Had a great thing happen on Saturday. I went to the mailbox! Now that is monumental around here! I haven't seen anyone in Jamaica with a mailbox outside their house. Post offices hold everybody's mail. You can rent a little space street side, accessible anytime, day or night, or if you don't rent a box you stand in line. A clerk pulls out your last name initial bundle and you can wait for a looooooong time for her to find your mail. The line will wind out the door most times of the day.
But the reason post office visits are few and far between is that finding a place to park is impossible. If I am alone I have to get at least somewhat close for other potential problems that I won't mention here, so, to say the least, I usually don't worry about the mail too much. Most of the time if we do get mail it is usually for the landlord!
But Saturday...well, the reason I went was to check and see if a Christmas card arrived that a friend sent from the states on December 7. That card wasn't there but something really special was!
We started our ministry in Illinois and that is where Den was licensed with the Assemblies of God, but shortly after that sojourn we found ourselves in a church that was meant for us! We Pennsylvanians, fit into New England and spent most of our ministry there.
Back to the Post Office. We received a letter from a dear friend who was part of the ministry of Christian Life Center. Joyce retired this past fall from her employment and found herself at home full time. Being home more now, she is going through things that have collected and instead of throwing out this treasure, she sent it to us! She wrote this for our farewell many years ago. When I look at even the paper it is copied on, my mind immediately traveled back to the CLC office, the copier room, the pink paper we used for so many things. My memory walked through the offices, the foyer, Den's "Snoopy" office, the sanctuary, the beautifully muraled nurseries. So many things drifted into my mind over a beautiful piece of mail.
For those of you who have heard about our CLC days you will laugh. For those of you who experienced those years with us, you will be brought back to those days when everything seemed so RIGHT. Enjoy and...thanks Joyce, you made our day!
Debby and Denny...
They're from CLC
She plays the piano
Youth Pastor is he.
We love them both so
They've been here five years
But now they must leave
We will shed many tears.
We've all been so blessed
By the things they have done
Their work with the youth
And the souls they have won.
They both went to Zion
A Rhode Island place
And before that, the Air Force
Was Denny's home base.
The state of Pennsylvanis
Was birthplace for the two
In small towns alike
They were raised in a pew.
Six brothers, Two sisters
Was Denny's large clan
With two each for Debby
The Hall household ran.
They came here to Walpole
From a town in Illinois
Their ministry since that time
Has truly been a joy.
They worked so very hard
For Speed the Light's big day
While Denny drove around
Deb walked the whole long way!
The Speed the Light Marathons
Were worth all the tears
Since First Place in District
Was ours for all five years.
The puppet group started
Under their watchful eye
Bringing joy to so many
On the very first try.
Those cute little puppets
So funny and bright
"A little bit of Sonshine"
Was shining His light.
Their first trip was special
To Sunbury, PA
Barbados came next
And led them to pray.
Their hearts were so touched
As their next trip was made
That Mexico sunshine
Seemed almost like shade.
And then came Jamaica
The puppets came too
Which all led to Belgium
And a world-wide review.
And speaking of talent
Which is all heaven-sent
Our Denny revised
The Teen Talent event.
As a pastor of youth
Denny sure made the grade
He counselled and nurtured
And perfected his trade.
He's known in the District
As the Youth Leader rep
With ideas and promotions
And energy and pep.
The Youth Staff will tell you
He trains them just right
He always looks forward
To "Youth Alive" night.
And Debby herself
Is quite special, ya know
Her musical talents
Have blessed our hearts so.
"His Own" is the group
Of singers she started
Made up of young teens
Who were so tender-hearted.
They sang for us here
And they traveled around
To nursing hones, churches
And toured with their "sound".
She once taught piano
But stopped such a pity
She then went to work
For our own Dr. Chitty.
She played for the choir
And accompanied them well
And taught little children
To sing clear as a bell.
Well, so much for that
We've told you enough
Of awards and achievements
And all that good stuff.
The time's finally come
To say "see you later"
We know in our hearts
That your next step is greater.
"We love you-We'll miss you"
We say through our tears
But we're praising the Lord
For the last great five years.
And we know He is wiser
For moving you on
To a far greater calling
Even though you'll be gone.
As missionaries now
To a world far away
Please know that our prayers
Will be with you each day.
And as you depart
To the vastness of Spain
We know that our loss
Is that country's gain.
"Good-by and God bless you"
As you tread foreign sod
We say "Vaya con Dios"
May you "Go thou with God".
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Cooking Class - #1
I'm not sure how it happened, but I gave my firstborn his first "Pennsylvania Dutch" cooking lesson. Maybe he has graduation on his mind. Maybe he is thinking of getting his own place soon, maybe he....well maybe he thought it was time to learn how to make a staple in our home for his almost 21 years of life!
I didn't grow up on Pot Pie but as soon as I became a Seler I had to learn fast! My motherinlaw taught me how to make a Seler favorite. I was making pot pie for a long time before I became acquainted with the Cracker Barrel Restaurant where you can get really good Pot Pie. I was making Pot Pie long before I ever had my first dinner in Lancaster where they serve really good Pot Pie.
I have to say I am really proud that I can make it as good as my motherinlaw! At least that's what they tell me! Since I have been a Seler I am forbidden to put pineapple and cloves on my Christmas or Easter baked ham because if I do that I can't make Ham Pot Pie the next day! One can make chicken, turkey, beef Pot Pie, but the all time favorite in our house is ham Pot Pie.
For all of his life, Ryan has watched me make the pot pie squares, but this time I got to watch him and it was a treat! I must say, it sure was delicious and turned out just like Nana Seler would have wanted, not too thick and not too thin! Just right little Bear!
As a matter of fact, during the lesson we talked about Nana alot and sent some messages heavenward hoping that she could see her #14 grandchild receiving his Pot Pie lesson.
Ryan has a few dishes in his repertoire so it was time to have his own apron instead of using his dads!
I didn't grow up on Pot Pie but as soon as I became a Seler I had to learn fast! My motherinlaw taught me how to make a Seler favorite. I was making pot pie for a long time before I became acquainted with the Cracker Barrel Restaurant where you can get really good Pot Pie. I was making Pot Pie long before I ever had my first dinner in Lancaster where they serve really good Pot Pie.
I have to say I am really proud that I can make it as good as my motherinlaw! At least that's what they tell me! Since I have been a Seler I am forbidden to put pineapple and cloves on my Christmas or Easter baked ham because if I do that I can't make Ham Pot Pie the next day! One can make chicken, turkey, beef Pot Pie, but the all time favorite in our house is ham Pot Pie.
For all of his life, Ryan has watched me make the pot pie squares, but this time I got to watch him and it was a treat! I must say, it sure was delicious and turned out just like Nana Seler would have wanted, not too thick and not too thin! Just right little Bear!
As a matter of fact, during the lesson we talked about Nana alot and sent some messages heavenward hoping that she could see her #14 grandchild receiving his Pot Pie lesson.
Ryan has a few dishes in his repertoire so it was time to have his own apron instead of using his dads!
Monday, January 10, 2011
..save the Ryan fund.....depleted!
Coming to live in Jamaica in 2008 without Ryan was tough. I have to say going to live anywhere without out one of your "God" gifts is tough. He was in our every thought, our communications, our dreams, and most of all our intercession. The three of us missed him so much, at times it was almost debilitating. You know like times you can't get your breath for the tears of missing someone so much. We have managed with God's help and have grown accustomed to celebrating his accomplishments from afar.
One of the things we did upon moving here was to start a "save the Ryan fund." We began collecting our silver coins in a little piggy bank and every now and then when it got full we would transfer it to the big glass jar. Sometimes when missing Ryan we would pull out the big, glass jar from its' secret hiding place and count it. Little did Ryan know that we were saving and little did he know that he was going to tell us what he wanted to do with it upon his last student vacation here!
One time during one of his VFCC breaks, we told Ryan about the fund and asked him to think about what he would like to do with it. It didn't take him long to tell us that he wanted to go to "The Ruins" in Ocho Rios with it and have a special dinner. After that announcement we knew we would have to get serious about our fund! We saved with intention and discipline. We all couldn't wait to go to "The Ruins." Even missionary friends have contributed to the "save the Ryan fund!"
The first time Denny and I went to "The Ruins" was in 1984 when we brought an AIM team to Jamaica and for our day off took the team to Dunns River Falls and ate dinner at "The Ruins." I remember it being a very special time and the team saying this is where they wanted to either be married or at least honeymoon! It was one of those very special teams and memories in my mind. Funny thing, I never heard that anyone of them returned to "The Ruins" except us!
When we were here in 1984, we would have never imagined moving here in 2008! This was not a place that was on the radar screen of our lives. To think that one of our children would have her high school career here would have really been quite unimaginable but here we are!
This past Christmas break for Ryan was the planned time for us to celebrate and use the "save the Ryan fund." We anticipate him coming back to Jamaica, but the timing will be different. Ryan graduates VFCC in May and will change his status from college student to full time employee, wherever and however God orchestrates. We will not be able to claim him for holidays and school breaks! Seeing him for our last 18 months here could turn out to be sporadic...so this was the appointed time! Oh we were so excited!
On December 27th we loaded up the car with beach paraphernalia, our bags and the "save the Ryan fund." On to Ocho Rios! The second day of our stay found us at "The Ruins" with its cascading falls and beautiful outdoor atmosphere!
Steak is not something that is easily found in Jamaica. We have tried to eat it even at an American establishment like T.G.I.F and it is horrible. We have tried to purchase it from a meat supplier and that is not something we will try again. We stick with chicken. But at "The Ruins," you find none better. Chef Sam Shum knows how to do steak! So Ryan and Den had steak and Renee and I shared the surf and turf. Renee had the turf and I enjoyed my favorite surf..lobster. What a treat. We dined like royalty. From appetizers to desserts and it was all scrumptious!
Ryan has gone back to college and we are into January. I guess as is typical, one ties up all the loose ends from Christmas and gets life back in order! So today we went to the bank to pay our rent and while there Den asked about all this silver! Now that we have spent it we need to make it usable cash! Since we don't have an account here in Jamaica we were finding it impossible to find a bank that would take these coins, might I say, a whole lot of coins! Eventually we found ourselves asking a man in town that sells us watch batteries. "Do you have need of silver, can I sell it to you?" He said that he has so much from people buying things at Christmas time that he couldn't help us. So that got Den to thinking, I guess we could bag it and use it at the grocery store or to get gasoline or even Renee to buy her lunch at school! Oh boy I was thinking, you can use it to go to the store, but I'm not pulling out a baggie of coins, no way! I have too much pride for that!
So tonight we found ourselves bagging coins! We have one more place to check and see if they will take it, if they don't....well let's just say, Den is going to be doing the shopping!
I was just thinking, next time I go out the door, Den will say, Debby, do ya have your wallet? I can respond. Yup, stuck my driver's license in my baggie!
..all for you Ryan.....all for you!
One of the things we did upon moving here was to start a "save the Ryan fund." We began collecting our silver coins in a little piggy bank and every now and then when it got full we would transfer it to the big glass jar. Sometimes when missing Ryan we would pull out the big, glass jar from its' secret hiding place and count it. Little did Ryan know that we were saving and little did he know that he was going to tell us what he wanted to do with it upon his last student vacation here!
One time during one of his VFCC breaks, we told Ryan about the fund and asked him to think about what he would like to do with it. It didn't take him long to tell us that he wanted to go to "The Ruins" in Ocho Rios with it and have a special dinner. After that announcement we knew we would have to get serious about our fund! We saved with intention and discipline. We all couldn't wait to go to "The Ruins." Even missionary friends have contributed to the "save the Ryan fund!"
The first time Denny and I went to "The Ruins" was in 1984 when we brought an AIM team to Jamaica and for our day off took the team to Dunns River Falls and ate dinner at "The Ruins." I remember it being a very special time and the team saying this is where they wanted to either be married or at least honeymoon! It was one of those very special teams and memories in my mind. Funny thing, I never heard that anyone of them returned to "The Ruins" except us!
When we were here in 1984, we would have never imagined moving here in 2008! This was not a place that was on the radar screen of our lives. To think that one of our children would have her high school career here would have really been quite unimaginable but here we are!
This past Christmas break for Ryan was the planned time for us to celebrate and use the "save the Ryan fund." We anticipate him coming back to Jamaica, but the timing will be different. Ryan graduates VFCC in May and will change his status from college student to full time employee, wherever and however God orchestrates. We will not be able to claim him for holidays and school breaks! Seeing him for our last 18 months here could turn out to be sporadic...so this was the appointed time! Oh we were so excited!
On December 27th we loaded up the car with beach paraphernalia, our bags and the "save the Ryan fund." On to Ocho Rios! The second day of our stay found us at "The Ruins" with its cascading falls and beautiful outdoor atmosphere!
Steak is not something that is easily found in Jamaica. We have tried to eat it even at an American establishment like T.G.I.F and it is horrible. We have tried to purchase it from a meat supplier and that is not something we will try again. We stick with chicken. But at "The Ruins," you find none better. Chef Sam Shum knows how to do steak! So Ryan and Den had steak and Renee and I shared the surf and turf. Renee had the turf and I enjoyed my favorite surf..lobster. What a treat. We dined like royalty. From appetizers to desserts and it was all scrumptious!
Ryan has gone back to college and we are into January. I guess as is typical, one ties up all the loose ends from Christmas and gets life back in order! So today we went to the bank to pay our rent and while there Den asked about all this silver! Now that we have spent it we need to make it usable cash! Since we don't have an account here in Jamaica we were finding it impossible to find a bank that would take these coins, might I say, a whole lot of coins! Eventually we found ourselves asking a man in town that sells us watch batteries. "Do you have need of silver, can I sell it to you?" He said that he has so much from people buying things at Christmas time that he couldn't help us. So that got Den to thinking, I guess we could bag it and use it at the grocery store or to get gasoline or even Renee to buy her lunch at school! Oh boy I was thinking, you can use it to go to the store, but I'm not pulling out a baggie of coins, no way! I have too much pride for that!
So tonight we found ourselves bagging coins! We have one more place to check and see if they will take it, if they don't....well let's just say, Den is going to be doing the shopping!
I was just thinking, next time I go out the door, Den will say, Debby, do ya have your wallet? I can respond. Yup, stuck my driver's license in my baggie!
..all for you Ryan.....all for you!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
..a kid thing...
Denny and I have a collection. A big collection. So big that most of them are in a storage unit in Pennsylvania. This collection is so important to us that we notice when one is missing or out of order. Both of our children are already claiming parts of this collection when we pass on. My dream house has a room dedicated solely to our collection. If we were weathy people there would be no end to adding to our collection.
The collection....books!
One of my favorite categories is Christmas Children's Books. I love them. I only buy one a year. Last year one of my gifts from Ryan was "The Polar Express." It meant so much to me that he gave me something I really wanted! No matter how old you get, you are never too old to read a children's book.
Last night's selection was "A Red Neck's Christmas," I read it out loud. When everybody laughs at the lines, it makes my day! You can never get to old to be read to! There is something calming about being read to. My mom is an avid reader, my husband is a voracious reader, my children loved to read while growing up.
Today I opened my book for this Christmas season and Renee and I really enjoyed it. The cover is misleading a little bit. Although it is about Santa, the story is about a little girl Holly and since it is Christmas Santa is in there somewhere!
When my children were growing up one of our favorite activities was library night. We would dedicate a night of the week to simply reading. No music, no television, no friends. Just reading our books.
Of course going to the library was always a regular routine. We would bring home literally bags and bags of books. Such treasures.
Being a reader develops critical thinking, good spelling, increases the vocabulary. Stimulates the imagination and can take you all over the planet without buying an airplane ticket. We have ministered in so many countries. The one thing we always buy is a book about the country we are in. That has become another special collection.
Since our passion is the ministry and preaching, we are continually made aware of how important reading is to a speaker. We can always tell when a preacher does not spend time reading. Reading is an important element in being a life-long student and learner. Reading outloud is also important. How distracting it is when people stumble over reading the text outloud to the congregation. It is such an important discipline. Disciplines can be just a natural overflow of your life or they can be very tedious and unwelcome. Either way disciplines are critical to our behavior and character development.
Well from a kid's thing to preaching....how did I get there?
Merry Christmas!
The collection....books!
One of my favorite categories is Christmas Children's Books. I love them. I only buy one a year. Last year one of my gifts from Ryan was "The Polar Express." It meant so much to me that he gave me something I really wanted! No matter how old you get, you are never too old to read a children's book.
Last night's selection was "A Red Neck's Christmas," I read it out loud. When everybody laughs at the lines, it makes my day! You can never get to old to be read to! There is something calming about being read to. My mom is an avid reader, my husband is a voracious reader, my children loved to read while growing up.
Today I opened my book for this Christmas season and Renee and I really enjoyed it. The cover is misleading a little bit. Although it is about Santa, the story is about a little girl Holly and since it is Christmas Santa is in there somewhere!
When my children were growing up one of our favorite activities was library night. We would dedicate a night of the week to simply reading. No music, no television, no friends. Just reading our books.
Of course going to the library was always a regular routine. We would bring home literally bags and bags of books. Such treasures.
Being a reader develops critical thinking, good spelling, increases the vocabulary. Stimulates the imagination and can take you all over the planet without buying an airplane ticket. We have ministered in so many countries. The one thing we always buy is a book about the country we are in. That has become another special collection.
Since our passion is the ministry and preaching, we are continually made aware of how important reading is to a speaker. We can always tell when a preacher does not spend time reading. Reading is an important element in being a life-long student and learner. Reading outloud is also important. How distracting it is when people stumble over reading the text outloud to the congregation. It is such an important discipline. Disciplines can be just a natural overflow of your life or they can be very tedious and unwelcome. Either way disciplines are critical to our behavior and character development.
Well from a kid's thing to preaching....how did I get there?
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
memories of Christmas goodies....
I really miss my Grama Hall and my Grama Niles. Grama Niles died when I was 9 and Grama Hall when I was 15 years old. Both left such indelible impressions on me in many ways. As I have been busy making holiday goodies I can't help but think about both of them.
Grama Hall loved evaporated milk. In my memory she always had hot tea at meals with evaporated milk. I never remember her drinking water or milk made from dried milk like us! Funny how I loved dried milk when I was a kid, white or chocolate! Back in those days soda wasn't a staple in the house.
I remember evaporated milk being used in so many things especially her Christmas cookies. My mom makes Grama Hall's cookies every Christmas and even some other holidays like hearts at Valentine's Day. I remember helping my mom stir, and stir, and stir some more! The bin of cookie cutters came out and we would make batches and batches of Grama Hall's cookies. We would be so tired by the time dinner came that we would put them in big tins (the ones that would hold the flour, today I guess people would call them the holiday popcorn tins). Then in the next couple of days Mom would make the frosting. When the 5 of us kids would help ice and decorate, Mom would put the frosting in Corning cereal bowls and add different food coloring to each bowl. We had to have green for the hollys and trees, red for the stockings and Santa. It seems like we always used white for the bells and stars and on the bells we would put a cinnamon dot candy for the ringer. We would use sprinkles and decorate to our hearts content. Of course some had to remain plain for Dad! Even today I leave some plain, I think I really like those too for dipping in my coffee or chocolate milk!
Back to the evaporated milk. Grama Hall's cookie recipes called for sour milk. She would add a tablespoon of cider vinegar to a cup of evaporated milk and yum! What a difference it makes in the cookies. Everytime I make the sour milk I think of Grama! Her sugar cookie recipe also has nutmeg and that is something I find different than other sugar cookies. Grama Hall's are the best! This year I made her raisin filled cookies and soft molasses ones too.
In the years that I grew up every girl would have a hope chest. A trunk or a box of future items to be used when married. I remember so clearly sitting with my Grama Hall, going through her recipe box. I am so happy today that I did that. She gave me the index cards to write the recipes. They are still the cards I use today, probably over 40 years old! When Current started making plastics I remember putting Grama Hall's recipes in the plastics first. They have always been treasures to me.
Another holiday goodie Mom always made are popcorn balls! Such a tradition that I can't let a Christmas go by without making Mom's fudge and popcorn balls. I still remember Mom standing at the stove bringing the popcorn ball mixture to a boil and then saying, "Kids come on! I just saw the hair!" You know when the mixture is ready because you lift the spoon and a hair forms! Doesn't that sound funny when you read it! Yesterday when I made the popcorn balls, Renee was intrigued with the hair! Well, when it is ready it is like sheer madness getting that hot mixture into the 4 batches of popcorn you've popped and getting the balls made while it is burning hot! We Hall kids have had our share of finger burns, that is for sure!
Mom was so concerned about Jamaica not having the ingredients for popcorn balls after our first Christmas here that the next time we went home she got Karo Syrup, popcorn and cream of tartar for me! I am so glad I have the right stuff here in Jamaica!
My friend Cheri sent me a really neat email the other day. It fits right into the Christmas Goodie Blog!
Christmas Cookie Rules
1. If you eat a Christmas cookie fresh out of the oven, it has no calories because everyone knows that the first cookie is the test and thus calorie free.
2. If you drink a diet soda after eating your second cookie, it also has no calories because the diet soda cancels out the cookie calories.
3. If a friend comes over while you are making your Christmas cookies and needs to sample, you must sample with your friend. Because your friend's first cookie is calories free - rule #1 applies to your friend. It would be rude to let your friend sample alone, and being the friend that you are makes your cookie calorie free.
4. Any cookie calories consumed while walking around will fall to your feet and eventually fall off as you move. This is due to gravity and the density of the caloric mass.
5. Any calories consumed during the frosting of the Christmas cookies will be used up because it takes many calories to lick excess frosting from a knife without cutting your tongue.
6. Cookies colored red or green have very few calories. Red ones have 3 and green ones have 5 - one calorie for each letter. Make more red ones!
7. Cookies eaten while watching Miracle on 34th Street have no calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel.
8. As always, cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breaking causes calorie leakage.
9. Any cookies consumed from someone else's plate has no calories since the calories rightfully belong to the other person and will cling to their plate. We all know how calories like to CLING!
And finally...
10. Any cookies consumed while feeling stressed have no calories because cookies used for medicinal purposes NEVER have calories.
The Niles side of me loves cookies. I think that if my mom and I lived in the same house we would survive on cookies and tea.
They our the #1 comfort food! Something I would really like to know is how far back to the recipes go? Where did Grama Hall get them? Like Grama Nile's suet pudding, (that is to good to be true) where did she ever get that recipe and whoever thought that suet would taste good in a cake with butter sauce? Memories, questions, longing for home kind of moments!
Happy Holiday Baking!
Grama Hall loved evaporated milk. In my memory she always had hot tea at meals with evaporated milk. I never remember her drinking water or milk made from dried milk like us! Funny how I loved dried milk when I was a kid, white or chocolate! Back in those days soda wasn't a staple in the house.
I remember evaporated milk being used in so many things especially her Christmas cookies. My mom makes Grama Hall's cookies every Christmas and even some other holidays like hearts at Valentine's Day. I remember helping my mom stir, and stir, and stir some more! The bin of cookie cutters came out and we would make batches and batches of Grama Hall's cookies. We would be so tired by the time dinner came that we would put them in big tins (the ones that would hold the flour, today I guess people would call them the holiday popcorn tins). Then in the next couple of days Mom would make the frosting. When the 5 of us kids would help ice and decorate, Mom would put the frosting in Corning cereal bowls and add different food coloring to each bowl. We had to have green for the hollys and trees, red for the stockings and Santa. It seems like we always used white for the bells and stars and on the bells we would put a cinnamon dot candy for the ringer. We would use sprinkles and decorate to our hearts content. Of course some had to remain plain for Dad! Even today I leave some plain, I think I really like those too for dipping in my coffee or chocolate milk!
Back to the evaporated milk. Grama Hall's cookie recipes called for sour milk. She would add a tablespoon of cider vinegar to a cup of evaporated milk and yum! What a difference it makes in the cookies. Everytime I make the sour milk I think of Grama! Her sugar cookie recipe also has nutmeg and that is something I find different than other sugar cookies. Grama Hall's are the best! This year I made her raisin filled cookies and soft molasses ones too.
In the years that I grew up every girl would have a hope chest. A trunk or a box of future items to be used when married. I remember so clearly sitting with my Grama Hall, going through her recipe box. I am so happy today that I did that. She gave me the index cards to write the recipes. They are still the cards I use today, probably over 40 years old! When Current started making plastics I remember putting Grama Hall's recipes in the plastics first. They have always been treasures to me.
Another holiday goodie Mom always made are popcorn balls! Such a tradition that I can't let a Christmas go by without making Mom's fudge and popcorn balls. I still remember Mom standing at the stove bringing the popcorn ball mixture to a boil and then saying, "Kids come on! I just saw the hair!" You know when the mixture is ready because you lift the spoon and a hair forms! Doesn't that sound funny when you read it! Yesterday when I made the popcorn balls, Renee was intrigued with the hair! Well, when it is ready it is like sheer madness getting that hot mixture into the 4 batches of popcorn you've popped and getting the balls made while it is burning hot! We Hall kids have had our share of finger burns, that is for sure!
Mom was so concerned about Jamaica not having the ingredients for popcorn balls after our first Christmas here that the next time we went home she got Karo Syrup, popcorn and cream of tartar for me! I am so glad I have the right stuff here in Jamaica!
My friend Cheri sent me a really neat email the other day. It fits right into the Christmas Goodie Blog!
Christmas Cookie Rules
1. If you eat a Christmas cookie fresh out of the oven, it has no calories because everyone knows that the first cookie is the test and thus calorie free.
2. If you drink a diet soda after eating your second cookie, it also has no calories because the diet soda cancels out the cookie calories.
3. If a friend comes over while you are making your Christmas cookies and needs to sample, you must sample with your friend. Because your friend's first cookie is calories free - rule #1 applies to your friend. It would be rude to let your friend sample alone, and being the friend that you are makes your cookie calorie free.
4. Any cookie calories consumed while walking around will fall to your feet and eventually fall off as you move. This is due to gravity and the density of the caloric mass.
5. Any calories consumed during the frosting of the Christmas cookies will be used up because it takes many calories to lick excess frosting from a knife without cutting your tongue.
6. Cookies colored red or green have very few calories. Red ones have 3 and green ones have 5 - one calorie for each letter. Make more red ones!
7. Cookies eaten while watching Miracle on 34th Street have no calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel.
8. As always, cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breaking causes calorie leakage.
9. Any cookies consumed from someone else's plate has no calories since the calories rightfully belong to the other person and will cling to their plate. We all know how calories like to CLING!
And finally...
10. Any cookies consumed while feeling stressed have no calories because cookies used for medicinal purposes NEVER have calories.
The Niles side of me loves cookies. I think that if my mom and I lived in the same house we would survive on cookies and tea.
They our the #1 comfort food! Something I would really like to know is how far back to the recipes go? Where did Grama Hall get them? Like Grama Nile's suet pudding, (that is to good to be true) where did she ever get that recipe and whoever thought that suet would taste good in a cake with butter sauce? Memories, questions, longing for home kind of moments!
Happy Holiday Baking!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Luke 2 ...Patois style!
It is reported that Patois begain in the 17th century with the slaves from West and Central Africa. The language is a mixture of English and Creole.
In Jamaica, British English is the official language, however, Patois is the language of most homes, the street and I should say the heart.
Our students speak English in the classroom but in our home over a boxing match on the Wii it is Patois all the way!
The Bible College has a Christmas dinner on the last day of school and one of our students graced the gathering with Luke 2:8-20, Patois Version.
Take a minute and read it out loud. It may make more sense that way!
Enjoy!
(vs 8) Di shepherd dem di some place. Innah di field, a watch dem sheep innah nite.
(vs 9) An wah angel af di Lard cume up pon dem. and father God cume down an shine pan dem an dem get fraid.
(vs 10) An di angel tell dem seh, nuh badda man. A good news mi cume, cume tell you. Weh afi every badi.
(vs 11) One pickney aago barne todah down weh David come from, dem a go call him Christ.
(vs 12) An it ago bi wah sign to you; you ago fine di pickney wrap up innah some cloth, lid down innah wah manger.
(vs 13) An mi seh, wid di angel some whole heep fram heaven an wiship father God, an dem a seh,
(vs 14) Glory to father God who deh innah heaven, an pan earth peace, good will to every man.
(vs 15) An it came to pass, when di angel dem left gone backa heaven, di shepherds seh to dem one another, mek we go down a beth-lehem, an weh see di ting weh fi came to pass, weh father GOd tell we seh Him a go do.
(vs 16) An dem run, run come fine Mary and Joseph and di pickney lid down innah oah manger.
(vs 17) An when dem see it, dem go tell everybodi all over di place bont di pickney.
(vs 18) An everybodi weh hear dem cant believe seh a so it go, weh di shepherd dem seh.
(vs 19) but Mary keep all a dem sintino, yah and panda dem innah har hart.
(vs 20) An di shepherd cume back, cume glorifying an a praise father God fi all di tings dat dem hear an si, weh di angel di tell dem.
and that my friend, is the beautiful story of the child that changed the world..Merry Christmas!
In Jamaica, British English is the official language, however, Patois is the language of most homes, the street and I should say the heart.
Our students speak English in the classroom but in our home over a boxing match on the Wii it is Patois all the way!
The Bible College has a Christmas dinner on the last day of school and one of our students graced the gathering with Luke 2:8-20, Patois Version.
Take a minute and read it out loud. It may make more sense that way!
Enjoy!
(vs 8) Di shepherd dem di some place. Innah di field, a watch dem sheep innah nite.
(vs 9) An wah angel af di Lard cume up pon dem. and father God cume down an shine pan dem an dem get fraid.
(vs 10) An di angel tell dem seh, nuh badda man. A good news mi cume, cume tell you. Weh afi every badi.
(vs 11) One pickney aago barne todah down weh David come from, dem a go call him Christ.
(vs 12) An it ago bi wah sign to you; you ago fine di pickney wrap up innah some cloth, lid down innah wah manger.
(vs 13) An mi seh, wid di angel some whole heep fram heaven an wiship father God, an dem a seh,
(vs 14) Glory to father God who deh innah heaven, an pan earth peace, good will to every man.
(vs 15) An it came to pass, when di angel dem left gone backa heaven, di shepherds seh to dem one another, mek we go down a beth-lehem, an weh see di ting weh fi came to pass, weh father GOd tell we seh Him a go do.
(vs 16) An dem run, run come fine Mary and Joseph and di pickney lid down innah oah manger.
(vs 17) An when dem see it, dem go tell everybodi all over di place bont di pickney.
(vs 18) An everybodi weh hear dem cant believe seh a so it go, weh di shepherd dem seh.
(vs 19) but Mary keep all a dem sintino, yah and panda dem innah har hart.
(vs 20) An di shepherd cume back, cume glorifying an a praise father God fi all di tings dat dem hear an si, weh di angel di tell dem.
and that my friend, is the beautiful story of the child that changed the world..Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Christmas in Jamaica
I find this piece interesting from the Jamaica Gleaner, dated December 9, 2010. During Jonkonnou (John Canoe) a traditional Christmas celebration, revellers parade through the streets dressed in colorful masquerade costumes. Traditionally, men wearing white, mesh masks play the characters which include the horned cow head, the policeman, horsehead, wild indian, devil, belly-woman, pitchy-patchy, and sometimes a bride and house head which is an image of a great house carried by the reveller on his head.
The parade and festival probably arrived with African slaves. Although Jamaica is credited with the longest running tradition of Jonkanoo, today these mysterious bands with their gigantic costumes appear more as entertainment at cultural events than at random along the streets. It is not as popular in the cities as it was 30 years ago but is still a tradition in rural Jamaica.
The Gleaner continues, The Grand Market is a community fair characterized by food, street dancing, crafts and music. In the past, the weekend before Christmas and particularly on Christmas Eve, markets all over the island were set up with vendors selling small toys, firecrackers, balloons and sweets of all kind, including pinda (an African word for peanut) cakes, grater cakes and peppermint sticks.
Traditionally some markets on Christmas Eve are decorated with streamers, large accordion-style bells and balloons. People are decked out in fancy clothes, including bright hats purchased upon entering Grand Market. Everyone comes to town for market and the celebrations last throughout the day and night.
Dinner on Christmas day is the biggest feast of the year. It includes chicken, oxtail, curry goat, roast ham, rice and gungo peas. Another holiday special is Christmas cake. It is made of fruit soaked with rum. The Christmas drink is sorrel. This is made from dried sorrel, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, sugar, orange peel and rum.
After reading the article in the Gleaner that day, I was interested to learn more about the masquerade in the street. Jonkonnu has many different spellings and is essentially a musical street masquerade with music, dance, symbols and mime. It took place at Christmas time because that was the only time that slaves were relieved of their duties. The band actually consisted of 3 instruments, the fife, drums, and a coconut grater. This tradition takes place in most, if not all, of the islands.
Looking at some images, the characters look quite scary to me! Some of the props are pitchforks and batons for the police.
Somehow I think the nativity scene would be more pleasant. I haven't seen that displayed here. Renee did get her picture taken with a really cool Santa one time. That was fun. He wore sunglasses and was quite skinny, but he did have a white beard!
Christians attend the Christmas service no matter what day of the week Chrstmas falls on. It is not an abbreviated service but rather one that is full just like a Sunday morning would be.
I am not so sure that the emphasis is on gifts but rather community, family, food and the best gift of all....Jesus.
The parade and festival probably arrived with African slaves. Although Jamaica is credited with the longest running tradition of Jonkanoo, today these mysterious bands with their gigantic costumes appear more as entertainment at cultural events than at random along the streets. It is not as popular in the cities as it was 30 years ago but is still a tradition in rural Jamaica.
The Gleaner continues, The Grand Market is a community fair characterized by food, street dancing, crafts and music. In the past, the weekend before Christmas and particularly on Christmas Eve, markets all over the island were set up with vendors selling small toys, firecrackers, balloons and sweets of all kind, including pinda (an African word for peanut) cakes, grater cakes and peppermint sticks.
Traditionally some markets on Christmas Eve are decorated with streamers, large accordion-style bells and balloons. People are decked out in fancy clothes, including bright hats purchased upon entering Grand Market. Everyone comes to town for market and the celebrations last throughout the day and night.
Dinner on Christmas day is the biggest feast of the year. It includes chicken, oxtail, curry goat, roast ham, rice and gungo peas. Another holiday special is Christmas cake. It is made of fruit soaked with rum. The Christmas drink is sorrel. This is made from dried sorrel, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, sugar, orange peel and rum.
After reading the article in the Gleaner that day, I was interested to learn more about the masquerade in the street. Jonkonnu has many different spellings and is essentially a musical street masquerade with music, dance, symbols and mime. It took place at Christmas time because that was the only time that slaves were relieved of their duties. The band actually consisted of 3 instruments, the fife, drums, and a coconut grater. This tradition takes place in most, if not all, of the islands.
Looking at some images, the characters look quite scary to me! Some of the props are pitchforks and batons for the police.
Somehow I think the nativity scene would be more pleasant. I haven't seen that displayed here. Renee did get her picture taken with a really cool Santa one time. That was fun. He wore sunglasses and was quite skinny, but he did have a white beard!
Christians attend the Christmas service no matter what day of the week Chrstmas falls on. It is not an abbreviated service but rather one that is full just like a Sunday morning would be.
I am not so sure that the emphasis is on gifts but rather community, family, food and the best gift of all....Jesus.
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