Sandra Merville Hart's Blog, page 110

DevoKids Post – Big Bend National Park

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To explore this ‎national park in Texas, take a desert hike (choose from short and easy walks to longer ones requiring several days), forested mountain hikes, or short river walks. This park is especially nice for bird lovers!

Filed under: On Another Blog Tagged: Big Bend National Park, bird watching, DevoKids, Sandra Merville Hart, Texas

Evening Amusements for Old-Fashioned Themed Parties – Part 2

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I wanted to host an old-fashioned theme party for a few friends during the Christmas season. Read  Evening Amusements for Old Fashioned Themed Parties – Part 1 for food ideas.

The local library contained a book written in the 1880s on evening entertainments filled with various games, card tricks, forfeits, and even chemical surprises.

With a little planning, a dozen of us got into the spirit of the evening and enjoyed playing games that history seems to have forgotten.

I thought others might enjoy planning this type of evening so I’m sharing games we played with you.

The Game of Concert

Elect a conductor who will lead an imaginary orchestra.
Assign instruments, such as violin, harp, drum, trumpet, trombone, flute, cymbals, clarinet, tuba, bugle, fife, bass, etc.
Conductor hums a tune and all join in noisily using their pretend instruments. The conductor waves imaginary baton and everyone ceases.
Time for “solos.” Conductor makes motions to play a particular instrument. The person who has that instrument immediately joins in and pretends to play. If they don’t, they are out of the game.

Conductor continues with solos until everyone has played.

Historically, contestants earned forfeits for losing that were “paid” at the end of the evening. For our purposes, continue playing until only one player remains who claims the prize.

One of our guests had attended college to become a band leader but never found a job in that field. How fun to find out that tidbit early in the evening and be able to elect him as conductor!

He had to speed up to catch “band members” off guard. He did such a great job that everyone agreed that he won the prize.

Next time we will talk about more party games. Hope you can join in the fun!

-Sandra Merville Hart

 

Source

Planche, Frederick D’Arros. Evening amusements for every one; a collection of mirthful games, parlour pastimes, shadow plays, magic, conjuring, card tricks, chemical surprises, fireworks, forfeits, &c., illus. by George Cruikshank and others, Porter and Coates, ca 1880.

Filed under: From Our Past Tagged: Christmas party, Historical Nibbles, old fashioned Christmas party, old fashioned games, old fashioned theme party, parlor games, Sandra Merville Hart, the game of concert, vintage games

Cold Read by Sharyn Kopf

[image error]Stephie Graham begins to regret her decision to direct a play at the community theater when everything begins to unravel. An unfortunate accident takes the female lead out of the play too close to opening night to find a replacement.

Stephie will have to play the role—but that may not be such a bad thing. After all, she will spend more time with Andy Tremont, the male lead who has captivated her since they met.

The small city theater even has its own resident ghost, a singer from the 1930s with a tragic story.

Kopf has woven an enjoyable contemporary romance.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Amazon

Filed under: Review Tagged: Book Review, Cold Read, Sandra Merville Hart, Sharyn Kopf

Old-Fashioned Stack Cake Recipe

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My grandmother made stack cakes every year at Christmas when I was little. She was an excellent cook and baker but wasn’t blessed with enough patience to teach her daughters and granddaughters how to make them.

She never measured anything. Cakes, biscuits, and pies were all made by sight and touch. She held salt in her hand to know how much to add. She rarely guessed wrong.

Unfortunately, she shooed us from the kitchen if we asked too many questions about how to make something. We tried to observe quietly but it was difficult to learn how to cook that way.

When she died, I feared that her wonderful recipe was gone forever. I tried to make it from memory and came fairly close on the apple filling but not the cake layers. I remembered them being thin, like a big soft cookie.

Both my sister and I found the recipe while visiting the Smokies.

[image error]For the apple filling between layers:

Arrange a pound of dried tart apples in a large kettle. Cover the apples with boiling water to soften. This make take a few hours or allow to sit overnight. I drained this water but I’m not sure it’s necessary.

Add enough water to almost cover the apples and cook over medium low heat about an hour or until tender. Drain almost all the water from the cooked apples and then mash. I kept about a cup of water in the pot with the fruit.

[image error]Add a cup of brown sugar, ¾ cup sugar, 3 teaspoons cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cloves, ½ teaspoon allspice, and stir well.

To make six cake layers:

Sift 3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour into a medium bowl. Add a cup of sugar, 4 teaspoons baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix together.

Beat two eggs in separate bowl and add to flour mixture. Then add a ½ cup soft butter, a cup of buttermilk, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla.

Mix into a soft dough and divide it into 6 parts. Spread about a ¼ cup of flour over a surface to roll out each layer. (The layers are so thin that I rolled it to about half the size needed, placed the dough into a cake pan prepared with cooking spray, and used my fingers to pat it to the sides.)

[image error]The instructions suggested baking in a 450-degree oven but I baked at 425 until lightly brown, about 11 to 12 minutes.

Spread each layer with the apple filling except the top layer. Cover and store at least half a day before serving.

My grandmother wrapped her cake in plastic wrap. Then she covered them with towels and stored them in a cool place about two days before slicing. I did the same in her honor.

[image error]My guests enjoyed the cake. It felt good to carry on my grandmother’s tradition.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Sources

The Tates. Hillbilly Cookin, C & F Sales, Inc., 1968.

 

Filed under: Historical Nibbles Tagged: apple dessert, Baking, cooking, dried apples, Historical Nibbles, old fashioned stack cake, old fashioned stack cake recipe, recipe, Sandra Merville Hart, stack cake

DevoKids Post – South Carolina, the Palmetto State

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Colonists in South Carolina didn’t all support seeking independence from Great Britain until the British attacked Charleston.

Filed under: On Another Blog Tagged: DevoKids, Historical Nibbles, Sandra Merville Hart, South Carolina, the Palmetto State

Evening Amusements for Old-Fashioned Themed Parties – Part 1

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I wanted to host an old-fashioned theme party for a few friends during the Christmas season. My husband and I issued invitations announcing this these before I began researching.

Christmas shopping, work deadlines, and family obligations prevented me from doing more than thinking about it until a week before the party.

I wanted a few ways to demonstrate how our ancestors entertained at parties a century or two ago. In the days for television and radio, how did folks pass the time? The best source for information like this are books and novels written during the time period.

How wonderful that the local library contained a book written in the 1880s on evening entertainments! There are various games, card tricks, forfeits, and even chemical surprises.

With a little planning, a dozen of us got into the spirit of the evening and enjoyed playing games that history seems to have forgotten.

I thought others might enjoy planning this type of evening so I’m sharing about it.

Instead of serving dinner, we simplified the menu to appetizers and desserts yet wanted to follow the theme.

[image error]I made gumbo soup  using a recipe from 1877, a comforting dish that had many guests returning for a second helping. I prepared an old-fashioned stack cake  similar to the dessert my grandmother baked every Christmas.

We drank wassail , which is warm mulled apple cider. The beverage also felt appropriate for the chilly weather.

Some guests got into the “old-fashioned” spirit with their pitch-in dishes. One couple brought a home-made apple pie. Another brought a variation of a yule log with peppermint shavings. Delicious!

[image error]After the appetizers were consumed, the ladies strung popcorn while the men opted for conversation. Fresh cranberries were added to the chain after every fifth popcorn piece making a pretty chain for the Christmas tree.

It was a fun and festive activity to begin our party.

Next time we will talk about party games. Hope you can join in the fun!

-Sandra Merville Hart

 

Source

Planche, Frederick D’Arros. Evening amusements for every one; a collection of mirthful games, parlour pastimes, shadow plays, magic, conjuring, card tricks, chemical surprises, fireworks, forfeits, &c., illus. by George Cruikshank and others, Porter and Coates, ca 1880.

 

Filed under: From Our Past Tagged: Christmas party, old fashioned Christmas party, old fashioned theme party, Sandra Merville Hart, theme party, wassail

The Cheesehead Devotional by Judy DuCharme

This insightful and inspirational devotional book was written by Judy DuCharme for Green Bay Packers fans.

Even though I’m not a huge footfall fan, I enjoyed the clever aspects of each devotion. Readers find scripture references in “From the Playbook” and prayers in the “Extra Point.”

The devotions contain examples from players’ lives and games that touched me. An enjoyable devotional book!

-Sandra Merville Hart

 

Filed under: Review Tagged: Book Review, Football devotional, Green Bay Packers, Sandra Merville Hart

Gumbo Recipe

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My husband and I invited a few friends over for an “old-fashioned” Christmas party.

I searched for a soup recipe and found one in an 1877 cookbook for Gumbo, submitted by Mrs. E. A. W.

Peel and cut two quarts of tomatoes into bite-sized chunks and set aside.

I couldn’t find a quart of fresh okra in the middle of winter. Frozen cut okra worked well.

Dice a large onion. Fry three strips of bacon in a skillet until they just begin to sizzle. Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté them together with a wooden spoon.

The bacon should begin to break apart. If it doesn’t, cut it into bite-sized pieces when finished with the sauté.

Pour this mixture into a large stockpot. This recipe filled my 7.5 quart pot. Add tomatoes, okra, two tablespoons parsley flakes, one teaspoon salt, and one teaspoon black pepper. I added chicken stock and then filled the pot the rest of the way with water.

I used medium heat until the gumbo started cooking, which took about thirty minutes at that quantity. Then the heat was lowered a bit to simmer for ninety minutes.

Our guests loved the soup. A dozen people ate a bowl with several returning for seconds. There was still enough gumbo to serve as lunch leftovers for a couple of days.

This is a comforting soup on a cold wintry day. Enjoy!

-Sandra Merville Hart

Sources

Compiled from Original Recipes. Buckeye Cookery and Practical Housekeeping, Applewood Books, 1877.

 

Filed under: Historical Nibbles Tagged: cooking, gumbo, gumbo recipe, Historical Nibbles, history, okra, Sandra Merville Hart, soup recipe

DevoKids post – Hawaii, the Aloha State

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The Hawaiian language doesn’t have 26 letters. Do you know how many there are? Post your guess and check here for the answer. Enjoy learning a bit about our state with its own time zone!

Filed under: On Another Blog Tagged: DevoKids, Hawaii, Hawaiian language, Hawaiian time zone, Sandra Merville Hart

These Are the Times that Try Men’s Souls

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Thomas Paine, personal assistant to General Nathanael Greene, scanned the faces of his companions in the Continental Army on a cold day in December, 1776. The soldiers faced difficulties worse than separation from families and harsh winter conditions. The men were disheartened. How could an army one quarter the size of the British forces win freedom?

Paine understood their discouragement. Three thousand Colonial soldiers bravely stood their ground against a foe of thirteen thousand outside the fort at Washington Heights (Manhattan) until the British threatened them with cannons. One hundred forty-nine Colonial soldiers were killed or wounded. Over twenty-eight hundred at the fort surrendered. The Colonial Army also abandoned another fort, Fort Lee, in New Jersey.

[image error]To make matters worse, General Howe’s British troops pursued General Washington’s retreating army across New Jersey. The soldiers marched through the colony for sixteen days until they reached safety across the Delaware River.

The loss of three thousand soldiers struck the struggling army a difficult blow. New York City and all of New Jersey were under British control. Eleven thousand colonial soldiers gave up and returned home between September and December. Army contracts expired on December 31st.

Paine remembered the impact of his pamphlet, Common Sense. His words, published earlier that year in January, had been read by thousands. His writing somehow resonated with people in all walks of life.

All thirteen colonies must know of the recent British victories. Paine imagined those at home felt discouragement similar to the soldiers. After he pondered the situation, he sat down to pen these words:

“These are the times that try men’s souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly.”  

The American Crisis went to the heart of the problem from these beginning lines. The Pennsylvania Journal published Paine’s work on December 19, 1776.

[image error]General Washington commanded the pamphlet to be read to his discouraged men. Paine’s stirring words revived hope within their souls at a crucial moment. The results encouraged Washington. His plan for Christmas Day must succeed though he kept the details from his soldiers.

Regiments began assembling at specific crossing points along the Delaware River late in the afternoon of December 25th. Temperatures dropped causing the snow-covered ground to feel even colder.

Washington didn’t want delays because after the troops crossed the icy river, they must march to Trenton, New Jersey for a surprise pre-dawn attack on the Hessian soldiers.

[image error]Unfortunately some soldiers arrived late to their designated areas. Snow, hail, sleet, and rain hindered their crossing. They contended with ice jams on the river. Dark, stormy skies made navigation difficult.

All this affected Washington’s careful timetable. He almost abandoned the plan when faced with a three-hour delay. He trudged on.

Washington’s surprise attack worked. The Continental Army won their first major victory.

Would the results have been same without Paine’s passionate plea to stay the course? With all the obstacles that had to be overcome on that freezing Christmas Day and everything that led up to it, this author doesn’t believe so.

Do our words matter?

You decide.

-Sandra Merville Hart

Sources

“Crossing of the Delaware,” George Washington’s Mount Vernon, 2015/07/27 http://www.mountvernon.org/research-collections/digital-encyclopedia/article/crossing-of-the-delaware/.

“Ft. Washington Captured – Washington Retreats through N.J -1776,” HistoryCentral, 2015/07/27 http://www.historycentral.com/Revolt/Retreatnj.html.

Paine, Thomas. “The Crisis,” USHistory.org 2015/07/24 http://www.ushistory.org/paine/crisis/c-01.htm.

“Thomas Paine,” USHistory.org 2015/07/24 http://www.ushistory.org/paine/.

“Thomas Paine Publishes American Crisis,” History.com, 2015/07/28 http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thomas-paine-publishes-american-crisis.

 

Filed under: From Our Past Tagged: Battle of Trenton, Christmas Day, Colonial Army, Common Sense, Continental Army, Crossing the Delaware River, Fort Lee, General George Washington, General Howe, General Nathanael Greene, Historical Nibbles, New Jersey, New York City, Revolutionary War, Sandra Merville Hart, The American Crisis, Thomas Paine, Valley Forge, Washington Heights Fort