Christmas The Old Fashioned Way

"Ma was busy all day long, cooking good things for Christmas. She baked salt-rising bread and r'n'Injun bread, and Swedish crackers, and huge pan of baked beans, with salt pork and molasses. She baked vinegar pies and dried-apple pies, and filled a big jar with cookies, and she let Laura and Mary lick the cake spoon. “

VINEGAR PIE
from COOKS.COM
1 c. sugar

2 eggs

1/8 tsp. salt

2 tbsp. butter

1 c. cold water

3 tbsp. flour

4 tbsp. vinegar

Sprinkle of cinnamon

1 unbaked pie shell
Mix sugar and salt with softened butter. Add eggs and blend well. Make a smooth paste of the flour and a little of the water. add to sugar mixture with vinegar and remaining water. Pour filling into the unbaked pie crust and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon. Bake at 425 degrees until edge of crust is golden brown, then reduce heat to 350 degrees. Bake until silver knife blade inserted in filling comes out clean. Makes 6 servings.

This recipe is going to grace our table on Christmas day, a new tradition.

I was laying in bed this morning, lingering under the warm covers as long as I could, knowing full well the house was cold, the fire unattended all night long as we slept sound as bears in hibernation. Emery had his heavy coat on in the house, which gave me a clue that it was a chilly morning, so I stayed snug as a bug as long as possible, thinking about what sort of things to make for presents next year. Napkins, made from some of the fabrics in my generous stash would be nice. I am sure I could match fabric to people easily. Table runners and place mats would work well for gifts, and it would use some up some of my fabric. Maybe even finish the quilts I started and give those as gifts. There is a great little book called, "Secrets of the Spas" by Catherine Bardey that has so many recipes for soaks, lotions, scrubs, masks etc that would make great gifts for the ladies on the gift list. Men can always use a hand knit hat if you live in a colder area. Family gifts are a great idea too, baked goods or spiced nuts and candy, maybe even a vinegar pie !