Author: Jeanne Lemmon Skinner

Cake Walks still exist!

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Kids receive cupcakes instead of an entire cake as their cake walk prize.

Cake walks have changed since they originated on slave plantations. Participants no long prance in a square formation but walk around in a circle. These cupcakes will be given to the child who is standing on the right number when the music stops. A lot of fun and sugar will be consumed at the church’s annual Easter egg hunt today.

I found the history of the cake walk fascinating. It was originally called the prize walk and slave owners judged the dancing. Couples stood with the men in the inside of the square and apparently imitated their white master’s movements. The men’s movements consisted of haughtily tipped heads and high prancing legs while the women were judged on their grace. The prize was an elaborately decorated cake and from what I read, the slave owners didn’t see themselves in the men’s movements.

In the late 1800’s, minstrel shows featured the cakewalk. The dancers were always men and even the black participants wore black face. The cake walk became so popular that in 1897 a national competition was held at New York’s Madison Square Gardens. It’s not surprising that music was affected by the cake walk movements and it is believed to have influenced ragtime music. Scott Joplin mentioned the cake walk in his song The Ragtime Dance. When minstrel shows lost popularity to vaudeville, the cake walks moved to carnivals.

I remember cake walks as a fund raiser when I was in school. Everyone was excited about winning a cake even if you had a mother who baked. I never won one but it was always fun. The history of the cake walk makes me appreciate the custom even more.

Spring is Here!

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The crocus awakened early this year.

The crocus are always a welcome sight and were a pleasant surprise in February. The daffodils are blooming now, and as usual, they were snowed on. It didn’t hurt them a bit. According to Google, they can survive temperatures as low as 25 degrees.

In Latin, crocus means saffron. I wonder who thought of drying the stigma of the crocus to use in cooking. Iran produces the most saffron and it is very expensive. On Amazon, I found prices ranging from 1oz. costing $64.00 to $139.95. There’s a reason I don’t cook with saffron. Actually, I don’t have any idea what it tastes like. That’s okay, because I’d probably be allergic to it!

Other things happen in the spring besides flowers blooming. One is the dreaded time change. I wish Congress would vote to stop these time changes. Every fall and spring we go through this and it’s time to stop! I think I’m a voice in the wilderness but honestly, it wrecks havoc on people.

Did you know Martha Stewart has a spring cleaning check list? You might check it out. I got tired just reading it. I admit I have a spring cleaning gardening list. It’s a lot more fun. I’ve already started pulling weeds. I thought if I got an early start they’d realize how serious I am about keeping them out. They are determined to live in my flower beds. Stupid weeds.

Spring officially starts next week, but we have already experienced the warmer temperatures. I know there will still be cold days and I might look over Martha’s list on one of them. Today I garden! How lucky I am to have sun and 70 degrees in March. God is good!

A Day to Show Love

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February and December have a lot in common.

February is a cold month in Ohio so the red sweaters worn in December still work in February. Red and white candles can still be used along with a few branches of greenery. The most important thing both share is they are months where people talk about love.

We love the gifts we received, the special food prepared and in general the feeling of love. December tends to wear people out, but February is a month where we can concentrate on the meaning of love. Many people get married in February and the popular Bible verse about love is read. It is probably something that should be posted in the home and read regularly.

Paul talks about love in the book of Corinthians 13: 4-8. He begins with patient and kind and continues with what love isn’t. It isn’t envious, boastful, self-seeking and is not easily brought to anger. The next is a difficult one. Love doesn’t keep a record of wrong doings. I admit I struggle with patience and remembering the wrong doings. It’s hard not to say, ” I remember when you …..”

I love my family but I admit I sound like a nag when I remind family members to hang up their coats, put their dishes in the dishwasher and to throw their clothes down the clothes shoot. I’m sure that would be considered not patient. I probably fail slow to anger too. I choose to think of myself as being irritated and not angry though. I’ve always heard it’s easier to show kindness with people you don’t live with, for example, your friends and co-workers. I admit I see truth in that statement.

Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the first day of lent. I have decided to focus on Paul’s description of love. He says love never fails. Love protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. I plan to persevere! Happy Valentine’s Day!

Where have you found help?

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Help found in unexpected places.

I was recently in a group when we were asked to think of someone who had helped you when you really needed it. For me, it was Mr. Stover.

When I was 19, I was in my second year of college and had to not only pay for my tuition, (which I was doing) but now had to pay rent and other living expenses. This was because my mom got married and moved out of town. I was happy to share an apartment with my sister, and I felt very grown up to be on my own. However, I needed money to pay for this new adult responsibility.

I was fortunate to work for a man, Mr. Stover, who allowed me to work whenever my schedule allowed. Every quarter my hours changed along with my schedule, and he accommodated me. During my breaks, he let me work full time. My co-workers were supportive of my crazy schedule and I felt part of the work family. They frequently talked about their faith and their churches. This was a new experience. I had grown up in the church, but I never heard anyone talk about their faith outside of church. It made me think about the strength of my faith.

My senior year, I had student teaching so I could only work on breaks. Thankfully, I had earned a scholarship to pay for school, but I needed money to live on. Whatever days I had off, I was allowed to work. I know I could have never made it without Mr. Stover. I believe God led me to that small company because he knew I’d find help there. I sat at a wheel and packed doll house accessories!

I would love to hear who God put in your life. I imagine here have been more than one person. Please share!

What is a Wemmick?

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A Wemmick might drive a wooden car because he or she is a wooden person.

When I was teaching, I read my students The Sneetches, by Dr. Seuss. The lesson is very simple. A Sneetch is a Sneetch with or without a star on his or her belly. All one has to do is substitute people for Sneetch and the lesson is complete. Max Lucado wrote You are Special with another lesson that I think children and adults would appreciate.

The people in Wemmickville reward or disapprove of community members on a daily basis by placing stickers on each other. Gold stickers represent talent and good looks while gray stickers represent ordinary or failure. Punchinello is the main character of the story and he is covered with gray stickers every day.

One day Punchinello meets a girl who doesn’t have any stickers because they will not stick to her. When he asked her why this was, she took him to meet Eli the master woodcarver, the creator of the wooden people. Punchinello went to see Eli daily and eventually the stickers would not stick to him.

We aren’t given stickers, but we are labeled in many ways: talent, age, gender, disposition and other ways. The cool kids versus the nerds and mean girls who taunt the nice girls have all been fodder for books and movies. We watch and draw our own conclusions, but Max Lucado gives a way to help us not let labels stick.

Our creator is God and going to him daily in prayer of course is the message. It might take time and patience, but it is worth the effort. Max Lucado created a wonderful book and Sergio Martinez’s illustrations are delightful. Give it a try; I think you’ll like it.

The Wisemen’s Gifts

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I was surprised to learn about frankincense and myrrh.

I broke one of the wise men in our nativity set and of course could not replace it. I had to order three new wisemen and they came with gold, frankincense and myrrh. The order also included information about frankincense and myrrh. They both come from tree resins.

Frankincense comes from the Boswellia tree. The trees grow in India, Africa and the Middle east. Frankincense was burned in Jewish temple as an offering to God. It was one of the gifts given to baby Jesus. It acknowledged his holiness and the wisemen’s belief in him. It is said to have a woody fragrance. A small bag was sent with the wisemen and we will put a few pieces in our fireplace when we make our first fire of the season. I’m eager to smell it.

Myrrh comes from the Commiphora tree. It is found in the same area as the Boswellia tree. It is not a large tree and it resin is the reddish looking little pieces the kneeling king is holding. Myrrh was used to anoint religious leaders and kings. It was also used for burial. Some believe it was an indication of what was to happen to Jesus.

Both frankincense and myrrh have been used for thousands of years as medicinal remedies as well as in religious ceremonies. I read a wide variety of ailments that have been treated with them. I know some churches today burn incense and I’d be interested to know if it is frankincense.

The Feast of Epiphany celebrates the arrival of the wisemen 12 days after Jesus’s birth. But their arrival time has been studied and debated for many years. Some believe Jesus was a toddler when the wisemen arrived. The book of Matthew 2:1-11 says the wisemen “came into the house and saw the young child.” King Herod also ordered that infants age two and under be put to death, so that supports the idea of that Jesus was not an infant. It doesn’t matter to me when the wisemen arrived. I’m just thankful that God sent him to us. His birth is Christmas.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas filled with love and thankfulness. Maybe a few of you will receive frankincense and myrrh. It is available on Amazon!

Thanksgiving Traditions

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Holiday skits make for a hilarious holiday tradition!

Once again Thanksgiving was filled with laughter as my daughter and granddaughters entertained with Thanksgiving with Holiday Icons. It was written by my eldest granddaughter and my role was the grandmother. Apparently, I don’t take direction well, so I think I will be sent to the audience next year.

We have been performing a skit for about five or six years, so it has become a tradition. I wrote the first ones but the granddaughters began writing the skits three years ago. I’m allowed to give ideas, but the script is theirs. It’s fun and it certainly creates memories. It also helps that I have lots of costumes in my house!

Our dinner was delicious and there are lots of leftovers. I keep saying I’m going to make less, but that doesn’t happen. It’s the only time a year we have turkey and I tend to go overboard. We have a beef roast at Christmas so Thanksgiving is the only day we eat turkey, dressing and cranberry salad. My mom used to make a Thanksgiving dinner in the summer because she said once a year wasn’t enough. We didn’t have air conditioning and eating a big turkey dinner in the summer just isn’t the same. We also didn’t have a dish washer so cleaning up was not fun. Memories!

Since Thanksgiving is over, I can now begin decorating for Christmas. I know many have already put up trees, but I wait. I think each holiday deserves its time. Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and I’d love to hear some of your holiday traditions!

Awww November!

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November is a month to pause before the hectic month of December.

I know some people are already in Christmas mode. Some have even put up their Christmas tree. Not me. I want to enjoy November and relish in the calm before December arrives. There is a calmness in these days if we allow it.

October is a month of fun fall activities which include picking apples and choosing the best pumpkins to carve. Halloween costumes must be considered and of course Halloween decorations. It’s a very busy month.

November’s main event is Thanksgiving which means the few days before I will be preparing for the feast, but prior to that I can enjoy the remaining fall days and finish the fall yard cleanup. All Saints Day begins the month and being alone in my garden is the best time to remember loved ones with a smile or a tear. Veterans Day is another important day of remembrance. My husband will go on another Honor Flight this month in honoring fellow veterans.

November will always be a time when I remember the assassination of President Kennedy. I’ve been to Dallas and seen the book depository and the grassy knoll. It was a terrible day and there apparently is still much to learn about this event. We’ll see.

I decorate for Thanksgiving with turkeys, pumpkins and scarecrows, and Christmas waits for December 1. It’s important to have a few weeks of calm and remembering. Most of all it’s a time of thankfulness. Given what is happening in our country and around the world, I am well aware of my blessings. I hope you have a blessed and quiet November. December awaits us!

Molasses is not just for Baking!

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Cookie baking is all year round for me, but autumn calls for molasses cookies.

I grew up in a family of bakers and their recipes have become mine, but some how mine don’t taste the way I remember. That is true of my Aunt Hazel’s molasses cookies. I recently tried a new soft molasses cookie and I think I’ll go back to my aunt’s.

I learned in history class about the importance of molasses in the triangle trade. Slaves were brought from Africa to the sugar cane plantations in the Caribbean. The molasses made from the sugar was shipped to New England to make rum. The rum was taken to West Africa and was used to purchase slaves. What I didn’t know was that molasses was the primary sweetener in America until the early 1900s when the price of refined sugar dropped. That bit of information helped me understand the importance of molasses outside of rum production.

Molasses is made from sugar cane and sugar beets. Sugar cane produces the sweetest sugar and is used for cooking and baking. Sugar beet molasses is used in animal food. It provides protein and minerals for beef and dairy cattle. Molasses is also used in the production of yeast. (Who knew?) A strange use of molasses is its use on gravel roads for dust control. It’s a natural product and because it’s sticky it really works. I wonder about it getting on the cars. I wouldn’t want to scrape molasses off my car.

I learned that if I’m out of brown sugar I can add one tablespoon of molasses to a cup of granulated sugar. Want dark brown sugar? Add two tablespoons. It sounds like I’d have a gummy mess, but I might try it just to see if it works. Many of my cookie recipes call for brown sugar because it brings a nice taste that granulated sugar doesn’t. The darker the sugar the better the taste. I can’t verify that, but it makes sense.

Hope you all are enjoying the fall temperatures and beautiful blue skies. A cup of cider and a couple cookies makes the day even better! My favorite cookie is oatmeal raisin, and they are made with brown sugar.

Drowning in Caramel!

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This poor little apple is suffering from over decorating.

Fall is the season when those who like to decorate begin transforming their homes and lawns. I admit I’m one who happily charges into my storage area and begins pulling out pumpkins, ghosts and scarecrows. This poor apple suffered from an idea gone wrong. I think it kind of looks like a bird.

God is the best decorator. The maple trees are beginning to turn red and the cool air smells clean and fresh. The mums and asters brighten porches along with pumpkins and warty looking gourds. Today we are expecting rain and I know the dry, dry ground will appreciate the drink. All of my flowers and bushes should enjoy having rain over the garden hose water.

This is also the time to freeze fresh corn and apples. I already made corn chowder and apple crisp, but the plan is to be able to enjoy the fresh taste throughout the winter. One of my granddaughters wouldn’t even taste the chowder. When asked what was in it, I told her corn, potatoes, bacon, cheese and other things. “Chowder is a soup,” I explained. “Oh,” she said, “I only like tomato soup.” Kids!

Fall means football in Ohio, especially those who live in Columbus. We have Browns, Bengals and even Steelers fans, but we unite over the Buckeyes. Game day provides another opportunity to decorate. Homes, yards and people are covered in Buckeye attire. I know it sounds crazy to some, but it’s tradition.

World events fill the news, but nature’s beauty or a cute scarecrow can bring a smile. I am thankful for these beautiful fall days and abundant color to come. Fall is a fun filled season and hopefully it will bring a Buckeye win over Michigan this year!