Feeling Their Oats

Monday morning, a few inches of snow on the ground and wind blowing little whiteout gusts across the fields and pastures.  Even with my deafness and hearing aides setting on the nightstand I could hear the wind howling on the hills.  What a wonderful morning to take in the fresh cold air, sounds and views of Clara Valley.  The black horse and black dog............"feeling their oats".  I can understand Smokey and Quincy's excitement.  For Smokey it is a welcome time, no hot burning sun on that black hair, no flies buzzing around him and hanging around his eyes and ears.  Freedom to just run, kick, buck and feel free.  It is a cycle for him, the lush green grass is gone but it left with a bonus.  A heated water trough, hay, an extra scoop of grain and an apple a day.  How's that for a spoiled 16 year old?  Now for Quincy he feels the same about snow and cold.  The minute we walked out the door he was running, jumping and trying to scoop as much snow in his mouth, kinda like a little snowplow.  Once he gets to the barn he is running through the pasture trying to get Smokey to chase him (or kick at him).  Today Smoke had no desire to put up with the black dog.  He had his own fun running and kicking to do.  I swear that horse can turn on a dime!  It has taken 15 years for me to feel comfortable with him.  Before I would throw him a piece of apple and run through the gate lane while he munched away.  For some reason (maybe age) he has decided he won't harass me.  I mean harass!  Dick always said he wanted to play............no, he was trying to intimidate me and he did for a long time.  Now I walk right in the pasture and give him a few rubs and loves.  There is something about the smell of a horse and that soft nose I love.  No apple until he gets it cut up and in with his grain.  I do love horses but also fearful of them. 

Have you heard the phrase "feeling their oats?"  I was brought up on the saying.  Every time a horse would start acting up or just running, bucking and kicking it was said, they are feeling their oats.  Oats back in the day were mostly what was fed to horses.  Now there are all kinds of special grains to buy in a 50# bag.  Grain for young, old, senior, working, showing.........you name it and there is a special grain for every need.  Oats provide energy and heat for a horse.  Back in the day when horses were worked on the farm or behind a buggy they needed that energy.  Not so for Ol' Smokey.  He is a leisure pasture horse that provides us with his beauty and company and we provide him with all they things and then some we think he likes.  He is worth it. 

I had a friend ask about Sea Foam candy.  It brought back a memory of Divinity candy when I was young. So I very carefully took out my mom's cookbook.  Both recipes are in it.  I have tried to make Divinity twice years ago and it failed.  Yesterday was no exception, it is delicious but it is in a jar to be used as.....Fluff!  Maple flavored at that.  Today I will attempt Sea Foam candy.  If it turns out I will pass the recipe on to the friend.  If not, well hopefully it will be like fluff! 

I did it!  It only took me 40 plus years to get it right.
This is the Seafoam candy, coconut flavored.

You have to beat it until it starts to lose the gloss, about
10 minutes or more.  When it is done, pick up the beater
and it should stay suspended and not run back in the bowl.

This is the book my mom had and where most of my
old faithful recipes come from.  There are many
handwritten recipes that mom's friends gave her.
Eleanor Dingman, M. Harris, Clara Southerland  and
Pauline Eastman just to mention a few.

Sea Foam Candy:
2 cups sugar
1/8 tsp. cream of tartar
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 cup water
2 egg whites
1 tsp. flavoring

In a medium saucepan add sugar, water, salt, cream of tartar and water.  Bring to a boil, cover and boil 5 minutes.  Uncover and wipe sides of pan with a damp cloth. This is to get the sugar crystals from the sides.  Boil without stirring, uncovered  until the temperature reaches 248 degrees or firm ball stage.  While the syrup is boiling beat the egg whites until stiff.  Once the syrup reaches 248 remove from fire and pour slowly over beaten egg white beating on high while adding the syrup.  Beat for 10 minutes or more until the Sea Foam loses its glossy look.  Stir in a tsp. of flavoring of your choice.  Drop by spoonful on waxed paper.  It should hold its shape.  Leave it until it is cooled and can be picked up.  You can also add chopped nuts, dried fruits, coconut or even a drop of food coloring when adding the flavoring.  My favorite is..............maple flavoring with finely chopped walnuts.  It's a Christmas treat.