Strawberries

If you've ever raised rabbits or grown strawberries you understand what I'm talking about when I say " Holy Moly look at all of 'em."
 Mister and I picked nearly 8 quarts of strawberries today from two rows of berries. Tomorrow will bring more of the same, judging by the almost ripe ones, I saw growing today.
My mind thinks of Forrest Gump and his conversation with Bubba about shrimp... I can make strawberry jam, strawberry bread, strawberry smoothies, strawberry shortcake, strawberry pie... For certain my oatmeal in the morning will have a helping of fresh berrries in it.

We purchased Ever Bearing Strawberries last year at our favorite flea market. Having never grown strawberries before, a little light research was done. The articles stated that it was important to pick all of the blooms the first year. This helps increase crop yield the following years. Our bloom picking must have been performed well because our yield this year is outstanding. I really haven't put much effort into them. A garden purist would have a fit, if they saw my unmulched, weedy patch, of berries.



I have had three weekends in a row of road trips, I am exhausted. Each trip has been wonderful and I loved them. Now, I'm ready for a little veranda sitting and strawberry eating. So, me thinks this batch of berries will be going into freezer bags for winter use. Tomorrows batch will be used for something more glamorous.

The ever bearing variety means I could be picking berries until September!

Spiegel Grove

"A veranda with a house attached," was the fancy of Lucy Hayes, this was her correspondence with the Uncle who built this home. Spiegel Grove offered a home of country fresh air for her children.
 The gardens were well documented by her husband President Rutherford Hayes.

Veranda of Spiegel Grove



Spiegel Grove

President Hayes and his title of presidency lead me to Fremont, Ohio to photograph the grounds and home. Spiegel Grove was the home to Rutherford B Hayes, our 19th president. A home, where his children were raised, with his beloved wife Lucy. What I didn't expect when I arrived was to have Mrs. Hayes become the object of my interest.

I also, didn't expect to witness how the community of Fremont would descend upon this historical spot with such a lack of dignity and respect. Mister and I arrived early enough to view the grounds before the locals arrived. You see,  a custom has developed over the years, in which students from the local high school gather here for prom photos. What a fiasco. People pulled their vehicles right onto the lawn, wet lawn. It was sad to see the grounds rutted out by the cars. Pretentious mothers encouraged their scantly dressed daughters to plop themselves upon the veranda stairs. Well, enough on that subject. I suppose that community feels they are entitled to parade themselves around this Historical area with no regards for manners and etiquette.

During our visit the home was having extensive renovation done inside. We still enjoyed a nice tour of the interior (of course, photos were not allowed inside) Our tour guide was a very interesting man named Ross who took Mister and I through the home and pointed out so many interesting items.

The exterior seems to have suffered some neglect. Before touring the home, and listening to Ross tell us the stories, I took this photo.

It was all I could do to restrain myself from pulling weeds and clearing this bed. The structure looks so ghost like and unloved.

Ross told us of additions to Spiegel Grove being planned, way back during the days of Mrs. Hayes. In the plans was a sunroom especially for Lucy, to sit and read and enjoy the sun.

Just for Lucy

In the late 1800's her home was in the state of remodeling. A new kitchen, a fabulous dining room, and this sitting area. A sitting area overlooking the gardens.
Lucy died at the age of 57 before the completion of her special sitting area and home interior.
This made me view the pitiful unloved garden with even more remorse. The sitting area looks directly over the over grown garden.

I am pleased to know that at some point someone had the foresight to protect some historical things. Like this tree.

A 235 year old tree still stands on the grounds of Spiegel Grove.

Here and there, a few beds were tidy and well done.

Then there were more of the pitiful unloved areas. Despite a carriage house, that is home to a caretaker, there seemed to be such disarray.

The Dogwood trees were in bloom, adding a charm the day we visited.

There were little areas that were well maintained.

The path leading back to the burial area of President Rutherford and Lucy Hayes was paved with what I think are sandstones. I loved the worn cracked placing of the stones. Judging from old photos that I have seen, the walkway seems to be as it was when the memorial area was created.

I left Fremont with a new interest in American first ladies. Lucy Hayes was the first wife of a president to be titled First Lady. She was referred to as Lemonade Lucy. The first lady refused to serve alcohol while hosting parties at the White House. This approach to alcohol earned her the nickname.

This would be a great spot to insert a fabulous Lemonade recipe, I suppose. Maybe, that is for another time.

After having visited, Mount Vernon and Monticello, I think my expectations were to find an immaculate home and amazing groomed gardens at Spiegel Grove. What I found was hopefully, a work in progress. I hope the exterior grounds are respected by someone who is in charge, making Lucy and Rutherford proud of how well their home is being cared for. Perhaps, I will donate some of my time and volunteer. A spare pair of weed pulling hands could be of use.

Lucy Hayes was a thrifty woman who used coupons, loved nature, and animals. A mother, a wife, an educated woman of her time, she surely should have her home cared for with a careful hand as does Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.

President Rutherford Hayes kept such detailed records with regards to the trees and the plantings on the estate. The time and commitment it must have taken to keep the records and care for the plants is a testimony to their love for this home.

The veranda of Spiegel Grove offered a wonderful bench for Mister and I to share. We sat there. Together. Just as Rutherford and Lucy once did.

Ohio Weather

A quick garden update:

• Blueberry bushes are covered with netting to keep out critters
•  The carrots planted in the paper strip are up, and the rows are in horrible need of weeding. Direct sow of seeds are not up yet.
• Strawberries are looking very promising.
• Corn is up
• Broccoli planted from seed is now as big as the three plants we bought. This too needs thinning
• Onion, 4 rows from sets are doing well. No action yet in the rows planted from seed.
• Potatoes that were planted from last years crop are growing like mad. No action yet from the hills that were planted with seed potatoes.
• Pintos are amazing and growing well.
• Leaf spinach could be harvested and eaten.
• Garlic is standing loud and proud. I'll plant more this fall.
• Herbs are all thriving.
• Romaine lettuce looks good but, needs thining.
• No cauliflower, yet that was planted from seed.
• No cabbage yet, that was planted from seed.
• The volunteer onions are ready to be pulled.
• Peas are climbing the trellis.
• I can't tell if the sesame is growing yet because, I don't know how to identify the crop from the tiny weeds yet. I have planted more seeds and placed it in the incubator in case my direct sow doesn't take hold. I'm being frugile with the seeds because of their origin.
• Camomile is up.
• The peppers are still hanging out in the incubator
• Tomatoes are still hanging out with the peppers.
• Tomatillos are almost ready to re-pot and are still in the incubator.

It's cold in Ohio today. The inside of our house is in the low 60's and I refuse to turn the heat on. We have had many straight days of rain which has left the garden well watered but, not workable. The crops love the rain, unfortunately the weeds love the rain too. I'm sure as soon as the sun shines and dries up all of the rain, I will be a weed murdering maniac. No chemicals, I hand pull the little rascals.

I'm waiting to plant the tomatoes and peppers until this cold rainy spell is gone.

It's been said, "If you don't like the weather in Ohio wait a few hours, it's sure to change."

I think this is what makes our state wonderful!

I'm ready for the warm sunshine now!

Calypso Bars

The ladies of The General Foods Kitchens came up with this book in 1959. On page 113 a recipe for Calypso Bars sits categorized as a 'Company For Dinner' item.
Back in the day this was to be served with Swedish Meat Balls, Potato Salad Supreme, and Tomato Aspic-Squares on Lettuce. This was a strategic menu to allow for successful entertaining. I made the Calypso Bars just for giggles and I was fairly entertained. We all liked eating them.

Calypso Bars

2 1/2 squares unsweetened chocolate
2/3 cups hot water
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1 1/3 cups chopped dates
1 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups sifted flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. soda
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 cup chopped nuts

Melt chocolate in hot water over low heat. Add granulated sugar and stir until dissolved. Add dates and cook over low heat until mixture thickens- about 5 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of the butter. Then blend in vanilla. Cool.
Cream remaining 3/4 cup butter and the brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Sift flour, salt, and soda, together. Add to creamed mixture, blending well. Add oats and nuts and mix until crumbly. Press half the nuts mixture onto bottom of a greased 13x9x2 inch pan. Spread with date-chocolate mixture *(see my added note below)* and top with remaining nut mixture. Bake in moderate oven (350 degrees) for 30 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream. Or cool and cut into squares. Makes 30.

***The next time I make this recipe, I will avoid spreading the date-chocolate mixture within 1/4" of the edge. This should fix my problem of a sticky edge clean-up.

I might try an experiment and skip the chocolate and add apricots instead of dates. The recipe tastes just fine the way it is written.

Pinto Beans

The Pinto beans have sprouted, overnight. Last night the row was empty, only dirt. The celery looked dry tonight and needed watering. With my watering can in hand, I looked across the rows, I saw the little beans. Right before my eyes...fancy little beans.

Blueberry Bushes

The blueberry bushes were planted last year. This year we have flowers/soon to be fruit. I have said "If we get at least one cup of blueberries this year, I will be happy." We have a good chance of making that goal.

I couldn't decide which photo I liked the best. Aren't the bluberry flowers dainty?

Ohio Lemon Pie

The Cleveland Press operated from 1878 until 1982. Of course, the newspaper was located in Cleveland, Ohio. Barbara Bratel once served as the Press Home Economist and Food Editor. The newspaper ran a special recipe section during 1976, that featured old time recipes. The recipes from that feature were compiled into a book properly titled The Cleveland Press Olde Time Recipes by Barbara Bratel.

Credit for the Ohio Lemon Pie is given to the Shakers who lived in Cleveland at one time. Although I agree very little with the Shaker philosphy I do like their way of thinking in this regard,  "All beauty that has no foundation in use soon grows distasteful and needs continuous replacement with something new."

Ahh back to the pie. Scrumptious. It slices and serves like a dream and the taste is yowie good.

Ohio Lemon Pie

Pastry for a 2-crust pie (8-inch)   I used the recipe on the back of my Hudson Cream Flour Bag

2 or 3 large lemons

1 3/4 cups sugar

4 eggs

3 tsp. lemon zest

Line pie plate with pastry. Set aside in refrigerator. Shred peel from lemon to make 3 tsp. of zest; set aside.

Peel lemons, removing all white membrane; cut lemons into very thin slices. Remove seeds. In bowl mix lemon slices, zest and sugar. Let stand 20 minutes; stirring occasionally. Beat eggs well.

Stir eggs into lemon mixture; pour into pastry lined plate. Adjust top crust; cut slits for steam escape. seal and flute edges.

Bake in preheated 400-degree oven for about 35-40 minutes. Cover edges with foil to prevent excess browning if neccessary.

Score. This cookbook was in a stack of stuff I won at an auction. Lots of goodies in there.

I'm taking the leftovers with me tomorrow, in this cool vintage pie carrier. My mom had one exactly like this. When we were kids, she would make us Cherry Delight in it.

Chamomile

Naughty little Peter rabbit was served chamomile tea. One Tablespoon to be taken at bedtime. Bread, milk and blackberries were for the good little bunnies.

Today, I planted chamomile. This is my first time growing it. I was blown away by how tiny, tiny the seeds are.

Packet directions said not to bury the seeds because they need light to germinate.

The sun shined today. All day long, and my garden is happier for it!

Lemon Cream Cheese Pound Cake

This is my mother's recipe. She gave me a cookbook for Christmas that has a few of her favorite recipes in it. The ladies at her church published a book as a fundraiser. I have marked every recipe that she contributed to the printing.

My mom goes all out with everything she does. We use cloth napkins when we eat at her house. Her flower beds are exceptional and I swear her garage floor is cleaner than my kitchen floor. I am certain that my solid work ethic came from her.

 She sends me newspaper clippings, magazine recipes, and general all purpose knowledge readings. I look forward to sitting down and sorting through the piles each time she sends a stack home with me.

 Many of her recipes are fancy. I can honestly say, as I read through the cookbook she gave me, her recipes are my favorite.

Lemon Cream Cheese Pound Cake

3 cups sugar
2 1/2 sticks of butter softened (1 1/4 cups)
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1/2 teaspoon orange extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 eggs
3 cups cake flour

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour a 12 cup bundt pan or a 10" tube pan. Beat sugar, margarine, and cram cheese in a large bowl until fluffy. Beat in lemon juice, vanilla, lemon extract, orange extract and salt. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add flour, beat until smooth. Spread into the chosen pan. Bake about 1 1/2 hours or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in the pan. Remove from the pan, and cool completely.

The recipe for the glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1tablespoon softened butter
2 tsp. grated lemon peel
2-3 tablespoon lemon juice

I'm lucky to have the type of mother who taught me to appreciate simple things in life, and still know how to enjoy the finer things as well!

Hunting

Mister went turkey hunting last weekend. We now have turkey meat in the freezer for Thanksgiving. Our goal is to prepare our holiday meal entirely with food we have grown or killed. Poor little turkey! No really, someone kills those store bought birds too!

Before I get too far off the subject, I found the perfect desk to hold all of my gadgets I use when writing this blog.

While Mister was off being the great white hunter, I was left to wander area yard sales and hunt down a few treasures of my own. Behold, the deal of the week. I paid $5.00 for this desk and chair.

Can you believe it? The combo had an asking price of damn near the same as a gallon of gas. I snatched it up. This bargain now holds my cameras/accessories, seed packets, garden journal, and laptop stuff. Perfect!

I'm not even going to refinish these pieces. I will use them until I grow tired of them and then re-sell them.