Category: Domestications
Flash’n… this way or that?
| January 21, 2019 | Posted by Wendy Perry under Domestications, helpful household hints, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge |
It hasn’t been that long ago when I set my bedroom ceiling fan for the winter, I think! But a week or so ago, I went to flash’n… so while snow was fall’n outside, I was on my step ladder pull’n chains on my bedroom ceiling fan till I found that sweet spot…
…southern wine glasses
| January 21, 2019 | Posted by Wendy Perry under arts & crafts, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge |
I much prefer a nice glass of wine in a mason jar… as a matter of fact, i think everything tastes better in a mason jar! So as i enjoy a glass of red wine this evening,
Blackboard Blurb!…. **NEWSFLASH!!!** Pantone’s 2019 Color of the Year… i loveeee! and YOU?
| December 6, 2018 | Posted by Wendy Perry under Blackboard Blurbs, decorative yet FUNctional, Domestications, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, Ourdoor Living, trending |
Pantone’s 2019 Color of the Year is beautimous and will brighten up your world. Don’t you love it?
Popcorn & Vintage Candy Bar! Fun for all…
| December 4, 2018 | Posted by Wendy Perry under corn, gluten free, holidays & breaks, party foods, shindigs & hootenannies _ parties & entertaining |
Guests both young and old will love this fun festive popcorn and vintage candy bar!
Over 3+ decades of catering, I did many a party of every description… for young and old alike! When my friend Jim called me to throw a surprise 50th for his wife, we talked about several themes, and ended up doing a variety of fun stations and bars, each features local and NC products. There was a hot dog bar, hot and cold corn on the cob station, pickle tub, pimento cheese and field pea caviar area and for dessert… a blueberry and strawberry shortcake bar too. Since there was a bunch of kiddos coming, he wanted something fun for them, so I did a great big table of old fashioned candies, peanuts and all sorts of popcorns with spicy shakes for those who wanted theirs spiffed up a bit.
Shake your popcorn…
Since Sunday was “National Business of Popping Corn Day” (and forgot to post this then), I figured this would be a good time to share this popcorn bar! With the holidaZe on the way and gatherings of friends and family, this would be a fun, budget-friendly and quick idea for your entertaining…
Folks of all ages love popcorn and vintage candies. Just keep it simple… pop corn or buy it in a big old tin… add some kettle, caramel and candied corns. See what you have in your spice cabinet, or pick up some fun salts and seasonings. I’m a big fan of Savory Spice Shop and shop often at the Raleigh location, but they have other stores all over. Or you can just shop online and have goodies sent right to your door!
Throw a sheet of burlap or something festive over a table… sit boxes of various heights up under there so you can put your containers at different levels on your table! If it’s in a dark corner, don’t forget to sit a lamp on the table. The light will give your display a “pop” and draw folks to it.
TIP: Do that with all your tables! Lighting creates beautiful ambiance for your food displays, not to mention, it helps your guests see what they are getting in dimly lit areas.
It’s also helpful to make little folded cards to sit by your foods for that same reason. You can make with stickers right onto notecards or any number of ways.
Pick up some festive “take home bags” for folks to take a goodie bag with them so you’re not stuck with leftovers…
Enjoy your holiday season, and have FUN! If you do a popcorn (or any other) bar, please do snap a picture and send me! I’d love to share your ideas here with others.
Peas, please… field peas, that is!
…field peas and country ham
Peas are such a simple food… they don’t need much fuss’n with, and can be fixed in all sorts of ways. Cook simply with some country ham pieces. Ladle up a cup of the pot likker from their cook’n. Add some cornbread and call it supper! Top with stewed tomatoes or homemade tomato jam!
White acre peas with a dollop of tomato jam!
Whirl up for some right tasty hummus. Or make what we call “Carolina Caviar” for porch sit’n or tailgate’n which we will be doing soon!
Add some tomato based BBQ sauce for a little kick to your Carolina Caviar!
To make this rather southern “dip,” you can cut up fresh veggies like peppers and tomatoes and onions and shake in some hot sauce, or just stir in some prepared salsa and “doctor it up” for a simpler version. I like to stir in some thicker tomato based BBQ sauce for a tasty surprise too. I like to serve mine with pork rind dippers as you’ll see here at this big reception I did long ago, but just serve with your own favorite chip!
All sorts of fresh field peas are plentiful during July and August… time to stock up!
Any way you use them, North Carolina field peas are just good eats. And right now is prime pea pick’n season. Load your freezer with all sorts of great peas to enjoy throughout the coming seasons, until it is time to load up again next summer.
Putting up peas… White Acre Peas
You will need to blanch them before freezing, but that’s really easy to do. You will find several methods to do that here, at the National Center for Home Food Preservation’s site!
So run along to your local farm or farmers’ market and pick up PEAS! Beautiful peas in all shapes sizes and beautiful colors! Cook some cornbread, pour a glass of iced tea, and plop yourself down in that rocking chair on the porch… enjoy these dog days of summer before they are gone.
….beautiful summer field peas
I rocked many a mile with my mama and grandma…. shelling peas on my grandma’s porch… back in the day, before pea shelling machines stole that “joy” from us. Who else has those memories? I remember my mama saying… “you will be glad you shelled those peas when we are eating them this winter” to which I defiantly declared… “I’d just as soon not eat a pea as to have to do this right here” as any young girl wanting to go play would say. But you know what, those WERE “the days.”
Oh how I’d love to turn back the clock… to these days… porch pea-shelling days!
And oh how I’d give ANYthing… to go back and have those days again… with my mama, my Ma Hocutt, and the sounds of peas falling into those metal pans and my sore little thumbs. Anybody care to join me?
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