A Day at the Pond

This weekend Paul and I spent some time at his parents' house out in the country, in Mt. Pleasant. I always love going back there. In only a 45-minute drive from the city, we're transported to a quieter, simpler existence, as we watch the landscape outside the car window go to green. 

We spent most of our time outside, since it was one of those last cool days of the dwindling Spring. There was time under the trees in breezy hammocks, bottles of homebrew, backyard ping pong games, and fishing at the pond. We also smoked up some chicken, salmon, and pond fish for lunch over a pile of hickory sticks, with an armful of lemons thrown in for a smoky lemonade with tea-infused whiskey.

- - - x x - - x x x - - x x - - - 

If you are a country girl at heart, like me, here's a little list of inspiration to create your own day at the pond...

1. a pair of shades

2. a good read

3. a cool hat

4. a breezy skirt

5. lots of cold beer

6. a tasty dinner with the day's catch

Family Recipe: Ruth's Beet Pickles

In the spirit of canning season, I wanted to share a recipe from our family's collection. I've typed it word-for-word as my Granny had it printed in her recipe notebook. I love how this recipe has absolutely no instructions for canning. Now, to learn to can, you have to either search out someone who can teach you or read stacks of books to feel even remotely confident enough to get started on your own. But back then, this was something people (ok, admittedly - women) just knew how to do. It was one more thing learned over mama's and grandmama's shoulders in the kitchen. No written directions needed. This is a tradition that skipped my mom's generation, but luckily, Paul's mom is a home preserver and passed the skill on to us.


I love beets about any way you can make them, and if they're canned, I like them especially spicy. So I think this recipe might benefit from the addition of peppers or pepper flakes of some kind. I haven't tried canning any beets yet, mainly because I haven't come across a really huge amount of them at the farmers' market. But the season for root vegetables is nearing its end, so a good deal may be just around the corner! If you have a great recipe for beets that you'd like to share, please send it my way. I'd love to give it a try!


Ruth’s Beet Pickles

2 c. sugar

1 T. whole allspice

1 ½ T. salt

2 sticks cinnamon

3 ½ c. vinegar

1 ½ c. water

Beats [sic], cooked

Heat all ingredients and pour over cooked beats [sic] in jar. Makes 7 pints.


P.S. That's a photo of radishes & swiss chard - not beets, but the closest photo I had in my farmers' market archives! 

Preserving

It's time for canning! This is one of my favorite parts of spring and summer. Canning reminds me of my great-grandma, Isabelle (who I called "Granny"), who would "put up" green beans and tomatoes every year and freeze lots of other things. I remember the shelves of the outdoor utility closet stocked full of jars of vegetables and going out there to grab a can for her while she was cooking supper. It doesn't seem that anyone has ever been able to top Granny's green beans, but nothing ever tastes as good as it does in sweet memory. 

Granny and Papa and Aileen (my grandmother, who lived with them) never had a garden while I was growing up, but we did live out in the country where bushels of fresh vegetables were easy to come by. They'd always buy enough corn and beans each summer to fill several huge aluminum tubs, and we'd all sit around in the front room of their house shucking and snapping for an entire day.

Today, Paul and I grow what we can in our little spot of sun by our front porch. Our green thumb is still growing and hopefully by the time we have more sunlit space, we'll be more knowledgeable gardeners. But in the meantime, we do what Granny, Papa, and Aileen did. We go to our local farmers and get lots of things while they're in season and can and freeze and preserve away. Our favorite is to actually go and pick the things ourselves, and we do that every year for every type of fruit we can get our hands on. The rest we buy by the bushel from farms and farmers' markets when it's at the peak of the season. 

It's so satisfying to "put up" the summer's harvest just like Granny used to do, to use every last bit of what the season has to offer us and to be able to keep enjoying it even after its time has passed. The kind of canning that we do at home is a little different than what my Granny did, though. We do can tomatoes just like she used to, but we like to get creative with flavors a little more than she did. I'd love to make her a slice of toast with our Strawberry Provence Preserves, made with fresh-picked berries from Lineberger's Maple Springs Farm and herbs de Provence. Wonder what'd she think of that?

The recipe we used for our Strawberry Provence Preserves was adapted from Canning for a New Generation, a canning recipe book that I'd highly recommend for its modern twists on the classics. We used the recipe for Strawberry and Lavender Jam, substituting the herbs. If you're new to canning, I'd recommend starting with freezer jam, which is how we first began. It's a great way to familiarize yourself just a bit with canning before committing to it. You make the jam but instead of canning it traditionally, you place it in jars (even reused ones will do), and pop it in the freezer!

a quick word...

Spring has been a busy time for both me and the world of Verabelle. There is something about a change in the season that reenergizes me and makes my mind burst forth with new ideas and inspiration. This also makes it hard to find time to sit down and write, reflect, and catalogue these new memories. But I wanted to let you know that I'm still here, creating away! From road trips to our friends' wedding to picking and canning, springtime has been filled with adventure. And I promise to find time very soon to sit down and share more of it with you. But in the meantime, here's a lovely quote that I heard from my friend (and previous Verabelle intern), Kimi. She discovered this on the Smart, Pretty & Awkward blog by Molly Ford. Seemed quite relevant. I am proud to say that this is the way I live my life, and that is the best thing that I can wish for you too!

"Build a life so uniquely yours that no one can imagine anyone but you living it. Make your choices so intentionally and specifically tailored to your personality and your goals that it is impossible to conceive of anyone but you living the one specific life that you live. Your life should not be interchangeable with anyone else’s – and that’s a good thing because it means you are listening to your own specific heart, mind and values." 

Road Trip Checklist

I am starting my 30th birthday celebration 6 months early. It's a big one, so why not?! And besides, this is a bucket list kind of thing, something I've always wanted to do... an all-girl road trip with three of my best friends! Most of my really close friends are normally spread all over the country, but the universe managed to align itself this one time, with all of us being in the same state and having the same few days free for travel! We've decided to explore Lexington and Louisville in Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee. We head out in a few days, and I can't wait! The itinerary is ready to go, my seersucker has been laundered, and my car is washed, but I still have a few things left on my to-do list before we pack up and head out. For me, getting ready to go is half the fun!

road trip mix
make skirt for Nashville
pick out outfits
make granola, bread for sandwiches, and mozzarella
pack travel games
pick up F. Scott Fitzgerald short stories from library
choose audio book & check-out from library
make all camping reservations
business cards for the road
postcard stamps & addresses
hat(s)?

I wish I had this hat for the horse race we're going to in Lexington!

If you want to get in on the action and hear all about our journey, I would absolutely LOVE to send you a postcard. For me, no road trip is complete without a stack of postcards to accompany my rides in the passenger seat. I have a little summertime fundraiser in my Etsy shop, so for $5 you can get a handwritten traveling account from yours truly. The proceeds will help fund my travels to this season's craft shows, so I would really appreciate your support (and love to write to you too)!

Drink It Up

As promised, here are the drink recipes from the 1920's speakeasy party we hosted this past weekend. I'll just have to say - I could have a BBQ whiskey sour everysingleday if I wasn't worried about turning into a total lush. We served all of these drinks in half-pint mason jars, which we luckily have a slew of from all of our canning. I have been picking up even more lately from all my Goodwill and thrift store trips to stock up for the season. They're fun to drink out of, and you can snag them from 10 to 40 cents apiece. Now try to beat that with a hickory stick! If you try any of these out, let me know which is your favorite!

yours truly, serving up Lemon-Absinthe Poppers

The Blind Pig

recipe adapted from Cherry Tea Cakes

equal parts (1 oz. or 1 shot each)...

whiskey

fresh lemon juice

BBQ simple syrup

The Bee's Knees

recipe adapted from Southern Cocktails: 

Dixie Drinks, Party Potions & Classic Libations

1 shot gin

1/2 shot fresh lemon juice

1 shot honey syrup*

Tequila Toss-Up

recipe created by me!

1  sm. jigger tequila (1 oz.)

1 lrg. jigger grapefruit juice (1.5 oz.)

1/2 lrg. jigger basil or thyme syrup** (3/4 oz.)

splash seltzer

A 1920s Weekend

This weekend, Paul and I threw a stock-the-bar speakeasy party for our friends who are getting married. I just love a good themed party! We went all out with old-timey treats and DIY drinks, and I even turned my dressing room that I use at craft shows into a photo booth! Yes, you had to take your own photos using my camera, but it didn't make it any less fun. And afterwards, I turned them into photo strips for everyone. Below are a few of my favorites from the night that I'll share without getting too many of my friends in trouble. :) On the left, I'm with Paul and one of my very best friends, Sarah. Then when Paul and I were cleaning up the next day, we decided we'd take a few photos with the dogs. (The chihuahuas, Lola and Biscuit are ours. Emerson the beagle we were watching for a friend.) Later this week, I'll share some food and drink recipes with you and a few more photos to go with them.

          

 

Craft Kits

I have loved craft kits since I was a kid, and nothing much has changed now that I am an adult. Don't you think it's so satisfying to sit down with all the parts to something and then walk away with a finished project, completely created by your own two hands? And the great thing about a kit is that is everything is all ready to go. All the pieces are in place; you just have to put them together, sometimes learning a new skill along the way.


I think craft kits are great for so many things. I love them especially for road trips, and I can guarantee you I have my own craft kit packed for every long car ride. But think of every other time you might be sitting around twiddling your thumbs: getting your car worked on, doctor's/dentist's appointments, hanging with your man during a football game, waiting for your name to be called at a restaurant... It never hurts to have something to do waiting for you in your bag, something to occupy your mind and fingers besides your smart phone. :)


Here's a round-up of craft kits that will satisfy a variety of ages, from ones I'd have been happy with as a child to ones I'd love to have in my lap now. All of these kits are available on Etsy. And yes, there are even a couple in there by yours truly! (A little shameless self-promotion never hurts, right?)

DIY purse by Elenushka

Zodiac Embroidery Kit by Miniature Rhino

DIY Doll Kit by Sophie Tilley Designs

 

Sew-It-Yourself Appliques by Verabelle

Hand-Stitched Card Sets by Curious Doodles

Needle Felting Kit by Ag Snag Breac

Patchwork Pouch Kit by Sew Sew n Sew

Sew-It-Yourself Lacing Cards by Verabelle

Coloring Box by Leon + Coco

Mystery Grab Bag Craft Kits by Verabelle

Charlotte Bakery Tour

I work in one of the best bakeries in Charlotte one day a week, but I like to stray from Amelie's once in awhile to taste the other sweet treats the city has to offer. I recently took my mom on a Charlotte bakery tour to show her some of my favorite spots, because really, show me a woman who doesn't love a baked good. So if you're looking for something to do this Valentine's Day, here's a delicious itinerary to share with anybody you're a little sweet on!

Sunflour Baking Company 2001 E. 7th St.

This is my favorite breakfast bakery, with from-scratch sweet and savory pastries made from local ingredients. Sunflour uses organic flour from Lindley Mills in Graham, and their eggs and buttermilk are sourced from Cackleberry Farm in Concord. Start your day with a blueberry "pop tart" like I did, and you'll get to savor jam from Hazel's Jams just down the road. My favorites, though, are the hazelnut orange roll and their morning glory muffin. Also not to be missed: homemade croissants, quiche, and fresh-churned ice cream. Sunflour also offers sandwiches for breakfast and lunch and features a few local craft beers.

Suarez Bakery 4245 Park Rd. 

Suarez Bakery serves up the kind of breakfast pastries I grew up with: doughnuts, bear claws, and danishes. They also make the completely homemade version of one of my childhood favorites: the cream horn. But this time, my mom and I both went home with their elephant ear, a crispy round of puff pastry topped with cinnamon and sugar. So good with coffee - yum! Note: Tizzerts shares the same bakery space and offers homemade (and quite lovely) cakes and cupcakes.

Polka Dot Bake Shop 1730 E. Woodlawn Rd., Ste. H 

Charlotte's first cupcake bakery is still one of my all-time favorites for single serving cake. Their cupcake menu rotates during the week, with special flavors featured every day. I have to say that I used to not be a cake fan, but this bake shop is one of the places that has officially turned me into a cake lover. Some of my favorite flavors: key lime pie, cookies and cream, and strawberry shortcake.

Davidson Chocolates 123A East Blvd. 

I am so happy to have a neighborhood chocolate shop! Though it's more a confection than a true baked-good, how could I leave chocolate off the tour? Davidson Chocolates has a case of traditional and creative truffle flavors, as well as other chocolate candy creations. I am sad that the garlic truffle was out when I visited, but I am certainly curious about that one! For Valentine's Day, they have a special pomegranate truffle that sounds amazing: half milk and half dark chocolate ganache with a hint of pear and honey. Yes, please!

Great Harvest Bread Company 901 S. Kings Dr. / 6420 Rea Rd.

Before Paul and I started making our own bread for sandwiches, we'd make our weekly trip to Great Harvest for one of their delicious loaves. But we still stop in regularly for their scuffins, a muffin-scone hybrid which combines the best of both baked goods: a little sweet, a little savory. Their focaccia is also amazing and, really, anything is that comes of out of this well-known national bakery chain. Their menu changes every month, with the selections rotating daily. Both Charlotte locations now offer sandwiches on their slices, so this is a great place to grab lunch (and one of their Savannah Bars for dessert) and end your tour!

Object of Affection: NC Pennant

I am a huge fan of kitschy travel memorabilia, but I didn't have to travel too far to find this vintage NC pennant. This little treasure came from one of my favorite Charlotte antique shops, Fifteen Ten Antiques on Central Avenue. As a NC native, this keepsake tugs at my heartstrings. I imagine someone picking it up on their vacation to Kitty Hawk or on a tour of college campuses around the state. I love it for its bright colors (that coral pink is one of my all-time favs) and its adorably retro illustrations of North Carolina landmarks and tourists. This pennant has a home on the wall by my sewing machine.