A trip in pictures

Not much time - and we'll be on the plane. Maybe later in the week I can tell more stories.

We left the vineyards of the Central Valley ...

And then drove through the valley - where wind fuels the lights.

We crossed a bridge or two ...

the sky was so blue on this side of the mountains.

You'd think this was Montana or Wyoming with our wide expanses.

But sooner or later you'll come to the Pacific - and a little lighthouse down the cliffs.

You thank god you got there at 4:30 - so you didn't have to climb 300 steps down and back - that's why were all smiling and not looking back!

The city is a wonderful thing - you never get complacent - with so much grandure in one place.

The good doctor jogged along Chissy Field - finding the dead body - while we leasuirsly strolled (and avoided the grim sites) - then home we went to the valley just past the Castro.

The homes stack up ...

And if this is where I laid my head each night - it 'twod be difficult to convince me to travel again.

But crossing the bay - to have a Peroni and some calamary might just do the trick - 'cause Angelino's is pretty darn slick.

What a nice way to end this great trip - so now the good doctor says 'bye ...

And here's me - trying not to cry - about leaving my city by the bay and returning to the East Coast way.

There are worse things ...

than owing a gold mine, I suppose.

There is time to reflect on the rape of the earth

To enclose your domaine with artful protection

To collect samples of stunning specimens from all over the world

While you relax at "The Cottage"
These images are so going to enrich my story-telling. What an era of machines, and men, and power. Political, hydraulic, and wasteful.
But beauty and art are everywhere - you just don't know what hill you'll find it on.

And everything looks different close up

Day One: Success

I got up at 4:49 Wednesday morning. Thank God I am one of those people who has a natural alarm clock. I'd set my phone alarm to go off at 4:45 am - and it was on VIBRATE not ring *sigh*. I laid it on the carpeted floor in the guest room. Amazingly enough a vibrating phone on carpeting does NOT act like a alarm.

Those lost 4 minutes didn't effect anything - and we were at the airport in plenty of time. Our flight from RDU to Chicago - and then Chicago to San Jose was uneventful. Apparently we were late departing Chicago (must have been while we were waiting in line to take off) and so we landed in SJC 40 minutes late. No big deal as no one was waiting to meet us - and we had no place to be.

After waiting forever in line for the rental car, and getting a mini-van :\ we were off for Hotaru and our lunch. We arrived at ten minutes 'till two - and just made it in before they closed. Dr. Whiney had a great bowl of Katus Don with miso soup - and I had the combination lunch. Tuna shashimi, horenso no gomaae (chilled spinach salad), miso soup, and fried pork cutlet. Dr. Whiney even tried the tuna (for the first time) and declared it a winner.

From there we headed north and up into the Central Valley. It was a great drive and Dr. Whiney couldn't believe the vast spaces - and how "rural" it all is. About 27 miles from my hometown he turned to me and said, "You really did grow up in the country, didn't you?" Perhaps it was my pointing out the harvested rice fields, the walnut trees, peach trees, almonds, and alfalfa fields that convinced him.

Today we head to the Empire Mine and Malakoff Diggins, here's the loop we'll take.

It's nice and sunny here - we just missed the huge storm that dumped 4 inches of rain and recorded winds of over 54 mph. I'll hope the weather continues to be favorable.

Have a great Thursday everyone.

Ack! We're leaving ...

and of course, I'm feeling like I'm not ready in the least.

Tomorrow at this time, Dr. Whiney, Esq. and I will be on our way to Northern California. 

He has been on me all summer to take a trip with him out to San Francisco. Of course with the crazy Webinar schedule at my former employer, that wasn't possible. When I got laid off he said, "Let's go now." And I of course had to remind him that although laid off equaled no office hours - it also meant no money. (and that all my time should be spent LOOKING for a job, not traveling the US). 

He is picking up the tab for this trip. He says he's paying me to be his tour guide.  Which is nice - but still bothersome for me. I don't care if he has WAY TOO MUCH DISPOSABLE INCOME) - I don't like feeling like I can't pay my own way - and that I am using someone. 

However, he's said many times this summer (long before the layoff) - that he's been looking at his friends and family - and evaluating those relationships. Some people only call when they need something (money, legal advice, medical opinions) and they are never there for him when he needs to be encouraged/supported/challenged to grow/move in a new direction.

But I, on the other hand, am always offering to cook a meal for him, inviting him to do something fun/interesting - because I want him to go with me, and consistently GIVE HIM HELL about his life. (Who else is going to talk shit to a lawyer/doctor?) He knows I'm here not because he can pick up the tab, but because I like teasing him mercilessly. He thinks I am one of his "true" friends (which of course is right). So he's trying to concentrate on the friendships/relationship that edify him.

And all of that to point out there is NOTHING in the last romantical about our relationship. Which is good - 'cause he is still crazy and talking about wanting to start a family (at-an-age-older-than-me-I-am-not-supposed-to-mention-how-old-he-is-which-is-still-young-(and he is young looking)-unless-it's-about-the-family-thing. Then-not-so-young.) Of course, you know me. NOT ME, NOT EVER for a family (or my own that I birth or raise, unless they come with someone more incredible than a really, really, fine 42 year-old-single-malt-Scotch and I am not holding my breath).

Also he cannot make/stick to a plan to save his soul - and a few other things that would require me to kill him dead within weeks of starting any kind of intimate relationship.

Here's what I have planned for our trip. He requested we go to Central Cali - so we'll drive up there tomorrow after we land in San Jose. (We're flying in/out of San Jose, don't ask)

We'll spend Wed night with Mom and Dad. Thur we'll go up to the gold rush country - and go see the mines - the Empire Mine and Malakoff Diggins - which is also the North Bloomfield Gravel Company - both mines figure prominently in my novel. It will also be fun for him (I hope) as he is my "advisor" on the legal aspects of the book.  The environmental lawsuit that started US environmental protection regulations in the US happened at Malakoff.

Friday we're going to Lodi and to see my brother. There's the School Street Wine Stroll - 25 wineries and food vendors holding a big to-do. So we'll stay there and do that. I've also picked out 3-4 wineries to visit before the stroll starts.

Saturday we'll drive across to Point Reyes. It should be a beautiful drive - and we'll eat lunch at Osteria Stellina. Then we'll come on down Hwy 1 to Muir Woods. Go for a walk there - and go see my cousins. Maybe go to Angelino's (a family friend's place) in Sausalito. Finally we'll head across the Golden Gate and into the city. We have a hotel on the Wharf (in the middle of tourist town - but at least convenient and affordable to what all we want to do.)

That night we have tickets to go see Nellie McKay! at Yoshi's. A venerable S.F. jazz club. (Actually, the SF location is fairly new. The original is in Oakland and has been around since the 70s.)

Sunday I think we're going to hit Golden Gate Park and check out the newly (to me) remodeled deYoung. If the weather is nice - and Kevin's friend Jen can arrange it, we might go sailing. If not, I might also take Kevin to Fort Point, which has spectacular views. And is where Josiah is first stationed when he comes with the Corp or Engineers to Calif.

Before the end of today, I need to have all the addresses/maps printed out for our trip. So far I have all the stuff for the gold country done. I have wineries picked out of some touring before the wine stroll Friday night.

I have the itinerary for Sat/Sunday done. Just need maps/directions/addresses for the things (and then my spreadsheet will be done.) AND DO NOT MAKE FUN OF MY SPREADSHEET AND GOOGLE MAPS - they are things of divine beauty and planning!!!!

I also need to finalize all the food quantities for the Wed night dinners from 10/21 - 11/12. I did get the 10/hr week cooking job. I met with the director of the program yesterday. We've planned all the menus. I promised I'd have shopping lists, recipes, and schedules to her today. Ack! Ack! Ack!

SO - that's what all is going on with me. Well - that plus networking like crazy and applying for jobs - and researching companies that I'd like to work for - and walking and going 100 mph. I'll try to write, "Having a great time, wish you were here!" messages between now and next Monday.

Eric Alexander - The Road Song

Here's Eric covering this famous Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery tune. Here's a lovely rendition by another amateur guitar player.  

Anyway - I was on the road this weekend. After writing my little ditty about "getting here" on Thursday, I didn't think about it again - until we were on the way to Atlantic Beach.

This is the third time in three years I've been down to this beach house. Each time I've ridden down with the same couple. The first year, we were going to go the "quick" way  everyone else talked about. We had a Google Maps printout and were all ready to go.

Except Mr. Penguin (private joke)  and I got into some conversation - and the next thing we knew, we were NOT going the quick way. We were going past the main gates to Camp Lejeune, stuck in four o'clock traffic.

The following year - I stopped talking when we exited I-40 ... and ... and ... we took a different road. And got stuck in Camp Lejeune traffic and totally missed the "quick by-pass".

THIS YEAR - we had GPS AND no talking! Gertrude was insistent that we turn on NC-11. We started down the road even though Mr. Penguin was sure we weren't on the right route. After a quarter of a mile we turned around and went back to the main road. 

Gertrude disagreed with our new direction as did Mr. Penguin's wife Mrs. Penguin. Gertrude was insistent we turn on DS Williamson Road. We were suspicious of this route since it had no number, so we passed on DS (perhaps Dumb and Stupid??) Williamson Road and went up one more stoplight - and then DID ANOTHER U-TURN and took NC-11. 

Mrs. Penguin was sure we were going the right way - she remembered turning left at the Kenansville sign when she'd been down to Emerald Isle just a few weeks prior. But - since we didn't have a GOOD OLD FASHION MAP - we had no idea where the hell we were, so we took her word that we were on the right track. About 3 miles into this narrow two lane road - it was decided maybe we were on the wrong path as Mrs. Penguin also remembered the road being a four-lanes and not two. 

We started punching buttons on Gertrude - and finally got over to NC-50 (still not the "real" right way) and went south ... JUST IN TIME TO CATCH Camp Lejeune traffic - AGAIN.

Actually - it was a lovely little side trip. We enjoyed smelling the turkey and hog farms and seeing the country-side. As we drove along we kept our eyes open for the famous <insert name here> Plantation House. I'll just have you know that although I frequently confuse like sounding names, this time it wasn't me. (Note to self and other readers: Chinquapin and Chinaqu Penn are two different places.) (And now that I've looked at a map and have discovered it is BY GREENSBORO - so thank GOD we didn't see signs for it). 

That night we ate at Bistro-by-the-Sea in Morehead City. It was a lovely meal. Five out of the seven of us dined on their extravagant Shrimp and Grits.

Saturday was a big day of ... relaxing. We had a lovely breakfast of Steel Cut Oats with a multitude of toppings (blueberries, crazins, toasted walnuts, granola, fresh sliced strawberries, bananas, brown sugar and cream) - and then we migrated toward the deck. Well - they migrated. I had a quick eMail I wanted to send. After sending it I went downstairs for my sunglasses - with the thought I'd return to the deck and join in the conversation while I read Best Friends.

Arriving back upstairs, I had to laugh. Four of the gang were in the house on their laptops learning the mysteries of "Google Calendar", where to purchase felt-boards for Daniel and the cast of the fiery furnace, and Star Wars pop-up books.

Lunch was a tasty spread of all the fixings for BLT's and deviled eggs. Mmmm - deviled eggs. Then it was naptime, cocktail hour - and finally time for the annual creation of the Frogmore Low Country Boil. Shrimp, kielbasa, new potatoes, and corn on the cob never tasted so good.

The evening was topped off with a board games called "What do you like best?" ( or some variation thereof. I cannot find the game or name of the game anywhere on line). 

Anyway - each player is dealt 4 cards with one phrase written on them; like "Hip-hop", "Chinese Food", "Clowns" or "Flying Kites". Everyone went around the circle contributing the card in their hand they thought best described the chosen person (cp). Then the cp ranked the cards from "I like this the best" to "are you insane??". Whoever contributed the "best answer" card received the most points (6) for that round.

The first two rounds were ok - although the choices really didn't seem to fit many in our group. So then I suggested we switch it to "What do you hate the MOST". Now THAT was funny. Of course - the funniest part was when I was dealt the card, "American Cheese". When I played it, I told the cp, "If I don't win with this card, I will never cook for you again." Much hilarity ensued when American Cheese WASN'T the thing she hated most of all out of her six choices. There was a lovely discussion for the rest of the evening centering on how I might be misguided in my passionate dislike of said "food product". I don't think anyone in that group will forget that I like American Cheese LEAST OF ALL THINGS (although it was pointed out that Velveeta and American are not the same thing - and so now I have a quandary - which is really MORE EVIL?)

Today I worked on my resume writing day and lined up references. I don't think this week is going to be nearly as busy as last week - but still want to focus on being productive. I had my writing class tonight - and am not nearly as far as I want to be with my story, but the instructor thinks I am far enough along to start putting it together as a comprehensive piece.

Hope you all had a great weekend (without American Cheese)!

Coffee?

Each day we stop at the Starbucks in Park Central for our fix. Today - as we headed towards Jerome - was no different.

I was worried I wouldn't remember enough to get us around. (needless concern)

I was worried it would be trite art we saw. (needless concern)

I was worried the trip from Jerome to Sedona wasn't the road I remembered (needless concern)

I wanted her to have some spectacular views - that most people don't know about. I remembered the drive up to the Sedona Airport. To see Coffee Pot Dome.

There was no need to worry about anything.

Organic and Structural

Recount

The plane came in from the south swooped to the east and landed heading west. I could pick out familiar landmarks. The Sacaton Indian Reservation and the alfalfa fields and then Superstition Mountains in Apache Junction. We followed the Salt River through Mesa, across Tempe Town Lake, had a peak at the Papago Buttes - and then we were here!

It was actually early evening – and we didn’t see a sunset, but I could pick out the ballpark, and the Renaissance Square Buildings downtown.

I’ve been telling myself this trip isn’t about coming home –it’s about art. I don’t know if I’m going to succeed.

The exit for our hotel is the same exit I took every night when I came home from work. “See that sign? Now it’s a restaurant. It use to be a florist shop from the 50s, that's how it got it's name,” I tell Meg.

Our route took us right past the house that has the Statue of Liberty. “Look for Lady Liberty on the left, that’s where I turned to enter my neighborhood.”

We turned to the right at the next major intersection. The hospital loomed up. “That’s where I had outpatient surgery. Mom got lost on the one-way streets when she brought the car around to get me,” I explain.

We met up with my friend Heather at the hotel – and then it was off to dinner. Do you know where we’re going I quiz her? “You’re the downtown girl,” she says. And indeed – even though there’s a light rail running down the middle of Central Avenue, I remember the tricky left turn at Roosevelt, ‘cause you can’t left at Portland to get to 1^st street.

Our dinner at PastaBAR was great and full of remembering.

Today we're up at the crack of dawn (time difference) and it’s off the Botanical Garden (which I’ve never been too!), the Scottsdale galleries and the Heard Museum. We’ll go to the Phoenix Art Museum late in the afternoon if we’re not on sensory overload.

Maybe this trip is really about the art of remembering.

California Haul

My (temporary) souvenirs from my trip arrived home.

Now that I have this stupid camera, I thought I'd take a picture.

I really thought about what was going to be in the picture (ie: I needed a blank wall). How I wanted it to be a pleasing composition. Interesting textures.

I SPENT TIME SETTING UP THE SHOOT.

I adjusted and readjusted.

I shined flashlight. I turned on/off overhead lights.

I DID NOT DRINK ONCE.

All that effort ... all that anticipated joy.

And I give you blurry, leaning, muddy bottles. *sigh*

(l-r lower section) Mackinaw Zinfandel; Shannon Ridge Syrah; Harney Lane Petite Syrah: (in back) Wildhurst Cabernet Sauvignon; Paul Hobbs, Syrah; Vina Cabos (Hobbs' Agrintina partnership) Bramare, Cabernet Sauvignon; and Iron Horse "Russian Cuvee" created for the Reagan-Gorbechev Summit Meetings.

Missing from the line up (consumed before leaving California) Cobos Malbec 2005 and a Ceago Rose that we enjoyed in this setting.

At least memories are always sharp and color balanced.

Gray, Gloomy and the GPS is lost too

I am here in hell. Or my hometown. OMG .. this place is SO depressing. *sigh*

Flew into Sac late Wed night. A friend who lives in Sac, picked me up at the airport and I spent the night at her house. It was raining then ... and I bet if I were to go out and get the newspaper now, it will still be raining.

Came on up here, where my parents live, Thursday. Because I had no idea WHERE I was in Sacramento - I plugged my Mom and Dad's address into the Grimlin. It took me home ... THE WRONG WAY ... but of course, since I didn't know WHERE I WAS, I didn't know how to turn around and make it recalculate the way home THE RIGHT WAY. (oh, it is SO HELPFUL having a GPS.)

Shortly after I arrived - there was a big gang fight over at the high school (Mom and Dad live one block behind the school) ... and there were some kids (that we suspect were involved in the fight) going in and out of an abandoned house (!!) on their street - so we had to call the police about THAT.

THEN .. we drove up to the vet's in Live Oak, 'cause one of Dad's hunting dogs had hurt her paw. (see what an EXCITING LIFE I lead?)

Yesterday, in the gray and gloom we went up to Nevada City to do some research for my novel. It was good to get my hands on some actual materials, but I got to look at about 1/100 th of the stuff. And I really don't know WHAT to ask for, nor HOW to ask for it, and kind of feel like a bozo ... so THAT WAS FUN.

Today my brother and his family (they live in Lodi, blergh) come up and we're installing a new computer for my Mom and Dad. (Oh the joy!) Currently they have a Dell laptop - but they didn't buy the extended warranty with it - and the screen went dead about 2 years ago - which means they have it hooked to a monitor. It runs S-L-O-W-E-R T-H-A-N M-O-L-A-S-E-S ... and has taken to just turning itself off. No blue screen of death or anything - just blink and gone. I think it's over heating. So - maybe after we get the new system up and going - we'll be able to reinstall the orginal XP disks - and drivers and the laptop will work too. (although I doubt it.) And maybe I can make the new computer idiot proof so they don't download stuff they don't need on it and make it run slow too. (hahahahaha)

Tomorrow after church, I am leaving here and heading to Clear Lake. I've rented a house with some friends. We'll be there through Wed. Monday we're going to tour the little wineries around the lake - on Tuesday we're going all the way to Sebastopol and I have an appointment set up with Paul Hobbs Winery and Iron Horse Sparkling Wines. I am really excited to taste Paul's wines. (Usually out of my price range). Then we're going over to St. Helena for dinner at Tra Vinge.

See - SUCH the glamorous life. (not)

Zen there's the house repair

While I'm here on the west coast - Didi is still at my house slaving away doing all my honey-do list. I am slightly worried about how he's getting along. Mainly because he is BLIND (but not THAT kind I blind I keep telling everyone!) He doesn't have any depth-perception or peripheral vision Which makes it hard to find things when he drops them ... OR SETS THEM DOWN SOMEWHERE - and like WHO DOESN'T DO THAT 10,000 times a day??

So there you have it ... all the news from Ellis Lake.

Substitutions and Detours

Substitutions and Detours

The IH824 Family ended up leaving today instead of tomorrow. Something about missing a dog (I don’t get it), inviting a friend down for a hunt on New Year’s Eve (really – who does that?), and wanting to spend just a little more time with the twins. (totally understandable)

So today I was a big fat lazy toad. I read, I napped, I wrote a little bit. I drove to Joe Patti’s and picked up some fish to take home and stuff to make dinner.

I went to the other end of the island – where it was rumored there was a hand wash car wash. It wasn’t, so I came home.

I made Coriander Orange Shrimp for an appetizer and enjoyed it with a glass of wine and my last spectacular beach sunset.

Then I made dinner.

Fish Moolie (but different)
Side: Basmati rice
Veggie: Bok Choy with Lime Dressing

I must have been distracted when I made my grocery list. I thought we had a lime left here, but we didn’t. So I substituted lemon grass paste where ever that was called – or a glug of wine. I also didn’t by ginger, unsweetened coconut to roast for the moolie paste, or soy sauce. Still – it all turned out well – and I did a great job of cutting all the sizes down to one serving so I didn’t have any leftovers to throw away.

Tomorrow I will be on the road early-ish. But I don’t have to make the complete twelve hour drive. Instead I am making a detour and stopping in Atlanta to see my friend Elisa! I am so excited she made it back from Rochester and we have this change to spend time (and New Year’s Eve) together.

She has kindly offered her guest room, so I will be staying at Chez Shimmy then continuing on home on Thursday!

Substitutions and Detour really CAN work well.

Why Eat Out?

I love coming down to the beach with this group of friends. They’re all great cooks – and we agree we can cook better, for cheaper, with less hassle than eating out.

Saturday we went for a drive over to Pensacola Beach – then stopped at Joe Patti’s on the way home. There we picked up some shrimp and a few other goodies. Next stop was the grocery store where we finished provisioning for our feast.

Arriving home, we seasoned the T-bone steaks and let them age. Next we rubbed olive oil on potatoes and stuck them in the oven. A few vodka cranberries out on the porch later, we came inside and made roasted red-pepper and hazelnut oil dip and a prepped a baking dish of bar-b-que shrimp for appetizers. While the coals burned down to a red glow we threw together a Doe’s Eat Place Salad and set the table. When the steaks went on the grill we put the shrimp under the broiler. The boys brought those medium-rare hunks of meat upstairs and we were ready to stuff ourselves. We toasted our birthday celebrating hostess – and then quiet descended around the table. Soon the sounds of clanking of silverware and tinkling of wine glasses being placed on the table were replaced with audible groans. Unable to put another bite in our mouths, we pushed back from the table and cleaned up.

We did such a spectacular job that night we decided to cook again on Sunday night. This time our appetizer menu included spinach artichoke dip, fried oysters and creamy shrimp dip – served alongside a crisp white wine. Dinner was blackened grouper and Amberjack with another Doe’s Eat Place Salad. This night we left room for little slivers of homemade chocolate pecan pie.

This morning we stuck a huge ham in the oven – basted it with pineapple juice – and finally glazed it with brown sugar and mustard. While the guys sat out by the pool – the girls drove up to Fairhope and wandered in and out of bookstores and other time wasting establishments.

At lunched at Andree’s. Mindful that we’d been little pigs so far we stuck to half sandwiches and cups of Santa Fe Chili. IH824 had the Spring Chicken Salad with grapes and pecans and I had the Chicken Salad Afrique (currie, almonds, and green peppers). Lunch completed we poked around Fairhope some more then headed home in time to catch this spectacular sunset and join in the first round of Margaritas.

The dinner theme for tonight was grazing hors d’oeuvres. Our Memphis guests shared slices of their homemade spicy Italian sausage that we dipped in yellow mustard. We made mini-ham salad sliders and oyster po’ boys. A package of Harry and David’s smoked salmon was opened and garnished with grated red onions, cream cheese, and toasted baguette rounds. Because we’re trying to eat up the leftovers, we also warmed up the spinach dip and placed onion/pepper crackers around the roasted red-pepper dip.

Tomorrow half the crew will depart. We will assuage our sadness with another trip to Joe Patti’s to stock up on the freshest seafood for the journey north. Perhaps we’ll take it easy and let Doc’s or the Shrimp Basket do the cooking.

Run away back

Have you ever noticed all the different phrases that include the word “back”?

1. back away

2. back down

3. back off

4. back off (Textiles) To reverse (the spindle) in mule spinning prior to winding on the newly spun length of yarn.

5. back out

6. back up

7. back and fill (Nautical). To trim the sails of a boat so that the wind strikes them first on the forward and then on the after side.

8. back and forth

9. back water

10. flat on one's back

11. behind one's back

12. get off one's back

13. get one's back up

14. in back of

15. pat on the back

16. stab in the back

17. turn one's back

I never really paid much attention to the word back … until mine decided to go on strike. Of course, it’s all my fault. Just a few days before my body revolted I was thinking to myself, “How nice to never have had back problems! Yet another pitfall of poor health that I’ve avoided.”

Then I stood on my feet for nine-hours cooking for a Christmas party. I didn’t turn or bend wrong. I didn’t lift something too heavy or reach too far. Apparently my back has instituted a “Maximum Standing Time” policy. It either failed to notify me previous to this event – or it just decided on the spur of the moment it was time to change things.

When I got home that Saturday night, I knew my back was aching. I figured I just needed to lay down and all would be well. HAHAHAHA. In the early morning hours, after swallowing enough medication to tranquilize a hippopotamus, I again thought everything was ok. Monday at work all seemed well. Monday night when bedtime came, everything was NOT so well. I spent the night walking through the back spasms – waiting for the morning and the opening of the doctor’s office.

He wasn’t much help. My choices were drugs that make me drool, drugs that render me zombiefied, or drugs that worked for about 3 hours. I like to think I’m not much a whimp. Here’s how I knew I was in trouble. It hurt so bad, I couldn’t SIT AND READ … nor write. Who knew typing used back muscles?

Then like magic – on day eight, I was all better. It was weird; one moment … counting the minutes until I could take the next pill – and then suddenly returning to normal.

To celebrate I cooked dinner for a friend, went to Christmas Eve service, and made some yummy Blue Cheese Pecan Bread I found on “A Yankee in a Southern Kitchen’s” food blog. I took it and some other appetizers to Christmas dinner.

Since my back is no longer troubling me, I decided to run away from home and help IH824 celebrate her birthday. I drove south for 734 miles the day after Christmas. Clearly whatever was wrong isn’t anymore. Twelve hours of driving and I’m still functioning just fine.

At this very moment, this is my view as I write.

I can hear the crashing surf from the Gulf of Mexico and smell that fresh ocean air. Today is overcast and gray. Yesterday we saw sun when we drove to Pensacola Beach but it’s remained gloomy and misty here on Perdido Key. It doesn’t really matter what the weather though. Being with IH824, Mr. Fish and their friends makes any day brighter.

We’ve already cooked up a storm and more scrumptious meals are to follow.

Winging It

Last night - after packing the kitchen supplies I went to bed without packing the "Leslie" supplies. I pack all the time - so it's a pretty simple process. Except when you decide you can't pack until you fold the laundry. *sigh*

I got my stuff in one small suitcase except 1 pair of shoes and 1 pair of hiking boots. Not that I plan on hiking. But in case it snows - or - a cute man shows up and I want him to THINK I could hike, if I weren't so busy cooking. Or reading. Or writing. Or drinking. Or a combo of any of the above.

As I drove away from home I was congratulating myself for remembering my scarf. And my (office's) GPS. And canceling my newspaper, and the mail ... when I realized ... darn. Didn't turn down the heater. Oh well. It's on a timer anyway - and at night it doesn't come on unless the house gets below 52 degrees. It only warms up to 68 in the mornings and from 6pm - 10pm. So ... it's not like I'll be wasting LOTS of energy.

I had 5 things to pick up at the grocery store on my lunch hour: bread for french toast; bread for nibbling; English Muffins; Orange Marmalade; and Mexican Corn. Done with my shopping. The whole time I was thinking how great it was that I wasn't going to have to do the REAL shopping. Total score on my part.

Just now - the REAL grocery shoppers called. She's sounding slightly paniced. But really - it's not like there's anything UNIQUE on the list. No eye-of-neut, pink peppercorns, or Huitlacoche or anything. (Like I've asked Talla Palla to search for) in the past! Hee-hee!

However these two ingredients do seem to be in short (non-existant) supply.

No fresh oragano at the store!! Could we use dried. (Yes)

Someone bought all the Butternut Squash - what would we do??? (Spaghetti squash will subsitute just fine)

Seems like everything is going according to plan ... except I'm still here at work. I was hoping the benevolent GM would let me go early ... but ... looks like that's not going to happen. I must say - the phones have been fairly busy. A lot of people panicing that we won't be here on Friday and Saturday.

I wonder if I'll have phone reception up there. I'm hoping not. Of course - it's not like I ANSWER my phone anyway!

Wanna see where I'm going to be? Click and view !

Reentry

Last night for dinner, they finally let me cook, and we had "city food". Thankfully it was a success. I always worry that what I think is yummy and good won't be appreciated - but looked at as "funny" food.

I shouldn't have worried. We wanted to keep the day low key - and also get out of the trailer fairly early so that we could beat the rain back to the house. I decided to do the Tuscan Pork Tenderloin (because I have the recipe memorized) - and it's quick and easy.

When I make it at home, I use froze orange juice concentrate because I'm not a big OJ drinker, and I hate to waste the money. Here we had a carton of OJ - and so I think that's why the meat didn't have as much of the flavor. It marinated in one cup of the juice and one cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus white pepper and fresh oregano, for two hours. (That's another thing I like about this recipe, you don't have to start the marinade the night before or first thing in the morning.)

While the meat did it's thing, I packed up my suitcase and then started on the tomato bread salad, also known as Panzella. I knew it would be spectacular - since we were using Roma tomatoes out of IH824's garden, her homegrown basil, and some more of the fragrant oregano. I also jazzed it up a bit by using Assagio Cheese Bread. I diced the tomatoes, pitted some Klamato Olives we purchased on Saturday, and then dressed that mixture with Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, a little red wine, and garlic/salt paste.

Then I went to do some writing and she made a mango, blueberry, bananna salad, with a fresh mint/yougurt dressing. IH824 isn't really a stranger to city food - because she had fingerling red-potatoes on hand which we turned into roasted parslied potoatoes to round out the dinner.

The pork went on the grill for 5 minutes on each of the four sides, then I let it rest for ten minutes before slicing it. One tenderloin was cooked slightly more than I liked - and the other was a perfect medium. (my preference is medium rare, but a lot of people are still (needlessly) worried about trechinosis). Just beofore sitting down, I mixed the toasted bread and tomoatoe mixture, and added some slivers of Parmesano Reggiano Cheese to the Panzella.

The dinner was great - and I knew I had a hit when Mr. Fish kept raving over the pork ... and ate all the Panzella he put on his plate. I know he liked it - because he even dipped his fork in the salad bowl and speared a few more chunks of bread! We all agreed it was the lightest meal we'd had so far - and although we were full, we weren't stuffed.

When IH824 gets back from town, I'll show you a picture of the meal.

Now it's off to Little Rock - and back to the daily grind. See ya!

To Gustav…….CHEERS!!

Today is a sad day. Gustav reached land, we’ll soon be starting another cotton season, Mit is packing and getting ready to go home, where she will enter a center for her new found “frying addiction”, and most importantly, today will be the finale of our two day “Hurricane Party”.

What a time we’ve had here at the single wide!

We have eaten to the point that I hope the weather next week turns cool, because it’s gonna be a sweat pants week for me!! Nothing is gonna fit me.

Mit has relaxed, read, napped, blogged, and I hope enjoyed her stay with us as much as we have enjoyed having her. We’ve shared excitement, fright, good times, and lots of laughter, and gone to bed each night with a full belly!! She is returning to her home, hopefully, a little more rested and a little more relaxed than she arrived at mine!

So to Gustav and Mit, I say, “SALUTE”!!

IH824

....

Southern Fried … or how to be totally spoiled even if the weather doesn’t play nice with out friends in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Here is a pictorial of yesterday. After I woke up at ten o’clock in the morning, which is eleven o’clock on the East Coast. UNHEARD OF. And? It’s quite possible I didn’t take a shower until three in the afternoon.Most of the day was spent cooking.

Before you look at these pictures I must tell you something about IH824 … besides the fact I cry when she writes mush about me. She always apologizing for her food. Plus she thinks I’m some great cook. But let me tell you … she is WAY BETTER than me.

Look at this food. Look at the rolls. She made the rolls WITHOUT A RECIPE. The crab cakes? I could have managed without directions. The coconut shrimp? Probably the same. The Gumbo?? Maybe.

BUT BREAD?? Never, ever. She didn’t EVEN USE MASEAURING SPOONS OR CUPS.

Of course, to cook like this … on a hurricane weekend, you must have hurricanes.

When I was down here three years ago - and they rescued me from Katrina we had Gumbo too. This Gumbo had shredded chicken, homemade chicken stock, okra, fresh caught gulf shrimp, the famous menage a troi of celery, onion and bell pepper, and crushed tomatoes.

Plus the time consuming and lovingly labored over dark rue. (very, very, lovingly stirred to coffee colored perfection for 25 minutes by IH824 while I did the mise en place).

For appetizers we had crab cakes

and Bar-B-Que Shrimp (also known as Shrimp Picayune).

Then we found out we’d have company joining us … so we added coconut fried shrimp to the round up.

We thought we had enough Orange Marmalade for the dipping sauce .. but we were wrong. So we added some hot pepper jelly. And coconut milk. And red pepper flakes.

There was none left over at the end of the night.

I had one bit of “city food” in last nights meal. One thing that wasn’t fried. (Okay … in all fairness - the gumbo wasn’t fried.) The famous Buttermilk/Molasses ice cream made another appearance.

Although Mr. Fish kept telling me it was too “light and airy” … everyone cleaned their bowls … and SOMEONE asked for seconds.

Tonight will be a “city dinner”. We’ll see how it goes. I might post … We’re leaving here and heading to the house after dinner.

Early in the morning we’ll head toward Little Rock where I’ll board a plane for home. It has indeed been a welcome rest-stop here at the Duck Haven. Once again I am reminded how lucky I am to have such generous friends.

Southern Style, Southern Smile, Southern Fried ... apple of my eye.

ps: These our the evacuee's we're hosting. They better be gone before duck season begins. Or they may not like the consequences of eating the hosts field corn.

pps: They caught the thieves Friday night ... which is why I've been sleeping so well.

Catfish and Catchup Connoisseurs

About eleven o'clock we escape the maw of the single wide ... and headed toward Greenwood. If Buddy Love had shoved his black nose into my face earlier than eight this morning - there's a chance we might have made it out ... fifteen minutes earlier.

Our plan in Greenwood was to visit the Alluvian Hotel ... and their restaurant Giardina's. However side trips to Paul Michael's and Fratesi's Grocery and Service Staion, delayed our arrival until after they stopped serving lunch. So we ignored our stomaches and browsed in Turnrow Books. We spent a little too much time in the Mississippi Gift Company, where I broke down and bought the book, "A Cook's Tour of Mississippi" with an introduction by Willie Morris.

While we were in Greenwood, Mr. Fish called to tell us he'd caught a fifteen pound Appaloossa Flathead Catfish. The "Bulga Caviar" of catfish. Our dinner plans immediately changed ... and we decided it would be a fried catfish and hush puppie dinner.

On our home we stopped at the Indianola Pecan House and purchased something for my "Taste of Home" partner Warm Olives and Cool Cocktails. The last stop of the day was my favorite ... at Chillie's Package Store in Greenville, MS. This is one of my favorite wine stores in the US. The anassuming fascade hides a man with a passion for wine and a great memory. There is someone in the Napa Valley who produces some amazing wines. He and I share the same last name. Within moments of walking in the door, Chillie remembered me and was doing his best to sell me some "bargain" $150 bottles of wine. Why just last week he got in two cases of $600 bottles. Was I interested? I always have to remind him I'm not "that side" of the family!

It has been IH8T24's ambition to teach me how to fry. Tonight she succeed ... catfish and hush puppies fell from my spoon into the hot oil. As if this were not enough of a shock, when we sat down to enjoy our feast I also received a lesson on Catsup. Apparently Heinz is the only catsup is worthy of patronage by this family. Me? I'm happy to let them make any declaration they want, as I don't like Heinz, Hunts, or Del Monty. Actually, I don't like castup at all - so I guess their plan to turn me into an "honorrary Southerner" might fail.

Scotch and Catfish ... this is the way you fry, right?

And this is what it should look like, right?

Here's how you flip 'em ... so they come out golden brown, full of corn goodness - and calorie fortified.