CollectIn Texas Gal

6/15/10

Why Squash? Better Tastin' Than Socks!

So, how's your squash and tomatoes doin' so far this gardening season?

It's nearly the middle of June and here in Texas some folks have had things in the ground for several months and are getting close to reaping the benefits of being early bird gardeners.

I'm not ONE of those folks. DarnIt!

Our late planting with the MoHawk is doing well and getting little tomatoes, but it'll be next month before any harvestin' happens.

Didn't plant any squash. It's my absolute favorite vegetable to raise.

Here's a photo of last years squash in the raised beds that HiHoney built. Ya see we have about 5 inches of dirt and then it's solid rock. One of the reasons we decided to Garden with MoHawk this year...lots of deep dirt!

By now, Ya'll know that I usually have a point to bringin' up a New Topic.

Well, today that point is ... Number One to fullfill my BigMouth PostADay Declaration...

...and Number Two, to Squash any doubt that my BigMouth has something in it other than my BigFoot!

HiHoney's Granny Varner shared this Squash Recipe with me when I passed muster in the Family Cook category. As you can see, it is securely saved as a Varner Original and hereto fore has only been published one other time.....at least by this GRIT.

So as long as you give credit where credit is due, I'm sharing this Squash Casserole Recipe with Ya'll. And believe me it sure Taste Better than MyBigFoot!

This recipe is reproduced exactly as it was handwritten.

Squash Cassrole

2 lbs. Squash
2 onions (chopped)

1 box Stovetop Corn Bread Stuffing

1/2 cup Butter (melted)

1 cup Gratted carrots

8 0z. sour cream or 1 cup condensed milk (not deluted)

1 can cream chicken Soup

Slice Squash & put in pan with onions & little water. Simmer 5 min. Drain well. Do not follow directions on stuffing box.

Place crumbs in small bowl & add melted butter.

Stir to mix well. In large bowl combine all ingredients - Holding back 1/2 cup of crumbs.

Butter pour other ingredients in 2 qt. Casserole that has been lightly greased.

Top with the 1/2 cup crumbs.

Bake at 350 for 30-40 min.

6/14/10

Flag Day In Texas!!!

Boy Howdy, today's the day Proud Americans and Proud Texans get out their Flags and Poles.

Now, here in Texas, Ya'll might think we get a bit carried away with Who,Where, Why and How the flags are displayed.

There are some guidelines:

United States of America Flag Etiquette

~The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.

~The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.

~The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

~The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

~The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

~The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.

~The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.

~The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

~When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

~The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

~When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.

The Texas State flag is the national flag of the Republic of Texas, adopted on January 24, 1839. The Lone Star flag, designed by William Wharton has flown over Texas since then and is considered the fourth of Texas's six national flags.

~The Texas flag, according to the Flag Code, "shall be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously".

~The blue field, shall be against the flag pole and the white stripe shall be at the top, except in the case of a life and death emergency. That means, if the flag is flying upside down, you are in mortal danger.

~When you display the Texas flag, the flag should not touch the ground, should always be on a flag pole and should always be allowed to wave free. It should be displayed with appropriate lighting if out after dark, and should not be flown in inclement weather.

~The only flag that can be flown above the Texas flag on a single flag pole is the United States flag, but it is recommended that the Texas flag have its own flag pole of equal height to the United States flag.

~If the Texas flag is passing, as in a parade, you should - if you are a citizen of Texas - stand, remove your hat, and place your right hand over your heart. If you are not a citizen of Texas, you are expected to remove your hat and stand reverently, until the flag has passed.

~If you are carrying the Texas flag, it shall never be dipped to anyone or anything, except as a sign of honor to the United States flag. You should not draw it back or up in folds, it should be held in such a way that it will fly free.

The Texas Pledge of Allegiance:

"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."

The Pledge of Allegiance may be recited at any public or private meeting when the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag is recited, and it should come after the pledge to the United States flag.