SMALL BITES … adventures in downsizing

Jan Kinzel

Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center

My friend who was helping us sort through our vast quantity of stuff was working with me in the garage on a Tuesday, when my croquet set emerged. These sets have not changed much, if at all, over the years.  The rolling rack, the wickets, the different colored balls and mallets – all were there. At our new place the expanse of lawn will allow for croquet, but storage of the set would present a problem.

I told my friend, “Mary might want it.” Now, Mary loves all things patriotic and owns a huge collection of Americana everything.  Mary also ‘lettered in croquet’ in college and we have played this game at many summer gatherings over the years. Croquet, American flags, Norman Rockwell, picnics – yeah, like that.

Calling Mary and expecting to hear her voice, I was surprised when her husband answered.  Dennis’ response to, “Say, could you and Mary use a croquet set?” was a big burst of laughter. “Why are you laughing?” I asked him. (I should mention that Mary and Dennis are watching their dollars in this strained economy, as are most of us.) This is what he told me.

On Friday, Mary and her friend Linda, who loves antiquing and thrift store shopping, spotted a croquet set in a thrift shop. Mary looked at the price and decided it was too expensive for now. Hard as it was, she left empty handed. When she told her husband what had happened, he told her to go back and purchase it. Returning to the store on Saturday, she found it had been sold.

On Tuesday, I called. Dennis answered the phone and burst out laughing when I said, “Say, could you and Mary use a croquet set?”

Croquet will be played on the expanse of lawn and at Mary’s insistence we all will dress properly for the occasion – in white attire.  Mary and Dennis will supply the croquet set!

A Norman Rockwell Picnic

Big container of fried chicken, homemade or purchased

Favorite Potato Salad

Large Dill Pickles

Cole Slaw

Watermelon Wedges

Juicy Strawberries

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Lemonade

Place all on a picnic table covered with red and white checked tablecloths and some small American flags strategically placed here and there.  Include some red, white and blue straws for the lemonade.                 

RECIPES

Make or purchase your favorite fried chicken.  Bring plenty of pieces.

Purchase a jar of large dill pickles. (Costco has these very inexpensively.)  Remove each pickle and wrap individually in waxed paper, twisting each end of the paper.   Stack the wrapped pickles on a plate so people can take one to carry around.

Make or purchase your favorite cole slaw.  It’s easy to make these days with the availability of pre-cut and pre-washed angel hair cabbage.  An easy dressing to make includes light mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, granulated sugar, salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste.

Wash and cut a thoroughly chilled watermelon in half, lengthwise.  Cut again, lengthwise in half.  Make ½ inch slices of each melon quarter and arrange in a spiral pattern on a round tray.  Place a salt shaker nearby.  Yes, I love salt on watermelon!

Find the largest and reddest strawberries you can.  Wash the berries and leave the hulls intact.  Put the berries in a basket lined with white napkins or a piece of white plastic such as a square cut from and inexpensive plastic tablecloth.

Make or purchase chocolate chip cookies.  If the chocolate chips melt a little sitting out on the picnic table,  so much the better!

Have a large container filled with icy lemonade.  Float a few mint leaves for color.

My Favorite Potato Salad, My Mother’s

Hard boiled eggs, cut into discs and chilled

White Rose or other firm cooking potatoes

Vidalia or other sweet yellow onion, diced

Mayonnaise, light or regular (your choice)

Diced pimientos in jars

Celery seed

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Curly leaf parsley

Papkrika

Clean potatoes with a soft brush under running water.  Bring to boiling in a large pot starting with cold water.  Cook until a sharp knife goes through the center of a potato with a slight amount of resistance.

Remove from heat, drain water, but leave the potatoes in the pot to cool.  When cool enough to handle, remove skins and refrigerate until cold, then dice into desired size pieces.

Drain liquid from pimientos.

With all ingredients ready to go, place 1/3 of the potatoes in the bottom of a deep bowl.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper and celery seeds and add 1/3 of the mayonnaise.  Mix then add 1/3 of the onions, and pimentos and mix again.  Repeat, using up those ingredients.

Smooth salad and place egg rounds on top.  Sprinkle with paprika for color and garnish with sprigs of parsley.  Cover with plastic wrap and chill.  Be sure to set bowl in ice on the picnic table.

TIP:  Expect the unexpected!

Psalms 37:4  …and He shall give you the desires of your heart.