Everything Horses and Livestock® Magazine Feb 2020 Vol 5 Issue 1

Everything Horses and Livestock Magazine ®

years, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the enjoyment we get from family gatherings that always seem to include good food. Winter in Kansas brings wind, cold, rain, sleet, ice and snow. Sometimes all in the same day. That means it’s time for comfort food, hot hearty soups and stews that warm the body and soul. One of my favorites is Chicken and Dumplings. There are as many recipes for this old yummy favorite as there are cooks. You can adjust the amount of meat and vegetables to your liking and availability. The main thing is to be sure to have enough broth.

In December of 1953 I was born at the White House Nursing Home in Paola, KS, a rural community with a population of 3,972 at that time. I was the first of three daughters born to Bob and Marilyn Harrington. Family, History, and Cooking are my passion. My family are decedents of Revolutionary Soldiers, Kansas Pioneers, and Civil War Soldiers. I served 5 years as Regent of the Maris Des Cygnes chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. Helping the 2nd grade teacher at Parker Elementary with “Little House on the Prairie Day” for 13 years was a real joy. The children learned Kansas History at school and then came to my farm for a full day to interact with farm animals, gather eggs, and use antique cooking equipment to cook venison stew in an iron kettle over an open fire. Cooking Sunday Breakfast for the soldiers at the Freedom Festival has also been an opportunity to share food and knowledge over the years. It is a living history of the Civil War Battle of Osawatomie. I portray a camp cook, show how to make butter, and Indian Fry Bread over an open fire.

photo by Jana Harrington Barcus Aunt Pamie’s Chicken and Dumplings My Grandma Harrington and Aunt Delores used to butcher an old laying hen that was past her prime and not laying any more. Cooked in a large pot with potatoes, carrots, and onions she could stretch one chicken to feed the whole family. That could be from 10 to 25 people on any given Sunday. I loved those days when everyone gathered at Grandpa and Grandma’s farm. The women visiting and cooking, kids playing, and the men went over to the pond to fish. We got double the pleasure when we made those trips as mother’s family lived in Devon just a few short miles from the Harrington Homestead .

photo by Jana Harrington Barcus Fruit Jell-O with a sugar cookie is the perfect lite dessert.

A lot has changed over the

Everything Horses and Livestock® | February 2020 | EHALmagazine.com 12