YOU LAUGH YOU LOSE #78

Family Notes

Domestic Annals of Scotland

Reign of William and Mary: 1689 - 1694 Part 4

July Sir James Carmichael of Bonnyton, a minor, was proprietor of the lands of Thankerton, lying on the north side of the river Clyde, in the upper ward of Lanarkshire. The Clyde had been the march between his estate and those of the adjacent proprietors—Chancellor of Shieldhill, and George Kellie in Quothquan; but ‘rivers are bad neighbours and unfaithful boundaries, as Lucan says of the Po,' and there had happened a mutatio alvei about fifty years before, in consequence of a violent flood, and now a part of Bonnyton lands was thrown on the opposite side. Under the name of the Park-holm, it had lain neglected for many years; but at length, in 1688, the present laird’s father sowed and reaped it; whereupon the opposite neighbours, considering it as theirs, resolved to assert their right to it. At the date noted, they came eighty strong, ‘resolved to take advantage of Sir James his infancy, and by open bangstry and violence to turn him and his tenants out of his possession.’ Their arms were ‘pitchforks, great staves, scythes, pistols, swords, and mastive dogs.’ In a rude and violent manner, they cut down ‘the whole growth of fourteen boils sowing of corn or thereby,’ drove it home to their own houses, and there made use of it in bedding their cattle, or threw it upon the dunghills. Thus, ‘corns which would have yielded at least nine hundred bolls oats at eight pounds Scots the boll, were rendered altogether useless for man or beast.’ During the progress of this plunder, the tenants were confined to their houses under a guard. So it was altogether a riot and oppression, inferring severe punishment, which was accordingly called for by the curators of the young landlord.
The Council, having heard both parties, found the riot proven and ordained Chancellor of Shieldhill to pay three hundred merks to the pursuer. Afterwards (December 26, 1695), the Lords of Session confirmed the claim of Bonnyton to the Park-holm.

http://www.electricscotland.com/history/domestic/vol3ch1d.htm

Sausage Jalapeno Poppers

Ingredients:

• 2(12 ounce) packages ground sausage
• 2(8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 30jalapeno chile peppers
• 1lb.sliced bacon, cut in half

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. Place ground sausage in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown.

3. Drain sausage and place in a medium bowl. Mix with the cream cheese.

4. Cut jalapenos in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds. Stuff each jalapeno half with equal portions of the sausage and cream cheese mixture. Wrap with half slices of bacon. Secure bacon with toothpicks.

5. Arrange wrapped jalapenos in a large, shallow baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven 20 minutes, or until the bacon is evenly brown.

(Serves 20)

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The Christmas Broadcast 2010

Christmas Wishes

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Potato Gratin with Rosemary Crust

Ingredients:

• 1 Refrigerated Pie Crust
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Rosemary, Finely chopped
• ¼ teaspoon Pepper, ground
• 2 cups Gruyere Cheese, shredded
• 1 ½ pounds Gold Potatoes
• 1 ½ pounds Sweet Potatoes
• 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
• ⅔ cup Heavy cream
• 1 clove Garlic, minced
• Rosemary Sprigs, garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°. Unroll piecrusts on a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle rosemary, pepper, and 1/2 cup cheese over 1 piecrust; top with remaining piecrust. Roll into a 13-inch circle. Press on bottom and up sides of a 9-inch springform pan; fold edges under. Chill.

2. Meanwhile, peel and thinly slice Yukon gold and sweet potatoes.

3. Layer one-third each of Yukon gold potatoes, sweet potatoes, and salt in prepared crust. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese. Repeat layers twice, pressing layers down slightly to fit.

4. Microwave cream and garlic in a 1-cup microwave-safe measuring cup at HIGH 45 seconds; pour over potato layers in pan. Sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Cover pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Place on a baking sheet.

5. Bake at 450° for 1 hour. Uncover and bake 25 minutes or until potatoes are done and crust is richly browned. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes. Carefully transfer to a serving plate, and remove sides of pan. If desired, carefully slide gratin off bottom of pan using a long knife or narrow spatula. Garnish, if desired.

(Serves 12)

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Merry Christmas