Friday, November 21, 2008

Sometimes ...I write poetry. I wrote a poem for a Writing Contest at Vanderbilt University when I was actively working there. A few of my poems won.



Mother


The raindrops smacking down,

like children jumping puddles

wearing rainbow-colored boots.



When my mother laughed,

it was like the garden after a storm,

everything still dripping with mischief.


Sometimes we would have tea

on linen beneath the rose covered walls

nibbling lemon sugar cakes.


And she would laugh

as she filled English china cups

not mindful of the splashing

pouring down like rain.




Ancient Dance


How you sit there so arrogantly,

wearing youth like a prom dress.


I, too, once wore bright colored silks,

my body lean laced.


No one told me how the dress would fade,

becomes ill-fitting.


With envy I watch you escorted gaily to the dance.

Music heard just outside the door.


As I sit here in my impotent easy-chair

paralyzed, and aching to join.


I want to cry out and tell you "Dance hard,"

only leave when they push you away.


You don't realize that one day,

not so long from now.


You will sit, as I do.

just outside the music.


And you will long for yesterday,

As I long for another yesterday.


You'll long for the dance.

And you will miss the dance ... how you'll miss the dance.





(copyright 2004)

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Christopher and Amanda recently went to Fall Creek Falls for their honeymoon. I snagged these pictures from their album. This is the reason I fell in love with Tennessee.


There are over 11 natural waterfalls around Fall Creek Falls.

S cenes of Tennessee


The foothills of Appalachian Mountains.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Theresa's Pork Loin Stew.

Autumn is the time of year to break out the soup pot. I made this Pork Loin stew that starts with a Cajun rue. I like a nice warm boot brown for my rue.

1 - 2 cubed Pork loin (browned after being dredged in a lil flour)
1/4 cup of bread flour
1/4 cup of oil
1 medium onion (chopped)
1 celery stalk (diced)
1 large red bell pepper
1 cup of chopped carrot
3-4 small potatos (diced)
Seasoned with herbs salt and pepper to taste.
1 large can of diced tomatoes
1 large container of chicken stock (or enough to cover meat)

Make the rue. When rue is the color you desire add "the trinity" (onions/peppers/celery) Let all that sweat. Add browned Pork. Add stock and tomatoes. Add potatoes and carrots after all has simmered for 45 min.

Serve with rice of just as is.




























Fresh picked Apples from the Amish Farmers.

I love the smell of Apples. Smells of "Home" ...Autumn and New England. We used to have Mcintosh Apple trees in New Hampshire. Happy memories.
Hey I can't help her! Someone has to be Photographer.
Time to plant all the shrubs and trees. I of course have pending things inside the house that keep me from helping "farmer Jo".

Monday, November 17, 2008

Lunch at Brick's Cafe

Saturday when I got lost looking for the Lebanon Flea Market I passed this new place off of Nolensville Road. Today Jo and I decided to go try it out. Brick's has a nice Bistro feel about it.The staff was friendly and prompt. The ice tea was fresh and just the way I like it. They make "to order" pizzas in their brick oven. Pizza being only a small part of the fare. The menu varies in fusion cuisine. They have a daily soup menu and I was really disappointed we came on the wrong day for the Bisque. We'll have to return to try the entrees and appetizers.http://www.brickscafe.com/

Jo's sandwich.


Those are fresh homemade potatoe chips. Joann said the grilled chicken sandwich on toasted bun was "perfect".

I ordered the Wahoo Burger. White fish filet grilled. I have to say it was such a break from the fried fish sandwiches that are the normal fare in most places. The taste was clean not "fishy", the bun was toasted.

Brick's needs some Jazz.

The music was a bit disappointing because the place had a "Jazz" feel about it. Besides Hiphop music in the background it was bright and clean. You can't see it from my picture but there is a authetic brick over over to the left. They advertise some nice "Bistro" type fusion dishes.


The van loaded with trees and bushes...just enough room for me to see out the back and not wreck the car.


This (in my opinion) is truly the best place to buy landscaping plants. We bought Japanese maples, holly, various types of bushes and trees.


A menagerie of every sort. cutest lil piggies.


My son David and "my sons from another mother" Raymond and Kenneth at the flea market about to purchase a rooster for a pet. This day they had pigs, puppies, sheep, goats, turkeys, geese, chickens and roosters. Across from here were people selling all sorts of birds in cages like parakeets, finch, canaries.

I found the Flea Market.



About one hours drive from Nashville is one of the best little country Flea Market. Parkland Flea Market is in Lebanon, Tennesse. West on I-40 to exit 238. It is a little like traveling back in time. Most vendors sell out of the back of their trucks. From landscaping to goats, apples, and chickens.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Athens Family Restaurant.

Today we had intended to go to the Flea Market in Lebanon, Tn. Alas, rain, sleet, and chilly weather broke out ...I got lost. So we ended up back in Nashville. "How about some Greek food?" Jo asks. Off we went to our favorite Greek Restaurant "Athens Family Restaurant". We began visiting here about a year ago. Besides making authenic Greek Cuisine they make the best breakfast there is in Nashville. You can't hardly get a seat on Saturday mornings nor lunchtime during the weekdays. It's cramped and a bit too small but the food makes it worthwhile. Yummy.
On weekends we call in an order for breakfast. This is a place where regulars come at least once a week.

Avgolemono


The soggy day called for hot yummy, lemony, homemade Greek soup called Avgolemono. This is a favorite of ours when we need to feel cozy.

Gyro

Jo ordered the Gyro sandwich (she ALWAYS orders the Gyro sandwich). This is one of her favorite comfort foods.
I had the Lamb Souvlaki. It was tender and just right. The fries are always yum as is the small greek salad that accompanies the plate.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Jonathan, my middle child. He's just about to turn 19. Gentle, quiet with a sweet disposition.
My oldest son, David. He was a premmy baby at birth now he is a big old boy. He just celebrated his 20th birthday.

Theresa's boys.

Benjamin is the baby. Soon he'll turn 16. I had to sneak up on him to snap this picture.
I have recently become a coupon user. I've joined all these sites to "cut" coupons ( http://www.thegrocerygame.com/ ). Here you see our pantry is nicely stocked...waiting for more to come.
We are eating the last of our tomatoes. Here it is November in Tennessee. I just placed them in a crock bread bowl and let the sun come in from the kitchen window. Nothing on earth beats fresh organic tomatoes.