3 Vegetable Casserole and Circus Peanut Salad for Easter dinner

VINTAGE FAMILY FIXIN'S

(revived)

Easter Sunday then and now

　
Welcome to the Easter Sunday edition of Vintage Family Fixin's.

Christ The Lord has risen today, Hallelujah!

My family and I will be spending the afternoon with my mom and stepdad, Judy and Dan Behringer, and my siblings and their families.

My mom Judy - the woman who raised me - came into my life in 1970 when she married my father, Fred McDonald who had lost his first wife, my mother Sandra McDonald, to leukemia.

I was an only child but in 1971 I got a sister, Amy, and then another sister, Molly, in 1974.

In 1979 we got a brother, Matthew.

Fred and Judy were together until after Matthew graduated from high school.

After Dad, Mom, Amy and I moved from Columbus to Caldwell, we lived with my dad's parents Fred and Ruth on upper Belford Street.

After Molly was born we moved to 605 Belford St.



Fred and (the former) Judy McDonald with daughters, Amy, l, Molly and Lisa (me), r, on Easter Sunday 1977.

Shortly after this picture was taken we moved to 704 West St. (I helped carry a large swing set down the street when we moved because it was only a block to our new house).

Among our new neighbors were two older women who lived in the stone-faced house at the corner of West and Belford streets, Helen Ellerman and Jeannette Marshall.

Helen lived downstairs and Jeannette lived upstairs.

Jeannette and my mom shared conversations, and recipes.

Mom asked me to bring to her house today a vegetable and a Jell-O dish for Easter dinner.

Today's featured recipe of 3 Vegetable Casserole was given to my mom by Jeannette. I found a copy in my recipe box.

Mom made this dish for our family on special occasions like Christmas and Easter.

It is very good.

3 Vegetable Casserole

1 package of frozen peas

1 package of frozen lima beans

1 package of french green beans

1 cup of medium white sauce (see below)

1 cup of mayonnaise

3 hard-cooked eggs

4 strips of crisp bacon

Combine the white sauce, mayo and eggs (chopped) and set aside.

Cook vegetables separately according to directions and drain well. In a buttered casserole place the peas and cover with 1/2 the sauce. Next place the lima beans and remaining sauce. Then make a wreath of the green beans around the casserole and place the crumbled bacon in the center of the wreath. Place in a 300 degree oven just long enough to heat through.

Medium white sauce

2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, a dash of black pepper, 1 1/2 cups milk. Melt butter, stir in flour using wooden spoon or wire whisk. Stir or whisk until there are no lumps and then stir in milk slowly until smooth and bubbly. Use a small heavy pan.


•••
The Jell-O dessert I've chosen to take to mom's Easter dinner is called Circus Peanut Salad and I can't wait to taste it. It's been a while since I've eaten a circus peanut. How about you?

I found this week's bonus recipe in Grandmother Ruth McDonald's recipe box.

BONUS RECIPE

Circus Peanut Salad

40 circus peanuts cut up in bits

Mix with 1 large box orange Jell-O. Stir in 3 cups boiling water till dissolved. Add 1 No. 2 can (crushed) pineapple and juice also. Refrigerate till thickens enough to add 1 medium size carton of Cool Whip. Frost when set with topping (see next).

Topping

Mix 1 small box of lemon Jell-O with 1 small package of Philadelphia Cream Cheese and stir in 2 cups boiling water.

Let stand in refrigerator until almost set. Add 1 small Cool Whip and mix well.

Frost Jell-O and garnish with mandarin orange slices.

***

Happy Easter, Dad!


Originally published in the newspaper where I used to work on April 20, 2014, and reprinted here with permission of the publisher.





　

My stories

It took 25 years to accumulate and one day to destroy the contents of a box of newspaper clippings and photo copies of stories I wrote during my tenure with the local newspaper.

I was fired in May.

Two days ago I removed the lid and looked inside the box holding the contents of my desk that sat in the foyer of our home for FOUR months.

The Old Man prodded me to do SOMETHING with the box. He said I should throw away the contents - a celebratory end to a job that became tumultuous the last two years I worked from home. A job he said I should have left long ago because of management problems.

But I knew what was in the box.

My stories.

The story of Capt. James William "Bill" Reed, whose remains were found in 1994 - 24 years after his plane crashed in Laos during the Vietnam War.

The story of a long-abandoned one-room schoolhouse at Glady Valley in Noble County that got new life with Amish students.

My work at the newspaper began a week after my graduation from college, in June 1989, and lasted until earlier this year.

That's a significant period of time and included three different bylines - Lisa McDonald (my maiden name), Lisa L. Short (a former marriage), and Lisa Loos (my current name). One person; three names.

Writing was my forte, and in the years when I was solely a reporter, I wrote a LOT.

I see that the other work I did - which was every job in the newsroom except sports - only added to my resume. But writing was what I did very well. And something I can be proud of.

But keeping the box in my foyer - a foot from my front door - was hindering my move forward. I need to move on and put this time behind me.

Most of the stories in the box are now in the trash or the recycle bin ready to go to City Park. I have, however, kept original clippings of a few that appeal to me. A few that I would be proud to share with our great-grandchildren who might cry disbelief learning I worked at a newspaper. Just because there may not be too many newspapers left when they learn to read.

I will show them the story of the steel vault containing a casket that was exposed on shore of Salt Fork State Park in 1993 and later re interred in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

They might read about Andy Rocker's slaying of his wife. He was city law director at the time and I covered city police department and City Hall.

I covered the State of Ohio's announcement of a prison in Noble County, its opposition by locals, its construction and opening.

I wrote about the discovery of an animal resembling a half-deer, half-cow near a Sencaville farm, a trick roper Trevor Dreher of Coshocton, and an ostrich farm new Newcomerstown.

I wrote about Cambridge City Council's approval of an ordinance banning exotic animals here in 1992.

When the Capitol Bowling Lanes burned to the ground on Jan. 16, 1994, I was there. Frozen pen and all. From that day on I always had a pencil handy when I worked outdoors in the winter. Sub-zero temperatures that morning hindered firefighters' efforts to battle the blaze.

I covered the development of the site of the first oil well in Noble County - the Thorla-McKee well, a project lead by my personal childhood physician, Dr. Sherman B. Smith.

I helped cover the case of serial killer and arsonist Thomas Lee Dillon.

I met and became friend with and wrote about two unique characters - cowboy Chester Grey who at age 71 handcrafted a prairie schooner, and his sister Pauli Cornish, matriarch of the Kennedy Stone House Museum.

I met and wrote about a chainsaw sculptor Conrad Sandoval, fiddle maker and player Flavil Miller, and quilters Stella George and Martha Reed, and nurse Twila Thacker.

I wrote a story in 1993, announcing the opening of a homeless shelter in Cambridge, the brainchild of 14-year-old Michael Curtis and his mother, Anita.

The Cumberland-Spencer Homemakers shared with me their home remedies which I wrote about and shared with readers.

I've talked to fair veterinarians, written about buffaloes roaming on Pigeon Gap Road, bobcats in Noble County, and a 1990 visit by media mogul Ted Turner to Marietta College.

I met and wrote about a self-proclaimed clairvoyant, Eugene Lewis, of Sharon in Noble County.

I toured and wrote about the restoration of the Ball-Caldwell House in Caldwell, and the dedication of a new library there in 1989.

Later I wrote about the deadly Flood of 1998, and still later, President George W. Bush's visit to Cambridge on July 31, 2004. The latter was a journalistic opportunity for the newspaper and myself.

The excitement of working on the front page and then covering Bush's rally was a once-in-a-lifetime event for me.

I don't regret my time writing with the newspaper.

Ending to a story?

I lost my job.

Months ago.

I haven't talked about this but I'm gonna.

She was like a sister-mother to me and I haven't seen her since the day I walked into our office and an hour and a half later I walked out - forever.

We haven't talked on the phone.

The only communication has been by email and in that her revelation that it's awkward for her.

I don't understand how it can be awkward to be my friend ...

So I've told her she wasn't the kind of friend I expected.

"You should not expect too much from people," another friend told me recently.

I think he's right.

Because with expectations you can get hurt.

I'm hurt.

I read this somewhere: When people walk away from you, let them go. Your destiny is never tied to anyone who leaves you, and it doesn't mean they are bad people. It just means that their part in your story is over.

It's hard to let go.

But she's eating cake and the days go on.

I'm wondering why she walked away.

I'm wondering what is the ending to this story.

Is her part in my story over?
 

Grandma McDonald's Tuna Casserole

 

VINTAGE FAMILY FIXIN'S

(revived)

Tuna Casserole is quick after a track meet

Welcome back to Vintage Family Fixin's.

I prepared this week's recipe after a middle school track meet to feed members of my family who didn't get their fill of pizza, hot dogs and other concessions at the chilly Cambridge event.

It is from my late grandmother Ruth (DeVol) McDonald's recipe box, and after we all tasted it … devoured it … I told my sons I wished she was here to tell her how much we loved it.

Grandma and Grandpa McDonald helped take care of me after my mother, Sandra Ellen (Watson) McDonald, died, and my father, Fred S. McDonald II, worked in Columbus.

Grandma worked a full-time job at the Noble County Courthouse. Grandpa (Fred) was a carpenter with Hill's Store in Caldwell. He was well known for laying carpet and linoleum in many Noble County homes.

Me following my graduation from Caldwell High School in 1984 with my grandparents, the late Fred and Ruth McDonald.

I'm convinced this was something grandma and grandpa made regularly as it is quick to prepare and very tasty.

Tuna Casserole

Mix together:

1 - 10 1/2 ounce condensed cream of mushroom soup

1 - 8/12 ounce drained small sweet peas

1- 5.33 ounce can chunk tuna

Pour into baked 9 inch pie shell. Bake 25 minutes in 350 degree oven.

Top with 3 1/2 ounces of french fried onion rings.

Bake 5 minutes more.


•••••

I used solid white albacore tuna and a frozen Pillsbury Pet-Ritz 9 inch deep dish pie crust which I baked for 15 minutes just before making this dish. This recipe is labeled a casserole but resembles a pot pie both in appearance and taste.

My husband asked if it was made with turkey or chicken. LOL

My star runner, William Donis Loos, had three helpings.

Today's bonus recipe is from Carrie Beatrice "Bea" (Tompkins) Loos' recipe box.

Bea was my husband, David's grandmother and she died on Dec. 9, 2001. I was blessed to have met and spent some time with her before she died.

She and her husband Willard (who my runner is named after) owned and operated the former Loos Produce poultry dressing business on the city's West End before retiring to a farm off Route 662 on Loos Lane.

Bea and Willard had two sons, John and Donis "Don;," the later was my husband's father. Don died before David and I met. Our son Will is named after him too.

This recipe is does not have a title but it is "from the kitchen of Don Loos."

Don Loos was a cook at several places in town.

I'm going to call it Don's Hash.

BONUS RECIPE

Don's Hash

1 package dried beef
1 tablespoon butter

1 can of potato soup

1/3 cup milk

1/3 cup cream

1 small can or 1 cup peas

Lightly brown beef in butter, add soup, milk, creams and peas. Heat and serve.

Let me know if you try the recipes and please share any stories you have with me about any of the people I talk about in my columns.

Caldwell's former eye doctor, Dr. Robert "Bob" Rudge sent me an e-mail this week informing me that his wife, Nancy, happened upon my Two Ruth's column from March 23 (published September 13, 2014 on this blog) that mentioned a recipe for Chicken Cashew Casserole by Ruth DeMarco.

"I went to Cambridge High (1944) with a Ruth Campbell and thought it would be quite a coincidence if this is the same one that provided a recipe that may 'grace' the table of one of her 'old' classmates," he wrote.

Yes, Dr. Rudge, son Steve confirmed that Ruth Campbell DeMarco also graduated from CHS in 1944.

Dr. Rudge fitted me with my first pair of eyeglasses ever in the 1980s.

Nancy was the pianist and organist at the Caldwell United Methodist Church, where I became a member in junior high.

It is a small world.

Originally published on April 6, 2014; reprinted with permission from the publisher of the newspaper where I used to work.

　






   

Revival of Vintage Family Fixin's

Early this spring I started a recipe column in the local newspaper where I worked. I called it Vintage Family Fixin's. I wanted to offer readers a recipe - or two - from the recipe boxes of my late grandmothers. In doing this I recalled stories about these women, and other members of my family, and found that sharing those memories with an audience resulted in letters and telephone calls from those who knew them.

It was the beginning of a great journey for me that ended too soon. After the publication of only five columns, I suddenly lost my job due to an error in a headline that had nothing to do with the recipe column.

I did not have an opportunity to tell any of the readers about my sudden departure or my blog but it is my hope that as I revive the recipe column maybe you will share this URL with someone who might find it interesting.

Over the next few weeks I will reprint all of the columns on this blog.
 
Here's the first one.

 

Vintage Family Fixin's

Two Ruths

Welcome to Vintage Family Fixin's.

Today begins with a story of discovery, a theme that has accompanied me through the past year (more about that in a future column).

My late paternal Grandmother Ruth (DeVol) McDonald's recipe box is much like my maternal Grandmother Janice (Day) Watson's attic -- full of unexpected surprises, coincidences or perhaps fate.

Looking through Grandmother McDonald's recipe box last week I ran across a dish called Chicken Cashew Casserole by Ruth DeMarco who in cursive wrote her recipe on a large index card that has two holes punched along the top. DeMarco, hmmmm, I know a DeMarco.

Wow!

It just so happens that Ruth's son, Steve DeMarco, is a contributor to [the name of the newspaper where I used to work] of news concerning Cambridge Concert Association. We are periodically in communication as I am his contact at the newspaper. We also are friends on Facebook.

So it was a coincidence that my Grandmother McDonald, who died at age 68 on Jan. 20, 1989 -- six months before I came to work at the newspaper -- at some point and time during her life met Ruth DeMarco.

Grandmother McDonald resided in Caldwell and worked in the Auditor's Office and later Probate Court at the Noble County Courthouse.

Ruth DeMarco lived a very active life in Cambridge and passed away in 2008 at the age of 81.

The women were six years apart in age.

So how did Ruth McDonald know Ruth DeMarco?

"Her mother's maiden name was Riddle. So she has/had lots of relatives and friends in Caldwell and the area," said Steve of his mother.

Steve said of his mother's Chicken Cashew Casserole, "I make it often and it's very tasty!"

More meals from Noble County folk will be coming your way because in Grandmother McDonald's recipe box I found recipes from the old Ralston's (Pharmacy in Caldwell), the Club in Caldwell, and some of my grandmother's friends (Wanda Wheeler, Mary Jane Yontz) and my Grandfather Fred McDonald's sister Ruth Smith.

Plus you'll enjoy fixin's from my husband's late grandmother Bea Loos, plus some from my late birth mother Sandra (Watson) McDonald, my late aunt Peggy (Watson) Ruppel, and my mother who raised me Judy (Spitler) McDonald Behringer.

Today's featured recipe is from Grandmother Watson's recipe box. Grandmother celebrates her 88th birthday on March 25. Happy birthday, Grandmother! You are the best cook and I remember you making this soup for me. I'm so blessed to have you.



Grandmother Watson's Fresh Mushroom Soup recipe prepared by me.

Fresh Mushroom Soup

1 pound mushrooms

6 tablespoons butte or margarine

2 cups finely chopped onions

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/4 cup flour

1 cup water

2 cans beef broth

1 cup dry vermouth (optional)

1/2 tablespoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper
Chop mushrooms. In large pot melt butter. Add onions and sugar. Saute over medium heat, stirring frequently for about 15 minutes or until golden. Add mushrooms and saute for 5 minutes. Stir in flour until smooth. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in water and smooth until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 20 minutes.

P.S. I fixed this soup and my family liked it with the exception of Will, 13, who doesn't particularly like mushrooms. Lee, 11, said, "It's delicious."



Grandmother Janice Watson and me.

BONUS RECIPE

Ruth DeMarco's Chicken Cashew Casserole

1 (3 ounce) can chow mein noodles

1 1/2 cans cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 breast of chicken (or 8 ounces of any cold chicken, more if desired (cooked chicken)

1/4 pound cashews, cut in quarters

1/2 cup celery, cut fine

1/4 small onion, cut or chopped

Dash salt and pepper

Set aside 1/2 cup noodles. In 1 1/2 quart casserole, combine the rest of ingredients. If cashews are not salted, add more salt. Sprinkle reserved 1/2 cup noodles over top. Dot with butter.

Bake 30 minutes in 325 degree oven.


Originally published on March 23, 2014; reprinted with permission from the publisher of the newspaper where I used to work.


　
 


　


　
　




　
 

811 Days

It's been 811 days since my last post.

That's two years, two months and 20 days.

We're all still here, the Old Man and our three sons, and me, the Old Lady.

Here's a recap of my time away from you.

2012

Christian had his heart ablation and the accessory connector was removed, successfully.

In May I was assigned to a new position at the newspaper, returning to reporting and writing, and working remotely from home.

I started to explore my grandmother's attic.

On June 29, our town was a victim of the North American derecho that killed 22 people. Our family lost electric power for four days. We were spared any severe damage to our home. I, however, was traumatized.

I developed "Mouse Elbow."

We bought a generator.

I read Lorle Porter's book "Sara's Table: Keeping House in Ohio - 1800-1950."
 The Old Man became a grandfather, and I became a stepgrandmother.

I learned I was officially in menopause.

I had a heart-to-heart talk about Santa Claus with Lee (who was 10 at the time).

2013

Our longtime child care provider fired our family.

I enjoyed the brief return of Cheesy Tots, my all-time favorite food snack, at a well-known fast food restaurant.

I decided I'd better find out what was the source of swelling in the right axillary breast area of my armpit.

Several tests and a bit later swollen lymph nodes detected.

I quit smoking!

Lee had his left nostril cauterized after suffering from frequent and heavy nosebleeds.

I made my TV debut on a Cleveland station. The reporter and videographer interviewed me at our house about my experience with identity theft via the IRS.

I found my mother in the farmhouse attic.

In May, Christian received a clean bill of health and was deemed cured.

I thought about becoming a falconer.

I started removing the wallpaper from our bedroom.

We bought a boat.

We gave away our three-legged cat Whiskers after I no longer could tolerate the allergies.

I got to experience the joy of being on a team when Christian joined Babe Ruth baseball.

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

We enjoyed following the Cambridge cross country team and watching Will run with the middle school pack.

I got my first full-body massage.

I regularly watched the TV shows "Parenthood," "Switched at Birth," "Saturday Night Live," "Breaking Amish," "Gold Rush," "Live from Daryl's House," "Myrtle Manor."

Will and Christian got braces.

In October, I hired a cleaning lady.

We hosted a Minecraft-themed birthday party in November.

2014

I managed to live through two dozen calamity days from school with three boys while working from home.

I finished removing the wallpaper from our bedroom walls.

The cleaning lady quit.

The swollen lymph nodes in the carotid artery area of my neck finally went away after eight scary months.

We took a weekend road trip to Deer Creek State Park and I photographed sunrise.

We followed Will as he traveled with the track and field team, jumping hurdles and running great distances.

I started a recipe column - Vintage Family Fixin's - that was published every other Sunday in the newspaper.

I helped my grandmother celebrate her 88th birthday.

I bought Season One of "Little House on the Prairie" on DVD.

Christian completed his eighth grade advanced art ceiling tile project of Pablo Picasso.

I got fired from my job of 25 years over an error in a headline that I did not write.


Here's my newspaper desk in a tote. I think there's a Soopr Day post in here somewhere ...

I wrote a new resume but for the first time in my adult life I didn't have to go to work.

The Old Man continues to do his job well so I can stay home, for now.

I signed up for COBRA.

I slept past 9, 10, 11 and noon.

I thank God.

I hug and kiss my boys and the Old Man.

I write.

God's plan

In the immediate days that followed our son’s diagnosis with a congenital heart condition, I was wrought with worry, overcome with anxiety and debilitated with fear.

Thank God I knew what to do – seek Him!

I had had those awful feelings before (when my ex-husband left me while I was pregnant in 1997; I lost the child and later learned he had been having an affair). During that time in my life I sought Christian counsel, attended church and renewed my faith and commitment that Jesus is my Savior, and those were some of the best days of my life.

As part of God’s plan, I soon met my husband and within two years I had a new family including a new son, whom we named Christian because my husband I are are both Christians. We also have two other sons ages 9 and 11.

Christian, 12, has been a healthy child for the most part. Only for the past five years he has suffered from what initially was believed to be hypoglycemia (ruled out) and what last summer was finally diagnosed as migraine headaches. So last month’s revelation that he has a congenital heart condition came as a great surprise.

All part of God’s plan.

On March 26 I spent the evening in the ER with Christian who had a heart rate of around  200 beats per minute for several hours that day. It was a scary time for me but Christian was cool. The doctor performed what appeared to be a magic trick that involved a breathing exercise and pressure that took the high rhythm down immediately. Diagnosis was supraventricular tachycardia - SVT. And follow up at a children’s hospital was arranged. Normal heart rate for a kid is 80 to 120.

The next day Christian and my husband returned from the children’s hospital with a bigger diagnosis - something he apparently was born with; they confirmed the local ER's diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia but discovered it is SVT using an accessory connection - a tiny piece of muscle, smaller than a hair, that bridges the atria and ventricles.

The condition is called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. I will not go into detail here about WPW or its complications but do know that Christian will soon have a procedure to hopefully get rid of the fiber. Please pray for healing and protection for Christian.

On March 28 I sought Christian counsel. I met with a pastor of a local church. I prayed. My family started attending that church, something we’ve done just a few times over the past decade, but never a month of Sundays.

All part of God’s plan.

Thanks to social media, I sought prayer on Facebook as I attempted to lay this burden at His feet, I emailed friends and asked them to place Christian on their church prayer lists. Thank God for the Internet!

We have been blessed. And I know that prayer works and I know that God has a plan. I am not in control. He is.

I also received Scripture from a friend that I want to share because maybe you are experiencing worry, anxiety and fear. Maybe you need to hear God’s Word or maybe you need to read words about God.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Matthew 11:28 "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is tailor-made and my burden is light."

Another friend shared this with me on Facebook:

God knows exactly where you find yourself, and He is faithful and steadfast. HE also knows Christian's body inside and out and has given doctors great knowledge. I will pray for comfort and peace as you discern the route to take for his complete healing. Be strong and take courage.

Today I have peace even though one month ago I was wrought with worry, overcome with anxiety and debilitated with fear.

All God’s plan. Praise the Lord!