Webber

Christmas is over
And, Oh what a shock!
Santa has to get
More trains in stock.
New Locomotives for
My brother Joe,
Coal Cars, Gondolas,
Trains from B&O.
Red Caboose, Toulouse,
Trains out in the snow.
Waiting for the moment,
To see the trains go.
Trains of every color,
Trains of every kind.
Standing on the overpass,
Hear the engines whine.
Trestles, and Vessels,
Tunnels in the rain,
Vistas with silos,
Joe’s picture by the train.
Circus cars, Cattle Cars,
Over Head Cranes.
Spent the whole day,
Waiting on the trains.
CSX, which ones next,
Trains on every spur.
Triple Track, Circle back,
Mark down where they were?
East Bound, West Bound,
Watch for every signal.
A whistle blows and there she goes,
A train goes up the middle.
Freights that haul, in every stall,
And Trains that haul the loot.
Extra Wides, Double Sides,
Cutting Yards to Boot.
Freight trains, Pullmans,
Trains we’ve ridden twice.
Gare d’ les to Ramstein,
The Ice was very nice.
Just take a ride,
And you decide,
Which train is best?
Big and Tall, the line haul,
You know all the rest.
Rerailers, derailers,
Cutter yards and Stations.
Round houses, switch tracks,
Sides for short durations.
Eating in the Diner Car
The food is very good,
I would own this very train
If I thought I could.
I think we’ve tracked down trains
In every town, and nation.
I will be so very glad
When We get to the Station.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

Our Mother was a multi-talented individual, but then, who's Mother was'nt. She could cook, sew, garden, decorate, you name it. There was little she could not do. This is one of the many recipes she used and it is great.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

Ingredients
3 cups white sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon butter

Directions
1. Butter one 9x9 inch pan.

2. Combine the sugar, evaporated milk and cocoa in heavy bottom saucepan. Stir over high heat until mixture comes to a rolling boil. Lower heat to medium and continue cooking to a soft ball stage between 234 and 240 degrees F on a Candy Thermometer. Be sure Thermometer does not touch the bottom of the saucepan.

3. Remove from heat, add peanut butter and butter. Beat by hand until creamy; pour into prepared pan. Allow to cool and cut into squares.

Planting Time

Planting Time
By James E. Webber
04 Feb 2010

The Ground Hog Saw his Shadow
Six more weeks, he said,
Spring time will be coming soon,
And flowers start to spread.

So till the soil, and rest it,
Set some new bulbs out.
Springs just around the corner,
When seeds will start to sprout.

Plant some yellow pansies,
Some tulips in a row.
And they will pop their heads up,
Just before you know!

So fill your heart with laughter,
And just don’t mind the snow.
That melts to add the water,
That makes the flowers grow.

James E. Webber
04 Feb 2010

A Tiny Lump of Coal

A Tiny Lump of Coal

I would like to fill your stocking,
But the bad news I’ve been told.
That you have been kinda naughty,
So all you get is Coal.

If I use the honor system,
And you choose to share your soul,
Your Bear can be your witness,
That you’ve been good as gold.

When eating at the table,
Don’t let your meal get cold.
Mind your table manners,
Sit straight, don’t tip the bowl.

Just listen to your Mother,
Let goodness be your goal.
Always share with others,
And do what you‘ve been told.

Just hang your biggest stocking,
Secured so it can hold.
A lot of Christmas goodies,
And a tiny lump of coal.
OSC
James E. Webber
05 Feb. 2010

Pecan Pralines

MICROWAVE PECAN PRALINES
2 c. sugar (all white or 1 white & 1 brown)
1 sm. can Pet milk
3 tbsp. butter
1 1/2 c. pecans
2 tsp. vanilla
Put all ingredients except vanilla in large glass bowl. Cook in microwave on high for 12 minutes. Remove from microwave and add vanilla. Beat for a few minutes. Spoon onto wax paper which has been placed over a wet towel. let set until dry and firm, then remove.

Please Be Careful, this gets very HOT!

Grace Please,
OSC

Hershey's Original Fudge Recipe

Hershey's Chocolate Fudge
Original Old Recipe

2/3 c. cocoa
3 c. sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1 c. evaporated milk
1/4 c. butter1 tsp. vanilla

Combine cocoa, sugar and salt in large saucepan. Add milk gradually. Mix very good. Bring to a 'Bubbly' boil on high heat, stirring continuously. Reduce without stirring until temperature reaches a temperature a 232 degrees on candy thermometer.
Remove from heat, add vanilla and butter. Do not stir. Cool until 110 degrees at room temperature. Beat until it loses some of the gloss. Pour in greased pan or dish.
This is the best and you can add pecans if you like.

Pecan Fried Pies

In the Deep South, there is nothing like Fried Pies. Hubig Pies in New Orleans have been a favorite for many years. I have had them with every type filling you can imagine including Pineapple. Recently, I was at home for the holidays, and I had the pleasure of having home made Pecan Fried Pies. Well, it goes without saying they were fantastic, and the crust was great.

Pecan Fried Pies

Filling:
2 Eggs
1 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Light Corn Syrup
1/2 cup Butter
dash of Salt
1 cup Pecans, ground or finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla

Combine ingredients in saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat and Cook until thick.

Crust:
3 Eggs
4 cups Flour
1 cup Vegetable Shortning
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 cup Evaporated Milk

Combine ingredients. Roll out small portions and cut
around a saucer. Add filling, fold over and crimp edges with a fork.
Fry in hot oil.

Excellence Times Two

For the second year in a row, Old Sante Claus, has received the Generals Coin "Award of Excellence" for his contributions to the Moral of the US Soldiers serving in the Republic of Kosovo. The General chose a photo of Ol Sante Claus for his Command Christmas Card and for the back cover of the US Army Soldier Magazine. He was also requested to close the video teleconference to soldiers families in the US. What an honor to receive such recognition and honor.