Lake Wassookeag: Molasses Gingerbread At Camp Closing

We left some things at the lake after camp was closed up, but not closed tightly enough for us not to return to pick them up. I think we do these things on purpose because the pull of the lake is strong. I am sure there will be more reasons to return.

The leaves are gone, but the good news is that the house is flooded with light and the sun warms us up (along with the wood stove, of course). There is something about camp that invites relaxation and calm. We read more, walk more, and just look out the windows more while drinking our coffee or wine. We inevitably see something wondrous, like the immature Bald Eagle in one of our trees feeding on some unknown prey.

The resident weasel runs back and forth across the road to the dock and may again take up residence under our deck while its coat turns white with only a trace of black fur along the tail. The Ermine Weasel will return to the protected environs of our camp for the winter.

At home, there is always so much to do that we forget to just sit and observe, but I somehow remember to bake warm gingerbread as the days get cooler.

Molasses Gingerbread
Katherine Emory

1 egg
1 cup molasses
½ cup oil
½ tsp. ginger
½ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. cinnamon
2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda dissolved in 1 cup boiling water

Mix first 7 ingredients. Add soda in boiling water and pour into greased 8" pan.
Preheat oven to 350°. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.

Serve with lemon sauce.

Note: I am a recipe follower but for those of you who love to taste and add, or taste and subtract, do so!!

I shall also return to pick up a carful of wreaths of all sizes made by our Dexter neighbors.They are beautiful - full and fresh and in great demand by my southern Maine friends. One year I made three trips, but with the price of gas what it is now, we'll have to wait and see this year.

And just a note. If you are up in this area, Rowe Orchards in Newport has the most delicious "homemade" frozen pies - Blueberry, Raspberry, Pumpkin, and Cornucopia (all different fruits and berries in one crust!) etc. So while you are gathering up apples, homemade fudge, and Maine made products for your out of state friends, pick up some pies for yourself. The Orchard closes in December, so those of us who do not make homemade pie crusts can serve them all winter long and take the compliments - happily.

Katherine Emory

More from Lake Wassookeag...

The views from every window are like lovely paintings -only they are alive, moving and changing - as we look at the lake now from the inside out.
The brilliant leaves light up the landscape even on overcast days and when the lake is still, the reflections double the impact.

No, camp is not completely closed up. The dock is in, the boat is winterized and covered and the perennials are cut back, but the kayaks lie in wait for one more lovely, warmish day.

The Loons are gathering together from all over the lake. They are strengthening their wings, which have not been used since their arrival in April, by practicing taking off and landing - quite a sight. They seem to know exactly when the lake will freeze and time their departure to their winter home in the ocean, perfectly. We worry about the chicks born in late summer as they need weeks more of maturity in order to make the trek.

Hopefully, we will have a late freeze in order for them to make their escape safely. Meanwhile, the Bald Eagles, Great Blue Herons and Ospreys watch.

It is the time to tuck in and make soup and what could be much better than Butternut Squash since they are in great abundance?

Easy Butternut Squash Soup...
1 Butternut Squash (or one pack cut-up!)
1 box chicken broth = to 3 cups ( or your own )
1/2 onion peeled
2 apples peeled and cut (Maine apples, of course!)

Cook vegetables in broth until tender
Put in blender
Add Salt and Pepper and whatever seasonings you choose - curry, honey, maple syrup and some light cream or whole milk to taste.

Posted by Katherine Emery

Closing up camp at Lake Wassookeag...

September 9th, 2008

It is a bittersweet time at the lake - so different from the spring opening when the leaves have not popped, everything is bright green and new and the lake comes alive with the return of summer and the summer inhabitants - both the 2 legged, winged and swimming kind.

Toward the end of August,in the late afternoon ,there comes a chill in the air calling for a sweater and perhaps socks.

Looking out at the lake in the early morning, we see the steam rising. The air is cooler than the lovely warm water of summer.

We still sit outside in the screened in porch and have coffee, but instead of shorts ,we are dressed in a fleece or warm robe, enjoying the peace and quiet and waiting for the day to warm up.

These last days of summer are precious and a bit sad. Summer friends pack up and begin to say their good-byes, the docks come in, the boats go to their winter hiding places and the mouse proofing of the camps (not really possible!) is in progress.

Part of winter is picturing these times at camp and know that it summer will return.

By Katherine Emory