OH THE PLACES WE SHOULD GO - TAKING A FALL TRAIN RIDE AT THE HEART OF DIXIE RAILROAD MUSEUM

(Writing and photography by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

A perfect excursion in the fall is to take a little train ride. 

It is a wonderful way to admire the beautiful changing colors of the landscape that now paints the autumn sky. 

I can't imagine a fall without some kind of train ride.  Our family has kept this tradition as often as possible for years now. I enjoy coming up with new and different places to accomplish another scenic train ride each season. There are lots of good choices of old trains to visit in the South.

One great place is The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum in Calera, Alabama. We went there with our daughter, Erin a few years ago and had a blast.  Not only will you get to ride the train through some very pretty woods; you also get to tour a fantastic museum, full of antique Alabama trains and train equipment.  This very informative museum features operating standard gauge and narrow gauged trains from Alabama. 

There are two restored depots full of lots of railroad history and memorabilia. 

You can also go outside and climb in and out of many old box cars, locomotives and cabooses.  These have been collected over the years from a bunch of train lovers who originally stored them in Birmingham, then brought them to Calera and formed this fantastic little museum and train station.   

There are lots of special excursions offered according to the season of the year.  The Fall excursion is called The Pumpkin Patch Express.  It would be a great adventure to enjoy with your grandchildren.  The Pumpkin Patch Express takes place in October most years.  You can visit The Great Pumpkin, take a hayride, bounce in the jump-station, enjoy good old fashioned boiled peanuts, and pick out the perfect jack o'lantern.  Who could ask for more?
There's also an event called "A Day Out With Thomas" if your child or grandchild loves Thomas The Train, you don't want to miss it.  Find the information here: http://thomasthetrain.net/index.php/pages/heart-of-dixie-railroad-museum.html 

There are also Christmas events where the kiddies can ride The North Pole Express and visit with Santa.  Check out this website for all the details: https://www.hodrrm.org/Events/NorthPoleExpress/tabid/121 

If you want a more adult experience, make a reservation on the dinner car that rolls through the Ozan Vinyards and stops there for a wine tasting.  I've put this on my bucket list and keep hoping that my husband will read it!   Here is the information you would need to know:http://www.ozanvineyardtrain.com/

Or maybe you would just like to take an ordinary Saturday afternoon train ride, each event is special.  Just check their home website at:  http://www.hodrrm.org

I highly recommend a day visiting The Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum and love the fact that most of their workers are made up of enthusiastic train lovers who have generously volunteered their time to helping others enjoy the gifts that the Alabama trains have blessed us with over the years.

All Aboard?

See you at the station! 

  

  

OH THE PLACES WE SHOULD GO ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF OCTOBER

(Writing and photography by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

There's something special happening every October in Harpersville, Alabama  at 
Baker Farm's Fall Festival.

  

All through the month of October people are milling in and out of Baker's Farm and enjoying some wonderful Fall events. 

School kids get the week day mornings at the farm all by themselves (except for their teachers); so unless you are with a school group, you would do well to go on Saturday or Sunday afternoons when everything opens up to the general public.  

You really do not want to miss this! 

There is no better way to enjoy an outdoor fall adventure.   

The festival is for all ages.  You will enter from the parking lot through an amazing collection of old antique tractors, each one unique in its own way, and each one with a historical story from the owner. 

A tractor parade is held each year.

 

You will soon find yourself stepping into an outdoor market place of vivid colors, delicious smells and the unique surprises.  
There are lots of booths with authentically dressed exhibitors selling their original works of art and wonderful homemade food.  
You can watch the blacksmith work in his trade, or see how brooms are made by hand, or experience the weaving of a basket, or watch the making of homemade soap.  
Vendors and exhibitors come from all over the south for this event.  
You're bound to do some Christmas shopping here.  
There is something for everyone on your list.

If you get tired of shopping you can take a walk through the corn maze. 

 Hopefully you will be one of the lucky ones who arrives on the other side, eventually.  
You might want to join the crowd picking cotton.  
There is a story to tell here at this large cotton patch by the owner of the farm.  
You can take what you pick home with you.

If you get tired, just sit down in front of the old barn 

and hear some good ole bluegrass music.  

You might hear a little gospel too. 

Please don't miss the hayride!  
You will get a detailed tour of the farm, plus you will make a stop at the pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin for your own front porch. 

There are trail rides if you are a horseman, 
and if you want you can help your child to a guided pony ride.  

Be sure to visit the Indian Village. 
 There is a lot of history to learn here.  
Watch them do their native dances and hear their stories.   

 There is a very realistic Civil War reenactment happening at this farm.  
Walk through the camp and learn the military drills.  
Experience the stories of the flags and learn the history of the south. 

Fiddlers and banjo pickers are everywhere, both young and old. 

There are livestock in the pens and plenty of them want to be petted by the children.  
There are bunnies, turtles, lambs, goats, cows, horses and pigs, and pretty much any other animals you can think of.  If you look hard enough you will see Charlotte's Web somewhere on the property. 

Should you work up an appetite, there are tasty treats around every corner.  
You will not leave hungry, but you might gain a few pounds.

Different weekends of the month have different themes.  
During the Cowboy Weekends you can come dressed as a cowboy and just blend into the landscape that will be filled with gun slingers and shootouts in the street.   
Your very likely to meet some famous outlaws in the crowd.   
Western music abounds on these days, 
and Hay Mountain becomes a busy place. 

Another weekend involves Living History Days where you can meet living historians who will tell you their tales of The Civil War.  
You can participate in the infantry marching drills, or meet the cavalry, 
or learn how to make soap.  
You have a realistic glimpse into what a soldier's life was really like during these times. 

 

This is simply a lot of old fashioned down home fun for the whole family. 

I hope to see you there!
1041 Farmingdale Road, Harpersville, AL
205-672-7209

FOOD ART AND FAMILY FUN - EVERYTHING PUMPKIN

(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

EVERYTHING PUMPKIN

What exactly is a pumpkin?  A vegetable?  No. 

A fruit?  Yes!

A fruit is defined as being the part of the plant which contains seeds.  The average pumpkin contains about a cup of seeds, so pumpkins are most definitely a fruit.

Pumpkins come in a multitude of colors, shapes and sizes.  Some are green, yellow, red, white, blue and there are even multi-colored and striped pumpkins.  

They can be huge, tiny, flat, short, tall, round, pear necked, smooth, ribbed and even warty.  

Some pumpkins are fabulous for culinary uses.  Some pumpkins are more suited to being carved or displayed.  

You are sure to find a use for pumpkins in the Fall Season.  They are so decorative and full of color!  There are so many different ways to use them.

This article only incorporates recipes for pumpkins, none of which are original to the author, so credit is given for where we found them.  

For your other more decorative fall pumpkin uses - simply use your own great imagination!  The sky is the limit.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

by Kent Rathbun of Abascus Restaurant

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces granulated sugar
• 2 ½ pounds cream cheese
• 5 each whole eggs
• 11 ounces pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon corn starch
• 4 ounces sour cream
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
• 1 teaspoon ginger, ground
• ½ teaspoon cloves, ground
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg, ground

Directions

1.      Place the sugar in a large mixer with paddle attachment. Add cream cheese and mix until smooth, scrape the bowl.

2.    Add the eggs slowly with the mixer on the first speed. Very important not to over beat the eggs into the mixture because will cause cheesecake to souffle and break.

3.    As the eggs are being incorporated scrape the sides of the bowl to keep mixture very smooth.

4.    Add pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, lemon juice, cornstarch, sour cream, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg - scraping the bowl between each addition. Never allow mixture to be beaten.

5.     Pour into prepared pans or molds and bake in 275 degree oven. Use water bath when possible, allow to bake until middle is set and slightly souffleed.

6.    Turn the oven off and allow the cheesecake to fall in the oven slowly, then allow to cool to room temperature before placing in the cooler. (Cheesecake will crack if placed in the cooler when too warm)

7.     Once chilled thoroughly then can be un-molded. (Warm sides of the mold with a torch and cake should slide out)

  

Yummy Pumpkin Pancakes

(From Jack Creek Farms Country Store Recipe Collection)

This recipe is so much fun! It is super simple to make with amazing results. It is a great breakfast item to prepare for guests. They will think you spent hours in the kitchen. The flavor of warm pumpkin pancakes with maple syrup is a fabulous combination.

Ingredients:

2 cups Bisquick
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs
1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk

1/2 cups cooked mashed pumpkin
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

In a bowl, combine Bisquick, brown sugar and cinnamon. In another bowl, combine the eggs, milk, pumpkin, oil and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients and mix well.

Pour batter by 1/2 cupfuls onto a lightly greased hot griddle; turn when bubbles form on top of pancakes. Cook until second side is golden brown. Serve with butter and maple syrup. 

OLD FASHIONED PUMPKIN COOKIES
 (From Libby’s Kitchen)
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease baking sheets.
COMBINE flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and
salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.    
    Ingredients:
    2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
    1 teaspoon baking soda
    1 teaspoon baking powder
    1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
   1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
   1/2 teaspoon salt 
   1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
   1/2 cup butter (1 stick) softened
   1 cup Libby's 100% pure pumpkin 
   1 large egg
   1 teaspoon vanilla extract

   Glaze (recipe follows)
         

     BAKE for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle Glaze over cookies.  FOR GLAZE:  COMBINE 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in small bowl until smooth.

PUMPKIN LATTE

(FROM THE FOOD NETWORK)

Whisk 2-1/4 cups milk, 1/4 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons pumpkin, 1 tablespoon vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice and 1/4 cup espresso in a saucepan; bring to a simmer.  Pour into two mugs and enjoy!

Frosted Pumpkin Bread

(From Better Homes and Gardens)

Ingredients:

3-1/3 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

2/3 cup water

1-15 ounce can of pumpkin

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon milk

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon instant espresso coffee powder

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Milk

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of two 9x5x3, three 8x4x2 inch, or four 7-1/2 x3-1/2 x 2 inch loaf pans; set aside.  In a large bowl stir together flour, baking soda, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg; set aside.  In an extra mixing bowl beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined.  Add eggs, beat well.  Alternately add flour mixture and the water to egg mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined.  Beat in pumpkin.  Spoon batter into the prepared loaf pans, spreading evenly.  Bake for 55 to 60 minutes for 9x5-inch loaves, 45 to 50 minutes for 8x4-inch loaves, 40 to 45 minutes for 7-1/2x3 inch loaves, or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the centers comes out clean.  Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes.  Remove from pans.  Cool completely on wire racks.  Wrap and store overnight.  For cocoa-spice frosting, in a small mixing bowl beat butter on medium speed for 30 seconds  Beat in 1 cup of the powdered sugar, the cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon milk, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, coffee powder, and vanilla until combined.  Beat in the remaining cup powdered sugar.  Beat in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to reach spreading consistency.  Spread the tops of loaves with cocoa-spice frosting before slicing.

HAPPY CARVING!!

AN APPLE A DAY (DAY 101) LEARNING TO LOVE YOURSELF

365 DAYS TO A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE.

(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

  

Many of us need to comprehend the message that working toward being totally healthy and taking care of our own physical needs isn’t a selfish way to live!  

If you are trapped in this popular and common line of thought; you might need to stop and take a few moments to imagine those that you love learning to live without you.  It isn’t selfish to tend to your own health in the midst of tending the health needs of others!  

Think of it this way:  Realize that keeping you healthy is very similar to doing missions work.  You are the mission, because all of the other things will not be happening without you!  

The purpose of your body is to carry God’s will out in this life; and you can’t exactly do that if you have a dysfunctional body.  It is one thing for a body to be dysfunctional through channels out of control, but it is another thing for your body to become dysfunctional through neglect.   If you are going to help others eat better, sleep more comfortably, get enough sunshine and exercise in their day; you have to be able to do those things too.   Why is it so easy for us to consider the needs of others and put the emphasis there, but forget our own basic needs and feel they are unimportant? 

Please stop right now and take an inventory of how you go about your day.  If you find that you are so busy tending to the needs of your family, friends, church, job, community, etc., that you do not have the time that you need to eat properly, sleep properly or even take any portion of your time to get the exercise and recreation that your body requires; you might need to stop and ask yourself a few "why" questions.    

Are you actually denying yourself your basic needs in the name of caring for others?  Do you see this to be something that you are doing as an unselfish offering of love for those that you have chosen to serve?  If so, we may need to take a deep breath right here and examine the truth of your definition of love.

This is a VERY common problem today, especially among working women and young mothers.    This is probably the worst unnoticed culprit that is stealing the health of every family in America.  I see it everywhere I look.  It is a very easy trap to fall into.  I have been among the guilty myself.  

I see busy, overworked Moms feeding their children very carefully and using all the healthiest choices, then turning around and doing without food themselves (or even worse - living off of easy and quick junk food) because they just are not taking the time to sit down to eat a healthy meal.  

I see Dad’s out there working hard, stressful jobs almost 24/7 in order that their families can have all the very best luxuries of life; but denying themselves the basic 8 hours of sleep that they need to regain enough energy to go out there and face all the workload again day after day.  

I  even see working people so concerned for the health of their dogs that they will spend way over their budget on vet bills and hire someone to walk the dog while they are at work; but they won’t even take the time off from work when they have a serious health issue to go to the doctor, nor will they be as concerned that they get out into the sunshine for a walk themselves.  

The children and dogs and the fringes of the social circles that we constantly do our good deeds for are all getting healthier and healthier while those who are helping them to be that way are simply exhausted and turning into couch potatoes!  

How sad!  

It will do no one any good to sit and read about health all day  in order to go out there and preach it to family and friends and make every effort to be sure they have the knowledge.  Nothing will ever be completely helpful and fruitful in our lives unless some of that knowledge sinks down inside our own heads and our legs and feet and arms and hands rise up and go perform what it takes to be healthy! 

The saddest part of all of this is that most people are in this trap because they think they are doing the right thing.  They actually think they are making valuable sacrifices out of their love for others.  

Perhaps it is time to re-examine our definition of love.  I prefer the biblical definition of everything and the bible says we should love others as we love ourselves.   Hmm…..that would mean, in order to love anyone else properly – I would have to properly love myself first!  We must realize the truth is that if there is no self-love inside a person, no recognition of the beautiful and holy spark within; then there is no way that person can truly love or give to another.

If you do not feed yourself first, (spiritually, physically and mentally,) or take care of yourself first, or know your own physical  limitations; you simply will not have what you need in order to be giving to others.  

In order for a new mother to take the best care of her baby, she needs to be able to eat and sleep herself!  The taking care of our selves is a prerequisite to all that we do.  It isn’t optional; it is necessary for ALL to be happy and healthy.  

In order for your happiness to spill over and serve those that you love, you must first be happy from within yourself.  Once you are able to see and appreciate all the beauty that God created within you, you will then gain a much greater appreciation for the goodness that God created and put within your fellow man.  

In order to stay on the healthy side of things you must value and accept yourself.  You must grow and learn from all of your life’s challenges and mistakes.  Don’t beat yourself up over them; learn to be kind to yourself.   Be creative.  Think of ways to incorporate the tending to your own health needs every day.  Make it a priority, then go and tend to the others that you love. 

Take Jesus Christ as your first example.  He did not rise and start serving immediately upon waking up; the scriptures speak of how He rose early in the mornings and went off to pray in a solitary place.  He knew the importance of filling up your own spiritual tank before taking fuel to others!  An empty tank has nothing to offer.  Once Jesus had communicated with His Father and received the proper instructions for the day; He was good to go out and serve the world.  It is the same for us; whether we are dealing with physical, spiritual or emotional things.  

Take care of your own necessities; then go to tend to those you love.  When you shop for others, include your own needs at the same time.  When you feed your children, let someone else hold the toddler for a little while so you can eat your meal too (or put them in their crib until you have had time to feed yourself.)  Work hard and do your best at work, but when you have been there for an acceptable amount of time, go home and enjoy what you are working for.  Take the time you need to find ways to refresh yourself and re-energize.  The rest of the world will not frown at you - they will love you more for it!  Your tank will not be empty, so you will have much more to offer and you will enjoy the process as it transpires.  

You know what will happen, you will eliminate one of life's silent killers; that old enemy called "stress."  Stress is very unhealthy and the leading cause of most health problems.  When you tend to your own needs, stress is kept to a minimum. 

So, my friends, the first rule of becoming a healthier person and walking into a healthier lifestyle is to learn to love yourself .  By now you have probably grasped the fact that self-love and selfishness are not the same thing.  They are not even related!  Don't be selfish; learn to love yourself.  The whole world will appreciate the new you.  Hence from this you will learn to love and better serve your fellowman.  This is the starting place that moves you into a much healthier lifestyle.  All of the rest of the knowledge we might discuss or gain in this blog will be totally useless unless you can grasp this fact first; hold on to it and remember to love yourself!

. 

          

COME AS A CHILD LESSON 138 - ON EAGLE'S WINGS

ON EAGLE’S WINGS

(Written by Sheila Gail Landgraf)

When telling the Old Testament stories it is sometimes helpful and interesting to notice the actual dates of when certain events actually took place.  References to dates and times are often vague; but they are actually noted in the scriptures for a reason.  If you just remember to notice certain passages, such as the one mentioned at the beginning of Exodus 19:1, you can determine definite time frames that were observed by the Israelites in the wilderness.  This verse says;  “On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt – on that very day – they came to the Desert of Sinai.”

This noted time period would have been during the month of Sivan on the Hebrew calendar, which relates to late May and early June on the calendars we use today. 

When they reached this point in their journey, and they entered the Desert of Sinai and camped at the foot of the mountain; it would have marked forty five days since they left Egypt.

Moses moved a little higher up the mountain from the people and there he met with God.  God called down to him from the highest part of the mountain and told him:  “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel:  You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles wings and brought you to myself.  Now, if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.  Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”

Moses must have pondered the words of God in his heart as he descended the mountain and moved back to the people.  He must have thought of God’s beautiful choice of words to them; and how God mentioned that He had “carried the people on eagle’s wings and brought them to himself.”

This beautiful and poetic language that originated straight from the mouth of God right there on top of Sinai is often used in our poems and songs today.  It is a beautiful word-picture of refuge and rescue from hopeless situations. 

Why do you think God chose to use an eagle to illustrate his care for his people?

Some have observed that the other birds of prey carry their young in their talons to protect them from the attack of other animals from above and behind; but this is not so with the eagle. 

The eagle is mighty and he fears no other bird.  The only thing an eagle fears is the arrows and shots from mankind. 

The eagle actually carries it’s young on its wings; knowing if it is shot by an arrow from below, the parent bird would suffer the injury and the young eaglets would have a chance to fly away and survive. 

Old Jewish legends have explained that when the Israelites were attacked by Pharaoh’s arrows at The Red Sea, God sent angels from the divine cloud that protected them from the Egyptians.  It is said that the angels absorbed the blows of the Egyptian arrows and they acted as shields in front of the Israelites.

It is so amazing to me that the Jewish people will see and relate to this great example; but they fail to see how Christ took the blows for the sins of mankind at the crucifixion.  Jesus was there for us, as if He were carrying us on eagle’s wings. 

Christ has always followed the example of The Father.  This is the way God was protecting and abiding with the people at Sinai; He was saying:  “I love you so much that I will defend you!  I will die for you if need be!  Because of me; you will survive and thrive as my children! “

The things that happened at Sinai represent God’s marriage to Israel.  It is important, before entering the covering of the wedding ceremony, to stop and consider the relationship we have with our Creator. 

After the marriage ceremony at Sinai, civil laws will be emphasized.  This is necessary even though at times these civil laws may feel heavy and burdensome.  It is important to remember that our FIRST commitment to God came from a prior loving and nurturing relationship, one that happened even before the giving of the law where God took us unto himself purely out of unconditional love. 

In many ways, the Israelites were as guilty and as sinful as the Egyptians that God destroyed; yet God chose them, He loved them, and He took them as His beloved.  He set them apart and proclaimed them special people.  He brought them out of Egypt as if on the bonding wings of an eagle.  His love swooped down just in the nick of time, and without stipulation he suffered the pain in our place and bore us on eagle’s wings to the foot of the mountain where He chose to instruct us on the best ways to live; so very much like an eagle looking after its young!

But; you say; I wasn’t born Jewish!  Where does that leave me? 

My friend; anyone who belongs to Christ has been adopted into the family of God.  This family definitely started out with the Hebrew people; but it has grown over the years!   If you have come under the love of Christ and made Him the covering for your life; you have come into the wedding ceremony and are a part of the Bride through the marriage covenant with Jesus, and through adoption by God.  You have been welcomed into the family as a much loved wife and daughter. 

Much more of this will become clear as we go along.  For now we are discovering how a people, living long before Christ ever entered the world, came to be chosen by God.   We are looking at the beginnings of the family heritage!

It is very important to get the “love” aspect of God before you delve into the giving of the law.  The law was given out of love, not works.  Real love always brings us to ways of righteousness and justice.

So in that day, the 46^th day Moses listened to God and then went back down the mountain to summon the elders he had chosen to help him govern the people. Moses told them all the words that God had given him to speak to the people. 

The elders and Moses relayed the message of God together to the people.  All the people responded as one man and answered “We will do everything the LORD has said.”

On the 47^th day after Passover (when they left Egypt) Moses climbed back up the mountain and relayed the answer of the people to God.