The Old Parsonage at Rutland ND will be open Friday, April 10 from 4-7, Sat., April 11, from 10-4 and April 12, from 12-4.

This is a great time of the year!   By May we will have our planters out to sell and we can dream of flowers.  I grew up on the same farm as my grandparents lived.  My grandma was constantly working and flowers were very special to her.  I got to help her plant and that was fun.  Her garden had a tall fence around it as the animals thought the flowers were a treat for them!  She also had a large vegetable garden close to a slough.  It was easier to haul the water there.  My brothers and I got into trouble many a time when we sneaked through the alfalfa and got into the vegetable garden. Fresh veggies are such a tasty item!

Our primitive rooms continue to grow.  The look is so special and lets us know what our ancestors had to use.  Most of the items are still usable and it’s fun to show the kids what Grandma and Great-grandma did. Cast iron and enamel pieces are still popular and really do work, besides being healthy for you.

The oldtime recipe for the month:

Grandma Lydia’s Soft Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
1 cup raisins
1 cup flour
1 1/3 cup water
1 tsp soda
1 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup shortening
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 eggs
Pinch of salt
2 cups rolled oats (not quick cooking)
2/3 cup raisin juice

Boil raisins 5 min. Drain and reserve water.  Cream shortening and sugar; add eggs and beat all.  Combine flour, soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; add alternately with raisin juice to creamed mixture. Add oats and raisins last.  Drop by rounded teaspoons on greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 for 11-15 min.

Hope to see you the second weekend in April!!     Kathy