Thursday, September 19, 2024
The suffocating heat of last week has eased off a bit, and the weatherman is promising some truly fine summer weather for the next week or so. They’re talking about sunny days in the 80-degree range and nights cool enough to enjoy a campfire.
WHAT A RELIEF IT IS!
Meanwhile, summer just keeps speeding along. This week marks the half-way point if we consider summer as starting with Memorial Day and ending with Labor Day. However, warm weather started earlier than usual this year (except for that unseasonable April blizzard), and may continue longer than usual.
BUGS BEGONE
If you’re out of insect repellent and still want to enjoy the great outdoors, rub on some good old Vicks Vapo Rub. Insects dislike the strong smell of eucalyptus and menthol making it a natural and effective insect repellent that might keep the little vampires away unless they’re super hungry.
Speaking of super hungry, remember the great old song about the Chiquita wars that was written and recorded by “Da Yoopers” years back?
According to the song, the huge Upper Peninsula mosquitoes bred with the family chickens to produce a new flying version of a mosquito called a “Chiquita.” Those monstrous feathered mosquitoes could still get in through the chain link fence, and one allegedly stole little brother off the porch.
Anyway, you can still get Yooper memorabilia and copies of their great songs at Da Tourist Trap, which is located on Hwy. 41 in Ishpeming, Mich. Among other things, visitors there can buy souvenirs, rock samples and much more, as well as see the world’s largest chain saw and the world’s largest riffle. The world’s largest snowmobile used to be on display there, but their web site today says nothing about that. Maybe Sasquatch stole it?
Incidentally, back when Da Yoopers first became popular in the UP and our part of Northeast Wisconsin, there was some serious talk about combining Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin, probably north of Hwy. 22, into a new state to be called the State of Superior. Would still love to do that. We NEWpers (North East Wisconsin Persons) have absolutely nothing in common with most residents of the Milwaukee and Madison areas, just as residents of the UP (Yoopers) have nothing in common with people who live in and around Detroit.
We are a special breed, and proud of it, even if bonafide Yoopers do speak a somewhat foreign dialect.
SUMMER FUN
The 45th Menekaunee Old Timers Picnic will be held at noon on Saturday, July 20 at Red Arrow Park in the enclosed pavilion. Anyone 50 years or older with ties to Menekaunee is invited. Attendees should bring lawn chairs and beverage. Cost is $10 if paid by 7/15 or $15 if paid later. Checks should be made payable and sent to Menekaunee Old Timers, 160 W Bay Shore St., Marinette. Phone Sharon at (715) 735-5577 with questions. Let the reminiscing begin!
COOKIN’ TIME
Hot summer days and nights call for easy cooking treats, and light, fruity flavors. I love a summer meal of hot soup, a sandwich and a cold beverage, followed by a fruity dessert. Sometimes the fruity dessert is enough all by itself!
COTTAGE CHEESE TOAST
Recently found this new idea for an easy and nutritious breakfast. One Internet nutritionist ranks this cottage cheese/fruit combination as one of the healthiest breakfasts anyone can eat.
Choose your fruit and prepare it ahead of time. Some ideas include:
1/4 cup blueberries tossed with 1/2 tsp. honey, a bit of lemon zest and 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice;
1/4 cup diced mango tossed with 1/4 teaspoon lime zest, 1 teaspoon lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon toasted unsweetened shredded coconut,
1/4 cup red or black raspberries slightly crushed with 1/2 teaspoon honey, add two teaspoons toasted slivered almonds, spread on top of the cottage cheese and then top the whole thing with another 1/4 cup of whole raspberries.
When it’s time for breakfast, toast a slice of whole wheat or nutty whole grain bread. Spread on about three tablespoons cottage cheese while the toast is still hot, and top that with about a quarter cup of your preferred fruit topping. Add two teaspoons toasted slivered or sliced almonds,and then top the whole thing with another quarter cup or so of fruit. You will probably need to use a fork.
LEMON BLUEBERRY FLUFF
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup powdered sugar
8 ounces frozen whipped topping
1 lemon
3 cups mini marshmallows
18 ounces fresh blueberries
Sliced almonds for garnish, optional
Take the cream cheese out of the fridge ahead of time and let it warm to room temperature. Microwaving it is not a good thing. Grate the yellow zest from the lemon and save it, and then juice the lemon. In a large mixing bowl beat the cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth. Very gently fold in the whipped topping, lemon juice and zest. Fold in the blueberries and mini marshmallows until just combined. (Over mixing can cause it to get too dense.) Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Freezing is not recommended. Garnish with sliced almonds if you wish.
RASPBERRY PRETZEL SALAD
Crust:
1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons flour
6 Tablespoons butter, melted
Creamy Layer:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup heavy whipping cream
Jello Layer:
16 ounces raspberries
1 box raspberry Jello
1 1/2 cups boiling water
Combine crust ingredients in a small mixing bowl and mix well. Combine crust ingredients in a small mixing bowl and mix well. Dump into a 9X12 inch dish, and press in. Refrigerate while working on the next step. Beat whipping cream and vanilla together until stiff, set aside. In another bowl beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth. Fold in whipped cream. Spread over pretzel crust. Spread raspberries over the whipped layer. Place back in refrigerator. Combine water and jello and stir until jello is dissolved. Let the prepared Jello cool until lukewarm, but not cool enough to jell. Pour over the creamy layer, and place back in refrigerator until jello is set. This could take as little as an hour, but over night is just fine. Cut into squares as desired and serve chilled.
Thought for the week: Let us join the prayer once offered by President Woodrow Wilson: “Almighty God, Ruler of all the peoples of the earth, forgive our shortcomings as a nation, purify our hearts to see and love the truth, give wisdom to our leaders and steadfastness to our people, and bring us at last to that fair city of peace whose foundations are mercy, justice and goodwill, of which you are the designer and builder; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.)
Shirley Prudhomme
