Sunday, September 25, 2011
The Ruby Rose Tea Room
On my way from Virgina to North Carolina last Thursday, I saw the sign for Stoneville, N.C. and made a split second decision and exited 220. My GPS easily found the lovely old Victorian house at 209 E. Main Street in Stoneville and as I walked through the front door, I seemed to step into the past.
Owners Tammy and Ken Church named their restaurant after Ruby Robertson, wife of C.P. Robertson. They were previous owners of the house. C.P. made his money in mica mines and was an author. A portrait of "Miss Ruby" hangs in the entry by the rose-covered staircase.
Roses are everywhere you look at the Ruby Rose: painted on walls, the backs of chairs and decorating the tables, mantels and shelves. China cups and saucers, figurines and antiques invite you to sit a while and enjoy a cup of tea. Crystal chandeliers and lace curtains provide a sweet, calm atmosphere. There are three large dining rooms (pink, yellow and green.) See pictures.
I spoke with Tammy who said that a 24 hour notice is needed for both afternoon tea and Royal tea (2:00 to 4:00 pm.) Finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, tea (of course) and "dainty desserts" are served. I asked about "dainty desserts. Tammy said they could be a mixture of tarts, cookies, chocolate covered strawberries or miniature cheesecakes.
Regular daily lunch fare is a nice selection of homemade soups, sandwiches (I had egg salad on a croissant) salads and lovely desserts such as pumpkin swirl cake, cheesecake and coconut pie- all homemade. I chose the pie and it was yummy.
Having blown my diet for the day with the pie (but it was worth it) I left, stepping onto the big wrap around porch wishing I had time to curl up with the teddy bear on the porch swing. I knew that I had just had a sweet taste of a time long ago when ladies wore gloves, high button shoes and big fancy hats and spent long leisurely afternoons at high tea.
Owners Tammy and Ken Church named their restaurant after Ruby Robertson, wife of C.P. Robertson. They were previous owners of the house. C.P. made his money in mica mines and was an author. A portrait of "Miss Ruby" hangs in the entry by the rose-covered staircase.
Roses are everywhere you look at the Ruby Rose: painted on walls, the backs of chairs and decorating the tables, mantels and shelves. China cups and saucers, figurines and antiques invite you to sit a while and enjoy a cup of tea. Crystal chandeliers and lace curtains provide a sweet, calm atmosphere. There are three large dining rooms (pink, yellow and green.) See pictures.
I spoke with Tammy who said that a 24 hour notice is needed for both afternoon tea and Royal tea (2:00 to 4:00 pm.) Finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, tea (of course) and "dainty desserts" are served. I asked about "dainty desserts. Tammy said they could be a mixture of tarts, cookies, chocolate covered strawberries or miniature cheesecakes.
Regular daily lunch fare is a nice selection of homemade soups, sandwiches (I had egg salad on a croissant) salads and lovely desserts such as pumpkin swirl cake, cheesecake and coconut pie- all homemade. I chose the pie and it was yummy.
Having blown my diet for the day with the pie (but it was worth it) I left, stepping onto the big wrap around porch wishing I had time to curl up with the teddy bear on the porch swing. I knew that I had just had a sweet taste of a time long ago when ladies wore gloves, high button shoes and big fancy hats and spent long leisurely afternoons at high tea.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
The "Face"
Thursday was my beautiful granddaughter Sarah's 14th birthday. She has changed quite a lot since the picture (above) was taken years ago. We call this portrait, "The Face." She was wearing one of my beach hats and I love this picture.
Sarah is a grown up young lady now, loves high school and recently joined the drama club. She reads, is a computer expert (aren't all 14 year olds?) and is quite artistic. We are expecting great things in her future and hope she makes lots of money so she can take care of her old Grammy someday! No pressure, Kid. :-))))
Happy Birthday and "Love Ya, Honey!"
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Happy Birthday, Miss 18
My oldest grandchild is eighteen years old today. Oh my, does that make me feel old! She is a very special young woman and I want to wish her a happy birthday. Her artistic talents are fantastic and sometimes she even uses her face as a canvas (see below.) Love ya, Honey.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
The Labor Day Hillsville Flea Market, 2011
It was last Saturday morning, the beginning of the Labor Day weekend, when my husband, Andy, uttered the dreaded words "Hey, let's go to Hillsville." I must explain that although Hillsville, Virginia is a perfectly nice, small (population under 3,000) town, every year Hillsville is transformed into the biggest flea market in Southern Virginia. This thing is huge! According to Hillsville.com, an estimated 500,000 (can that number be correct?) bargain hunters from all over the country swarm this little place over the three day weekend, looking for antiques, art, vendor-style food and a whole lot of junk.
Having said this, I have to admit that I have found a few interesting items over the past few years, mostly rust covered metal things- rust being a good thing if you live in a rustic cedar home as I do.
Some of my finds include: An abstract rusty metal tree (sans leaves) sculpture that sits on my living room coffee table, a large metal star atop the pie safe, a blue and white plate, jewelry to break up and use in my own handmade jewelry and a giant metal cutout of a cowboy within a hoop. This is a welcome sign, rusty of course, which hangs on one end of our house.
Back to the flea market. So, I have found a few treasures in the past but what a hassle! The day started out great as Andy and I drove West on Highway 58, also known as Jeb Stuart Hwy and for miles and miles: The Crooked Road. We drove into the Blue Ridge mountains, past Lovers Leap and navigated the twists and turns of the road into the tiny town of Meadows Of Dan where we found a corn maze, live music and a craft fair. I visited The Dan River Book Store and bought a lovely hand bound journal with a Scottish motif.
Just past "Turnip Patch Road" (I swear it is true) we stopped for local produce - apples and tomatoes but Andy thought it was a little early for the mountain cabbage, so we will return next month.
Before I continue, Dear Readers, if you have never eaten fried mountain cabbage, well, you just haven't lived! Here is how you do it:
Slice one cabbage into 1/4 inch slices as well as one or two sweet onions. Heat a little olive oil in a large frying pan or wok and cook the vegies down over medium heat until soft and fully cooked. Add salt, pepper and a little hot sauce like Texas Pete. Yum!
On to the the Hillsville Flea Market. It took 45 minutes to drive the usual 10 minutes through town. We stopped and started moving 5 miles per hour dodging a sea of people and cars. Parking in a $5.00 space, we walked many, many blocks trying to find a certain South Carolina vendor who sold us the metal before mentioned items. Oh my, it started sprinkling and the umbrella and hats were in the car. Miss South Carolina was not in her usual space so after buying a jar of apple butter and discovering that my camera had died, I was ready to leave! The crush of humanity was claustrophobic! We bypassed the corn-dog-on-a-stick, giant turkey legs and cotton candy and headed to the car before the heavy rain reached us.
We had another mission that Saturday and that was to drop off a drawing of Andy and his dog, spike to the Appalachian pencil artist, Willard Gayheart. Willard lives down the road in Woodlawn, Virgina and wants to use the picture he drew of Andy and his bird dog Spike in an upcoming book. The picture depicts Andy taking a break from training Spike, leaning up against his four-wheeler and enjoying the day. There is a faint closeup of Andy in the background complete with cowboy hat. See picture below.
After stopping at Willard's studio, we took the by-pass AROUND Hillsville and headed home. It was a long day. Nice, but long.
Having said this, I have to admit that I have found a few interesting items over the past few years, mostly rust covered metal things- rust being a good thing if you live in a rustic cedar home as I do.
Some of my finds include: An abstract rusty metal tree (sans leaves) sculpture that sits on my living room coffee table, a large metal star atop the pie safe, a blue and white plate, jewelry to break up and use in my own handmade jewelry and a giant metal cutout of a cowboy within a hoop. This is a welcome sign, rusty of course, which hangs on one end of our house.
Back to the flea market. So, I have found a few treasures in the past but what a hassle! The day started out great as Andy and I drove West on Highway 58, also known as Jeb Stuart Hwy and for miles and miles: The Crooked Road. We drove into the Blue Ridge mountains, past Lovers Leap and navigated the twists and turns of the road into the tiny town of Meadows Of Dan where we found a corn maze, live music and a craft fair. I visited The Dan River Book Store and bought a lovely hand bound journal with a Scottish motif.
Just past "Turnip Patch Road" (I swear it is true) we stopped for local produce - apples and tomatoes but Andy thought it was a little early for the mountain cabbage, so we will return next month.
Before I continue, Dear Readers, if you have never eaten fried mountain cabbage, well, you just haven't lived! Here is how you do it:
Slice one cabbage into 1/4 inch slices as well as one or two sweet onions. Heat a little olive oil in a large frying pan or wok and cook the vegies down over medium heat until soft and fully cooked. Add salt, pepper and a little hot sauce like Texas Pete. Yum!
On to the the Hillsville Flea Market. It took 45 minutes to drive the usual 10 minutes through town. We stopped and started moving 5 miles per hour dodging a sea of people and cars. Parking in a $5.00 space, we walked many, many blocks trying to find a certain South Carolina vendor who sold us the metal before mentioned items. Oh my, it started sprinkling and the umbrella and hats were in the car. Miss South Carolina was not in her usual space so after buying a jar of apple butter and discovering that my camera had died, I was ready to leave! The crush of humanity was claustrophobic! We bypassed the corn-dog-on-a-stick, giant turkey legs and cotton candy and headed to the car before the heavy rain reached us.
We had another mission that Saturday and that was to drop off a drawing of Andy and his dog, spike to the Appalachian pencil artist, Willard Gayheart. Willard lives down the road in Woodlawn, Virgina and wants to use the picture he drew of Andy and his bird dog Spike in an upcoming book. The picture depicts Andy taking a break from training Spike, leaning up against his four-wheeler and enjoying the day. There is a faint closeup of Andy in the background complete with cowboy hat. See picture below.
After stopping at Willard's studio, we took the by-pass AROUND Hillsville and headed home. It was a long day. Nice, but long.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
The Old Fiddler's Convention in Galax, Virginia
Each year around the second week in August musicians and lovers of bluegrass music gather in the small mountain town of Galax, Virginia. Not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway, you will find some of the best bluegrass musicians in the area, country and the world at this week long festival.
It all started in 1935 and has grown into a huge convention with competition for all ages and for the thousands of fans who come to listen and watch.
My favorite competition is on Monday night. It is the youth competition and watching those little four and five year old children playing fiddles, banjos and singing is just the cutest thing.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights, musicians play their favorite instrument hoping to win a prize.
The bands play on Friday and Saturday nights and awards are given late Saturday night.
The next few posts are some of my impressions and pictures of The 76th Fiddler's Convention, 2011.
Vendors Row
You can smell vendors row before it comes into view. The distinct aroma of grilled onions, hot dogs and cotton candy waft through the crowd gathering in the August evening.
Food vendors hand pizza, ham biscuits, lemonade, hamburgers and even alligator-on-a-stick to customers waiting in line. Ice cream, strawberry shortcake and carmel apples tempt the hungry crowd.
Walk down the road to purchase a 76th annual Old Fiddlers Convention tee shirt or ball cap. There are lottery tickets, quilts and pieces of jewelry for sale. A favorite musician/artist friend, Willard Gayheart, displays pencil drawings of everyone from Wayne Henderson to Doc Watson. Willard it always in his booth with a big smile, greeting the people passing by. Feel free to chat a while with Willard. He is a great story teller. Further down the road there are booths selling guitar pics, music CDs and sheet music. It is a musicians' paradise here, banjos, guitars and harmonicas wait to make music.
Sit and listen to one of the many groups of musicians jamming under the stars. Request a tune, flatfoot if the mood strikes and be sure and eat the strawberry shortcake because it is simply the best!
The Kill-Basa Bill Road Show
The Announcer calls out:
"And now, bluegrass band number 117, The Kill-Basa Bill Road Show!"
The crowd roars as the band takes the stage. These guys are regulars at the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax, Virginia, and please the crowd every year.
Dressed in rainbow colored, tie-dyed shirts and loud patterned lounge pants, Kill-Basa Bill (A.K.A. William Guthrie) with his long white beard, looks like Santa Clause turned hippie. The Danbury, North Carolina, native takes a few licks on his big bass fiddle and launches into a song that the crowd has heard many times before called, "I Just Don't Look Good Naked Anymore."
The fourth verse goes like this:
I went to the doctor for my annual medical exam,
Stood there in the buff and suddenly he said "Man!"
I said "What is it, Doc, some fatal disease?
I've just got to know the score."
He said "No, you just don't look good naked anymore."
The crowd cheers as Bill sings the last few lines of the song:
"Well, my arches fell, my chest went to hell and my butts dragging the floor. No, I just don't look good naked anymore."
As the band leaves the stage, Kill-Basa Bill turns and yells out:
"And I can prove it!"
The Last Night In Galax
It is 11:30 on Friday night and as I lie in bed in my camper with ear plugs planted firmly in my ears and a fan near my head whirling on high speed, I can still hear the now familiar voice of Carlos yelling over the loudspeaker:
"Old time bluegrass bands! Buggity Buggity! Come on down! Come on down to the big yellow tent and sign in now. Old time bluegrass bands! We are waiting for you. Come on down! Thank you for your cooperation. This is your last call and when I say last call, I mean LAST CALL! Bluegrass bands, come on down to the big yellow tent- RIGHT NOW!"
The announcement momentarily drowns out the constant boom, boom, ba-boom of the bass fiddle sounds coming from our next door neighbors, beating out a rhythm to whatever bluegrass song the band is now playing. The guitars and banjos are too far away for me to hear the music. I only hear the obnoxious boom of the bass and feel the vibrations which rattle the fragile siding of my house on wheels.
I want to yell out the window, "GO TO SLEEP! What is wrong with you people?" but I know it would make things worse. In fact the entire band and audience drinking beer would probably move closer to my bedroom window. I am too old for this!
2011 marks the 4th Galax Fiddlers Convention for me and it may just be my last. I don't think I am up to it anymore, but then, who knows how I will feel next year. I may forget the sleep deprived nights and hot, steamy August days. I may not mind that the electrical outlet won't support our air conditioner or microwave. I may not remember the cold showers, rain and mud. I may even crave a funnel cake.
My husband loves this craziness. He is a musician, what can I say?
Monday, August 29, 2011
Sunny!
My husband has a new toy. It is a new weather station that sits on the table next to his recliner. It is very high tech but ever so cute. There is a girl on the screen and when it the outside temperature above 80 degrees, she wears a sleeveless tee shirt and mini skirt. Below 80 degrees, she gets a little chilly and adds short sleeves. Below 70, she suddenly dons long pants. As the temperature drops, she adds long sleeves, a stocking cap and mittens. Then we know it is cold outside! That and the icicles that hang from the eaves. We are debating "weather" (get it?) or not to call her "Sunny." I like it but Andy isn't sure. We named my GPS Miss Daisy, as in "Driving Miss Daisy" and his GPS, Tom Tom, for obvious reasons. I don't know why we name inanimate objects. It just seems like the thing to do.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Readers Comments and More 1960's Memories
Dear Readers,
After my last post I heard from so many friends from high school in Wichita, Kansas. Back in the 1960s, we went dancing!!! Dance bands were everywhere and so many people reminded me of Dearmores and Rock Castle as well as my favorite, The Seneca Lounge. We also went to The Flame and The Embers.I had forgotten a lot of names of band members but many of you remembered Mike Finnigan and the Surfs, Gary Stephens and Jack Skinner (who looked like Johnny Cash.) You also remember dragging Douglas, slumber parties, and running around in our Dad's cars all night on 50 cents worth of gas. We ate french fries and hamburgers at Sandys and Griffs Burger Bar, pizza at Pizza Hut (of course,) burritos at Taco Grande and ice cream at Armstrongs. Hamburgers from Kings X came two in a cardboard box and Cero's made the best candy.
We all loved Joyland and swimming at Kiddyland on a season pass. Other memories of popular songs were "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and "Shout Shout" (Knock Yourself Out) which was a one hit wonder by Ernie Maresca. Mo town was big with Sam Cook, The Temptations, Marvin Gay and Smokey Robinson. We danced the Watusi, Twist and "Mashed Potatoes." Wow! As my mother used to say, "I danced a million miles to those songs!"
My grandmother would hand me her "charge plate" and send me downtown on the bus to shop at Innes for a pattern and fabric so she could make me a prom dress or new outfit for school. She was a wonderful seamstress and was always sewing for my sister and me. We also shopped at Hinkles, The Model, Henrys, Lewins, Bucks and Thurstons, now all gone. I remember the beautiful polished wood and glass display cases in the department stores and going to the Innes Tea Room for lunch and a fashion show. We wore gloves, of course. You didn't go downtown in the 50s and early 60s without a nice dress, gloves, stockings and heels. You just didn't!
I remember driving around East High School with a big cardboard washing machine (or dryer) box on top of my friend Cyndi's mothers car. We cut holes in the box so four of us could hold it in place up there. Why? Who knows! Cyndi doesn't remember it at all! There goes my iffy swiss cheese memory again, but I think it actually happened.
A bunch of us sat in Sandy's parking lot and sang folk songs until they told us to leave. Going to Southeast High School football games. Art club. Drive in movies- sneaking in kids in the trunk. Going to The Beanery to hear the beatniks read poetry. Saturday night was date night, Friday night was out with the girls night, or out with the boys night for the guys. Toilet papering houses. Working at Dockum Drugs and avoiding the pharmacist who liked to pinch the girls. Parties with friends, movies at the Orpheum, Crest or the Boulevard theaters.
So many memories, so long ago. Sweet young friends with so much promise and hope. Some taken away too early. Some lifelong friends, some drifted away, some reunited years later. It was innocent times in the 1960s. I am glad I was a teenager then and I love to look back and remember those good old days.
When I go "home" to Wichita, my brother Gregg and sister Rhonda and I always drag Douglas and eat a Nu-Way. It is a tradition!
If you would like to leave a memory, something funny or crazy, please do! I would love to pass it on.
After my last post I heard from so many friends from high school in Wichita, Kansas. Back in the 1960s, we went dancing!!! Dance bands were everywhere and so many people reminded me of Dearmores and Rock Castle as well as my favorite, The Seneca Lounge. We also went to The Flame and The Embers.I had forgotten a lot of names of band members but many of you remembered Mike Finnigan and the Surfs, Gary Stephens and Jack Skinner (who looked like Johnny Cash.) You also remember dragging Douglas, slumber parties, and running around in our Dad's cars all night on 50 cents worth of gas. We ate french fries and hamburgers at Sandys and Griffs Burger Bar, pizza at Pizza Hut (of course,) burritos at Taco Grande and ice cream at Armstrongs. Hamburgers from Kings X came two in a cardboard box and Cero's made the best candy.
We all loved Joyland and swimming at Kiddyland on a season pass. Other memories of popular songs were "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and "Shout Shout" (Knock Yourself Out) which was a one hit wonder by Ernie Maresca. Mo town was big with Sam Cook, The Temptations, Marvin Gay and Smokey Robinson. We danced the Watusi, Twist and "Mashed Potatoes." Wow! As my mother used to say, "I danced a million miles to those songs!"
My grandmother would hand me her "charge plate" and send me downtown on the bus to shop at Innes for a pattern and fabric so she could make me a prom dress or new outfit for school. She was a wonderful seamstress and was always sewing for my sister and me. We also shopped at Hinkles, The Model, Henrys, Lewins, Bucks and Thurstons, now all gone. I remember the beautiful polished wood and glass display cases in the department stores and going to the Innes Tea Room for lunch and a fashion show. We wore gloves, of course. You didn't go downtown in the 50s and early 60s without a nice dress, gloves, stockings and heels. You just didn't!
I remember driving around East High School with a big cardboard washing machine (or dryer) box on top of my friend Cyndi's mothers car. We cut holes in the box so four of us could hold it in place up there. Why? Who knows! Cyndi doesn't remember it at all! There goes my iffy swiss cheese memory again, but I think it actually happened.
A bunch of us sat in Sandy's parking lot and sang folk songs until they told us to leave. Going to Southeast High School football games. Art club. Drive in movies- sneaking in kids in the trunk. Going to The Beanery to hear the beatniks read poetry. Saturday night was date night, Friday night was out with the girls night, or out with the boys night for the guys. Toilet papering houses. Working at Dockum Drugs and avoiding the pharmacist who liked to pinch the girls. Parties with friends, movies at the Orpheum, Crest or the Boulevard theaters.
So many memories, so long ago. Sweet young friends with so much promise and hope. Some taken away too early. Some lifelong friends, some drifted away, some reunited years later. It was innocent times in the 1960s. I am glad I was a teenager then and I love to look back and remember those good old days.
When I go "home" to Wichita, my brother Gregg and sister Rhonda and I always drag Douglas and eat a Nu-Way. It is a tradition!
If you would like to leave a memory, something funny or crazy, please do! I would love to pass it on.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Cool Jazz, 1960's music and a boy named Skip
While driving home from Winston-Salem recently, I turned on the radio and found "Jazz out of the Mainstream" on NPR. There is something about driving alone at night with cool jazz music drifting through the car that is both soothing and energizing. A contemporary Ramsey Lewis-ish trio played the theme from Casino Royale (remember Sean Connery as James Bond?) The music brought back memories of other Burt Bacharach movie theme songs from the 1960s including "What's New Pussycat" and "Raindrops Keep falling on my Head" from Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid,"Alfie" and so many more.
The 1960 era songs and jazz playing on the radio took me back to 1963 when I dated Skip. Skip was a jazz pianist and a sweet young man. He was in a small band consisting of a piano, guitar and bass fiddle. I remember the group jamming in Skip's basement and going to a couple of small clubs to watch him perform.
One distinct memory was of a dress I wore to one of those night clubs. It was a summer dress, sleeveless with a scoop neck and big circular skirt, a wide black patent leather belt and big black buttons. The cool thing about that dress is that is was reversible. On one side was a white background with big black flowers while on the other side were big white flowers on a black background. Turned inside out, I had a different outfit! In 1963 we wore nylon stockings held up with a garter belt and low heeled pumps no higher than 2 inches. The shoes and matching (of course) clutch bag were black patent leather to match the belt. I loved that dress.
It was a good thing I didn't love Skip, although I did like him very much, because he never smiled at me the way he smiled when he played the piano. When Skip played, he seemed a million miles away from me and I realized, even at the young age of seventeen, that his first love was his music. Thankfully we were not in a serious relationship and it wasn't a big heartbreak when we broke up.
Music triggers memories for me because I associate songs with people and events from my past. Here are a few of those memories:
1) Lip syncing "The Preacher and the Bear" by Phil Harris with my siblings and
cousins in the basement of our house and knowing all of the words to
every song on the album.
2) My dad teaching me to dance the swing to big band music in my best friend's rec
room.
3) Tap dancing "out" to the song "Singing the Blues." My costume was: gray and white
burmuda shorts, white turtle neck shirt, white knee socks and tap shoes.
4) In 1961, playing my new 45 record "Runaway" by Del Shannon so many times that my mother took it away from me saying that she had finally lost her mind after hearing
Runaway over 1000 times. That was an exaggeration, I think.
5) Watching Elvis Presley on Ed Sullivan in 1956. There were a dozen kids crowded
around the T.V. in our living room.
6) "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" sung by Paul Anka after breaking up with Chuck D.
the summer before I started high school. I was in my "Drama Queen" mode before
the term was coined.
7) The British Invasion, especially the Beetles in 1964 when I was a senior in high school. I owned every album they made and was so in love with Paul! Wasn't every girl?
8) Dancing every single weekend my junior and senior year in high school. There were
dozens of dance clubs in Wichita and great rock and roll bands such as The Surfs
who played at the Seneca Lounge. My friends and I were groupies and knew all the
band members.
9) Dancing at the Huddle in Pittsburg, Kansas where I went to college. We danced the
Phi Sig stomp in 1966 and drank 3.2 beer.
And then years later(1982)when I was a mother, waiting for my sons Corey and Travis to come home from school so we could watch Micheal Jackson's "Thriller." We had been looking forward to seeing the music video for weeks.
I have fallen in love to music and have had my heart broken to songs that I still cannot bear to play. I have been able to appreciate bluegrass music even though I was never exposed to it until recently. My love of early rock and roll has only increased with age and I can still dance a mean West coast swing. I have tried my hand (or feet) at the "Shag" which is a popular East coast beach music dance. I love some classical and occasionally listen to country (even though my father would not allow what he called "hillbilly" music in the house.)
The cool jazz floating though my car the other night was a sweet break from my hectic life; a step back in the past and delicious memories of the 1960s, a boy named Skip and my youth.
The 1960 era songs and jazz playing on the radio took me back to 1963 when I dated Skip. Skip was a jazz pianist and a sweet young man. He was in a small band consisting of a piano, guitar and bass fiddle. I remember the group jamming in Skip's basement and going to a couple of small clubs to watch him perform.
One distinct memory was of a dress I wore to one of those night clubs. It was a summer dress, sleeveless with a scoop neck and big circular skirt, a wide black patent leather belt and big black buttons. The cool thing about that dress is that is was reversible. On one side was a white background with big black flowers while on the other side were big white flowers on a black background. Turned inside out, I had a different outfit! In 1963 we wore nylon stockings held up with a garter belt and low heeled pumps no higher than 2 inches. The shoes and matching (of course) clutch bag were black patent leather to match the belt. I loved that dress.
It was a good thing I didn't love Skip, although I did like him very much, because he never smiled at me the way he smiled when he played the piano. When Skip played, he seemed a million miles away from me and I realized, even at the young age of seventeen, that his first love was his music. Thankfully we were not in a serious relationship and it wasn't a big heartbreak when we broke up.
Music triggers memories for me because I associate songs with people and events from my past. Here are a few of those memories:
1) Lip syncing "The Preacher and the Bear" by Phil Harris with my siblings and
cousins in the basement of our house and knowing all of the words to
every song on the album.
2) My dad teaching me to dance the swing to big band music in my best friend's rec
room.
3) Tap dancing "out" to the song "Singing the Blues." My costume was: gray and white
burmuda shorts, white turtle neck shirt, white knee socks and tap shoes.
4) In 1961, playing my new 45 record "Runaway" by Del Shannon so many times that my mother took it away from me saying that she had finally lost her mind after hearing
Runaway over 1000 times. That was an exaggeration, I think.
5) Watching Elvis Presley on Ed Sullivan in 1956. There were a dozen kids crowded
around the T.V. in our living room.
6) "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" sung by Paul Anka after breaking up with Chuck D.
the summer before I started high school. I was in my "Drama Queen" mode before
the term was coined.
7) The British Invasion, especially the Beetles in 1964 when I was a senior in high school. I owned every album they made and was so in love with Paul! Wasn't every girl?
8) Dancing every single weekend my junior and senior year in high school. There were
dozens of dance clubs in Wichita and great rock and roll bands such as The Surfs
who played at the Seneca Lounge. My friends and I were groupies and knew all the
band members.
9) Dancing at the Huddle in Pittsburg, Kansas where I went to college. We danced the
Phi Sig stomp in 1966 and drank 3.2 beer.
And then years later(1982)when I was a mother, waiting for my sons Corey and Travis to come home from school so we could watch Micheal Jackson's "Thriller." We had been looking forward to seeing the music video for weeks.
I have fallen in love to music and have had my heart broken to songs that I still cannot bear to play. I have been able to appreciate bluegrass music even though I was never exposed to it until recently. My love of early rock and roll has only increased with age and I can still dance a mean West coast swing. I have tried my hand (or feet) at the "Shag" which is a popular East coast beach music dance. I love some classical and occasionally listen to country (even though my father would not allow what he called "hillbilly" music in the house.)
The cool jazz floating though my car the other night was a sweet break from my hectic life; a step back in the past and delicious memories of the 1960s, a boy named Skip and my youth.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The "Famous" Butternut Cake
I had only been married to my Alabama born late husband John a week or so, when his mother baked a butternut cake.
"What is butternut?" I asked.
"Butternut is YUMMY!" Was the answer.
My mother-in-law baked this cake for every birthday and special event I can remember (although for Christmas she always baked fresh coconut cake.) I continued the tradition and butternut cake became the "official" birthday cake for our family. My sons always ask for butternut cake and now the recipe has been passed to another generation.
I give it to you, dear Readers so you can try it for yourselves. Let me know what you think! Enjoy.
BUTTERNUT CAKE
Oven 350 degrees
1 Cup butter
2 Cups sugar
4 eggs
1+1/2 Cups self-rising flour
1+1/2 Cups all purpose flour
1 Cup milk
1 Tablespoon butternut flavoring (see note below)
Cream butter and sugar together then add eggs, cream. Sift flours together and add to the creamed mixture, add milk, alternating with flour. Add flavoring last and beat until smooth. Bake in 3- 9 inch round baking pans (sprayed with pam and lined with waxed paper.) Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan.
BUTTERNUT ICING
1/2 Cup real butter, softened
1-8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1-1 pound box of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon butternut flavoring
1 Cup chopped pecans
Cream butter and cream cheese. I use a mixer and beat until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating after each addition. Beat in flavoring and chopped pecans.
TO ASSEMBLE CAKE
Turn a cooled cake layer out on a plate, frost with butternut icing. Continue adding second and third layers and frost top and sides of cake.
Note: When I am in a hurry, I use a good yellow cake mix and add a tablespoon of butternut flavoring to the liquid in the mix. I sometimes make a sheet cake instead of a layer cake.
Note: Butternut flavoring is sometimes a little difficult to find. I once made the mistake of picking up a bottle of butter and nut flavoring in the grocery store that was not the same thing. Butternut flavoring is a bright neon ORANGE color which produces a bright sunny yellow cake and icing. Superior "The Original" vanilla, butter and nut flavoring is one brand and I can sometimes find Happy Home brand (Southern Flavoring Co. out of Bedford, VA) at some stores and produce stands in Virginia. Happy Home will say "Imitation Butter & Nut" on the label. Remember: it has to be bright orange in color.
"What is butternut?" I asked.
"Butternut is YUMMY!" Was the answer.
My mother-in-law baked this cake for every birthday and special event I can remember (although for Christmas she always baked fresh coconut cake.) I continued the tradition and butternut cake became the "official" birthday cake for our family. My sons always ask for butternut cake and now the recipe has been passed to another generation.
I give it to you, dear Readers so you can try it for yourselves. Let me know what you think! Enjoy.
BUTTERNUT CAKE
Oven 350 degrees
1 Cup butter
2 Cups sugar
4 eggs
1+1/2 Cups self-rising flour
1+1/2 Cups all purpose flour
1 Cup milk
1 Tablespoon butternut flavoring (see note below)
Cream butter and sugar together then add eggs, cream. Sift flours together and add to the creamed mixture, add milk, alternating with flour. Add flavoring last and beat until smooth. Bake in 3- 9 inch round baking pans (sprayed with pam and lined with waxed paper.) Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until done when an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan.
BUTTERNUT ICING
1/2 Cup real butter, softened
1-8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1-1 pound box of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon butternut flavoring
1 Cup chopped pecans
Cream butter and cream cheese. I use a mixer and beat until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating after each addition. Beat in flavoring and chopped pecans.
TO ASSEMBLE CAKE
Turn a cooled cake layer out on a plate, frost with butternut icing. Continue adding second and third layers and frost top and sides of cake.
Note: When I am in a hurry, I use a good yellow cake mix and add a tablespoon of butternut flavoring to the liquid in the mix. I sometimes make a sheet cake instead of a layer cake.
Note: Butternut flavoring is sometimes a little difficult to find. I once made the mistake of picking up a bottle of butter and nut flavoring in the grocery store that was not the same thing. Butternut flavoring is a bright neon ORANGE color which produces a bright sunny yellow cake and icing. Superior "The Original" vanilla, butter and nut flavoring is one brand and I can sometimes find Happy Home brand (Southern Flavoring Co. out of Bedford, VA) at some stores and produce stands in Virginia. Happy Home will say "Imitation Butter & Nut" on the label. Remember: it has to be bright orange in color.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Steve McQueen's THE BLOB from 1958
Do Y'all like the old movies on TCM? I do! Last week I watched "The Blob" from 1958 starring one of my favorite movie stars, the late Steve McQueen.
The movie opens with a very young Steve McQueen kissing a so-young-I-almost-didn't-recognize-her, Anita Corsaut. Anita is best known at "Helen," girlfriend of Sheriff Andy Taylor on the Andy Griffith Show.
Anyway, back to The Blob. A meteor hits the earth and some old reclusive guy comes in contact with it. Some kind of "goo" gets on his hand. Uh Oh!
Meanwhile, Steve and Anita come up for air and head to town for a burger. BAM!!! They accidentally run over the old guy who is now up to his elbow in goo. They put "gooey guy" in the car and drive to the doctor's office in town where the Dr. gives him an injection, of who knows what, for his condition. Penicillin? Vitamin C?
Steve and Anita leave and end up in a crazy backward driving drag race with a bunch of wild teenagers. Uh Oh- enter the cops!
Sidebar: In 1958, the girls wore dresses, crinoline petticoats and headbands. In The Blob, the boys and girls had perfectly combed hair, crisp pressed clothes and wore penny loafers; quite a stretch from the casual clothes of today. There was no cussing in the movie, no fresh talk, only silly kid stuff. I remember it well, those innocent times of the 50's. OK, back to the movie.
"Gooey Guy" has become a big ball of red slime and is growing and moving across the Doctor's office floor. Look out nurse! Uh Oh, she is now a goner and the blob has doubled in size.
Steve returns just in time to see the doctor killed and absorbed! That blob is really big now. One person after another becomes part of the blob and the teens try to warn the town. No one believes them- after all they are teenagers!
In the end, the town is saved due to the courage of the teens and a lot of CO 2 which freezes and kills the Blob.
My comments:
I have seen The Blob a dozen times over the years. The first time I saw it (I was 12), I didn't sleep for a week. Since then, The Blob has become a cult classic and more comedic than horror. It is pure corn and that is what I like about it. The dialog was full of "shucks," "Land sakes," and "boy oh boy." The bad acting, cheesy dialog and amateurish special effects aside, The Blob was scary in 1958.
Steve McQueen didn't want to star in The Blob, but as a young struggling actor, he needed the work. He was offered either a $3,000 salary or a percentage of what the picture made in the future. To keep food on the table, he took the $3,000, a decision he regretted the rest of his life. Who knew The Blob would become a huge success and make so much money.
Of course Steve McQueen became a big movie star with his later films like: Bullit, The Thomas Crown Affair, Papillon, The Magnificent Seven, and my favorite: The Great Escape. He was married three times, his second wife was actress and model Ally McGraw. He was a troubled teen who matured in the Marines, raced motorcycles and cars. He was a talented actor, father and a patriotic, spiritual man. He died at age 38 (way too young) and would have been 81 today. What a guy.
The movie opens with a very young Steve McQueen kissing a so-young-I-almost-didn't-recognize-her, Anita Corsaut. Anita is best known at "Helen," girlfriend of Sheriff Andy Taylor on the Andy Griffith Show.
Anyway, back to The Blob. A meteor hits the earth and some old reclusive guy comes in contact with it. Some kind of "goo" gets on his hand. Uh Oh!
Meanwhile, Steve and Anita come up for air and head to town for a burger. BAM!!! They accidentally run over the old guy who is now up to his elbow in goo. They put "gooey guy" in the car and drive to the doctor's office in town where the Dr. gives him an injection, of who knows what, for his condition. Penicillin? Vitamin C?
Steve and Anita leave and end up in a crazy backward driving drag race with a bunch of wild teenagers. Uh Oh- enter the cops!
Sidebar: In 1958, the girls wore dresses, crinoline petticoats and headbands. In The Blob, the boys and girls had perfectly combed hair, crisp pressed clothes and wore penny loafers; quite a stretch from the casual clothes of today. There was no cussing in the movie, no fresh talk, only silly kid stuff. I remember it well, those innocent times of the 50's. OK, back to the movie.
"Gooey Guy" has become a big ball of red slime and is growing and moving across the Doctor's office floor. Look out nurse! Uh Oh, she is now a goner and the blob has doubled in size.
Steve returns just in time to see the doctor killed and absorbed! That blob is really big now. One person after another becomes part of the blob and the teens try to warn the town. No one believes them- after all they are teenagers!
In the end, the town is saved due to the courage of the teens and a lot of CO 2 which freezes and kills the Blob.
My comments:
I have seen The Blob a dozen times over the years. The first time I saw it (I was 12), I didn't sleep for a week. Since then, The Blob has become a cult classic and more comedic than horror. It is pure corn and that is what I like about it. The dialog was full of "shucks," "Land sakes," and "boy oh boy." The bad acting, cheesy dialog and amateurish special effects aside, The Blob was scary in 1958.
Steve McQueen didn't want to star in The Blob, but as a young struggling actor, he needed the work. He was offered either a $3,000 salary or a percentage of what the picture made in the future. To keep food on the table, he took the $3,000, a decision he regretted the rest of his life. Who knew The Blob would become a huge success and make so much money.
Of course Steve McQueen became a big movie star with his later films like: Bullit, The Thomas Crown Affair, Papillon, The Magnificent Seven, and my favorite: The Great Escape. He was married three times, his second wife was actress and model Ally McGraw. He was a troubled teen who matured in the Marines, raced motorcycles and cars. He was a talented actor, father and a patriotic, spiritual man. He died at age 38 (way too young) and would have been 81 today. What a guy.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Facing Fallout by Dorothy Hemenway Carter
Sara Wright's little brother Carl is a very sick little boy and Sara thinks she knows why. Her discovery causes her to view her surroundings in a new light. As relationships change and her responsibilities grow, Sara is facing fallout.
Part mystery and part love story, Dorothy Hemenway Carter's first novel, Facing Fallout, is a good summer read. Dorothy captures the dynamics of a large hard working country family who, together, face life with faith and love. The characters in Facing Fallout will stay with you for a very long time.
Dorothy teaches high school English in Martinsville, Virginia. Her book is sold in local bookstores as well as on Amazon and she is currently working on two more books.
For more information regarding Facing Fallout, contact Dorothy at: carterdh@gmail.com
Thursday, June 23, 2011
You Meet The Nicest People In The Strangest Places
Seated in a funeral home at the visitation of a distant relative of my husband, we waited to join the end of a very long line of people going through the receiving line. Striking up a conversation with the couple next to us in the pew, it turned out that the woman and my husband were related: third or fourth cousins by marriage and several times removed or something like that. During that conversation, I found out that the woman next to me was an author. Over the next few minutes, I bought her book, "Patches On The Same Quilt," booked her to speak at the PAA Writer's Group and made a friend. Her name is Becky Mushko.
To date, Becky has given three talks in front of my writers group and is a wealth of information for seasoned as well as novice writers. She lives on a farm in Penhook, VA. with a bunch of animals: horses, cats and dogs. Her love of animals, country living and Southern Virginia come alive on the pages of her books.
To date, Becky has given three talks in front of my writers group and is a wealth of information for seasoned as well as novice writers. She lives on a farm in Penhook, VA. with a bunch of animals: horses, cats and dogs. Her love of animals, country living and Southern Virginia come alive on the pages of her books.
Patches On The Same Quilt (and other books), by Becky, Mushko
"Patches On The Same Quilt" is a jewel and one of my favorite books. It is about a boy who longs for a horse. Becky's love of horses and country life are told with rich rural dialect as she intertwines and connects six generations of one Southern Virginia family.
Becky has written many books: "The Girl Who Raced Mules and Other Stories," "Where There Is A Will" and two Peevish Advise books which are a collection of Becky's Peevish advise newspaper columns, to name a few.
"Ferradiddledumday" is the Appalachian version of Rupplestiltskin. Now, "Stuck" is the latest in Young Adult books written by Becky.
My thirteen year old granddaughter, Sarah, stayed with me last weekend. She told me how much she was enjoying reading "Stuck" by Becky Mushko. Although a young adult book, there is plenty to hold an adult readers attention.
Jacie is the eleven year old main character in "Stuck" and she is dealing with the death of her mother. Jacies life is turned further upside down when her father announces that he has asked "Liz" to marry him. Faced with the prospect of having a new step-mother, mischievous nephews and spending time with them on a farm, Jacie feels stuck. Then Jacie meets Callie. Callie is also stuck. Callie is a ghost. How do they help each other? Read the book! I am glad I added "Stuck" to my granddaughter's summer reading list.
Becky's books are sold at Barnes and Noble, many local bookstores and on Amazon. Look for her at The Mountain Spirits Art Festival, October 1st in downtown Rocky Mount, VA. from 10am to 4pm.
Becky's blog: www.peevishpen.blogspot.com/
website: www.beckymushko.com
Becky has written many books: "The Girl Who Raced Mules and Other Stories," "Where There Is A Will" and two Peevish Advise books which are a collection of Becky's Peevish advise newspaper columns, to name a few.
"Ferradiddledumday" is the Appalachian version of Rupplestiltskin. Now, "Stuck" is the latest in Young Adult books written by Becky.
My thirteen year old granddaughter, Sarah, stayed with me last weekend. She told me how much she was enjoying reading "Stuck" by Becky Mushko. Although a young adult book, there is plenty to hold an adult readers attention.
Jacie is the eleven year old main character in "Stuck" and she is dealing with the death of her mother. Jacies life is turned further upside down when her father announces that he has asked "Liz" to marry him. Faced with the prospect of having a new step-mother, mischievous nephews and spending time with them on a farm, Jacie feels stuck. Then Jacie meets Callie. Callie is also stuck. Callie is a ghost. How do they help each other? Read the book! I am glad I added "Stuck" to my granddaughter's summer reading list.
Becky's books are sold at Barnes and Noble, many local bookstores and on Amazon. Look for her at The Mountain Spirits Art Festival, October 1st in downtown Rocky Mount, VA. from 10am to 4pm.
Becky's blog: www.peevishpen.blogspot.com/
website: www.beckymushko.com
Moving Day: A Season of Letters by Ibby Greer
"Moving Days: A Season of Letters" is like reading a lovely Valentine card! In Ibby Greer's first novel, widow Ann Bow faces the challenges of being alone and elderly. We are drawn into Ann's rich life in Colorado through a series of letters.
As readers, we meet Ann's friends and family, taste her hot sweet tea and feel the chill of blustery Chinook winds. We experience love, hope and even death with Ann.
"Life is a series of details" my grandfather used to say. In Moving Day, the details are a sweet gift and those of us "of a certain age" will make Ann our new best friend.
As readers, we meet Ann's friends and family, taste her hot sweet tea and feel the chill of blustery Chinook winds. We experience love, hope and even death with Ann.
"Life is a series of details" my grandfather used to say. In Moving Day, the details are a sweet gift and those of us "of a certain age" will make Ann our new best friend.
Paper Faces: Babyboomer Memoir by Ibby Greer
From the 1950's into 2000, we glimpse into Ibby Greer's life through her poetry.
From hopscotch to sloppy joes in the school cafeteria to her love of traveling by train, these snippets weave a rich tapestry of one womans life. Memories of her mother and aunt talking "over black coffee, smoking Chesterfield Kings between sips and laughing." Ibby recalls pretty dresses, political assasinations, education, love, marriage and second chances.
In Paper Faces, we learn of Ibby's life through little vinettes in time. Peppered with family pictures, her book is funny, sometimes poignant and always revealing.
Someone once said "everyone has a story."
Ibby Greer has lived volumns.
From hopscotch to sloppy joes in the school cafeteria to her love of traveling by train, these snippets weave a rich tapestry of one womans life. Memories of her mother and aunt talking "over black coffee, smoking Chesterfield Kings between sips and laughing." Ibby recalls pretty dresses, political assasinations, education, love, marriage and second chances.
In Paper Faces, we learn of Ibby's life through little vinettes in time. Peppered with family pictures, her book is funny, sometimes poignant and always revealing.
Someone once said "everyone has a story."
Ibby Greer has lived volumns.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Ibby Greer Paid Us A Visit
I was glad to return to Southern Virginia. I missed my husband, our herd of cows and new calves, the farm and the PAA Writers Group. Our speaker last week was Ibby Greer who treated us with a delightful talk.
Ibby is a resident of Rocky Mount and the widow of Keister Greer, author of "The Great Moonshine Conspiracy Trial of 1935." Some of my husbands relatives are in that book, but that is another story!
What an interesting person Ibby is! She has written two books of her own: a novel "Paper Faces: Babyboomer Memior" and her novel, "Moving Day: a Season of Letters."
A talented artist, Ibby paints gourds as well as on canvas. She is also a "connection Specialist" who conducts workshops with wit and whimsy- including life coaching, social media, grief and survival, writing classes and etiquette.
Ibby's home is the historic "The Grove" in Rocky Mount and she resides with a ghost!
For historic/ghost tours or for information regarding her books contact Ibby at: ibbygreer@embarqmail.com and to view her artwork, go to: www.blueladyarts.com
Thanks, Ibby and please come back to visit often.
Art in My Sister's Backyard
This lovely lady is called "The Sprite of Spring." A few years ago, a grandchild was being baptized in the pond and many family members and clergy were coming to witness the event. My sister put clothes on The Sprite of Spring. I think she looks just fine in the buff.
Dinosaurs Live in My Sister's Backyard
My Sister and her husband have a lovely country home outside of Wichita. There are plenty of deer, wild turkey, pheasant, rabbits and owls but down by the pond there are dinosaurs lurking about.
Keeper of the Plains # 2 Post
Across the Arkansas River from the Trolls hiding place is The Keeper of the Plains sculpture. I wrote about the Keeper on April 4, 2010 but it is worth mentioning again. The Keeper of the Plains is the focal point of an eight year, $20.6 million dollar river beautification project that was completed in 2007. Not far from the statue is The Mid-American All Indian Center which houses a museum, gift shop, cultural center and The Gallery of Nations for Special Events.
The Wichita Troll
A fun tour along the Arkansas River is to find the Wichita Troll. The Troll is a seven foot tall sculpture by artist, Constance Ernall. He is green, unkempt, very ugly and resides beneath the sidewalk. The Troll is chained to underground pipes by his wrists and ankles and at night a green light illuminates his lifelike form. Covered by a metal grate, the Troll's huge head looks upward as he scowls at anyone who locates him in his cave. He looks menacing and it is rumored that he has a twin brother hidden in some yet undiscovered location in Wichita. True? Who knows.
The picture shows him in his underworld prison. He is hard to see clearly but check him out! Google Images: the Wichita Troll for a better view.
The Giant's Bathtub and Other Interesting Places
A few weeks ago, in Wichita, my brother, sister and I drove around the city visiting places close to our hearts when we were children.
In Oak Park, we visited The Giant's Bathtub. This bathtub shaped pond sits in a lovely shaded spot and has been called The Giant's Bathtub as long as we can remember. Our grandmother used to take us there on summer days long ago. I recently read an article on the Internet where someone remembered ice skating on the pond in the 1930's.
Across the road, used to be a small mound of a building that had something to do with the water department. We called it "The Witches Cave" and it always seemed scary and mysterious to us as kids. Sadly, The Witches Cave was torn down long ago.
Close by in another section of the park stands Park Villa (see picture above.) I remember "dancing out" there in front of an audience while my Aunt Cherry (Irene Larmer) accompanied us on the piano. I took dance classes at the Claudia Mundy School of Dance for years as did all the little girls in our neighborhood. Claudia believed that her students should have experience in front of any available audience. We tapped our little feet off for nursing homes, amusement parks as well as the annual recital. Tap, ballet, jazz and acrobatics were a big part of our lives and I have the home movies to prove it!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
2010, My Mother's House
"If this old house was built on memories, it would last 1000 years." This is the first line of a song I once heard.
On a recent plane trip home from Wichita, Kansas, I couldn't help but think back to the house where I grew up. My mother, father and I moved to the brand new house in the brand new sub-division when I was four years old. The year was 1950. Old home movies and photos show little stick trees that, more than sixty years later, canopy the street. My sister and brother were born and we shared our home with dogs, birds, a rabbit and even an alligator named Pete. (That is another story.)
There were many children in the neighborhood. We played outside every day in the summer, running through sprinklers, riding bikes and playing games such as Mother May I and jump rope. We put on shows for our parents, little skits and dances. At night, the adults would pull up lawn chairs and talk while the children would lie on blankets and look up at the stars. TV was new and we watched our share of "My Little Margie," "Flash Gordon," and "Our Hit Parade," but in the summer everyone stayed outside cooking on grills and watching children play. Neighbors knew neighbors back then.
A few days before, my siblings and I left our childhood home for the last time. Our beloved mother died last September and we just moved our step-father into an independent living retirement community. After three days of packing up the family crystal, china, pictures and antiques we wanted to keep in the family, we turned the house over to an estate sale company and realtor.
In those last few days, we didn't call it "Mother's house" or "home" anymore. We called it by the house number, 2010. I think it help to distance us from the place where we grew up. As we locked the door and left the house for the last time, we bid farewell and took our memories with us.
On a recent plane trip home from Wichita, Kansas, I couldn't help but think back to the house where I grew up. My mother, father and I moved to the brand new house in the brand new sub-division when I was four years old. The year was 1950. Old home movies and photos show little stick trees that, more than sixty years later, canopy the street. My sister and brother were born and we shared our home with dogs, birds, a rabbit and even an alligator named Pete. (That is another story.)
There were many children in the neighborhood. We played outside every day in the summer, running through sprinklers, riding bikes and playing games such as Mother May I and jump rope. We put on shows for our parents, little skits and dances. At night, the adults would pull up lawn chairs and talk while the children would lie on blankets and look up at the stars. TV was new and we watched our share of "My Little Margie," "Flash Gordon," and "Our Hit Parade," but in the summer everyone stayed outside cooking on grills and watching children play. Neighbors knew neighbors back then.
A few days before, my siblings and I left our childhood home for the last time. Our beloved mother died last September and we just moved our step-father into an independent living retirement community. After three days of packing up the family crystal, china, pictures and antiques we wanted to keep in the family, we turned the house over to an estate sale company and realtor.
In those last few days, we didn't call it "Mother's house" or "home" anymore. We called it by the house number, 2010. I think it help to distance us from the place where we grew up. As we locked the door and left the house for the last time, we bid farewell and took our memories with us.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
It Is Cherry Pickin' Time!
Stop the presses and hold the phone! The cherries are ripe and need picking. Does it matter if it is nearly 100 degrees outside today? No. Does it matter if this is my wedding anniversary. NO! What does matter is that I had to pick cherries this morning before the birds ate them.
That is not the end of the story because, of course, I had to pit them, wash them, cook and can them. It was an all day process. We had only half of the amount of cherry crop we had last year, but I still picked about 3 gallons.
The end result is very satisfying. I have 12 jars of cherry jam, 3 quarts and 6 pints of cherries in syrup.
Since I haven't posted a recipe in a long time, I am giving you, Dear Readers, an easy Cooked Tart Cherry Jam recipe.
4 Cups pitted sour cherry pulp
4+3/4 Cups sugar
1 Box of Sure Jell
1/2 t. butter
1/4 t. almond extract
Follow the Sure Jell directions carefully. Be sure to time the boiling process exactly.
Pour jam into hot sterile canning jars, seal and water bath for 10-15 minutes.
Note: As you can see in my picture, there is a little cherry pitter in the shape of a little man. I bought him in a trendy kitchen shop and paid too much money for him. I say that because- it doesn't work! What does work is holding the cherry in one hand (over a bowl) and squeezing out the seed into another bowl. You do that a million times until all your cherries are pit-free. It takes a long time. A very long time. If (horrors) you miss a seed, they usually float to the top during the cooking process. Believe me, it is not a fun experience to bite into your fresh cherry cobbler and break a tooth on a seed.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Frank Lloyd Wright House in Wichita, Kansas
A few blocks down from McCormick Elementary School is The Henry J. Allen house on North Roosevelt. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1917-1919 for then Governor Allen. There is an ornamental wall surrounding the courtyard and gardens. This is Mr. Wrights final example of "Prairie Houses."
Another Wichita building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is on the Wichita State University campus. The Corbin Education Center on Fairmount is a beautiful example of Mr. Wrights distinctive design. The color scheme of pinks, orange and browns was actually Mrs. Wrights input.
I love Wichita with it's combination of old and new. For other posts about Wichita, go back in this blog to "2010" Archives and find out about Delano, Pizza Hut, Joyland, "The Keeper of the Plains" and North High School among other topics. I grew up in Wichita but still find interesting places to explore every time I return "home."
In the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy said "There is no place like home."
That says it all.
Back in Wichita, Kansas
Wishing I could click my heels just as Dorothy did in The Wizard of Oz, I flew instead to Kansas on a plane. In an upcoming post, I will write about why flying isn't any fun these days and why my list of "OK airlines" is growing shorter and shorter with every trip.
My sister picked me up at the airport on the Monday after Easter and we headed for lunch. We missed our Dad at his house, but left him a sandwich in the fridge. Our brother was to arrive from L.A. at 9 PM, but due to storms in Dallas, he arrived the next night.
Finally all the family came together for a belated Easter dinner. Over the next few days we ate Chinese food, lunch at Wanda's Soup Kitchen and, of course, Nu-Ways (see April 2, 2010's post called "There Is No Place Like Home.") Do you notice how everything our family does involves food? I see a theme here.
We had an interesting side trip, on the way out to lunch, of course, which took us to McCormick Elementary School which was built in 1889 and finished in 1890. My grandmother, Mable Elvira Kirkpatrick Reynolds (AKA: Billie)went to McCormick in about 1913. It is the only remaining school designed by architects Proudfoot and Bird. The McCormick School is now used by the Wichita School System for museum and science programs. An addition in 1910 doubled the size of the school.
They don't make 'em like that anymore!
Art In The Denver Airport
If you find yourself stuck at The Denver Airport, or have a very long layover, there is an interesting two hour walking tour in the main terminal. "Mustang," (see picture) by Luis Jimenezis is among 30 amazing sculptures. Sculpture, photographs and paintings are everywhere on the 6 levels and at many of the gates.
In several places the floor is also art. Inspired by Colorado topography, artifacts and Native American decorate the mosiac tile floor, so be sure and look down! "Mountain Mirage" by Doug Lollis is an art fountain. It reminds one of the Rocky Mountains and sounds like racing rivers and waterfalls. Huge sculpture such as "Beaded Circle Crossing" by Alice Adams loom overhead and are very high tech.
One of the most famous attractions is a mural located on level five, called "In Peace and Harmony With Nature" by Leo Tanguma. The tour guidebook reads: "The painting references socialrealist murals of Mexico, but addresses a modern theme: the destruction of the environment." but maybe the most controversial murals, also on level five, is called "Children Of The World Dream of Peace," and also by Leo Tanguma. As the guidebook puts it, "A few fanciful conspiracy theories have been generated by this piece of art, none of which were intended by the artist."
Or were they?
One more picture in the tour guidebook caught my eye. It was "Notre Denver" by Terry Allen. The sculpture is one of two gargoyles that are said to protect travelers from lost luggage.
Gee.... I sure wish I had seen that exhibit in person and maybe my luggage would have arrived with me when I returned to Greensboro. As it happened, It was delivered to my front door the next day. Predictable? Yes. Irritating? Yes. But, looking on the bright side, it finally did make it home safe and sound, just like I did.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
More Coming Attractions!
Dear Readers,
I had so much fun in both Wichita, Kansas and Portland, Oregon and the following posts will give you just a little taste of those experiences. If you will look to the right side of my blog under Blog Archive, click on 2011 and go to "The Trip." Blogs run backwards, from older to newer posts. I hope you enjoy.
I still have more to come including:
Flying: now and then
Art in the Denver International Airport
Frank Lloyd Wright in Wichita, Ks
OZ stuff in Kansas
Gilda Radner and SNL- the early years
Rising Sun Breads in Martinsville, Va
Review of Penhook, Va. author, Becky Mushko's new book "Stuck."
Review of Martinsville author, Dorothy Carter's new book "Facing Fallout."
and tons of other stuff.....
Yall come back now, ya hear?
Now, on a serious note, please send prayers our way. My Daughter-in-law in North Carolina was badly burned by water and steam over the weekend. She will be facing many weeks in the hospital and possible skin grafts. I thank everyone for your calls and notes of concern. She has a good attitude and is receiving great care. Lynn
I had so much fun in both Wichita, Kansas and Portland, Oregon and the following posts will give you just a little taste of those experiences. If you will look to the right side of my blog under Blog Archive, click on 2011 and go to "The Trip." Blogs run backwards, from older to newer posts. I hope you enjoy.
I still have more to come including:
Flying: now and then
Art in the Denver International Airport
Frank Lloyd Wright in Wichita, Ks
OZ stuff in Kansas
Gilda Radner and SNL- the early years
Rising Sun Breads in Martinsville, Va
Review of Penhook, Va. author, Becky Mushko's new book "Stuck."
Review of Martinsville author, Dorothy Carter's new book "Facing Fallout."
and tons of other stuff.....
Yall come back now, ya hear?
Now, on a serious note, please send prayers our way. My Daughter-in-law in North Carolina was badly burned by water and steam over the weekend. She will be facing many weeks in the hospital and possible skin grafts. I thank everyone for your calls and notes of concern. She has a good attitude and is receiving great care. Lynn
Coffee Making Tutorial
This post could also be called "How to Make a Cup of Joe at Travis' House." There is an art to making coffee, I discovered, while in Portland.
In Portland there is a coffee house, cafe or kiosk on every other corner. They are coffee crazy there.
I was looking for the Mr. Coffee Maker at my son's house. Travis' replied "Oh no!" Well that would never do! So, to enlighten my coffee drinking Dear Readers out there, this is how to make a cup of coffee:
1) Heat water in the amazingly quick water heater contraption (see picture above.)
2) Put a "Bee House" thingy over the mug.
3) Fold the small paper coffee liner across the side and then across the bottom and
insert into the Bee House thingy
4) Weigh (see picture above) and grind coffee beans- Medium course.
5) Add ground coffee to paper liner.
6) Wet grounds a little with hot water (see picture above.)
7) Add more water, wait, add more hot water. Wait until your mug is full of coffee.
8) Drink.
Or, Dear Readers, brew a pot in your Mr. Coffee.
In Portland there is a coffee house, cafe or kiosk on every other corner. They are coffee crazy there.
I was looking for the Mr. Coffee Maker at my son's house. Travis' replied "Oh no!" Well that would never do! So, to enlighten my coffee drinking Dear Readers out there, this is how to make a cup of coffee:
1) Heat water in the amazingly quick water heater contraption (see picture above.)
2) Put a "Bee House" thingy over the mug.
3) Fold the small paper coffee liner across the side and then across the bottom and
insert into the Bee House thingy
4) Weigh (see picture above) and grind coffee beans- Medium course.
5) Add ground coffee to paper liner.
6) Wet grounds a little with hot water (see picture above.)
7) Add more water, wait, add more hot water. Wait until your mug is full of coffee.
8) Drink.
Or, Dear Readers, brew a pot in your Mr. Coffee.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Voo Doo Doughnuts in Portland
Voo Doo Doughnuts has been around for years in Portland. Locals and tourists alike wait in long lines just to get their sugar fix.
Four of us made the trip to Voo Doo on Easter Day! Yes, they were open! We bought a half dozen sweet delights including:
The Bacon Maple Bar- a yeast doughnut bar with thick maple icing and a strip of bacon.
The McMinnville Cream- a raised yeast doughnut filled with Bavarian cream, maple icing and decorated with two eyes and a mustache!
The Texas Challenge- a giant doughnut equalling 5 normal sized doughnuts. Things really are bigger in Texas. Voo Doo says: If you can eat the Texas Challenge in 80 seconds or less, you get your money back."
Double Bubble- a raised yeast doughnut with vanilla icing, bubble gun dust and a piece of bubble gum on top.
and my personal favorite:
The Voo Doo Doll- a raised yeast doughnut iced with chocolate, filled with raspberry jelly, decorated with a scary face and a pretzel stick stuck in his "heart." YUMMY! I ate his head and one arm.
Chez Machin On Hawthorne
On the last day before my son returned home, I ventured out to Hawthorne Boulevard and found myself in front of "Chez Machin French Bistro and Creperie" right about lunch time! How convenient was that!
There were 15 or so tables in the narrow space which was clean with modern architectural paintings on the walls and cool jazz music in the air. My waiter was friendly and helpful and recommended the special of the day- The Savory Crepe. The Savory, he explained, is an organic buckwheat and white flour crepe generously stuffed with halean sausage, chevre cheese, spinach, scallions, roasted almonds with a pesto creme franche sauce for $10.95.
My lunch turned out to be tasty, rich and yummy. My only complaint was that I was too full for the homemade creme brulee, which is my favorite dessert. Oh well, maybe another time.
There was a sign on the wall that read:
"Machin- anything whose name has slipped the memory."
AHA!!! That is what I have! A bad case of "Machin" (pronounced Ma-shin.) Now I know what to call my failing memory- and doesn't it sound pretty in French?
Other menu treats include:
Escargot
White Bean and Meat Cassoulet
Homemade Soups
Boeuf Bourguignon- (which is fancy-smancy for traditional French beef stew.)
Chicken Cordon Bleu
Dessert Crepes with Strawberries and Blueberries
Chocolate Mousse with Berries
Chez Machin
3553 SE Hawthorne Blvd.
chezmachincreperie.com
The Portland Art Museum
Rhonda, Hannah and I had such a good time checking out paintings by Cezanne, Renoir, Warhol and Gauguin at the Portland Art Museum. We were able to take photos in the museum and here are some of them:
Pink Haired Girl At The Portland Museum
Hannah wanted to dye her hair pink one more time before looking for a summer job when she returned home to Kansas. I haven't heard if she is now a blond or brunette but I caught "Pinky" deep in thought at the Portland Museum.
Hawthorne Boulevard
The Hawthorne district of Portland is a quiet neighborhood filled with families, artists and trendy Hawthorne Boulevard. I was able to walk the few blocks from my son's house and poke around in the shops and breakfast or lunch at some of the many cafes. My 17 year old granddaughter fell in love with the vintage clothing shops and jewelry stores on her last day in Portland. She bought a ring and several pieces of clothing.
Hawthorne Boulevard is a mix of shops, restaurants and entertainment. It is a funky, trendy and, for me, hippy (1960's) experience that took me back to eat and shop day after day.
After Rhonda and Hannah returned to Kansas, I stayed in Portland and while my grandson was in school during the day, I had ample time to read, write and investigate the neighborhood on foot. I love the "village within the big city" feeling of Hawthorne and also loved being able to "do my thing" from 8am to 3pm. Powell's Bookstore has another location there and I visited there often. Got the book "It's Always Something" by the late, great Gilda Radner, and a fun book on making cute potholders. If you are on my Christmas list, you may receive a potholder (or sugar body scrub because I learned how to make that on this trip!)
After school was filled with homework, playing at the park, cartoons, laughing and getting my grandson ready for bed, (all fun for me and him) but during the day, my fun was on Hawthorne Boulevard.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Spooky Trees
I found this view on the grounds of Pittock Mansion. It was a great photo op for an amateur camera buff like me.
Pittock Mansion- Portland, Oregon
On day # 3, Rhonda, Hannah, and I toured the beautifully manicured grounds of Pittock Mansion and museum more than 1000 feet above the Portland skyline (see picture.) Pittock is a symbol of Portlands transformation from humble beginnings as a small lumbertown, to the great city it is now.
Portland Food Carts
I have written before about The Big Egg food cart. Friends Gail and Denise own and operate the Big Egg. We HAD to visit them on Day # 2 in Portland and eat a tasty Monte Cristo. No matter that it was rainy and chilly- we ate every last bite, chatted with the girls and even bought a tee shirt. See post "The Big Egg" for more information.
I later found a partial list of food carts (there are around 500 of them in P-town) Here are some of the names:
1) Whiffies Fried Pies
2) Happy Grillmore
3) The Frying Scotsman
4) The Grilled Cheese Grill
5) Sweet Pea's Brulee
6) The Sugar Cube
7) Fat Kitty Falafel
8) Bubba Bernies (now that sounds like a Southern place.)
And..... too many more to list!
POWELL'S BOOKSTORE
At the corner of 10th and Burnside, Powell's Bookstore takes up an entire city block. One million plus books, coffee mugs, cards, stationery and gift items are housed on four floors in this incredible bookstore. Pick up a map of Powells at the help desk, or you may get lost- this place is huge!
Open every day of the year, Powells is one of the largest independent bookstores in the country. There are four other cool locations. www.powells.com
The Portland Uniform
I wonder where I can buy stock in hoodies? Hoodies are a big part of "The Portland Uniform." They are worn by everyone, all the time in gray, brown, black, tan and khaki. Any neutral is OK.
Skinny jeans, cargo pants, shorts to the knee, funky tee shirts. Again, in neutrals. Knit hats, stocking caps, vests, sweaters, scarves are usually in neutrals. I did see one red backpack and was visibly shaken.
If someone wears color- well, they must be from out of town. You can spot the tourists. They wear colorful clothes, a camera around their neck, a map of Powell's Book Store under their arm carrying a big pink box of Voo Doo Doughnuts.
Having said all of this, I think Portlanders make up for their (sometimes) drab wardrobe by being so unique. They are hip, funky, casual and fun. They know how to relax. I like their clothes, but I would get bored wearing neutrals all the time.
Give me a great fitting hot-pink dress any day.
Skinny jeans, cargo pants, shorts to the knee, funky tee shirts. Again, in neutrals. Knit hats, stocking caps, vests, sweaters, scarves are usually in neutrals. I did see one red backpack and was visibly shaken.
If someone wears color- well, they must be from out of town. You can spot the tourists. They wear colorful clothes, a camera around their neck, a map of Powell's Book Store under their arm carrying a big pink box of Voo Doo Doughnuts.
Having said all of this, I think Portlanders make up for their (sometimes) drab wardrobe by being so unique. They are hip, funky, casual and fun. They know how to relax. I like their clothes, but I would get bored wearing neutrals all the time.
Give me a great fitting hot-pink dress any day.
Portland People
I am not a Portlander and don't pretend to be. I am a Midwesterner turned Southerner who happens to love Portland, OR. I visit Portland a couple of times a year because my son and grandson live there.
I AM a people watcher and what follows are my not-so-very-scientific-observations of Portland people.
Portland people seem to have an attitude that is PURELY PORTLAND. It is a lifestyle, but more than that- there is a "feeling" there. I can't describe it other than saying that they seem content. They are laid-back, tolerant, healthy, comfortable in their own skin, accepting of others and very happy. By being an outsider, I can watch and learn. Yes, I think the word CONTENT describes Portlanders best.
Portlanders are friendly-ish. Does that make any sense? This is not Southern Friendly such as: "Hi Y'all! Come on in and I'll make y'all some sweet potato pie!" No, Portland friendly may be a smile that seems to say "Hello, I am minding my own business, I hope you have a good day." Actually, I like that.
I AM a people watcher and what follows are my not-so-very-scientific-observations of Portland people.
Portland people seem to have an attitude that is PURELY PORTLAND. It is a lifestyle, but more than that- there is a "feeling" there. I can't describe it other than saying that they seem content. They are laid-back, tolerant, healthy, comfortable in their own skin, accepting of others and very happy. By being an outsider, I can watch and learn. Yes, I think the word CONTENT describes Portlanders best.
Portlanders are friendly-ish. Does that make any sense? This is not Southern Friendly such as: "Hi Y'all! Come on in and I'll make y'all some sweet potato pie!" No, Portland friendly may be a smile that seems to say "Hello, I am minding my own business, I hope you have a good day." Actually, I like that.
Portland Oregon, The City Of Roses
Each spring since 1907, Portland has hosted The Portland Rose Festival. Go to: www.rosefestival.org for more information. Called the Rose City because: TA DA! Everywhere you look, roses bloom. April, however, boasts tulips, tulips and more tulips.
There are 95 neighborhood districts (more about one of them later,) public art, fascinating architecture, tax-free shopping (yes, there is no sales tax in Oregon.)There are bike trails, parks, lovely gardens, restaurants, galleries, entertainment and several wonderful farmers markets.
On a clear day, you can see the over 11,000 ft. tall, Mount Hood and possibly a glimpse of Mount St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson and even Mr. Rainer near Seattle. Good luck on that clear day thing, though. It is rainy and foggy a lot.While in Portland, put up the hood of your mandatory hoodie, jump on your bike, get a little wet and don't worry about it! Portlanders don't!
THE TRIP
On April 13, I flew to Wichita, Kansas, spent the night and when the alarm sounded at 3 am on the 14th, my sister, Rhonda and I got dressed, grabbed our luggage and hurried out into the still very dark morning. On the way to the airport, we picked up my 17 year old granddaughter, Hannah. She was wide awake and ready to go! We drove to the airport and headed for the Frontier Airlines counter.
Since we "went back in time" two hours by way of time zones, we were in Portland, Oregon around lunch time. My son and grandson live there and, for the next three days, they were our tour guides in beautiful Portland.
On April 19, Rhonda and Hannah returned home to Kansas while I stayed behind to babysit my grandson while my son, who is a single father, caught the red eye to NYC that night.
I returned to Kansas on April 24th and then home to Virginia on the 29th. The following posts are memories and observations of this time line and trip.
Since we "went back in time" two hours by way of time zones, we were in Portland, Oregon around lunch time. My son and grandson live there and, for the next three days, they were our tour guides in beautiful Portland.
On April 19, Rhonda and Hannah returned home to Kansas while I stayed behind to babysit my grandson while my son, who is a single father, caught the red eye to NYC that night.
I returned to Kansas on April 24th and then home to Virginia on the 29th. The following posts are memories and observations of this time line and trip.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Coming Attractions!
Attention, Dear Readers!
I have not posted in a very long time! On April 13, I left Virginia and spent the night in Wichita, Ks. Early the next morning, my sister, granddaughter and I flew to Portland, OR to visit my son and grandson. We had a wonderful trip and I will be telling you more about that soon.
Rhonda and Hannah flew back to Wichita while I stayed on in Portland, caring for my grandson while my son flew to NYC. After he returned, I traveled back to Wichita. I have so much to tell you all. I have stories and pictures of all the out-of-state adventures but, alas, jet lag hit me hard this week. And.... with a very busy weekend coming up, I won't be able to post until next Monday.
Please, Dear Readers, come back then. I promise some interesting stuff. Has anyone ever had a VOO DOO Donut- shaped like a Voo Doo doll with a pretzel stuck in his heart? I thought not! Let me intrigue you a little more with tid bits such as: The controversial murals in the Denver airport, Mansions in Portland, "Hippy" Hawthorne in Portland, food carts, cool art, pink haired girls and Wichita landmarks as well as the ever famous "NuWays." More information than you may be able to stand!!!
Tune in Monday for these and many more tasty morsels.
I have not posted in a very long time! On April 13, I left Virginia and spent the night in Wichita, Ks. Early the next morning, my sister, granddaughter and I flew to Portland, OR to visit my son and grandson. We had a wonderful trip and I will be telling you more about that soon.
Rhonda and Hannah flew back to Wichita while I stayed on in Portland, caring for my grandson while my son flew to NYC. After he returned, I traveled back to Wichita. I have so much to tell you all. I have stories and pictures of all the out-of-state adventures but, alas, jet lag hit me hard this week. And.... with a very busy weekend coming up, I won't be able to post until next Monday.
Please, Dear Readers, come back then. I promise some interesting stuff. Has anyone ever had a VOO DOO Donut- shaped like a Voo Doo doll with a pretzel stuck in his heart? I thought not! Let me intrigue you a little more with tid bits such as: The controversial murals in the Denver airport, Mansions in Portland, "Hippy" Hawthorne in Portland, food carts, cool art, pink haired girls and Wichita landmarks as well as the ever famous "NuWays." More information than you may be able to stand!!!
Tune in Monday for these and many more tasty morsels.
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Big Egg, Portland, Oregon
Speaking of eggs.....
I have been meaning to write about The Big Egg for a long, long time. The Big Egg is one of around 500 food carts (fabulous, I must say, food carts) in Portland, OR.
The Big Egg is a breakfast food cart at 4233 N. Mississippi Ave, at Skidmore. Denise and Gail are the owners and have a limited, but wonderful, menu.
My favorite item on the menu is the The Big Egg Monte Cristo Sandwich. They take one egg, grilled black forest ham, gorgonzola cheese, drizzled with pure maple syrup and stacked between two slices of crunchy vanilla cardamom brioche French toast and dusted with powdered sugar. OMG! It is so good.
My son and grandson live in Portland and we ALWAYS go to The Big Egg. You can follow them yourself at: www.twitter.com/thebigegg(@thebigegg) or search for them on Facebook. Yum Yum. Wish I had a Monte Cristo right now!!!!
My favorite item on the menu is the The Big Egg Monte Cristo Sandwich. They take one egg, grilled black forest ham, gorgonzola cheese, drizzled with pure maple syrup and stacked between two slices of crunchy vanilla cardamom brioche French toast and dusted with powdered sugar. OMG! It is so good.
My son and grandson live in Portland and we ALWAYS go to The Big Egg. You can follow them yourself at: www.twitter.com/thebigegg(@thebigegg) or search for them on Facebook. Yum Yum. Wish I had a Monte Cristo right now!!!!
Boiled Egg Updates
BREAKING NEWS !!! Ha! Just a little egg humor there. I have had such a reaction to the "To Boil Or Not To Boil...." post that I thought an update was necessary.
L. in Richmond, VA says "I learned to put the egg right from the refrigerator into COLD water, over medium heat, when water comes to a boil, put lid on pan and turn off heat. Leave on burner until water is cool, dump water and cover eggs with ice. Peel immediately or put in refrigerator. You can "rattle" all the eggs around in the pan to loosen shells or crack the shell until the membrane between shell and egg is separated. Shell will peel right off! She also adds, regarding the different ways to boil an egg: "They say there is more than one way to skin a cat, I guess that applies to boiled eggs too." I guess she is right!
M and B from Wichita, KS say "We have to put our two cents worth in too! Start eggs in cold water and boil exactly 20 minutes." Then they peel and make deviled eggs.
In Libby Bondurant and the late Betty Skeens' cookbook, "Grazing Along the Crooked Road," (a wonderful cookbook, by the way) this is what they wrote for the Perfect Boiled Egg: "Place eggs in saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to boil over medium heat. When the eggs come to a boil turn off heat and let sit for 20 minutes." This seems to be the preferred way with most folks. They also say to crack the eggs and let them sit in cold water a minute and the shells with slide off easily, which is the way I do it.
I have had people tell me that every time they boil an egg now, they think of this conversation. And the debate continues. More later on this subject, I am sure.
L. in Richmond, VA says "I learned to put the egg right from the refrigerator into COLD water, over medium heat, when water comes to a boil, put lid on pan and turn off heat. Leave on burner until water is cool, dump water and cover eggs with ice. Peel immediately or put in refrigerator. You can "rattle" all the eggs around in the pan to loosen shells or crack the shell until the membrane between shell and egg is separated. Shell will peel right off! She also adds, regarding the different ways to boil an egg: "They say there is more than one way to skin a cat, I guess that applies to boiled eggs too." I guess she is right!
M and B from Wichita, KS say "We have to put our two cents worth in too! Start eggs in cold water and boil exactly 20 minutes." Then they peel and make deviled eggs.
In Libby Bondurant and the late Betty Skeens' cookbook, "Grazing Along the Crooked Road," (a wonderful cookbook, by the way) this is what they wrote for the Perfect Boiled Egg: "Place eggs in saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to boil over medium heat. When the eggs come to a boil turn off heat and let sit for 20 minutes." This seems to be the preferred way with most folks. They also say to crack the eggs and let them sit in cold water a minute and the shells with slide off easily, which is the way I do it.
I have had people tell me that every time they boil an egg now, they think of this conversation. And the debate continues. More later on this subject, I am sure.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
The GSO Girls Invade Blowing Rock, NC
As Helen and I drove across the North Carolina mountain toward Blowing Rock, the fog was so thick that we could only see a few feet ahead. As we pulled up to the real estate management company to get the key to our weekend mountain cabin, I saw, through the fog, the black SUV that held our friends Janet, Tricia, Marie and Becky. They had driven right by.
"There they go!" I said to Helen as I pulled out my cell phone. "No service- wouldn't you know."
We got the key, hot tub chemicals and rules of the house. I tried the phone again. Still no service. Nothing. Finally a signal. "Where are you?" I asked. "Trying to find a place to turn around." Said Janet. "We will be there in a few minutes."
15 minutes later, we stood looking through the fog and, again, saw the black SUV drive right by. "You drove by again." I said into the phone. "We know and we are looking for a safe place to turn around- again."
Good grief! What a way to start our weekend.
Together at last we drove our little caravan literally "out of the fog" and into the bright, (but cold) sunny view of Boone, NC and after a quick stop at the local grocery store for supplies, we were on our way to the house in Blowing Rock. As we drove up the mountain we saw our home away from home. It was a gorgeous three story wooden beauty with a deck that stretched all around the house. 4 of us had our own bedroom,while two shared a room with two queen sized beds. There was a hot tub, pool table and three full bathrooms. There were plenty of comfy sofas, rocking chairs, a fully equipped kitchen and big dining table. We ate in, we ate out, played card games and drank wine. Some watched basketball on TV, while others played pool or read. There were lots of laughs and then, of course, SHOPPING!
Blowing Rock is a lovely little village full of wonderful boutiques, gift shops, art and cafes. The snow didn't stop us from "shopping 'till we dropped" on day one or the next day at the outlet mall. We bought cheese graters, Coach handbags, clothes for grandchildren, lingerie and other bargains.
At Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, we found hundreds of kinds of old-fashioned candy, clothes, outdoor gear, soaps, walking sticks, country ham and you name it- they had it.
Blowing Rock is an outdoorsy person's paradise. You can hike, bike, canoe, trout fish, ski and climb all in the same area. From horseback riding to fine dining- this vacation destination has it all.
On our fourth and final day in Blowing Rock, we headed home, stopping for brunch at the Daniel Boone Inn in Boone, NC. Appalachian State University calls Boone home and it too, is a cool little town.
It was fun being with friends in such a lovely spot. I miss the view and relaxing in front of the fire watching the snow fall outside on the mountain. It was nice arriving home and seeing the pastures on our farm turn green and the trees blossom. When we left Blowing Rock,It was snowing and in the 30s in the mountains. It was 70 degrees at home. It is amazing to drive a few hours west and be in the snowy mountains and drive a few hours to the east and be at the beach. We are blessed here in Virginia and North Carolina. What a life!
"There they go!" I said to Helen as I pulled out my cell phone. "No service- wouldn't you know."
We got the key, hot tub chemicals and rules of the house. I tried the phone again. Still no service. Nothing. Finally a signal. "Where are you?" I asked. "Trying to find a place to turn around." Said Janet. "We will be there in a few minutes."
15 minutes later, we stood looking through the fog and, again, saw the black SUV drive right by. "You drove by again." I said into the phone. "We know and we are looking for a safe place to turn around- again."
Good grief! What a way to start our weekend.
Together at last we drove our little caravan literally "out of the fog" and into the bright, (but cold) sunny view of Boone, NC and after a quick stop at the local grocery store for supplies, we were on our way to the house in Blowing Rock. As we drove up the mountain we saw our home away from home. It was a gorgeous three story wooden beauty with a deck that stretched all around the house. 4 of us had our own bedroom,while two shared a room with two queen sized beds. There was a hot tub, pool table and three full bathrooms. There were plenty of comfy sofas, rocking chairs, a fully equipped kitchen and big dining table. We ate in, we ate out, played card games and drank wine. Some watched basketball on TV, while others played pool or read. There were lots of laughs and then, of course, SHOPPING!
Blowing Rock is a lovely little village full of wonderful boutiques, gift shops, art and cafes. The snow didn't stop us from "shopping 'till we dropped" on day one or the next day at the outlet mall. We bought cheese graters, Coach handbags, clothes for grandchildren, lingerie and other bargains.
At Mast General Store in Valle Crucis, we found hundreds of kinds of old-fashioned candy, clothes, outdoor gear, soaps, walking sticks, country ham and you name it- they had it.
Blowing Rock is an outdoorsy person's paradise. You can hike, bike, canoe, trout fish, ski and climb all in the same area. From horseback riding to fine dining- this vacation destination has it all.
On our fourth and final day in Blowing Rock, we headed home, stopping for brunch at the Daniel Boone Inn in Boone, NC. Appalachian State University calls Boone home and it too, is a cool little town.
It was fun being with friends in such a lovely spot. I miss the view and relaxing in front of the fire watching the snow fall outside on the mountain. It was nice arriving home and seeing the pastures on our farm turn green and the trees blossom. When we left Blowing Rock,It was snowing and in the 30s in the mountains. It was 70 degrees at home. It is amazing to drive a few hours west and be in the snowy mountains and drive a few hours to the east and be at the beach. We are blessed here in Virginia and North Carolina. What a life!
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