Boiled Peanuts and other Yankee Treats

So I, again, crossed the unusually low and slow Catawba River in the time of drought where the Catawba Tribe would cross at Nations Ford 200 - 300 years prior. I glanced down and up river then gunned the engine across the Carolinas dividing line, entering Charlotte with windows down, hair wild in the breeze.

Not just a trip to see the Pops, but a trip full of doctor appointments at Levine where they work diligently to keep me alive despite my lack of fortitude and my brokenheart.

Not boiled peanuts, but maybe I could interest the Yankees in this giant NY pizza.... 

But what's on my mind as I continue north and pass the giant baseball, what's on my mind is boiled peanuts, the caviar of the Carolinas.

I would soon be having brunch with my cousin down from new york. And I imagine he has never had boiled peanuts before. That got me to thinking about my other cousin who came down from New York and tried boiled peanuts upon my request demand. I think one member of the family enjoyed the peanuts and the rest did not. 

And then there was that time I took boiled peanuts to New York - I took green peanuts to New York and I boiled them in the crock pot. I took them to my surprise 50th birthday party dinner for everyone to try and again we had mixed reactions. It's just not a huge hit with the Yankees.

In this frame of mind, I pulled over at Sweet Lew's and got a bucket of boiled peanuts to carry with me. Sweet Lew's BBQ is reported to have the best boiled peanuts in Charlotte.

I was disappointed. 

The peanuts were tough, not cooked long enough, not salty enough. And while I was there, I ordered some ribs, but they "wouldn't be ready" for another hour.  All in all, a disappointing stop at Sweet Lew's. (I got some hash and rice, but it was nothing great.)

I then pulled over at the downtown farmer's market, but alas, they had no boiled peanuts, only raw ones.

When I later met my Yankee cousin, my hands were empty. I had nothing to offer. It was quite a welcome to the Queen City. 

IF he returns, what should I offer?

A Truck Called Millie Van Winkle

When I was 9, 10 or maybe 11, I would stand proud on the back of a truck called Millie Van Winkle.

Standing, four cousins abreast, tiny hands, white knuckled, gripping the headache rack of that old 1960 or 61 Ford F-350 Flatbed with my uncle at the wheel, my dad beside him. We'd go careening through the neighborhood, peering over the cab, wind in our hair, bugs in our teeth screaming "Faster! Faster!!" 

Dad bought the truck from his boss Dick Snelling (Richard A. Snelling) after Dick purchased Miller & Van Winkle. It was an old Miller & Van Winkle truck Dick was offloading, a distressed asset. Dad gifted it to his brothers, a couple of builders, Uncle Moose and Uncle Bill, whereupon they christened it "Millie Van Winkle."

Dick Snelling took struggling businesses and returned them to profitability, becoming a millionaire in the process. He eventually became governor of Vermont.

When dad worked for him, Dick had a little single engine plane that he would fly up to Burlington Vermont, back and forth, landing on a grass strip in Greene, NY. After a little engine trouble flying over the Great Lakes, Dick replaced it with a nice little twin-engine. 

I believe Millie Van Winkle is the same truck I, years later, threw square hay bales up on in the hayfield we cousins terrorized with our motorcycles. 

Starting out on a Honda 50, I grew into a Suzuki 75, then a Honda Rebel 450 street bike in the early 90's.

My motorcycle days are over, Millie Van Winkle has long since been retired, standing on the back of a moving truck has been outlawed, but dad and I? We still enjoy rotating in an old truck.

Otter Falls, NC

Otter Falls

825 Skyland Dr. Seven Devils, NC

I left my family twenty feet below me in the bottom of a gorge, "rock climbing" (a child's version) at the foot of Otter Falls, perilously climbing from boulder to boulder, the youngest swaying in the crest of a backpack, riding his daddy's back.

It was raining one of those quick mountain downpours that drench you to the bone and abruptly leave while you wipe the drips out of your eyes, wring your hair out and furiously wipe off your phone.

I was focused on the climb out. Watching the kids frolic so close to the edge of death wasn't my thing. I mean, I'm glad they do it, they have to grow up tough and experience nature, but I don't have to watch. 

The hike down is less than a mile, not bad. Great path. The hike back out is steep. One water per person is enough in the spring, maybe two in the heat of Summer. Take a backpack picnic and enjoy the stay. Take a fishing pole if you're so inclined. Take water shoes, wear hiking boots.

Parking is minimum in the parking lot. There is some parking along the road. They say go in the morning to avoid the rush. I say go in the late afternoon to avoid the rush. Go in the rain, even better.

Great family hike.  Within miles of Grandfather Mountain. Grandfather Mountain Travel Ideas

Tulip Farm Near Charlotte NC

The Pops and I went rotating again and ended up in a tulip field in the Carolina Slate Belt of the Piedmont Plateau of North Carolina, just a 40 minute drive northwest of Charlotte.

Patterson Farm Market & Tours

10390 Caldwell Rd.

Mount Ulla, NC

Facebook

VisitPattersonFarm.com

It was a cool late-March morning dangerously close to tulip season's end, after the great rains and tornado threats went through when we finally got the chance to get out rotating.

We drove North out of the city of 950,000, crossed Rocky River, took a slight left at Concord, crossed Irish Buffalo Creek just below it's headwaters and inched our way over Kerr Creek, slowing down to take the left into Patterson's. 

Patterson's has a market we browsed with a clerk we knew 30 years ago. We reminisced a bit then drove my 86 year old father closer to the Tulip gardens. 

I paid the $5 entry while the Pops got settled on a bench in the sun. I looped a wicker basket over my arm, twirled the cutters in my fingers and tip-toed through the tulips. You knew I'd have to say that sometime.

As an Anthophile, the tulip is my favorite flower. I know, right? Anthophile! Google it.

My fave would be the Estella Rijnveld tulip because 1. Anna Pavord, in her raging best-seller The Tulip, says it "looks like raspberry ripple ice-cream" which I love, and 2. Online it is described as having a "whirling dervish intensity," which is SO me.  (My X bio includes "artist, vagabond, whirling dervish...")

I consulted the Hortus Bulborium to find that while tulips date back to the 16th century, they Had a magnificent comeback in the Dutch Tulipomania of the 1630s. Tulipomania! I know, right? I'm in Heaven.

One last significant thought. In 1920, brown tulips were in fashion. The Dom Pedro grew in fame due to its coloring. I'd like me a Dom Pedro tulip on account of it reminds me of the steak burrito at Don Pedro's. 

The tulips I planted six years ago bloomed a few years and quit, to my great dismay. But I just learned that I should dig up the bulbs in Summer and store them in a dark cool place, replanting them in late Fall. AND because it's so hot here, I should put the bulbs in the fridge 8 weeks before replanting. They love that! So when you come over for a Fall picnic, be careful what you eat out of my fridge. I'm just sayin'.

Back to today and my fresh cut tulips from Patterson's. I found out that they will last a lot longer if I do one of the following:  toss a little vodka in the vase, put ice cubes in the vase, OR put a copper (pre 1982) penny in the vase.  And this is just my thought here, if you put a penny in the vase, make a wish as you toss it in.

Classic Arcade and Pinball Museum

So I drove to Charlotte North Carolina because Papa wanted a pumpkin pie. Upon delivery, we decided to find some fun and get into some mischief.

We crossed the mighty Catawba a few miles upstream from where I usually do and crossed the South Fork Catawba with a nod to McAdenville Lake, took a hard left at Lowell and crossed Duharts Creek. I pointed the nose of dad's Carolina blue Camry toward Cramerton and let my lead foot have at it.

Arriving at our destination, we entered the Classic Arcade & Pinball Museum, squinting  eyes adjusting to the darkness and blinking lights of the pinball machines.

"You're going down, old man." I spoke prophetically under my breath.

$15 later, we had our free play all day wrist bands on, talking smack and making a bee-line for the 1976 pinball machine.

Dad had a bad start. "Now I know why we got ride of our pinball machine." He muttered.

That was always a mystery to me. We had a pinball machine in our dining room in the 70s and I never knew when or how we got rid of it. It just suddenly wasn't there anymore. We moved to Charlotte and my attention turned to Pac Man at the local Putt Putt. OK... maybe Johnny, Danny and Cory were the real draw at Putt Putt if I'm being honest.

Two long aisles containing 80 games kept us busy. For pinball we played Dr. No, Maverick, Honey, and Spirit of 1976. At some point, dad was given a stool to use and carry around. One hand had the stool; the other, his cane. He's a beast.

We also raced cars, shot guns, played basketball and a bowling game. We had two very good Nathan's hot dogs throughout our visit.

I was the over-all winner. Y'know, if we were competitive like that.

Closed M, T. Opens at noon. 

3210 Union Rd., Gastonia, NC

(Half hour drive out of Charlotte)

Charlotte family fun.

Things to do in Charlotte.

Best Homemade Cheesebread and Cinnamon Rolls

So I crossed the churning Catawba again after a month of rain to spend some time with the Pops. My sister and brother-in-law were out of town again leaving dad unattended and I thought it was a good time to step in and get into some mischief, as we are prone to do.

After popping in to various classes in the Healing Arts program at Levine Cancer Institute which is a fantastic program, I focused all my attention on dad. A trip to Sam's, Dutch Blitz at my brother's, cleaning dad's house, that sort of thing.

Suddenly, we had the brilliant idea to bake some bread. It was chilly out and the smell of bread rising and baking would be out of this world.

We stuck some cheese in the bread before baking and made cheese bread. Then I had some leftover dough so we made some cinnamon rolls. It all turned out SO good! And just in time for my brother to stop by for lunch.

And you probably guessed it by now..... a surprise visit from Cousin David.

This recipe makes enough dough for both projects.

1/2 c milk

3 Tbsp. butter

3 Tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. salt

2 pkgs yeast

1 1/2 c warm water

5 1/2 c bread flour

Scald milk and butter, then cool in fridge for a few minutes. Add sugar and salt.

In a large bowl, put yeast and warm water, mix well. Then stir in your milk mixture. Add flour. Knead well and let rise until nearly double in size, maybe an hour.

Divide dough in half.

With one half, make the cheesebread:

Roll dough out into a rectangle. Place in a casserole type pan with half the dough hanging over the edge outside the pan. Cover the half that's inside the pan liberally with shredded cheddar cheese (maybe 12 or 16 oz bar of cheddar cheese). Fold other half over cheesy half and seal the edges.

Let rise again for about an hour.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Let it cool a bit before cutting into it or the cheese will melt all over the place.

Cinnamon Rolls

Using the other half of your dough, roll out into a rectangle.  Spread a melted stick of butter over the dough.  Spread sugar and cinnamon to your preference over the butter.  I used a half container of cinnamon and maybe 1 c sugar.

Roll the dough into a log.  Cut into slices. Place slices on a baking sheet or casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 20 - 30 minutes. Check them and remove them when the tops start to brown.

Enjoy!  (Cousin David did)

NC Accessible Waterfalls

 If you just want waterfall info, skip a few paragraphs.

Tossing my backpack in the rear of the Jeep, I climbed up behind the steering wheel and drove off in a Northwest direction, Casey Kasem giving me the top 40 countdown from 1977. The sounds of Fleetwood Mac, Andy Gibb, Rod Stewart and KC and the Sunshine Band carried me through the SC countryside.

I crossed the Little Saluda and braked hard at Bojangles. With my biscuit firm in hand, I zig zagged along the Saluda River and took a hard right North bound over Mulberry Creek. I caught my first glimpse of the Blue Ridge Mountains just prior to crossing Little Crowe Creek.

I took a nail-biting left at a hairpin turn at the notorious Bad Creek. Pulled over to take in the scenic view with some leather-skinned bikers, nodded Chevy Chase fashion and rolled on in to Cashiers NC.

I narrowly escaped all the gift shops and art galleries and motored out the other side towards a condo rental on Lake Toxaway where I later discovered both a waterfall and sunrise were right off my balcony. Being an early riser, every day was a new delight.

Family members descended and unpacked along with me, marveling in the luxury of this high-end condo, we of the hillbilly heart.

First on our agenda was an afternoon of waterfalls. Well, after lunch slope-side at the bottom of a dry ski slope. We drove out of Cashiers on 64W and visited four roadside waterfalls, mostly accessible for the elderly.

Bridal Veil was first with a small parking area. We could walk under the falls and we enjoyed stretching our legs. Wheelchair accessible. 

Dry Falls was next. Large parking area with an outhouse. There was a beautiful view of the falls just a few steps down a ramp, wheelchair accessible. Beautiful view where I first discovered the flowers of the Mountain Magnolia tree. (Fraser Magnolia)

There were ramps and steps to go down to the falls. At 60, 70 and 80 years of age, we avoided that.

Next on the route was Quarry Falls. There was room on the edge of the road to pull over, but no real parking area. We had to climb up rocks, 4 or 5 steps, to get a gorgeous view. The 84-year-old with a cane could not handle the rocks, but the rest of us easily did. Not wheelchair accessible.

And the last falls of this journey was Cullasaja Falls. Again, no real parking area, just pull over roadside. Beautiful view again, but perilously near traffic. Not wheelchair accessible due to traffic. I mean, you can try...... 

We went on into Highlands, NC and did a little shopping.

The next day found us taking a waterfall boat tour on Lake Glenville, a thirty minute drive out of Cashiers. It is expensive, but worth every penny. This was the highlight of our trip. In the first week of May, it was very cold on the lake, but the captain had warned us, so we were prepared.

Captain Mark is an excellent tour guide. He told us about lake history, the bald eagles that nest here every year, and all about the nature of the Highlands Cashiers Plateau. We saw eaglets peeking out from a huge bald eagles nest.

Captain Mark motored us around four private waterfalls that can't be seen any other way. We ended the tour and went to lunch at Happ's Place for the excellent Sunday Buffet featuring the best prime rib ever.

With full bellies, we hit the road back to Cashiers to find Whitewater Falls. The gps was a little off, but thankfully there were signs pointing the way. There is a 1/2 mile paved uphill trail to another view of beautiful waterfalls. There were 153 steps beyond that to a second view for those so inclined. The 20 and 40 year old in our group took the steps and reported a great view. The 60 year olds just went up the walkway to the first view. The 70 and 80 year olds waited in the car. Theoretically, you could push a wheelchair up to the view, but it would be difficult and you'd risk them getting out of control and rolling back down hill. So I'd say NOT wheelchair accessible.

After Whitewater Falls, we went back to our luxury condo overlooking the falls and relaxed for the night. All in all, this is a great itinerary for those who don't want to hike much.

If you like hiking, check out Gorges State Park. There is a tiny hike to Upper Bear Wallow Falls, but I only went halfway because I was alone and I thought a bear might get me. So I backed out slowly. Of course nothing would compare to the bear we saw up close in Alaska.

If you want to extend your trip, visit Brevard, NC and Pisgah Forest. 

All of these waterfalls can be found on your gps maps. 

Enjoy!

Work Snacks, Changes and Links to So Many Memories

Being a stay-at-home mom, I never pursued a career as a vocation (“a person's employment or main occupation, especially regarded as particularly worthy and requiring great dedication.”) I ended up working a variety of temporary jobs when the kidswere in school and when we needed a little extra cash.

I loved the mixed experiences of different jobs, however, I am also a creature of routine. I would establish routines at each job, one of which regarded my snack. Looking back, I realize I established a snack at each job that I would consume daily at work and almost never consume any other time or place.  Each snack is now reminiscent of a particular place and time.

Currently, I’m in my Bazooka Joe years at Aiken Standard. That momentary sugary pink bliss that so quickly turns into jaw-exhausting, solid dense rock-like clump. And the comics and fortune in the wrapper!

I’m fond of my Jolly Rancher days at Samaritan’s Purse in Charlotte. It was a seasonal job for a few years and I would have a dish of jolly ranchers on my desk at all times for others to enjoy as well. But secretly I kept all the blue ones for myself. I remember the beautiful, uplifting music playing while we worked and this one co-worker who got all excited every. Single. Time. That Anne Wilson’s “My Jesus” came on. We would all get wound up on that song.

“… He makes a way where there ain't no way
Rises up from an empty grave
Ain't no sinner that He can't save
Let me tell you 'bout my Jesus

I worked for Jackie when she began her law firm, working just until she could find a permanent secretary (Connie) and that was my 3-Musketeers season. There was another lawyer who would visit and eat my Musketeers. So one time I saved my wrapper and filled it with a Pink Pearl eraser then resealed it with glue. Sadly, I wasn’t there the day he chose that Musketeer bar, but I get a lot of joy thinking about him opening it up in his car as he drove away. I'm weird like that.

McDonald’s was my earliest job and they invented the chicken nugget while I was working there. I had McNuggets almost every shift I worked. Also, of course, nibbling on a hot fudge sundae every time I worked the drive-thru.

When I worked for a month in Ireland, Cadbury caramel and Galaxy chocolate bars were my thing. And I toyed around with hot tea, but that was mostly for show.

Rollos were my candy of choice while working in Boone one cold Winter. I have such fond memories of driving up on the parkway for sunrise before work, then hitting it for sunset after work, Rollos tucked in the cup holder of my Jeep.

I could go on,  you know it, but enough about me….

What about the White House? Do they have snack routines that change between Presidents?  I turned to Google and to www.whitehousehistory.org/the-presidential-sweet-tooth to find out everything you need to know.

Probably the most popular is Ronald Reagan’s fascination with Jelly Beans. Many pictures of White House meetings feature a jar of jelly beans front and center. And it wasn’t just the White House. Back when he was a lowly Governor, the Herman Goelitz Candy Co sent his office a monthly shipment of jelly beans and they made him a customized jelly bean jar.  I didn’t get any customized jars for any of my snacks. I’m sad about that.

Most unusual was in 1984 when President Miguel de la Madrid of Mexico visited the White House. The executive pastry chef created cactuses out of kiwi sorbet filled with tequila-flavored mousse and decorated with pulled-sugar flowers and spines. You can’t really call that a routine though, I just threw that in here as a bonus.

The routines were as follows:  Clinton, gummies. FDR, rock candy. Carter, peanut brittle. Obama, salted caramels. (more on Obama here) (and even more here) Bush, fried pork rinds. Jefferson, ice cream. (Remember when you all screamed for ice cream?) George Washington, chocolate. (Remember when Marjorie passionately talked to herself about chocolate?)First recorded order was for 20 pounds of it in 1757. His largest was 50 pounds in 1799, three months prior to his death. Don’t you know as they recorded that information they wondered who on earth would be interested in this?

I don’t know what President Jackson’s favorite was, but one time a dairy farmer sent him a 1,400 pound brick of cheese. He let it age for two years and then invited the public to come eat it. Maybe cheese was his routine snack, but probably not after that one.

What’s your routine snack?

PS.  Read about my worst snack. Good times.

New University City Branch Charlotte Meck Library

University City Branch Library

5528 Waters Edge Village Drive, Charlotte

Opened February, 2025

So I crossed the swollen Catawba some 50 miles before it pours into the Wateree. We were four weeks into Puxatawny Phil's winter extension and I had one foot solid in my 6th decade of life.

I criss-crossed the interstates, exited on a six lane highway that used to belong to an old sod farmer and squealed to a stop in what used to be my mom's driveway.

Dad jumped in, pulled in his cane and buckled up.  "Where we going?"

"The libary."  (Leaving out the middle r.)

He perked up. "The new one?!"

"You know it." I hit the gas.

The University City Branch of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library just opened in a brand new location, 38,000 square feet with over 60,000 books, magazines and more.

We took my niece and nephew along to give the library a run for it's money to see how well it holds up.

It held up well.

In addition to common Library features, this one has laptops patrons can check out to use in the library.  They have a lot of events offered, including a yarn, hook and supplies exchange on March 16th at 2:00.  AARP is currently set up to help seniors do their taxes.

I love the little coves where you can sit and read in a semi-private area.  Also, I love the booths by the back window that overlooks the lake.

And get this, when you put a book in the drop box, it is automatically scanned, credited as a return on your account and sorted by genre. Like magic.

After I checked out my books, I found the kids in the non-fiction section and dad in a comfy chair reading a magazine. I swooned when the kids selected piles of books AND had their own library cards. Shucks, I'm so proud. 

Hold 'Er Tight, Dad

I'm in the passenger seat of a '93 silver Chevrolet pickup truck with the wind blowing my hair into my eyes and my dad beside me, hands firm on the wheel.

"She's strong," he says.

"WHAT?!" I scream over the wind and loud engine.

"I said, 'She's strong,' I have to hold her tight."

I'm taken back 46 years earlier in an even older pickup we called Sanford where our positions are reversed. I am at the wheel; dad, the passenger, windows down.

"Hold 'er tight," he tells me. "She'll want to pull to the right."

He is teaching me how to drive on a stick shift pickup. I am 14 years old and I have to stretch my legs full out to reach that clutch. 46 years later I still drive a stick, still stretch full out.

Since mom passed, the two of us remain, still side by side trying to survive, still loving an old vehicle, an old pickup.

Mom was so mad when he bought Sanford, mainly because of it's color -- chartreuse, but also because it was so old. The stick shift didn't bother her, she was tough, I get it from her. And she could drive anything, including my motorcycle which she crashed into her own Mustang without leaving my driveway, her mother swinging on my front patio, yelling at her. Otherwise, she drove good. I mean, normally.

Mom broke her wrist that day, requiring surgery and it never recovered well. She broke her other wrist years later, also at my house, when she missed the chair she meant to sit in. It missed her, actually, by rolling out of position. She didn't realize the chair was on wheels.

An 18-wheeler passes us on I-485 Outer and the extra gust of wind jerks the old truck. 

"Hold 'er tight!" I scream.

Dad's knuckles go white.

Dad with his first car, the Green Machine, a 1950 Plymouth, outside his campus dorm.

The interstate is clogged, bumper to bumper, but moving fast. Very dangerous and most cars around here have minor dents.

The 2.38% increase in population this past year has created problems for the department of transportation. 117 people move to Charlotte every day, making it one of the fastest growing cities in the US. The annoyance of which dad expresses every time we go out for a ride - or "rotating" as dad calls it. We pronounce it "rotatin'" with a nod to Uncle Moose.

When Uncle Moose and dad went out rotatin', I was not allowed to go along. I'm not positive what all they did, but once a year they would return with Uncle Moose driving a new Cadillac for Aunt Dawn. Then Moose and Dawn would have two cars in Charlotte to drive back home to upstate NY. Every year, Aunt Dawn got a new caddy and every 8 or 9 years she would get a new Doberman Pinscher. I was scared to death of those dogs. That was how my uncle expressed his love.

Dad and I pull into my brother Steve's driveway and kill the engine.

The quietness is shocking. I comb my hair with great difficulty, crank open the heavy steel door and fall out of the truck, giving my brother my usual greeting, "Oh, hi Steve."

Dad used to buy used cars in NC and we'd drive them up to NY to sell. New Yorkers loved the cars with no rust. I loved having a different car every few months. Dad would let me drive them around for a few weeks before selling them. I especially loved this one.

I don't know how many more years we have living side by side without mom, but Hold 'er tight, dad, Hold 'er tight.

Indulge Cookbook Review

So... I love Valerie Bertinelli's new cookbook called Indulge.  I made three of the recipes this weekend and had some friends over for an outdoor picnic under the fairy lights. Very much Indulge style.

Pretzel Buns.  

I strongly recommend. These are easy to make, but time consuming. Detail oriented. Caution:  eat them fresh from the oven. They are unbelievably good at that point.  When I served them 7 hours later? Not so tasty, kind of bland. And that is precisely when my guests ate them.  Then I froze them and ate one the next day. Ugh. Hard as a Rock.

I will definitely make these again, many more times, but I will serve them freshly baked

Homemade Cheeze It's.

I also definitely recommend these. They are so good. But again they are best when they are freshly baked.  However, not so bad the next day too.  

Blistered Green Beans.

Amazing!!  All of my guests wanted the recipe.  I will be sending it to them. However you, my friend, will have to buy the book. Or check it out at your local library. I checked it out at the library first to make sure I liked it and then I went and bought it.

I very much recommend this book and this is not a paid sponsorship. Indulge is a lifestyle and not just a cookbook. It is so good. 

Muah, darlings. Go ahead... indulge.

Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail

Did you know there is a Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail? No, I didn't think so.

So I found this sign on the greenway along the Catawba River in Marion, NC.  Very intriguing. I'm a sea snorkeler, but I've never thought snorkeling about local rivers. I'd like to try it. 

The snorkel trail goes from Murphy to Marion, NC. It's a series of curated snorkel sites in NC rivers with easy access points to do some snorkeling.

Follow the links to the NC Fisheries Snorkel Trail page for more info and a map.

FAQs

Sounds like a Bucket List item!

Kielbasa & Kraut

So I crossed the Saluda and the Broad, hung a hard left and crossed the Catawba 90 minutes later.  I was going to spend some time with the Pops.

While I was there, he cooked me something his mama cooked for him when he was a wee boy circa 1947, Polish Kielbasa with kraut and potatoes.  It was SO GOOD I must share the recipe.

1 cup chicken broth

1 large jar of sauerkraut 

1 Polish Kielbasa

4 potatoes, cut into 3" pieces

Garlic and onion powder to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

Toss all of this into a crockpot. Cook on high for 6 hours.

Serves: 4

Enjoy!!

Indulge Cookbook (Valerie Bertinelli) Book Review

 So I know what I want for my birthday....

I checked this one out of the library. I'm only on page 72 and I know I want this book.  I don't even cook anymore! But THIS will get me going. This is just the ticket. I picture myself blissfully in my apron, cooking with a grandchild by my side, a cute little apprentice.

My favorite recipes so far:

• Eggs in Purgatory with Kale
• Classic Eggs Benedict 
• Cuban Sandwich with Slow-Cooked Pulled Pork
• Spinach and Ricotta Grilled Cheese
• Thyme and Gruyere Savory Cookies

Imagine!  ME.... Shopping for Gruyere! I'll have to dress nicer for that grocery trip. Maybe wear my strappy black sandals.

This recipe book is full of foods I love, mixed in interesting ways. It'll push me just enough to be fun and challenging. And I'm really looking forward to some new recipes to share with friends and family gathered around my picnic table while the kids swing in the hammock and birds chirp in the trees.  

And THAT, my friend, is how to Indulge.

Lake Lure Flowering Bridge & Campbell's Covered Bridge

Editor's Note: The flowering bridge was destroyed by Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024. Check to see if they've rebuilt before you go.

The short story:  Lake Lure Flowering Bridge, 3070 Memorial Drive, Lake Lure, North Carolina. Great place to stop for an hour. We made this part of our day trip from Charlotte. We stopped for lunch and shopping at the Chimney Rock Village and also went over to the Campbell's Covered Bridge on the other side of Landrum, SC. This made a wonderful day trip for the mobile impaired. For those a little younger, go ahead and visit Chimney Rock.

I don't recommend Old Rock Cafe' unless you just getting a burger and fries or potato salad. All the other stuff we had was not good. It did have great outdoor seating over the river. Next time I will try Riverwalk bar and grill which also has great outdoor seating and looked much better.

Another two stops you might consider in this area is the Ellaberry Llama Farm and maybe getting some pictures of the giant bulls at Puncheon Camp Ranch. We didn't do either of these and I cannot review them.

Campbell's Covered Bridge is a must see for those who love the old bridges. It was updated in 2022 or 23. There are some picnic tables and a big hill you can climb with some benches around it. The walk down to the bridge is moderate but not exactly wheelchair friendly. It is paved, but it is steep. We had some 80-year-olds walk it with the use of a cane. The river is a great place for kids to stick their toes in the water.

The Long Story: So we jumped on 85 South heading out of Charlotte, quietly crossing the Irwin and Stewart Creeks and I finally crossed the Catawba again a little North of where I usually do. Thought about Nana and the many times I crossed the Catawba to see her.

We motored on and took a right on highway 74, waved to Eva out our left window at Gardner-Webb University and crossed the Broad River. We took a hard right on highway 9, sneaked over the Walnut Creek then we snaked around Lake Lure way up to the tippy top and crossed the Broad again.

When I firmly put the car in park, we were at the Lake Lure Flowering Bridge. The bridge was built in the early 1900s and then shut down when a new bridge was built next to it. Soon after that they revitalized the bridge and turned it into a garden.

We were there in early April and there wasn't a lot in bloom, but the gardens were adorable and beautiful. It was a lovely walk.

There is a Rainbow Bridge where you can memorialize your belated dog by hanging it's collar on the railing.

We then drove into Chimney Rock Village, driving perilously close to Bat Cave, NC, home of the North Carolina's Oldest Hillbilly.

We unfortunately ate at the Old Rock Cafe. We ordered the wraps (at the counter, no wait staff), but they were out of wraps. I got the pimento cheese sandwich which was spicy and just ok and I got the potato salad which was yummy. The burgers and fries were yummy. There's beautiful outdoor seating over the river with access to the Stony Riverwalk. Great place for kids to run around 

We shopped some of the cute gift shops and jumped back into the car to cross into SC, blow through Landrum, and zig zag into the Campbell's Covered Bridge parking lot. 

Mom and dad made it down the steep walkway and we enjoyed the shade and cool breeze inside the bridge as we walked through.

This was a great day trip from Charlotte. And you would even have time climb up to Chimney Rock if you so desire. I strongly recommend it as the view is outstanding.

A Cloudy Afternoon at the Library

I had an hour or two to spare on a cloudy weekday so I spent a little time at the libary (sic). Like a kid in a candy shop, I ran shelf to shelf grabbing whatever sparked my interest. I then found a table overlooking a very plush lawn, took off my jacket and began flipping through the books. I haven't done a book review in ages, so I decided to review my stack.

My stack: Painting Outdoor Scenes in Watercolor, Watercolor Life, 15-Minute Watercolor Masterpieces, Hot Springs Drive, Sargasso Sea, Above the Salt, Create Your Own Cozy, 5-Minute Sketching Architecture, Making Art From Maps and Junk Gypsy.

Making Art From Maps was supercool. I've always loved tearing up and marking old maps, using them in my junk journals or using them as a cover to a hand-made journal. This book has a lot of great ideas and includes some difficult projects. There were one or two projects I thought I might make someday.

I did not check this book out of the library because I would need to keep it for several years and that's a lot of overdue fees.

Create Your Own Cozy: 100 Practical Ways to Love Your Home and Life was also unique and very cool. It is interactive with several questionnaires to help you find your cozy.

Also there is a home maintenance list for each month of the year which I think would be very helpful so I wrote them down. Things like "Inspect electrical cords for wear and fraying" one month. Other months include "clean out your medicine cabinet," "Check your attic for ventilation issues and mold," "Clean your kitchen and bathroom exhaust fan filters," "Vacuum your dryer lint filter (who knew?!)," "Oil your garage door opener and chain," "Check that indoor and outdoor vents are not blocked," "Insulate outdoor spigots and bring in hoses," and many other things you may not think about. 

I did not check this book out, I left it in the re-shelf pile because I'm already quite cozy with my life.

Junk Gypsy: Designing a Life at the Crossroads of Wonder and Wander by Amie Sikes and Jolie Sikes. I know, right? This is so me. I bet you think I checked this one out. I did not. I love the book though, but it's another one I'd need to keep for a few years.

The book is full of examples to "spark your creative spirit" and DIY projects. It's a beautiful book, I enjoyed just looking at all the pages. 

"..the greatest parts of the road trip are the spontaneous, unplanned pit stops -- the greasy spoon, roadside diners, the endless historical markers, and the waiting-to-be-discovered side roads."

The book involves flea markets, restoring second-hand junk, a strong, curious desire to repurpose and sometimes resell. There's advice for what you need in your Junker's Toolbox, what to keep in your vehicle to aid and abet junking and a section with Pro Tips so you don't have to learn the hard way. At least for a few things. It has tons of DIY hints and projects. There's a Flea Market Field Guide. And there's even a couple recipes.

Watercolor Life: 40 Joy-Filled Lessons to Spark Your Creativity by Emma Block. I left it and you should, too. Actually, it would be good for beginners. It briefly explains color theory and techniques. Sure enough, there are 40 lessons for you to paint through.

15-Minute Watercolor Masterpieces: Creative Frame-Worthy Art in Just a Few Simple Steps by Anna Koliadych. This gives a little better watercolor instruction than the previous book. It's for beginners and intermediates. There is more discussion about techniques and several lessons you can follow.

I probably should have checked this one out, but I didn't. I wish I had. It seemed a little too simplistic though.

Painting Outdoor Scenes in Watercolor, by Richard K. Kaiser. Excellent book. Very, very in-depth with many techniques, tools and supplies. I might need to buy this one. But for now, I have it for four weeks. I might need donations towards my overdue fees, I'll let you know.

Above the Salt, a novel by Katherine Vaz. I normally do book reviews AFTER I read the book. Writing this before I read the book is just a summary, not a review. So here goes... The sleeve reads, "An irresistible and sweeping love story that follows two Portuguese refugees who flee religious violence and reignite their budding romance in civil-war America." Based on a true story. I think I'll like this because of the historical nature. I typically enjoy historical novels. I want to get a sense of what it was like to grow up in Portuguese poverty and religious persecution with a missionary father who was martyred. Errr.... sort of.

Hot Springs Drive, a novel by Lindsay Hunter. "Jackie wants to be many things, but a martyr has never been one of them." So there we are, again with the martyrs. I might need to be psychoanalyzed. She reinvents herself, so that sounds interesting. I often think of doing that, but I lack ambition. We'll see if I make it through the whole book, I'll let you know.

So that's it. Here's my take-home pile:

Happy Reading!