FAMILY: Remembering Mama

Velma Mae Hascall Cross

Later years, mom didn't like to have her picture taken so much.  Thanks to Kyong Hui.... my lovely sister in law who I believe may have talked her into this one. 

There are so many things to remember, how she loved to do her "handywork"  Knitting, crocheting, sewing, quilting, embroidery.  It was sad when she couldn't see well enough to do a lot of it... and the arthritis in her hands kept her from creating the beautiful things that she would always "put away for good"  How I hate that phrase, but it was a sign of that generation.  Don't break out the new stuff until you have totally worn the old stuff to rags. 

Mom loved to write... she would keep her diaries, and write poems.  She loved to write down lyrics to her favorite songs, and that was a great view into the things that she really felt deeply.  Each time I come across something she "put down" on paper...  I love to see her handwriting.  She learned to write when it was an actual part of your schooling.  PENMANSHIP...  now the schools want to do away with cursive writing... what are they thinking. 

I miss her every day. 

This is one of her poems that she "put down on paper"  I cannot find where it is copied from anywhere else, I believe it to be her original work. 

  Just Life and Motherhood

by Velma Hascall Cross

I am unlike a mother Robin

When babies grow and leave the nest. 

For she has time from spring to spring

To do nothing but rest. 

To raise two families of children

Is just a hard old row to hoe

For poor old mother

Is always on the go. 

She wishes just for some time

To call her very own.

To just sit and read and daydream.

Just some time to be alone.

But I love being a mother

Also my husband's wife,

Rewards you reap (their love)

For such is Motherhood and Life.

I will never see one of these that I don't think of my mom! She had a whole flock of them that she fed with an old metal bucket full of wheat. Mama and all the tiny topknot babies just bobbing along like chickens. Today is the anniversary of her passing, and although I'm sad, she gave me so many good skills and hopefully some common sense that I can't be too overwrought. The best tribute to someone who is gone is to remember the good things and live your life. I SO empathize with Mary Ann Low s post.... what we wouldn't give for just one more hug, or one more conversation. I am a little crazy because I have one sided conversations with mom all the time. Just the way it is.





HUGE Diamond Rio fan....  This makes the rounds of the social media, saying it was never released since it is "controversial".   NOT true. 
Enjoy! 

https://youtu.be/6uUwpnLlmrE

CAST IRON: Making Of A Main Dish D.O.G. Logs

CAST IRON:  Making Of A Main Dish  D.O.G. Logs

Every year it is a challenge to come up with a dish that will leave you totin' home an EMPTY Dutch Oven.  This year I jokingly called the dish D.O.G. Logs.  (short for Dutch Oven Gathering, not the 4 legged variety)  To me, the biggest compliment to the cook is an empty pot.  Not a crumb left!!  Any honors or prizes are just icing on the cake so to speak. 


Start off with a 2:1 mix of burger and sausage.  I used organic grass fed beef and Hill Meat Breakfast Sausage.  3 lbs. of one,  and 1 1/2 pounds of the other. 

Burger and Sausage in a BIG @SS BOWL!!

Then chop up 2 large green bell peppers, and 2 large yellow onions.

Here is where you can get creative with other additives (hot peppers, spices etc....    I use the KISS principle... Keep It Simple Stupid... LOL!

Next toss in a half pound of seasoned croutons of your choice.  (Stovetop envelopes in the LARGE size (yes Costco)  And 10 eggs.  I love my egg lady.  Free range organic chicken eggs with the nice YELLOW yolks... not the anemic looking eggs from the big producers. 



I got busy and almost forgot to take a picture of these beauties from Rare Ruby Homestead. 

Next begin mixing the ingredients, taking care not to OVER mix.  Just enough to combine everything evenly through.   It is tempting if you've had a hard day to take the troubles out on the loaves, but it only makes them tough.  Save it for the bread!! 

Next is the bacon weave.  Most of us practiced it in elementary school with colored paper.  Place 6 strips of bacon on a large strip of wax paper.  Weave 6 strips across the opposite direction.  Take the meat mixture in handfuls and smoosh (technical term) the meat mixture on top of the bacon weave making it about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick.  Take a brick of Cheddar (LOVE Tillamook) and make a long 1x1 inch (or larger) strip of cheese to load the center of the loaf. 



Pick up the edge of the wax paper and begin to make your roll (similar to a jellyroll)  When you are finished rolling, tuck the loose bacon ends into end of the roll, patting until the roll is even and uniform.  I placed LARGE celery ribs in the bottom of the oiled oven hollow side down.  Celery adds some flavor and keeps the rolls off the bottom of the Dutch.  Some of the lesser grinds of burger could leave you with a soupy/greasy bottom of the oven.  Give the loaves some air space between so the heat can circulate. 

A 16" Dutch will hold 3 of these rolls.  I placed the 4th roll in a 12" and plunked (technical term) it on top of the 16".  Load them with briquettes and let it cook for about an hour and 10 minutes.  If it starts smelling "done" before that, give it a check.   

All cooked up and ready for the judges to tie into this gastronomic meat bomb. 

And the judges verdict???  







Flaming Biskit strikes again!!!  Woo Hoo!!  Some of the most legal fun you can have!  

 

Traditions: Springtime = Rendezvous

Traditions:  Springtime = Rendezvous

For the past 16 years, we have enjoyed the annual Wenaha Muzzleloaders Rendezvous.  Deep in the farthest North Eastern corner of Oregon, the Rendezvous is held on the site that used to be the local log mill in Troy, Oregon.  There are several ways to get to Troy, all of them steep and crooked. 

Taken from Flora Grade on 4-10-15 

The mill site is just south and west of the bridge at Troy, on the Wenaha River, just before it joins the Grande Ronde.  After the passing of one of the founding members, "Griz" (Pete Frisby(sp)) the area was officially renamed "Griz Flats"  There is a signpost pointing the way on the west side of the road, just past the Troy bridge. 

Griz Flats is a beautiful spot that holds many years of fond memories for blackpowder families throughout the Northwest.  During quiet times, wildlife is the order of the day.  When the front stuffers load up for matches and Rendezvous, they move off and return as soon as quiet descends.  Traditions.  They give us roots, and even though we may grow wings and fly; the quiet of a beautiful spot full of memories will draw us back time and again. 

Cast Iron: Restoring The Past

I named this page for three of my passions in life.  I love finding and restoring old cast iron to use, using that which has been passed down, and sharing my love of traditional cooking.  I love traditions, passed down, written down or otherwise.  I love my family.  They are all irrevocably entwined. My summer project has been identified. I was so very surprised at how long cast iron can survive the elements. Not unscathed mind you, but I'm hoping with a lot of elbow grease and TLC I can bring her back. BIG BERTHA came home to rest on my deck for the moment. She spent many, many, years and incarnations as I was growing up. A couple of love chips are missing from one edge, and one leg is missing the tip portion. I haven't seen one with this particular style of handle... on the side.... (hmmm or hoop or whatever the loops are called for the bail) Soooo LOTS of scale and rust inside... Not sure the exact age, or how one would figure that out, as I can't see any visible markings on the kettle. I know that she has been on our ranch since the 1950's.... not sure if she was there when my folks bought the place, but mama always called it "my rendering pot". So, using the handy google search, BIG BERTHA looks much like others of her kind. 22 1/2 inches across, 12 inches deep and approximately 12 gallons or so.  Stay tuned as I work away and try to bring her back to glory. 

Traditions: Things We Love From Childhood

Traditions:  Things We Love From Childhood

What is it about mom's kitchen... well one of those things was baking!!  I loved to make the cookies, cakes, pies... dessert was a VERY important part of the meal.  It had to look good, taste good and disappear in short order! 

Mom's Thumbprint Cookies

In search of a cookie: 

For this recipe you will need:

2 cups firmly packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 cup butter

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 tsp. lemon extract

2 cups minute oatmeal

2 cups flour

1 tsp each:

baking soda

sea salt

baking powder

1 lb. your favorite jam

(red jams present better, but if you don't care what the look is, what ever your favorite JAM  not JELLY...  Jelly is too watery when heated. 

Combine the first 5 ingredients and cream together. 

Sift together the dry ingredients and mix with the wet. 

Drop by tablespoon ( I use small 1 oz. scoop with release)

These will spread, so allow room for the cookie to double. 

Make a well with your thumb in the middle of each scoop. 

Take a baggie, fill with jam, squeeze out the air, and carefully seal.  Snip a small corner off with kitchen shears and fill each well with jam.  (excess can easily be returned to the jar this way) 

Bake @ 350-375 depending on your oven, as each oven will differ. 

Bake 15 minutes and remove.  Cool very slightly and then move to a rack to finish cooling.  Do NOT let them cool on the sheet, as they will set up and stick.  Makes 5 dozen 1oz. cookies. 



Genealogy: Catching the Past Hascall/Cable Family Day

Genealogy:  Catching The Past  Hascall/Cable Family Day   March 14, 2015

Arleta Langley (Daughter of Walter and Aura Cable Jones) visiting with Derrie Hascall (Lon's Wife)

March 14 was the best day in ages!!  My heartfelt thanks to all who came, shared a meal and had a great time catching up.  Total turnout was 40.  Two termites managed to escape my all seeking camera lens!!!  Jakob Solomon and Tamara Hascall... I will get you when you least expect it.  (update... evil Auntie...cousin to many Auntie to ALL found two pics so that no one may be left out!!) 

Tamara Hascall,
Allen's wife. 

Jakob Solomon (son of Rae and Dan, Lon Hascall's Grandson)

 










My brother Chuck Cross consented to a photo... but wasn't happy, so I saved the photo and we'll get a better one next time. 

Met family that I had not previously met...  Great genealogy sharing and pictures. Probably could have taken MORE pics... fell down in that area, but I know some other folks had their cameras too.. please share any that you'd like to add here and I will be happy to post yours as well!!   Sincere thanks to Rick Hascall who shared some wonderful research in the form of a very nice book he put together!! 

 I was thankful for all the help identifying my mom's family photos that were blank on the back.  I had a great time cooking and hope we will be able to do gatherings often.  Small or large family is everything!  

Random photos from the Hascall/Cable Family Day:
(if I manage to mislabel ANYONE's name please let me know right away, so I can fix it!!!  Thanks) 

 Getting the ball rolling here... Coffee and donuts and bagels in the a.m.  Facing away from the camera, Neva Hascall, Floyd Wilson, Marie Roy, Rick Hascall, Dean Roy, Jackie Feik and Joan Hascall.  and in the background Tyler Hascall. 

 William Brasel, (Gilbert's grandson)  Chowing down!!!  Happy Birthday to William who will turn 11 this week!!  Foreground... Neva is discussing the state of the union... important stuff!! :)  Background is Shannon, Ila, and Bill Brasel(Shannon's hubby).  Love how folks can gravitate to the kitchen here.  I know in our house the kitchen was the place where the dining room was open, the kitchen counter was always home to goodies, and some of the best conversations happen here! 

 Love these girls!!!  Ila and Shannon with Bill in the background.... and Ila has "THE BOOK"  LOL!!! 

 Same group as above with Brandon Kralman, Ila's son in the cowboy hat!! 

 Connie Cross (Velma Hascall Cross' daughter in law, Chuck's wife)  is looking over the AWESOME batch of school pictures!  Really??  awww he was a cutie (holding an ancient photo of Chuck or might have been Jody.... those Cross boys with the dark hair and glasses) 






Marie Roy, Floyd Wilson, Neva and Lon Hascall

Dustin Hascall, Shannon Brasel, Ila Kralman

Tyler Hascall and Brandon Kralman kicking back!!  Love how the guys like to segregate!! 

Bill Brasel (Shannon's hubby) son William and Roland Fulbright (Karen's hubby Velma Cross' son-in-law)

Arleta Langley in foreground, clockwise around the table (purple jacket) Bonda Powell ( daughter of Jean Hascall) Dee Roy, Don Roy, Rick and Joan Hascall, Marie Roy, Bryan and Jackie Feik.  

Randy Gaede (was married to Irene Hascall) and daughter Tanya Hascall (Gilbert's granddaughter) 

Neva helping out Chevy (Tanya Hascall's daughter Cheyenne Hascall) 

Connie and Ila with the biggest old smiles!!!  

Brandon Kralman, Rae (Lon Hascall's daughter) and Dan Solomon with daughter Kila

Happy faces!!!  Rick and Joan Hascall! 

Sisters!!!  Jackie Feik and Bonda Powell (daughters of Jean Hascall)

Okay!!!  There went the neighborhood!!!  Karen Fulbright (Daughter of Velma Hascall Cross)  did a photo bomb with Rick and Joan! 

I know, Jim.....  Was not going to let him get away without a photo!!  Jim and Dee Roy!

Growing up cousins is a great thing.  Karen Fulbright and Neva Hascall 1st cousins and horsewomen extraordinaire!!

Lon Hascall and daughter Rae Solomon

I promised Kari I wouldn't Facebook her.... so I googled her instead.  Kari Hascall,( youngest daughter of Gilbert Hascall)



Arleta Langley (tried to get a smile.... :)  

Karen Fulbright and my mama's beautiful cousin Marie Roy!!