Third Infinity

SUMMER SOLSTICE (C. JUN 21) A. HISTORY At Midsummer, the Sun-god is at apogee (closest to the Earth), and therefore the longest day of the year. The pagans worshipped and celebrated the abundance of life, even as they recognized that this Solstice also marked the time when the Sun began to wane once more toward Winter's darkness. The legends are full of the Sun God dying by whatever method, be it burning alive, blinded with mistletoe, or crucified on a T-shaped cross. In ancient times, this often demanded a human enactor actually dying, followed by a seven-day wake. Some pagan cultures have an Oak King, (symbolizing the light half of the year) being killed by his brother the Holly King (symbolizing the darkening half of the year). "The Goddess, as we have pointed out, is unlike the God in that she never undergoes death and rebirth. In fact, she never changes- she merely presents different faces. At the Winter Solstice she shows her Life-in-Death aspect; though her...

It's too hot to cook, not even for ice cream. Here's some treats that don't need it.

Sunshine Muffins for Litha 1 8.5 oz can crushed pineapple, drained and reserving the syrup milk 1.5 cups packaged biscuit mix (like Bisquick) 3 T sugar 1 beaten egg 1 T sugar 1 T finely shredded orange peel Add enough milk to the reserved syrup to measure ¾ cup liquid. Combine the biscuit mix and 3 T sugar. Add in the egg, ¼ c pineapple, and syrup-milk mix. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients all at once. Stir until just moist. Grease or line muffin tins. Fill 2/3 full. Stir together remaining pineapple, 1 T sugar, and orange peel. Spoon about 1 T pineapple mixture atop each muffin cup. Bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Makes 8-10 muffins. Calories 161 28 carbs Lena Austin "Stop fighting the Wild," said the coyote. Just Released: Man vs. Wild Book 3 in the Coyotes of Yellowstone http://www.LenaAustin.com

Sunshine Muffins for Litha 1 8.5 oz can crushed pineapple, drained and resereving the syrup milk 1.5 cups packaged biscuit mix (like Bisquick) 3 T sugar 1 beaten egg 1 T sugar 1 T finely shredded orange peel Add enough milk to the reserved syrup to measure ¾ cup liquid. Combine the biscuit mix and 3 T sugar. Add in the egg, ¼ c pineapple, and syrup-milk mix. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients all at once. Stir until just moist. Grease or line muffin tins. Fill 2/3 full. Stir together remaining pineapple, 1 T sugar, and orange peel. Spoon about 1 T pineapple mixture atop each muffin cup. Bake at 400F for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Makes 8-10 muffins. Calories 161 28 carbs * * *

Isn't this GREAT? I'm also posting this in October 2009. (Yes, I plan this far in advance)

As I write this, my family has suffered under the economic crisis of 2009. I'm not sure we'll even have a home next year. We've never known the pleasure of a summer vacation. There's no such thing in the low-level blue collar world. However, kids don't understand economic turmoil. They only understand it's boring. So, this year, try the Stay-cation and explore the local area. I am. We're going to the zoo, the MOSH, and a festival in the park this summer.

What a good idea! Because the label is easy to change, you can switch things up a bit from year to year if you need to do so.

I can deal with ice cream in summer, can't you?

Lammas Recipe—Slushy Punch Hint: Keep the slush in the freezer at all times in the summer for spur of the moment guests. For each serving, combine equal amounts of slush and carbonated water or lemon-lime carbonated beverage like Sprite or 7-Up. 1 cup sugar 2-3/4 cups water 2 ripe medium bananas, cut up 3 cups unsweetened pineapple juice 1 6 oz can frozen orange juice concentrate 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 1-liter bottle of carbonated water or lemon-lime carbonated beverage Stir sugar and water together until sugar dissolves. Combine the bananas, half the pineapple juice, and orange juice concentrate in the food processor and whirl until combined. Add to sugar mix, and then stir in the lemon juice and the rest of the pineapple juice. Make sure it’s thoroughly blended. Transfer this to a 13x9 baking pan or a similarly shaped freezer container for long-term storage. Freeze for several hours until firm. To serve, let mixture stand at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. To form a slush, s...

Some things just bear repeating. The cake is to die for! Really!

This coming weekend, our group will be doing (drum roll, please!) Preserves! No, not the difficult kind with special equipment. The easy kind you do with either fresh or frozen fruit, some fruit pectin, lemon juice, and maybe a bit of sugar. I got this quickie primer from the instructions inside a box of "Sure-Jell Lower Sugar" fruit pectin. Always use caution and follow directions for your manufacturer. Got it? Always use clean, sterilized jars. Boiling them and the rings works. Use new flat jar lid centers every time. Use the correct measuring devices. I use Pyrex liquid measuring cups with pour spouts for liquid measures, and metal dry measuring cups with a straight top edge for measuring sugar. I use ripe fruit or frozen fruit. Over- or under-ripe fruit is not good eats. Yes, I use a food processor and pulse. I like my jam with fruit bits. (Nom!Nom!Nom!) Use the sugar called for. In this case, the sugar is needed for a proper set. Measure everything in advance. The sugar...

Picnic Hot Dog Platter Prep: 10 min. Grill: 20 min. Ingredients 12 frankfurters , uncooked bratwurst, smoked pork sausages , veal sausages, turkey sausages, vegetarian frankfurters, or other favorites 1 dozen frankfurther or bratwurst buns or French-style rolls , split 1 recipe Tart Apple Mustard , Bacon Brown-Sugar Mustard, and/or Early Girl Tomato Mustard (recipes follows) Other condiments , such as chopped pickled peppers , sliced tomatoes, pickle relish , and crumbled cooked bacon (optional) Directions 1. Pierce uncooked sausages all over with a fork or cut several shallow crosswise slits in each uncooked sausage. 2. In a grill with a cover arrange preheated coals around a drip pan. Test for medium heat above the pan. Grill uncooked sausages on grill rack above the drip pan turning once for 20 to 25 minutes or until brown and a thermometer registers 170 degrees F. Grill frankfurters and cooked sausages on grill rack above the drip pan for 10 minutes or until brown and ...