Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Will You Be My Valentine?
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The Game Continues!
This is an update on my attempt of frugality. As you recall (or you can scroll down a couple of posts) I am playing a little game with myself and trying to spend only $25.00 per week on food for the month of January. Now folks, this does not include cleaning supplies, toiletries or miscellaneous non-food items that always end up in the shopping cart. Unless I was an extreme coupon person, which I am not, that would be impossible.
So, I must admit that math was my worst subject back 100 years ago when I was a lass in school. However, I will try to figure out how I am doing so far with my "game."
I was actually $10.00 to the good last week. I know spending only $15.00 seems like a dream but as I told you, we had a ton of leftovers in the freezer- still do!
Things were going well until my husband wanted to go to Sams Club for chicken salad (personally I think my chicken salad is better because I add pecans and grapes or apples, but to each his own!) So, you know how it is when you are pushing the cart down the aisles at the big warehouse stores. Add a little this, add a little that and Vim-Vam-Voom- you rack up a $200 receipt. So, I was taking things out as fast as he was putting things in the cart.
"Remember the near heart attack you had when you saw the December bill from this place?" I asked.
Well that did it but we still spent $29.00 on food which equals $19.00 (because I had that $10.00 from last week) but only leaves me $6.00 to go. I can do it! I am determined to do it! I am woman hear me roar!!!!
Opps, I got lost in the moment. Tune in soon for the next installment of "Lynn's Frugal One Month Lifestyle Changing Game."
PS: Of course, this doesn't include lunch out with the girls. Or dinner out with my husband. Or if I happen to end up one day at Viva La Cupcake in Roanoke.
So, I must admit that math was my worst subject back 100 years ago when I was a lass in school. However, I will try to figure out how I am doing so far with my "game."
I was actually $10.00 to the good last week. I know spending only $15.00 seems like a dream but as I told you, we had a ton of leftovers in the freezer- still do!
Things were going well until my husband wanted to go to Sams Club for chicken salad (personally I think my chicken salad is better because I add pecans and grapes or apples, but to each his own!) So, you know how it is when you are pushing the cart down the aisles at the big warehouse stores. Add a little this, add a little that and Vim-Vam-Voom- you rack up a $200 receipt. So, I was taking things out as fast as he was putting things in the cart.
"Remember the near heart attack you had when you saw the December bill from this place?" I asked.
Well that did it but we still spent $29.00 on food which equals $19.00 (because I had that $10.00 from last week) but only leaves me $6.00 to go. I can do it! I am determined to do it! I am woman hear me roar!!!!
Opps, I got lost in the moment. Tune in soon for the next installment of "Lynn's Frugal One Month Lifestyle Changing Game."
PS: Of course, this doesn't include lunch out with the girls. Or dinner out with my husband. Or if I happen to end up one day at Viva La Cupcake in Roanoke.
Andy's Beef Hunter's Stew
He is on board with my game of spending $25.00 per week on food this month. This is how he made his stew:
He knew we had two nice beef steaks in the freezer which he seared and then cut into bite sized pieces. He cut up 4 large potatoes, two large onions, a few stalks of celery, a cup of chopped carrots and added all to our 4 quart crock pot. He added a box of beef broth and a few cubes of beef bouillon then adding several cups of water. The spices he used were: a little garlic, a few red pepper flakes, black pepper and a little oregano.
This cooked for 4 hours on high and then 2 hours on low. It made a huge amount of stew and we will eat it for many meals this coming week. Shown in the picture, the stew is combined with a grilled cheese sandwich. As far as the game goes, all we had to buy was the celery. What a deal!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
You've Gotta Do What You've Gotta Do!
When Husband Andy looked at the grocery and Christmas bills for December, he caught his breath. He didn't say much but I could tell he regretted some of his "Christmas Cheer."
So, I am playing a game with myself the month of January and I am trying to spend only $25 a week on groceries. $25 doesn't go very far, it is true, but I have a side by side refrigerator with the freezer compartment stuffed to the brim as well as a small deep freeze in the garage. I was so tired of Christmas food that I froze a large part of the leftovers. I know there is chicken and pork chops waiting to be cooked and maybe even a stray pizza.
So, this week I made a large amount of chili in the crock pot, served it over rice with onions and cheddar cheese. I also invented a soup with leftover sausage, onions, parmesan cheese, chicken broth and potatoes. I bought a bunch of Kale which was under a dollar, chopped some of it and threw that in there too. It was yummy.
Another meal was ham and beans. I had the dried beans and pulled Christmas ham from the freezer and, of course, made cornbread. I made turkey pot pie from leftover deep fried turkey from the freezer and frozen puff pastry. Tonight, we baked potatoes and smothered them with a choice of chicken, cheddar cheese, green onions and sour cream or the above mentioned chili with the same toppings. It was very good and so inexpensive. Andy did dip into my little budget and brought home tangerines so that was a healthy dessert.
Looking through my canned goods, I can come up with lots of meals. Salmon will become Salmon Croquettes and we love tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches for a quick dinner. We love to eat breakfast for dinner and Andy makes up a breakfast casserole using Tater Tots in place of hash browns, onions, cheese and eggs. If he has ham, bacon or turkey, he will mix that in too.
So, this may become more difficult as the month comes to an end but I am sure I can find lots of good ingredients in my cupboards and freezer. Remember all that pumpkin puree I froze? Well, thank goodness; because there is nothing better than pumpkin cream soup.
As for dessert: We were given chocolate truffles and dark chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joes for Christmas and boy are they good but..... so rich and so many calories. We allow ourselves one after dinner with coffee or have a little of that famous "Sarah Mason's Dessert-Type Pumpkin Bread" from a few posts ago. I will let you know how my little experiment turns out as the month goes on. I don't think we are going to starve and might even learn something in the process.
So, I am playing a game with myself the month of January and I am trying to spend only $25 a week on groceries. $25 doesn't go very far, it is true, but I have a side by side refrigerator with the freezer compartment stuffed to the brim as well as a small deep freeze in the garage. I was so tired of Christmas food that I froze a large part of the leftovers. I know there is chicken and pork chops waiting to be cooked and maybe even a stray pizza.
So, this week I made a large amount of chili in the crock pot, served it over rice with onions and cheddar cheese. I also invented a soup with leftover sausage, onions, parmesan cheese, chicken broth and potatoes. I bought a bunch of Kale which was under a dollar, chopped some of it and threw that in there too. It was yummy.
Another meal was ham and beans. I had the dried beans and pulled Christmas ham from the freezer and, of course, made cornbread. I made turkey pot pie from leftover deep fried turkey from the freezer and frozen puff pastry. Tonight, we baked potatoes and smothered them with a choice of chicken, cheddar cheese, green onions and sour cream or the above mentioned chili with the same toppings. It was very good and so inexpensive. Andy did dip into my little budget and brought home tangerines so that was a healthy dessert.
Looking through my canned goods, I can come up with lots of meals. Salmon will become Salmon Croquettes and we love tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwiches for a quick dinner. We love to eat breakfast for dinner and Andy makes up a breakfast casserole using Tater Tots in place of hash browns, onions, cheese and eggs. If he has ham, bacon or turkey, he will mix that in too.
So, this may become more difficult as the month comes to an end but I am sure I can find lots of good ingredients in my cupboards and freezer. Remember all that pumpkin puree I froze? Well, thank goodness; because there is nothing better than pumpkin cream soup.
As for dessert: We were given chocolate truffles and dark chocolate peanut butter cups from Trader Joes for Christmas and boy are they good but..... so rich and so many calories. We allow ourselves one after dinner with coffee or have a little of that famous "Sarah Mason's Dessert-Type Pumpkin Bread" from a few posts ago. I will let you know how my little experiment turns out as the month goes on. I don't think we are going to starve and might even learn something in the process.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
I LOVE Brussel Spouts!
I am happy to report that the Christmas food is gone! Well, almost gone because I did freeze some ham and pumpkin bread as well as macaroni and cheese (don't know how that will turn out) for later meals. Andy and I were so tired of turkey and dressing, cranberries in all forms and ham.
Tonight, I made a simple baked Tilapia dinner. I kicked it up a bit with some yummy sides. I recently found a recipe for Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom casserole. It is so good. And, as you can see from the picture, I cooked "Caramelized Brussel Sprouts."
Don't like brussel sprouts, you say? Forget about it! When you cook fresh brussel sprouts and caramelize them like this, they taste as sweet as candy!!!! Here is how to do it:
Take one package of fresh brussel sprouts, cut off the stem, trim off the outer leaves, rinse and cut in half down the center. Pour 1/3 Cup of good Virgin Olive Oil into a measuring cup and dip out 3 Tablespoons into a large skillet. Place the brussel sprouts cut side down in the skillet and drizzle the rest of the Olive Oil over them. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, cover and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove cover and add a couple of Tablespoons of water, cover again and cook for 2 more minutes. Turn off heat and let simmer a few more minutes or until tender. Toss with the juice of 1/2 of a lemon and a little more salt and pepper.
Talk about good! Try it, you will like it.
One silly little tidbit: When my sons were young, they HATED brussel sprouts and for some reason we started calling them "Brussel Straps." Still do! Guess you had to be there. That's all Folks!
Tonight, I made a simple baked Tilapia dinner. I kicked it up a bit with some yummy sides. I recently found a recipe for Creamy Wild Rice and Mushroom casserole. It is so good. And, as you can see from the picture, I cooked "Caramelized Brussel Sprouts."
Don't like brussel sprouts, you say? Forget about it! When you cook fresh brussel sprouts and caramelize them like this, they taste as sweet as candy!!!! Here is how to do it:
Talk about good! Try it, you will like it.
One silly little tidbit: When my sons were young, they HATED brussel sprouts and for some reason we started calling them "Brussel Straps." Still do! Guess you had to be there. That's all Folks!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Impressions of the new year, 2012
I have no complaints so far, of course 2012 is only two days old. Just a baby! But.... it is OK so far with the exception of a few coughs and sneezes around our house. My husband is downstairs in his recliner as I write this. His throat is sore and scratchy, he has the chills (off and on) and he aches all over. I suggested he call the doctor today but, (and this is a man thing) he said "Maybe tomorrow." Just now, he is well enough to call the Georgia University's quarterback a "big dummy."
I have also been under the weather with a headache. Today, I felt well enough to start dismantling the Christmas tree and decorations. Why, oh why does it take so long to take down? It is so much fun to put up that the time seems to fly. But, back to my illness of the last couple of days. It got me thinking about my childhood and how my mother treated our colds.
Mother was a big believer in Vicks VapoRub. She thought it was a miracle potion because when we were very young, she would stick it up the noses of my sister, brother and me. She would also spread it all over our chests. Mother would then take one of our dad's handkerchiefs and stick it to the goo so our pajamas wouldn't smell like Vicks VapoRub. I can almost smell it now! Seriously.
Mother had another secret medicine she only brought out in an emergency. It was called: Hot Milk Toast. Just the thought of it nearly turns my stomach. Maybe it is a Midwestern "delicacy" because I have never known a Southerner to eat it. I never want to have to endure it again. Ever! Hot Milk Toast is just as it says: Hot milk over toast. Powdered sugar on top does not help. It is slimy and mushy and really a fate worse than death if you were a little Kansas child in the 1950s with a drippy nose and Vicks VapoRub all over your sticky chest.
Now that I have that off of my chest, what am I smelling? Oh no! It can't be! But it is- Vicks VapoRub wafting upstairs to my office loft. My sick husband is also a believer.
I have also been under the weather with a headache. Today, I felt well enough to start dismantling the Christmas tree and decorations. Why, oh why does it take so long to take down? It is so much fun to put up that the time seems to fly. But, back to my illness of the last couple of days. It got me thinking about my childhood and how my mother treated our colds.
Mother was a big believer in Vicks VapoRub. She thought it was a miracle potion because when we were very young, she would stick it up the noses of my sister, brother and me. She would also spread it all over our chests. Mother would then take one of our dad's handkerchiefs and stick it to the goo so our pajamas wouldn't smell like Vicks VapoRub. I can almost smell it now! Seriously.
Mother had another secret medicine she only brought out in an emergency. It was called: Hot Milk Toast. Just the thought of it nearly turns my stomach. Maybe it is a Midwestern "delicacy" because I have never known a Southerner to eat it. I never want to have to endure it again. Ever! Hot Milk Toast is just as it says: Hot milk over toast. Powdered sugar on top does not help. It is slimy and mushy and really a fate worse than death if you were a little Kansas child in the 1950s with a drippy nose and Vicks VapoRub all over your sticky chest.
Now that I have that off of my chest, what am I smelling? Oh no! It can't be! But it is- Vicks VapoRub wafting upstairs to my office loft. My sick husband is also a believer.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
New Year's Day, 2012! Can you believe it?
Andy and I celebrated New Year's Eve with a nice early dinner at the Olive Garden. Love the soup, salad and bread sticks. Later, back home in our flannel jammies, we watched Dick Clark count down the new year, the big crystal ball in NYC drop and the crowd in Time Square usher in 2012. We toasted with a glass of bubbly, clicked glasses and kissed our first kiss of the new year.
That all sounds sweet and sentimental- right? Well, the truth is: we were both sick. Andy with a sore throat and me with a headache (and not from the 2 sips of wine either.) We just felt crummy, a feeling that continued through the night. This morning brought a worse headache, chills and nausea for me and scratchy sore, irritated throat and achy joints for Andy. How is that for starting a new year?
At almost 3 pm January 1st, things seem a little better although we were disappointed not to win the VA One Million Dollar Lottery. Three Virginia folks did and I bet they are celebrating right now. Oh well, we really didn't expect to win anyway.
I have to write my New Year resolutions and try to stick to them this year! But here is one that I hope to accomplish:
I am going to launch a website to sell my various items. It won't bring me a million dollars, but might help the "fixed income" thing a little bit. So, I will tell you about it soon. Right now, my jewelry, Christmas stockings and "fancy" bookmarks are available at One Block East Gallery in downtown Roanoke, VA. Check them out if you are in town. Debbie will help you find the perfect gift. More later about these items and more. Pictures too!
Meanwhile, Dear Readers- A very Happy New Year to each of you. I hope you have enjoyed my silly little blog- I certainly have had fun writing it. More to come, so tune in often!
That all sounds sweet and sentimental- right? Well, the truth is: we were both sick. Andy with a sore throat and me with a headache (and not from the 2 sips of wine either.) We just felt crummy, a feeling that continued through the night. This morning brought a worse headache, chills and nausea for me and scratchy sore, irritated throat and achy joints for Andy. How is that for starting a new year?
At almost 3 pm January 1st, things seem a little better although we were disappointed not to win the VA One Million Dollar Lottery. Three Virginia folks did and I bet they are celebrating right now. Oh well, we really didn't expect to win anyway.
I have to write my New Year resolutions and try to stick to them this year! But here is one that I hope to accomplish:
I am going to launch a website to sell my various items. It won't bring me a million dollars, but might help the "fixed income" thing a little bit. So, I will tell you about it soon. Right now, my jewelry, Christmas stockings and "fancy" bookmarks are available at One Block East Gallery in downtown Roanoke, VA. Check them out if you are in town. Debbie will help you find the perfect gift. More later about these items and more. Pictures too!
Meanwhile, Dear Readers- A very Happy New Year to each of you. I hope you have enjoyed my silly little blog- I certainly have had fun writing it. More to come, so tune in often!
Parties and Get Togethers
Tis the season for parties! We entertained with two dinners and a luncheon for family and friends. It is fun to bring out the china and Christmas dishes, platters and red stemmed glasses. We eat too much, drink more than usual, and spend too much money- but it is always worth it and much more just being with loved ones.
After Christmas Andy and I went to Ibby Greer's "2012 Mayan End Of The World" party. It was December 30th and by then we were sick of "Holiday Food," you know, ham, turkey, sweet potatoes and all of those desserts. Ibby, along with Bill Connor and Andrew Call, hosted a wonderful evening at their beautiful historical home called "The Grove." The theme was Mayan and the food was Mexican. Wonderful Mexican! There was not one single ham biscuit or bowl of ambrosia on the table. OH LA!!!! Fabulous dinner with wonderful, interesting people to boot. The picture shows the festive table, but that was only half of the food laid out! My tread mill is calling my name!
Dining Room Table at the "Greensboro Girls Christmas Party
I have blogged before about my six friends who live in North Carolina. I call them "The Greensboro Girls." None of us would qualify as "girls" anymore, but that is beside the point.We all used to work together at a wonderful place in Greensboro called "Potpourri Press, The Company Store." After the business closed, we continued to stay in touch and over the years we have gone through just about every imaginable event, situation, emotion, trauma or drama and managed to stay close friends.
We have a Christmas party every early December. Everyone brings a dish, bottle of wine and gift to share. We play the Dirty Santa game and sometimes it gets a little wild and woolly! There are REALLY fun gifts at the party and several of them are stolen, swapped and/or fought over (in a nice way, of course.) It is all in fun. Usually!
This year, Tricia hosted the party. Tricia is a decorator extraordinaire. She changed her theme this year and the picture shows her beautiful white/silver and crystal table scape.
We have a Christmas party every early December. Everyone brings a dish, bottle of wine and gift to share. We play the Dirty Santa game and sometimes it gets a little wild and woolly! There are REALLY fun gifts at the party and several of them are stolen, swapped and/or fought over (in a nice way, of course.) It is all in fun. Usually!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
The Real Meaning Of Christmas
We all know the hustle and bustle of the holidays. We are so busy baking cookies, shopping and decorating that we fall into bed exhausted, wondering how we will finish our long list of things to do before Christmas. It is a busy time of the year with parties, family functions and dinners to plan. But along with the grocery shopping and holiday events, we pause to reflect on why this season is so special.
A baby was born long ago who changed the world. What a simple statement but how true it is. The baby Jesus was born in a lowly manger in a stable and we celebrate His birth at Christmas. And..... He changed the world. So, we pause and reflect. We worship and sing His praises. And indeed..... He changed the world. Let us never forget the real meaning of Christmas.
A baby was born long ago who changed the world. What a simple statement but how true it is. The baby Jesus was born in a lowly manger in a stable and we celebrate His birth at Christmas. And..... He changed the world. So, we pause and reflect. We worship and sing His praises. And indeed..... He changed the world. Let us never forget the real meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Was Right Around The Corner!
With all the excitement around Thanksgiving/marriage/celebration on Vashon Island/ The new book/ and all that pumpkin puree (scroll down and you will find out all about these topics) I got a very late start decorated my house for Christmas.
My tree is 12 feet tall and I have lots of banisters, a mantle, doors to decorate and 12 large plastic tubs full of Christmas decorations to deal with. The tree takes a full day. It is "woodsy" full of birdhouses, birds, red and green plaid ribbons, plaid balls and red bead garland. There are berries, nests, pine cones and over one hundred red, green and gold balls. I added another ball to the mix this year. I covered Styrofoam balls with about one hundred white buttons (some mother of pearl, some Bakelite, some new, some old.) I pin them on the ball with a pearl head floral corsage pin and use a sheer ribbon at the top. See picture above. I love the look!
The Piedmont Writer's Group Book!
After Thanksgiving, Vashon Island and the Big Pumpkin caper.... The Piedmont Writer's Group book Potpourri In Ink was finally published.
Fifteen authors contributed to the book which is crammed full of short stories, essays and poetry. There is a good mix of funny stories, heartfelt memories and history in this book. We used lots of pictures and I think the book is delightful- if I do say so myself. I have 5 pieces in it and we all had a good time putting it together. Many thanks to Dorothy Hemenway Carter (who has a book of her own, by the way) for taking so much of her time with this effort.
If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy, please contact me at writingonarainbow@gmail.com Thanks!
Fifteen authors contributed to the book which is crammed full of short stories, essays and poetry. There is a good mix of funny stories, heartfelt memories and history in this book. We used lots of pictures and I think the book is delightful- if I do say so myself. I have 5 pieces in it and we all had a good time putting it together. Many thanks to Dorothy Hemenway Carter (who has a book of her own, by the way) for taking so much of her time with this effort.
If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy, please contact me at writingonarainbow@gmail.com Thanks!
Next Time I Will............!
After returning from our big adventure on Vashon Island, I had to deal with my 35 pound fall pumpkin from the front porch. I thought I would be frugal and cut it up, cook and puree the monster pumpkin but I didn't realize how "involved" that would become.
First of all, it was big. I can handle 35 pounds (even 50 pounds if you must know) but the pumpkin was also round and slippery which made it hard to carry. If anyone saw me, I am sure I didn't make a very attractive picture hauling that thing from the front porch to the kitchen. Knees bent, back bowed, grunting and groaning- well, you get the picture.
Next, I had to cut it up. Difficult again since the skin was tough as nails and the flesh was thick. The membrane and seeds were slimy and nasty as I spooned them out. OK, that done, I roasted the clean pieces and then scooped out the pulp. Into my handy dandy food processor and TA-DA- out came pumpkin puree! I ended up with about 12 cups of lovely orange puree and immediately made several loaves of my mother-in-law's famous "Dessert Type Pumpkin Bread." Little loaves, big loaves and muffins were baked, frozen, given away and, of course, eaten. Guess what- we are now sick of pumpkin bread!
I do have to admit that it was worth the trouble it took to cook that big old pumpkin. The taste is incredible. Absolutely wonderful. But, the mess, the trouble, dirty pots and pans and the time involved! Well, I think next year- I will buy a can of Libbys brand and be done with it.
Sara Mason's Dessert Type Pumpkin Bread
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
3 Cups sugar
4 Eggs
1 Cup oil
2 Cups pumpkin
3 & 1/2 Cups unsifted all purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1 & 1/2 t. salt
1 & 1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
2/3 Cup water
1 Cup chopped pecans
1 Cup raisins (optional)
Mix sugar, eggs, oil, and pumpkin in one bowl. Combine flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in another bowl. Add dry ingredients and water (alternate) to the pumpkin mixture and mix well. Add pecans and raisins. Mix well. Pour into greased pans: loaf pans; large or mini, or muffin pan. Fill about half full. Bake large loaf pans for one hour at 350 degrees. Insert a knife in the center. When done, it will come out clean. ( I usually check it at 45 minutes.) If you are using the mini loaf pans or muffin pans, adjust time- maybe check at 15 minutes. This recipe freezes well.
First of all, it was big. I can handle 35 pounds (even 50 pounds if you must know) but the pumpkin was also round and slippery which made it hard to carry. If anyone saw me, I am sure I didn't make a very attractive picture hauling that thing from the front porch to the kitchen. Knees bent, back bowed, grunting and groaning- well, you get the picture.
Next, I had to cut it up. Difficult again since the skin was tough as nails and the flesh was thick. The membrane and seeds were slimy and nasty as I spooned them out. OK, that done, I roasted the clean pieces and then scooped out the pulp. Into my handy dandy food processor and TA-DA- out came pumpkin puree! I ended up with about 12 cups of lovely orange puree and immediately made several loaves of my mother-in-law's famous "Dessert Type Pumpkin Bread." Little loaves, big loaves and muffins were baked, frozen, given away and, of course, eaten. Guess what- we are now sick of pumpkin bread!
I do have to admit that it was worth the trouble it took to cook that big old pumpkin. The taste is incredible. Absolutely wonderful. But, the mess, the trouble, dirty pots and pans and the time involved! Well, I think next year- I will buy a can of Libbys brand and be done with it.
Sara Mason's Dessert Type Pumpkin Bread
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
3 Cups sugar
4 Eggs
1 Cup oil
2 Cups pumpkin
3 & 1/2 Cups unsifted all purpose flour
2 t. baking soda
1 & 1/2 t. salt
1 & 1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
2/3 Cup water
1 Cup chopped pecans
1 Cup raisins (optional)
Mix sugar, eggs, oil, and pumpkin in one bowl. Combine flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in another bowl. Add dry ingredients and water (alternate) to the pumpkin mixture and mix well. Add pecans and raisins. Mix well. Pour into greased pans: loaf pans; large or mini, or muffin pan. Fill about half full. Bake large loaf pans for one hour at 350 degrees. Insert a knife in the center. When done, it will come out clean. ( I usually check it at 45 minutes.) If you are using the mini loaf pans or muffin pans, adjust time- maybe check at 15 minutes. This recipe freezes well.
Vashon Island, Washington
In the middle of Puget Sound, off the coast of Seattle, Washington sits Vashon Island. There is no bridge connecting Seattle to the island, you can only reach it by ferry boat. This thirteen mile (long) by 6 mile (across) mass of land is shaped like a lower case "h." Once there were two islands: Vashon and Maury, they are now joined by a little strip of land called Burton. Burton was our destination as Andy, the airport shuttle driver, a passenger named Karen and I drove onto the ferry to cross from Seattle to Vashon Island.
The house, I have described below. The people inside were a mixture of old and young. The "old" would be Andy and me from Virginia and my son's new wife's parents Pat and Peg from Florida. Friends of Travis and Maureen (the young) came from New York City, Kansas City, Richmond, VA, and LA, California. Travis and Maureen and son Macrory live in Portland, Oregon so we arrived from all over the country. The "very young" was my grandson, 9 years old.
I read in one publication from the Chamber of Commerce that called Vashon Island "Quirky." I call it charming and a little jewel! I confess, Dear Readers, I have fallen in love with Vashon. So let me tell you a little about it. Read on, please.
The house, I have described below. The people inside were a mixture of old and young. The "old" would be Andy and me from Virginia and my son's new wife's parents Pat and Peg from Florida. Friends of Travis and Maureen (the young) came from New York City, Kansas City, Richmond, VA, and LA, California. Travis and Maureen and son Macrory live in Portland, Oregon so we arrived from all over the country. The "very young" was my grandson, 9 years old.
I read in one publication from the Chamber of Commerce that called Vashon Island "Quirky." I call it charming and a little jewel! I confess, Dear Readers, I have fallen in love with Vashon. So let me tell you a little about it. Read on, please.
Why Even Go Off The Island?
Everything one would ever need seems to be on Vashon Island. The downtown is small but there are a dozen good restaurants, many art galleries, boutiques and shops. One of my favorite stores, The Pharmacy, is a drug store, yes, but so much more! You can purchase greeting cards, Vashon Island tee shirts, hats and hoodies, jewelry, board games, candy and a candy jar to store it. There are note cards, cookware, glasses, scarves, gloves and almost anything you need or want.
We ate several times at The Hardware Store, which USED to be a place to buy nails and hammers but now serves up a great burger and homemade fries, chowders and yummy breakfast. In fact, the pancake (picture shown above) is as big as a dinner plate.
There are antique, book and thrift stores, floral shop, dentist and doctors office, dry cleaners, a yoga center, great grocery stores, gyms and wonderful schools.
There are no hotel or motels on Vashon but there are houses to rent and over a dozen B & Bs and guesthouses.
The opera and stage plays come to Vashon as well as annual festivals, farmers markets, canoe and boating, horseback riding and boarding, swimming and hiking.
About the only big business these days is Pacific Research Laboratories but there are lots of farms producing fresh organic produce, milk and eggs. Most working people commute to either Seattle or Tacoma, Washington which are a short ferry boat ride away.
There are antique, book and thrift stores, floral shop, dentist and doctors office, dry cleaners, a yoga center, great grocery stores, gyms and wonderful schools.
There are no hotel or motels on Vashon but there are houses to rent and over a dozen B & Bs and guesthouses.
The opera and stage plays come to Vashon as well as annual festivals, farmers markets, canoe and boating, horseback riding and boarding, swimming and hiking.
About the only big business these days is Pacific Research Laboratories but there are lots of farms producing fresh organic produce, milk and eggs. Most working people commute to either Seattle or Tacoma, Washington which are a short ferry boat ride away.
Interesting People Who Reside On Vashon Island
John Ratzenberger- Remember him? He played Cliff on TV's Cheers
Alex Bornstein- The actress. She was one of my favorites on Mad TV, and she is the voice of Lois Griffin from The Family Guy. She is one of the funniest human beings ever!
Zach Mann, who is a reality star on MTV's Real Life.
So many authors: Karen Cushman (The Midwifes Apprentice), Michail Chabon who is a Pulitzer winner in 2001, Berkeley Breathed, author of the political satire comic strip Bloom County. He wrote a children's book based on the bicycle in the Tree (see post below) Paul Seibert, Dan Savage and Frank Peretti to name a few, according toWikipedia.
There are also fine artists and artisans, film producers, singer/songwriters, rock band members and photographers who live on Vashon Island.
Wish I did!!!!
Alex Bornstein- The actress. She was one of my favorites on Mad TV, and she is the voice of Lois Griffin from The Family Guy. She is one of the funniest human beings ever!
Zach Mann, who is a reality star on MTV's Real Life.
So many authors: Karen Cushman (The Midwifes Apprentice), Michail Chabon who is a Pulitzer winner in 2001, Berkeley Breathed, author of the political satire comic strip Bloom County. He wrote a children's book based on the bicycle in the Tree (see post below) Paul Seibert, Dan Savage and Frank Peretti to name a few, according toWikipedia.
There are also fine artists and artisans, film producers, singer/songwriters, rock band members and photographers who live on Vashon Island.
Wish I did!!!!
The Monastery Monks Who Have A Coffee Label
Picture this: A man in a long white beard with long white hair, dressed in a black cassock and a big silver cross. This is Father Tryphon who lives on Vashon Island and heads a small group of Russian Orthodox monks. They also have their own coffee label called "Monastery Blend Coffee."
I am quoting, again, from Wikipedia:
"One of the few Russian Orthodox Monasteries in America is located on Vashon Island. The monks gain notoriety years ago when they were threatened with a lawsuit by Starbucks for promoting a monastery coffee labeled "Christmas Blend," which Starbucks claimed they owned the rights to. The lawsuit was eventually dropped." www.vashonmonks.com/index.php
Sounds like God was on the side of the good Father!
I am quoting, again, from Wikipedia:
"One of the few Russian Orthodox Monasteries in America is located on Vashon Island. The monks gain notoriety years ago when they were threatened with a lawsuit by Starbucks for promoting a monastery coffee labeled "Christmas Blend," which Starbucks claimed they owned the rights to. The lawsuit was eventually dropped." www.vashonmonks.com/index.php
Sounds like God was on the side of the good Father!
The Bike In The Tree
According to Wikipedia (via: www.roadsideameica.com/tip.1412) "A bicycle placed in the fork of a tree, gained fame when a kid chained the bike to the tree decades ago and never picked it up, leaving the tree no choice but to grow around the bike."
My son, Travis, took this picture.
Monday, December 19, 2011
The House on Vashon Island
Bayview Retreat is a four bedroom, two bath country pine long lodge. It has a great view of Quartermaster Harbor on Vashon Island which is off the Seattle coast. The house is set on nearly two acres on Burton Peninsula. It offers 3500 square feet of living space and can sleep up to sixteen people. Travis and Maureen leased Bayview Retreat and the additional guest house for a week. It was the perfect party house and beautifully accommodated the whole bunch of family and friends. It rained, of course, (because after all it IS Washington state) so we were not able to enjoy the lovely landscaped grounds or sit on the deck. We did venture out to explore the Island but the cozy fireplace kept us happy right there in the living room.
Love on Vashon Island
Backing up a month ago, Andy and I spent 6 days on Vashon Island off the coast of Seattle. Vashon is a little piece of heaven, misty and rainy, but heaven no less.
We celebrated Thanksgiving with 16 other friends and family of my son, Travis, his new wife, Maureen and my 9 year old grandson, Macrory.
Thanksgiving was the minor event, the more important reason for us coming together was to celebrate the recent marriage of Travis and Maureen. They had eloped weeks before, but the "Island" party was their way of including the people they love in their happiness.
Travis and Maureen were high school friends in Richmond, VA over 20 years ago. After graduation they went separate ways: school, careers and marriages. there were ups and downs along their paths and then a couple of years ago they connected on Facebook. Travis, a widower with a young son was living in Portland and Maureen lived in NYC. Through e-mails, text messages and phone calls their friendship grew until a year ago when they discovered they loved each other. Now that is romantic!
They are now a family, those three wonderful people and it seems to be one of those "Meant to be" things.
So, on Vashon Island, two days after Thanksgiving, with humor, sincerity and respect, they vowed to love and honor one another in the sweetest, most loving way. As loved ones surrounded them, we witnessed a little miracle; two hearts coming together after a long journey, loving a little boy and a promise of a happy life.
As we toasted the happy couple and son with champagne, though my tears of happiness, I looked at the three of them and saw total happiness, contentment and peace. God bless!
We celebrated Thanksgiving with 16 other friends and family of my son, Travis, his new wife, Maureen and my 9 year old grandson, Macrory.
Thanksgiving was the minor event, the more important reason for us coming together was to celebrate the recent marriage of Travis and Maureen. They had eloped weeks before, but the "Island" party was their way of including the people they love in their happiness.
They are now a family, those three wonderful people and it seems to be one of those "Meant to be" things.
So, on Vashon Island, two days after Thanksgiving, with humor, sincerity and respect, they vowed to love and honor one another in the sweetest, most loving way. As loved ones surrounded them, we witnessed a little miracle; two hearts coming together after a long journey, loving a little boy and a promise of a happy life.
As we toasted the happy couple and son with champagne, though my tears of happiness, I looked at the three of them and saw total happiness, contentment and peace. God bless!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Once again, my "famous" Christmas Reindeer Chow
This was posted last year but I want to give it to you again, Dear Readers! It is just yummy and a great (and quick) treat to give out as gifts. My hairdresser Bonnie will get some next week, Dorothy tomorrow, Andy's brother Kenneth yesterday and I mailed bags to Kansas and California. Forgot Oregon; sorry about that Son! Lots more to give out next week.
This recipe makes two big pan fulls and when cool, can be put in glass Mason jars, decorative bags or coffee cans. A batch takes under an hour from start to finish. Make up several batches- it keeps for several weeks when sealed in plastic bags.
Enjoy!
Reindeer Chow
2 Cups brown sugar
1 Cup real butter
1/2 Cup light Karo syrup
1 tsp. soda
4 Cups of Rice Chex cereal
4 Cups of Corn Chex cereal
2 Cups pretzels
2 Cups mixed amounts of: Crispex and/or Cheerios cereals, nuts: mixed, almonds, pecans or salted peanuts.
Spray well with Pam: two large 9" X 13" roasting pans. Divide cereal/nut/pretzel mixture between the two pans. Set aside.
Bring sugar, butter and syrup to a boil for 1 and 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add soda. Mixture will be very light and foamy. Pour hot sugar mixture (divided into two parts) over the cereal mixtures and stir until mixed together.
Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes, take out and stir well and return to oven for 15 more minutes. Let cool completely then break into pieces and store in air tight plastic bags or jars.
TIP: Let the pans cool for 15 minutes and then lift the edges of mixture to prevent sticking to the pan as it hardens. Do this again after 15 minutes.
For a cute (and free) Christmas Reindeer Chow tag or header, go to Nov. 18, 2010 of this blog for free printables.
This recipe makes two big pan fulls and when cool, can be put in glass Mason jars, decorative bags or coffee cans. A batch takes under an hour from start to finish. Make up several batches- it keeps for several weeks when sealed in plastic bags.
Enjoy!
Reindeer Chow
2 Cups brown sugar
1 Cup real butter
1/2 Cup light Karo syrup
1 tsp. soda
4 Cups of Rice Chex cereal
4 Cups of Corn Chex cereal
2 Cups pretzels
2 Cups mixed amounts of: Crispex and/or Cheerios cereals, nuts: mixed, almonds, pecans or salted peanuts.
Spray well with Pam: two large 9" X 13" roasting pans. Divide cereal/nut/pretzel mixture between the two pans. Set aside.
Bring sugar, butter and syrup to a boil for 1 and 1/2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add soda. Mixture will be very light and foamy. Pour hot sugar mixture (divided into two parts) over the cereal mixtures and stir until mixed together.
Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes, take out and stir well and return to oven for 15 more minutes. Let cool completely then break into pieces and store in air tight plastic bags or jars.
TIP: Let the pans cool for 15 minutes and then lift the edges of mixture to prevent sticking to the pan as it hardens. Do this again after 15 minutes.
For a cute (and free) Christmas Reindeer Chow tag or header, go to Nov. 18, 2010 of this blog for free printables.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Do Blonds Have More Fun?
Marilyn Monroe got a lot of mileage out of her tresses but blonds are sometimes associated with being dumb! Why? The color of ones hair has nothing to do with brainpower! Personally, I think being blond makes me feel good about myself. Light, airy, fresh, sunshine: those are the words I use to describe being blond. Being blond has gotten a bad rap.
I know one thing, I will never, ever be grey headed. On some people it looks great. There is nothing prettier than a beautiful woman (or man) with a snow white head of hair. I just know that when I am walking in the salon at age 102 (with my walker,) I will say "Blond me up, Bonnie!"
Blonds really do have more fun!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Local Roots Restaurant- Roanoke, Virginia
If you are on a great shopping trip, you will need some great food. For lunch, my friend recommended "Local Roots" which is a hop, skip and jump from Black Dog Salvage.
Lovely atmosphere, gourmet food and excellent service. I had a wonderful butternut squash soup drizzled with molassas and a dollop of spinach. The bread was a dense cornbread scone. Yum!
Lovely atmosphere, gourmet food and excellent service. I had a wonderful butternut squash soup drizzled with molassas and a dollop of spinach. The bread was a dense cornbread scone. Yum!
Black Dog Salvage in Roanoke, Virginia
Dear Readers,
My friend Ibby told me about Black Dog Salvage a while ago and then a story about it on The Nate Berkus Show last week really made me curious. Ibby and I drove to Roanoke for a fun day of treasure hunting. It was well worth the drive- you have got to see Black Dog to believe it. A flyer says "A treasury of antiques and architectural relics that await your discovery." So come with me on a short trip (via pictures) and see for yourself: Black Dog Salvage.
This picture shows Christa Stephens stoking the fire in the wood stove.
This is a big, big place so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to shop 'til you drop.
P.S. If you want to check it out here is the address:
902 13th Street S.W.
Roanoke, VA 24016
(540) 343-6200
www.blackdogsalvage.com
My friend Ibby told me about Black Dog Salvage a while ago and then a story about it on The Nate Berkus Show last week really made me curious. Ibby and I drove to Roanoke for a fun day of treasure hunting. It was well worth the drive- you have got to see Black Dog to believe it. A flyer says "A treasury of antiques and architectural relics that await your discovery." So come with me on a short trip (via pictures) and see for yourself: Black Dog Salvage.
This picture shows Christa Stephens stoking the fire in the wood stove.
This is a big, big place so wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to shop 'til you drop.
P.S. If you want to check it out here is the address:
902 13th Street S.W.
Roanoke, VA 24016
(540) 343-6200
www.blackdogsalvage.com
Treasure Hunt
Black Dog Salvage claims "40,000 square feet of treasures from around the world." I believe it! If you need stained glass, art work, mantles, glass, antiques, DIY components, Doors, windows, furniture or garden decorations (the list is really endless) then you will probably find it at The Black Dog Salvage. It is a shoppers paradise and you may even meet the real live black dog: Sally. 
Chic Shabby Chic!
I had to have this cute shabby chic cup and saucer! What a fun mini sculpture. Now to figure out what to put in the cup- maybe a fat candle? How about chocolate candies or a place to put jewelry at the end of the day? Think I will go with the chocolate!
Viva La Cupcake
After my long shopping day, Andy and I feasted on the yummy four-chocolate cupcakes I brought home from Viva La Cupcake in Roanoke. You just can't have enough chocolate!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Scenic Lovers Leap
Andy and I, along with his son and daughter, their spouses, two grandsons and one great grandson, piled into two cars this morning and headed for the Blue Ridge Parkway. The leaves are turning spectacular colors and we needed our annual pumpkins and mountain cabbage. Our first stop was the very crowded parking area at Lovers Leap on highway 58 just out of Stuart, VA in the Blue Ridge Mountains. This is a beautiful view of the mountains and the "colors" of the fall trees.
The Lovers Leap Birdhouse Shop
Mr. Mickle builds them, Mrs. Mickle paints them and they sell the most 
delightful birdhouses in their "Henriedda Crafters" store perched in the Blue Ridge Mountains close to Meadows of Dan, VA.
delightful birdhouses in their "Henriedda Crafters" store perched in the Blue Ridge Mountains close to Meadows of Dan, VA.
The Pumpkin Patch
Choose the perfect pumpkin, colorful mum plant or a big bag of mountain cabbage at the Pumpkin Patch.
Three Little Boys
Back home on the farm after a long day on the Blue Ridge Parkway, we had a yard full of little boys!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
She wore many hats!
I was speaking of wearing hats in my last post "The Ruby Rose Tea Room" and it got me thinking about my grandmother who went by many names: Mable Elvira Kirkpatrick Reynolds, and whose nickname was Billie. Her grandchildren referred to her by a rather formal "Grandmother," but her many great-grandchildren and great-great-granddaughter called her GeGe.
Grandmother also wore many hats- literally! Grandmother was a milliner, the maker of hats which included the pillbox, cloche and sailor hats. She made hats from wool, felt, straw and velvet. I remember watching her steam felt hats over a very bald head form in the kitchen, where she pulled, carefully pinned and left them to dry on the counter.
Other "hats" Grandmother figuratively wore were: homemaker, wonderful cook, mother, wife, friend and seamstress. In fact my grandmother was an expert seamstress who outfitted my sister and me in darling outfits. She also tailored sports coats and slacks for our little brother, Gregg. When we were young, she made all of our play clothes, school outfits as well as Easter dresses, hats and coats. If she was making us a special outfit for Christmas, we wore a blindfold during our fitting. I remember standing on a chair, Grandmother on the floor with a mouth full of straight pins, and she hemming my skirt. I would turn an inch every time she would say "turn." Of course she had a mouth full of pins and it would be a very muffled "turn."
When I was about 13, Grandmother took my sister and me to Kansas City to see Cinerama which was a 3-D movie
in a theater with three screens. She made matching sailor dresses for us. They were pale gray with a herringbone pattern, pleated shirts and big sailor collars with a long red ties down the front. She made wide brimmed hats out of the same fabric as the dresses with long red ribbons streaming down our backs. We walked to the theater down a narrow street that Grandmother called "Petticoat Lane." She said it was because the wind blew down the street whipping the girl's skirts around, showing their slips. I remember hearing a "wolf whistle" as we walked down the street. She said it was for Rhonda and me, but Grandmother was only in her forties and quite the dish and looking back on that day, I think the whistle was for her.
When I entered high school I didn't want "homemade" clothes anymore. But, she made my lovely high school prom dresses then formals and homecoming suits when I went away to college. She would make my clothes from a size 10 pattern and send it to me on a Greyhound bus. She never hemmed it, knowing that I would want it shorter than she would hem it so she left that task for me. When I walked down the aisle (the first time) I wore the beautiful white satin, floor length gown with a long detachable train she made for me. The train was edged with a lace floral trim handsewn with hundreds of pearl seed beads. The same lace and pearls decorated the waistband and bottom of the skirt. It was just beautiful and took her hours and hours to sew those beads.
Grandmother made hats for herself, my mother, friends, aunts and my sister and me. Pictured above are two hats that my mother saved from the 1960s.
Grandmother also wore many hats- literally! Grandmother was a milliner, the maker of hats which included the pillbox, cloche and sailor hats. She made hats from wool, felt, straw and velvet. I remember watching her steam felt hats over a very bald head form in the kitchen, where she pulled, carefully pinned and left them to dry on the counter.
Other "hats" Grandmother figuratively wore were: homemaker, wonderful cook, mother, wife, friend and seamstress. In fact my grandmother was an expert seamstress who outfitted my sister and me in darling outfits. She also tailored sports coats and slacks for our little brother, Gregg. When we were young, she made all of our play clothes, school outfits as well as Easter dresses, hats and coats. If she was making us a special outfit for Christmas, we wore a blindfold during our fitting. I remember standing on a chair, Grandmother on the floor with a mouth full of straight pins, and she hemming my skirt. I would turn an inch every time she would say "turn." Of course she had a mouth full of pins and it would be a very muffled "turn."
When I was about 13, Grandmother took my sister and me to Kansas City to see Cinerama which was a 3-D movie
in a theater with three screens. She made matching sailor dresses for us. They were pale gray with a herringbone pattern, pleated shirts and big sailor collars with a long red ties down the front. She made wide brimmed hats out of the same fabric as the dresses with long red ribbons streaming down our backs. We walked to the theater down a narrow street that Grandmother called "Petticoat Lane." She said it was because the wind blew down the street whipping the girl's skirts around, showing their slips. I remember hearing a "wolf whistle" as we walked down the street. She said it was for Rhonda and me, but Grandmother was only in her forties and quite the dish and looking back on that day, I think the whistle was for her.
When I entered high school I didn't want "homemade" clothes anymore. But, she made my lovely high school prom dresses then formals and homecoming suits when I went away to college. She would make my clothes from a size 10 pattern and send it to me on a Greyhound bus. She never hemmed it, knowing that I would want it shorter than she would hem it so she left that task for me. When I walked down the aisle (the first time) I wore the beautiful white satin, floor length gown with a long detachable train she made for me. The train was edged with a lace floral trim handsewn with hundreds of pearl seed beads. The same lace and pearls decorated the waistband and bottom of the skirt. It was just beautiful and took her hours and hours to sew those beads.
Grandmother made hats for herself, my mother, friends, aunts and my sister and me. Pictured above are two hats that my mother saved from the 1960s.
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.
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