By Lula Anderson
The big countdown has started. Christmas is almost here. I'm so far behind this year, the hurrier I go the behinder I get. Making cookies, cookies and more cookies. Tree lighting, Cookie Walk, refreshments for meetings. Judy will be starting her cookies this week. Tins and tins of cookies will be made for gifts, parties and just plain eating. Still have tree to decorate, Why do we do so much in this short month?
The ski slopes are all busy. I have been suffering from "empty nest" since my sons leave so early and don't come home until after dark. No running back and forth, in and out. Just when I get used to being alone, it'll be time for them to be home again.
Between the cold and the wind, who wants to go out? I get up several times during the night to check if my water has frozen. I have one pipe that freezes when the wind blows, and that has been almost every night. Heard Thursday it's supposed to be above freezing. It'll be good to have "balmy" weather for a least one day.
We went to Catskill for the Greene County Advisory Board meeting Tuesday. Not much happening with the end of the year upon us. I just want to say that with all of the problems, we are very lucky up here. We have two local food pantries, plus Greene Co Community Action visits Prattsville, plus delivers if you are a shut in. Hunter is home to the Community Refrigerator which has frozen meals donated by local restaurants, plus surplus food from many local businesses. Kaaterskill UMC has Soup and fellowship every other Tuesday. Plus the Greene Co Food Coalition with donations from so many local businesses plus the Windham Foundation and Catskill Mountain Foundation holding a free dinner, plus all that the foundations give to local groups. We are truly blessed. If you know of someone in need, tell someone, and help will be given.
AS I REMEMBER IT
With the frigid weather and Christmas quickly approaching, I think back to my youth. As I have told you I grew up on a farm with many relatives in the area. Holidays were spent at various locations, but they all had family in common. My favorite memories are the dinners at our house. When it was cold and the ponds were frozen, my father would start preparing a great treat for our dessert. He'd go down and chop ice from the pond and bring it in the house. Fresh cream which had settled to the top on the milk jug would be put aside. Fresh eggs would be tempered with the cream and put in the pot of the ice cream churn. We had all the ingredients and the kids to turn the handle. Ice and salt would be packed around the bowl, and the cover put on and we would all take turns cranking the handle. It was tedious work, but we all knew what was coming out at the end. The women would start putting out the cakes and pies and getting bowls out . A final test, and yes, it's frozen enough to serve. There's nothing like the taste of real ice cream made from your own animals. I still love ice cream, but nothing could ever compare to fresh Christmas ice cream of days past.
As this will be the last column until after Christmas, Judy and I want to wish each one of you the Happiest of Holidays. May your Christmas be blessed with family and friends and the peace of the season.
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