National Bake Cookies Day

December 17th is National Bake Cookies Day, so what better time to get out the cookie sheet and bake some holiday treats. Historically, it's believed the first cookies were actually small test cakes to see if the batter was right. Persia, one of the first countries to have sugar, is believed to have developed these cakes in the 7th century, A.D. With the Crusades, this cooking technique was brought back and spread throughout Europe. A 1596 English cookbook gives a recipe for tiny cakes that hold quite a resemblance to cookies.

English, Scotch, and Dutch immigrants brought cookie recipes to the United States. In fact, the word, "cookie," likely comes from the Dutch word, "koekje," meaning "little cake." Although in America, cookies were called by that name, they weren't given a separate section in cookbooks at first. Instead, they were still included in the cake section.

Today, there are hundreds and hundreds of different cookie recipes. The chocolate chip has remained a favorite, since it's conception in 1937. In 1996, it became the official state cookie of Pennsylvania. (Who knew there was such a thing?) So, in celebration of the day, pull out your favorite cookie recipe and get to baking. Here's one of mine:

Nutty Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

2 1/2 sticks margarine or butter softened (or 1 1/4 cups)
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar                                      

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 egg
1 1/2 cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup cropped pecans or walnuts
3 cups rolled oats (oatmeal)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Blend margarine and sugars. Beat in egg and vanilla. Mix in flour and spices. Add oats and stir well. Fold in raisins and nuts. Spoon dough onto ungreased cookie sheets and bake 8 minutes for a chewy cookie and 12 minutes for a crisper cooker. Cool for a minute before removing from cookie sheet. Makes about 3 dozen.

A Rocking Horse for Christmas

My mother tended to hold on to things longer than many families did. There's a bad and good side to this. It can present storage problems and create clutter, but memories are saved, and I have many of my early toys and hobbies. Perhaps the oldest object saved from my childhood is my rocking horse.

I was so young when Santa Claus brought the rocking horse that I don't really remember getting it. I must have been around two at the time. Or perhaps I had just turned three, because my birthday is near Christmas. I vaguely remember riding it some, however. I even have a black and white photograph somewhere that mother took of me clowning around on it.

The horse is made of wood, painted white, and accented in dark blue, red, black, and brown. To be as old as it is and used as much as it was, it's still in good shape. It was likely bought in 1949 or 1950. My children and grandchildren also used it some, and, thanks to Mom, I still have it.

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An Irish Christmas

Although Christmas in Ireland resembles that in England or the United States, there are some traditional differences. In the past, December 8th has been viewed as the start of the Christmas season, and many put up their decorations on that day. Like in many other countries, the Christmas tree is an important part of decorating. Even graves may be decorated with wreaths of holly and ivy. This is also a big shopping day. 

In Ireland, people usually attend church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Almost everyone gets off work by noon on Christmas Eve and some even a few days earlier. Christianity has long been an important part of their history, and manger scenes are common during the holiday. It's tradition to place a single, chunky candle in the largest window after sundown on Christmas Eve to symbolize welcoming Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. On Christmas Day, some charities raise money from people jumping in the cold ocean for a Christmas Day swim.

The traditional Christmas dinner includes foods like turkey or goose and ham, roast potatoes, and a variety of other vegetables. In the Cork area, spiced roast beef might be substituted. There's round cake with caraway seeds, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, and mince pies. If some of these aren't rich enough for desserts,  a brandy or brandy and butter sauce might be added. And, of course with the Irish, there's always jokes and laughter and fun. Celebrating often continues until Epiphany on January 6, the traditional time for putting everything away.

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Wright Brothers' First Attempt at Powered Flight

On December 14, 1903, near Kill Devils Hill and Kitty Hawk, North Carolina,Wilbur and Orville Wright made their first successful attempt at flying a heavier-than-air powered aircraft, the Wright Flyer I. The Smithsonian Institute called it "the first powered heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard."*

The Wright Brothers had shipped their flyer disassembled from Ohio to North Carolina. While they readied the plane, they practiced flying with a glider. On December 14, with the help of some men from the nearby life-saving station, they moved the Wright Flyer and its launching rail to a nearby sand dune. The brothers tossed a coin to determine who would pilot the craft first, and Wilbur won. 

The plane left the rail, but Wilbur pulled up too sharply, the plane stalled, and it came down in about three seconds, sustaining minor damage. After three days to repair the plane, the brothers made four other tries on December 17, but these also ended in a bumpy, uncontrolled landing. However, the last flight went 852 feet and stayed aloft for 59 seconds, more successful than any others. It showed that such a plane could stay in the air and that the Wright Brothers patience and persistence had paid off.

*Information from Wright Flyer exhibit at Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D,C.

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Angels on High

Angels are powerful, spiritual beings who serve God to do specific tasks, both in heaven and on earth. Angels are mentioned 273 times in the Bible. Although we usually picture angels as being females, the two angels mentioned in the Bible by name, Gabriel and Michael, are males. Gabriel delivered God's messages, and Michael was an archangel, or chief angel. We get our idea of guardian angels from Luke 4:10-11:

For it is written, He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee: And in their hand they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Angels are all through the Bible, beginning with Genesis and going through Revelation. Abraham hosted three of them, Jacob wrestled with one, David wrote of them, Elijah was fed by one, Daniel received a revelation from one, Zechariah and Elizabeth were given startling but welcome news, Mary and Joseph received important messages, one greeted the women at the tomb of Jesus, John saw them in visions, and the list goes on and on.

Certainly, one of the most spectacular angelic visits to earth was to the shepherds at the birth of Christ. Read Luke 2:8-14. Can you imagine the scene and feel the excitement? Here was a group of common, lowly shepherds tending their flock through the night, when an angel appeared to tell them of the birth of "a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." At first the shepherds were terrified, but the angel assured them he meant no harm. After the angel delivered this life-changing message, a whole host of other angels joined him, and they begin to sing praises. What a glorious sight that must have been! How much the Christmas story should make us also want to sing for joy!

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Working with Editors

I worked with many different editors when I wrote for magazines. Naturally, some were better than others, but I never encountered one I would call "bad." I appreciated their suggestions, because it enabled me to grow as a writer. In fact, with one article that was rejected, the editor told me how I needed to change my focus and made a few other suggestions. I did exactly what he asked, resubmitted it, and it was published.

When I began publishing my historical novels, I didn't know what to expect. I had heard some horror stories from other authors, but I remembered my experience with the magazines and went into it with an open mind. My first editor with Ambassador was one of the best I've ever had. I enjoyed working with her. I didn't relate to the second one quite as well, but we still worked well together.

In looking at self-publishing a couple of my stand-alone novels, I have hired my own editors. I tend to turn to the people I know in the field, and one of them surprised me. She was extremely picky and seems to want me to write my manuscripts exactly the way she would. She has allowed little room for individual author style. However, I'm still trying to keep an open mind. I think her edits will help me get better. I considered everything she suggested, and probably accepted about 90% of them, although I only think about 40% were really helpful.

I have actually edited manuscripts, and one of the author's works has so many mistakes (mainly grammatical), it takes forever. However, I try to allow the authors room for individual style and creativity. I don't make edits for what could be considered acceptable and only note obvious mistakes. Since I have worked from both sides of editing, I have a broad perspective. All authors don't need to write by a formula, and they shouldn't all write alike. I saw the project with this independent editor through, but I didn't use her for the next manuscript. Editors need find a balance between what they think is best and allowing the author some leeway. 

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International Mountain Day

December 11th is International Mountain Day with a special emphasis on small mountain farms, which have long supported mountain families. I grew up on such a farm, however, such cultures are diverse. Traditionally, most mountain cultivation has been subsistent farming. There are some exceptions to this, however, especially in modern times.

One example of commercial mountain farming can be found in the Appalachian Mountains, where the Christmas tree industry is an important business, and Christmas tree farms often dot the mountainsides. In addition, other crops, like cabbage. corn and apples, also bring in needed family income.

As my historical novels in the Appalachian Roots Series show, farming in mountain regions can offer special challenges, but it can also be rewarding. Some of us love the aesthetical value of living in such a scenic area, where we feel close to nature, and there's a special sense of freedom in that.

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