Gloria’s family celebrates a family tradition

The annual dinner of deer heart and apple dumplings rolled around again. It's been a family tradition for 20 years or so. The first evening of shotgun season us siblings all gather at Dad and Mom's for deer stories and dumplings with deer heart. I know that combination may sound odd, and perhaps it is, but then as I tell the children, "Homemade memories are the best." Perhaps homemade concoctions bring the best of warmth in years to come.

When I was a girl Mom would dice the heart in bite sized pieces, sprinkle it with seasoning salt and pepper then boil for a good while until tender- or as tender as you can get it. In recent years I have used my pressure cooker which cuts down on the cooking time. Twenty minutes with 10 pounds pressure works well. I'll usually add some Worcestershire sauce, a bit onion powder and whatever strikes my fancy.

Now, it used to be that deer heart and apple dumpling with milk and ice cream is all that our meal consisted of, but over the years we keep adding. Kinda got my funny bone this year, when my brother, who is known to be the most sentimental of all seven of us, was disappointed when heard that we'll also be have potatoes, meat balls, and salad with it. "I thought this is all about deer heart and dumplings," he said, a tad regretfully. Okay whatever, but I do like the thought of having something else to help everyone fill up! After all, not everyone savors the slightly rubbery texture of a deer heart, or the combination of having it with apple dumplings, for that matter; like someone remarked on Friday night, "It's the in-laws who are not all sold on the idea!" I don't think any of them would miss it, though, given a chance to be there. Brother Micah and his family from Alaska decided to stay around for the event before heading on to Georgia where he will be helping his friend build airplanes this winter.

In many ways it was like the usual supper- a late meal after everyone was back from hunting, adults trying to quiet little ones who forgot to be quiet themselves, and stories of all sorts to go with it. This year Nephew Josiah was the only one with deer stories from that day, so others filled in relating outstanding stories of bygone years.

Jeriah, who I still claim as my baby brother, (yet has grown to be a pillar in my life) has always been an avid storyteller. Not only are his stories the best, but his intense actions match every detail. He holds the attention of his listeners, whether it is youngsters or adults. You know they say laughter doth good like medicine. If it is true we all got our dose of medicine for the day- or week. One of my favorites was watching little faces turned up, listening intently to stories being told, or perhaps, best of all observing the glow in my sister-in-law's face as she listened to her husband tell stories of some of his hunts as a teenager. Watching her radiant face went deep; yes, if you know our family, you also know there have been many times when life was hard and we cried out to God for deliverance and healing. Surely she was an example that much joy is given to those who suffered much. Our journeys are not all over yet, there are things yet to be waded through, but there is no doubt it will be good- the Lord will not forget us now!

There's that safety in knowing that we are all family even though we are in four different states. Like Dad and Mom's motto on the sitting room wall, "Being a family means that you will love and be loved for the rest of your life no matter what."

Cleanup came last. Many hands made work light. Some washed dishes, other swept and picked up toys, mommys of infants nurtured their little ones.

When we came home Daniel's sister Mary was there to greet us. This weekend she had come all the way from Ohio to hunt with us. The children cheered with joy at the thought of having her around for a couple of days. There is nothing like having Aunt Mary around and no one that would ever take her place in our lives. Since Daniel's death we have walked the path of grief and pain together and God has brought us closer to Him, and even closer to each other.

Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings

Dumpling Ingredients

2 cups of flour

1 /4 cup white sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

1 /2 cup Crisco (I use lard)

1 egg

1 /2 cup milk

3 apples

CINNAMON MIXTURE

1 /4 cup white sugar

1 /2 cinnamon

CARAMEL SAUCE

1 cup water

1 cup brown sugar

1 /4 teaspoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons butter

Apple Dumpling Instructions

1. Mix first four ingredients until crumbly.

2. Beat milk and egg together and pour needed amount in flour mixture until dough can be pressed together without crumbling apart.

3. Mix only until lightly blended.

4. Roll dough out onto a floured surface and cut into six squares.

5. Place peeled and cored apple halves onto a dough squares.

6. Fill cavity of apples with a rounded teaspoon of the cinnamon mixture.

7. Wrap apple half with dough and pinch shut.

8. Place seam side down into a cake pan.

9. For the caramel sauce, stir into a saucepan and bring to a boil over low heat for 5 minutes, then pour over the top and bake at 400 for an hour or until apples are tender.

10. Serve warm with milk or ice cream.