Something beautiful from the beach

This cheery platter is one of my favorites, and it came from a favorite spot.  I bought it six or seven years ago at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center on General Booth Boulevard in Virginia Beach, Va.

The aquarium is famous for its diverse sea life, and it was a regular fun spot for my children to visit.  Typically I avoid museum gift shops -- the offerings are often overpriced or cheesy, but in this case I wanted to support the aquarium and I couldn't take my eyes off the platter.  The circular fish pattern in green, blue and red is still one of my favorites -- a go-to addition for any special gathering.  Happy Wednesday, friends!

Terrific discovery in Bulls Gap

What a happy accident that I stumbled across Yoder's Country Market in Bulls Gap, TN, this week. I was way off my travel route, when I pulled into this parking lot and went in to ask directions. I was greeted by friendly staff, and a delight for the eyes (and stomach!)

The market is Cracker Barrel meets Trader Joe's -- country charm and quirkiness, with exceptional products you can't easily find at your "regular" grocer. The shelves were full of various jams, jellies, nuts and candy. And there was a line five deep at the deli, where customers considered various meats, cheeses, chicken salad, and more. I was amazed at the variety and selection of baked goodies/sweets, and the rows of fresh-baked breads.

The staff was gracious with directions, and a fellow shopper helped lead me back in the right direction. Truth is, the right direction is to beat a path back to this market's front door. I am already planning a return visit with my family, for some lunch and a fun shopping spree.

Quick trip to Charlottesville, Va.

My husband, youngest son, and I enjoyed a quick trip to Charlottesville, Va., last month. The trip was centered around a doctor's appointment, but we squeezed in some sightseeing and a couple of meals, too! Of course, Charlottesville is home to Thomas Jefferson's masterpiece, the University of Virginia. This also is the town where we had our mini-honeymoon in 2006, and has been a favorite travel spot for us for many years.

We dearly love Maharaja Indian Restaurant and made a stop there long enough to pick up some takeout for dinner. We love the entire menu, but we opted to split an order of vegetable korma, some pappadum (fried lentil wafers) and a couple of samosas (meat and vegetable filled pastries). The food was terrific, as always. Here’s a link to their menu, if you are inclined to visit. Vegetable korma is an easy, delicious recipe to make at home. Here is a version from AllRecipes.com.

We also made a quick stop to one of our favorite stores, Foods of All Nations. I picked up some Indian spice mixes, a box of super crispy rice crackers, and a jar of olive tapenade. Of course we wandered through the extensive coffee and tea offerings, fresh produce, overwhelming hot sauces, and the extensive seafood selections. I could spend a grand in that store every time I walk through the doors! Of course, on our budget, I usually drop about 20 bucks.

After the doctor's appointment, we enjoyed a casual lunch at Guadalajara’s, before heading back to Bristol. This restaurant has terrific Mexican offerings, full of fresh ingredients. Their refried beans are something special – a bit spicy and silky smooth. I enjoyed chicken tacos that were fresh and tasty. Robert enjoyed a lunch combo plate and Miles had his go-to favorite, beef enchiladas. All were terrific!

Sweet potatoes, mushroom soup and Halloween

I'm looking forward to Halloween, but no more so than my husband and son who have been busy decorating the house and yard. We've got skeletons hanging from trees, ghosts blowing in the breeze, bagged leaves in pumpkin bags and real pumpkins ready for carving. I was in the fall spirit a couple of days ago while grocery shopping and put some sweet potatoes in my cart. My husband loves them in casseroles, grilled or any way you can offer.

So far this day has been glorious -- bright blue skies, sunny, and vibrant fall colors. I had plenty of help this morning to dust and mop and sweep and now I'm making cream of mushroom soup in my slow cooker. The house smells oniony and earthy and comforting. Pics and details to come soon on the cream of mushroom soup and whatever I whip up with the sweet potatoes.

Get outside and enjoy these beautiful fall days with your family. And I encourage you to share some of your fall fun with me here, whether it is recipes, cooking tips or other enjoyable passtimes. Happy Fall, friends.

Bountiful basil

I dearly love the State Street Farmers Market in downtown Bristol. It's on the Tennessee side, but if you can make it to State Street, you can't miss it. My husband and youngest son love fresh green beans and there are no shortages at the market: greasy beans, half runners, bush beans and my husband's favorite, turkey craws.

Lately we have feasted on green beans, corn, cucumbers, yellow squash and zucchini. But two of my favorite finds this year were a beaded purple and white bracelet (look for those vendors under the permanent shelter) and basil plants. I bought two plants almost two months ago -- they were spindly little things that barely survived storms, hail and my inattention to keep them watered. Today they are towering, nearly three feet tall plants.

You can use fresh basil in any type of Italian sauce, with vegetables or sprinkled over sliced tomatoes and mozzarella for a caprese salad. I have so much basil that there is no way we can eat it all before it spoils. If you have a bumper crop of basil, dry some for later use. If you have an area with good ventilation, you can cut and hang the stalks. If you want to work a little faster, place basil leaves on a paper towel and microwave at 30 second intervals, turning them over each time, until they are dry. Store in a glass container with a lid.

Farmers markets are common in many towns today; check out what is available at your local market in the morning!

I want 'everything' on my bagel

Bagels make me happy, but everything bagels make me exceptionally happy. When I worked as the opinion page editor at the Bristol Herald Courier, I wrote a Thanksgiving editorial (2009) listing some of the great things in Bristol. Mentioned then was the Manna Bagel Co., in Bristol Tenn., and its everything bagel.

I stopped in the shop this morning and bought a baker's dozen -- strawberry swirl, blueberry, plain and my favorite, the everything bagel. Sesame seed, poppy seed, onion, garlic, salt -- they all make me happy. And I still have two more to enjoy. If you live in the region and can visit Manna Bagel, be sure to stop in. But leave me an everything bagel or two. I hate running in on Friday afternoons and finding "my" bin empty.

In love with El Mesquite

This is the real reason my husband wants to go back to Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tenn. He quickly fell in love with the food at El Mesquite, located on the Parkway in Sevierville, Tenn. Have you seen the new Red Robin commercial with the two guys driving/riding in a car? The passenger spies a Red Robin restaurant and the driver loses his mind, floors it like a maniac and basically crashes into the parking lot of the Red Robin.

That is nearly what my husband did last week, as we were following our noses and looking for a place to eat lunch. Me: “Hey, there is a Mexican place that says buffet.” My husband: “Seriously?!” (EEERrrrkk! Squealing tires and brake slamming.) My husband is a fiend for Mexican food and often asks why Mexican restaurants don’t offer buffet service (like Chinese, Indian and American restaurants often do.) Years ago, there was a Mexican place in Norfolk we loved that offered a lunch buffet on weekdays. It closed and was replaced by a Gold’s Gym (perhaps appropriate, considering how high in fat and calories Mexican food can be).

El Mesquite was casual, had friendly staff and plenty of parking. The buffet featured all kinds of Mexican selections -- tacos, burritos, nachos, salsa and more. Even the locals love it. We are already talking about making a trip there on our next visit to that part of the world.

Best of the Best from Virginia

I recently pulled this old favorite off the shelf and started digging in. I received a copy of the Best of the Best from Virginia Cookbook from a lifelong friend and her mother back in 1993. I looked it up online this week and was surprised to see you could order a copy for five bucks.

Reading this book lets you take a mini-vacation across the commonwealth, since it features recipes from Norfolk and Virginia Beach, to Arlington and Abingdon. One of my favorite contributors is Tidewater on the Halfshell from the Junior League of Norfolk and Virginia Beach. For years this was my mother’s go-to gift. The recipes are triple tested and give a real flavor for that region of Virginia. I also enjoyed reading some offerings from St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Abingdon, Va.

The Best of the Best from Virginia Cookbook includes a terrific
Brunswick stew recipe. It is a bit of work, but if the weather stays as rainy and cool as it has recently, I plan to make it soon. Happy cooking, friends!

949 views for crab dip? Seriously exciting!

My blog is a work in progress and something that gives me pleasure, but I don't expect it to be a moneymaker or to burn up the Internet. After nearly 20 years as a writer and editor, I have turned my itch to write into an effort for myself, my family and my circle of friends. I can add recipes, photographs and random thoughts on my schedule.

In my newspaper career, I worked for publications large and small. I had to manage deadlines, concerns from readers and the mission of the paper. And I am used to what I have written being seen by thousands of people. But I was thrilled and surprised to see that one of the recipes I have posted on my food blog has been viewed more than 900 times! Aunt Peggy's Hot Crab Dip is a hit in real life and on the Internet, apparently!

Many thanks to the people who follow this blog and give me encouragement to keep writing and sharing. I truly appreciate your feedback; hearing from you is always welcome. Keep trying the recipes and let me know what you think.

Terrific tastes of Thailand

I am a huge fan of Thai food, despite the fact that the closest restaurant to my home in Bristol is in neighboring Kingsport, Tenn., about 25 miles away. I was spoiled years ago when my husband and I lived a mere six blocks from a delicious Thai restaurant, Rom Thai, on Granby Street in Norfolk, Va. We love the sour, sweet and salty combination that is a hallmark of Thai food – lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, vinegar, sugar and salty sauces made from soy and seafood.

For years, I have loved Tong’s Thai Restaurant on Salem Avenue in Roanoke, Va., near the Hotel Roanoke. Their mango and sticky rice is the perfect combination of warm, creamy rice with cool, sweet mango. Simple perfection. More recently I have frequented Chaba’s on Franklin Road when work commitments bring me to Roanoke.

I aim to slip by Chaba’s during my latest visit; they have terrific service, interesting vegetable and seafood dishes and they are expert in that fantastic sour, salty, sweet combination I crave. If you have never tried Thai food, I encourage you to dive in. The flavors are fantastic and many restaurants are family-run, offering you a chance to talk to the owners and chefs and learn more about this terrific cuisine.

Food offers comfort, security

When I woke this morning, my first thoughts were on our neighbors. The mother of that family is sick and recuperating and once it seemed appropriately late not to wake them, I called and offered to bring dinner to them. They were appreciative, but are already inundated with food. My offer will go into hold until next week, I assured them.

Her illness made me think about how comforting and helpful food really is. In 2008, I spent nine days in the hospital. When I returned home I was weak and sore and nearly helpless for several weeks. Our church in Norfolk put me on the “meals list” and volunteers brought us hot dinners for more than a month. Some offerings were simple, some more elaborate, but every bite was dearly appreciated. It was one less thing for my husband to manage and the meals, arriving like clockwork around 6 p.m. each day, were accompanied by kind words of support. What more could a person ask for as they are recuperating?

My neighbor made me think of how food offers a measure of security. I have a pantry full of canned goods, crackers, dry beans and rice, seasonings and spices; a freezer full of meats, fruits and vegetables; and a fridge full of condiments, cheese, milk, meats, fresh fruits and vegetables and more. As I thought of what I could prepare from the items I have on hand, I felt pleased. I could make numerous offerings, for multiple days, for the neighbors and for my own family without leaving the house. Knowing that fills me with a sense of security and calm.

Food is so much more than just food. It offers sustenance, security, a method to help others, comfort, as well as variety and nutrition. The message was brought home as I spent part of the morning cleaning out some old files and boxes and packing items for longer storage in our outdoor workshop. I came across a sheet of adhesive labels for canning jars – oval stickers trimmed with fruit and leaves that make canned goods look a bit prettier. I smiled to see that of the 12 stickers on the sheet, nine were long gone and that I had kept the remaining three for future use.

Those labels will make their way onto something good this spring – jelly or jam or pickles or some other creation to be shared by my family or given to others. Maybe they will wind up on whatever casserole I take to my neighbor next week. But they are a sign of the importance to share food with others – to offer support, comfort, sustenance and friendship. I urge you to find ways to share food gifts with others, whether elaborate or humble. Your efforts will be greatly appreciated.