The Past
I find that I often think of my maternal grandparents because they were such an integral part of my young life. Everyone should have a grandfather who would sit by the radio with you and listen to The Green Hornet, The Long Ranger, or Mark Trail (for those of you not old enough to remember, these were radio programs which were broadcast long before the advent of television)—or a grandmother who would kneel down each night and pray with her grandchild. I am fortunate to have so many fond memories of these two wonderful people. One of the clearest memories of my grandmother concerned an incident that happened when I was quite young, probably no more than five or six. My grandmother used to walk to a local grocer a few blocks from the house. One day, she came puffing up the driveway yelling for my mother. Everyone flew out of the house because she sounded so agitated. She was waving a small box in the air and yelling, “You won’t believe it!! They have put cake in a box!!” Lest you think she was thrilled about this modern convenience, that cake mix sat on the counter until either my mother used it or threw it away. My grandmother was indignant to think that any boxed cake could surpass hers…she was right, it couldn’t.
The Present
I have recently read two or three articles about teenagers entering stores and knocking merchandise off the shelves and smashing breakable items. Not long ago, I was reading articles about young people, flash mobs, roaming neighborhoods and punching and beating up unsuspecting individuals. The Bible tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) Unfortunately, many of today’s youth are evidence of the fact that not much training occurs in the home anymore. Some may say that parents certainly aren’t raising their children to be members of roaming bands who create havoc. I’m sure they aren’t. The problem is that they are not raising them to be decent, God-fearing, law-abiding citizens, either. Nature abhors a vacuum…and when there is little or no training in the home, a child will oftentimes sink to the level of least resistance. Proverbs 13:1 says, “A wise son heareth his father’s instruction; but a scoffer heareth not rebuke.” I fear that too many fathers have failed to give instruction—at least Biblical instruction. “He that spares the rod hates his son; But he that loves him disciplines him diligently.” (Proverbs 13:24) Proverbs is a great book for parents to read…for themselves and for their children.
Recipe
Nanee’s Chocolate Frosting
1-1/2 cups of sugar
Scant 1/3 cup of water
1 square of baking chocolate
Boil all the above ingredients in a saucepan until thickened and add one tablespoon of butter and a dash of vanilla. Let stand 2-3 minutes before beating. Make sure ALL sugar crystals are removed. Beat until ready to spread.
It is easy to tell that this is an old-fashioned recipe, with the use of words like “scant” and “dash.” This is probably the best chocolate frosting I have ever eaten. Of course, I am going by recollection as I have never been able to successfully make the recipe. The key is not letting any sugar crystals remain after being heated. My grandmother would sit down in the dining room and put the pan in her lap and start to beat the ingredients, and I would lurk nearby for the spoon when she was through. Please send me an email or make a comment if you are able to successfully make this frosting. I would love to know! This recipe is probably over 100 years old.
I find that I often think of my maternal grandparents because they were such an integral part of my young life. Everyone should have a grandfather who would sit by the radio with you and listen to The Green Hornet, The Long Ranger, or Mark Trail (for those of you not old enough to remember, these were radio programs which were broadcast long before the advent of television)—or a grandmother who would kneel down each night and pray with her grandchild. I am fortunate to have so many fond memories of these two wonderful people. One of the clearest memories of my grandmother concerned an incident that happened when I was quite young, probably no more than five or six. My grandmother used to walk to a local grocer a few blocks from the house. One day, she came puffing up the driveway yelling for my mother. Everyone flew out of the house because she sounded so agitated. She was waving a small box in the air and yelling, “You won’t believe it!! They have put cake in a box!!” Lest you think she was thrilled about this modern convenience, that cake mix sat on the counter until either my mother used it or threw it away. My grandmother was indignant to think that any boxed cake could surpass hers…she was right, it couldn’t.
The Present
I have recently read two or three articles about teenagers entering stores and knocking merchandise off the shelves and smashing breakable items. Not long ago, I was reading articles about young people, flash mobs, roaming neighborhoods and punching and beating up unsuspecting individuals. The Bible tells us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) Unfortunately, many of today’s youth are evidence of the fact that not much training occurs in the home anymore. Some may say that parents certainly aren’t raising their children to be members of roaming bands who create havoc. I’m sure they aren’t. The problem is that they are not raising them to be decent, God-fearing, law-abiding citizens, either. Nature abhors a vacuum…and when there is little or no training in the home, a child will oftentimes sink to the level of least resistance. Proverbs 13:1 says, “A wise son heareth his father’s instruction; but a scoffer heareth not rebuke.” I fear that too many fathers have failed to give instruction—at least Biblical instruction. “He that spares the rod hates his son; But he that loves him disciplines him diligently.” (Proverbs 13:24) Proverbs is a great book for parents to read…for themselves and for their children.
Recipe
Nanee’s Chocolate Frosting
1-1/2 cups of sugar
Scant 1/3 cup of water
1 square of baking chocolate
Boil all the above ingredients in a saucepan until thickened and add one tablespoon of butter and a dash of vanilla. Let stand 2-3 minutes before beating. Make sure ALL sugar crystals are removed. Beat until ready to spread.
It is easy to tell that this is an old-fashioned recipe, with the use of words like “scant” and “dash.” This is probably the best chocolate frosting I have ever eaten. Of course, I am going by recollection as I have never been able to successfully make the recipe. The key is not letting any sugar crystals remain after being heated. My grandmother would sit down in the dining room and put the pan in her lap and start to beat the ingredients, and I would lurk nearby for the spoon when she was through. Please send me an email or make a comment if you are able to successfully make this frosting. I would love to know! This recipe is probably over 100 years old.