Vintage Bocce Balls

I have this old Vintage set of Bocce balls. They are made out of hard wood and are dented, chipped and have taken a beating. They were brought over from Italy by my husbands Grandfather back in the early 1900’s. We are thinking around the 1920’s. So these balls are almost 100 years old. This Bocce Ball set is the one thing I really wanted after my father in law passed away. There was just something about the old wooden look of these balls that made me want to take them out of hiding and display them. I also wanted to keep them in the family.

 

They looked great in their old withered shape but I wanted to condition them so they will last for many more years. I used coconut oil. I put a thin coating of coconut oil and gently gave them a rubdown, then I took a cloth and wiped them clean. This brought the dark leathery look back. The best thing about using coconut oil is that it does not leave them greasy or oily.

I‘m not real sure if I like them better with the oil applied or not. It sort of took away from the distressed character. If I decide to keep them in the best condition, I will need to apply the oil at least once a year. The wood will eventually dry back out. 

Before and after

Bocce Ball is a yard game. One person will throw the small ball called a Pallino (target ball) then each team takes turns throwing a large ball. The goal is to get as close to the small ball as possible even if it means knocking someones else's ball out of the way. Points are gained. You can have a team of two to four. 

We have a newer Bocce set that we keep in our camper. We like to play Bocce Ball on the beach. It attracts new friends as teams are made. They are also wooden and the same weight and size as the vintage set, but the new sets come in vibrant colors. A beach trip is the first time I ever learned about this game as I saw many people playing it on the sand.

I found a wire basket to display this old vintage set. They sit on my hearth with a story behind them. I would have loved to play with this set along side of my late grandfather in law. 

Air Fryer Cobbler For One

Have I told you how much I love my air fryer? Of course I have. Like, only million times! When I received my air fryer for my birthday last year, I have used more than my oven! You can literally cook anything in this thing that you can in an oven and in half the time.

As I was eating breakfast, I got to thinking about all the ways to use my air fryer. Yes, I might be a little obsessed. 

Then I got to thinking about moms cobbler. I make moms cobbler every year at my New Years dinner and it’s always a crowd pleaser. It is so easy and only calls for a cup of this and a cup of that (that's what my mom says every time I ask for a recipe). 

I started craving some cobbler but did not want to make a whole one. So I decided to try making a single serve by breaking down the ingredients to fit in a cup. In 15 minutes I had a tiny tasty mouth watering blueberry cobbler. 

So if you have an air fryer an oven proof dish like a ramekin, then I am sharing the recipe with you. I will also tell you at the end how to make the *regular size one in the oven for those that do not have an air fryer. Now, grab an apron and lets get going....Just kidding, you will have this made before you can even tie an apron.

Single Serve Air Fryer Cobbler

Turn on the air fryer at 350 degrees and set timer for 17 mins (that's 2 minutes to preheat, 15 minutes to cook).

• 2 Tablespoons butter.
• 1/4 cup self rising flour.
• 1/4 cup sugar.
• 1/4 cup milk.
• 1/4 cup fruit.

-Melt butter and ad to a bowl, mug or ramekin.

-In separate bowl mix flour, sugar and milk.

-Pour mixed batter into the butter (do not stir into the butter).

-Add fruit (again, do not stir).

-Place ramekin in Air Fryer and bake for 15 minutes. (If you do not think it’s done enough, just bake for another 3 minutes.)

Caution: Will be hot.

Top with ice cream (optional).

*For the regular size cobbler.

Make the same way but with one stick of butter and 1 cup of everything else instead of 1/4.

Put in a 2 quart casserole dish and bake at 325 in oven for 1 hour.