Iowa AgrAbility

• Comment from Carm
• Holiday traditions and recipes
• Gift ideas
• Holiday plant traditions
• Personal moment: Carol Mack

• 1 1/2 # ground pork
• 5# potatoes salt, pepper
• 1 # ground chuck
• 2 onions

Mix pork and beef well and put in container. Grind potatoes and onions (they get a little dark). Salt and pepper to taste. Mix 1 part meat mixture to 2 parts potato and onion mixture. Mix well with hands and stuff into casings. Put two rounded parts into a sprayed cake pan. Should make 2 cake pans. Put 1 1/2 C. water in pan, and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr. (After first 15 minutes, prick skins with fork.)

CHOCOLATE FUDGE BARS

• 12 oz. chocolate chips
• 1 can Eagle Brand Milk
• 3 tbsp margarine
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Melt over hot water. Add 3/4 C chopped pecans. Mix. Set-aside.

Dough

• 1 C margarine
• 2 C brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 C flour
• 3 C oatmeal
• 1 tsp soda, salt, vanilla

Mix to form dough. Press 2/3 of dough in bottom of cookie sheet with sides. Put chocolate mixture on top. Spread evenly. Put other 1/3 of dough by tablespoons on top of chocolate mixture. Spread as well as you can - it should be thin. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Very rich, so cut small pieces.

--Marlene Grimm: A favorite recipe is:

CRANBERRY SALAD

• 2 small boxes raspberry jello (can use sugar free)
• 2 C boiling water
• 1 1/2 C sugar (can substitute Equal)
• 1 bag fresh or frozen cranberries
• 1 lb. can crushed pineapple
• 3 apples, peeled
• 1/2 C chopped pecans

Dissolve jello in boiling water. Add sugar. Grind berries and chop apples. Add to jello with rest of ingredients. Refrigerate.

--Mary Yearns: This holiday season can be sad times, as well as joyous occasions. Mary's brothers and sisters and their families have developed some "new" traditions. Mary writes, "after our parents died, because we can't go back to the big house on the farm in southern Iowa for the annual Holiday celebration (now that renters are living in the house), we pick a new place each year to visit as a family group. Last year it was the Hotel in Perry. This year it's a Nebraska State Park lodge west of Omaha. Although we each bring a few favorite holiday treats to munch on, we let others do the cooking so we can enjoy visiting, exchanging gifts and having fun. Instead of mourning the loss of the old, we celebrate the joy of something new. We always have a 'John Holt (my Dad) Memorial Card Game' to remember how much my parents enjoyed having us together for fun times."

CRANBERRY CHEESE BREAD (a favorite recipe of Mary's)

• 2 C flour
• 1 C sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp shortening
• 2 tsp orange peel
• 3/4 C juice from one orange (add water if needed to make 3/4 C)
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 C halved cranberries
• 1/2 C chopped walnuts
• 1 1/2 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese (6 ounces)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom of 9-inch loaf pan. Mix dry ingredients together in mixing bowl. Cut in shortening. Grate peel from one orange, then juice the orange to make 3/4 C liquid (add water, if needed). Beat one egg. Cut cranberries into halves. Add remaining ingredients and stir vigorously about 30 seconds, until dry ingredients are thoroughly moistened. Pour into pan. Bake until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 60 to 70 minutes. Cool slightly; loosen sides of loaf from pan; remove from pan. Cool completely before slicing. To store, wrap and refrigerate no longer than 1 week.

--Lorrie Long: Lorrie is currently living with her daughter so her favorite gingerbread boy recipe is packed away. Lorrie said, "every year during the Thanksgiving holiday, my three children and I baked and decorated gingerbread boys and girls and then put them in the freezer. When our tree was decorated--usually about a week before holiday season-we hung the gingerbread children. My kids still remember making and hanging the gingerbread 'boys' ( and they would sometimes even eat the dusty things after the holiday had passed!!)"

--Daniel Kernen: I am not sure what this recipe is really called, but we call it Uncle Bill's Christmas salad. He is the one in our family that found it and the first to bring it to a family meal.

• 1 can pineapple, drain
• 1 can cherry pie filling
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz)
• 1 large container whipped topping
• 1/2 cup nuts
• 1 tsp cherry flavoring

Mix thoroughly - chill. To prepare as a desert, put in a graham cracker crust; then serve chilled, as a pie.

--Carmen Schacht: I am the oldest of 5 children, so I got in on a lot of rides on Christmas Eve while "Santa" put out the gifts. One year Santa left bicycles for my sister and me. We came running into the house and I said, "I get the red one!" It so happened that both of them were red. Now that we are all older, we don't do much gift giving, as such, but we each try to buy gifts for those less fortunate.

MICROWAVE PEANUT BRITTLE (A favorite recipe of Carm's which she says is "fast and easy")

• 1 C. sugar
• 1/2 C white syrup
• 1 C. roasted peanuts
• l tsp vanilla
• l tsp butter
• l tsp soda

Put sugar and syrup into a 2 quart microwave bowl. Microwave on high 3 1/2 minutes. Stir every 1 1/2 minutes. Add peanuts and microwave 3 1/2 minutes. Stir every 1 1/2 minutes. Add vanilla and butter. Microwave 1 1/2 minutes. Add soda and immediately put on greased metal baking pan to cool.

--Faye Walter: Faye particularly likes to make Chex Mix, Oyster Crackers, and traditional sugar cookies, but her favorite cookie is:

CHERRY WHINKS

• 1/3 C Shortening
• 1/2 C sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 tsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 C flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. soda
• 1/2 C dates
• 1 1/2 C Wheaties

Mix shortening, sugar and egg. Stir in milk and vanilla. Blend dry ingredients together. Mix in dates and nuts. Drop by teaspoon into Wheaties. Roll gently so balls are completely coated. Put 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet. Put 1/2 piece of Maraschino Cherries on top. Bake 10-20 minutes at 375 degrees.

SALSA DIP

• 1 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 jar Salsa (your choice)

Mix well. Use as a dip for tortilla chips or vegetables.

GIFT IDEAS

Better Tools for Everyday Tasks (excerpts taken from article written by Donna K. Donald, ISU Extension Field Specialist)

Do you still have some last minute holiday shopping to do? Have you run out of clever ideas? Consider giving gifts of better tools for everyday tasks. Products with universal design features make tasks easier for everyone because they accommodate a wide range of abilities. These will also continue to meet the needs of features are convenient, comfortable and safe. They are attractive and appealing for all users, not just persons with disabilities. Here are some examples:

-toilet tissue holder that can be slipped in place using one hand.

-shampoo/soap dispenser with two or three chambers

-night light that can be turned on with a touch.

-Good Grips measuring cups and spoons, paring knife, and vegetable peeler.

-duster with telescope handle,

-dustpan with long handle.

-phone with large buttons,

-Fiskars soft grip scissors,

-clock with bold numbers.

-Good Grips garden trowel

-E-Z read rain gauge,

-Snake rake

For each of these products, there is the traditional design and the universal design. The universal design items are now readily available in many discount and department stores. The shopper just needs to be alert to looking for those better tools for everyday tasks.

Check the Iowa AgrAbility website or contact Lorrie Long, AgrAbility Program Specialist (515-294-8522) for additional suggestions, prices, and sources for purchasing items:

www.exnet.iastate.edu/Pages/housing/home-all-ages/assistive- devices.html

HOLIDAY PLANT TRADITIONS (Cindy Haynes, ISU Extension horticulturist)

Excerpts taken from article found on web site: http://www.extension.iastte.edu/newsre

"Christmas trees", poinsettias and mistletoe are but a few of the plants that are cherished each holiday season. But how did these plants become important to the holiday?

"Christmas Tree" There are several legends concerning the origins of the "Christmas tree." The tree tradition is older than Christianity and not exclusive to any one religion. In the 16th century, Martin Luther was credited with decorating the first indoor tree. He was so impressed with an evergreen forest on a starry night that he brought a tree home and decorated it with candles. The tree tradition was brought to the United States by German immigrants and Hessian soldiers that were paid to fight the colonists in the Revolutionary War. They cut down evergreen trees from nearby forests and decorated them for Christmas. Franklin Pierce, our 14th President, brought the tradition to the White House. In 1882 in New York, Edward Johnson, a colleague of Thomas Edison, was the first to use electric bulbs to light a Christmas tree. More than 40 years later, President Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the White House lawn, firmly entrenching the tradition of a lighted tree for the holiday.

"Poinsettias" are a relative newcomer to the American Holiday tradition. The poinsettia, a native of Mexico, was brought to Europe by Franciscan priests after the Spanish conquests. The colorful flowers were used in their nativity processions. The story goes that a poor Mexican child brought roadside weeds to the church for decoration since she could not afford anything else. Because her heart was pure, the weeds changed into the beautiful scarlet flowers. Poinsett, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, distributed cuttings to his botanist friends in South Carolina in 1825.

"Mistletoe," a parasitic plant with white berries, has been one of the most sacred plants of European folklore. Mistletoe has long been a symbol with both magical powers and medical properties. Mistletoe was so sacred to the Druids that if two enemies were to meet under it, they had to lay down their weapons and observe a truce until the following day. It was used to ward off evil spirits and prevent the entrance of witches during the Middle Ages. The name mistletoe came from a mistake made long ago. In ancient times it was observed that mistletoe would often arise on tree branches where birds had left droppings. This led to the belief that mistletoe was propagated from bird droppings. "Mistel" is the Anglo-Saxon word for "dung" and "tan" is the word for "twig." It was later found that mistletoe was propagated by seeds instead of spontaneously arising from dung.

The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe began in England. It was believed that kissing under the mistletoe increased the possibility of marriage in the upcoming year. After every kiss, a berry was removed from the bunch and discarded. When the berries were gone, the kissing would stop. Needless to say, plentiful bunches were sought for holiday festivities.

PERSONAL MOMENT - CAROL MACK

Carol lost a 5-year old daughter who had Cerebral Palsy. She sent this very touching poem as her personal response. Carol explained that the first year after a loss of a loved one is the hardest. (CS)

"I'm Spending Christmas with Jesus This Year"

I see the countless Christmas trees

Around the world below

With tiny lights, like heaven's stars

Reflecting on the snow

 

The sight is spectacular,

Please wipe away that tear

For I'm spending Christmas

With Jesus Christ this year.

 

I hear the many Christmas songs

That people hold so dear

But the sounds of music can't compare

With the Christmas choir up here.

For I have no words to tell you

The joy their voices bring,

For it is beyond description

To hear as angels sing.

 

I know how much you miss me,

I see the pain inside your heart

For I'm spending Christmas

With Jesus Christ this year.

 

I can't tell you of the splendor

Or the peace here in this place.

Can you just imagine Christmas

With our Savior, face to face?

 

I'll ask Him to light your spirit

As I tell Him of your love

So then pray one for another

As you lift your eyes above.

 

So please let your hearts be joyful

And let your spirit sing,

For I'm spending Christmas in heaven

And I'm walking with the King. Author Unknown

 

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A MESSAGE OF HOPE - Wendy Wintersteen, Director, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension, ISU

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Let's be blunt:

We have a serious crisis in agriculture in this state. Commodity prices are low and no one knows when they will rebound. Many farm families are showing the strain of financial losses, and some are losing hope -- losing hope of a brighter future. And many of us are feeling the strain.

I have hope. My purpose in writing you today is to ask you to maintain your hope and faith in Iowa farm families, and their creativity, intelligence and persistence, and maintain hope in yourselves, as well.

The value of hope is simply this: Hope allows us to continue to search for solutions -- it gives us the energy to carry on -- it allows us to expect that our efforts might make things a little bit better.

There is nothing wrong with analyzing problems, if in that deep analysis we find solutions, or new ideas, or better understanding. But if we analyze problems to destroy any chance of hope in our future, we will only get stuck in depression, utter pessimism, and complete hopelessness.

One way to keep hope alive when dealing with your own issues or another's, is to ask questions like this: What could I do right now to improve things? What could you do right now to improve things?

When you ask them (or yourself) to focus on solutions instead of problems, you begin to re-build hope. When you ask them to consider what little or big thing that they could do to change things, you remind them of their own creativity and ability to influence things, and you re-build hope. When you ask them to focus on the present, you engage them in this moment and the potential of this moment to change the future.

Sometimes, listening to others and letting them completely express their feelings and concerns is the most valuable thing one can do. The Iowa Concern Hotline specializes in this art.

Sometimes, helping others by referring them to an Extension program like the Farm Financial Planning Program is the most appropriate response.

Sometimes, an outside group, or agent (like a friend, counselor or Pastor) may need to be called in to help.

Every person is unique and special, and their response to their circumstance will undoubtedly be unique. Each of us should do our best to gracefully adapt to each situation. By maintaining a bit of hope and a bit of faith, I sincerely feel that we can assist others in a constructive fashion and allow change to occur in a more positive manner.

Be kind to yourselves, and remember to re-awaken "hope" in those that have momentarily forgotten their own abilities and their own inner supply.

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IOWA AGRABILITY - A joint effort of Iowa State University Extension and the Farm Family Rehabilitation Management (FaRM) Program of Iowa Easter Seals. The program can help farm family members with a disability stay in farming.

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This electronic newsletter from the Iowa AgrAbility Project will be sent monthly to AgrAbility families and other interested individuals. Please send comments and suggestions to:

E-mail: agrability@exnet.iastate.edu

Phone: Iowa State University Answerline at 1-800-262-3804

TDD: 1-800-854-1658. Web site: www.exnet.iastate.edu/Pages/housing/other/agrability

...and justice for all. The Iowa Cooperative Extension Service's programs and policies are consistent with pertinent federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, and disability.

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