Baby, It's Cold Outside

A few days ago it was 80 degrees here in Andersonville. Today it's 42 degrees and raining off and on. My California blood is not thick enough for this drastic change. Mother nature is so odd. Thankfully I came prepared with my spirit hood and several scarves. I feel a bit like Punky Brewster with my fashion choices but it seems to suit me just fine. The deer and wild turkeys here don't seem to mind. The air was still for most of the day and now the wind is blowing a bit causing the leaves to fall.

I made pasta again today. Pappardelle seemed appropriate. Pappardelle (sg.: pappardella) are large, very broad fettuccine. The name derives from the verb “pappare,” to gobble up. Every time I look out in the yard there are 11 wild turkeys hanging out looking delicious and quite beautiful. I made a quick sauce with butter, a splash of cream, fresh sage, thyme and lemon zest. The same flavors, minus the cream were mixed into a butter that topped the broiled lobster tails. Quite a lovely and rich meal. The turkey's will live to see another day.

I finally found a great wooden block that I can use to knead dough. I had been on a hunt for quite some time. I now have lots of pasta hanging dry. I'd like to build a fire and cuddle up. I finished reading a book I started a few days ago. Overall, it's been a lovely week so far. I have been getting a lot of photos from my girl friends who are doing quite a bit of cooking themselves. They seem so happy and I am so proud of them. Too bad I'm not there to taste their creations. Hopefully they will bake something and mail it to me :)

Masonry is Interesting

Back in May my father and I made a trip down to Home Depot, as we often have throughout my life. My dad is good at making things and I am good at breaking them. On this particular adventure, he decided he was going to build a ramp up to the shed so that he could drive the tractor inside so it would be protected from the Winter weather here in the East Tennessee mountains. To say I was less than thrilled to drive 600 pounds of concrete mix and several concrete blocks home is a gross understatement. I was pissed. He should have just hired someone to do his little project and it would have been completed months ago.

Now in mid-October, the concrete mix and blocks were still sitting untouched where I had unloaded them the first time. The tractor is sitting in the area where I want to build my chicken coup. Insert selfish motivation here<-. I have been researching chickens; the breeds, the best egg layers, which ones can stand the cold and heat, and I discovered you can buy day old chicks and have them shipped right to your door. All of this excites me, as does the idea of knowing where my eggs come from and the idea of hatching my own baby chicks like I did as a kid. I found an incubator at the Tractor Supply store and I am so tempted to buy it!

In order to be able to build a coup, I needed to find a new home for the tractor. The knowledge I have of mixing and pouring cement comes from walking by someone as they pull the lever and it comes out of the machine and is spread like icing and then allowed to cure or bake as I prefer to see it as. It can't be that hard, right? Well, I was in over my head. The concrete blocks that were to be used to cut down on the amount of cement needed weighed at least 50 pounds each. They had to be arranged just right, and that was a huge project in itself. I had planned on waiting for one of my gentleman friends to come visit before I started this but my dad had other ideas. Next thing you know, I was throwing around 60 pound bags of Sakrete like I had been doing it all my life. Two days into this project I have mixed 1200 pounds of concrete by hand and am almost done with this ramp building project. I went back to Home Depot and purchased the necessary items for finishing the project which included lots more Sakrete, several more half blocks of concrete and, 150 pounds of play sand. I definitely took some time out to build a castle and write someone a note.

I overheard my father on the phone this morning, relaying the story of how he couldn't believe that his little princess who doesn't even like to vacuum was out there building this concrete ramp. It made me laugh. I really, really want these chickens, so as it stands I am 240 pounds of concrete away from being able to start my chicken coup. Tonight I will have a glass of wine and a long bubble bath. I love knowing I really can do anything, and my daddy is proud of me.

Home Sweet Home, Tennessee

It's good to be home again. I flew in yesterday. It feels like I was gone for much longer than the sixteen days it actually was. A lot has changed here in Tennessee. The leaves have fallen or turned bright orange on the trees behind the house. The air is crisp and cool. The garden is barren as my father, my Aunt Toots, and Uncle Bob seem to have worked a lot cleaning it up while I was away. They finished construction on the Turkey Feeder, for the ten or so wild turkeys that come through the yard. Sadie got her nails cut short enough to where you can't hear her dancing on the hardwood floors of the house. They planted tulips along the front of the house. The peach wine got bottled. Twenty-something pumpkins got donated to the local church and schools.

My father got a thank you note in the mail from our friend's grandson who also received a pumpkin.

On my flight home, I was the last to board the plane. I had to wait for my seat to be assigned. 28B. Last row, center seat that doesn't recline. I was walking down the aisle and realized it was the only open seat on the plane. As I approached it, the flight attendant, Sue said, "Welcome, we've been waiting for you." I laughed when I realized I was on a cross country flight at 6:45am and there was no hope of getting any sleep. As I sat down, Tori, the woman on the aisle was speaking to Clive, the gentleman with the prime window seat. She passed him a complimentary drink coupon and said to enjoy a bloody mary. I chimed in and said, "Oh, good. I am in the correct row!" They both laughed and this began a conversation that lasted the entire flight.

Tori, a mother of three girls is from California originally. On a business trip, she was returning home to her family outside of Atlanta. Clive, of British decent has lived all over the world. He was on his way to a fresh produce convention in Atlanta. It has been a lot of years and many many flights since I have said anything other than hello to the people sitting near me on an airplane. I saw the premier episode of Pan Am a few weeks back and remembered what it was like jet-setting the world in the upstairs business class cabin on Quantas, taking breaks to go play in the cockpit and steer the plane. I enjoyed decent meals and a glass of bubbly as a little girl, and being entertained by going down the spiral staircase to check out the action at the bar in First Class. That was long ago but it was the only way to fly.

Things have long since changed, however there is Sue. Clive ordered a mimosa, which is not an option in the main cabin. She suggested that she handle the cocktail and would make him, "Something special." I obviously hadn't intended on drinking at 7am but nevertheless, I chimed in with, "I'll have what the gentleman is having". Tori followed suit, and Sue set off to the galley with several cans and three bottles of Skyy vodka. Upon her return, she presented us with plastic cups that had a rainbow of colors. Clive asked the name and she replied, "Sue's Sunrise". We saluted our beverages and then enjoyed them. Sue returned to see that we were enjoying them and told us the story behind the drink. She spent six months flying with the Angels baseball team, and she came up with it to entertain them. They would try to order it on flights where she wasn't working and were always disappointed. Sue regularly flies between Orange County and Atlanta. You better believe I will be asking for her next time I take that flight! We ordered a second round and continued chatting.

Tori was talking about how she wants to get a pet goat. I have a fondness for farm animals and decided I need one too. I loved the idea of fresh goat's milk, and making my own goat cheese. After my flight, I informed my father of this. He promptly replied, "okay", and began researching everything on the internet. By the time I got home, I had several links to sites with information regarding dairy goats. After reading all of it, I have come to the conclusion that it is a lot of work and expensive equipment to make some homemade goat cheese. I then thought I should just get a pig, also a lot of work. So, I have decided to get a few chicken birds. I can easily build a coup for them down near the shed and will have farm fresh eggs! I plan to start with three hens. I have a name for one of them which was suggested in a conversation regarding the goat. I will be accepting name suggestions for the other two. Growing up we had several chickens and ducks along with our horses. I know the work tied to caring for the chickens and realistically speaking, this is the only option for an animal that I am willing to commit to taking care of. We have the deer that come by and the wild turkey's, and they feel like pets without the maintenance other than refilling the feeders. I'm so excited to go down to the Anderson Farmer's Co-Op this week and get started on my chicken project!

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Well, California did me proud today. Yesterday was unreasonably hot. Today was in the 80's and a perfect day for lunch by the beach. My dear friend Marie and I were discussing where to have lunch and I said anywhere with a view. She suggested Las Brisas patio in Laguna Beach. We are both very fond of the restaurant having both grown up enjoying meals with our favorite loved ones there over the years.

We shared a three hour meal. In that time we had a lot of catching up to do. Marie was married in June to her best friend and perfect match, Dave. I was blessed to be their Pastry Chef for the wedding and made their cake and cupcakes. We spent time discussing love, life and all the blessings we both have in our lives. We talked a lot about love because to me it's something I'm so curious about. The best resource for information regarding the subject is definitely a newlywed whom evidently was smart enough to seek, find and successfully develop a healthy relationship. My lawyer/BFF Gracie and I have been studying this rare breed of people for years. Without concrete evidence of the existence of such a thing, at times it's like we were hunting for Bigfoot or Nessy, all the while believing that the possibility truly does exist. Marie has been able to honestly answer my questions and bring words to the ideas of what it's really like in all forms, not just in a marriage.

Over chips and guacamole, we enjoyed so many laughs, the most amazing view, the sound of crashing waves, great people watching, and California sunshine. There was a woman who was painting under her umbrella and straw hat. I have seen this at the exact same spot for so many years but today something was different. There was a point where the ocean was still and it looked like glass. Marie pointed this out and we both sat in awe. It lasted for a minute or two and in that moment it felt like eternity. Almost as if the world stood still for that brief moment in time. I don't ask questions in times like these. I just enjoy it and soak it all in.

So back to this love thing...I love lunches in Laguna, I love my beautiful friends, and I love that love is the only four letter word that I love to say. I don't want to imagine what my life would be like without love. I've already forgotten what it's like to not believe in it or want to question it. I'm the luckiest girl in the world, and I love that too.

Cupcake Care Packages

I know my time in California is coming to an end. I figured I should bake since I like to, and my friends could use a little Fall sugar rush. It was 100 degrees here today according to my car. I thought I was going to melt! Nevertheless I got to work and made a bunch of cupcakes.

Tony's White on White, Vanilla with Vanilla Buttercream
Chocolate Funfetti, Vanilla cake with Chocolate Sprinkles baked inside
Pumpkin
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip with Maple Cream Cheese Icing

I packaged them in variety packs and now a bunch of my friends are getting Cupcake Care Packages! Such a fun way to share some sweets with the sweet people in my life!

California Sunday Funday: A Taste Of Vietnam

Early on a Sunday morning, there are people buzzing around the local Farmer's Market. I stopped through after my visit to the doctors office. I think all this running around finally caught up with me. Though I'm a bit dramatic, it does kind of feel like I have the plague. I don't enjoy being anything less than 100% healthy. My doc says I'm going to live, and be cured by the time I head home to TN.

My sweet Gracie drove down from LA for a visit. We were invited to her mother's home for a late afternoon feast. Her younger sister, Adeline was also visiting from college. I have known Gracie and her family for so long. I remember when her sister was born. Their mother is an amazing cook. I do not say this lightly. Anytime I'm invited to her beautiful home I'm delighted in knowing that I will have a meal large enough to last a week, and my taste buds will be dancing with the French and Vietnamese influence of her cuisine.

We were celebrating Marie-Claire, Gracie's mom's birthday. It was a gorgeous day at their Ritz Pointe home. The view is stunning and the yard backs up to the golf course at Monarch Beach. I was tempted to go out and play a couple of holes.

Once I witnessed the tablescape, I didn't want to go anywhere. I don't know what the proper names are for anything we had but everything was wonderful. Most of the items require an instruction manual and tour guide for the proper way to eat them and which sauces are to be the accompaniment.

We began with spring rolls that have such wonderful contrast of textures from the rice paper and crunchy something, and the meat, and lettuce and herbs. Dipped in a peanut sauce that Adeline's boyfriend was convinced had mango in it (it did not), made for a perfect way to begin our meal.

There was a beef wrapped in grape leaves that we had another sauce for. A salad with all kinds of tasty things in it. A shrimp thing that has a sticky rice covering, yum. We enjoyed several other items and then three kinds of curry. Marie-Claire is a master at curry. In college, Gracie and I used to make our own version of curry together. I recently challenged Gracie to make it for her date. She sent me photos and I was quite proud. She has only recently begun to cook again. Of the three different curry dishes from our meal, it is hard to pick a favorite. The delicacy Goat Curry is served in a bowl and with a few slices of French bread to dip into the sauce. It had carrots and onions and was so fantastic I think I might tear up just writing about it. The catfish curry was also very good. Marie-Claire's green curry was perfectly spicy and had chicken and shrimp in it. Enjoyed with rice, I was ecstatic that it made it's way into my to-go package. Mama never let's us leave without food. Beef short ribs and these little bites of heaven that are sesame covered fried dough balls also came home with me.

This was a perfect day with family, food, laughter, and of course cake. I wish I was going to Vietnam with the family in December, but this little adventure today gave me a taste of the flavors of the country. Enough to satisfy me until the next time we all get together.

The Soundtrack Of My Life

It's so funny to me as I refuse to age but just get better with time, all of the songs I have heard 1000 times or more are all getting new a meaning. My internal playlist is very diverse. There is always a song stuck in my head. What surprises me now is that these songs I know and love have found a new way to affect me. It's a purely positive thing and I'm not sure I can justify my explanation with words.

It seems with everything that is going on in Mandyland, I have a completely different outlook. Things in my life are simple and straightforward but unexpected at the same time. I'm so blessed and continually get everything I ask for, though it seems to arrive in a different package than I created in my mind. I'm really enjoying all of it. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the surprises. It's all happening and time is flying but I feel like time is frozen in the moments that mean the most.

I am really grateful for what my life in Tennessee has brought me in all aspects of my lovely time here on Earth. It has sparked flames on the little fires I lit long ago. My dreams are all attainable. My friendships are showing their deep roots. I'm learning new things daily, which is necessary for me to feel fulfilled.

I can't wait to go home and see my dad and my dog and plant things in my garden, but until then I will get some more Californian adventures with the people who stand by me and hold my hand through this thing called life. It's epic and awesome. So much fun! I love what turns my life has taken in the past couple of months. I asked for some excitement and got so much more than that.

Grow your roots. Live, love, laugh and don't ever forget who made you awesome. Love is contagious. Let it be, and share your talents. Smile when you really don't want to. It will change everything.

Xoxo
Rainbows and Rocket Ships