In the late 1960's and early 70's, Laugh In was a fun show on television. There were all kinds of crazy skits and jokes that were tied together with mod music. This was a time of serious political division in the United States with people on different sides of heavy issues like the Vietnam War and racial equality. Sit-ins were a type of peaceful protest which sometimes weren't so peaceful and Laugh In was an attempt by entertainers to heal some of the country's division with music and comedy.
Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, Goldie Hawn, Ruth Buzzi, Flip Wilson, Lily Tomlin and a lot of other really clever and funny people were part of the show. I thought about this the other day when David teased me by recapping our weekend as 'tiptoeing thru the tulips'.
Tiny Tim performed on Laugh In and other shows of that era with his hippie style long hair, a ukelele and a high pitched voiced. "Tiptoe Thru the Tulips" was his trademark idealistic, sort of romantic but silly song about spending time chilling out together.
So last weekend, instead of our usual hard working, fast paced world of business and pleasure, cooking for huge crowds, going to football games, tailgating and other things that we typically do - we mostly chilled.
Well we were on the go but we weren't doing all the cooking and entertaining and organizing. We just enjoyed it while other people cooked and entertained and organized.
It actually started on Thursday when Susan invited me to go with her on a tour of Johnson and Wales University in Uptown Charlotte. In 1914, Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Wales started a trade school for chefs in Rhode Island. Now, J&W has grown into University status with a remarkable facility in Charlotte. At J&W, people who are passionate about food are everywhere, so it was naturally a place that I loved. Anyone can take a free tour by calling the admissions office and it is worth it to see the several floors of labs where students of all ages and backgrounds are learning the nuances of baking, chopping, sauteing, serving, and managing all parts of the hospitality industry. There are also weekend cooking classes for non-students that sound interesting. Definitely something worth looking into.
Thursday evening the Cleveland County Tennis Association led by Donnie, Debbie, Mary Beth and Cindy hosted an end of the season Fall Fling at the Cabin in Lattimore. Everything was warm and toasty with a big fire roaring and BBQ with all the trimmings. They had asked me to come and talk about how the CCTA developed several years ago and then they surprised me with a sweet award to acknowledge my part in that development. The CCTA continues to grow even more under their leadership and it's exciting to see that happen.
On Friday after work, David and I tiptoed up to the Lake and instead of cooking we went out for dinner at the Point of View. This is a nostalgic thing for me because this restaurant was once owned by my parents and was called The Log Shop. I was pretty young in those days but I do remember it and remember hearing all kinds of stories about gatherings at the Log Shop and in one of the rental houses that they called No. 6. In those days, the Log Shop served up country ham, grits, and eggs for breakfast and steak and potatoes at night. The view is spectacular with the lake, the stonefaced mountains and the Island. The fall colors were not at peak but were starting to turn and that made the view even more beautiful.
Saturday morning we took a couple of short hikes around the lake and David got a great shot of the view from the mountain above the old Log Shop. I got a great shot of David getting the great shot. I never get tired of that view.
Saturday afternoon we arrived back in Shelby for the end of the Livermush Festival when all things mush are celebrated. I couldn't help but think how much Mama Crowder would have loved all the pig and pagentry.
Later on, Susan and Thomas met us in Uptown Shelby at Newt's for a great burger and a walking tour of some of the other hot spots. Then we walked on over to the Don Gibson Theatre to watch the Cleverly's Trio. Which was four people playing bluegrass. Sorta.
The Cleverly's put on one of the funniest shows we have seen in a while. Maybe since Laugh In. We spent most of the evening raring back with laughter at the witty showmanship and the music of Beyonce, Ce Lo, and Blackeyed Peas being played bluegrass style. They even played Hocus Pocus by Focus. No doubt we will jump at a chance to see the Cleverly's again. Hopefully the fifth member of the trio - Otto - will be with them next time.
Sunday morning David and I took another hike through some interesting property with water, fall leaves, and history. Later on we got a call from Daddy that Cousins Jim and Donna were visiting from Massachusetts and why didn't we all come out for supper in Lattimore. Within a couple of hours Mama and Daddy had corn, country ham, cornbread, mac and cheese, slaw, crowder peas, and molasses and biscuits ready for an impromptu gathering of more than a dozen of us. We took no prisoners and one of us sopped up the last bit of country ham gravy with the last piece of cornbread.
It was great to reconnect with Jim and Donna and to have a spur of the moment family gathering. Kai and Melia entertained us by modeling their coonskin caps and playing with the Fisher Price toyhouse. Fisher Price had a winner with that toy because pretty much every kid for the last 30 years has played with it in Mama's cozy den. Mama makes it comfortable to play in her den.
Chilled out time with friends and family; great meals, music, and comedy. Just tiptoeing thru the tulips.
Penny's Blonde Brownies
Penny somehow had time to whip together some of her blonde brownies for the impromptu Sunday night Supper in Lattimore. I've only made these one time because Penny usually makes them. They are chewy and wonderful.
2 cups self-rising flour
2 cups brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 sticks melted butter
1 cup chopped pecans
Mix everything together and spread into a greased and floured 9 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.
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