Category Archives: Columns

Veggies for a treat?

November 23, 2020Bob, Columns, Family, foodsusanmanzke

It was not easy getting our children to eat vegetables, raw or cooked. And Bob was no help as you will hear in this column reading.

To get good food past our crew, it had to be hidden inside stews and soups and cut into miniscule pieces.

I allowed them to pick out one vegetable that they hated, but they had to eat the rest. Otherwise, their stew would consist of meat, potatoes, and gravy.

I hope you like this remembrance.

An exciting night with Bob

November 22, 2020Bob, Columns, Memoriessusanmanzke

Bob was a sound sleeper. Before I married him, I was warned by his family about his loud snoring. His sister told me she often had to go downstairs to his bedroom to roll him over to stop his snoring. His noise was keeping the rest of the family awake.

It took a while, but I got used to his snoring. Bob’s nightmares were a different thing.

What follows is an account of one nightmare that had me leaving our bed for safety.

I’m glad Bob remembered what he had been kicking at in his sleep. At least I knew it wasn’t me.

Going for a walk with Bob

November 21, 2020Bob, Columns, Family, Friendssusanmanzke

Things I’m thankful for.

I’m especially thankful for my column. It gave me many friends and also holds many memories, like today’s reading.

Listen to the end, as there’s a funny twist on one particular walk.

I hope that brought a smile to your face.

That’s my gift to you.

Homemade salt clay

November 20, 2020art, Columns, Family, funsusanmanzke

I have not made this recipe in ages, so I checked it on the internet and found it hasn’t changed.

This seems like a good project for a family when everyone is stuck indoors.

Cooked Salt Clay Recipe

2 Cups of Flour

2 Cups of water

1 Cup of salt

2 Tablespoon vegetable oil — The oil will make the dough a little easier to knead and work with but some recipes omit it.

1 Tablespoon cream of tartar — The cream of tartar makes this dough last 6 months or longer, so resist omitting it. But if you are making ornaments that you are going to dry right away, the cream of tartar isn’t needed.

Food coloring

Directions:

In a large saucepan mix the flour, cream of tartar, and salt; add oil and water.

Cook over medium heat five minutes, stirring constantly. Your arm may tire as mixture thickens—having a helper is nice.

It is finished when the dough clings to the spoon and refuses to be moved. Take care not to scorch.

Remove from heat and cool a bit. Divide into fourths and add food coloring. Knead.

After play period, roll dough in a large ball, or in four balls if you have colored them, place them in plastic bags, and store them in the refrigerator. If sticky when removed, add a little flour.

If you made cookie cutter ornaments, let them air dry for 1 to 3 days then they can be painted.

Good luck.

Brotherly love

November 18, 2020Columns, Family, funsusanmanzke

Did you have to share a room with your sibling? Did you always agree?

My sister and I often divided the room in half. This side of the bedroom is yours, that is mine. Our arrangement was difficult to keep as we shared a double bed and the door was on one side of the room.

As children, Rob and Russ shared a room. This column is an account of actions and reactions when big brother Rob found little brother Russell’s dirty socks on his bed.

I know windows rattled whenever issues like this occurred between any of the siblings.

What I really love is the ending and how the problem disappeared. You’ll have to listen to get the whole picture of brotherly love.

Susan Manzke

Writer, Speaker, All-Around Good Person