71 Days to the 2011 Highland Games!!

Welcome to the 2011 RJM Highland Games! In just 70 short days (for those of you who may be training!) we will gather at the Farm to celebrate the spirit of Bob Madden and the Highland Games we are coming to see as a Summer Ritual. The day of the games is set for JULY 10, 2011. The official schedule of events will be available in the next few weeks, but we always have these things on the schedule: Lots of FUN, FOOD and FABULOUS COMPETITION! We hope you can join us this year!

Tasty Recipe!

Here is a great recipe from Karen Cummins:

Baked Apple Pancake

2 Granny Smith Apples, sliced thin
1/4 c. butter (or more)
1/2 c. sugar
1 T. Cinnamon
Mix cinnamon and sugar, shake apples in mixture. Melt butter in oven-proof cast iron pan and saute apples.

Pancake:
1 c. flour
1/4 c. sugar
1 t. salt
1 T. baking powder
4 eggs
1 c. milk

Blend well; pour batter over apples in pan.. Bake until done about 25 minutes at 425 degrees. Turn pan upside down on serving platter , so apples end up on top. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Recipe Exchange is Open for Business!

So if you are interested in tasting the flavors of the Games again--request a recipe or submit one to me at brenda@writeitdown.org. I'll try to get them posted as we go. Here's the first request:

Cucumber Salad

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup rice vinegar

1 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

2 small cucumbers

1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)

Combine sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper flakes for the dresing in a bowl; set aside.

Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise, then scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Discard seeds. Slice cucumber halves into thin slices to make a yield of 2 - 2-1/2 cups. Toss with onion slices and dressing until well coated. Chill salad until ready to serve. Can be prepared up to an hour ahead.

Brenda's notes: (This is what I add to a recipe since the kids all say I change stuff and don't advise). I don't de-seed my cucumbers, but I do buy either English cucumbers or use small (one to one and a half inch diameter) cukes so the seeds aren't so wet. I usually don't cut them in half. I make it in advance and it keeps well, I think, up to 2 or 3 days. I have even added new cukes to the brine the next day to stretch, but the flavor diminishes. I have only used the red onions once, but that may have been the day you ate it :-). I usually slice the cucumbers in my food processor so they are really thin, but some people like them a little thicker. This reminds me of the cucumber salad my mom made when I was a kid--my dad ate it up, but as kids we turned up our noses. I love the Asian flavor--reminds me of a seaweed salad at a Sushi restaurant.

Hope you like it--the recipe came from Cuisine at Home, a cooking magazine.

The 2011 Robert James Madden Highland Games

Mark your calendars--the 2011 Games are set for July 10, 2011. Become a follower on this Blog to keep up to date on the news as we get closer to the big day next year, or send your email address to brenda@writeitdown.org to get the latest news on the Games. If you would like to receive a postcard with the official schedule next year, send your information to Brenda Griebahn, 3590 Utah Ave NE, Iowa City, IA 52240. See you all then!

Closing Notes for the 2010 Games--What a Great Day!

The 2010 Robert James Madden Highland Games are now at an end. What a great turn-out and we had lots of new fun, in addition to the great competition in the Heavy Events. Thank you to everyone who came and made it a great day:

All the Great Competitors

All the Ladies who entered the Baking Contest

All the people who brought food to share for the Breakfast--the best ever!

The Men who helped set up the Heavy Events field

Jake Joseph for being the Official Scorekeeper and Caber Judge

Everyone who helped clean-up

Everyone who helped with the Wee Bairns and Knee-Hi Highlander Games


The Winners of the 2010 Games are:

The Stone Throw Greg Smith

The Caber Toss Dave Chisholm

The Ladies' Sheaf Toss Erin Joseph

The Men's Sheaf Toss Greg Smith

The Youth Foot Race Hannah Swanson

The Ladies' Foot Race Erin Joseph

The Men's Footrace Dave Chisholm


Men's All-Around Champion Greg Smith

Well done!!

What about Rain?

Oh yeah, in case it rains--The Fun Still Happens! We may switch some things around a bit- but we will still have Church, Breakfast and then do whatever we can. Kind of like Football--we just watch out if there is a threat of lightening and then stay inside until it passes.

48 Hours to Games!!

Well, Loyal Clansmen, The Games are almost here. Just one more post before the 2010 RJM Highland Games will commence and then we can talk about what FUN it was!

For those who will be here early, we will be having a short worship service at 9:00am, with songs and prayer. Bob Madden is in heaven with His Savior Jesus now, and we want to spend a short time together worshiping the God of the Universe, as we enjoy the company of our family and friends and spend the day enjoying His beautiful and awesome creation of earth and sky.

I also want to remind everyone that we want to have a fun and SAFE day. We are having a gathering of friends and family, and this is our home-- it is not a public venue. Please remember to be careful when you are walking around the Farm. There are holes and low spots and wild beasts, like biting bugs and spiders, and we have seen 4 legged creatures of an odorous kind wandering around since we have corn in the field this year. Please watch out for small children, as well as large adults, when we are camping and singing around the bonfire, because fire can be dangerous. If you are competing in the Heavy Events, please use Good Sense to protect yourself from injury and over-exertion. It is July at the Farm, so expect to be hot if you don't sit in the shade and keep hydrated. Wear sun-screen. If there are signs up with directions, please read them for parking and camping locations.

I get really excited about our Highland Games and I personally want everyone who comes to have a great time. I'm looking forward to seeing all of you. Mòran taing!