monday's mulling: christmas spirit

In western Chicago, there is a preschool which provides educational programs for children with multiple disabilities - physical disabilities, health impairments, autism, severe/profound cognitive impairments and developmental delays. This school is specifically structured to help children with their milestones and struggles early on. 64% of the students are low income and 75% have IEPs (Individualized Education Plans). These young people have started their lives with some big strikes against them but in this building are the teachers who give their all, their hearts, to these children every day. This small school in the Chicago Public School system offers big services to give children a strong start in their education. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is not financially sound. This where some Christmas angels step in to help one little school.

My daughter and son-in-law’s company has adopted this school and every year before the children go on their holiday break, through the employees’ generosity as well as that of friends, family, and the corporate office, they bring toys to each student and provide funds to the school and teachers for technology and classroom supplies. This year my daughter invited us to come to the school to watch the festivities.

My son-in-law dressed up as Santa and almost every child walked up to him to receive his or her gift. Some were timid, some were quite confident, some were downright scared but each child, regardless of the confidence level received a gift. After they got back to their seat, they opened their bag and smiles lit up the room.

Children and Christmas…it’s pure joy.

the way we were

Memories

Light the corners of my mind

Misty watercolor memories 

Of the way we were…

A little blast from the past, when there were words and not symbols. These walk/don't walk signs haven't been replaced by the contemporary universal stick figures and I hope they don't. They fit the charm of this older neighborhood.

 

the friday feed: grandpa's cheese barn

Just off of I-71 in Ashland Ohio, you will see signs for Grandpa's Cheesebarn, a premier destination for meats, cheeses, sweets and more. Founded in 1978, Grandpa’s Cheesebarn has beckoned travelers for decades. Not surprisingly, the Cheesebarn’s selection of cheese is phenomenal. The store carries about 200 varieties of cheese, and many of the domestic cheeses come from Ohio’s Amish Country.

On our last visit to Cleveland we stopped by Grandpa's Cheesebarn to buy some Christmas gifts. The employees encourage samples of any cheese you want to try and one we tried was called Steakhouse Onion Soup. It was a bite of French onion soup and of course we bought some to take home. Grandpa's private label pickles are delicious and we like the sweet hot habanero pickles. Stopping here is not a quick trip. So much to see and sample. We savor the experience!

Quirky Ohio

Go visit Grandpa’s Cheese Barn

Lots of shopping fun!

needlepoint

Back in the early 1980s I was working, a newlywed, enjoyed doing counted cross stitch, and loved Christmas. I saw this kit and it really caught my eye. It was needlepoint which was different but at the same time very similar to counted cross stitch. It took a while to make the decision to buy it and then it became one of those projects where I picked it up, worked on it for a while, and then put it away for a while. It became a true work in progress. 1984 came around and I became a mom and the needlepoint stayed in its drawer until...

2020. 

Yep, 36 years later the pandemic shut the world down and there was lots of time todo some serious house cleaning - going through "stuff," doing some purging, and even finishing a long forgotten project. The frame completed the piece in July 2021.

And now, even though this is a "new" piece of Christmas wall art, it has become a favorite holiday tradition.

wednesday's words and wanderings and wonderings

Last week we were taking in the sights and sounds of Christmas in New York City. As we settled into the back-home routine on Sunday, Todd asked me what some of my most memorable moments were. One of the moments was a meal at Rezdôra, a small Italian restaurant in the Flatiron neighborhood. The menu celebrates the cuisine of Emilia Romagna and centers around the house-made pasta. As I perused the menu, one item spoke to me, Grandma Walking Through Forest in Emilia. I could not pass that up...it had me at Grandma. The description is cappelletti verde with roasted, sauteed leeks and black mushroom puree. Absolutely delicious.

Other memorable moments include a Chinese foot massage (heavenly), the Macy's windows, the Rockettes 100th Anniversary Christmas Spectacular, the pedal cars blaring ad nauseum "Last Christmas" or "All I Want for Christmas Is You" or "Wonderful Christmastime" as they busk to take people for a ride, The Eleven Tears Memorial, and the tradition of having a Manhattan in Manhattan. 

Now it's time to hit the Christmas shopping. The family uses Gift Hero, an online list maker where you go to a person's list, point and click on the items you want to give, and then wait for the gift to arrive at your doorstep. It's so convenient. Some people love to go shopping in the stores. Not me. I don't like dealing with crowds for too long and I sure don't like the parking lots. So many idiot drivers out there.

The kids have sent Christmas photos of the grandkids. The sweetness of a Christmas photo after telling ChatGPT to make it "Polar Express style" and then the terrified kid on Santa's lap. Everyone will be in Dayton for Christmas. Busy days ahead!

the tree of lights

Dayton's iconic Tree of Light tradition began in 2015 when Dayton History transformed the Deeds Carillon into a 200-foot (60.69 m) light display for the first time. I remember seeing the tree for the first time, how it filled my heart with wonder and joy, and now ten years later it still does.

Last night was a brisk 27° as the sun's last rays set on the horizon. The bells rang Christmas carols - "Silver Bells", "O Christmas Tree" - as a couple with their dog and I strolled around the grounds. Such a moment of peace.

monday's mulling: the remedy and last week's friday feed

Welcome to the Friday Feed on Monday! Yes, it's a few days late and I was going to post it on Friday but it just didn't fit in with all the New York posts. You'll get a double-dose this week. Aren't you thrilled?

One of the joys of working at the farmer's market is the customers like to talk about what they're going to make with their produce purchases. A few years ago a woman came in, went to the field to pick some some cayenne peppers, and bought ten heads of garlic and a large onion. She then asked if we knew where to find fresh horseradish because that was the last ingredient she needed to make "The Remedy."

"The Remedy? Please explain."

The Remedy is an old recipe from her great-grandma which had been passed down to her via her mom and is touted as a home remedy to help ward off winter colds, flu cases, and could help settle the stomach. Today one of the names this concoction is known by is fire cider but I like The Remedy. It's a natural, old-fashioned tonic that has been passed down through generations. A couple weeks later she brought a copy of the recipe in and a sample for us to taste. Read the instructions. It is an old recipe. "Start on the first day of new moon. Shake everyday. Strain through cheese cloth on day of full moon." In other words, let it steep for two weeks.

Each of the ingredients has health benefits:

Ginger - aids digestion, reduces nausea and inflammation, and provides antioxidant protection. 

Cayenne pepper: the capsacin boosts metabolism to aid weight loss, reduces pain, supports cardiovascular health, improves digestion, provides beneficial antioxidants, vitamins C and A, and other nutrients such as B6, K, potassium, and magnesium.

Garlic: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Horseradish: supports digestion, boosts the immune system, fights inflammation, and clears nasal congestion.

Onions: support heart health, boost the immune system, improve gut and bone health, and contain compounds that help reduce inflammation, fight bacteria, lower "bad" cholesterol, and regulate blood pressure. 

Before the farm closed for the season, I went to the field and picked some cayenne peppers and bought some garlic and an onion. I couldn't find fresh horseradish so I bought a jar of St. Elmo's coarse cut horseradish. It cleared my sinuses when I took a whiff!

And, per the recipe's instructions, on the day of the new moon, October 21, one-by-one I put each ingredient in my food processor to chop them up. The cayennes made my eyes burn, as did the onion, the garlic packed a punch, and the ginger smelled so fresh. I dumped each ingredient in a gallon jar and poured 3+ bottles of Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar over those fiery flavors. 14 days later on November 3, The Remedy was ready to be strained. 

After waking up, I put a couple tablespoons of this potent potion in a large glass, fill it with water, and sometimes add a touch of honey to take away the bite. Cheers!

Vinegar’s sharp bite

Garlic, ginger, onion, heat

Health in every drop.