Red, White, and Blue

The Charlie Daniels Band - Star Spangled Banner

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People Watching, a time honored tradition

Just when you think times have changed, along comes the forth of July. A classic picture of Americana; parades, grilling, fireworks. As far as I can tell, at least in the last 50 years, it has remained a steady reminder that although times change, what is most important in life (family, friends, commodore) is as sure and true now at the day we signed the Declaration of Independence. 

A grassy knoll is the best seat in the house weather your watching fireworks or people. Just be careful where your wandering eyes land or you may end up like "Peg Leg" who apparently couldn't keep his eyes off one of Nana's sisters'.

.

Red, White, & Blue = Sunburn, White Cap Waves, & Clear Sky's.

Before this weekend, tradition to me was defined as "what has always been done in one's family." That was until I excitedly planned a glorious outing, packed the car, loaded the kids, then, heard a tiny voice from the back of the car say, "Mom, where are we going?' ""To your Aunt's then to see fireworks," I explained, the lines in my face exaggerated with the joy of what I had planned.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!, NOOOOOOO, We Can't Do That! 

It's BReaking TRa-Di-Tion!!!!!!"

Well... Color me Red, White, & Blue. It had never occurred to me that tradition was not what had ALWAYS been done but, rather, what one REMEMBERS having always been done. For my 6 year old, it was tradition to stay home, ride bikes and run through the sprinkler with his friends. Set off fireworks in the streets and hunker down with his dad and eat desert.

(Don't worry folks, all was not lost, there were plenty of smiles to go around.)

What's an all American holiday without a little family time?

For me, tradition is a vague picture of what others did. I remember a trip to Travers City, MI, awed by planes performing spectacular feats in the sky and so many fireworks I couldn't stay awake to watch them all. I remember floating in a pool in a neighborhood and watching fireworks being set off by the surrounding houses. But what I remember most was that there was always good food, laughter, and people putting there differences aside to come together. That is the tradition I want handed down to my children. 

Now someone pass me the Rhubarb pie!

Nana Recalls a couple of July 4th's; Salute

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

• Pie Dough: one half shaped and chilled in a pie plate, the other rolled out flat and chilled (see note) - This is where Pillsbury Comes In, usually by the eggs in milk at the store.
• 1 pound fresh strawberries
• 3 cups fresh rhubarb
• 3/4 cup sugar (or less/more to taste), divided
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch or tapioca starch
• egg wash (1 egg beaten with a big pinch of kosher salt)
• turbinado sugar for sprinkling (optional)

• Preheat oven to 425° F. Core and quarter strawberries. Chop rhubarb into 1/2 inch pieces.

Toss strawberries and rhubarb together with 1/4 cup of sugar, and allow them to macerate (the sugar will begin to break down the fruit, releasing some liquid) for 20 minutes.

Whisk together remaining 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch or tapioca starch.

Drain off excess liquid from the strawberry mixture using a china cap or strainer.

Add the sugar mixture to fruit mixture. Stir well until all of the starch has dissolved.

Pour filling into prepared, chilled dough shaped in a pie plate

Place the chilled, rolled top crust over the filling. Trim the edges and crimp as desired. Cut slits or patterns in the top with a sharp pairing knife. Chill for 20 minutes before baking.

Apply egg wash to the top of the pie and, if you'd like, sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Place chilled pie into a 425° F oven. Rotate the pie once after 15 minutes, then again after 30. If top or edges are browning too quickly, place aluminum foil over effected area. Bake until the top is a deep golden brown and filling is bubbling in the center.

Allow pie to cool for 30 minutes before serving.

1 John 4:7, Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

The Great Outdoors

The Coasters - Yakety Yak

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Before we begin I promise, no John Candy references... But I never said anything about music.

You mean we spent all day in a boat, and there were NO FISH in the lake?!

I can't count the number of times our family (namely me) has planned to the inth' degree for our family trips or activities only to have everything go awry. What I can't do is recollect too many of those times I can look back and laugh about, like my Papa does in this weeks episode. At least not yet, give me a decade or two.

Hansel & Gretel, listen carefully.

In fact, I'm pretty sure if my husband had left me alone with our children in the middle of the woods (Like Papa did with Nana), I may have equipped them with some stale bread and "instructed" them on how to find there way back on there own. Insanity defence at the ready

Ready, Aim, Fire!

Papa's stories wouldn't be complete without at least one reference to hunting. Is it possible that you can tell a persons true passions by the conversations that reoccur without warrant? I would risk that assumption in Papa's case. His voice lifts, shoulders perk up, if you pay especial attention you might just pick up a hint of excitement. Although hunting has never been on the Doppler of interests of mine, I can say I look forward to more references, to not only a hobby but a lifestyle, that bought this man so much joy.

Who thought  camping in the snow was a good idea?

I may be a self proclaimed master of improvisition but there is no amount of magic fairy dust that's gonna  lift my spirits off the ground if you think kids, snow, & camping are a recipe for success. Now for those of you Klondike campers who have made it work, hold on to your hate mail, 'cause apparently your not the only ones who think I'm wrong. Apparently my very own Grandfather found a way to have a good time as well.

Passing on the tradition.

 They must have had a least a handful of fun as it seems my extended family saw fit to hand down the traditions to there children as well. 

Everyone pile in.

And sine our folks made it seem like such a swell time, we thought we would give it a whorl as well. Just look at those faces, they have noooooo idea what's coming. MuuuuHaaahaaaahaaaa.

Camper, we don't need no stink'n camper.

I won't lie, a camper would have been kinda nice. Seeing as it was slightly, pretty, very cold. Making using the "facilities" in the middle of the night a little less then pleasant. Also, lesson learned, if your going to make three kids share a tent, you might want to be sure they are all potty trained first, eeekkk.

What will our children remember most?

It's hard to tell by this image but there were still smiles on all the faces. In fact we hadn't pulled out of the park before the kids were asking when we were going to do this again. We have camped a few more times since and they have all been quite the adventure. There is something almost Disney'esc about camping, it's all in what you make of it. 

Still not inspired? Maybe listening to Papa relive a few camping endeavors will get your juices flowing.

*side note: Papa is not quite as vocal as Nana so you may have to turn your volume up to hear him.

Campfire Omelets

By far and away the easiest and more sanitary way to cook breakfast for a family at a campsite. 

10 eggs (*pre-crack your eggs into a water tight container and you won't have to worry about breaking eggs)
2 cups cheese, grated

Substitute you favorite omelet combos

1 cup ham, chopped

1 cup bacon, crumbled

onion

green pepper

1 cup tomato, chopped

1 cup hash brown (purchased and thawed)

Have children write their name on a quart-size Ziploc freezer bag with permanent marker.

Pour 2 eggs (large or extra-large) into the bag (not more than 2) shake to combine them.

Put out a variety of ingredients such as: cheeses, ham, bacon, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns, etc.

Each child adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag and shake. Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up.

Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You can usually cook 6-8 omelette's in a large pot. For more, make another pot of boiling water.

Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily.

Note: I had to fill in SOMETHING regarding cooking time, serving sizes, and amounts. This of course, depends on your situation and how carnivorous the wildlife is. I've tried to guesstimate for five servings.

Delish'

Isaiah 43:19  - See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Holy Roll'n

Shall We Gather at The River 2

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Who needs a reason for a good time?

The answer to that question is, I sure don't! 

Can you imagine living in a place where people were so far separated from one another it was something of an event to come together for one day. A whole community of neighbors from miles around converging.

Now that I think of it, it's really not that hard to imagine. It would seem these day's we are all so linked together with technology, convienances and schedules but somehow there's never time to get together or just stop by.  It's as if we always need a reason, a bbq or dinner, a soccer game or church baptism to justify time with people we consider close.

His sin is coming out in chunks!

And what about the new guy? Lurking by the pot luck table or hiding in the corner, not sure where you fit in or who to talk to as you approach a tight knit crowd. Have you ever felt like that person? I know I have more times then I can count. Unlike the fellow in Nana's tale though, I doubt I would have been hiding food in my jacket.

What's that fishes name again?

 You know, community is really just a fancy way of saying an extension of family. You don't really get to choose your family but many of us try with all our might to choose our community. We live in neighborhoods with HOA's and pick the teams we want our children to play on. All in an effort to surround ourselves with the people we want to be around.  I'm not saying there's anything wrong with wanting to enjoy your surroundings or the people there in, but there is something to be said of a time when people had to not only accept but also depend on all those in their community, wether they were fond of one another or not. It is that very reason Nana know's someone who is on a first name basis with all the fish in the river.

"Can I walk'ya home?"

Ya' never know, you might just meet the love of your life at a pot luck. Nana didn't but she did walk away with a sweet picture of what courtship looked like in the mountains of Kentucky as a young girl. When I heard how a young man would ask to walk a girl home my first thought was, "How old fashioned." My daughter's reply was, "Wow, guys really did that!" What a move from a dusty notion of chilvery to pure romanticism. I envision someday the powers that be will make a BBC/PBS special out of it.

Click Here: As Nana "Takes Us To The River", try considering what community looks like to you.

Matthew 22:37-39 NLT

"Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"

Great Grandma Wright's Gingerbread Pone Cake

Gingerbread Pone Cake

Pone Cake, for most of us who have never heard of such a thing, is a loaf or oval-shaped cake of any type of bread, especially corn bread typically made in a cast iron pan.

INGREDENTS:

• 6 tablespoons (3 ounces) unsalted butter
  3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  1 1/3 cups (6 ounces) all-purpose flour
  2/3 cup granulated sugar
  1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  1 teaspoon baking soda
  1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  1/2 teaspoon table salt
  3 large eggs
  1/2 cup grapeseed or other neutral oil
  1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
  Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 350 degrees. In a 10-inch cast-iron skillet, melt the butter over low heat. Remove from the heat and sprinkle the brown sugar over the butter.
  Combine the flour, granulated sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, ground ginger, and salt in a medium bowl and whisk to blend. In a separate large bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, vanilla, and orange zest (ok the orange zest was not part of the original recipe) until blended. Add the flour mixture and stir just until blended.
  Pour the batter over the brown sugar and smooth the top. Bake until the cake is deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool the cake in the skillet for 20 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pan and turn out onto a plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.
  *easy alteration is to add your favoriate fruit (like apples or pears) to the first step and make this an easy upside down cake. You could also grate 2 apples or pears up and stir them into the batter for a little something extra.

Parental Woes

Just what are you in time out for?

I'm gonna level with you all right out of the gate here. This week I have had a terrible time trying to think of a fun, engaging, participatory project. Partly because I have my sites set on a project I know will take me several weeks to finish (and am very excited about) and partly because life has a tendency of drawing your attention in a thousand different directions. But - light bulb please - then it hit me. If you can't beat'um, join'um.

"I sware it's not my fault"

After a particularly long fit of frustration related to the universal woes of parenting, I was flooded with the memory of a story Nana had shared with me, of a time when her father lost his temper with her. I can't help but understand how every once in a while you may just want to pick up a chair and throw it against a tree and I only have three children, not seventeen.

While you listen to Nana share her story, who's point of view can you relate to most? Click here to listen and find out.

I realized this week that my troubles were coming from the rebellion of my children, well one in particular. And it was my own interests that were keeping me from moving forward. The desire to not have confrontation with my children or have them say hateful words to me. But though I lectured until I was blue in the face I was never getting through. We all have stories where we remember our parents raising the bar to the point of shock. It must have shocked us to some degree or it would never have stuck with us so long. I have no interest in getting sauced and go on a tirade but perhaps a little more enforcement would go a long way.

Numbers 14:18 'The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of rebellion. BUT He does not excuse the guilty.'

Shower Her In Clover

Who doesn't love a wedding?

Weather it's yours, someone else's, or listening to the reflections of a couple reliving their perfect day it is hard not to get caught up in the joy and excitement that a wedding brings. Even the festivities leading up to the nuptials are sure to illicit enthusiasm from even the most spiritless attendee.

Trepidation, Excitement, Butterfly's in the stomach...The Day Would Soon Be Here.

As my sisters bridal shower was nearing it seemed even a 55 year marital veteran was not immune to the juxtaposition that this event mirrored her own. As I searched Nana's advice for edict, menu planning and general brain storming the course of things veered, as they so often do, to a fond remembrance of the day her sister-in-law to be showered her with love and support.

What Elegance

It was a simple affair with only her closest friends and family. Much as her granddaughters would be so many years later

Listen to Nana recall a special day and a frying pan she still uses.

Party Planning Rule #27: Choose things close to the guest of honors heart.

No, I'm not a party planner by trade but I do get a thrill out of watching the joy others receive when you give them something more then they expected. The bride-to-be in this case loves all things Irish, so what better theme then a St. Patrick's Day Wedding Shower. The genious behind this idea wasn't mine but my partner in crime sister, not the one getting married of course.

Party Planning rule #83: Don't go to a party store and buy out the cheep decorations department.

 I find that the easiest place to begin is a color scheme. Well, I don't know about you, but when I think of Irish the first colors that come to mind are Green, Orange, and White, but for St. Patties Day I am flooded with the thought of Leprechauns coins. So I fogo'd the Orange for a range of yellow and gold. Fortunately for me I have a grandmother who loves to hold on to things she thinks are beautiful or in some way useful.

Party Planning Rule #101: Use what you have, Improvise when you don't.

I mostly used what I had around me with a quick trip to the Dollar Store to fill in the blanks. Flowers and Greens cut from the yard. A bolt of fabric and some mason jars I pilfered from Nana's crafting storage. Candles of course! And I littered the table with gold Hershey kisses and chocolate coins. The picture frames were the gifts for the guests to keep.

When all is said and done love matters most

A simple Irish blessing to toast the bride and her future. Great Chitchat. Munchies and Gifts.

Not being a big fan of party games I simply placed a few shamrock stickers on the bottom of the Hershey kisses and gold coins. If you had been "Kissed by the Irish" or found the "Leprechauns Gold" you won a prize.

Party Planning Rule #12: Food coloring is NOT your friend

As a rule of thumb I try to keep the food simple and when possible I share the work with others. All the recipes were found on Pinterest.com and honestly they are all super quick with minimal ingredients. I abhor Sandra Lee (sorry, but I do) but am an avid fan of anything "semi-homemade" when it comes to feeding a large group.

The Menu:

Asparagus Gruyere Tart

Mini Spinach Quiche

Green Cherry Waldorf Salad

Fruit Skewers and Bailey's Irish Fruit Dip

No Bake Cake Pops

Key Lime Poke Cake

Leprechaun Punch

Champagne Toast with Frozen Green Grapes

Party Planner Rule #5: Consider your surroundings your most important decoration.

I find the surroundings set the atmosphere more than anything. Choosing the right place puts everyone in a social mood. I was blessed with having the pleasure of working with the the amazing folks at The Oaks Events. If you are anywhere near Midland, NC (conveniently located on HWY 24/27) then you MUST give this place consideration. There are beautiful vistas of a lake and gazebo and if it hadn't snowed we would have held this outside. No matter what your planning they will go above and beyond to make the day special.

A wealth of wisdom waits in the arms of her new family

Job 12:12 "Wisdom is with aged men, With long life is understanding.
My Prayer for her as she leaves her parents to become one with her husband is that she will embrace the the wisdom of her new family. That their memories of life and marriage will help to guide her as she ventures ahead.

A Special Thank To

Michael A. Anderson Photography for the exquisite pictures
And
The Oaks Events for the amazing venue.

Geography and Geneology

The Gentle Slopes

 This weeks edition is brought to you by the letter "W"

as in

What?

When?

Where?

&

Why?

What this had to do with 3 kids on a school step I still don't know. After years of listening to family stories the one thing I have learned is, just ride the wave. What you might notice listening to this weeks tale is that it is a little on the choppy side. There was hours of editing involved, but on the bright side, I also have 7 other stories that I gleamed from this one.

One of Seventeen?!!!

When you spend enough time listening to your elders you begin to pick up on their moods through the stories they tell. In this instance, deeply sentimental was the vibe. Recalling family with an inkling of longing in her eyes, pausing frequently to remember the faces and familiar surroundings that have long gone by. I had once believed that memories and images that are so clear to me now would dim with time or be lost in the hurried race that is our lives. It is reassuring, in a sense, to know just how vibrant and accessible those recollections can be later in life.

Nana's interpretation of Beefhide KY

Where did you say you were from?! It was truly enlightening to watch Nana remember her childhood abode and be able to draw it in fairly accurate detail. As I was listening to her recall her home and simultaneously draw it on a scrap piece of paper, I thought to my self "That can't be right, I'm sure that's just how she remembers it". Well color me dead wrong! I Google Mapped Beefhide KY guess what folks, she hit the nail on the head. 

                                   

"That's right Susan there is a Beefhide Kentucky." 

For those of you not up on your classic cinema one liners that is a take from Miracle On 34th Street.

Great Great Grandpa Isaac

Great Great Uncle Booker

Why would I want to know about these places and people? Well for starters they are apart of who I am. Oh yes, I went there. Really folks, These people played a part in shaping who Nana is and she played a major role in shaping who I am. As are all the people who filter through our lives. 

Not to mention that if you listen carefully you pick up on the subtle drama behind the careworn memory. I had to rewind a couple times but I believe Nana referred to her grandmother as a bit of a floozy. Just who was Great Great Uncle Booker's daddy?

Well I have to tell you as endearing as it was to listen to Nana recall many of her relatives by name I was still slightly (or not so slightly) apprehensive that all these people were bona fide family. Thanks to my baby sister and modern technology I was able to verify that not only was her internal compass right on, so was her lineage.

Click Here to find out for yourself just how right Nana was,
then dig into your own ancestry by asking those around you where they are from.
(P.S. I know it says 28minutes but really it is more like 8min)