Loving Living Life in the Present - Sister's Shrimp Salad

 

 

"If you are depressed you are living in the past.

If you are anxious you are living in the future.

If you are at peace you are living in the present."

Lao Tzu

 

I can't honestly say that since my last post on November 20th I have been constantly at peace.  But I can say that when I am not at peace I try to refocus on living in the present - being grateful for every opportunity to embrace life. 

 

 Focusing on living in the present can be a trick.   Especially times like this year when Thanksgiving and Christmas came really close together.  And then Christmas Day was on a Wednesday.  Those mid week holidays always leave me struggling to remember what day it is. 

 

Here's a tip - when you're spinning around trying to remember what day it is, focusing on being grateful for the moment has a way of pointing you in the right direction.  I seem to continually need to relearn this tip.

 

These are pictures of some moments that we have enjoyed so far this holiday season.  Some moments we enjoyed so much that I didn't remember to take pictures.   As Thomas and Susan like to say, "And this ain't the half of it!"

 

But we are grateful for all times shared in tears and in laughter and in gratitude for every memory and every moment.   Peace to all.

 

 

The Don Gibson Theatre in Uptown Shelby is a jewel of a venue to see all kinds of performances.  We were lucky enough to watch Jake Shimabukuro who is a 19 year old ukulele master.   He got everything out of a ukulele that I could imagine and more.  The music was wonderful but what sticks in my mind is the joyful spirit and the amazing energy that he put into every song.

 

 

A huge group of Girl Scouts from all over North Carolina came to the warehouse area where the Hunger Games was filmed.  They earned their archery badges and channeled their inner Katniss. 

 

We enjoyed setting up the space where "the Hob" scenes were filmed.  Scouts made arrows and mockingjay pins and their adult leaders were very well organized.  It was fun to be a part of it.

 

Meanwhile in Texas, David and Justin went duck hunting and shared this beautiful Texas sunrise.

 

 

 

 

 

It was cold in Texas during the hunting trip but they persevered.

 

 

 

Back in North Carolina Jay's basketball season started with GWU playing at home with crazy nail biting scores.  Shocking.  They then took off on a wild 2 week trip to Missouri, Chicago, and Las Vegas.  They won the tournament in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving.

 

 

David left his hunting trip in Texas to meet David III and me in New York City. 

 Jay was flying all over the country with basketball. 

I had to take this screen shot of my text messages on Nov 24th.  I do LOVE technology.

 

David and I at Times Square after seeing an amazing performance of Carole King's life - "Beautiful".  Later we met up with some Shelby friends and with David IV to hear Van Morrison.  Van played with his daughter, Shana, and it felt like a concert with a message to her and to all of us.

"You gotta tote that wood, Carry that water!"  We would have loved for him to play all of our favorite songs but that would have taken days and days.  He chose many of his more spiritual ones this time including one of my all time favorites, "Whenever God Shines His Light". 

 There is nothing like a Van Morrison concert. 

 

We had a really fast trip to NYC but I loved all the hustle and bustle as always.  The Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center was in the process of being set up.  We watched the many workmen and electricians and were amazed at all the scaffolding and the way they went about their work.  Sadly a few days later one of those workmen was killed in a commuter train accident.   We don't know if we actually saw him but it felt like we knew him.   Another poignant reminder that every moment of every day is a gift.

 

It's a touristy thing to do but we went to Ellen's Stardust Diner for breakfast to hear the singing waitstaff.  We saw incredible performances and it reminded me again of Leroy Neiman's quote about artists, "For every one of us who makes it there are 100 more who are just as good."  

Our waitress, Jordan, sang my request, "I dreamed a dream" from Les Miz. 

 

A super short but magical trip to NYC.

 

As soon as we returned from our trip we gathered very impromptu for Dad's 91st birthday.  Libby sent out a text message at 10 am for anyone who could to come to Dad's birthday party at noon at Wendy's.  Dad had decided to take a cake to his favorite lunch spot and serve it to everyone who was there.  Somehow this many of us got there with less than 2 hours notice.  We laughed because if we had been planning for days we may not have pulled this off!

  We served the cake to anyone who wanted a piece and then Wendy's sent over frostys for everyone.   It was the perfect 91st birthday party for Dad. 

Love it when a plan comes together!  Especially a quick plan.

 

Thanksgiving break brought some of the 20something crowd to our house.  Jay was off with the basketball team but David had flown in with us from NY.    Loved having them on Fairway Drive.

 

I brined two turkeys and David worked his magic with the big cooker for Thanksgiving lunch at the cabin.

 

 

Yes.  We got Turkey.

 

The blue eyed girls playing around in the cabin kitchen.

 

Thanksgiving 2013 at the Cabin.

 

I made Mom's cranberry salad and it is a keeper for the Thanksgiving menu.  It's especially easy when David IV is home to grind the fresh cranberries.  Crunchy, sweet and make ahead.  Recipe posted on November 27, 2010.  I also make a fresh cranberry relish the same way except I omit the jello.  They are both wonderful.

 

 

David and Dad enjoyed swapping hunting stories.  David told Dad about his duck hunting experience and Dad told David about quail hunting.  Which turned into a discussion about Dad's trained pointers.  Bird dogs have always been a fascination for Dad.

 

The Martins may be the only people I know who own a theramin and they are definitely the only people I know who can play one.  On Thanksgiving, Jackson played Happy Birthday to Dad.

 

Beth and Marley came to my rescue when I couldn't figure out how to decorate some vacant store windows in Uptown Shelby.  After seeing all the beautiful windows in NYC, I was kind of at a loss for what to do.  But these girls made it happen and I loved it!

 

GWU came back to North Carolina to play basketball at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium.  What an experience that was.  There is nothing like seeing a game at Cameron.  We had some great seats and Paul and Will met us for the game.  Here's Jay taking notes on Dukes lineup.

 

The coaches were all business and so were the players.  GWU held their own against Duke and we were really proud of all of them.

 

 

 

 

We visited Steve and Kathe one night recently.  Auggie, Stella and Keisha invited Simba.

 

While David and Steve watched the Panther's game Rhett's dog, Stella, snuggled up between them.

 A sweet moment. 

 

 

 

Jay completed his Master's in Business Administration from Gardner Webb and we couldn't be more proud of him.  As focused as he has been on basketball, he has worked hard to finish his MBA in record time.

 

 

To celebrate Jay's MBA we threw a Merry Graduation Party complete with Christmas Carols with the family.   Mr. and Mrs. Claus appeared as did many family and friends.

 

 

 

It really was two parties because the December temperature was in the mid 60s.  So we had inside and outside rocking with food and music.  Seriously rocking.

 

 

 

We were thrilled that so many of Jay's friends and family were with us to celebrate. 

 

 

It was Mary Eden's birthday so Jim lead us in singing Happy Birthday.  This was kind of a crazy party and somehow I didn't get a pic of the rest of the Roach family who had arrived from Raleigh.  It is always a treat to have a houseful of Roaches.   And it was a  joy to welcome Ian and Katherine's sweet 3 week old Gracie to the family.  

 

 

Jackson played sax, Thomas played guitar and John played piano.   How great to have 3 talented nephews like this.  But wait...see next pic....

 

.....John switches to guitar, Thomas sings and Jackson switches to piano...  love it!

 

Mom and Dad were the perfect Partridge in a Pear Tree with our all time favorite "12 Days of Christmas" crazy mixed up group song.  We had 12 great groups this time from the Partridge to the 12 Drummers Drumming.  A shout out to 4 calling birds, 5 golden rings and Jim Rose's NIINNNE LAAADIES  DANNNNCCCCING.

 

 

 

Jay's Merry Graduation Surprise was for David IV and Elliott to arrive. 

 

 

Christmas morning 2013. 

 

 

On Christmas morning several friends asked David to prepare their beef tenderloins to cook at their own celebrations.  He trims the tenderloin then puts on his special spices.  He has this down.  Yum.

 

 

 

 Also on Christmas morning, David IV cooked lots of bacon for the Hunt Christmas brunch. 

 

 

 

Hunt Family Christmas 2013.  Believe it or not we had this picture done in record time this year.  A little over 3 minutes!  Thanks to Gary for being there to capture this special moment. 

 

Brycen opens a gift of Reece cups.

 

 

Melia plays with what Mom and Dad call "the perfect toy".  A Fisher Price toy house that has been around the Peachtree Road den for a couple of generations now. 

 

 

During the crazy Hunt gift exchange Rachel stole the show when she loved on a soft cushy puppy.  Later Elizabeth stole the puppy from Judy (to give to Rachel).  Ruthless?  I think not.

 

Rachel and the soft cuddly puppy = Sweetness.

 

More sweetness.  I posted this pic of David IV, Simba and Jay on Christmas morning.  Lori posted back with the perfect caption.   Simba Claus

 

 

The yard is looking fairly barren but there is always something natural to bring inside for an arrangement.  Here is some Winter Beauty.

 

Looking at the drab garden recently I nearly missed this beautiful point by Rumi.  Thankfully someone posted it on facebook to remind me that nature is always, always working it's magic.

 

 

We enjoyed shrimp cocktail recently and had a few leftovers so I decided to make Sister's Shrimp Salad.  It's colorful, flavorful, crunchy and fairly light. 

 

 

Shrimp salad is quick and easy especially if you have leftover ingredients on hand. 

 

Living in the Moment.   Peace and Love to all!

 

Sister's Shrimp Salad

Warning:  Recipes from Mawmaw are like most of our family recipes in that they don't offer exact amounts.  Like when making her famous layered salad she says to "use more sugar than you think."  We always laugh remembering how Kathie asked, "and how do you know how much sugar I'm thinking?"

(Sister's Layered Salad recipe posted on April 21, 2011). 

As far as I know Sister doesn't put sugar in her shrimp salad.  However all of the following ingredients are adjusted by how it looks and by how much you happen to have on hand.

Finely dice into equal sized pieces:

Green pepper
Red pepper
Red onion
Celery

Add Cooked Shrimp.  Shrimp should be in larger pieces than the veggies.  Depending on what size shrimp you may not want to cut it at all. 

Add a little lemon juice, a tiny bit of mayo, salt, pepper and a generous amount of Jodie's Kitchen herb and spice blend.  (It's a blend of onion, dill, salt parsley, sugar and other spices also known as Dip-idy-Dill original. Sister orders it by the case and uses it in her awesome chicken salad too.)

Mix together and serve as a salad or in a croissant as a sandwich.   Enjoy!

Seamus Heaney's Poetry - Pork Chop One Pot Meal

Noli timere.  This was the latin text message that Seamus Heaney sent to his wife from his hospital bed just before he died this past September.   Noli timere.  Don't be afraid.

Even though he was one of the most important poets in our time, I didn't know very much about Seamus Heaney until I read his obituary.   Now it seems that I think of him daily.

Don't be afraid.   In a time when some people flame fears it's refreshing for someone to point out that we really don't have to be afraid.   We aren't in control of a lot of things but we can be in control of our own fear.

I have loved reading about Heaney's life and thinking about his poetry, but there is just something pure and honest and sweet about a person, dying in a hospital bed, who would think to send such a message.   

If anybody knew how to convey a big message with a few words it was Seamus Heaney.  I am no scholar but even I can see, hear and feel what his poetry describes.  As with many things, I'm sure there is so much more than I am aware about why his poetry resonates like it does, but I love that his poetry is so real.  And hopeful.  And encouraging.  His poetry recognizes the ups and downs of real life but he embraces it all without fear.

He grew up in a small town in Ireland and is described as a fun loving, family oriented guy.  He was brilliant and accomplished but kept a quick sense of humor.  One story told was that after having a heart issue Seamus liked to go around saying, "Blessed are the Pacemakers." 

He wrote about finding your way, and hope, and peace, and he loved to use his poetry to connect the past with the present.  One poem, Digging, paints a picture of Seamus watching his father with a shovel digging potatoes in the garden "going down and down for the good turf".  His poem ends:  "between finger and my thumb, the squat pen rests.  I'll dig with it."  

Here's one of the times Seamus Heaney's pen dug down for the good turf:

from "The Cure at Troy"

Human beings suffer,

they torture one another,

they get hurt and get hard.

No poem or play or song

can fully right a wrong

inflicted or endured.

The innocent in gaols

beat on their bars together.

A hunger-striker's father

stands in the graveyard dumb.

The police widow in veils

faints at the funeral home.

History says, Don't hope

on this side of the grave.

But then, once in a lifetime

the longed for tidal wave

of justice can rise up,

and hope and history rhyme.

So hope for a great sea-change

on the far side of revenge.

Believe that further shore

is reachable from here.

Believe in miracle

And cures and healing wells.

Call the miracle self-healing:

The utter self-revealing

double-take of feeling.

If there's fire on the mountain

Or lightning and storm

And a god speaks from the sky

That means someone is hearing

the outcry and the birth-cry

of new life at its term.

 

____________________________________________________

 

And Noli timere.  Don't be afraid.

 

 

 

Fall colors have been spectacular this year.  I snapped this picture one morning on my way into the Peace Avenue store on South Washington Street.  I didn't realize until I uploaded the pic that these gorgeous sun rays were shining through the leaves.  I could almost hear the Rascals singing, "It's a beautiful morning!"    

 

 

Another shot of the South Washington street side of the Royster Building in Uptown Shelby.  I love this building, these fall colors and I love the sound of the leaves rustling as we walk down the sidewalk.

 

 

Cotton fields between Shelby and Lattimore were full of fluffy white cotton again this year.  Cotton is such an interesting plant.   It's been loved, hated, songs sung about it, books and movies written about it and it's been used in a wide variety of ways.  Long live king cotton. 

 

 

This old barn and cotton field is on highway 74 between Shelby and Lattimore.  I took this picture in November 2013 but it could have been taken in any number of years.  Highway 74 is changing as things always do and I thought it was nice to get this shot which made time stand still for a minute.

 

 

In late October Dad was honored by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in Research Triangle Park.  Dad has been involved with the creation and development of the Biotech Center since its beginnings in the 1980s.  It is an amazing place that strives to use technology and science to bring real solutions to real life problems.  Medical inventions, pharmaceuticals, agricultural and energy advancements and the jobs that come with them are among the success stories of the Biotech Center.

 

 

These were some of the initial proponents of the NC Biotech Center in the 1980s.  These people were from both political parties and from all ranges of thought within their own parties.  But they were pragmatic and they put aside their differences to attempt to do something big that would have a long lasting, positive impact on North Carolinians' health and well being. 

 In short, these men were leaders. 

 

 

 

Speaking of leaders.  These are two great doctors who share a love for medicine, people, good policy and good pimiento cheese.  Dad and Dr. Buse are two of my heroes because they choose to light candles rather than curse the darkness.

 

 

 

David IV came home for a short visit in October and wanted to show Mom and Dad his new Texas cowboy boots.  Dad looked them over and said, "looks like you've done some dancin' in em".  

We don't miss many opportunities to dance.

 

 

Mom has some new boots too.  With red accents no less.  With the August fire at their house, their clothes weren't destroyed but had to be sent out for a substantial cleaning.  Mem (mom's sister)  found some boots that she thought she AND mom needed and isn't that what sisters are for?

 

I think it's great that at age 87 Mom even wanted a cute pair of red and black boots! It's great that she enjoys them and looks so good in them too.

 

After several months living in the Hunt House post fire, Mom and Dad have moved back onto Peachtree Road just in time for the holidays.  We are all so thankful for that.

 

 

David IV, Tucker, Jay and Andrew came over for some Shrimp with Garlic, Basil and Pasta (recipe blogged August 6, 2011).  I also served the kale and brussel sprouts salad with the light lemony dressing from Epicureous.com.  It always surprises me when everyone loves that salad.  Both recipes are keepers.

 

David wanted to see the Peace Avenue Holiday Showroom and get a pic with Beth and John.  Naturally all three are sporting comfy Peace Avenue Tshirts.

 

 

We had a chance to have a daughter for a day when John and Beth were out of town and Natalie was being recognized along with other Seniors at an SHS Football game.  We enjoyed being parents at  Shelby High School again.  And we enjoyed having a cute daughter like Natalie.

 

Natalie has been a dancing Leo the Lioness during this year at SHS.  She gets those dance moves from me.  Or more likely from Beth.  

 

 

David and I helped with a fundraiser at Shelby City Park recently and Linda, Mom, Patty, Jay, Dad and a bunch of other people helped out too.  Thanks to everyone we hopefully will be moving forward to fix up the tennis courts and golf shop at the Park before too long.  They are such assets to the Park and the Park is an asset to the whole community.  It will be great to get this project completed.

 

One lovely day in October David, Jay, Ben and Richard had a father son day playing golf.  They are a good looking crew and good golfers too.  Later in October Ben and Emily had a beautiful wedding that we loved.  It was simple and elegant and joyful in every way.

 

Jay sported his own Peace Avenue tshirt when we had our first fire of the season.  The weather has been crazy with fireplace weather one minute and tshirt weather the next.   That's North Carolina for you and I love everything about it.

 

In early November descendants of Plato Dixon and Vada Spangler Crowder got together at the Cabin for some pizza.  Mama Crowder and Granddaddy would have loved this day.  Brian brought out his pizza oven and we set everything up right there in the pasture with the cows munching grass and playing in the pond.  Betsy, Mem and others brought all kinds of toppings for pizza and everybody did their own thing.  It was a good way to get a big group of Crowders together. 

 

 

 

Patsy brought pictures and also Mama Crowder's old worn Bible for everyone to see.  Mama Crowder had all kinds of things in that Bible -  pictures, notes, newspaper clippings.  Mama Crowder's life was organized by the Bible and the Farmer's Almanac.  She worked sun up to sun down and she loved her garden and her family.  Granddaddy was as Mom said the most patient person she had ever known.

 

 This is just a portion of the Crowder's who gathered at the Cabin in Lattimore for pizza and funny stories.  We are a big family and it was such fun to hear Mom, Sis, Mem, Patsy and others tell stories of growing up Crowder.  There were big belly laughs and a few tears and more big belly laughs.  Crowders laugh a lot. And loud.  Seamus Heaney would have enjoyed this family.

 

 

 I had a chance to hear Darin and Brooke Aldridge and friends play gospel music at First Baptist Church in Shelby.  Carol introduced me to the Aldridges' music at the Cleveland County Fair a few years ago and they have gotten better and better.  It was a joy to hear them singing at church and I look forward to hearing them again soon at the Earl Scruggs Center opening in January. 

 

 

 

November brings basketball pre season games and Jay and the GWU team of players and coaches have been preparing for it.  With quick coaching changes they have had to pedal fast.  Jay is a graduate assistant for the team and will be getting his MBA in mid December.   

 

Jay and Andrew, basketball operations manager for GW, heading into a preseason game last week.  The Bulldogs are 2-2 now and are about to take off on a 9 day trip to Missouri, Chicago and Las Vegas.  May the odds be ever in their favor!!

 

While David was home in October we took a really quick trip up to Lake Lure.  Simba went along for the ride and we got this 'selfie' of the five of us.

 

Simba wasn't to be left out of the Peace Avenue clothing so he donned this cute bandana and marched proudly in the Uptown Shelby Music, Mutts and Mush parade.  That was a fun day with Rollover pet store's parade and Halloween costume contest.   Lily Bean Coffee made it even more fun with a post parade snack of puppichinos.  Uptown Shelby has a growing core of young, small business owners who are working together to create a lot of good energy and good times - for two and four legged friends. 

 

 

Here's another core of good people who, along with a bunch of others, took time out to decorate Holy Angels.  Holy Angels is an amazing place committed to provide specialized care for children and adults who are "differently able".  It was an inspiring day filled with love. 

 

 

These are the ingredients for Pork Chop meal with the recipe below.  This is quick to put together, simmers for an hour and is all done in one pot.   

 

 

 

Mama Crowder always said she loved pig better than cow.  I definitely am her granddaughter because I love pig too.  I cook the entire meal in this skillet.  Dad questioned whether  it was actually possible to fix this in anything other than a cast iron pan and I promise it works in this one.

 

I forgot to get a picture of the finished product but it's a pretty dish that smells and tastes wonderful.

 

 

Pork Chop Meal

 

Pork Chop Meal is a recipe from the first Shelby Jr Charity League cookbook.  This book is always described as the one with the rings in the top.   Every recipe in this cookbook is good.  Mama made it often when we were growing up and I have made it several times recently. 

 

The recipe is delicious, easy and colorful and is made all in one pot so there is very little clean up. 

 

4 Tbsp Wesson oil

salt and pepper

4 Thick sliced onions, 1/4" thick

4 rings green pepper (or red or a mixture)

4 thick pork chops

4 Tbsp Uncooked rice

3 cups canned tomatoes (or 2 15 oz cans)

1 cup diced celery

 

 

Brown pork chops in Wesson Oil   (I use bone in chops but you can use boneless).

   Brown them well on both sides, about 15 minutes.

Salt and pepper the chops

Place a slice of onion and a pepper ring on each chop

Place one Tbsp rice in each pepper ring

Pour tomatoes over, add celery, cover skillet and when steam appears, switch to simmer for 1 hour.

Noli timere!