Happy Sarsaparilla Sunday
Sarsaparilla Root Beer

 I remember drinking sarsaparilla("sassparilla" in the deep South) root beer as a child.  It was made from the bark and roots of the sassafrass tree.  This tree was very abundant in Tennessee and Kentucky. My mother made most of her own medicine.  The leaves are dried and used to make file used in gumbos and the bark and roots are also used in  medicinal teas for colds and flu.


This is not my recipe.  I found it on the internet at the following website.

http://www.herbco.com/t-root-beer.aspx


SWAGGER ROOT BEERHere's a recipe for root beer. The recipe is for one gallon. If you are making five gallons, the appropriate quantities are in parenthesis.

• 5 TBS DRIED SASSAFRAS ROOT BARK (1 ½ CUP + 1 TBS)
• 2 TBS CHOPPED DRIED BURDOCK ROOT (1/2 CUP + 2 TBS)
• 2 TSP CHOPPED DRIED LICORICE ROOT (3 TBS + 1 TSP)
• 2 CUPS SUGAR (10 CUPS)
• 1 TBS HONEY (5 TBS)
• 2 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT (3 TBS + 1 TSP)
• 1/8 TSP ALE YEAST
• 1 GAL WATER (5 GAL)

1. Place sassafras, burdock and licorice in 8 cups of water and simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 mins.
3. Place yeast into ¼ cup of boiled/cooled water for 15 mins.
4. Strain wort and add sugar, honey and vanilla. Place in a bath of cold water to reduce temp.
5. Add 8 cups of cool water to bottling bucket. Add wort to bucket.
6. Mix in yeast and bottle.

SWAGGER SARSAPARILLA II

Here's another version of my sarsaparilla. It has real frothy foam! The recipe is for one gallon. If you are making five gallons, the appropriate quantities are in parenthesis.

• 8 TBS DRIED SARSAPARILLA ROOT  (2 ½ CUPS)
• 2 TBS SASSAFRAS ROOT (1/2 CUP + 2 TBS)
• 2 CUPS SUGAR (10 CUPS)
• 2 TSP VANILLA EXTRACT (3 TBS + 1 TSP)
• 1/8 TSP ALE YEAST
• 1 GAL WATER (5 GAL)

1. Place sarsaparilla and sassafras in 8 cups of water and simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Remove from heat and let cool for 30 mins.
3. Place yeast into ¼ cup of boiled/cooled water for 15 mins.
4. Strain wort then add sugar and vanilla. Place in a bath of cold water to reduce temp.
5. Add 8 cups of cool water to bottling bucket. Add wort to bucket.
6. Mix in yeast and bottle.

 

Bulk Herbs & Spices

Poem: The Simple Things

The Simple Things
Poet: Edgar A. Guest

I would not be too wise-so very wise
That I must sneer at simple songs and creeds,
And let the glare of wisdom blind my eyes
To humble people and their humble needs.

I would not care to climb so high that I
Could never hear the children at their play,
Could only see the people passing by,
And never hear the cheering words they say.

I would not know too much-too much to smile
At trivial errors of the heart and hand,
Nor be too proud to play the friend the while
Nor cease to help and know and understand.

I would not care to sit upon a throne,
Or build my house upon a mountain-top,
Where I must dwell in glory all alone
And never friend come in or poor man stop.

God grant that I may live upon this earth
And face the tasks which every morning brings
And never lose the glory and the worth
Of humble service and the simple things.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Photos by Vickie Wright

Red Fox Kit

 

 

Baby Red Fox

 

 

 

 

The average red fox litter size consists of four to six kits, though litters of up to 13 kits have occurred. Large litters are typical in areas where fox mortality is high. Kits are born blind, deaf and toothless, with dark brown fluffy fur. At birth, they weigh 56–110 g (2.0–3.9 oz) and measure 14.5 cm (5.7 in) in body length and 7.5 cm (3.0 in) in tail length. At birth, they are short-legged, large-headed and have broad chests. Mothers remain with the kits for 2–3 weeks.  Vixens are very protective of their kits, and have been known to even fight off terriers in their defence.If the mother dies before the kits are independent, the father takes over as their provider. The kit's eyes open after 13–15 days, during which time their ear canals open and their upper teeth erupt, with the lower teeth emerging 3–4 days later. Their eyes are initially blue, but change to amber at 4–5 weeks. Coat color begins to change at 3 weeks of age, when the black eye streak appears. By one month, red and white patches are apparent on their faces. During this time, their ears erect and their muzzles elongate.  Kits begin to leave their dens and experiment with solid food brought by their parents at the age of 3–4 weeks. The lactation period lasts 6–7 weeks. Their woolly coats begin to be coated by shiny guard hairs after 8 weeks.^[By the age of 3–4 months, the kits are long-legged, narrow-chested and sinewy. They reach adult proportions at the age of 6–7 months.    -Wikipedia

 

Peace In A Troubled World

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.  Colossians 3:15

Sometimes, no matter how hard we search for peace, it eludes us. There is turmoil in our homes, trouble with our neighbors, disagreements between spouses, problems with co-workers,  fights with our children and on and on. God is the author of peace and tranquility.  Through him alone can we find perfect peace. In Galatians 5: 15, it says, "But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another."  It is human nature to be self-seeking and impatient with others at times. God's ultimate goal  however, is that we love each other as we love ourselves.

- King James Bible "Authorized Version", Cambridge Edition



Peace

God Gives Peace

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
                                                                       John 14:27
Photos by Vickie Wright

I Will Dwell In Safety

 

Psalm 4:8

 

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

 

Avi's Birthday

 

 

Avi's Birthday

 

 

    Today is my first granddaughter's 4th birthday.  She is such a joy.  She is a happy little girl who talks almost non-stop but has such a kind heart. She has long brown hair and hazel eyes.  Grandpa is her favorite person and she  is so happy to see him she almost knocks him down him when he comes home from work. She hates vegetables and loves macaroni and cheese and Chicken McNuggets from McDonald's. She is possessive of those she loves and brings so much happiness and joy to me.  Happy Birthday, Avi!!



Merry Christmas!

Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas!!

 

From my family to you and yours  Once again it's time to celebrate friends and family and the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  This Christmas let us remember those less fortunate than we are. Reach out to a underprivileged child, a student spending Christmas alone, or a homeless person. Let's make the world a better place not only during this season, but all year long.

 

To My King

 

 

 

To My King

 

 

Clothed in splendor, My King.

I bow down in worship.
 

Your throne, O, Lord, is exalted high

Above every other throne.

 

Heir of all things, you alone

reign in majesty.

 

All bow the knee, let us proclaim,

Jesus, Lord,  has set us free.

                                                    from Hebrew 1:1-9

 

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Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life we forget who Jesus really is.  He is God's Son.  He is God. Angels bow down in worship.  He is the Creator of all things.  He deserves our worship. He is heir of "all things."  Christ the King.