Friday, March 25, 2016

Book Club-The Remains Of The Day

 Our book club, consisting of eight men and women gather monthly if possible.  I have to admit, the books that I enjoy I would not read if it weren't for the book club.  I'm typically not a deep reader, I like Southern novels or as some would say easy reads.   Hey, there is nothing wrong with that!   
One of my favorite books is Roses by Leila Meacham, and just last week I read her pre-sequal to Roses, Somerset. These books take place in Texas, my home state where I was born and bred.  Where ranching is a tradition, rodeo's a sport, and The State Fair is home to Big Tex, a 55' tall cowboy statue.   Why at this very moment the bluebonnets are washing over the rolling hills of Central Texas where I like many parents have placed their children for pictures. 
  
Back to the book club, what is interesting to me is the discussion about the writings we choose.  That's the best part.  Well that, the food and camaraderie.  Tonight we grazed on the many offerings each brought while watching the movie The Remains Of The Day, I loved it!  
This novel makes me think of the popular series Downton Abbey which I, my mama, my oldest daughter and many others watched religiously every Sunday evening.  Then first thing on Monday morning my mama and I would discuss the previous nights broadcast.  I like many will miss this show, maybe they will make a movie about it.

Book Club

The novel, The Remains Of The Day is mostly about regret.  An English butler, Stevens who dedicated his life to the loyal service of Lord Darlington and later to an American named Mr. Farraday.  Missing out on love and what might have been.



Lemon Meringue Pie
Lemon Pie Ingredients:
1 Baked Pie Crust, cooled
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
2/3 cup whole milk
1/2 cup water
2/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 Tablespoon lemon zest
5 whole egg yolks, whisk together (save the whites for the meringue)
2 Tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Lemon Pie Directions:
In a medium saucepan stir together 1 13 cup granulated sugar and 1/3 cup cornstarch.
Slowly stir in 2/3 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup water and 2/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice.
Add 1 Tablespoon lemon zest and cook over medium-high heat until mixture comes to a boil and starts to thicken.
In a small bowl whisk together 5 whole egg yolks.
Slowly whisk in cooked lemon mixture 1/4 cup at a time until 1 cup of mixture has been added.
Add egg yolk mixture back into lemon mixture and return to simmer.  Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until thickened.
Remove from heat and stir in 2 Tablespoons butter and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Pour lemon mixture into baked pie crust.
Billowy Meringue Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon cornstarch 
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
1/3 cup water
5 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tarter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup granulated sugar
Billowy Meringue Directions:
Preheat oven to 325'.
In a small saucepan add 1 Tablespoon cornstarch and 1 Tablespoon sugar, mix until well combined.
Slowly stir in 1/3 cup water to from a thick mixture.
Cook over medium heat and bring to a boil.
Cook for 20 seconds once boiling.  Set aside and allow mixture to cool.
Beat together 5 egg whites, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon cream of tarter until soft peaks form.
While beating add 1/2 cup granulated sugar until stiff peaks form and mixture is glossy.
Slowly mix in 1 heaping tablespoon at a time of the cooked cornstarch mixture on low speed util well incorporated.
Mixture should hold stiff peaks when finished.
Cover lemon filling with meringue and make sure to anchor meringue into edge of pie crust to prevent shrinking.
Use back of a spoon to form peaks all across meringue.
Bake in a 325' preheated oven for 18-25 minutes until lightly brown on top.
Once cooled slice and serve or chill for a more intensify flavor.

Sawdust Pie
Pie Ingredients:
1 (9") deep pie shell
7 egg whites, whipped, not beaten.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup pecans, chopped, not in a food processor they will be to fine and change the texture.
1 1/2 cup sweetened coconut
1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1//2 cup mini chocolate chips
Whipped Cream, optional
sliced banana's, optional
Pie Instructions:
Preheat oven 350'.
Par bake the pie crust for about 15 minutes at 425".  
Mix all ingredients together and pour into cool par baked pie shell.  
Bake for 25-30 minutes in a 350' oven.
Optional, when cool top with whipped cream and freshly sliced banana's.  Hmmm, just sayin!!!



Saturday, March 19, 2016

Sam Houston Monument Dedication

Under cloudy skies the City of Maryville welcomed The Honorable Doug Overbuy, Senator, State of Tennessee, The Honorable Bob Ramsey, Representative, State of Tennessee, The Honorable Art Swann, Representative, State Of Tennessee, Former Governor Mr. Don Sundqvist, Claude Rost, Penny T. Remick, Nancy Burch, and the Descendants of Sam Houston, Mr Billy Kennedy-Heritage Author and Journalist, Ulster-Scots/Northern Ireland Tourism, Denton Florian-Director, Sam Houston: American Statesman, Soldier, and Pioneer, Steve Cotham-Manager, McClung Historical Collection, Dr Tom Kanon- Author, Tennesseans at War, 1812-1815, Tennesseans for Living History, George Schweitzer-Treasure, East Tennessee Historical Society, Laurie Cockrell-Author, Dr. Duane King-University of Tulsa Vice President for Museum Affairs, James Patton-Walker Co, Texas Historical Commission, Joe Kolb-Texas Flag Park, Dr. Vicki Rozema-Author, Marv House-East Tennessee Historical Society, Donna Coffen-Walker County, Texas Historical Commission, LaJuana Glaze-Samuel Walker Houston Memorial Museum and Cultural Center, Glan Pratt- President, Ulster-Scots Society of the U.S., Mary Nolleti-DAR Tennessee and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indian American Legion.

Sam Houston, born March 2, 1793 was an American politician and soldier.  He was the only American to be elected govenor of two States, Tennessee and Texas.

  Sons of the American Revolution

 Sons of the American Revolution
and
Mr.  William "Ed" Harmon
Member Of The Board Of Trustees
Hiwassee College





 The Honorable Tom Taylor
Mayor of the City of Maryville

Lynn Fox
Son Of The Revolution

 Presentation Of Colors
Sons of the American Revolution


 Sons of the American Revolution

 Sons of the American Revolution










 Sam Houston Elementary Choir
Pam Gildrie

 Sam Houston Elementary Choir 


 The Worshipful the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Ireland
Councillor Thomas Hogg

 Author "The Life & Legacy Of Sam Houston
and
Great-Great Granddaughter of Sam Houston



Unveiling
Artist: Wayne Hyde-Sculptor & David Wright-Painter of American Historical Subject

I would give no thought of what the world
might say of  me, if I could only transmit to
posterity the reputation of an honest man.
                                                                                              -Sam Houston

Monday, March 14, 2016

Nashville

Nashville Tn

Nashville Tn


Nashville Tn
If one was shopping for boots, there is no shortage here in Nashville.  

Nashville Tn
The Johnny Cash Museum

Nashville Tn


Nashville Tn
Gateway Bridge
Built in 2014





Nashville Tn
 Shelby Street Bridge
Constructed in 1909



Nashville Tn
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge goes back to 1960 when Tootsie Bess purchased a club named Mom's and rechristened it Tootsie's Orchid Lounge.  Tootsie's is located across the alley from the Ryman Auditorium and is a place where country music entertainers and others come to drink and unwind.

Spring is on it's way...

Monday, March 7, 2016

Tropical Gems

Tropical Gems
Makes: 21 cookies using the 1 1/2" diameter cookie scoop
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
Wilton's gel food coloring (optional)
1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus extra for dipping.
1 teaspoon coconut extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (measure correctly-spoon & level method)
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
Instructions:
1.  Using a stand mixer or your hand mixer, cream butter and gel food coloring.  Mixing the food coloring with the butter helps it to blend well.  
2.  Next add powdered sugar, mix until light and fluffy.  
3.  Add coconut extract and slowly add flour and mix until just combined.  
4.  Fold in coconut, beating at low speed, scraping bowl as necessary, until well mixed.
5.  Using a 1 1/2" diameter cookie scoop, scoop out dough and place on parchment lined cookie sheet.  Repeat until all dough is used.  I recommend you chilling the dough for at least 1 hour in the fridge so the cookies stay round when you bake them.  I actually kept them in the fridge, cover tightly with saran wrap over night and baked them the next morning.
6.  Preheat oven to 350', bake cookies on middle rack until bottoms are just slightly tan, barely any coloring.  About 14-15 minutes.   Do not over-bake!
7.  While those are baking scoop some powdered sugar into a bowl or plastic bag.  While cookies are still warm, roll them in the sugar.  Place cookies on cooling rack, once they have cooled completely ( they are little ugly, roll them again in the powdered sugar.)  Now look, beautiful!
8.  Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to one month.