The Garden Post, Part I

My parents grow their own vegetables in about a half acre garden. I mentioned it here early in the history of my blog's young life. 


They pick peas and butterbeans and shell them by hand, never with a machine. When I was growing up pea and bean picking and shelling was a required chore and usually all done in June. We got up at dawn to pick before it got too hot. Usually we shelled on the back porch but if it was too hot I was allowed to go inside to do my portion...in front of the tv, of course. Some of my favorite memories are of my brothers, their wives, and my aunts coming over to help shell. That's when the stories of the good ole days started flowing. They made the shelling, sore fingers, and big mess much more tolerable. 


After shelling Mama carefully washes and picks out the bad ones, blanches, and scoops them into pint and quart freezer bags. She prefers the twist tie type but those are hard to find nowadays. She uses zip top freezer bags now. They cut the okra and repeat the same process and into one of the deep freezers it goes. They have two. They pick, wash, peel, cook, and can and/or freeze the tomatoes. Every single one gets peeled. Same process with the corn...on and off the cob. Some years they plant extra cucumbers and make sweet pickles. And I mean really sweet pickles. Oh, and peanuts. I love green peanuts...and salty boiled ones. They freeze those as well. 


There are other vegetables that don't get put into the freezer because they don't plant large amounts of them. Squash is one of them. They usually plant one short row. Well, short to them anyway. 

This is how my mother cooks them. Their purpose in life is to be dipped in buttermilk, floured, salted, peppered, and fried in grease! There's just no better legacy for a squash. 

I got to bring these home!     

I made two casseroles using the "Mama's Way" two-cheese recipe in the May issue of Southern Living. It's the best recipe for squash casserole ever!


Check back soon for Part II!

What's taters, precious?

Fresh new potatoes. There is nothing that compares to eating a potato that was just removed from the ground!  I don't have any pictures of them actually being dug though. My octogenarian parents did that before I even thought about getting up.

During my week long visit with my parents in Alabama the girls and I feasted off of these, among many other fresh-from-the-garden treats. 


This little brick ledge on their back porch was as good a place as any to keep them until cooking time.

Mmmm...still steaming! As you can see, they have been peeled. Scraped, actually.  This is customary in my parents' home. EVERYTHING gets peeled! And that's alright with me!


I was given a bag of my very own fresh potatoes to take home! This is one of the things I whipped up...home fries with onions!

Oh, and excuse the Lord of the Rings reference in the title. It's just something my husband and I quote at every thought of potatoes! "Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew."

I now have 10 Followers!!!

Hot diggity dog! (this is what I'm hearing right now as the girls watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse)


Thanks to all, Followers and Non-followers, for reading my blog that I so frequently neglect. I consider it a special thing to be read and 'follered'! 

A few things that made my morning

They're really quite simple things.


1) Having the tub drain unstopped so that when I let my bath water out it was an instant drain, instead of it sitting there for (hours) a long time.


2) Getting to the car expecting the girls' car seats to be sitting on the garage floor but instead they had already been installed by DaDa! 


3) Seeing a teenaged boy rescue a turtle and put him back near the pond in our neighborhood. 


4) Seeing his mom watch proudly from her SUV as he ever so carefully carried the turtle.


5) Going to Story Time at the library and signing up Mattie for the Summer Reading Program. Really, it's more of a Summer Listening Program since she's only 3 1/2!


6) Signing Macie up for the Baby Bingo program at the library. It's the cutest thing!


7) Having lunch with DaDa!


The simplest things (or non-things) really made me aware and inspires me to look for more of them on a daily basis.  


What are the little joys you notice? 

Wild Hog Talk - Road Kill

Carrion, noun

Rotting flesh, putrid-smelling carcass. 

ker-ē-ən

Except in Wild Hog it's not pronounced 'carrion'. It's 'ca-yorn'. One syllable instead of three. It's really hard to explain. But don't call me and ask me to say it because I just can't get it right, or wrong, in this case. 

Honestly, I never even wondered about it until last week when I heard my mother say it and I thought, that can't be right. As soon as I got home I Googled it and thought I'd never find it. It's hard to look up a word you don't know how to spell, ya know? 

Quick story about carrion: My BFF, Angela, and I were riding down a country road one sunny college day and a buzzard, um, dropped it's contents of carrion on my windshield. G-R-O-S-S. It was a bloody, stinky mess. We pulled over and sat there paralyzed and had no idea what we were going to do! There was NO WAY we could clean it off ourselves and it was too thick for the wipers to take care of. *cringing just thinking about it* We decided to drive to a gas station, one where the attendant actually did all the work, and asked her to spray it off with a hose. And she did! Of course, all that slimy, yucky, roadkill was floating all over her station. Ick. She was extremely gracious to do that for me. Not that she'll ever read this, but "Thank you, Mrs. Marjorie"!

All this talk about carrion leads me to another word: rurnt. You know, as in ruined!

That carrion all over my windshield sure was rurnt!

Wild Hog Talk - Farm Animal Edition

We had chickens down on the farm. I remember that Mama would order them and they'd come in the mail !!! Yes, tiny baby chickens right to our door! 

Oh, they were sooo cute! I can almost smell the card board box with air holes. I'm not sure what kind of bitties they were. But, they weren't old enough to be a pullet. I seriously just Googled pullet. It is a young female hen. Wait, that's redundant. Anyway, you can learn something new every day! 

These chickens were mostly free range. They roamed wherever they wished although they did have a coop in the barn. When I think about the barn I always picture it in black and white.

Calling Banthams "banties" and Dominiques "domineckers" didn't seem odd to me. That's just what they were in my little world. 

Let's not leave out the cows. Brahma bulls are "bremmers". And I think some people call Herefords "heifers". Although I know that young female cows are called heifers as well. Pioneer Woman has the same quandry. Are there Hereford heifers? Yes! Do some people call them Heifer heifers instead? Do they know the difference? Did I know the difference? Not for a long, long time. Makes perfect sense to me now! 

          

Wild Hog Talk - The things I've heard

Well, a few of the stranger things I've heard anyway! Most of these are from outside the family. 


Try using "belong" in the place of "supposed" today just for fun. See how many strange looks you get! "You don't belong to do it like that." 


When someone asks how you're doing reply with, "I'm finer than a frog's hair split into". 


Ever heard anyone talk about being warried? What about worried?


And, there are a few who pronounce cancer "cance-ry". 


Here's the obligatory disclaimer: I'm still hesitant to blog about this stuff because I don't want to come across as sneering. I love these people and the way they talk! 

The Ways She Plays

Five, six, pick up sticks.

Seven, eight, lay them straight.

Princesses and barnyard animals on parade.

It doesn't really matter what it is. It NEEDS to be sorted!

And put into sets.

"It needs a geen one."

I love her love of organization. And I love her! A lot.

Sweet Sleep

[Yawn] Gotta go take a nap now.

Wild Hog Talk - Proper Names

Here's just a small sampling of the pronunciation of names and places.


     Marion - Murn


     Hiram - Harm


     Warren - Warn


I was an adult when I learned the actual spelling of these names. Then, I had a good laugh and was glad my name doesn't end with "a". Oh, wait. It does.


Of course, almost any name ending in "a" is pronounced "er".


     Linda - Linder


     Ella - Eller


     Mary Ella - Murr Eller


     Dora - Door (Yep, I'm Door Jane.)


     Drula - Drooler (Makes me love Door Jane.)


     Rita - Reeder


     Gina - Jeaner


     Roberta - Roberter


     Maria - Mareer


     Ada - Ader


Likewise, some names ending in "o" are pronounced "er".

     Waynesboro, MS - Waynesburr 

     Yarbo, AL - Yarber

However, Marengo is Marengo and Gordo is Gordo. Not Marenger and Gorder. Same for Alonzo and Mt. Nebo. You just have to say it right sometimes. 

There are some instances when "a" is pronounced "ee". As in Omega.


     Tuscaloosa, AL - Tuscaloosee
     
     Talladega, AL - Talladagee 


I feel the need for another disclaimer in case anyone missed the first one in Talking, Wild Hog Style (1). I am not disrespecting or ridiculing anyone who speaks in this manner. I just happen to find it interesting and endearing. It sounds like home. 

March 9 - Happy Anniversary, Ellis and Mattie!

My parents have been married for 56 years. They have been "green" their entire lives. Growing up during the Great Depression ingrained it in them. By green, I mean they waste NOTHING. It is not a trend or fad for them. It is not a political statement. It is their way of life. 


I grew up knowing all about what has been introduced as the latest thing in the past few years. Never have I brushed my teeth with the water running. Nor have I ever thrown away anything without using the last shred of it or considering if it could be repurposed. Just today I was filling my pretty liquid dishwashing dispenser and propped up the bottle and left it to be sure every drop dripped out. I wash out my laundry detergent jugs to get every last sud. Yes, I do. Can't help it. 


Mama has never used her dishwasher and does not own a dryer. By choice. Imagine that. Ziplock bags get washed and reused if they're not torn or too badly stained. Rain water is collected in a large drum to water the flowers and some of the garden. Their garden is roughly half an acre and they plant every inch of it. Their two freezers are full after harvest and they feast off of vegetables all year. 


Talk about repurposing. Daddy invented it. Once, an old freezer was turned into an earthworm farm. All the appropriate household waste such as newspapers and coffee filters were reserved for the worms. Since the lake was just down the road Daddy sold cartons of worms to the fishermen. Recycled cartons, of course. It was 100% profit.


I cannot tell you how many stacks of used lumber remnants and rusted tin are in and behind the sheds. And then, there were the hogs they raised. 


Daddy chews half a stick of gum at a time. Never an entire stick. I, too, chew half a stick at a time...even the small Trident sticks. 


You gotta love and respect this kind of conservation. Daddy is almost 90 and Mama just turned 80. They were born before and lived through the Depression and World War II. Daddy was in the Navy. They know a thing or ten about saving. 


Really, I could go on and on and on. What I really intended to say was "Happy Anniversary, Daddy and Mama"! Not that they have internet service or a computer. Or call waiting or caller ID. Or a mobile phone. It's truly a simple life. How divine for them! 

Wild Hog Talk - A Right Smart

Today's Wild Hog expression is a unit of measure, of sorts.   


a right smart
-adjective, adverb
a fairly large amount or distance


Y'all get a lot of rain today?  Yeah, we got a right smart.  


It's a right smart ways to Mobile.  


Notice "ways"...plural. 


Now, I've got to go. There is a right smart of house work to be done and my mother-in-law is on her way. (way...singular!) 

Recipe - Yummy Brussels Sprouts

Three-year-old Mattie has asked for Brussels sprouts twice this week. So, I'm sharing my yummy recipe. Mattie and I hope you'll try it even if you think you don't like them. We think you'll be pleasantly surprised!


Yummy Brussels Sprouts  


1 package frozen Brussels sprouts (steam in microwave according to instructions or until tender)

Cut sprouts in half.  This is important! It helps them to absorb the flavorful broth mixture.  Plus, they're easier to eat!  

Simmer together:

1 can chicken broth (or use 2 cups water and 2-3 chicken bouillon cubes)

1/2 stick butter (or as much as your conscience will allow)

1/2 cup brown sugar

Black pepper

Salt

Pour sprouts into broth mixture or pour broth over sprouts. 

We hope you will love it! 

I saw this on craigslist today

Nice Suede Couch that Slightly Smells - $150 (Memphis)

A really nice suede couch with leather casing has a faint cat urine smell to it. Originally $1200 piece, but we can't get the small smell out of it. We have decided to move and part ways with these pieces. $150 obo and its all yours. Email me or call and leave a message. Thanks 

"a faint cat urine smell...can't get the small smell out of it"  REALLY? You don't want the stinky couch so you think you'll sell it. "$150 obo and its all yours" Odor included. Yeah, just what anyone would want to plop down on at the end of a long day! 

An all nighter

Darryl and I have been parents for three years and five months.  After two baby girls we thought we had this thing pretty much figured out.  Then, Monday night happened.  It was a special initiation that was lurking and waiting for when we least expected it.


Mattie vomited for the first time in her life.  In a restaurant.  Across the table from our friends.  She continued to vomit in the car and after we arrived home.  She settled down around 11:00.  Then I heard Macie coughing.  I immediately smelled the reason why when I opened the door. After her midnight bath I held her for the rest of the night. Never has she been so listless.  She didn't even want to nurse.  Nursing is her favorite. 


All was pretty much back to normal by the next afternoon. Lysol and Tide were my best friends. Everything had been washed and sanitized. And I mean everything.  Clothes, coat, boots, towels, bibs, sheets, bumper pads, blankets, car seat cover, toys, even the highchair cover Mattie had to use in the car as a blanket after everything else had been....contaminated.  


I really have felt like a mother since Mattie was born. But, now.....I'm bona fide. Staying up taking care of sick babies. Sacrificing sleep.  Checking on every little whimper and sniffle.  There should be an official certificate that we can frame and hang in the living room.  Guess I'll settle for the little plaque hanging in my mind.  Reminding me that we've been there, done that, and lived to blog about it.    


Just for fun....I quoted two of my favorite movies in this post.  Know which ones?  If I had more than three readers and some sponsors I'd give away a prize. You'll have to settle for two thumbs up and my admiration!   


Speaking of favorites.....    

Update:  After the girls were better guess who got sick?  Good thing they both wanted to sleep most of the day.  

Wild Hog Talk - School Days

This is the one that never fails to blow my mind.  

I've always heard my parents and all the older folks talk about Omiggy.  Omiggy is where they went to school. They walked barefoot on the frozen ground to get there.  

When I was in high school a distant cousin came to visit. She had moved away and spoke with near proper grammar. She was talking about the good ole days at school. She was referring to Omiggy.  But, she wasn't calling it Omiggy. You ready for this?  It was Omega. OMEGA.  As in oh-may-ga!  O-M-Goodness!  

I must digress. Because...I Cannot Get Over It!  

Wild Hog Talk - An Introduction

Wild Hog (wald hawg)-noun The community of my mother's birth and childhood. Located seven miles east of the town of Millry, Alabama.  Nestled between Mehaphey (me-haff-ee) and Copeland and not far from Dearmon Fork.  

I've heard this talk my entire life.  I imagine it being similar to Appalachia with a south Alabama twang. Even though most of it is hysterical I am in no way making fun of or belittling Wild Hog or any of it's residents or descendants...after all, I am one! 

When my brother brought home his Yankee girlfriend (and I do mean that in the most loving way) from Chicago (sha-CAR-go) I'm sure she had to listen closely and could not believe her ears!  Pardon? Excuse me? What was that?  We had to listen to her equally as hard! I was fascinated!  

Now that I'm older I love the ole-timey banter and hang on my parents' every word...taking in the drawl and oblivious lack of and addition to pronunciation. It's too good not to share.  


I'm fully aware this could apply to any southern community but for the sake of the nostalgia in my head we'll call it Wild Hog Talk.  

Today's Wild Hog lesson focuses on the pronunciation of the word.    


Directly 
-adverb [ter-reck-ly] 
To do immediately.  

I'll go out to the smokehouse directly and check the meat.  

Yes, my parents raised, butchered, processed, and smoked their own pork.  They even rendered lard.  I WISH I had pictures.  You just have to see (and smell) some things to believe...chitlins (chitterlings) and cracklins included. Ugh...I need to go wash my hands and brush my teeth now.  


That's the conclusion of today's lesson.  I'll work on another post "terreckly"!

Where has the year gone?

Macie is ONE year old.  Plus two weeks.  2009 was a blur.  She is so sweet and happy and cute.  She has morphed from a helpless babe into a crawling, babbling being who adores her sister.  

I love her.  Now I'm wiping tears and willing away that painful knot in my throat.  Maybe I need another baby. 


Nah...I think I'll just be content and enjoy the two I have for a while.  How sweet it is.

Mmm Monday!

My first Mmm post!  

Mama Duck's Pot Roast over rice, baby carrots, and sugared Brussels sprouts!  

First Mmm worthy!

Since Mommy isn't using them

My friend, Ashley, gave me these gorgeous candle stands as a housewarming gift over a month ago. I've been shopping for the perfect candles for them but Mattie has grown impatient with my indecision. She doesn't like for them to be bare.  

She took it upon herself to fill the void with a princess and piece of broken chalk for each of them.  

Perfect!