Family Recipe Friday - Chess Pie

 

Mama's Chess Pie

 

I've written before, that, although my Mama wasn't a terrific cook, and there were few dishes she did exceptionally well,

she did have her rare moments of genius.

This was one of those dishes that Mama was far surpassed her usual in! And one which she seldom made, leaving it for holidays or special occasions.

As for me….I try to make it often. Why? Because it’s cheap. And easy. Two things that make any dessert desirable. But more importantly…it’s absolutely delicious!!!

 

INGREDIENTS

½ cup butter

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 eggs

1 tablespoon cornmeal

¼ cup evaporated milk

1 tablespoon white vinegar

9-inch pie shell

 

DIRECTIONS:

1.   Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

2.   In a large bowl, mix the butter, sugar and vanilla together. Mix in the eggs, then stir in the cornmeal, evaporated milk and vinegar until smooth.

3.   Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, then reduce heat to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for 40 minutes. Let cool. Cut and top servings with whipped cream.

Where Am I? - Answer to Nov. 29th

Yesterday we posted this photograph....

...and asked you to tell us where it was taken.

The answer?

The concentration camp at Dachau, upper Bavaria, Germany.

This was an historical tour that touched me like none other in my life. There was a feeling of deep despair as you entered the compound. Worse, was the pervading sense of evil that overshadowed everything else.

I will never, ever forget this place.

Treasure Chest Thursday - Where Am I?

Another photograph taken during my travels. Can you guess where this photograph was taken? Leave your answer below, and I'll post the correct answer tomorrow.

Wordless Wednesday - November 1984

My five children, my ex-husband and I in November 1984.

The oldest was 5. The youngest was 3 months.

Taken at my parents after Thanksgiving, in Gap Mills, Monroe, West Virginia.

Tombstone Tuesday - Jean and Anna Rotge

MOTHER                     FATHER

ANNA ROTGE                    JEAN ROTGE

BORN                    BORN

SEPT. 15, 1829                    DEC. 24, 1829

DIED                    DIED

SEPT. 25, 1917                    JULY 6, 1887

                 ROTGE                   

 

 

 

Both were born in France and died Kerrville, Kerr, Texas. They are buried at:

 

 

 

Mountain View Cemetery, Kerrville, Kerr, Texas.

Monday Mentionables - 11-19 to 11-25 November

Another great week! Here are a few of my favorite blog posts from this past week:

Scavenger Hunt at Grandma’s House!

Genealogy Insider brings us some great activities to introduce the kids to genealogy!

Why Join A Genealogical Society

Elyse’s Genealogy Blog gives us compelling reasons why we should be a part of a genealogy society.

DNA Testing for Genealogy – Getting Started is Often the Hardest Part!

UpFront with NGS brings us part three of this informational article.

God and Horses

Ask a Genealogist brings us this wonderful alternative use for a genealogy program!

Sentimental Sunday - Darryl Worley - Family Tree

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Surname Saturday - Sparks

This week we follow dh's line of Sparks again:

GENERATION 1

Johnnie Lee HENRY son of Joseph Wright HENRY and Betty Louise Rotge was born in San Antonio, Bexar Co, TX.

 

Cynthia Ann BEANE daughter of Walter Maxwell BEANE and Lois Velleda DREHER was born in New Albany, Floyd Co., IN.

Johnnie Lee HENRY and Cynthia Ann BEANE were married in Covington, Alleghany Co., VA.

 

 

 

GENERATION 2

2. Joseph Wright HENRY son of William Lee HENRY and Emma Louise PETTIE was born on 20 Sep

1927 in Fulton County, KY. He died on 16 Nov 1993 in Batesville, Panola, Mississippi.

 

3. Betty Louise Rotge daughter of John Cornelius ROTGE and Ora Lee Sparks was born on 30 Aug

1930 in Kerrville, Kerr, Texas. She died on 05 Jul 2003 in Jourdanton, Atascosa, Texas.

Joseph Wright HENRY and Betty Louise Rotge were married on 30 Jul 1947.

 

 

GENERATION 3

6. John Cornelius ROTGE son of Peter ROTGE and Lillie Mae Surber was born on 16 Jan 1910. He

died on 09 Jun 1983 in Kerrville, Kerr, Texas.

 

7. Ora Lee Sparks daughter of William Jacob Sparks and Laura May Clements was born on 26 Oct

1914 in Bandera, Edwards, Texas. She died in Aug 1982 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas.

John Cornelius ROTGE and Ora Lee Sparks were married in 1930.

 

 

GENERATION 4

14. William Jacob Sparks son of Newton Caddell Sparks and Theodora Perrylee McCarty was born on

11 Mar 1883 in Erath County, Texas. He died on 12 Sep 1944 in Kerrville, Kerr, Texas.

 

15. Laura May Clements daughter of James Thomas CLEMENTS and Anne Caroline TENNILLE was

born on 12 May 1890 in McCullough County, Texas. She died on 06 Oct 1969 in Hilltop Convalescent

Home, 7602 Louis Pasteur Dr., San Antonio, Bexar, Texas.

 

William Jacob Sparks and Laura May Clements were married on 15 Apr 1906 in Bandera, Texas.

 

 

GENERATION 5

28. Newton Caddell Sparks son of William Noble Sparks and Martha Elizabeth Caddell was born on 16

Feb 1858 in Nacogdoches County, Texas. He died on 16 Apr 1924 in Bandera County, Texas.

 

29. Theodora Perrylee McCarty daughter of Jacob McCarty and Nancy Elizabeth Meyers was born on

03 Apr 1863 in Duffau, Erath, Texas. She died on 09 Jan 1944 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas.

 

Newton Caddell Sparks and Theodora Perrylee McCarty were married on 12 Feb 1880 in Texas.

 

 

GENERATION 6

56. William Noble Sparks son of James H. Sparks and Mary Caroline WADLINGTON was born on 21

Sep 1836 in Mississippi. He died on 20 Apr 1909 in Safford, Graham, Arizona.

 

57. Martha Elizabeth Caddell was born on 04 Aug 1840 in Nacogdoches County,Texas. She died on 18

Jan 1913 in Safford, Graham, Arizona.

 

William Noble Sparks and Martha Elizabeth Caddell were married on 18 Dec 1856 in Nacogdoches,

Nacogdoches, Texas.

 

 

GENERATION 7

112. James H. Sparks son of William C. Sparks and Mary Polly Fielder was born in 1808 in Clark,

Georgia. He died about 1838 in Nacogdoches County, Texas.

 

113. Mary Caroline WADLINGTON was born in 1823 in South Carolina.

 

James H. Sparks and Mary Caroline WADLINGTON were married in 1835 in Mississippi.

 

 

GENERATION 8

224. William C. Sparks son of Matthew Sparks and Sarah Thompson was born on 03 Apr 1761. He died

in 1848.

 

225. Mary Polly Fielder daughter of William L. Fielder and Elizabeth Hall was born in 1768. She died in

1846.

 

 

GENERATION 9

448. Matthew Sparks son of William Sample Sparks and Mary Courmon. He died in Nov 1793.

 

449. Sarah Thompson daughter of Thomas Thompson and Elizabeth Surdurth. She died on 23 Aug 1831.

 

Matthew Sparks and Sarah Thompson were married in 1754.

 

 

GENERATION 10

896. William Sample Sparks. He died in 1765.

 

897. Mary Courmon.

 

William Sample Sparks and Mary Courmon were married on 24 Aug 1732.

 

 

As you can see the earlier generations of this line are incomplete, and have not been researched by myself. Readers should be aware that these earlier generations are copied from ‘family provided trees’, and have not been verified.

 

Family Recipe Friday - Cranberry Scones

Here's a family favorite - especially during the holidays! Great for breakfast, or with tea anytime!

Cranberry Scones

Ingredients

Serves 15



3 cups all-purpose flour

 
1/3 cup plus 2 tsp. sugar, divided

 
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

 
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

 
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) cold butter, cut into small pieces

 
1 1/4 cups sweetened dried cranberries

 
3/4 cup white chocolate chips

 
1 cup vanilla-flavored yogurt

 
1 tablespoon milk

Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly spray 3 baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.
Combine the flour, 1/3 cup sugar, the baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until coarse crumbs form.
Stir in the cranberries and white chocolate chips. Add the yogurt. Stir to combine. Drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, 1/4 cupful at a time. Lightly flatten the dough with the bottom of the measuring cup.

Brush the tops with the milk. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining sugar. Bake until lightly golden, 15–20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Happy Thanksgiving - Welcome to the Family

Wordless Wednesday - Almost

4 GENERATIONS

Left to Right:

JoAnn Hartman

Betty Rotge [1930-2003]

Ora Lee Sparks [1914-1982]

Laura May Clements [1890-1969]

 

My dh's little sister, his mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

 

Tombstone Tuesday -

 

LAURA M. SPARKS

MAY 12, 1890

OCT. 6, 1969

 

Laura May Clements was born 12 May 1890 to James Thomas Clements [1843-1897] and Anne Caroline Tennille [1858-1936]. She was the 8th born of 11 children to this family.

 

Laura May married William Jacob Sparks [1883-1944] on 15 Apr 1906 in Bandera County, Texas. The couple had 4 children:

Beulah Bessie [1905-1975]

Lela V. [b. 1906]

Newton Jacob [1910 - 1991]

Ora Lee [1914-1982]

 

The couple divorced and in 1930 Laura May married Zachiria T. Langford [1894-1962].

 

After this marriage, Laura May married yet again, to an unknown with the last name of Clewis.

 

The last two marriages ended in divorce.

 

Laura May died on 6 Oct 1969 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas.

 

She is buried at ...

Sunset Cemetery

Mountain Home, Kerr County, Texas.

 

Laura May was my dh's great-grandmother. He grew up with her in the home. She was lovingly known as "Big Grandma".

 

Monday Mentionables

Here are but a few of the blogs which posted very interesting materials this past week:

Vandalism in Cemeteries Seems to be Running Rampant -- What Can We Do?

UpFront with NGS brings us this update and what we can do about the problem.

Unearthing a Civil War Time Capsule

StarTribune brings us the story of an unexpected find.

A World War II Service Mystery – Frank Winkler

The In-Depth Genealogist  brings us this great story.

Your Tribal DNA: Fingerprints and Footprints

The In-Depth Genealogist brings us this article on how DNA determines a little more about us.

NEHGS Has Many Searchable Periodicals Online

Genea-Musings  brings us this update.

Perfectly Preserved: 21 German Soldiers Found Entombed in a World War One Shelter

World War History Online brings us this fascinating discovery.

National Archives to Display Original Emancipation Proclamation for 150^th Anniversary

Genealogy Blog brings us this news.

Sentimental Sunday - Family Time - Ziggy Marley

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Surname Saturday - Meyers

Once more we delve a wee bit into DH's family ahnentafel, and take a look at one of his grandmother's in the Meyer's family:

GENERATION 1

Johnnie Lee HENRY son of Joseph Wright HENRY and Betty Louise Rotge was born in San Antonio, Bexar Co, TX.

Cynthia Ann BEANE daughter of Walter Maxwell BEANE and Lois Velleda DREHER was born in New Albany, Floyd Co., IN.

Johnnie Lee HENRY and Cynthia Ann BEANE were married in Covington, Alleghany Co., VA.

 

GENERATION 2

2. Joseph Wright HENRY son of William Lee HENRY and Emma Louise PETTIE was born on 20 Sep 1927 in Fulton County, KY. He died on 16 Nov 1993 in Batesville, Panola, Mississippi.

3. Betty Louise Rotge daughter of John Cornelius ROTGE and Ora Lee Sparks was born on 30 Aug 1930 in Kerrville, Kerr, Texas. She died on 05 Jul 2003 in Jourdanton, Atascosa, Texas.

Joseph Wright HENRY and Betty Louise Rotge were married on 30 Jul 1947.

 

GENERATION 3

6. John Cornelius ROTGE son of Peter ROTGE and Lillie Mae Surber was born on 16 Jan 1910. He died on 09 Jun 1983 in Kerrville, Kerr, Texas.

7. Ora Lee Sparks daughter of William Jacob Sparks and Laura May Clements was born on 26 Oct 1914 in Bandera, Edwards, Texas. She died in Aug 1982 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas.

John Cornelius ROTGE and Ora Lee Sparks were married in 1930.

 

GENERATION 4

14. William Jacob Sparks son of Newton Caddell Sparks and Theodora Perrylee McCarty was born on 11 Mar 1883 in Erath County, Texas. He died on 12 Sep 1944 in Kerrville, Kerr, Texas.

15. Laura May Clements daughter of James Thomas CLEMENTS and Anne Caroline TENNILLE was born on 12 May 1890 in McCullough County, Texas. She died on 06 Oct 1969 in Hilltop Convalescent Home, 7602 Louis Pasteur Dr., San Antonio, Bexar, Texas.

William Jacob Sparks and Laura May Clements were married on 15 Apr 1906 in Bandera, Texas.

 

GENERATION 5

28. Newton Caddell Sparks son of William Noble Sparks and Martha Elizabeth Caddell was born on 16 Feb 1858 in Nacogdoches County, Texas. He died on 16 Apr 1924 in Bandera County, Texas.

29. Theodora Perrylee McCarty daughter of Jacob McCarty and Nancy Elizabeth Meyers was born on 03 Apr 1863 in Duffau, Erath, Texas. She died on 09 Jan 1944 in San Antonio, Bexar, Texas.

Newton Caddell Sparks and Theodora Perrylee McCarty were married on 12 Feb 1880 in Texas.

GENERATION 6

58. Jacob McCarty son of Jim McCarty and Nancy Fike was born on 21 May 1834 in Tippah County, Mississippi. He died on 02 Apr 1883 in Duffau, Erath, Texas.

59. Nancy Elizabeth Meyers was born on 05 Sep 1838 in Alabama. She died on 04 Dec 1918 in Duffau, Erath, Texas.

Family Recipe Friday - Thanksgiving Cranberry Salad

I've heard this called 'redneck cranberry salad' and 'cheating heart salad'. By whatever name you decide to call it, it is simply put, one of the most flavorful, and versatile, cranberry salads you can make.



I make this every year for both Thanksgiving and for Christmas. We sometimes also make traditional cranberry sauce, but my family really prefers this!

Ingredients

1 large	package of cherry jello
2 c	hot water
2 c	sugar
2 Tbsp	lemon juice
2 c	drained crushed pineapple (2 - 8oz cans) (juice reserved)
2 c	pineapple juice (use the reserved juice and add water to make 2 cup)
2 c	chopped cranberries
2	oranges (zest the peel and chop the fruit after removing the seeds and discarding)
1 c	pecans, chopped

Preparation

1

Boil the cup of water. Dissolve the jello in the hot water in an 13 x 9 in square pan mix well. Add the sugar, lemon juice and pineapple juice. Stir to dissolve well. [I use either a very large salad bowl or serving bowl, that can then be placed directly on the table or buffet during the meal and looks nice. I have even placed this is a trifle bowl, where it can be viewed for how lovely all the ingredients looks.

2

Add the remaining ingredients and mix. Chill overnight.

You can serve this dish with your savory meal, as the salad, or if you top with a little whipped topping, it even makes a sweet and tart dessert!

Where Am I - Answer

Yesterday I asked you to identify where in the world I was when taking the photograph shown

 

Were you able to guess?

Most US Army individuals in the field artillery units who ever spent any time at all in Germany will quickly recognize the tower clock and post chalet at Grafenweohr, Germany.

A field training post when I was there as an Army wife from 1979-1981,  the largest permanent population of the post was the dependent sector. Vast numbers of troops from all US and allied forces train year round on this post.

The tower and chalet are widely recognized, and nearly everyone when returning home to the states brings either a photograph or replica of the tower and chalet back with them.