Travis's Steamer Trunk

One of my recent shop projects was an old-fashioned steamer trunk that I made for Travis. Here are some shots of him with it. It wasn't really meant to be a Christmas present, but I did surprise him with it when he was here for a very brief holiday. (The Denver snow storms trapped him there, and he was unable to get here until Christmas Eve and then had to return the day after Christmas.)



The chest is made of oak--some solid and some oak veneer plywood. I lined the chest with aromatic cedar, and there is lots of brass hardware, as you can see. The finish was a mix of burnt umber oil paint and linseed oil that I hand rubbed onto the chest. Two coats of polyurethane varnish completed the look. This was a fun project--one I had wanted to do ever since I first saw the plans. I was pleased that Travis was interested in having one for clothing and other storage.

Six Word Memoirs

On yesterday's edition of Weekend America, I heard a segment on a contest sponsored by Smith Magazine. They are sponsoring a Six Word Memoir Contest.

I couldn't help this weekend but think about what six words I would use to describe my life. So far, I like this best: Stubborn, constructive, committed Iowan; adores family. I know this isn't as cute as some others I've seen on the Smith web site, but it feels best.

Way back when all of you were first starting these blogs and encouraged me to join in, various challenges were put forth. I specifically remember the challenge to recall what you were doing exactly ten years ago--I think I failed at this one. However, that doesn't stop me from challenging all of you to write your six word memoirs!! And, if you are truly inspired, you can enter them in the Smith contest too.

Pfefferneusse (Peppernuts)

Each year, in memory of my mother, I'm obliged to make peppernuts, or pfefferneusse, as my German ancestors would call them. They aren't nuts, and they don't have pepper in them, so go figure. Anyway, most of you know what they are--tiny little cookies made from flour, lots of butter, Karo syrup, sugar, a tiny amount of milk and baking soda, and two spices (allspice and cardamom; some use anise, but I don't care for that).

Many years ago, thoughtful, sensitive son Rob made a gift for me based on Mom's peppernut recipe. I have had it framed and hanging in the kitchen for over 16 years.


I didn't take a picture of the dough or the dough "in process", but you would be correct to imagine modeling clay. The dough is very, very stiff and thick. In the last stages, it is a real bear to stir. Then it is cooled further before being rolled out--like the snakes you used to roll out with modeling clay in grade school.


These rolls are cooled further overnight, and then the baking process commences. Each roll is cut into many, many, many, many, many, many small 1/4" or smaller slices. These are then, of course, arranged in rows and columns (the obssessive-compulsive in me requires this) on a cookie sheet and baked.



The results are wonderful, little, golden brown goodies that combine to fill up an appropriate container. The one you see here was filled to overflowing by the time I was done, with the extras filling another mixing bowl.


Now, there are many ways to eat these delights. Personally, I dislike just chewing them up like cookies, although to each his or her own. My prefence is to just let each one melt in your mouth (resulting in slower consumption) or to drop a handful in a glass of milk and fish them out with a spoon after an appropriate amount of time. Yum!

When I worked at NSF back in 1998-2000, I made some of these for friends there. They didn't recognize them, though they claimed to know what peppernuts were. Later, they brought me some they had purchased. They were enormous and were frosted! Naturally, I didn't think these qualified as peppernuts, but I guess there are lots of ways to make them. Just "google" for peppernuts or pfefferneuse on the web, and you will see what I mean.

Quality Time

Last weekend was a good one for many reasons. Betsy, Pete, and Henry came to stay with us for the weekend in order to attend Carrie's PhD graduation exercises. Since we won't be together for Christmas, we took advantage of the occasion for selected gift exchanges too.

Soon after Henry arrived, he started "reminding" me and Grandma that we could perhaps see a movie. I think his exact words were, "Grandpa! Watch Dumbo!" So, here he is cuddled up with Grandma and some pizza watching Monsters, Inc. (We decided to introduce him to a new title.)


On Saturday, Rob hosted an open house to further honor Carrie, who had received her hood and PhD at Friday's graduation exercises. (See Betsy's earlier post on this subject.) There were lots of good eats and good feelings. Oscar helped celebrate, and Henry helped Aunt Carrie open her gifts.





Back at home, I pulled out a sure-fire win-over-the-grandson's heart toy, that being my electric train. This was the first time Henry has had a chance to play with it, so it was a big hit. Since he also loves the farm and farm animals that Great Aunt Paula made for us to play with, we set that up in the middle of the track loop. Some of the animals even went for a ride. I anticipate that getting this out whenever Henry visits will now be a requirement, along with the farm and the Dumbo DVD.


Because there are so many of us in the family, we decided a few years ago to draw names. Otherwise, everyone was going broke buying gifts for everyone else. Anyway, this year, Kathie and I had Betsy and Pete's names, respectively. So, we gave them their gifts on Sunday morning before they went home. Of course, buying gifts for Henry is fair game, regardless of the name drawing plans, so he received some things too. Here he is tearing into one of his gifts. Also, Betsy is admiring the new Italian leather purse (purchased during our recent visit to Italy) she received. Pete received a jig saw from me, which I failed to capture on film.



Hope everyone has happy holidays! Today, we were expecting both Jessica and Travis to arrive. Jessica just walked in, but Travis is stuck in Colorado due to very heavy snow in the Denver area. We don't know if he can get rebooked to get here in time for Christmas or not. We have our fingers crossed.