Most of the baskets mentioned in the Little House books are containers used by the girls and their Mamma for storage of needlework items. These baskets held knitting, sewing, and mending projects that included materials. These were brought out only when those projects were in progress.
Baskets have been around as long as there have been dry items needed to be transported or stored, although baskets could also be used for non-storage usage, such as when sifting two substances of different sizes or for catching fish. If homemade, baskets were typically woven of materials readily available and could be as simple or as elaborate as the basketmaker wanted them to be. There was a variety of sizes and shapes of baskets that were used. An open basket in which darning, knitting, or sewing items were kept could just as easily be used for the storage of foodstuffs, kindling, or garden seeds.
The early settlers understood basketmaking, many of which were formed in winter evenings. These baskets at that time were essential for gathering, transporting and processing daily goods. Materials such as hickory, ash, oak, and willow were used to construct these baskets which were specific to everyday needs.
The variety of baskets included picnic, bread, pie, Easter, magazine/newspaper, measuring, potato, bicycle, umbrella, waste, berry, laundry, storage, pea/bean, cheese and baby. So, one can readily see that baskets, at one time, were an essential part of daily living.
The elderberry pie has become practically unknown in this area. It is a tasty pie…delicious to those who are aware of its culinary flair:
Elderberry Pie
Pastry for 2-crust, 9- inch pie
2-1/2 cups fresh elderberries
3 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons flour
4 teaspoons vinegar or lemon juice
2-1/2 tablespoons butter
Line 9-inch pie pan with pastry. Wash elderberries thoroughly. In a bowl, mix berries, salt, sugar, flour and vinegar or juice. Mix gently with a fork. Pour berry mixture into pastry-lined pie plate. Dot the top with butter. Wet rim of pie shell lightly. Cover with top pastry, which should have 6-8 slits one half inch long in it. Trim off edge. Seal by pressing the 2 rims together with thumbs or fork tines. Place on cookie sheet in preheated 450 degree oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 40-45 minutes until crust is golden brown. Serve lightly warm. Good with ice cream.
So, when elderberries are mature (sometimes along country roads), take the berry basket and pick some elderberries to be made into a delicious pie.
Life’s instructions include the following:
1. Write down five things a person is grateful for.
2. Prepare everything one needs for the day the night before.
3. Do something for someone else.
4. Start the day off with a healthy and delicious breakfast.
5. Compliment at least two people every day.
The rains that have fallen have helped green nature up. Mullein is now blooming, roadside daisies are bopping their heads in the breeze, blackberry vines have bloom, orange day lilies are so welcoming, and thistles are “as high as an elephant’s eye.” Farmers are busy mowing hay, and gardeners are watching their gardens hoping to take care of the varmints.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“It is hard to imagine a civilization without onions.” — Julia Child
“I just make it my business to get along with people so I can have fun. It’s that simple.” — Betty White.
“To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak.” — Hopi Saying
“All real education is the architecture of the soul.” — William Bennett
“I never tried quitting, and I never quit trying.” — Dolly Parton
The best place to be to hear the “Talk of the Grove” is under a shady umbrella.
Helen and Rhonda Nash had a delightful weekend with granddaughter/niece, Myah Hidalgo and Vadim Barnakov of Richmond, Virginia. The young folks spent several hours helping with yardwork and heavy lifting for Aunt Peachy and were rewarded with a trip to Dry Run Spirits and an enjoyable visit with Jeff and Teresa Munn on their beautiful property. The weekend concluded with an all homemade feast of Greek foods in honor of Myah and Vadim’s trip to Greece last year
Geneva Mongold celebrated her ninth birthday on Saturday with family and friends in attendance at the home of Evelyn Varner. Happy birthday, Geneva.
Congratulations to Helen Troutman and Kermit Wimer who “tied the knot” Sunday at the Brandywine Baptist Church.
Always on the lookout for some good music are Evelyn Varner and Rose Brackman. They enjoyed the Saturday night performance of Jeff and Sherri Easter at the Briery Branch Community Building.
The writer is sorry to hear that Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger is in the hospital.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
Kelly Clarkson won the first season of American Idol.
The sport of curling originated in Scotland.
The loudest animal on Earth is the sperm whale.
Dr. Pepper is the oldest soft drink in America.
The oldest person to have lived is 122 years old.
Concerns are for Charles Anderson, Roger and Joan Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Dave Basagic, “Bo” and Dora Boggs, Larry Byers, Jeff Craig, Stanley Dahmer, Isaac Eye, Carl Gant, Sue Hall, Clyde Hamilton, Armanda Heavner, Starr Hedrick, Keith Hoover, Cynthia Hurry, Gary Jamison, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Tara Kelley, Lori Ann Lambert, Melissa Lambert, Roger Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, the family and friends of Dave McConnell, Jamie Mitchell, Willa Nelson, Alda Propst, Sheldon Propst, Eldon Rexrode, Bernie and Margaret Sasscer, Robbie Sites, the family and friends of Carroll Lee Sponaugle and Edwin Wimer.
