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!! 

CAST IRON: Cheese Damper

Cast Iron:  What's for Dinner?  A dish of memories!  

                                     Cheesy Garlic Damper (aussie for bread)

I was blessed to be online friends with a great guy from Australia.  Brian was a par excellence cast iron cook, and a great fellow to chat with.  He had a Facebook group of "Camp Oven Cooking"  This is a tip of the hat to Brian, RIP. 

3 cups Self Rising flour  (I used Bisquick)
pinch of salt
Rub in 2 TBS of butter (optional)
1 c. evaporated milk
1 egg
Mix all together.
Add
4 clove of minced garlic
1 TBS garlic powder
1 TBS onion granules
1 cup of shredded cheese (I like Colby Jack Mix)
1/4 c. parmesan

Dough should be moist, but not really sticky. 
 You don’t want it either to wet or to dry.
Form a ball and slightly flatten, as it will rise during baking.
Mist the top of the loaf with some cooking spray.
Sprinkle parmesan cheese on the top.
Set aside until ready to cook.
Preheat 12" Dutch oven, either in regular oven at 400 or with briquettes.  
 Place mix inside, put on lid and cook over moderate heat for 30 minutes.
( I did 2 rings of coals on the lid and 5 under the oven)