CHFWeb: Chapter 2-Sisters in Cyberspace

Chapter 2:
Blooming Gladiola

"We'll throw in some pizzas, Hon. It's not a big deal. Let Murray crunch on some cereal this once," answered Chester. His smile was too big to hide now. "Okay, what is up? What is Polly's surprise? I can't wait any longer," said Anna, trying not to look too excited. Her heart was beating fast. Polly was known for her big surprises.
Chester was busy typing something in. He hit the Enter key, stepped away from the chair, sent Sandy and Rod to get the pizzas started, pulled out the computer chair in a gentlemanly fashion, and guided his dear wife to sit down in front of the computer.
Tears started to form in Anna's eyes. Once again her wonderful sister had surprised and blessed her. When the Web page had loaded she read ...

At Home with Grandma Gladiola

"O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come." (Psalm 71:17-18)

Dearest Anna,

Welcome to the Web! I wanted to do something special to surprise you so thought I'd create a special tribute to our own favorite "Titus 2:3-5 older woman", Grandma Gladiola, sharing her wisdom and recipes. I drove over to visit her last week and when she found out what I was up to, she refused to let me call it a "tribute" because she insisted all glory be to the Lord. She did allow me to "interview" her and shared some favorite recipes and scriptures. She misses you so much since you and Chester moved away and was thrilled that we would have a way to communicate so quickly now! (Maybe we can get her online --she would sure bless the Christian Webbers, too!)

Love,

Polly

An interview with Gladiola

Polly: "Grandma Gladiola, you have been a Christian for many years, raised seven children, and were happily married for over sixty years. If you could only give one piece of advice to younger women today, what would you tell them?"

Grandma Gladiola: The first thing that comes to mind is this...love God with all your heart and follow His directions --He will never let you down!

Polly: That just about covers it, eh Grandma? But the practical little details of life sometimes get a little complicated, don't they?

Grandma Gladiola: Well, yes, sometimes they do...but in essence the gospel is simplicity itself and living it out can be summed up in these three words: Abide in Christ. But if we don't take time to read His directions and pray --and mix in faith that He really will take care of everything, life can feel overwhelming and confusing. Especially when women today stay on the go so much they don't make time to spend with the Lord and in His Word.

Polly: Thank you for encouraging us, Grandma. We hope you'll share some specifics that I can publish on the web from time to time. Do you have some good recipes for us today?

Grandma Gladiola: Yes, certainly! Here are a few of my favorites:

"Real Men Pleasers"

Beef Mushroom Loaf (serves 6)

1 3 oz. can chopped mushrooms (may substitute sauted fresh mushrooms, chopped.)
Milk
1 slightly beaten egg
1 1/2 teaspoon worchestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard (or substitute a couple of tablespoons of prepared mustard)
Dash of pepper
1 1/2 soft bread crumbs
1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef

[Glaze during last 15 minutes of baking: 1 cup catsup with 1-3 Tablespoons Karo corn syrup.]

Preparation: Drain the chopped mushrooms, reserving liquid. Add enough milk to mushrooms to make 1/2 cup. In mixing bowl, combine liquid, egg, worcestershire sauce, seasoning, and bread crumbs.

Let stand about five minutes. Stir in beef and chopped mushrooms. Mix lightly but thoroughly.

Shape loaf in 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish. Bake in moderate oven (350 degrees) 1 hour. Combine catsup and corn syrup; brush on meat loaf. Bake 15 minutes more.

Garnish with mushroom crowns and pimento strips, if desired.

Serve with mashed potatoes or baked potatoes, tossed salad, green beans and corn.

Glazed Chicken (Serves 4)

3 lbs. of chicken pieces
4 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup prepared mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon curry powder (careful not to put too much, this can be strong!)

Melt butter in shallow baking pan. Stir in remaining ingredients. Roll chicken pieces in mixture to coat pieces on both sides, then arrange meaty side up in a single layer in same pan.

Bake in moderate oven (375 degrees) 1 hour or until chicken is tender and richly glazed. Serve with rice and tossed salad!

Fresh homemade breads add a special touch to any meal. Here are two recipes, one for when you're in a hurry, the other when you have more time.

Popovers (quick and delicious!)

4 eggs
2 cups milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 425 degrees. Grease 12 deep custard cups or 16 medium muffin cups. Beat eggs slightly; add milk, flour and salt and beat just until smooth. Do not overbeat.

Fill custard cups 1/2 full, muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from pan and serve hot!

Buttermilk Yeast Rolls (Incredibly light and tasty!)

1 packages active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
3 cups buttermilk, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
About 8 cups all purpose flour

Dissolve yeast into warm water in large mixing bowl; stir until dissolved. Add buttermilk and sugar; let mixture stand 15 minutes. Add warm butter and eggs; mix. Sift soda and salt with 4 cups flour; add to liquid mixture. Beat until smooth batter forms. Add remaining sifted flour, stirring with spoon until dough is no longer sticky. Knead on floured board; place in large greased mixing bowl. Cover; let rise until double, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down; form into buns (squeeze dough into balls the size of egg). Place on greased baking sheet; flatten slightly with hand. Let rise until double, about 30 minutes.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove to cooling rack; brush tops with melted butter.

Yield: About 4 dozen rolls.

Grandma Gladiola says: "Make your home a refuge and retreat for all who enter! Cultivate harmony, peace and joy by centering your life in Christ and demonstrating His unconditional love and servant's heart to all."

From Grandma's Bookshelf:

"Which part of marriage will your husband and you remember in ten or twenty years? Will it be the harping, the boredom, or the happy, tender memories you purposely planned? How will he know how much you care if you do not show him? Small, friendly deeds say, 'You are on my mind,' and add mellow feelings that bond a couple together. Better loving has to start somewhere. Why not with you?" --Alice Chapin in _400 Creative Ways to Say I Love You_

"That good, huh?" The tears on Anna's cheeks said it all. She missed her Grandma Gladiola terribly. She reread the interview, a big smile on her face, knowing that these were definitely the godly words her dear grandmother would share. She sighed thinking how Polly could visit Grandma so easily.
It was no good feeling lonely and isolated. In Psalm 25, verse 16, David prayed, "Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted." Anna was far from people that she loved and missed dearly, but she was surrounded by her own precious family, in her home which she felt at peace in. And, as Grandma Gladiola liked to say, "All glory be to the Lord." She knew that Polly wouldn't want her to be feeling lonely right now, but to feel the excitement and joy of being able to communicate so easily. This really was fun!
"Hey Mom! We even put garlic and tomatoes on your pizza!" It was about time that dinner was ready.
Anna joined everyone else in the kitchen. "Jonah! Get down! Sandy, you know you aren't supposed to feed Jonah table scraps," said Anna in a shocked voice. Chester asked, "Did you remember to shut everything down? Did you leave the computer online?" He knew the answer from Anna's blank expression, "Online? Shut it down? Huh?"
A minute later, after the modem had been disconnected, the phone rang. Maybe they should get a separate phone line for the computer. *grin*

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"And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord;
and great shall be the peace of thy children."
Isaiah 54:13