I've Been Tagged

Jenny tagged me, so here are the answers:

Two names I've gone by: Julie (after my father, Julian) and JulieAlice (the Alice is after my maternal grandmother and JulieAlice - all in one breath - is what many of my relatives still call me)

Two things I'm wearing right now: only one bears mentioning - my Merrell sandals, one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes I've ever owned.

Two things I have in a relationship (with my husband): my best friend for 43 years and a man who would do anything in the world to make me happy.

Two of my favorite things to do: play with my granddaughter and sit in the warm sunshine and read. I'm teaching her to love books as much as I do so that when she's older we can sit in the warm sunshine and read together.
Two things I did last night: I went to supper with my friends and turned in early.
Two people you last talked to: Foster and my mother - I call her every evening.

Two things you're doing tomorrow: I'll go to church and probably visit a friend in the hospital.

Two longest car rides: to Disney World and the ride alone from here to Charleston when Daddy was in the hospital.

Two favorite holidays: Christmas and Easter

Two favorite drinks: water and coffee with a little Bailey's Irish Creme

Two things about me you may not have known: in high school I was a majorette (baton twirler) and I' m the author of a cookbook for children.

Two jobs I've had in my life: My favorite two jobs were working for a photographer in his camera shop and teaching (kindergarten, first and second grades). My favorite job these days is being a grandma and taking lots of pictures of my granddaughter.

Two movies I would watch over and over: Dirty Dancing and Steel Magnolias

Two favorite foods: Seafood and homemade bread
Two places I'd rather be right now: I'm a happy homebody, but I'd love to be anywhere with all my family. It's so rare to have all of us together these days.

Two people to tag: I'm not going to tag anyone this time. Most of my friends have already been tagged. If anyone would like to share their answers, pick it up and run with it!

Collins Ole Towne

Last week we attended our next door neighbor's birthday celebration. It was held in the most unique setting . . . . . a 1930's reproduction of a rural community called Collins Ole Towne.
While guests were arriving there was ample space for everyone to visit on the wrap-around porch. During the afternoon guests were invited to explore the village. Each building was filled with items that brought back memories of days gone by.

Carson School House contained ancient typewriters, vintage school books and so much more.
The Blacksmith

The General Store
The candy counter brought back memories.Check out the Barber Shop

Plans are being made to activate the mill and to sell stone ground grits and corn meal.

The sugar cane mill is still in operation and cane syrup is made each year.

Musicians performed during the afternoon.

Country cooking was on the menu as lunch was served in the large dining area. Everyone enjoyed fried chicken, ham, green beans, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, yeast rolls, iced tea and banana pudding. The meal was all made from scratch by members of the Collins family and served buffet style.
It was a birthday to remember!

A Day at the Highland Games

As the sun was rising over Easley, SC, we were headed for a day at the Greater Greenville Highland Games. Having crawled out of bed before 4:30 to shower, dress in our Highland best, grab a cup of coffee and finish loading the van, we were in for a hot day at the games. The weatherman had told us to expect record breaking temperatures and he hit the nail on the head. As we parked and started to unpack began to realize just how hot.


While setting up our banners, flags and tables we met our "neighbors". To our left were the Montreat Scottish Society and to our right the Clan Colquhoun Society of North America. These folks hailed from Marion, NC and Spartanburg, SC respectively.

Our main table, covered in the Wardlaw tartan, displayed the Clan Wardlaw matriculation document, a brief history of the Wardlaw family, a guest register, Wardlaw geneaology and history books about written by our clan historian, Diane Wardlaw, a Celtic knot design on pink Italian marble created Paul Wardlaw.

During the day we were entertained by pipe and drum corps.

As temperatures soared to near the 100 degrree mark, one-year-old Suzi stayed as cool as possible in the shade, shaking a leg in perfect time to the music and putting her water bottle to the side long enough to clap her hands as each band ended its performance.

We cheered on participants in the children's kilted foot races.

We welcomed a new member of Clan Wardlaw.

After presentation of awards and closing ceremonies, Clan Wardlaw, having endured its hottest day ever at the games, left happy to have been there from start to finish.

Grandma's a Happy Packrat

Saving things for long periods of time is one of the traits I believe I inherited from the women on my mother's side of the family. I have extreme difficulty disposing of items that were given to me by someone special or that I purchased for a particular purpose, even though they aren't useful to me at the time.

I remember going into my great-grandmother's house with my grandmother and my mother to help clear out stacks of books and magazines she had collected. I also remember my great-grandmother (pictured above -Mother 1950) giving us "down the country". This scene was repeated almost verbatim with the next generation. These days every time I go to visit my mother and see the things she has stored away, I come home and haul at least one load of my collection to the DAR Thrift Shop at Tamassee. You see, I really don't want the cycle to repeat itself, but I'm afraid it's in our blood. I am fairly certain that one day Jenny and Suzi will come to my house and carry off all my treasures to some charity or other. But just for today I'm a happy packrat. I managed to save a couple of things that turned out to be useful and bring joy to myself and others.
When Jenny was born almost 24 years ago I had definite ideas about the highchair I must have for her. It was white, had a large tray and stood on a pedestal with wheels. It was easy to clean . . . I could take it outside and hose it down if need be. I loved that highchair, so when she outgrew it I had my DH put it in the attic. Several people had babies and a few times I was tempted to share it, but I held fast to the hope that one day I'd have a grandchild who would use that chair. Now our little Suzi sits in her mother's chair. It's just like new and Suzi uses it often.





On Christmas morning 1985 Jenny was excited about the Cabbage Patch Train Santa brought her. She rode it, pushed it, stashed everything from toys to snacks and sippy cups in the compartment seat and thoroughly enjoyed it. She outgrew it and it hung in from a rafter in the basement for over twenty years.

Today we brought out the old Cabbage Patch Train, washed it up and gave it to Suzi who rode it, pushed it and put toys in the seat compartment. I'll have to check carefully to be sure goldfish crackers and sippy cups aren't left inside next time she visits.

There are a few other things I've packed away in the attic and around that Suzi might like later. I still have my child-sized roll top desk complete with pigeon holes and lots of drawers, my own highchair that converts to a table and seat . . . oh, there's no telling what treasures might be found in this old packrat's hidey holes.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

One morning last week I was up early checking my email and happened to glance outside. I decided to try and capture this sunrise from our deck. The picture isn't bad, but the real thing was positively gorgeous.

Several weeks ago when my sister-in-law was here for a visit, we took a trip to the South Carolina Botanical Gardens. We took Suzi along as she loves to visit the duck pond. The azaleas were in full bloom. Our favorite was the Piedmont Azalea pictured below.
This bloom was another that caught our eye . . .
While I'm on the subject of blooms I must slip in this special one - a an indoor variety of Iris that was given to me by my sister-in-law. Our sun room must be the perfect environment for it as it has bloomed several times and looks as if it may bloom again soon.
We had a fun-filled visit to the gardens. After all the fun Suzi fell sound asleep in her stroller.The rest of us would have loved to be in Suzi's place as we plodded back up the hill to head home.
Until next time . . . .

Loin of Wild Boar with Bog Myrtle?????

Several Sundays ago our church held a Kirking of the Tartans Service. Everyone was requested to bring a Scottish dish for the covered dish luncheon after services. Since my DH is interested in his heritage and all things Scottish, I had purchased a Scottish cookbook a while back. I asked him to choose a recipe for the luncheon. His choice was "Loin of Wild Boar with Bog Myrtle". One look at the recipe told me I had some adjustments to make. Since I was out fresh of loins of wild boar, I sent him to the store for a large pork loin. Then I wondered, what on earth is bog myrtle? Upon closer inspection, I found in the recipe that rosemary could be substituted for bog myrtle. Lucky me! I have rosemary growing in my herb garden. I followed the recipe pretty closely and it turned out well. I've prepared it for company several times since and everyone seems to enjoy it. I thought I'd share it.


Ingredients:

• a six lb. pork loin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (I prefer sea salt)
  
• 1 large onion coarsely cut
• 2-3 carrots peeled and cut in large pieces
• 4-6 stems of rosemary (3 or 4 inches each)
  
• 2/3 cup dry vermouth
• 2 teaspoons prepared mustard
• flour and water (to thicken gravy)
• seasoning to taste

What to do:

• preheat oven to 425 degrees
• coat a large roasting pan with oil spray
• place onions carrots and rosemary in the pan
• place loin in pan fat side up
• rub salt on the loin
• place in 425 degree oven (uncovered) and bake for 40 minutes
• after 40 minutes at 425 degrees, reduce heat to 350 and continue to bake for 40 additional minutes
• remove roast from pan and set aside to rest for 15-20 minutes
• drain drippings from pan into sauce pan, stir in the vermouth and mustard
• bring this to a boil
  
• mix 1/12 cups cold water into 2 heaping tablespoons flour and add to sauce pan stirring constantly to make gravy

Slice loin to desired thickness and serve with rice or potatoes and gravy. Add a green vegetable and salad for a well balanced meal. Hope you'll like it!

I've been tagged!

I have been tagged by Babyfingers and requested to share my six word philosophy of life.
This is my philosophy:

Do the math ... count your blessings.

I learned a long time ago that I can either sit and worry about things I can't change, or I can take the time I would spend worrying to count my blessings. Pray instead of worrying, do something nice for someone instead of feeling sorry for yourself, surround yourself with positive people, volunteer, get enough rest . . . see how many uplifting possibilities you can think of and PLEASE share them!

My next task is to tag six others to share their six word philosophy of life. Since I don't have a lot of blogger friends most of mine will be email buddies. Knitting Nonpareil, you are the exception - you have been tagged. You need to share your philosophy on your blog and then tag six others.

Until next time . . . .