First Freeze – Country Cousin

By: 
Shirley Prudhomme

Autumn officially arrived all across the Northern Hemisphere on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 21 it made its presence known in TIMESLand by bringing along the first frost of year for  many areas and chilly temperatures that have kept furnaces running ever since in most homes, at least at night.
Right in time for the need for more fuel, gasoline prices soared to right around the $4 per gallon mark at most filling stations, and oil and propane prices are going up as well. Temperatures are going down but inflation is going up again, hitting particularly hard at the things we need most.
Leaves are rapidly changing color, and gardens are nearing their end for this year.
COLOR TOURS
Right in time for the most scenic time of year in TIMESLand, the Marinette County Economic Development and Tourism Department Department has published a Fall color tour booklet for 2022, with detailed driving directions and maps for three spectacular auto routes and two ATV routes, as well as a listing of some of the wonderful fall events being offered in communities and business places around the county.
There might be time to get it all in if you really try.
On the other hand, there are many indoor and outdoor chores that need to be done before winter really sets, so most of us will need to spend some time with our noses to the grindstone.
WINTERIZE
Winter isn’t quite here yet, but it definitely is coming. It’s time to batten the hatches to keep the heat in and the cold out.  With inflation sending all prices soaring, it’s especially important to do everything possible to batten down the hatches and keep heating  costs down this winter.
There are several measures homeowners can take to control or lower those monthly utility bills.
Start by checking check heating and cooling systems. Replace filters to insure clean and adequate air flow. Keep registers and vents free of dust, dirt and other blockages. (These measures will also help you keep the house cleaner with less effort.) Keep registers and doors closed in unused rooms.
Caulk or add weather stripping around windows and doors where small openings otherwise will allow money to seep out all winter. Blocking those leaks also halts uncomfortable drafts, and prevents moisture damage from condensation where warm air meets cold.
Experts say adding or replacing matted or torn insulation can save up to 30 percent on the heating bill.
Hanging dark-colored heavy drapes on larger windows, and remembering to open them on sunny days and close them at night also helps.
GROWIN’ THINGS
If you treated your houseplants to an outdoor vacation for the summer and they survived that first frost, better get them moved back to their winter quarters soon. If they did get nipped by the frost, parts may have survived, and you may be able to take cuttings to root for new plants. This is a good time to take cuttings from house plants in any case.
Outdoors, in the next few weeks, cut out raspberry and blackberry canes that have just finished fruiting, transplant Oriental poppies, and sow perennials like, Phlox paniculata, digitalis, centaurea, and primrose outdoors for blossoms next spring.
Check rock garden plants to see if they need thinning.
OUT OF STORAGE
The days of wearing shorts and sandals are pretty much over and it’s time to unpack the sweaters, jackets and coats that have spent the summer in storage. If you didn’t store them properly, or stored them in a damp area, don’t be surprised if a musty odor greets you when you open the box or tote,  or if you find that mice and/or moths have done some munching.
 When packing away your summer things, check to be sure they are clean and unstained, and be sure they are completely dry before you tuck them into their winter containers. For pleasantly scented clothes next Spring, tuck some dried lavender or cedar chips in with them, or also put in a sock filled with baking soda or even dry coffee grounds which are surprisingly good at absorbing odors.
As to the winter garb you’re taking out of storage, hang them outside to allow sunlight and clean air to freshen them and remove wrinkles. Check for stains or lingering musty smells before you bring them in. If the musty smells didn’t come out, if you find forgotten stains, of if the wrinkles won’t give up, you may need to do some added laundry.
If the wrinkles are persistent, and the fabric allows, toss them into the dryer with a dampened towel to create steam and release the wrinkles. Run the dryer at high to medium heat for five to 10 minutes, depending on fabric, and then remove the garments and put them on a hanger as soon as they come out of the dryer. Some garments may need to be touched up with an iron, but the idea is to avoid that if possible.
If you can’t put the garment into a dryer, try spraying it with wrinkle releaser or distilled water that you’ve put into  a clean spray bottle. Then aim your hair dryer at it for a few minutes.
Incidentally, you can make your own home made wrinkle relaxer spray by combining one cup of distilled or other bottled water with a teaspoon of liquid fabric softener and a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol. Shake it all up in an empty spray bottle and then spray away. The fabric softener adds a nice scent too.
SQUIRELS IN THE ATTIC
You’ve heard of bats in the belfry? Squirrels in the attic are even worse. When winter approaches, squirrels - like mice - try to find shelter sometimes they may come inside your home. Avoid this by trimming branches that hang near your roof and place a mesh guard on your chimney. Close up all holes into your home.
If a squirrel does become trapped in your chimney or attic, you don’t want it to die there. Make sure it has a way to get out. Hang a rope down through your chimney so it can climb back up to the roof. Or, buy a live trap to get the squirrel out of your house.
Call an animal control specialist or enlist the help of a trapper friend if you’re desperate. Experts say once a squirrel lives in your house for a few weeks, they and all their relatives will be attracted to your attic for at least a couple of years.
Trust me, I personally have seen the damage a squirrel can do inside a home, and it is not pretty!
ON THE SOAP BOX
LIES, LIES, LIES

Am more and more sickened by the vicious and vulgar lies and smear campaigns being conducted by liberals against conservative political candidates whose names will be on the ballot for the elections on Nov. 8. Am referring in particular to lies about Sen. Ron Johnson and businessman Tim Michels, the highly regarded Republican candidate hoping to replace Democrat Tony Evers as Governor of Wisconsin.
Am even more sickened by the number of people who believe those lies without checking the facts.
One of the ads against Michels accuses him of mistreating and even abusing his employees. Am personally well acquainted with a young woman who has worked for Michels for years, both in the office and on construction jobs all around the country. She and her friends and the co workers I have met have nothing but praise for him as a businessman and as a generous and considerate boss.
Honest opponents and their supporters would tell voters how they or their candidates would handle the multitude of very real problems facing this country today.
If they had any solutions to offer they wouldn’t need to resort to the character assination they are paying for on TV, radio and the web.
On the other hand, the liberal policies of the Democrats in office are what caused the inflation, supply shortages and impending recession (or more likely depression) that we’re facing today, starting with their determination to follow ridiculous open border policies and to force use of “green” energy that isn’t really green at all.
The liberals in Madison and in Washington, DC certainly have accomplished a lot of damage in the last two years. Heaven help us all if they get another two years to wreak their havoc!
RIDDLE ME THIS
Halloween is coming soon, and the decorations are coming out. Here are a few riddles for the season. See answers right before Thought for the Week.
A. The maker doesn’t want it. The buyer doesn’t use it. The user doesn’t see it. What is it?
B: What do you call a ghost in a torn sheet?
B: A holy terror.
C: What tops off a ghost’s sundae?
D: Why did the baby ghost go to the doctor before halloween?
E: When do ghosts usually appear?
COOKIN’ TIME
Cooking gets to be more fun when temperatures drop. The family likes it a lot better when we heat the kitchen by baking a mouth watering treat than by just letting the furnace run. It’s also soup season again, and a steaming bowl of soup followed by a nice warm piece of pie topped with ice cream is a wonderful way to end a day.
AUTUMN PORK SOUP
This soup freezes very well,  so make up a big batch to enjoy on cold winter nights.
1 pound lean pork, cubed
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/8 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes
1 tablespoon butter
1 large diced onion
2 cups chopped mushrooms
2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
1 cup diced green bell pepper
2 sliced large ripe zucchinis
1 can diced tomatoes (or 2 cups chopped peeled fresh tomatoes)
4 cups chicken broth (or 4 packets Golden Seasons broth mix and 4 cups water or equivalent bouillon cubes and water)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
Place the flour, celery salt and pepper into a paper or plastic bag, add the pork cubes and shake until all are coated. In a heavy frying pan, heat the oil to medium hot, add the pork and cook until it gets nice and brown. Remove pork to the soup kettle and add part of the chicken broth and the sun dried tomatoes. Let it simmer for about half an hour while you prepare the vegetables, do your nails, whatever. Heat the frying pan you used for the pork, and add the mushrooms, onion and garlic, and cook until the onion is translucent but not brown. Add the zucchini and the butter and let it simmer a bit. Put this into the soup kettle. Add the tomatoes and the rest of the broth and let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the Parmesan, taste, and add more salt and pepper if needed.
SLOW COOKER VENISON STEW
Bow and arrow season for deer is open and families of hunters who are lucky enough to bag a buck may be lucky enough to enjoy this delicious stew.
1-1/2 pounds venison stew meat cut into 1-1/2 inch pieces (if venison is unavailable, substitute beef stew meat.)
1/2 cup flour
1-1/2 teaspoon sale, divided
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
2 cups Yukon gold potatoes, washed and unpeeled, cubed into 1 inch pieces
2 cups turnips, peeled and cubed into 1/2 inch pieces
1 cup onion, 1/4 inch dice
1 cup celery, 1/4 inch dice
1-1/2 cups carrots, cut into 1/4 inch slices
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 cup brown ale
1 (14-ounce) can beef broth
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
Place the flour in a large zipper type bag. Season with 1/2 teaspoon sale and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Place venison in the bag and shake to coat the meat.
Heat a large sauté pan with the vegetable oil. When hot, add the benison. Cook, stirring occasionally until meat is lightly browned. Add the chopped garlic and cook for one more minute.
Place the venison and all remaining ingredients, except the fresh parsley and the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper into a slow cooker. Mix to combine. Cover and cook on low heat for 7 hours. When ready to serve, stir in the chopped fresh parsley.
EGGPLANT PARMESAN
You can also cheat and use purchased Spaghetti Sauce instead of making your own. Leftovers freeze well if they’re kept in an airtight container.
3 large eggplants
1/2 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon salt
1 cup flour
3 extra large eggs
2 cups (or more) dried bread crumbs, preferably the seasoned Italian kind
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 pound shredded Mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Chopped Fresh Parsley
Sliced Provolone Cheese to cover top of the  casserole
Sauce:
1/2 onion
3 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 large cans crushed tomatoes
4 to 6 fresh basil leaves or 1 teaspoon crushed dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
Spray a 9 by 12 glass or other non-reactive casserole dish with cooking spray. Wash the eggplants and cut into slices about half an inch thick. Salt the slices lightly on each side and put on paper towels or in a strainer to “sweat” while you mix the sauce, assemble the other ingredients and prepare the flour, egg and bread crumb mixtures. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the flour, salt and pepper in one dish, beat the eggs in another dish large enough to dip the egg plant slices, and put the bread crumbs into still another dish.  Coat the eggplant slices with flour, egg, and then breadcrumbs. Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the eggplant slices until they are nicely browned. Put a layer in baking dish. Top with sauce and Parmesan and Mozzarella cheeses. Repeat, ending with eggplant. Bake 40 minutes. Top casserole with the Provolone cheese slices and bake another 10 to 15 minutes. Leftovers can be frozen.
LUSCIOUS CUSTARDY APPLE PIE
4 cups apples, shredded
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 stick butter, softened
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon dark rum (very optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 large (10”) deep pie shell or use 2 smaller ones
Mix together everything except the cinnamon, the pie shell and one quarter cup of the sugar. Mix the reserved sugar with the cinnamon. Pour the apple mixture into the pie shell. Sprinkle on the sugar and cinnamon mixture and bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

HALLOWEEN RIDDLE ANSWERS: A. A coffin! B: A holy terror. C: Whipped Scream D: To get a BOOster shot. E: Just before someone screams.

Thought for the week: Lord, help this sinful land. Help us to mean it when we ask “forgive us our trespasses” as sincerely as we mean it when we ask You to deliver us from evil. Please guide this nation, in fact this entire world, away from the paths to perdition that so many have been following, and set our feet on paths that lead to You, with good lives on Earth and followed by eternal joy in Heaven. Amen.
(This column is written by Shirley Prudhomme of Crivitz. Views expressed are her own and are in no way intended to be an official statement of the opinions of Peshtigo Times editors and publishers. She may be contacted by phone at 715-291-9002 or by e-mail to shirleyprudhommechickadee@yahoo.com.)

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