Ordinary Life

Chapter 1: BiLo  Sometimes her list would require six, but usually, scrawled in blue Bic ink beside 'bananas' was a (7) in parentheses; a week’s supply of potassium until the next shopping day rolled around. I try to remember now who did her shopping before it became our job. Likely an array of her extended network of family and friends, for though she didn't drive, Aunt Nellie June was well-known, and well-liked. She needn't go out, we came to her. And truly, it was our pleasure to help; to just be in her orbit.  So it was, back when we were not just kinfolk but also neighbors, I would take the list she had made after consulting the weekly circular, along with her envelope of carefully counted money, to the Bi-Lo on the corner, and do her weekly shopping.  Her list was quite specific, calculated for maximum savings and minimal waste. Seventy years in one primary location had worn a groove in her routine. Amongst a rotation of seasonal produce and various household prod...

In their homes, and more intimately, their kitchens, I was always warmly welcomed. Warm, probably because there was always something delicious being cooked. Even at a young age, I was offered a helping role, a listening ear and the priceless gift of examples to follow. There are days in those kitchens I wish I could visit again, recipes I wish I had watched more closely, and soft, fleshy old women I wish that I could still glean advice from. This series of short essays and stories is an overdue payment of homage on the investments they made in me, a bank note of gratitude for those who are still, thankfully, with me.

RyeBanana: "Are those REAL bananas?! They're made for Minions. :: hugging the baby bananas:: I just love these ban-na-knees!"

We were recently in Sarasota for a Hurricane Tour event. Sadly there are very few photos. It was a busy weekend with unpredictable weather. Clay caddied for Chandler (too busy choosing and drying off clubs to snap pics) while I bustled the remaining children around the surrounding area (too busy climbing in and out of the car with 3 kids to snap pics)  As we explored, we discovered something pretty cool: Sarasota has an Amish population. A fact that we hadn't learned when we were in the area for our 14th Anniversary .  True to Florida style, they're their own kind of Amish. They use electricity and often opt for a bike or scooter instead of horse and buggy. Or, so we read. We also spotted a size-able  Mennonite population nearby.   THEREFORE There are three of four Dutch inspired restaurants in the Sarasota area.  We chose Der Dutchman because it was still open when Saturday's round was over.  We intend to try the other places suggested by TripAdvisor on fu...

We like to try new things, especially new and interesting candies from different countries. Anytime we shop at Publix--because they have a good selection-- we choose one (sometimes 2 or 3) new treats from the "Ethnic" aisle to try.  And if we get within 5 miles of a World Market? Hide the wallet. While searching for a video to enhance a recent school lesson, we stumbled onto some totally non-related videos of a lady doing YouTube reviews of various things she had purchased at her local Asian market. I didn't know you could make a job of such fun, but judging by the many similar videos we've discovered since that first day, it turns out to be a "thing".  But the best discovery we made on that day were the Japanese candy kits she had chosen to review. The worst discovery we made is that in a town as small as ours, Asian grocery stores are hard to find. So, despite my oldest son's protests that we were supporting the axis of evil by using Amazon, we chose s...

The morning of Clay's " Business Meeting " (Ahem: Golf Tournament) we roamed & roved until time to meet back up. I had long wanted to try Maple Street Biscuit Company, so when we stumbled across their new Beaches location, it was all happy anticipation. We were not disappointed. The place has atmosphere... really nice atmosphere. Above the drink station hang Mason jar lights, wire baskets line the dining area and the long sturdy tables provide plenty of sitting room for large parties. Had the Atlantic Ocean not been lapping the shore just across the road, the warmth and earthy textures coupled with the friendliness of the staff could have convinced me that I was in a mountain breakfast house. Years of family road trips to North Carolina and Tennessee have left me quite fond of such places, though I'm inclined to believe most everyone has at least a  slight breakfast bias. {Do you?} One of the benefits of having such a "shoe-full" of children is that we a...

One entry on my "Worth The Drive" list: Dukes BBQ. Other entries include: Carolina, herself, BBQ, itself and Carolina BBQ, in general- but my list is quite long, so let's just talk about Duke's today. Here are a few snaps from our recent stop at the Walterboro location:  I love silhouettes...especially of mossy trees: It's mostly about the food:  On the way in, we had encouraged Rye to take a "piggy back ride" but she only cautiously pet the piggy. She must have given it consideration throughout lunch though, because as we were leaving she asked to ride the piggy. Happy to oblige.

Sesame Crunch Candy (I don't know if that is the official name) is one of my favorites.  In times past, I have had to locate a good health foods store in order to enjoy this treat. Every once in a while, I have been delighted to discover it in a specialty candy shop.  Then I stumbled on this recipe at Spoonful.com :  1 cup sesame seeds (about 6 ounces) 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar 3 tablespoons honey ----------------- Generously coat two large sheets of waxed paper with cooking spray. In a medium skillet, toast the sesame seeds over medium-low heat, stirring often, until they're fragrant and golden, 5 to 7 minutes. In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar and honey. Cook over low heat, stirring often, until the sugar is melted and the mixture is thick, about 5 minutes (because melted sugar can get quite hot, this is a step best left to parents). Add the sesame seeds to the sugar and stir well with a wooden spoon. Place one sheet of the waxed paper on a work ...

Some days we go on an adventure for lunch...  St. Mary Alligator Bench~ our oft visited friend:  Menus? No, we're only here for the sugar packets :o/  (An end was put to this as soon as all necessary photos had been obtained ;) 

The recipe seemed easy enough:  Mix a can of corn and a can of creamed corn Scoop into rounds and freeze Dip frozen rounds in batter Fry Enjoy corn nuggets at home instead of in our default restaurant. I thought it was SO simple, I could imporvise a little. I tossed in some red pepper flakes and shredded cheddar. I think the cheddar would be my recipe's undoing in the end.  Dipping nuggets in batter. A thicker batter may have made a difference:  Things started out well:  Promising looking nuggets:  A combination of thawing and cheese strands extending past the "batter barrier" led many nuggets to spread... our overall result was something like Scrambled Corn Nugget Fritters...  *BOUNUS* Let's talk about deep fried foods and your arteries... 

We have a picky princess in our house. Here are the things she will gladly eat: Potato Chips Peanut Butter Chocolate Spread Chocolate Chips Ketchup Strawberries Milk (I realize milk is not food, she insists otherwise)  ~*~ Here are the things she will sometimes eat: Raisins Yogurt (preferably with rainbow sprinkles)  Pizza Crust French Fries Bananas Dry Cereal (preferably with rainbow marshmallows)   ~Notice the sugar trend?  We are working on it, and until something catches on, we're getting creative ;)  Food fun we've recently had:  FryPop She only ate the ketchup. Ketchup Cat Meant to encourage fry consumption, she asked for a bigger cat.  MinnieMouse Cream I realize that the below picture is of ice cream, but it had been a milk only day, despite the Jell-o and bananas we offered from the buffet @ Ichiban. I was aiming at a few more calories by this point.  She watched the mouse melt as she finished off her milk. 

Of course there were the fried things I told you about earlier .  (way, way, way earlier at this point) Then there were these other, mostly pre-packaged fried things that we haven't yet discussed.  Jalapeno Poppers and Cheese Filled Pretzel bites.  Appetizing...no? (NO)  Some 'DIY' corn pup nuggets:  Before: Post Oven: And also, Chili Cheese Oven Fries: Not to mention some salsa & chips that accompanied us to the shore: Current Favorite Salsa: (CHIPS & DIP-the original moveable feast) And then there were the mini Cherry YumYum pies. The food with the story attached. (You knew there had to be one, right?) You see, I always think about MeeMaw Brewer around Independence Day. Cherry YumYum was one of her signature dishes and one of our last family gatherings with her was a July 4th. Now, while Aundree was indeed a beloved family member, by the time I joined the family she was  almost completely bats (no offense, MeeMaw... it's okay, we loved you st...