Sentimental Sunday - Grandpa Dreher

Henry Dreher [1902 - 1977]

Grandpa was a restless one at night. He had extremely bad back pain, and suffered with migraines his entre life. He was often "up for the day" by 3:00a.m.

I remember waking up as he would come into the living room when we visited [my sister and I slept on a pallet or rollaway in there].

"Lay back down little one, it's still the middle of the night. I'm going to sit here and read my Bible while you sleep, and God and I will watch over you."

Grandpa was a real student of the Bible. He could argue theology with the very best, and most degreed of ministers and theologians. And he would sit and tell me Bible stories when I was little. As I got older he would ask me questions regarding theology, principals, and various religions.

I own Grandpa's Bible today. He read from a large family Bible. It always brings me delight to handle it.

And I read from my own Bible each day. Studying. Learning. 

Grandpa passed from this life in 1977. It was probably the hardest funeral I have ever had to attend. And I miss him dearly.

In November of 2003 I was ordained a non-denominational minister. And I felt strongly that on that day Grandpa was looking down on me. Him and God. Watching over me.

****Did you remember to set your clocks back one hour last night???

Treasure Chest Thursday

My grandfather, Henry C. Dreher, Jr. [1902-1977] was a master carpenter. He left all of his tools to my Dad, shown here.

I keep telling Dad we should photograph all of the old tools and catalog them.

Well, here is one of the old wire cutters that belonged to Grandpa. They are probably only from the early 1960's, but Grandpa used these will wiring some of the many lamps he made when he retired.

Family Recipe Friday - Grandpa's Pork Chops

Henry Condar Dreher, Jr.

1902-1977

His grandparents came from Germany. He once told me from Dusseldorf, and while the Dreher name is largely known in that fair city, I have been unable to determine if that is exactly where they came from or not.

I do know that in their home, only "High-German" was ever spoken, and nothing brought Grandpa more pleasure than speaking the "native tongue", even though he'd never set foot on German soil.

Good Bavarian cooking was plentiful in his household. And until he died, no meal was complete without meat and potatoes.

Here is one recipe that I remember my Grandma Dreher cooking for Grandpa on a regular basis. This is one I certainly miss, since I can no longer eat pork. The smells eminating from the oven when this is roasting are pure heaven to me, and never fail to transport me back to Grandma's warm kitchen, and brighter days!

Ingredients:

6- medium thick center cut pork chops

1 large jar of sauerkraut [do not use canned!]

4 large potatoes - peeled and cut into bite sized chunks

1 cup brown sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees farenheit.

Lightly braise pork chops on both sides in a non-stick skillet.

Place pork chops in the bottom of a large baking pan [13" x 9" glass lasagna pan works well].

Drain sauerkraut and reserve half liquid.

Place sauerkraut in a large mixing bowl. Add chunked potatoes and mix well.

Season with salt and pepper as desired.

Spoon sauerkraut and potato mixture over pork chops.

Mix brown sugar with reserved sauerkraut juice and pour over all.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake approximately 35 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake for another ten minutes to lightly brown top.

Serve while hot.

Serves 6.

This makes a meal by itself, or you can add a green salad or green beans.

Treasure Chest Thursday

Henry and Walter Dreher

abt. 1947-1948

Henry Condar Dreher, Jr. [1903-1977] and Walter Louis Dreher [1900-1970] were two of the ten children children born to Henry Condar Dreher, Sr. and Josephine [Josie] Sophie Benzel Dreher.

Henry was my maternal grandfather.