Sherbet Margaritas

     Ice cream is Pop's passion, not mine. However on a hot summer day it is easy to acquiesce to some of the frozen stuff, especially when it is mixed with tequila and triple sec. Actually we used lime sherbet, not ice cream, for this variation of margarita, and enjoyed cool refreshment on the shady porch while listening to the Cardinals play ball. And that's a winner, folks!

Connie's Quilts

     This photograph does not illustrate a story but rather a passion. Neighbor, Connie, is an inveterate quilter - her days and evenings are consumed with cutting, piecing and needlework. I always enjoy the warm sunny days that she chooses to wash and hang her creations to dry on the outside clothesline. The colorful fruits of her labor flap in the breeze like so many flags and the jewel tones resemble myriad stained glass windows. Connie has truly perfected the art form of quilting.

1922 Salutatorian

    In 1922, President Warren Harding introduced radio to the White House, the United States was in the  midst of  prohibition, and a Ford Model T was within the reach of most families (although a starter was a $75 option on Ford's open cars.) That same year, twelve young ladies comprised the  graduating class of Mount Mercy Academy in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They were accomplished, well-educated and musically inclined. However women's liberties were rapidly increasing and they must have been quick to adapt to shorter skirts, shorter hair, cigarettes, cosmetics and bathtub gin parties

     My grandmother, Phyllis (top row, second from left and salutatorian of her class) adored singing and became a member of a barbershop quartet. She married, had a child and soon thereafter divorced her husband, (divorces increased in the 1920's as women asserted their independence). Phyllis never remarried and worked full time in retail clothing for the rest of her life. She has been gone eighteen years but I like to think of her as the carefree teenager pictured here.

postcard of Mount Mercy Academy

Pop's Salad Garden

   

     

      The errant slug mentioned in a previous post was missing out on a great meal. Usually we find several among spring's tender lettuce leaves. This year Pop took charge of the salad greens (retirement can be inspiring), planting most of them in four large pots, three of which are seen here. Simpson Leaf, Red Sails Leaf and Cos Romaine were direct seeded and one pot was set with Romaine starter plants from a local nursery. All have flourished and we harvest almost daily for salads, sandwiches and dinner plate garnishment. Pop is proud of his produce and feels quite the farmer man these days.

Tim and Rissy - Chefs of the Day

     I acquired Tim as a nephew by marriage when he wed my beloved niece, Amy. With his good humor and loving nature, the dear fellow has become a highly regarded family member. He is also an accomplished chef, therefore when he honored me with a recipe request, I was quick to reply. And since I had chicken breasts thawing for dinner with no fixed preparation plan as of yet, I decided to use that very same recipe, which happens to be a favorite of Pop's anyway.

     Rissy was spending the afternoon with me and was eager to help - she actually dipped the breasts into milk and then the Ritz crumbs/cheddar cheese mixture, arranged them in an oiled baking pan and slid them into the oven. She chose broccoli for a side and then mixed up a batch of cornbread to bake alongside the chicken. At serving time, Rissy photographed her Crispy Cheddar Chicken as it still sizzled in the pan. When we removed the breasts and the broccoli to the dinner plates, she clicked another picture and handed the camera back to me. I snapped one more photo as she sampled a cheesy crumb from Pop's plate. Thank you, Tim and Rissy - yum!

Peeping Slug

     Thankfully, we have been spared from the multiple tornadoes that have plagued the Midwest this spring - some have hit very close to home. But rain has been a constant companion for several weeks. How wet has it been? Well, when I poured my first coffee this morning, a slug on the outside of my kitchen window seemed pretty content. The slimy little fellows are common enough in the yard and gardens because of all the shade from three large trees, but I have never seen one traveling on a window before today. He WAS in a hurry however, and didn't tarry for breakfast, thank goodness!

The First Pea Pod

     Another photographic still life - this time a solitary pea pod. My garden has never included pea plants so this first pod was thrilling to find and open. The contents of five little spheres fascinated me - they were of good size and upon tasting, were quite tender and sweet. However my fascination lay more with the perfect presentation of nature's yield; I was compelled to photograph the intriguing simplicity of my small harvest.

Market Treasures

     An early summer visit to the farmer's market is eagerly anticipated, although the availability of produce is somewhat limited. Pop has an affinity for brown eggs and is on a first name basis with the vendor who supplies them. He was also pleasantly surprised to find tomatoes, which are a necessary ingredient in his lunchtime sandwiches. I spied a display of bunched radishes which were interesting because some were red and some were white. Never having tried a white radish, I just had to add one of those bunches to our bag of treasures. (I was leery of such large radishes - in my experience they become woody and bitter, but these were neither and we enjoyed them as an appetizer that night.) In all, our purchases made a very appealing still life photograph.

Father's Day Thoughts

     Dad had immense potential. He was very intelligent, articulate, artistic, charming and attractive - so many adjectives for a man whose efficacy was never fully realized. Thwarted dreams and life's demands destroyed him as much as the disease of alcholism. My siblings and I have been able in recent years to overlook the bad years and remember the good years fondly. Dad died too young to witness the evolution of his progeny; sadly, only the oldest grandchildren remember him.

     Now I am reminded of Dad often because I recently framed his military casket flag and placed it on a shelf above the window in my computer room. Therefore it is extremely visible and presents a somewhat sad but noble presence in the room. He is always with me but never more than when I spend time in this room.

Peachy Pie

     Peach season begins as strawberry season ends. The abundance and taste of these lucious fruits warrants the wait for each. Oh, you can purchase out of season fresh fruit in the markets, or get it frozen or canned at any time of the year but the taste and texture isn't quite the same. My personal theory is that waiting makes it taste that much better - you must savor it for the short while it is available (kinda like the seasons themselves - by the end of each you're ready to appreciate the next!)

     At Pop's request, we've made one of his favorites, a tempting little pie with a simple peach filling and an untidy lattice crust. A funny aside to this peach pie, however, is the making of the crust. Rissy helps me often in the kitchen on the weekends, so I handed her the bowl of pie crust ingredients to mix and roll out at the table, while I peeled and sliced the peaches. Pretty soon I heard an exasperated cry for help, "Something's just not right with this dough!" she exclaimed. When I approached the table, I couldn't help but laugh - she was trying to knead the dough! Good sport that she is, giggles ensued and we'll never forget this particular pie.