Hide n' Seek

By: Ethan Hanson

I was trying to think back on some memories of Grandpa Rudy and Grandma Pearl...

I don't remember a whole lot about Grandpa Rudy, I was fairly little when he passed. But I do have one memory that sticks out, the game 'Egore'.   Us kids would run around and hide in the basement of their old house which had one large white room a hallway with the staircase and then the room with the heater, washer and dryer that was unfinished with pipes sticking out everywhere.  I remember few places to hide, but we always found somewhere in the dark...then the fun would begin, Grandpa Rudy would come down the stairs with his arms partially in the air saying in a deep voice, 'Eeeeegore'.  A few of us (Kellan Hanson, Brian Hanson and Matt Hanson our cousin) might squeak a little, laugh or make a movement and he would make his sudden movement in that direction.  Soon he'd find one and then the other...I remember my favorite place to hide was in the unfinished area over by the pipes above a wash area.  My memory is faint, but it makes me happy when I think about it.

I used to love to visit Grandma Pearl's house, everybody knows she let you eat whatever you want.  Ice cream for breakfast, ok, toast with extra butter and cinnamon, no problem!  I remember after breakfast, we'd play in the family room where there was a spiny chair, and we would spin and spin until we became dizzy we fell to the floor.  While we played, Grandma would work on her puzzles, the big and difficult kind.  After spinning we'd build big forts out of blankets and play under them for hours, she'd even let us sleep under them at night!  We always had fun at Grandma's house.

Ethan Hanson (Son of Grandma Pearls son, Darrell Hanson)

Family Picnic RUDY BURGERS!

FROM DAR HANSON

(for Hanson eyes only!)

One Father's Day I surprised my dad with a new Weber Grill. Shortly after,  "RUDY BURGERS" were born.  Rudy Burgers are always served with "secret formula" potato salad. I tried in vain to peek over Dad's shoulder to find out how he made both- other than the opening and closing of alot of cupboards, the only thing he told me was "potatoes can take A LOT of salt"...ok Dad-  anyway they were killer and we miss Dad manning the grill...here's the recipes we deduced: (BROTHERS: please correct any of this I missed)

The SECRET INGREDIENT for RUDY BURGERS was this awful liver powder, but I swear it made those burgers tender and juicy and full of flavor...

DAD'S FAMOUS "RUDY BURGERS" 

  -Couple lbs (and a 1/2) of hamburger
  -1 raw egg
 - Dried Onion Flakes
 - Season Salt
 - Dried Parsley
 - Dash Kitchen Bouquet (liquid)
 - (THE SECRET) Couple tablespoons desiccated liver powder. 
- Lots onion & garlic powder
 - Celery Salt 
 - Pepper
 - Big blob of Ketchup
 - Squirt of Mustard 

- Mix together with a ** LIGHT HAND ** so meat doesn't get tough

-Shape into patties

-Poke an indentation in center of each

-Place patties between wax paper and leave in fridge on a plate for a few hours to blend flavors

-Bring to room temp before grillin' 'em up. 

DADS FAMOUS "SECRET FORMULA" POTATO SALAD

-Boil peeled, cut up  Idahos

While taters are still warm, BUT NOT COMPLETELY COOLED, add:
-*Lots* a onion and celery salt

-Garlic Powder

-Pepper

-Miracle Whip

-Mustard

-Dash of white Vinegar

-Dried Onion Flakes

-Bottle of Kraft French Dressing (old fashion bright orange kind -- NOT Red Russian)-Chopped hard boiled eggs

Salad will be kind of soupy, but will absorb flavors and some liquid as it cools. cover in fridge.  Decorate with rounds of hard boiled eggs, cover with paprika and dried parsley.  Stick in Mom's big serving spoon before talking it out to the table.

Put word out to family and friends, set the picnic table on the porch with Mom's red and white checkered tablecloth, her old Melmac "picnic" dishes and plastic glasses, set out a jar of sweet pickles, ketchup, mustard, a bag of super soft Holsum Ham "Burgler" Buns, (bread for the kids), a plate of hot buttered corn from Dad's garden, Frito's and pop.  

Pile the burgers up on the side of the black Weber on the outdoor patio.  Those guests who are new to the game will try to get recipes from Dad.  Dad smiles and repeats two words -- "Secret Formula".  Mom will push vanilla or chocolate ice cream from big round paper tubs (Clark the milkman delivered) for dessert.  

(LATER)..Man, I'm full! 

Dean, Gramma Pearl, Billy George (Doug's best bud), and Brian Hanson

 L to R: Karen & Darrell, Kathy, Doug, Brian, Sherri, Dean, Gramma Pearl, Grandpa Rudy on our porch in Jackson, Mich- about '87

Pearl in front, Dar (standing), the rest Dean's buddies..)

The Rudy & Pearl Hanson Family

With spouses and grandchildren