If and, and, Rhubarb

     If

If I were Will Rodgers, I would read the newspapers and write something humorous.  If I were Erma Bombeck, I would generate laughter. Mother
always wanted me to be like Erma.
   If I were an intellectual I would explain nationalism, populism and anarchy.  I would tell my friends why the electoral college is as important today as it was when the constitution was written.
   If I were an activist I would solve the health care system problem.  Everyone would agree on what is best for patients, doctors, hospitals and gasp-insurance companies.
   If I were a philanthropist I would have a special day to throw $100 bills as I drove along in my Cadillac.  (I’m for American made.)
  If I were a child I would play Hide and Seek instead of tiring my thumbs with electronics.  I would fly a kite, go sled riding (not enough snow for that.)
   If I were a politician I would strive to be a statesman.
   But I am just an old woman praying for the humorists, the intellectuals, the activists, the politicians, the philanthropist and the children. 

   Then there are recipes.  Spring with fresh rhubarb is just around the corner.  (My rhubarb and strawberries came from the deepfreeze).  Enjoy.

        Rhubarb Strawberry Crisp
2 cups chopped rhubarb
2 cups strawberries
¾ cup packed B.; sugar
½ cup flour
½ cup rolled oats
¾ t. cinnamon
¾ t. nutmeg
1/3 cup melted butter
Grease 8 by 8 baking pan.  Add rhubarb and strawberries.  Combine remaining ingredients and spread on top of fruit.  Bake at 375 for 30 minutes. 

Just the right amount of rhubarb tang!

Easter, food, the house

   How many days till Easter?  Easter when the house should be clean, the weather beautiful, the food plentiful and the children  coming home. 
   Don’t we wish.  Let’s take this in stages.  If the children are coming home, there is much to be done.  Start with the dining room table; mine seats 8 -10 comfortably.  I have had more white linen tablecloths than I knew what to do with; have given some of them away and still have two nice ones. 
   I wanted bright runners down the middle of the white linens.  At a recent luncheon I got my idea.  The tables at that luncheon were covered with bright plastic cloths.  Folded they would make perfect runners.  Problem solved. 

   If your linens have spots and are stuck away in a back cupboard, you have time to get them out and restore them.  Here is how.
   Biz is an oxygen bleach of years past.  I think it is still possible to find it in the stores.  My half a box has been on the shelf for years.
   Soak linens in a solution of water and Biz.  Then fold each linen in a strip of dry cotton sheet and then put it in a big plastic bag.  (I recall when if I ran out of ironing time, I put the dampened clothes in a big plastic bag and put that in the deepfreeze. When I ironed again the frozen clothes softened for a little while and ironed beautifully.) The trick would be in finding that large plastic bag.
   These directions call for the bag to be refrigerated for 3 days or so; remove the still wet linens and iron.  They will look starched and perfect.
  For my center piece I will arrange a Longaberger basket  with small pots of live herbs; parsley, chives, basil.  These are available in the supermarket as live, potted herbs.  Wonderful favors to hand out to the girls after the meal is over. 
   Now the menu.  Each family has its own holiday favorites.  We must have noodles and  home-made dinner rolls. Once we made our noodles, but those days are gone.   This year I’m doing ham loaves. At a recent Reminisce Luncheon at Union Co. Public Library attendees were served individual ham loaves.  Delicious! The recipe came from a cookbook by Jean McCormick.  Here it is.
                                     Ham Loaf
5 lbs ham loaf mix
1 (No. 2) can crushed pineapple
6 Tbsp. Brown sugar
2 cup bread crumbs
1 tsp. dry mustard
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  Mix well and make into desired size loaves.  Bake 1 ½ hours at 350.  Serves 25.            Basting Sauce to be applied while loaves are cooking
1 ½ cup brown sugar              2 Tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. dry mustard                   2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. cornstarch                     1 ½ cups water.
  Cook until thick, then baste the loaves. 
 For desert I am going to serve lemon bars and angel food cake with 7 minute frosting.
                                   Lemon Bars
2 cups flour                                          4 Tbsp. flour
½ cup P. sugar                                      6 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
½ cup melted butter                              1 teaspoon baking powder
4 eggs                                                    Extra P. sugar
2 cups sugar
  Combine 2 cups flour, ½ cup P. sugar,and butter. Press into a 9by13 inch pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until slightly golden.  Beat eggs and gradually add sugar.  Beat well.  Add   remaining flour, lemon juice and baking powder.  Pour over baked crust and return to oven for 25 minutes until golden.  When cool dust with P. sugar.  Cut into squares.

  
       If only getting the house clean was so easy.