Soft-ball Stage

The “soft-ball stage” is a critical point in candy making (usually between 234°F and 240°F) where sugar syrup forms a soft, pliable, and flattening ball when dropped into cold water, making it perfect for fudges and caramels.

These words spark sheer terror in my heart: soft-ball stage. This terror arises out of some childhood trauma that I experienced. I remember the day as if it were yesterday. We lived in a mobile home (we called it a trailer house) and I was probably 12 years old and decided that some chocolate fudge sounded dreamy! Food has always been a high priority in my life. I was a little pudgy and some fudgy sounded like a great addition to my day. My mom was outside but I had seen her make fudge before. I did get her permission to make some. I was doing great until I read to cook it to the soft-ball stage?!? What does that mean? I hollered out the window at mom and she said put a drop of the syrup in some cold water and see if it forms a ball. What I heard her way was add some cold water! Now that did not help my fudge one bit. It was kind of a nice chocolate syrup, a little runny but tasty so not a total loss.

Only a few degrees separate hard ball from soft ball.” — Science and Cooking: Physics as a Foundation of Culinary Art

Several years later I married my Farmer and he loves his mother’s “Moist Devil’s Food Cake” and the frosting that she made “Chocolate Fudge Frosting”. I should have known from the title of fudge that there were difficulties ahead. The Farmer and I have been married almost 54 years and every single year on Valentine’s Day and also in March on the Farmer’s birthday I attempt to make this special treat for him. I wake up that morning in dread not knowing how this will turn out. I make a really good chocolate frosting that does not say anything about a soft-ball stage in it but this recipe is the one the Farmer really likes, so here we go. It’s time to face my fears. And as my daughter loves to remind me, “I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13. Some days the frosting is great and spreads well other days it crystalizes and is in blobs too hard to spread, and sometimes it is runny. It is unpredictable for sure. The Farmer does like it any way that it turns out.

“My cooking is magnificent; even the smoke alarm is cheering me.” – Unknown

I have researched the soft-ball stage in my quest to succeed and have found these guidelines: stir over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Then turn up the heat and boil rapidly. Put thermometer in the saucepan and DO NOT STIR as the sugar could crystalize! REALLY, now they tell me. The only thing you do is turn the heat down. I sure wish I would have known that 60 years ago!

“Many people have eaten in this kitchen & have gone on to lead normal, healthy lives.” – Unknown

“Today’s menu has two choices TAKE IT or LEAVE IT.” – Unknown

It is good to realize that we are never too old to learn. I remember at 20 years of age I thought I knew all there was to know about the Lord. I mean I’d been reading the Bible since I learned to read. Fourteen years should be enough to know-it-all. Now 60 years later I realize that I will not live long enough to fully know my Lord and Savior. I see scriptures every day that I’ve read for 60 years and I see new truths in them. God’s amazing Word is alive and active. I’ve learned to read it out loud so the atmosphere around me can hear it and be impacted by it. I’m so thankful that we have all eternity to learn more about Jesus. It will take at least that long to discover the riches of His love and mercy.

Maybe I need to stop stirring and let His promises just sink in and do their mighty work in my heart. The Lord has been showing me in some many ways these last few weeks that my heart needs a softening. In some areas it has crystalized a little and it is time to soften the soil of my heart and prepare it for the new seeds the Lord wants to sow in my heart. The Lord wants me to live with more compassion, more forgiveness, and a deeper connection to Him and those around me. Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Psalms 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”

The soft-ball stage is when the syrup forms into a soft, flexible ball. Now the syrup can be used in your recipe. A soft flexible heart can be used in this world we live in much better than one that has crystalized.

Recipes:

Moist Devil’s Food Cake-Mabel’s recipe

2 C. sugar ½ c. milk

½ c. shortening 2 whole eggs

½ c. cocoa 1 ¼ tsp. soda

1 c. boiling water 1 teas. vanilla

2 c. sifted flour ¼ teas. salt

Stir dry ingredients together. Put shortening, sugar, cocoa in boiling water.

Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

Test with toothpick until it comes out clean.

Chocolate Fudge Frosting

2 cups sugar ½ cup cocoa

½ cup oleo ¼ cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients except the vanilla. Bring to a full boil and boil one minute

Or until the soft-ball forms in cold water. Add vanilla and beat until creamy

Aunt Maudie’s Buckaroons

Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…

Hebrews 8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, …

Jude 1:25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, both now and forever, Amen.

Strongs Concordance says that Majesty is for greatness, divinity, God himself. Majesty describes the splendor, greatness and extreme power of God. The word attempts to describe His divinity. It helps us to have the true awe and reverence we should have for Our Lord and Savior.

Majesty, Worship His Majesty by Jack Hayford

Majesty, worship His Majesty: Unto Jesus be all glory, honor, and praise.
Majesty, kingdom authority, Flow from His throne unto His own, His anthems raise.
So exalt, lift up on high the name of Jesus.
Magnify, come glorify Christ Jesus, the King.
Majesty, worship HIs Majesty, Jesus who died, now glorified, King of all Kings.

Aunt Maudie was Pastor Curly’s wife for many years. The ministry they had to their flock was a sight to behold. They gave all to serve their little country church for many years. I think 40 to be exact until Curly graduated to glory due to a battle with cancer. Aunt Maudie was the perfect wife for the pastor of the church. She was full of hospitality, could teach classes on the spur of the moment, and she could lead a choir and most importantly … she could play the piano. And she could play every hymn in the hymnal at the drop of the hat. Any request for a favorite hymn would not challenge her. She raised three children of her own, raised a garden, ministered to a whole community and as most pastor wives do… she lived in a fishbowl. In the parsonage beside the church where everyone knew everything that went on in their home.

“Life is better with fresh baked cookies!” – Anonymous

Aunt Maudie was Aunt Maudie to us because her sister was the mother of the Farmer. They lived one half mile apart on a country road called the redline. The church was also on that dirt country road and people came from miles around to worship their Majesty. That was Aunt Maudie’s favorite song. I know because I used to help lead worship and she told me several times that she loved that song and her life demonstrated that she surely did love her Majesty.

Aunt Maudie was a good cook and her Buckaroon cookies were always a hit and that sweet recipe made it into my recipe box and I want to share it with you.

1 C. shortening
1 C. granulated sugar
1 C. brown sugar
Cream together, well.

Add 2 eggs
½ teas. Baking powder
1 teas. Soda
½ teas. Salt
1 teas. Vanilla
Add to the mixture:
2 C. sifted flour
2 C. oatmeal (quick oats)
1 pkg. chocolate chips and chopped nuts if desired.

Roll small amount of dough in a ball and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until light brown.

The recipe in Aunt Maudie’s writing says, “Happy Eating”!

Aunt Maudie personified the adage of a servant of God. She served her Majesty in every way possible. Enjoy her cookies and find someone today to serve.

2022 Is Now History

Our grandson on the far left, in the middle row was the project manager at school for making the sign we are holding. They had to come up with a project they could mass produce. We were so proud of his accomplishments and were rewarded with a sign that says, The Popp’s. Of course we are proud of this whole bunch and welcomed them to this little house on the prairie for Christmas. We went from a quiet little house to one that was full of life and energy. For this we are very grateful.

This grandma spent a couple of weeks prepping food and in other preparations. It takes some planning to house and feed this crew for a couple of days. But the farmer and I are feeling very blessed. I completed a king size quilt for daughter-in-law Wendy and the farmer used his new wood lathe to make some special little wood bowls and cups for each family. Grandma is excited that Addie and her mom invited me to Kansas City for a pedicure treat in the near future. This year I have one more king size quilt to complete for another special daughter in law.

Two of these kids are now in college and two more will be graduating from high school in May. My how time flies. Its hard to believe they are growing so quickly. May will be busy with graduations in Kansas and in Texas. It keeps us busy now trying to attend some of their sporting events. We wouldn’t trade this season for any other though.

Haley, who now is the owner of Hive Bakery in Flower Mound, TX used to bring us lots of delicious sugar cookies. She’s quite busy now so I got her recipe and made sugar cookies for the family. They were delicious. They were not as pretty as hers but tasty.

Peace filled us and our farm home this Christmas as we celebrated our faith, our family and our freedoms. It wasn’t quiet for a few precious days but it was peaceful. Our hearts were blessed immensely knowing that our Jesus came to rescue us and to be our Savior. He is the Prince of Peace. No matter the circumstances, He fills us with peace if we invite Him in.

Cornhusks have blown into the fence as the little house on the prairie is in the middle of a cornfield and we’ve had drought and wind. That is one thing the weatherman gets right; the wind does blow on the prairie. The ice on the bush is the most moisture we’ve had in a long time and we are grateful. We wish you and your family a wonderful, wet 2023!