Cookin' with Crisco

My mom would always say that when we were doing something fun or cooking up something good. I'm sad that Jim left this morning, early. We said our goodbyes last night as he's like mom, an early riser, and said he would just get up and go. We were up by 6:30 and he had already hit the road. A long ten-hour drive ahead of him. Miss him terribly already. I have truly been blessed with my family and loved ones that I'm able to enjoy at least a couple of times a year. But, with that said . . .

In honor of Chef Jim, I made the last two yeast waffles for breakfast for myself and the teenager. Yep, cookin' with Crisco indeed! The batter was still "working" and with a little stir and ladled to the waffle iron, they held up quite well with yesterday's. We enjoyed them a little less without my brother being here to ooh an ah after.

Last night, we decided to finally do something with those famous Chilton County peaches that were at perfect ripeness, at last.

We decided on a peach crumble.


I worked on peeling and slicing the peaches while he did the crumble. The crumble was a tad involved, but having two folks in the kitchen makes it so much fun.

Oh my.

And more oh my after it came out of the oven bubbling.

And what's a crumble without a little vanilla ice cream (sorry, not home made this day)?

It was larapin, I say.

Jim even roasted my almonds while we waited for the crumble.

And Bella wants to see what's on the table at any given moment.

A Day with Foodies

As promised, the brother and I had breakfast at Dotson's. I've driven by the place a thousand times since moving to Nashville but in truth was always a little afraid to go in there. But, after Jim found it written up with rave reviews in one of his books, we decided to give it a whirl.

It was one of the best Southern breakfasts I've ever had, family meals included. Oh my. Remember Marty Stewart's photos a couple of posts back? Well, it looks as though this is a regular hang out for the big wigs too.

The brother's Plowboy's Breakfast. Oooooof!

My biscuits and gravy. Yum. The biscuits are out of this world. Momma's little baby loves shortnin' shortnin', momma's little baby loves shortnin' bread.

Jim's grits full of butter. The brother wanted to test a slice of one of their pies but they were just coming out of the oven and they were putting the merange on. We would have had to wait too long. Plus, we were both full as ticks.

(This morning, Jim woke up to make us yeast pancakes with bacon and sausage. The hub had already left for a trip, so it was only the kid, brother and I. I'll have to list the recipe later. It was sooooooooo good. No pictures I'm afraid. Don't think I was functioning at 6:30 a.m.!)

After the big feast, we rolled on over to the Factory down the road and looked in on the antique shop. There were a couple of polo things (another one of my brother's passions) but there wasn't' a whole lot that looked good enough to buy. Like I need anything anyway.

Last night, we went out to dinner at the Wild Orchid. It's a new place in Franklin that we saw driving by on one of my expeditions there. Kind of an Asian fusion funky place.

Both Jim and I started with the corn chowder with lump crab.

Jim then ordered the appetizer of Kobe beef. Fun! I've never had it before. It was very good.

We've been eating like there's no tomorrow. I was going to cook a nice dinner tonight, but with the hub gone, I thought why? We'll make it another night out, I suppose. Jim leaves tomorrow so we're trying to get the best of the best in while he's here.

I think today we have record shops on the agenda. He is an avid music lover and is always looking for new sounds. Nashville is a good place to look!

GUNO!

The kid set up a house of Uno cards before we sat down to play Friday night. After a couple of games (my brother yelled out GUNO, coming in for the kill, and the name struck), we switched to SORRY. Another fun one. The hub won that one.

While the boys went out on the river, I churned (electric, of course) the custard Jim and I had made earlier in the day. I haven't had homemade ice cream in years! It sat and froze while we made our dinner of boiled royal reds in beer and spice, porterhouse steaks on the bbq, corn on the cob and little red potatoes. I had everything out to make a peach cobbler and found the {Chilton County} peaches to not be ripe enough. Grrrrrr. So Jim and I ran to the farmers' market to get some better ones. I started peeling them and they were almost as bad! So, no peach cobbler at Riverside. They're now just about right for using. Geesh.

Oh well, not to worry, I had some nice chocolate conglomerate in the fridge that went well with the vanilla ice cream. I ate mine plain, thank you very much. I just wanted that home-made taste which was absolutely delicious. Just look at that vanilla bean in the ice cream. Yum!

We came home on Saturday, broke our record. Made it home in 5 hours 50 minutes, according to Jim's car. It was nice having a wing man to follow. I think it was the most relaxing ride yet back home. The hub was able to sit back and relax. (I'm the driver in the family.)

We've been hanging out with mom and Jim has been puttering around the house doing little odd jobs such as nailing in popped nails in our back decking and completely cleaning it off. I'm going to have to have him come down more often!

Today was the first day for the kid back at school. High school! I can't believe it. The hub and I spent all morning at various local government offices getting a new tag for his car. Yep. I left his down in Ollie, shut up tight in storage. Gee whiz. I sorry. I "borrowed" it to drive her down to Alabama so I could get a tag there for her then forgot to give it back to him. Considering it only took us an hour to go to the local police station to file a lost tag report (we first had to find the police station!) and then down the road to the county clerk's office to get the actual tag, not too bad. If it had been the end of the month, it would have been murder. We were fortunate.

The brother and I are heading out this morning to get a country breakfast at a local establishment I had yet to try, Dotson's. He read about it in one of his "roadside places to eat" books. He's now having his car serviced and will be home within minutes. So I thought I'd go ahead and get this in before he returns.

Hope everyone's well. I'm still alive!

Schweet Baby James

I've told you my brother spoils me, right? I awoke this morning to Jim detailing both his and my car. Look at that shine! Ooof!

We have been having a blast! We awake to Kona coffee, thanks to Vallen. How decadent, indeed.

Been eating lots of shrimp. These are some I boiled up in a couple of bottles of beer. Yum.

The boys took in some waves in the Gulf.

While Jim and I were on a search and seek mission to find an old surf board that he can put on top of his vintage Jeep Wagoneer. This morning, we started in Orange Beach eating beignets. It doesn't get much better than that. But, of course, it did. We just have way too much fun when we hang out. We went next door to the tackle shop where I asked the guy at the counter if he knew where we could get an old surf board. No idea, no help, not so nice. So we went on doing a little shopping in there and when we were ready to check out, a girl appeared. I asked her if she knew of any surfer dudes looking to sell an old board. She disappeared for a moment and came back with a card from a guy that gives lessons. Good start. Gave him a call and he told us he may just be able to find one. The bro and I went on our day doing various things--checking out the local surf shop (found an 8 foot board that would kinda work), mailed my packages that have been in my car since we left TN, got the rest of the items to store Ollie with, had lunch and so forth. We then received a call from our "source" and he indeed had found an old board for us to look us. He told us to meet him at the Warf, and so we high tailed it back to Orange (but not before stopping for a Big Bopper for Jim--an big ol' ice cream concoction). It was just like out of a movie. He saw us pull in, he pulled out and waved us to follow him into the garage. (It had actually started to rain, so it wasn't as covert as it sounds.). The guy found TWO boards! Both were nice, but the one my brother chose is absolutely perfect for the Wagoneer. Perfect vintage. Perfect colors. Just perfect.

Look at the proud new pappa! Top side.

Bottom side, showing off the fin! What a find! We were singing all the way home.

We eneded the night eating at Felix's in Mobile. Shrimp and grits, bbq shrimp, etc.

Oh yea. It was a very good day.

Sweet Home Alabama

I think I may have already used that title once. If so, my bad.

We made it fine. One of the shorter trips for some reason. Ya remember the last one was like the twilight zone, seemed we would never arrive. Funny how the exact same road trip can be so different each time. It just depends on the mental state, I suppose. I was rested up for this drive. Plus, I drove Ollie down and the hub followed. I swear, we got to 10 miles of Riverside and her ABS light came on. I could also feel a little vibration in the front end once we hit the side roads. Joy.

Sweet Bella was a dream. I figured her spot that keeps her happy during the trip. Right next to me in the passenger seat. She's just as happy as a lark there. I just love that cat.

We arrived to no snakes. Hurray for that. Someone had covered the holes to the bunker. While they're not finished, they are covered. Nothing slithering around. The house looked good, the river even better. Sigh. It's always such a release just pulling up to the old place. Of course, we're always greeted by a tree frog or two. That makes the drive worth every hour.

Big news! While I was dropping my Ollie off (hub bearing needs replacing--phew! Could be worse!), I got a message on my phone. It was my brother Jim. Guess what? He's on his way down to Riverside! He started out yesterday and went ten hours. He should be here some time this morning! I have sweet tea brewing and blueberry muffins in the oven. I can't wait to introduce him to 'bama.

Life is gud.

Hot Hot Hot

Phew, it's hot. We're heading to Riverside tomorrow and hope to find a little cooler air. Wishful thinking. Maybe there will at least be a breeze. Doesn't this look like a cool place, above? Love the water swing. Only problem, how would you get to it? By boat only, I suppose.

The gent who watches the place for us (and enjoys it while we're away) phoned today to say that the idiot is actually there working. What do you know. Miracles do happen. All I hope is that it is finished before we get down there tomorrow night so I don't have to look at the goofy guy. Not only do we have snakes of the serpent variety, we also have the human type slithering around. At least the hub will be with us this time, so he can deal with the guy. Yuk.

The hub did indeed make it home fine Thursday evening. He caught a cold in China so I have been keeping my distance. I can normally look at him and catch whatever nasty thing he brings back. The Carrier, I call him. He doesn't even have to be sick. Of course, it hits me ten times worse not having the built-up immune system he sports. He's feeling much better today after a few good nights of sleep in his own bed. I've kept a pillow up between us to guard myself against the unbeknownst cough in the middle of the night. Shield's up captain!

I look so forward to spending some time with the hub down at Riverside. We have decided to do a lot of barbecuing and cooking this trip. I know he's burned out on restaurants after being on the road for so long. And, I think we're up to date on exploring the area. I think we both just want to sit and chill and watch the river flow.

Now, I'm sure the kid will have a more industrious agenda.

Sigh.

Fluttering About

Heck with washer and dryer combos, God should have given us women wings! A zillion hours? I think not.

The hub is returning home tonight, yay! I don't even know how long the guy has been gone; but this has been one of his longest trips since we moved to Tennessee. It's a lot easier in the summer months but now that school is right around the corner, I'm happy for him to be coming home. I admire single parents. The kid has been in orientation for his new adventures in high school these past two days. Tomorrow is his "red letter" day where he gets his schedule, picks up books, gets his locker assigned and so on. So exciting--for me, anyway

We head to Riverside on Sunday, giving the hub a long week's break after his travels throughout all of Asia. He's going to really need it. It will be our last summer time hurrah. I'm hoping my girlfriends will be able to come back down in the fall like we did last year. It's so much nicer there when the weather is cooler. What do snakes do when it gets cooler? Hopefully, they go away. I have the heebie jeebies now. In fact, I have never seen one. Thank goodness for that.

When we get back, the kid starts high school and the teenager heads off to college. I can hardly believe it. Seems like just yesterday he was heading to his first little preschool. Sniffle. Of course, he hasn't even begun to pack anything. I'm not doing it for him, I tell you. It will be a rude awakening once he gets there and doesn't have what he needs. And you know, I'll be there, packing things up in boxes and mailing it to him after he calls griping about it, of course. But, until he asks, the boy/man is on his own. Kids. Geesh.

The kid and I are on our way to the dollar store to pick up some little squirt guns and stuff for my nieces who are at camp for the next month. Getting a care package together for them. I never did camp growing up. We couldn't afford it and plus we made our own camp in the car driving to Georgia and Texas each summer. It was always the rich kids that went and would come back singing the camps songs and such. I kind of envied them a little. But we weren't that kind of family. Now that I look at it from a different perspective, I kind of feel sorry for the kids being shipped off. I sent the boys to a day camp when we first moved to Tennessee for a couple of weeks. They liked it ok but only did it the one session. I thought it would be good for them to get used to the area. After the kid came home crying one day after a tornado touched down at CAMP, I never sent them back. I'm not a clingy mom, but I adore having them with me during the summers.

Ok, off to clean the house (swiffer the floor and make the bed) then we're on our way to the dollar store. Then, before I know it, the hub will be arriving home. Will I even recognize the guy? hehe.

Snakes

You just never know what you're going to find here on my blog. One day it's Rolls Royces and cottages outside London and the next day it's snakes.

Well, I'm sorry, but it's been snakes, snakes, snakes around here. Last night, for some unknown reason, I stayed up watching that stupid movie Snakes on a Plane. I don't know why. But I watched the entire thing; well, from the middle on, anyway. Thought I would have nightmares, but I was ok.

Just now, I got a phone call from one of the guys who watches our place in Alabama. The idiot workman (are they all idiots? I'm beginning to think so) who started the job and has yet to show up for two months chopped out two holes in the bunker (storage room under the house). The town suggested we do it for flood waters so it can run through and then retreat. So, like I said, the idiot breaks two holes through the cinder block. Leaves them wide open. The phone call from the nice guy asks tonight "Are you going to fill in those holes or what?" He goes on to tell me that while he was there today, one snake was coming out and one (a water moccasin, he thought) was going in. Loverly. Just what I want to hear. Close ears tight-- lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala. Ewww. Heeby jeebies. I go in that bunker several times a day when we're there! EW! Since the idiot doesn't seem to be coming back, this nice guy is going to close the holes up with screening or something. Hopefully, he won't lock any in! OMG! Ssssssssssssss.

Ok, that's my snake story. And no, I couldn't bare putting a picture of a real snake up there. Gross. But I really am feeling especially creepy crawly tonight.

PS I am kinda liking the updating feed on my blog list. I don't like the look, but it is quite convenient, I must say. Still haven't decided yet which format I will go with. Thanks for the input.

Layout Input

I've been playing around with my blog tonight. I've added a new feature in Blogger that allows you to list your favorite blogs with the feed thingy next to it and it updates the name when a new post is made.

It looks a tad messy to me, I think I prefer the look I had (I left the old list up too so you can see). Does anyone even use this on my sidebar except me? The update is kinda nice, but is it worth it when it changes the look of your (my) blog?

Should I update and move on in blogging technology or keep the nice clean look I had before and stay behind the times?

Input please? {Lurkers especially welcomed to pipe in.}

If I Had a Rolls

. . . I would have the interior custom designed by Jane Churchill.

And then I would have her design my living room,

to complement it.

That is, if I lived in London.

Nevermind. I think I'd prefer this little cottage over the Rolls any day.
(Just look at those pineapple porch lights!)

Dream on girlfriend. As always, one thing leads to another in my day. I was looking at fabrics, some of which were Jane Churchill's, I decided to take a peek at her British site. That is where I came upon these pretties. Whatchya think? Go for it? The Rolls or the cottage? I say the cottage, for sure. Probably cheaper. ha.