Vol. 2, No. 12 -- December 2000

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IN THIS EDITION:
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CARM'S COMMENTS: Carmen Schacht

Is this a favorite time of year or a difficult time for you? It seems that this season of the year is steeped in traditions. For some it is a good time of the year and for some it seems to be a hard time.

I guess I am one who believes that we shouldn't get so caught up in the hustle, bustle and extravagance of the season--rushing about and trying to find the "perfect" gift for, oh, so many people--that we fail to enjoy the spirit of the season. Love can be expressed through simple, inexpensive gifts or by taking the time to share with family and friends.

I was talking to a young neighbor lady the other day and mentioned that I supposed they were getting ready for the holidays and I asked if her shopping was done since she has two young boys. She said that they didn't do much shopping. She and the oldest boy would be making a gift for "Daddy." It amazed me to hear her say this. If only more people would try to do this; it would make the holiday season so much easier. We could all relax and enjoy the holiday.

We who are associated with AgrAbility would like to wish each of you a blessed, peaceful, meaningful holiday season. Several of the leaders of AgrAbility Friends and Family will share some of their favorite traditions and recipes. You can read their "stories" and see their pictures on our AgrAbility web site at www.extension.iastate.edu/agrability/friends-and- family.html (CS)

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-Warren Koch is a leader of AgrAbility Friends and Family in southeast Iowa. He really likes food, according to his sister. Warren would like to share one of his favorite foods of the holiday.

Boil until syrup threads. Pour half of mixture over 2 beaten egg whites. Let other half boil until hard ball stage. Add to other mixture and beat. Add vanilla. Spoon on to waxed paper.

-Carla Jones is an AgrAbility Friends and Family leader in northwest Iowa. Carla has three young children. The family likes to make and bake cut-out cookies.

Add the flour mixture to this. Refrigerate two hours. Roll out and cut. Bake at 400 degrees 4-6 minutes. Frosting: Use milk, powdered sugar and food coloring.

--Tracy Keninger who is the Director of the FaRM Easter Seals Program would, also, like to share a cut-out recipe-- from her grandmother. They used to make two batches of these every December for the holiday season. As a child Tracy especially liked to decorate them with frosting and LOTS of sprinkles.

Add eggs to creamed mixture. Sift dry ingredients. Add to other mixture. Refrigerate dough four hours. Roll out and cut with cookie cutters. Bake 375 12 - 15 minutes.

-Carol and LeRoy Haberl are leaders of AgrAbility Friends and Family west central Iowa. Carol said that these cookies are always made during the holiday season in her mother's family, but the recipe has never been written down. So, here goes Carol's version.

Mix butter, cream and vanilla together. Add 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 1/2 cups coconut. Add more powered sugar until you can form a ball but it is sticky enough for coconut to stick to. Make balls the size of walnuts. Roll in remaining coconut. Press a nut half on top with enough force to flatten it half way. If you like dates, you can form the dough around the date and then roll in coconut. At Easter you can make these and put miniature jelly beans on top. RICH! DELICIOUS!

Melt cheese and oleo in microwave. Stir in vanilla and cocoa. Mix in powdered sugar. Pour into 9 x 13 pan that has been sprayed.

-Sandy Strum is a leader of AgrAbility Friends and Family in Story County. She says that the whole holiday season is a tradition in their family. They always get their tree over Thanksgiving weekend.

Sandy says, "For 26 years, until a couple of years ago, we went out and chopped down a tree. Now, because it is nearly impossible for me to do this [Sandy has MS], we go to a lot in town.

"Buying for 12 siblings would be impossible, so the kids draw names and try to keep whose name they have drawn a secret. There are programs at school and church.

"Probably what everyone in our family looks forward to most is getting together with grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins Christmas Eve and Christmas day, alternating between Christmas Eve and Christmas day with Lon's [Sandy's husband] family and my family. Because of the size of our family, we have both events at our house. We are lucky to have a house big enough to host these gatherings.

-Ron Bradley is a leader of AgrAbility Friends and Family in southeast Iowa. Ron and Flora were married in the Philippines last September. Ron said that when they went back to the Philippines in November to get their nine-year- old son, Michael, everything was bright colors and in full swing for the holiday season. The Filipinos wet some of their trees or bushes with water and then shred soap all over them to make it look like snow. They, also, make paper stars with lights inside. It takes hours to make the paper stars; they are beautiful--a work of art. The stars cost about $1.00 in U.S. money. Many of the Filipinos are Roman Catholic and celebrate the holiday season until January.

Ron says, "Next year we will be celebrating the holiday season with all of Flora's family in the Philippines. On our last visit, we took 280 pounds of donated clothing (most coming from Goodwill and Salvation Army). The Filipinos love whatever they receive—that makes the holiday season for them. They are a very close family unit."

Ron also would like to share A Recipe for Happiness that came from his grandma. It reminds him of her.

1 cup of smiles spread along the way.
1 package of thoughtfulness in what you do and say.
6 cups of unselfishness.
1 peck of faith and prayer.
Fold in patience, doing good deeds with care.
Bake in moderate oven - it may be awhile,
but with all of God's blessings,
you'll have happiness with a smile.

Sheri was recently hired as a Rural Rehab Specialist by the Easter Seals FaRM program. She is helping Tracy Keninger and Chuck Larson visit AgrAbility consumers. Her territory of coverage is the eastern half of Iowa.

Sherry worked as an intern with the Easter Seals FaRM program the summer of 1998. Then came Fall 1998 when she graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. She worked in a different program at Easter Seals between January 1999 and November 15, 2000, when she was hired to her current position.

Sheri says, "I have always had an interest in farming as my grandparents farm near Adair." Welcome to our AgrAbility family, Sheri! (LL)

Some excellent ideas for fun activities remembering and telling stories at your holiday family gathering can be found at this web address: www.extension.iastate.edu/newsrel/2000/nov00/nov0008.ht ml (LL)

2001 Farm Family Enrichment Conference: February 2-4, at University Park Holiday Inn, West Des Moines.

The conference will address the challenges of building – and maintaining – a successful family farm business. Featured topics will explore new options for family businesses and how to make a transition plan from one generation to the next, as well as methods to enrich family "people skills" including the marital and parental relationship.

For more information and registration details, contact Tracy Keninger (515-289-1933 x251), Lorrie Long (515-294- 8522), or access www.agriculture.com/sfonline/ffec/index.html (TK)

IOWA AGRABILITY - A joint effort of Iowa State University Extension and the Farm Family Rehabilitation Management (FaRM) Program of Easter Seals Iowa. 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.