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While growing up, Ruth and her siblings often visited their grandparents who had immgrated from The Netherlands in 1922.  One of the traditional foods that Grandma Folkers liked to prepare and share was "Roode Kool".  Here is her traditional recipe to pass on to her posterity. Ingredients: 1 medium sized heart...

Ruth's grandmother, Hilje Mulder Folkers, had a favorite recipe of hers that Ruth loved with kale and potatoes, rather than sauerkraut (zuurkool).  This is a quick and easy recipe for cold winter months. Instructions:  Use equal parts of sauerkraut and potatoes boiled separately.  Drain potatoes and mash.  Drain sauerkraut and combine...

This recipe was contributed by Gloria Schneider (Ruth's youngest daughter) for THE THIESSENS FAMILY REUNION COOKBOOK - 2000.  She writes "This recipe is one that my mother - Ruth Meacham - often made for Thanksgiving and Christmas when we were growing up.  I can't help but think of the good memories...

  My mother's mother, Gertrude Molinelli McMahon was of Genoese (Northern Italy) decent- her parents were born there (in the town Bertone, where everyone's surname was Molinelli) and emigrated to the U.S. in the early 1900s. This torta (which they always pronounced "tortha" ) is not a cake but was often...

On the road…again! Afghanistan to Zambia Chronicles of a Footloose Forester By Dick Pellek   Fresh Tuna Steaks   They say that there is nothing quite as tasty as fresh fruits and vegetables.  No argument about that. But when it comes to meats and fish, the chemistry involved is more complex...

A Recipe for Becoming a Writer (The Brownie Principle)   Almost everyone likes brownies.  Oh, there may be a few health food devotees who distain sugary sweets of any kind; but most of us relish the mouthwatering idea of the universal treats that are small enough to assuage our guilt as...

Describe some character, physical or cultural traits that have been passed down to you by your ancestors. Let's just start with the fact that I'm adopted so there aren't any physical traits I share with other family members. My direct family is quite the "potpourri"... My adopted sister Sheri is Norwegian...

  On the road …again! Afghanistan to Zambia Chronicles of a Footloose Forester By Dick Pellek   On Growing Things   Some farmers around the world think of themselves as unskilled peasants.  On the other hand, some city dwellers think of farmers as providers of the riches of the land.  The...

On the road…again! Afghanistan to Zambia Chronicles of a Footloose Forester By Dick Pellek   Getting The Most Out Of Coconuts   Seeing a coconut lying under the tree was always a reason to smile. Wife Thu and Footloose Forester were fortunate to live in Hawaii where coconut palms are abundant,...

On the road… again! Afghanistan to Zambia Chronicles of a Footloose Forester By Dick Pellek   Sponges That Tastes Good                                          Since ancient times the use of natural sponges for bathing has...

You can't have a family gathering without food!