Good for what ails you and other childhood food memories . . .

My grandmother (Grandma Venice Smith) had just the right ideas about how to take care of me when I was sick. Homemade eggnog, hot milk and cinnamon toast, egg custard and rice pudding were the best medicine by far. This rice pudding recipe is one I have used for my family over the years. I did make eggnog for them when they were little but I do not believe I ever served them hot milk and cinnamon toast.

RICE PUDDING

Slightly beat 4 eggs and set aside.

In a heavy kettle combine: 1 1/4 cup sugar, 2 Tablespoons cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt. Set aside.

Combine 1 can evaporated milk and 4 cups milk. Heat to scald.

Stir hot milk mixture into sugar mixture and cook over medium heat until mixture is thick and smooth. (Stir constantly to avoid scorching.)

Add 4 cups cooked rice. Heat mixture, stirring constantly until it reaches a full boil. Remove from heat.

Slowly whisk a bit of the hot mixture into the beaten eggs to temper the eggs and then stir eggs into the pudding. Return to heat and stir a minute or two until pudding thickens. Remove from heat and add 1 cup raisins, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 2 teaspoons vanilla.

Serve warm or store in the refrigerator. Makes 8 cups of pudding.


HOT MILK ON CINNAMON TOAST

Place a piece of buttery(real butter please :o) hot cinnamon/sugar toast in a flat soup bowl and pour hot milk over it. Yum for the Tum. We would actually have this for supper sometimes as well.

Dinner was our main meal and was served at noon. Supper was a light evening meal. Sometimes for supper we would have bread and milk or crackers and milk. We would break up the crackers or break the bread into bite size pieces and add sugar and milk just the way you do when you eat cereal. Things have sure changed. I think the simple life was good for us. Grandma would also make us vegetable sandwiches - just buttered bread with slices of radishes OR cucumbers OR tomatoes and if you liked some salt and pepper to season - no goopy spreads - Simple and tasty - light and good.

Grandpa (Havelock Smith II) kept horses and a couple of cows. In the evening I would sometimes be the one to walk to the far pasture and drive the cows to the barn for milking. Dean Lybert was a trusted hired hand who would milk the cows for us. If you weren't watching, Dean was sure with his aim and you could end up with a squirt of warm milk on your face.

In my earliest years, the milk was bottled and refrigerated to let the cream rise to the top. Grandma would then skim the cream off to make butter or to pour on fruit or whip for a dessert topping. Later we had what you would call a separator at home. The warm milk would be poured into the funnel, we would turn the wheel and the milk would pour out one spout with the cream separating and pouring out the other spout. Who needed to pay for gym memberships? This was a pretty good workout in and of itself.

I loved my grandmother's spacious kitchen. The black and white tiled floor, the stove/oven island in the middle of the room, the large windows the full length of two walls, the ceramic elf collection on the window shelves, the plants and the warmth of the family gathering spot are vivid memories for me. Pat Evans was hired by my grandparents to help take care of us children and she was wonderful. She worked hard to keep our home clean and in order but more important to me, she would read to us. As we would sit around the kitchen table for breakfast we were entertained with a chapter from a great book of literature. How I treasure the times we were carried into adventure through the written word. I have never lost my love of reading which was fostered there in my grandmother's kitchen.

SIMPLE EGGNOG

Beat an egg and add 1 cup very cold milk, a bit of sugar and a bit of vanilla extract. Whisk together and enjoy.

Fun in the Sun

I was fortunate to spend the last two weeks of February and the first week of March in Arizona with Carey and Todd's family. Carey fractured a vertebrae in early January. Todd's mom Ellen was there to see her through the first weeks following the accident. She is a true blessing to the Bailey crew. I was able to fly down to help out during Ellen's three week vacation to Seattle.

In spite of a frightening few days, Carey is doing very well and healing nicely. We feel very blessed indeed. Carey was running the family dog while riding her bike. She decided to take a new route and with the leash wrapped around her hand, she went one way and Savannah the other. She was pulled hard off of her bike and suffered some terrific pain. At first it was thought they would be doing surgery and I headed down to Arizona to stay in the hospital with her. Just ten minutes from the Salt Lake airport we got a call saying the neuro-surgeon changed the plan deciding that the bone chip that had been threatening was now in position to simply dissolve without causing harm to the spinal cord. Claigh and I turned the car around and began the three hour drive back to Idaho Falls very grateful for such a tremendous answer to prayers. I rescheduled my flight in order to help out when Ellen left for Seattle.

Carey is sporting a nicely decorated brace these days. The 16/17 year old girls from church thought it could use some sprucing up and hence the pink and white flowers and the crown. How fun is that? In spite of the bold fashion statement, Carey is excited to do away with the thing just three weeks from now. Regardless of the few restrictions she has had, she has managed to keep up with the things that matter most to her - lovingly serving Todd and her children, working as a counselor in the Stake Young Women's Presidency (including the youth conference she was a part of my first weekend there), and giving a listening ear and hugs to friends in need. Oh to be young!

I never like to be away from Claigh but if I must - being with the kids is the only way to go. My only sadness from this trip was to be so close to Jared, Sara and the boys and yet not be able to work out some time together. As the kids grow so do the schedules. On my first Saturday in Gilbert, however I was able to take Carey's youngest four to Sara's Primary Activity in Chandler. Sara has been serving as a counselor in her ward Primary Presidency and was responsible for the planning of the activity. It was very rewarding to see what wonderful work she is doing. In that activity, the children learned about all of the aspects of Family Home Evening and each child left with a kit containing the needs for one family night. It was fun to watch Elijah, Xander, Maxwell, Jennie and Seth decorate their envelopes. Lucy peacefully slept through the activity and Brigham was just thrilled to walk in the shadow of his "Sara." He has a special connection with his Aunt Sara and all of the Anderson boys are favorites of the Bailey crew! Thankfully I was able to get one hug from Jared, Elijah and Xander. Sara and Maxwell were able to spend a couple of lunches with us.

Just trying to keep up with the Bailey laundry was like a blast from the past! It helps me appreciate my daughters even more. How grateful I am that they get to be "at home" moms! Thanks Collins, Todd, Jared and Steve!


Every moment I had with the kids was really appreciated. Jacob is a tall thirteen year old with a generous heart. I enjoyed our rides together to his Crav McGraw class. It was good to see his capacity for following his teacher's instruction. He would try and try again to get particular actions right. Talk about a serious workout! Jacob and I are currently reading the same six book series which has been a special treat for me. These books make you think and I marvel at Jacob's insights.




Noah is growing into a fine young man. It was good to see his sense of loyalty to his brother Jacob. There is nothing like a brother to have your back. It was a lot of fun helping Noah and Jennie get ready for "Decade Day." Noah ended up being only one of two in his class to dress up but he did it with style!


Jensen is a joy. Somehow in this house full of testosterone she manages to come out all girl! She has a sunshine disposition much like her mother's. Her portrayal of a "Star-Belly Sneetch" for "Story Character Day" was a lot of fun but the best thing in the world is a "Jennie hug!"

For his story book character, Seth chose to be a penguin extraordinaire. That boy still loves penguins! Seth also has the "Big Bro" thing down pact and is a great help for his brother Brig and little Lucy. A practical boy who knows the value of a weed pulled, Seth solved the problem of the prickly branches grabbing at his head. He wasn't going to let his opportunity to make some cash escape just because of a little inconvenience!



The Bailey family dog Savannah is a Brig dog for sure. It is really something to watch those two. Savannah is so patient and very appreciative of the companionship. Brig is also sweet with baby Lucy and as previously noted he adores his Aunt Sara. It could also be said he has a passion for cars, trucks and cars! Did I forget to say cars?



I do believe the great communicator of the family will be baby Lucy. She loves to talk and talk and talk. It will be really something once this bubbly child gets a hold of real words. I marvel at her sweet personality and look forward to many conversations to come.

Once again I want to express my deep appreciation to all who included Carey in your prayers. No life is without challenge and we are grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who is mindful of us and so willing to bless.


As cub-master, Todd was responsible for the Pinewood Derby and it was great! I honestly don't think anyone else could have been as much fun for the boys. If the computer world doesn't pan out, he could go for a career at the race track for sure. This was Noah's last derby and that made it extra special!











Thankfully I did get one picture of Maxwell when we met for lunch one day. What a great boy! He really watches out for his little cousin Brig.